Tuesday August 31, 2010

August is coming to a close, and that means a couple things. School has started and football season is almost here. Brianna stared her second year of pre-school last week. She walked into the room just like it was a regular day last year. She has a couple friends from last year, so I think that helps her get adjusted. So far those are the only names she knows, but it wont be long before she can name everyone in the class.

Bri also started gymnastics today. This may be interesting. So far, she loves it more than soccer and tee-ball. While observing her today, I have determined what kind of student Brianna is and will be in school:
The type who will raise their hand and answer everything, whether it is right or wrong. Today, she got lucky. The question at hand was, "Does anyone know how to do the bear walk?". Bri was the only one to raise her hand, as high as she could, while saying "I do!". The gymnastics teacher picks Bri to answer and she responds "I know the bear walk because I have seen bears before." I kind of laugh, thinking she still has no clue what this teacher is talking about. The teachers then asks her to demonstrate it. Without hesitation, she drops down and walks with her hand and her feet, imitating the bear walk. She was correct. I have no idea when she would have heard the bear walk before, but she got this one right. This may be interesting to see how this trait progresses.

Bri is also getting fairly good at drawing. A couple weeks ago, all the girls came out to eat supper while I was at work. Bri brought me a drawing that I had to put in my office. I will post it below. She didn't even get any help from Kristy when she drew the yellow sun, green grass, and the blue sky. This artistic stuff may also make for interesting stories in the future. Its a picture of us walking and holding hands on a sunny day. She drew Kristy a picture of her on a cloudy rainy day. We will let the psychologist make the judgment on that one.

As for Emily, she still does the same thing. Eat, sleep, eat, sleep, make dirty diapers, etc. She is getting better though, she went through a spell where she did not like me one bit. I get her for a few minutes and it would be instant crying. I give her back to Kristy, she is happy. Its early, so I don't worry too much about it. It wont be long before she is drawing pictures of Kristy on a cloudy and rainy day, even though I bet this kid will be just like Reagan, a mommy's girl.

This Thursday we will be celebrating our five year wedding anniversary. By celebrating, I mean I will be going to Ames for some Cyclone football!! The Thursday night game did not do us any favors. Bri has school Friday mornings so someone had to stay to take her to school. I don't think we fairly drew straws, but Kristy took the bullet and will stay home on our anniversary. Five years ago we embarked on this life long journey. A month into it we decided to get a dog, to help ease the pain of living in a new place and home. Then a few short months later we gained a kid, with monster like tendencies. Its been such a good ride, we added another monster. I am full aware that I am doomed and out numbered in any battle/vote for a good 19 years, but if its anything like the first five years, they will all be worth it.

Now on to the final note, we, or I this week, will begin our journey to Ames for the View From Section EE. After each game, I will try to update this thing with pictures and stories from the game.

This weeks prediction:


27







17

Monday August 2, 2010

I guess a lot has happened since the last entry on June 11th. Its been so long I am having a hard time coming up with something for today. The first thing is Brianna has started to get a little better with this whole things about her not being an only child anymore. The first few weeks were brutal. I swear she all of a sudden was 2 years old again and needed diapers. Her whining has subsided a little, and it has become better. It was rough for a while. Her big brother Reagan wasn't any better. That jerk decides to start getting into garbage. There wasn't a safe garbage can in the house. Not to mention the stress he put on his digestive system and our floors. But after a few weeks, things have calmed down. We have now put lids on all trash cans and Bri has decided not to pee her pants every time she has to go to the bathroom.

Since the 11th of June, we have made a few trips. One annual trip up to Okoboji (where Bri was labeled the naughtiest child to ever visit the lakes) and a few back to Baxter. The picture below may be the reason Reagan is mostly acting out. Two car seats now leaves Mr. 85 Pound Boxer a very small area to sit. That has to be one of the most uncomfortable two and a half hour rides he will ever have. Its sad when he is the inspiration to get a larger vehicle, and it will not be in any form of a van. Sorry van drivers, its not happening.

This year for the 4th of July we decided to go to Katie's for her neighborhood Kiddie Parade. Bri was extremely excited for this little five minute parade. On a last minute stop to a Walgreen's, we picked up some supplies to decorate her scooter. Thanks for a few ribbons I was able to get her scooter all ready. Unfortunately, it rained on the morning of the 4th. So instead of going to the Kiddie Parade, her and Evan had a parade in Katie's House. She was suppose to throw us the Tootsie Roll's, but instead we found a bunch in her pockets. Here is Bri and her Scooter and Bri and Evan in Evan's decorated wagon.

During this trip to Baxter, where Reagan sat in a small corner of the car, we once again experienced Fun Days. This year was planned a little differently and we did not get to experience the "Shitation". That's probably a good thing because Katie said something literally died in there and it smelled awful. I am not sure how much difference that made from last year. On this trip we had the parade. Ever since the 4th of July Bri has wanted to go to a parade. Thankfully Kristy's parents live along the Baxter parade route. Bri was sitting in her chair along the curb a good 45 minutes before the parade started. On a little Patriotic note, I told Bri that when the parade begins and they are marching with the flag, she is suppose to stand up and put her hand on her heart. This was probably 20 minutes or so before the parade started. I am proud to report, she remembered and was stood as the parade started.

As usual, it seems to always be 100 degrees or hotter on the trip to Fun Days. This year we let Bri go play a few games before we conned her into leaving and to go swimming. The not so good part about swimming is I have to go with her. Anyway, I was in the pool and caught her a couple times. Then all of a sudden I hear a big splash and there is Brianna, floating to the top after a decent sized cannon ball with no warning to others. She probably did this a thousand times, all with no help. Fast forward to this past weekend when we weren't with her at the pool. She had taken her life jacket off for one of her many bathroom breaks and when she came back she just jumped in, with no warning. As she was mid air, her Uncle Bruce noticed and she happened to jump right next to her Grandpa Marty. She could care less, she loved it. This will be very interesting when she gets older.

I should hopefully find the time to post a little more frequently in the near future. In exactly one month, we begin our journey to Ames for 7 weekends this fall for some Cyclone football. I will try to keep this thing more updated with my "View From Section EE". As fuzzy as a majority of that view will be, I will try to keep it as current as possible.