Fun with Foam Snakes

This evening we tried a fun lil project that I found in my newest "Family Fun" magazine. It's called a "Foamerator".

What you need:
empty plastic water bottle, rubber band, washcloth, dish soap, 2 shallow bowls (1 with water and dish soap in the other one)
Directions:
1. Cut the bottom section off of the water bottle.
2.Wrap the washcloth on the bottom of the water bottle. Then use the rubberband to secure the washcloth to the water bottle.
3. Dip the water bottle in the water, then in the dish soap.


4. Slowly start to blow through the water bottle and watch your snake as it grows and grows. We found it easier to have our two bowls with us so he could redip in the water when needed.






In Brayden's words this was "AWESOME!" When we were finished, he was already ready to make another one. "We need to make one for you mommy, so we both have one. One for Brayden and one for mommy." Such a lil sweetie pie!

A Fun Week at the Lake

This week we spent the week "camping" with my parents at Lake Texoma. I use the word "camping" a lil lightly. We "camped" with many luxuries that you wouldn’t quite think of when the word “camping” comes to your mind. We had air conditioning, Direct tv, refrigerator/freezer, and hot showers. We had a great time going on boat rides, riding the Sea-Doo, did a little fishing, and visiting with friends and family. Brayden met two girls; one his age and one 14 both named Jordan. He discovered that he is a “ladies man” and not a “boys man.” He declared that he LOVES girls. One of the best parts we had our own private little beach. Brayden enjoyed playing in the water and attempting to make sandcastles. He also wants me to mention that his favorite part was riding on the waverunner. Each night after we ate dinner we played in the sand and watched the beautiful sunsets! (We weren’t quite up early enough to watch the sunrise.) I must admit, I was a lil skeptical over the thought of “camping”. It wasn’t quite my idea of a vacation, but all in all we had a fabulous time and are ready to go again. =)

Home Photo Shoot

This weekend when we were at my parents, I attempted to do a little home photo shoot with Brayden. Right now he is really into giving a "cheesy smile" and chooses to look everywhere else but at the camera. After just a couple of shots and me telling him "No, not that smile...do a REAL smile." He finally decided to give up and told me "I'm just not good at this, I can't smile." I started laughing and decided I was going about this all wrong. Instead of trying to do "posed shots", I needed to do more "action shots". Thanks to my mom playing with him and his truck, I was able to get a few really good "secret ones" without him knowing. At one point, he saw me trying to take his picture and he told me "don't you dare take a picture of me." I wonder where he has heard that before?!? =)

Jammin in July

Although we had a little rainstorm this morninng, it turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon and evening. Late in the afternoon I took Brayden swimming. I was so proud of him! He has finally got to the point where he will jump in and swim a little distance to me all on his own! It was so exciting! I even got him to swim back to the wall after he was finished....now tomorrow might be a totally different story, but today he did it!

Tonight we also went to Jammin in July. Every Thursday night in July, McKinney has what they call "Jammin in July". It's a fun outdoor concert from 7:30-8:30ish. Last year we had such a great time, that I thought we would carry on the tradition again this year. We start the evening off getting our food at Dairy Queen, then we head to the park with our lawn chairs and picnic blanket. Brayden was more into tonight than he was last year. He was dancing and running around, providing an extra entertainment show for everyone around us. The group tonight didn't finish until a little after 9. As we were leaving, I mentioned to him that I was as hot as firecracker. He looked at me, and then instantly replied "I'm so sweaty, it's like its raining". I of course started cracking up. He already amazes me with his intelligence. =)

A Healthy Boy

Yesterday Brayden went to the doctor for his 4 year checkup (just a couple of months late). Despite his constant lack of appetite and sleepless nights he got a clean bill of health. =) He weighed 34 pounds and was 39 inches tall. He is staying consistent in the 25% range for both height and weight...which is good news. I'm always afraid his doctor is going to think I am starving him because he is not a good eater at all. Thankfully the doctor comforted my concerns by letting me know his middle son is the exact same way and to not worry about it to much as long as he is staying consistent with his growth range.

