Grant's 3 Year Check-up

Stats:
Height - 40.75 inches (95%)
Weight - 38 pounds (90%)
Referrals - Peds Surgeon for umbelical hernia - yay!!

All was well Grant's check-up.  Yes, he was 3 in June and yes his appointment got rescheduled for August!  Mainly we discussed behavioral issues - physically he is doing great!  Grant is strong-willed and stubborn and a lot of patience is needed at times, but he has his shining star moments too!  For instance he fell asleep last night on his own (without back rubbing) and stayed in his bed ALL night and wore big boy underwear and stayed DRY!!! Hooray!  We are working on changing his phrase of "I don't like you" to "I'm mad/angry."  He tends to make a mistake (or fall/trip) and he blames the person closest to him (usually me).  I was assured all of these things are part of being 3 (and a boy!).  We continue to try to be calm, firm and consistent with our discipline, but sometimes are easier than others.  Honestly, sometimes he is so darn funny, I can't help but laugh.  The other night as we were dining on a special pre-VBS dinner of scrambled eggs, he says, "this tastes like poop." Why, or course this was not polite and I couldn't help myself, so I asked, "Grant how do you know what poop tastes like?"  I am even still surprised that I stooped to this level, obviously it had been a long day.  His reply was priceless, "tastes like my butt."  (oh the days when we used to wonder if he would ever talk!) At this point I am dumbfounded and agree that the eggs are a little too salty and insist he eat his fruit and put another point in Grant's win column.  Where does he get this from?!  Of course Elizabeth is speechless - all of these words that we aren't supposed to say! Grant will be starting a one day program this fall, I can only imagine what this boy will teach his peers...and vice versa! All in all, we are proud to call this little knuckle head, Grant Ryan, part of our family - he always keeps us guessing!

VBS 2013

"God's Backyard Bible Camp"

This year Elizabeth, Grant and our neighbor Lauren went to VBS.  I helped out in the preschool area, so we all together!  Grant's attention span was a pretty short during the story time, but he was right on track with snacks and crafts!  I think playing on the playground was the biggest hit though!

 The 5 evenings of VBS are always hectic.  It runs from 6-8 pm, which means we don't eat dinner as a family because Brandon isn't home from work yet.  It also means mommy doesn't pull out all of the stops for dinner and we eat scrambled eggs and leftovers - not too exciting!  I know we are doing the right thing by taking them, but it makes for a very long week and sometimes I wonder what they are actually getting out of it, but I know nuggets are soaking in and it makes all worth it.

Last year the last night of VBS we went to DQ for ice cream and then Lauren had a sleep-over.  Elizabeth having an excellent memory, of course requested for the same this year.  Plus it was her birthday so how could I say no!  Poor Grant didn't get any ice cream (except for what was shared with him) because he didn't take a nap for me.  You can see by the smiles, they were very happy.  And we know all have the tune, "Hey, Hey! We are living in God's backyard! Hey, Hey! We have a part to play.  Hey, Hey! We are living in God's backyard" stuck in our heads!

Blueberry Picking

There is a farm a few hours from our house that has acres of blueberry bushes.  They came ripe in the middle of July and my mom loaded us up and took us blueberry picking!  She wanted to make sure the kids knew where blueberries come from and how they grow :)

Notice the bucket is still empty...this is at the beginning! 

It was opening day so it was "blueberry chaos" as they call it.  As we were pulling in I saw a guy with a Camelback water pack on his back and thought, "wow he must plan on picking a lot!"  We road a hayrack out to the fields and began picking.  It was my first time to pick and I was surprised how easily the berries fall off into your hands.  They are a lot less labor intensive compared to strawberries because you can stand and aren't on your hands and knees.  It was a pretty warm day.  Elizabeth started strong but she started fading pretty quick.  Grant took to just eating the berries right off the bush!

About 30 minutes in Elizabeth says "I can't see straight."  Of course I didn't think to haul water out to the field with us (smart guy with the Camelback!)   Mom and I decided we should take what we have and head back.  We believe Elizabeth was overheating and on the verge of passing out.  I held her while we waited for the tractor to take us back.  In true blueberry chaos fashion the check out line was a 45-60 minute wait!  Yep it took more time to get our berries weighed and paid for than what we spent picking (and remember it took a few hours to get there!)  Luckily, mom had suggested a packing a picnic lunch.  She was gracious enough to stand in line and let me get the kids fed.  I think we ended up with a just under 10 pounds of blueberries.  We have already strategized about our picking technique for next year and part of that includes taking Pops with us to entertain the kids!

