Brody Turns 3!

This weekend we had Brody's third Birthday Party. Usually I am a little against big parties for every Birthday but I'm so glad we had one this year. He was so excited the week leading up to his party. At one point earlier in the week he covered his mouth/smile with his little hands and said, "I can have fire on my cake (candles), and they will sing "Happy Birthday Brody?"  Of course I said yes, and I had multiple people bring candles so between us all someone  wouldn't forget.

We celebrated his Birthday at Pogo play in Kenwood. It was far away but worth it since all of our friends from NKY were able to come. The kids played in bouncy houses, had pizza and cake, played in the tunnels and on the slides and ran around like crazy. I believe everyone one had a great time, especially the birthday boy. He received a few presents and has enjoyed playing with his tool box and leaf blower the most. Dave and I gave him a stationary bike that plugs into the TV as a video game. Our hope was it would give him something active to do indoors this winter. Unfortunately the concept is a little above him right now and it just frustrates him. We will keep the bike though and maybe next year he will use it more.

Thanksgiving 2015

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandmas house. We started off the Holiday by visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Kaiser. It was great to spend some time with them since we rarely get to see them and even more rare that we get to visit with them alone. While at their house Dave found a picture of him and I from about 15 years ago. Life sure does look different now, and so do we.

We were the first to arrive at Grandmas house. We helped her put the finishing touches on the meal and spent time talking before the rest of the family arrived. Once everyone arrived it got loud and crazy. Jett lives a party and cried so he was an angel. He continued his solid food aversion or what we now know to be "pickiness."  He did eat some pumpkin pie for his air Emily. Brody had fun playing with all his cousins. He loves trying to keep up with him and they love encouraging to do things. Once our celebrating was over we dropped Brody off at my parents for the night and we headed back home with Jett.

USMC Ball

This year Dave and I took a mini vacation surrounding the USMC ball in D.C.  We spent a few days visiting Gary and Emily in their home in Baltimore.  It was great to get away from the kids for awhile and enjoy life as a couple again. 

"Teeth Are Messy"

Today started my week of vacation and what better way to start it off but to take Brody to the dentist. I have been planning and prepping him for this for awhile. I was super worried it would go awful and end in tears, screaming, and tantrums. I also had no childcare for Jett so he had to come with us which really makes life challenging when Brody acts like a fool.

To help Brody prepare for the dentist we printed out and colored a coloring book/story I found on their website. He liked that but didn't show to much interest. The night before we watched a few YouTube videos of kids going to the dentist and cartoons about teeth. YouTube videos have been a huge help to him with potentially scary things in the past. Maybe this means he is a visual learner. 

Once at the dentist Brody played independently in the playroom and waited his turn patiently. Dr Steckler eventually came out and let us. He invited Brody back and he went willingly. He gave Brody a huge toothbrush and asked him if he could brush a huge stuffed animal bears teeth. Brody bought right into this and loved it. He the climbed right up in the dentist chair and asked for the sunglasses the kids had in the YouTube video (thank god they had them) and he let Dr. Steckler examine, clean, and flourinate his teeth. Dr. Steckler was super impressed with Brody'sbehavior and willingness to let him clean his teeth. I was in utter disbelief. It was one of those moments that an outsider would see as no big deal but it was huge to us. He was so independent, wells mannered, and well behaved. I was one proud Mom. I felt like it was a small glimpse of the future and I could see the great little person he was becoming.

"Sleep in the Trailer"

This past weekend Dave and Brett took the boys to the farm for a camping trip. This was Brody's second time camping with the trailer. The first time the four of us just went to a campsite close to home to try it out. Jett and I didn't even spend the night that time because I was sick with a cold and I didn't want to wake him and everyone else up.

Brody loves the trailer. It has air conditioning, electric for heat, carpet for comfortable sleeping and lounging and a TV and dad player for the movies of it rains. Now that Brody has slept on the floor in the trailer twice he gets up in the morning and lays on his bedroom floor by his door and falls back asleep almost every morning. 

Like usual all the boys had fun during "man's town."  They built a fire, played in the dirt, ate donuts and other junk, shot guns and did other "man's town" things. Brody actually keeps asking to go back to "man's town".

Halloween

Somehow I forgot to write about Halloween this year.  So, for the sake of time I will just photo dump some pictures that depict the night.

One quick funny story:

Dave and I had explained to Brody the concept of Trick or Treating and we thought that he understood.  Apparently we left out a few important details because the first house he went to he ran right past the ladies passing out candy on their porch and ran directly in their house.  Once he got in there he told everyone to look at his peter pan costume and showed them his candy bucket and told them they were supposed to put candy in it.  Luckily they all laughed and were a good sport about the whole thing.