Friday, October 31, 2008

Warming Up for Halloween

We had some family friends and a few neighbors over for a little Halloween party last weekend. It was fun to start the festivities a full week early. The kids had a blast running around in their costumes and everyone ended up playing until well after dark.


Mike wore his Incredibles t-shirt and I made Griffin at Jack-Jack costume.
My costume? Wonder Mother! (named by Mike)
Fictitious super power? Ability to conquer all whining (wouldn't that be an amazing power?)


Mike posing as a vampire. Mike, Shannon & I drew these characters on a sheet. It was fun to make and play with at the party.


Our cute niece Mason in her pink WonderWoman costume.


Aunt Dana hooking Miles up at the face painting table. She and Brad had quite a hopping station for awhile!


Noah took a stand at the last minute and decided NOT to dress up. He still looked cute!


Shannon wore the family twinkie costume. First Lindsey (college?), then me (last year). Next up: Dana!

Check out more pictures of us and our friends here:
Beware: there are a lot of them and my camera was on the wrong setting (bummer!).

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Grandpa Bob!






We love, love, love you!
xoxoxo Mike, Brooke, Miles, Noah & Griffin

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

In Good Company

It was chilly today in Charlotte, but at the urging of Griffin (which means that while holding his crocs and standing in front of the door, he yelled "shoes! shoes!" until I put them on him and we left the house) we bundled up and had a ball at the playground. The park was practically empty, except for two little boys each there with their moms. No joke -- one was named Noah, the other was named Griffin.





Griffin is adventurous and determined. Everything that Noah does, Griffin wants to do -- only he takes it up a notch and includes his 'lovie of the day' as well (one handed maneuvering up the climbing wall was interesting!). Its fun that they are starting to really enjoy the same things. Now if I could just get Noah to mimic Griffin and take an afternoon nap....

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Reunion

Shannon and Mason came to visit this weekend -- and it was another awesome reunion of the cousins. The kids had so much fun together (we adults did too!) and within an hour of their departure Miles said, "mommy, when can we go to Mason's house?". We're all looking forward the next visit already!


Miles drew this picture for Mason. Love the big smiles, the sun shining and the hand holding!



Friday, October 24, 2008

Happy Birthday, Peggy!


Happy Birthday Peggy/Mom/Grandma! We wish you lived next door so that we could run over and celebrate with you. We love you! xoxoxo
Brooke, Mike, Miles, Noah & Griffin

Photo by Hope Bray

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

October Milestones


Miles continues to love school. He's enjoying spending time with new friends and doing fun things at school (computers, library, art, PE, recess, Wednesday 'dessert day' and Fun Fridays - when the kids get a special treat, if they've been good all week). He also LOVES riding the bus. Its really cute to see him hop off the bus in the afternoon and hear lots of little voices yell out "bye, Miles!"

Over the past couple of years, Miles has been very emphatic that he is friends with 'boys only'. Of course, there are exceptions -- including his self-described 'best friend/cousin Mason' and family & neighborhood friends that are girls. He's told me since Day 1 of Kindergarten that he is not friends with the girls at school -- but I'm wondering if things are beginning to change. Yesterday he mentioned a girl's name when talking about a game he played at recess (that was huge!) and then in the early evening, while playing after music class, he attempted to kiss his neighborhood friend Sydney! He didn't quite lean in far enough, so there wasn't a connection. It happened in a split section and I happened to catch it -- I shocked me and I think Miles shocked himself (I can't imagine it will happen again anytime soon). Too funny and really cute!

Last night Miles said, "mommy, why are some kids faster than me and better at basketball than me?" I explained that God made us all with special gifts and talents -- so some kids will be naturally better than other kids at things but that God made us all with a very special talent. I also explained that he can get better at things by practicing a lot (like the way he gets better at drawing and building things because he practices them so much). He thought for a minute and said, "mommy, I'd really like to be good at baseball. I want to start practicing hitting the ball a LOT." I'm excited to add "pitcher" to my list of motherhood responsibilities!


