Saturday, September 22, 2012

Mud Factor








I finally did an obstacle run and had a blast. It was super cold, but thankfully all the mud obstacles were at the end of the course. We were only wet and muddy for a few minutes. The best part was that I only had to pay $29 to run the race because we all got it from Groupon.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Happy Half-Birthday, Grayson!

Our little mischief maker is 3.5 years old. Do you know what that means? In six months, he will be four. Why can't my babies stay little forever? I digress.

While Grayson still remains on the small side (he weighs between 29 and 30 pounds depending on the week), he knows how to pack a lot into his little body. He makes me laugh every single day, and his enthusiasm for even the smallest thing is contagious. He is incredibly charismatic and talks MORE than any little kid I know. People are constantly telling me how impressed they are with how much he talks. Not sure where he gets that from...

What amazes me the most right now is his ability to build with Legos. He could build for hours and hours if we let him. What's more is that his creations are so symmetrical. He builds the most intricate designs that are always matching from one side to the next. And to top it off, he always has an elaborate story to go along with his design. I have learned that the best way to keep him occupied at a doctor's office is to bring a small box of Legos. The other day he told the nurse he built a pipe system that turned muddy water into clear water. Not kidding.

Eating is still a chore at times, but it is so much better than last year. He is eating much better at day care, and he is eating more meat at home. He still loves summer sausage and cheese, but he also likes hamburgers, turkey meat, and peanut butter!

Speaking of day care, he had a bit of a transition period when we switched to Pam's House. He definitely tested his limits and struggled with getting to know his new friends. Two days in a row I picked him up and found out he had chucked a toy at another kid. Thankfully, though, after some long talks and a few days without being able to use the iPad, I am happy to report he is back to behaving :)

Now onto his current loves and obsessions...He currently LOVES the Lorax and Lilo and Stitch. Like his big brother, he still talks about our trip to Disney World, and he will drop everything at the mention of going swimming. Unlike his brother, he likes to wear pajamas to bed, so I recently enjoyed purchasing a new set with Lions on it. He also begs to play tennis like his older brother, and he has the time of his life picking up balls that go astray at Griffin's lessons. Both boys pretend play to be the Avengers often, and Grayson looks absolutely adorable when he wears his Thor helmet. When we ask him what he wants to be for Halloween, he says he wants to be a BIG pumpkin, but we are trying to convince him to go as Thor.

We are learning that Grayson's love language is words of affirmation. When he does something right, he often looks to me and says, "Mom, now smile at me." He also likes to cuddle, and I love it when he responds, "And we will have a picnic to the moon and back!" after I tell him I love him to the moon and back. I also have to hold back my laughter when he says "No, I am happy" when I tell him that he is acting naughty. Sorry kid. Most people are happy when they are naughty :) Doesn't mean you aren't doing something wrong! Speaking of misbehaving...Grayson is the first to point out when I use a naughty word...stupid or shut up. His mouth opens wide, and then he exclaims, "Mommy! We don't say that!"


Now that he is in a new room in Kid-O-Deo, he is learning to sit still, pay attention, and go Kiddowhampus :) He is doing so well with large group, and I love asking him questions about what he learned that day. I have yet to teach large group with him in it, but I can't wait to see how that goes!

He is seriously growing up so very fast. I know that in a blink of an eye he will be in Kindergarten. In the meantime, I will continue to stare at him while he sleeps and steal all the moments, hugs, and kisses as time allows.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Lego Maniac

Grayson is super into Legos right now. Pretty much any time he is given free reign to choose an activity, he chooses Legos. He even builds things in the car, and then he falls asleep with them as pictured above. But do you notice what he builds? Basically everything he builds is perfectly symmetrical and complicated (well, for a 3 year old). Do we have a future architect on our hands?

Future Fireman?


Griffin's Sunflower


Griffin was given a sunflower seed from the MN Arboretum back in May on a field trip. He was stoked about planting it, and the excitement never went away. All summer long he watched the sunflower stem grow in a little pot on our front porch. He watered it and waited patiently for a flower to bloom. Over the weekend, his flower finally "came alive." He was one happy little boy.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Disney 2012

We were fortunate enough to take a seven day trip to Disney world in August. Griffin and Grayson were in heaven the whole time, and as a parent, it was a JOY to watch them delight in all the different aspects of the trip. A few highlights for the boys and parents were:
  • Spending time with Andrew, Mary Ann, and Samuel
  • Toy Story Mania---Hollywood Studios
  • Tower of Terror---Griffin LOVED this ride. I was quite surprised.
  • Character Signings
  • Jedi Training Academy---Griffin got to train and fight with DARTH VADER!
  • Making Light Sabers
  • Roller Coasters!!! 
    • Griffin loved Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Expedition Everest
    • Grayson loved Barnstormer. We went three times on our last day at Magic Kingdom
  • Safari---Animal Kingdom
  • Dinosaur Ride---Animal Kingdom
  • It's Tough to be a Bug---Animal Kingdom
  • Alladin Ride---Magic Kingdom
  • Character Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch
  • Wake up Call from Stitch
  • Rock n Roll Roller Coaster---my favorite ride
  • Buzz Light Year Space Ranger Spin---Magic Kingdom
  • One-on-one rides with Uncle Andrew while the rest of us went on roller coasters
  • People Mover Ride---Magic Kingdom
  • Pirates of the Caribbean---we got STUCK! Workers had to jump in the water in waders to pull us through!
  • Taking the boys to Magic Kingdom BY MYSELF---unfortunately Brandon got really sick :(
  • Watching the Illuminations fireworks presentation---Epcot
  • Epcot Magic Hours--- both boys thought it was super cool to stay out "in the middle of the night!"
  • Eating our first Falafel---Epcot
  • Soarin' ---Ride at Epcot
  • Riding Andrew's shoulders---Griffin claims this is the best ride at Disney. 



















































There were so many memories created on this trip. We had Park Hopper passes that allowed us to go from park to park whenever we wanted, and my brother was amazing at getting us Fast Passes. I loved staying on Disney Grounds, and I was thoroughly impressed with how they catered to Grayson's need to be Gluten Free. Although it was incredibly hot, the lack of lines made it okay. Disney is also renovating Fantasyland, and there are some new things around the park that make the heat even more bearable.The circus play ground where you wait for Dumbo is the greatest creation ever!

Thanks to those of you who helped make this trip possible. From airline tickets, to Disney Dollars for the boys, to taking us to the airport, we couldn't have done this without the help of many people. We are forever grateful!

And a special shout out to Andrew. I am truly lucky to have you as a brother, and my boys are forever blessed to have you as their uncle. Thank you is not enough.