The "Blueberry Chaos"

Who will I marry?

When sharing the news that a royal baby boy was born with Elizabeth, our conversation turned to why Kate was a princess.  Then Elizabeth says "Did you ever want to marry your brother mommy?"  I reminded her that we have talked about this, "you can't marry your brother, remember hon?"
"I know, but I want to marry someone I know"
(aww sweet)
"Well, you will meet someone and get to know them and then get married."
Grant pipes up "like Gavin, you marry Gavin"
Elizabeth: "You can't marry your friends Grant! Right mommy?"
Me: "No you can marry your friends.  Daddy and I were friends before we got married."
I  think that she is really chewing on this new marriage concept, but she then asks "If she is a princess why doesn't wear a tiara?"
Ok, we are back to the princess thing..."Well she does for special occasions."

I think she has watched the Princess Diaries (her new favorite movie) a few too many times! But I really love that I am having a conversation with both of my children!

Summer Fun

Just some pics to show what we have been up to this summer...

Brandon installed a new dishwasher...exciting I know!

Pops took Grant fishing! Nice hats boys :)

Fun in the party supply section at Target

We picked 20 pounds of strawberries and mashed them up Grandma Briggs style - yum!

I ran my first 5K with my dad, brother and sister in-law.

We put bows in our hair...

.... a lot of bows in our hair!

We have two adorable birds living (or at least sleeping) on our front porch.

Elizabeth puts make-up on Lauren

We have eliminated one future career choice for EB - she will most likely not be a make-up artist - well maybe just during Halloween

EB loving on her cousin

Grandma Briggs turns 80!

This is an attempt to get grandma and her great grandkids.  Notice, one is running away, two are crying and grandma is the only one looking at the camera!

We play hard...

...and sleep hard!

T-Ball Comes to a Close

 T-ball came to an end before the heat of July cranked up.  We had to a miss a few games, but her final comment was, "Can I do this again next year?"  Well sure sweetie :)  We might need to work on the speed of base running, making contact with the ball and throwing a little less like a girl, but all in all she did great!  Brandon's patience even held out through the whole season.  The joke with our neighbor is that the girls had an undefeated season (they don't keep score!).

Team picture

Elizabeth & Lauren - the girls on the team

Coach John & Elizabeth (Coach John did an awesome job!)

This is actually my favorite t-ball picture.  I took it at practice, which I thought was more fun and exciting than the games.  Elizabeth had t-ball practice right after dance so here she is practicing in her leotard and shorts.  Our neighbor is helping her with her swing - good action shoot eh?  Grant is going to be chomping at the bit to play next year.  I am not sure if he is old enough, but we shall see.  So long Sunday afternoon at the diamonds....for now!

4th of July

Brandon and I started our Fourth of July with a 5K run downtown.  It was a beautiful morning.  There were over 1000 runners.  My parent's ran as well.  It was a great way to start the holiday, but we had a big day ahead of us!  Right after the run we picked up the kids and headed to Eureka for a parade.  Our friend's had saved us a seat and we brought cinnamon and raisin biscuits to say "thanks!"  The kids did awesome at the parade.  Last year the sirens were loud for the little boys and we had to really watch them running out in the  street to get candy.  What a difference a year makes!  Grant loved the firetrucks and tractors and the kids did a great job collecting candy.  We even had to define their boundaries for them so they didn't intrude on anyone else's candy zone.  And I even saw Grant slip some candy that he had caught into his sister's bag...ahhh warm my heart!  Next up was a big nap for all of us! 

At Aunt Martha & Uncle George's house

At the parade

We were so lucky to be invited to watch the fireworks downtown at the Boys & Girls Club of America event.  We had our own designated spot to sit with our family.  Food and drinks are provided and they had games and face painting for the kids.  Grant got to the top of the inflatable slide and refused to come down.  I ended up going up to the top and sliding down with him, but by the time we got him down we were too late for the face painting.  Elizabeth was a little disappointed, but a sno-cone made up for it!  It was an awesome place to watch the big show!  Thanks a million to Aunt Martha and Uncle George for the invite!

The kids with Uncle George.  George took Grant to meet a police officer that he knows and he totally won Grant over

Awwww...feel the love!

The wagon ride back to the car...the kid were loaded down and exhausted!!