What's Down With The Browns?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Spring Break in VA

The boys and I spent spring break in VA with Lindsey, Jason and Adelaide (Mike had to work). LOVED it. So glad they live within a day's driving distance now (vs in St Louis).

Day Trip to DC

{gotta love "the force"}

{griff fell to the ground 30 steps before we got to the parking garage to head home. he just gave up. it made me and lindsey laugh. such a stubborn - and in turn, successful - move on his part. haha}

sweet, sweet adelaide

at the old garage/mechanic shop near their house

there are a bunch more. need to dig them out....post them later.....

Mr Pressly

We LOVED Miles' teacher this year. I had mentioned to Miles once that Mr Pressly likes to fish. Here's what Miles made for him for teacher appreciation week.

I'm sure Mr Pressly has it framed in his house at home, don't you think? :)

Friday, April 15, 2011

I was asked to update photographs for a local blogger team this spring. The location selected was The Green in Uptown Charlotte. To prepare for the shoot, I took Miles to the location so that I could scope out the area, check out the lighting, etc... He had the best time running around, just playing and being silly. Such a fun little park in Charlotte.

Here is a link to an article that was on the site after I took the photos (huge thanks to my friend Anne who helped me with the shoot!!)

Miles' 1st Book Report

Miles' 1st-ever book report had to be about a "famous American". He initially picked several individuals that his classmates also picked -- and eventually ended up with John Glenn (a suggestion from his teacher). Love how he displayed everything (he could have done anything -- dressed up, made something, etc...). He's so literal that it makes sense that he went the "factual poster" route. I think its all just so stinkin' cute. :) Check out his answer to #8 (it hasn't). Cracks me up.

He got a perfect score on it. I'll remind him of that someday when he's struggling with a tricky paper or research project. Maybe we can reminisce together about the ease of the "john glenn days". :)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Miles' 8th Birthday

Miles' 8th birthday was on a Friday and it happened to be a vacation day from school. We made a huge day of it -- plaza fiesta, a movie, and a sleep-over with three friends. He LOVED every minute of it!

We started at Plaza Fiesta. Miles invited his BF Reid - and extended an invitation to to Reid's two brothers - and his friends (also brothers) Ryan and Heydon. You can see the gigantic play structure in the background of this first photo. Germ haven - maybe. Super fun - definitely!

Miles, Heydon and Ryan in the game room.

Love Miles' excitement at the prize counter (kids get tickets for playing games)

Lunch at Subway....the electricity was out so they didn't take credit cards. My friend Carolyn saved the day by getting out cash and paying for lunch for 8 hungry boys....so glad she tagged along for the Plaza Fiesta part of the party.

After Plaza Fiesta I took these crazy boys to the movies to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I snuck in snacks and drinks, b/c I kept having visions of someone spilling something and getting mad or crying on our walk in to find seats. I wasn't sure what was going to happen when kids started needing to go to the bathroom during the movie -- and thankfully no one needed to. They were great! They sat through 20 minutes of lights up/waiting, 10 minutes of previews, and the entire movie. I was amazed. Stroke of luck for me.

That night, Heydon, Ryan and Reid slept over. They were dying to watch an Indiana Jones movie (Miles had never seen one, but he had been playing Indiana Jones wii games). I set everyone up in the living room on air mattresses, etc.. so that they could fall asleep during the movie (fat chance of that).

About 15 minute into the movie someone said, "I'm thirsty", so we paused the movie and decided to have a drink and eat cake (9:15-ish??). I had already announced that we had run out of time and were going to have to have cake for breakfast -- but since we were taking a break anyway, we decided to get hopped up on sugar (hence no one fell asleep during the movie!)

Around 11am the next morning the boys were still going strong. Did I mention that Mike was in Switzerland for this entire party? I'm exhausted just remembering it all. :)

We checked out the whitewater center on Miles' actual bday. They were having a huge (rubber) duck race for a local charity. We bumped into the Hull's there (they boys were ecstatic).

We explored around while we were there. The boys were most excited about a big dirt pile that they could run up and down.

Mike's parents came to celebrate after the party. As usual, I yelled out "group photo!!" as they were walking out the door to head home. Serves me right for not planning ahead. There are the best I could get. :)