Clifford The Big Red Dog

Today Jodie, Robin and I took the little ones to the Barnes and Noble story time because Clifford the Big Red Dog was going to be making and appearance. Brayden knows and love Clifford. We watch him on PBS Kids and read his books at night, so I knew he would love this.

Knowing he would love it still didn't prepare me for how much he loved it! He was so cute and took one look at Clifford and ran over to him and wouldn't leave his side. He kept on hugging him and looking at us saying "Ki Ki!" (Brayden for Clifford). Landon and Easton weren't as into as he was. Easton was a little unsure and Landon was having way too much fun with all the crayons they had given us to color with.

All in all it was a great experience and I am so happy he loved it as much as he did.

Music Class on a Rainy Day

Brayden and I have been attending his new music class for a couple of weeks and I had to post about it because he LOVES it so much! It is called Harvest Harmonies and is offered through the Wake Forest Rec. Department. I am so glad I took a chance and signed him up because so far this is his favorite thing to go to! All I have to say is music class and he goes crazy!

One of his best buds, Brady, signed up too so that is an added bonus. We go every Thursday and then after class I bring a picnic lunch and take him to the park that is right next door. This last Thursday Robin and Landon met us and we all had a picnic together.

It was a cool day and then all of a sudden it started to pour down rain. We were going to rush them out of it, but saw how much fun they were having and decided to let them live it up in the rain for a while. Good thing we did because Brayden loved it!!! He was so happy splashing round in all the puddles and running around all wet! So cute! Luckily no one got sick and everyone had a fun time!

DC and the National Mall

The following Saturday we managed to get Brett down to the National Mall to see some of the monuments.

I have been to DC twice and had seen all the sites, so we left it up to Brett to tell us where he wanted to go. He chose the closest monuments with the least amount of walking (thanks honey!)

Within a couple of hours we managed to see the Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Washington Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Brayden and Ben had no idea where we were or the significance it held, all they knew was they could run around and check out how big the stuff was! Ben kept saying, "Washington is SO TALL!"

Overall it was a busy and tiring trip, well worth it and the beginning of many!!!

- Sue -

DC and the National Zoo

Brett and I finally made the trip up to see my sister and her family in Washington DC. It isn't a long drive at all, we just haven't had our acts together enough to make it up there.

Some of our friends from high school are in a band and they were playing Baltimore, MD so we tried to kill two birds with one stone and make it up to see my sister and squeeze in their concert. Baltimore is only an hour a way from where they live so it was perfect. It was nice to see some familiar faces out here on the east coast and we could tell our friends felt the same way during their current tour.

We drove up on a Thursday and had plans to go to the Washington DC National Zoo the following Friday. We went with Josh, Gretchen and Ben; Melissa and Ella; and Brett, Brayden and I. With 3 kids and 2 hugely pregnant women (Melissa my sister's friend) the zoo would make for and interesting outing.

The kids had a blast and I think the adults did too! We saw everything from elephants to panda bears. This was Brayden's first time to a zoo and he really enjoyed it!

- Sue -
* Heather would be proud! Napping with Mommy after the long drive.

Halloween

Today I threw Brayden and his friends a Halloween party. I love Halloween, so it was really for me! HA!

I had everyone over in the morning for Halloween themed treats and crafts, and I must say, it was a big hit! The crafts were a little high maintenance, but overall I think they enjoyed them.

The biggest hit by far were the balloons I ordered, especially for Brayden and Landon. They thought it would be really fun to hold onto the balloons and run around the coffee table screaming at each other and laughing! HA! It was too hilarious!

Also too cute, Easton and Brayden. While we were taking pictures of all of the kids together in their costumes Jodie and I noticed that Brayden and Easton were sitting together quietly holding hands. Ugh…they melt my heart those two!

After everyone had left, the house was cleaned and Brayden and I were refreshed from our nap, it was time for more fun! Trick or treating was a BIG hit this year. Last year he was too little to even care or even know what was going on, but this year all we had to say was the word “candy” and he was up for anything!

He was eager to get out of the house once the kids started coming to our door for our candy. It was a cold night so we bundled him up in the wagon and took off into our neighborhood. He had a blast looking at all the big kids and getting tons of candy from our neighbors. He was so cute once we arrived home and dumped out all his candy to show him how much he had earned. He was blown away and kept saying “WOW!”

All in all I think it was a really great holiday for our little man.

- Sue -

* Halloween craft time

* Landon enjoying craft time

* Easton and Brayden having a ball with all the crafts

* Balloon time!

* From left to right: Brady, Bobby, Addie, Brayden, Easton and Landon

* These two kill me. The hand holding was all them and SO cute!

* Time for Trick or Treating!!!!

* Mommy and Brayden ready for more candy!

* Brayden and Daddy trying to stay warm while trick or treating

* This is fun! Yeah Halloween!

* Ready to dig into all his candy

* He couldn't believe how much candy how much candy he had!

* OMG! So much candy I can't take it!!!

What a Busy Weekend!

This weekend was a busy one for the little man.

Brett and I took him out to breakfast on Saturday morning and then swept him off to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC. There we spent the whole day learning and exploring throughout the museum.

His favorite part of the museum is still the butterfly house. He loves to look at all of the butterflies flying around him and run freely after them. He is so sweet when he talks about butterflies, or "wee-a-wee-i's" as he calls them.

Sunday morning started much the same. Up early, shower, breakfast, and then right out the door to the NC State Fair. Today was the last day, so we wanted to make sure we made the most of it.

Well...we sure did. I would say we overdid it is what we did. We got there between 10 and 1030 am and didn't leave until after 5 pm! Let's just say there were multiple meltdowns and a "crash and burn nap" towards the end.

Despite the sudden bad moods, I think he had a good time, I know Brett and I did. We took him to see all the farm animals, tractor shows, vegetable shows, animal auctions, and even on his first rides!

Brett took him on the carousel, the ferris wheel, and the kiddie train. He was terrified of all 3 of them, but since he was with his daddy and he could see mommy smiling and getting all excited, he eventually would calm down and enjoy himself. After each ride he would run into my arms and have such a proud look on his face. I know the more we expose him to uncomfortable situations, the more self confidence he will have. You can see his self esteem growing daily because of it. (Even though it does look like we are torturing him for the most part! HA!)

We also indulged ourselves in all the yummy "fair food" they had to offer. This year's new item was fried pecan pie! I know, it sounds disgusting and usually I would think so, but this time it tasted SO good! I even indulged in funnel cake! Which those of you who know me, know that I don't like ANY fried food besides french fries. Let's call it a pregnancy related hazard! HA! Brayden enjoyed his share of all, but his favorite was the fresh lemonade he shared with his mommy.

Below are some of the pictures I took today at the fair. Enjoy!

- Sue -
* Checking out all the animals

* Going to see all the old tractors and yes, he is wearing a leash, but there were millions of people there and we are paranoid some one will snatch him!

* Wow...vegetables

* Brayden's first ride ever!

* Ok, not so thrilled...

* This is much better

* So scared of this!

* There they are!

* This went pretty high and fast for a ferris wheel

* Yummy ice cream!

* Yummy lemonade!

* "Crash and Burn Nap"