Afternoon craziness

Scott has been gone so much over the last few months that filling our afternoons is a must. We are always busy, but when he is away I try to keep us really entertained :) From arts and crafts to special game time to random pajama days...the boys and I have a blast!

 

Cohen wanted in on the cloud dough fun. Notice that his carrot sticks are taking a ride in the dump truck. He cracks me up!

Bryton loves when his High Five Magazine comes in the mail. Usually there is a game in the back to play. This month we played a money game learning about the value of coins.

Sometimes Cohen provides randome entertainment. Bryton was in the bath tub when Cohen randomly climbed in and wanted to play too....fully clothed! Always keeping it interesting!

Cohen being Cohen...taking a peek out back!

I said smile and Cohen bops his brother on the head :)

Has anyone seen Cohen?!?

Four and a HALF

Our crazy Bryton boy had his half birthday on the 6th. He helped me make his "half" cake and really cheesed it up when I was taking his picture. There isn't a day that this little guy doesn't absolutely crack me up. His little sense of humor is just a hoot. The things he comes up blow my mind most days. He is such a sweet big brother (90% of the time). Bryton is growing like a weed right now and eating all day everyday. He still doesn't eat meat, but it slowly trying new things......slowly. I can't believe how fast he is growing before my eyes.....time is welcome to slow down at any time now! 

Soccer and Park time

When the boys go to the park with their daddy they get to do things like jump off huge rocks...

Scott is like a huge kid at the playground. He does all the slides and climbs all the  ladders :)

Cohen loves to dig with the diggers.

Bryton started another session of soccer and he is having a lot of fun.

Apple Picking

Nothing says fall like going apple picking! We took advantage of Scott being home for a weekend and headed up to Apple Hill, even though it was 100 degrees. It was SO much fun! Bryton had just done a study on apples at school and was so excited. Cohen thought all the apples that had fallen were balls to play with. We got to eat a bunch of yummy apple treats and got a ton of apples! It was so much fun and I really hope we get to go back soon. 

Craft time!

Bryton came in and had me close my eyes the other night saying he had a big surprise for me. On the count of three I got to open them to find this. He had written his first and last name all by himself. He was SO proud! It was so cute and I was  so proud of him. Look at that smile!

A few days ago we had made a few monster people out of toilet paper rolls. Bryton felt like they needed a home, so that is what we created. There were feathers and balloons, streamers and confetti...it was a monster party :)

We did some foil painting using our new paint roller.  He drew pictures in the paint with q-tips.  Don't you love how puppy is watching him paint! 

Bryton and I made cat and pumpkin Halloween puppets together. Puppy was watching us work again :) 

Cohen LOVES to color with markers!

We have been working on fine motor skills with Cohen. Lacing beads are one of his favorite things to do right now. 

California Candy Festival

Last Sunday after church, we joined our neighbors and headed to the California Candy Festival at the Jelly Belly Factory. It was a little fair atmosphere set up with bouncy houses, rides, and fair food. There really wasn't that much candy, which was kind of shocking...except for it being held at the Jelly Belly factory. Bryton got to ride a few rides and go on a few slides with his little buddy William. Cohen wanted nothing to do with any of it. He hated the noises all the rides made and didn't have that great of a time....as you can see there are very few pictures of him. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon and we are already on the hunt for what we are going to do next!

Taking a ride on the train

Driving the race car

Sliding down the Titanic slide

Cohen always throws his head back when I  take out the camera and tell him to smile :)

the last few weeks

The last two weeks haven't been anything too crazy. Scott has been gone, so the boys and I have been keeping busy. All three of us had colds last weekend so we laid low and had a few pajama days.  We are into our "school year" routine with pre-school, therapy, playgroup, gymnastics, etc. Soccer starts this weekend! I am excited for fall and all the activities to go with it. Bring on the crafts and fun festivals!

Pajama days spent building towns

Afternoons in the backyard washing the toys

We made owls out of paper plates.

Cohen is in a playgroup called "Watch Me Grow". We meet once a week for an hour and a half. It is led by an infant development specialist and an aide that encourage baby signs,lots of communication, and independence. The session runs like a mini pre-school day with circle time, free play, craft time, songs, stories,snacks and then a fun activity (gross motor, fine motor, sensory, etc.). This was our last meeting for this session and so the kids got to decorate cookies as a special treat. Cohen loves getting to go play with his new friends. I think I get as much out of the group as Cohen does from interacting with the other Moms and the teachers. Cohen has made so much progress and we are excited to get started with our next session. The best part about the program is that he can participate in it until he turns three and it is free! It is an absolutely amazing resource that I am so thankful we found. 

Bryton has such a sweet heart. He is so helpful with Cohen. The other day I came downstairs to find him putting on Cohen's shoes and then he went and got a tissue and wiped his nose...all without being asked! Makes this mama proud!

Messy but oh so much fun!
Cloud dough...flour and baby oil. We have had it out everyday and it is a definite hit!

Our church had a country carnival that was lots of fun. All the kids got to enter to win prizes and play lots of games. Bryton's favorite was the bouncy house. Cohen was in an off mood and didn't want to have anything to do with anything....fun times :)

We got a call the afternoon of the carnival to find out that Bryton won a BIKE! He was thrilled! Our sweet neighbors brought it home for him and it was waiting for him when he got up the next morning. 

We spent a morning at the farmer's market and at the downtown park. 

Bryton started a new session of gymnastics with his friend Macy.

Cohen took a spill at the park this week. They have rubber mats under the monkey bars and he wiped out when we were playing chase. The result...a nasty rubber burn on his eye. It is finally looking better. That same day, he fell off the couch and got a goose egg and the next day he busted his lip....the poor kid!

The Officers' Spouses' Club hosted a Mad Hatter Tea Party this morning. 

Macy came over to play this afternoon and they had a blast. 

I hope they always want to walk hand in hand and are the best of friends.