Noah is passionate! At 3 1/2, he has a lot of personality -- and is either really high (very affectionate, super funny) or really low (crabby, crabby, crabby). He hates to miss any of the action, so sleep is taboo. His latest excuse is that his bed it "too small", so he prefers to sleep on the hallway floor outside his room or in the guest room bed. Averaging about 7 hours of sleep each night (and no naps) puts him in a perfect position to unleash a melt-down anytime he's slightly unhappy. On the way to church on Sunday, Noah was telling me what he planned to do after church. Miles piped up with an excited, "I have an idea...!" Noah snapped back, "you. do not. have. an idea!!!" He yelled it with such passion (and it was such a ridiculous statement) that I couldn't help but hide my giggles from the front before disciplining him. Its about par for the course these days. On the up side, he loves to play with his brothers and has been really cute about including Griffin in playtime. They are already great pals. He's also determined to write his name and has mastered the "O" and "H". Once he gets the entire thing down pat I'm sure he'll be labeling everything he owns!


Griffin continues to change quickly! He's getting the hang of shape-sorter toys, he enjoys reading and can point to more pictures in books (e.g. where is the firetruck?), he yells the word "shoes!" often (which signals take me to strap them on and take him outside now), and he waves goodbye and blows kisses at night. He's becoming more independent and will venture into the playroom for a little solo fun. He seems to understand most of what we say and he's starting to RUN. Can't wait until he starts talking more...I have a feeling he's going to be pretty funny!


Photos by Hope Bray

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Amazing Maize

We checked out the Amazing Maize with our neighbors, Shawne, Evan & Sydney. Welcome Fall!


Noah was ready with his map and gave a pre-game pep-talk to Griffin.


The kids loved taking turns carrying the flag (typically held above the corn stalks so that your group can be accounted for).








All of the kids were totally into it! They ran around the maze looking for clues and puzzle pieces to attach to their maps. Griffin wanted to run and keep up with the big kids -- that is until he passed a mud puddle (then he stomped and splashed away).





Playing in the haystacks and pumpkin patch afterwards was fun, too!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Teddy Bear Picnic

Miles' class had a Teddy Bear Picnic today. The kids wore personally-made bear ears, sang a few songs with their bears and then had lunch with their families. Due to the rainy weather, it was in the classroom instead of outside; but, it was still really cute. Noah wavered from his normal routine and played hookie from school so that he could join us -- mostly due to this conversation at 6am.

Noah: Mommy, I don't want to go to school.
Me: Why not?
Noah: Because I don't like my teachers.
Me: Why not?
Noah: Well, I don't like Miss Dana. (for the record, he does really like his teachers)
Me: Why not?
Noah: Because God made another Dana...Aunt Dana...and I like her a lot better. Can I please stay home, just today?





****
After the picnic, Noah, Griffin and I went to the playground. They had a blast and Griffin screamed in protest the entire way to the car. He's going to love his T/Th mornings with Noah!





Thursday, October 16, 2008

A Light Lunch & Some Serious Reading




Noah and I spent our free-time this morning hanging out at Dean & Deluca and the library. At D&D, I had an awesome lunch while Noah indulged in gummy octopuses (no, not his lunch - he'd already eaten). Then we selected about 15 books at the library. Much fun, indeed!

Kindergarten - Full Speed Ahead!


I volunteered in Miles' media (library) class today. It was only the second time the kids checked out books but they knew exactly what to do (such independence!). Before the kids were released to select books, the librarian pointed out various book locations to me. She happened to mention that the library only has one Spiderman book. Wouldn't you know that when Miles' name was called, he ran right over to where the book was housed, grabbed it, and said, "yes! I got it!" Good memory, my friend --- score #1 for Miles Brown!



Later on, Noah and I went back to the school for "Thursday's Family Reading Day" (we read Oh The Thinks You Can Think and The Bravest of the Brave). While we waited for the class, Noah and I checked out Miles' artwork. I'm amazed that the class is already writing. The kids are encouraged to write everything based on how it sounds to them. I was not surprised to see that Miles depicted his bear as a "flying super hero".


Here is Miles with some of his classmates on their way back from lunch. Curious about their sizes? The boy in front of Miles is a year+ older and the boy behind him is six months older. Other than that, it all in the genes...