The Terribley Cute 2s

I know the 2s are supposed to be terrible, but I have high hopes otherwise, for this kid. He has been so sweet and happy thusfar that either... I'm in for a rude awakening, or I may just be lucky enough to skip that stage with this one. We'll see...

We had his party at my mom and dad's house and were lucky enough to have all my side of the family in town that day. He's really into magnet blocks, so I tried to make his cake look like his favorite toy.


Bradley doesn't talk much, but he loves to sing. One of his favorite songs is the Happy Birthday song. This may have been the highlight of his day.

Maybe it's because I had the last birthday, but whenever he sings it, he always says my name. Here's a tiny bit of his song...

Bradley got loaded with lots of birthday presents and was so polite and patient while unwrapping them... unlike my other children. Here he is opening a present from Grandma and Grandpa Ashton. He plays with this almost as much as the magnet blocks... and that's saying a lot!

Bradley loves gum. I know I probably shouldn't give it to him, but when you have a kid like this, it is so hard to say no. Plus he just looks so cute chewing it.

I have caught him numerous time pulling the step stool out of the laundry room, setting it up next the counter where my purse is, climbing up on top of the counter and rummaging through my purse until he finds my gum. Then he either jams it into his mouth right there, or he gets down and walks around with his hands behind his back with a huge mischievous smile plastered onto his face. It's ridiculously cute. I can't ever get mad at him, all I can do is hide my purse the next time.

So I got him his own gum for his birthday, and I don't know if he could smell it or what, but before it was even visible from the wrapping, he was saying, "Um. Um. Um." He knew.


He got this little ride-on turtle thing from his Grandma and Grandpa Socci. That thing is way cool. It's so easy for him to handle and turn. Way better and less frustrating than any other ride-on we have ever owned.

Here's a little bit about Bradley at 2:

-10th percentile for height
-10th percentile for weight
-a little behind in his speech
-mellow
-HAPPY
-plays independently more than with others
-builds amazing things with the magnet blocks
-has never had a haircut
-sings more than he talks, always humming.
-favorite songs to sing are:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Little House
Happy Birthday
Itsy Bitsy Spider
The Wheels on the Bus
and Darth Vader's theme song
-tells us when he needs a diaper change by bringing a diaper and saying, "Oop. Oop."
-can't keep his hands off his junk
-fearless
-jumps off of anything
-has the sweetest little voice, especially when he prays
-will eat just about anything
-will finish his plate, and seconds, and anything left on his brothers' plates, and then anything that fell on the floor
-asks for "go-goan" (popcorn) every time a movie begins
-loves to be a helper
-helps cook dinner every chance he gets
-loves to do his chore: putting the clean silverware away
-loves to clean
-sleeps with his bear
-loves to brush his teeth
-takes his naps without any problems
-has no interest in the tv
-likes to play the Wii Fit
-asks for ice in his water before bed
-whines for 5 seconds when he gets dropped off at nursery, but then has a blast
-asks for eggs every morning, but then hardly ever eats them
-insists on being held while grocery shopping... not my favorite
-makes funny faces just to make you laugh
-kisses his own "owies" better
-loves to be read to; favorite book is "Naughty Little Monkeys"
-dips everything
-walks his daddy out to the car and waves goodbye until he can no longer see him, every time he leaves for work
-breaks your heart with his chin quiver whenever you have to tell him "no."

Bradman, we love you. I would have 10 more if I knew they'd be just like you. Thanks for making life easy. :)

CA Trip July 2010

We went to California for about a week in the beginning of July. Our last trip (in March) was so we could see Charles' Grandpa. This trip was so we could see his OTHER Grandpa--Grandpa Socci. It had been a little over 5 years since we saw him last. (Way too long!) Jaden was just 1 year old, and so this was Grandpa's first time meeting Kaleb and Bradley.

Here we are at Gino's. Amber also came down for a visit. We always try to coordinate with Amber since she lives all the way across the country.

One day we went on a little family hike. It was good exercise. Like Bradley's ride?


Chuck sanded down 5 or 6 little walking sticks for the grandkids before we left.


Katee Jo was riding in style. :)


Can you find Big Forrest in this picture?


Here we are at our final destination. We had a picnic lunch, but we had to keep moving the table to keep up with the shade.


Here's poor Kaleb swatting at the many many many many bugs that fed upon us. Guess who forgot to bring bug spray.


Just cuz Bryan is cute.


Michelle was just a second too late in trying to prevent Katee's extreme backwash. :)


This is the designated "timeout" spot. If you fall you have to start your time over.


Oh, just kidding. Here's Brad Man taking off on his own.


It was hot, full of bugs and stickers, and really fun carrying 6 kids back up the hill... but it was exercise. You can't knock a good workout. :)

We always have tons of fun just chilling at Chuck and Sherrie's house with the fam. I really love their backyard. They have SHADE! Why don't we have shade at our house? Oh, cuz we don't have a nice big tree like this.

Here's Jaden being a monkey in the tree. He would find all the dead little twigs he could and break them off the tree. He and Forrest Jr. loved this game.


"One little Monkey swinging in the tree..."


The Tree Swing was a new addition this visit. Here's Melanie and Bryan.


Freeze tag was hilarious. No matter what he was doing right before getting tagged, Kaleb always froze in this position.


Hmmm, do you think maybe it's time to invest in a more spacious pool?


Oh, there we go!


Katee Jo-Jo looks like such the graceful ballerina with her toes pointed.


Man, this girl is cuh-yute!


Ah. Here come the Slip-n-Slide shots.
Jaden... (workin' it!)


Kaleb... (still too nervous to actually go on his belly)


Bradley... (eventually let Charles pull him across on his booty.)


Katee-Kates... (with a little push from her Daddy... no fear!)


Bry-Bry... (he's a maniac on this thing!)


Forrest Jr.... (a little pro.)


And here come the big boys...

Chuck... (He's looking good.)

Forrest... (Man I love this guy. Almost as much as I love Michelle's laugh)

Charles (His poor chest was red for days.)

And ok, yes. I did it too. I'm only posting this so my kids remember that I'm still young and fun, dangit!

Now we're all just relaxing in the evening...


Jaden playing catch with his Great-Grandpa.


Little Forrest tearin' it up with his perfect spiral.


Sherrie at her camera post. That's pretty much what her and I do all day, everyday. :) Aaaaand Your welcome.


Time for some football! It's Socci, Socci and Socci vs. Socci, Socci and Socci. Who will win?


Run Jade, run!


Hike!



And there's always fun on the playground.

Bradley looking for a finger to hold on his way down...




A little baseball...


and some T-ball... by swinging the bat by the wrong end... lol.


Forrest being a good sport and smiling for the camera...


And this was our last night. Lots of hugs and kisses for Grandma.




Along with some entertainment.



For your viewing pleasure, we have "Little House."

And "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam." Watch for Bradley's bobble-head action towards the end.

And the last sleep before the 12 hour drive back.


Here's Bradley thinking he's going to sleep on my bed.


He even tries to fake that he's asleep. Here he is "snoring away."


There we go. Hmmm. Kind of a tight fit these days. This may be our last time using a playpen. :(


It was a really great trip. Always nice to see family and get all the cousins together to play. Maybe after Chuck has recuperated from this month's visitors, we can start thinking about the next trip. Heh-heh. :)