I was also concerned with Brayden's abundance of energy when it comes to bedtime. Unfortunately, he has already inherited my "night owl" trait and refuses to go to bed at a normal bedtime. Since we have been home for summer break, I think I can count on only one hand of when Brayden has gone to bed before 10pm...most nights it is at least 1am. Then the few nights he did go to bed by 10, he didn't stay asleep for the night. He just took a "lil nappie" in his words. I have tried several different things over the last couple of years, but nothing seems to work. This summer I have decided to take away his naps to see if that would help. Of course anytime we are in the car, he nearly always falls asleep. This summer I even created a couple of fun (what I thought were creative) stories about a "King Brayden" and a "Growth Fairy". Together we decided that he didn't want to be like King Brayden who never got big like all of his friends from not eating and going to sleep and he wanted the Growth Fairy to come visit him each night. The growth fairy gave him a special warning that his bedtime needed to be 9:30. If he isn't in bed by 9:30, then she will have to skip our house for the night and will go to our neighbor’s house so she can grow bigger. I even let him set an alarm clock on my phone and he personalized it with a motorcycle ring. I had such high hopes, but when the alarm goes off, he only panics for a second. Then he just lets me know it's ok if he doesn't growing for the night because he's just not sleepy. Our doctor remembered that I had these same issues with getting him to go to bed the year before, so he recommended I go the pharmacy and get him some melatonin. I haven't tried it just yet with him, I wanted to do a little research on the internet first but I'm getting mixed thoughts on it. I plan on going ahead and giving it a try...who knows it might be our lil "miracle" bedtime syrup (or pill, not sure what form it is in).

Such a sweet lil guy...

and always so busy and up to something.

Lucky for me though, he does take a lil time just to "relax" (at least every now and then).

Happy 4th of July!

Our evening started off riding in Uncle Mike's fishing boat....I was a little nervous since we were on an actual "fishing" boat our seats were up higher than the boats I am used to riding in. I felt as though any semi-big bump/wave we hit Brayden would bounce right out. He of course was not worried at all, he held on tight to the side and tried to comfort me with his big smile and laughter as the wind hit us in our faces.

After a fun boat ride, we went back to my parents house to do a little fireworks in the driveway before dinner. Then we were off to Highport Marina to watch the fireworks. We got a little late start because originally we were just going to watch a fireworks show that was just around the corner from my parents house. At the last minute we decided to make the 20 minute drive to Highport Marina. It was well worth the drive, we had a great time! When we finished watching the fireworks Brayden turned to me and said "I'm sorry you missed them mommy." I asked him what he thought I missed and he replied "the ending of the fireworks show." I reassured him I didnt miss the ending and I asked him why he thought that and he replied "cause you were to busy trying to take my picture." How sweet is he!

Surfboard Growth Chart

Last Thursday and Friday I finally had a little bit of free time to do some much needed summer crafts. Brayden stayed with my parents while I was supposed to be working on finishing up my school projects for my first two summer courses. Something about doing homework and studying for two finals just wasn't quite appealing to me, so instead I finally got a chance to complete a project for Brayden's room. Last summer I transitioned him into his new "big boy" room and after finding a great deal at Pottery Barn Kids I was able to continue with his ocean/surf theme. After doing a little research on the computer for ocean themed rooms, I found a really cute idea for a Growth Chart made out of a surfboard. Unfortunately, the minimum price was at least $100 for a solid color, which I just couldn't see myself spending that kind of money on one. So I did the next best thing, I took my dad on a trip to Lowe's and I purchased some $30 wood for him to cut me out a surboard. I also happened to stumble upon a set of hibiscus Wall Pop stickers that were on clearance for $2.50.
It only took him about 7 months to cut it out for me (wasn't quite on the top of his priority list) and then it took me another 4 months to paint it. I used a little yellow paint that I purchased at WalMart from the "oops, wrong color shelf" and the .50 craft paint for the middle painting, 1 set of beach stickers along with wooden letter from Hobby Lobby and a lot of Mod Podge. I used the Mod Podge as glue for the Wall Pops and then the stickers I stuck to leftover scrapbook paper and then mounted with the Mod Podge. I also used the Mod Podge as a sealer over the whole board...Here is the final result including his reaction, a puzzled look wondering how I made it and finally getting a chance to measure himself.