Brayden Angelo

Or maybe Picasso???We spent Monday doing Halloween crafts with Frances and Kristi. The kids showed their artistic skills by painting some beautiful pics. I believe Brayden said his was a whale while Frances painted a coral. I'm not really sure how those are linked to Halloween but it is great to see the kids using their imaginations.

Then the paint brushes were replaced with some fun hand and foot painting. Here are some of Brayden's masterpieces, a hand spider and foot ghost.

We finished the day with some finger puppets and cooking lessons. Thanks for the great playdate Kristi and Frances.

Boating Farewell

We went on our last boating trip for the summer with our friends the Fehrs and Cramers. The kids had a great time playing in the water, and the adults had a great time watching them from the boat. (The water was just a little too chilly for anyone over 2 yrs old, except Mitch.) Brayden also got to drive the boat again but he really enjoyed sitting in the front with Daddy yelling at Mitch to go "faster, faster."

Lollipops and Tigers and Elephants Oh My!!!

This past Friday, we went to Conseco Fieldhouse and saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was so much fun. Brayden said his favorite parts were the tigers and elephants but I think the gigantic lollipop and cotton candy would be more accurate. Brayden and Daddy were seeing whose tongue could turn the most colors. I don't know about tongues but Brayden's face would have definitely won the competition.

Brayden had a lot of fun with his elephant light up, spinning toy. Every time the lights went out the elephant was pulled out.

Mommy's little angel. Need I say more?
Our favorites, elephants and tigers. Boy can they do amazing things. I feel like I should be able to teach my dogs more.

Future Greyhounds!!!

We met our friends, the Kendalls, at U of I this weekend for some alumni activities and a football game. Pat played with the other baseball alumni and pitched a great inning with two strikeouts. Unfortunately, his obstacle course running went better than his home run hitting ;(

Patrick and Brayden also had a great time on the obstacle course and in bouncy room. Patrick was a natural but it took Brayden awhile to warm up to the toys, especially when there were big kids bouncing with him. But he did and they had a great time. So great that we had to pry them away to actually watch the football game. Oh, I can't forget to mention our near fiasco. Brayden started to pull his pants down in the middle of the obstacle course line with 20+ kids around to go potty. Fortunately, Mommy is pretty quick and wisked him to a safer, more appropriate potty area. Too many of our friends know this is something we are going to have to work on(right Lori?).

We were finally able to get the boys over to the game and U of I stomped their competitors. Of course, the boys were so inspired that they had to work on their game. They just couldn't decide which position they wanted to play. I think that being the kicker would be great for Brayden.

Unfortunately, I think he really enjoyed the wide receiver gig, especially with Patrick blocking for him. They make a great team!!!

Then the boys had to take some posed pics for their Mommy's. We do love to scrap and who knows, they may be playing for U of I someday.The highlight of the day was getting to see the Vince Lombardi trophy. We love the colts and the trophy was awesome. Go Colts!!!

Workin' At The Car Wash

We went down to southern IN and spent Labor Day weekend with our families. We had a great time watching some soccer with our dear friends the Meyers. We don't get to see them much but we love them and miss them. Eric was at a Cubbies game so we didn't get to see him but Sarah was there and she is just growing up too fast.

We also got to spend some time with the Collins' family. Brayden loves playing with Alwex (others know him as Alex/fat boy) and Bailey. We had a cookout Saturday evening and had to go back Sunday evening for Smores. Alex had been promised smores, and he was not going to let us break that promise. Connie even got to spend a good chunk of Sunday helping out in the drugstore attic getting nice and dirty, which is one of her favorite things to do. HA HA. Thanks Connie, we love you. My favorite part of the weekend was watching Brayden help Alex at his Batesville Singers' car wash. Water always puts Brayden at his best and now I can add that to his chore list. After the car wash, Brayden kept singing "Workin' at the car wash, whoa oh oh oh oh." It was pretty adorable.

Two of a kind

What a pair!!! This past Thursday, Brayden got to play with one of his favorite buddies, Patrick, and they had a blast. The amount of energy those two boys have could power a city. It was so much fun to watch them play on the play set and swim. I have no doubt that they will be great friends just like their mommies.
Frances got to join in on some of the fun on the swings but was still a little tired after not getting a nap. Besides, the boys were still just a little too rough and loud for our sweet, quiet Frances.
Brayden finally braved the rope climb with a little help from his bigger, braver buddy. He did great but was still just a little too cautious to climb all the way to the top. Maybe next visit.
Playing hide and seek in the playhouse, one of Brayden's favorite games with his house. However, definitely second to climbing in and out of all of the windows, which did not get captured by the camera.
Of course, we couldn't have a play date without breaking out the Escalade. And as always, the best part was trying to run over the Mommies. Jaxx also got to be a target this time around.