What's Down With The Browns?

Friday, March 20, 2009

Welcoming Spring

Wait... Spring doesn't mean 'no more school'?!?

Griffin's teachers hosted a sweet 'Muffins for Mom' event this week. Griffin had breakfast at home and then scarfed down 4 muffins at school. Must be strategically bulking up for those brotherly wrestling sessions...

Thanks, Kate, for taking our picture!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Pumpkin Cake

Miles and Noah are in a baking phase, so we've been cooking up a storm. Yesterday we made a pumpkin cake by tripling a bread recipe and using a fun bundt pan.

Before we got started, I made chef hats for the boys. After Miles checked out his baseball/chef hat combo in the mirror, he matter-of-factly said, "Mom, I look RIDICULOUS." He proceeded to make his own version, more to his liking.

With the hat situation figured out, its time to get silly!

Miles is the Master Egg Cracker!

It cracks me up that the boys can't dive into cake without first christening it with candles. Wonder what they wished for?

Griffin and I read a few books in Miles' classroom this morning. As we walked to the car, I couldn't get over how Griffin looks simultaneously so big and so little.

Noah spent the morning playing up with Austin. Midway through the fun, they decided that 'everything is better when you're only wearing undies.' They are insanely silly together and talk non-stop. Reminds me of the my relationship with Beth. Another perfect match.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Muddy Waters

Griffin was the instigator for some good old fashion puddle jumping. He grabbed his shoes and repeated, "side! side!" until we indulged him. All 3 boys had a blast....with Noah and Griffin living it up the most (at one point Noah was sitting in the mud puddle).

When Griffin had had enough, he threw up his hands, said "all done" and walked home. Priceless.

Hangin' with Grover

We went to a bookstore on Saturday that was hosting some fun activities -- animals (Griffin touched a snake!), science experiments, face painting. I took a bunch of pictures, but this one is definitely my favorite. :)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Lovin' the Lumpkins

We met Jen and her cute kiddos at Discovery Place. Harper was miss social and kept inviting Noah to join her in activities. After about an hour, Noah wrapped up his solo play and the two of them romped around together. I can definitely see them being little buddies.

Drew is a couple of months younger than Griffin and is a total go-getter. If you could splash in it, she did; if you could climb it, she did. You name it, she was up for it. She had so much fun at the water table, that she needed a costume change into Griffin's back-up clothes. The boyish colors don't take away from her girly cuteness one bit!

Griffin is an animal fanatic. True-to-form, check him out in this picture.

Looking forward to many more adventures with the Lumpkins!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Swim lessons

Swim lessons started a few weeks ago at a rock-bottom low. Tantrums were had by all -- Miles, over a snack; Noah, over some goggles, me, over how late we were going to be. It was ugly -- very ugly. But this week, our 4th week, was amazing. We hit our stride and now we all look forward to Mondays and Wednesdays.

We changed the dynamic by arriving to at the pool 45 minutes early (versus staying for 45 minutes to swim after their lessons). The older boys can swim before lessons and we get to avoid the "just 5 more minutes to play", because when its time for lessons, its time to head to the other pool. After lessons, we all shower and get into our pjs. It gives us one less step at home and the boys think its fun to be out-and-about in their pajamas. If they are good during the swim & shower time, they get to watch their 30 minutes of tv for the day when we get home. They love their tv-time, so everyone is a winner!

Griffin started off wary of the water, but now he LOVES it. He jumps up and purposely falls so that his face goes under the water (and then laughs hysterically). He loves to float on his back, though he spends most of his time trying to pry my hands off of him. I let him go a couple of times to show him that he'd go under without me. I "rescued" him immediately and he wasn't phased. He is going to love summertime at the pool (and will likely need to wear a life jacket at all times!).

Noah hated lessons at first. He screamed for me to 2 weeks. Now, he walks right over to his class and sits in his spot. He's frequently spotted smiling while swimming. :)

Miles loves to swim and he is f-a-s-t! Check him out in this picture...no one else in his class is near him. His teacher is great -- and is having the kids use noodles/floatation devices as a way to help them work on different aspects of their strokes. I've been really impressed. I'm going to encourage him to join the neighborhood swim team this summer, just to keep up the practice.

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The only bad part to these water-loving boys, is that the outdoor pool water is c-o-l-d in May and June. I may need to ask for a wet suit for Mother's Day! :)

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Spring Fever

The weather has been incredible! We broke for dinner at 4:45pm and then resumed our outside fun. We have s-p-r-i-n-g f-e-v-e-r and can't stop smiling!

Tonight Griffin climbed into the jumpy with his brothers for the first time. They were like 3 bear cubs crawling all over each other. He's almost 2 -- and is losing his baby ways -- and moving into the pack!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Close Call

It was a close call; but, Miles saved the day (and many future days and nights) with his quick thinking and speedy hands. The second he noticed that Griffin had his lovie AND the twin back-up lovie, Miles lunged in and performed a snatch & grab. Griffin never knew what hit him.

Sun-kissed Cheeks

Super Sunny Saturday

There is nothing like warm weather and sunshine to bring out the smiles. Being cooped up during the long-dark winter has been hard this year; but, with Spring around the corner I can't help but hold a smile. We spent 3 full hours at the park today with some of our favorite neighbors. It rocked.