Brotherhood

Finally the sun came out and the boys got to play at the park with their preschool friends. Too cute, watching them run around and make up games.
* No one wants to be the bad guy.
# The bad guy can be an imaginary friend.
Nice bit of diplopacy there. But what really cracked me up was one of the big kids trying to play a gameboy. Hayd went and sat next to him and the kid comes barelling onto the play ground, "Bayley! Aren't you going to watch your baby?"
Bay gave him the blankest stare, as if to say, "Why would I want to do that?"

B week

It's a B-week in the Burke household, and Bayley is really getting into it. We went to the library and found B animals to learn about - bears, bees, and beetles. We made a berry bush, and every time we read a B book, we put the name of the book on a berry and glue it to the bush.

At the grocery store Bayley and I made a list of all the B foods. We've been baking up a storm thanks to the B focus. Biscuits and baby blueberry muffins. Even hanging out in the garage at Jeff's folks became a B adventure - blankets and buckets and bleach...oh my! He's also proud to realize he's a double B. As are Grandma Bobbie and Grandpa Bill.

Bayley came up with a great B idea - Bowling! We went glow in the dark bowling yesterday. The glow in the dark part held Bayley's attention more than the bowling. But, it was still great fun.

Our Year, A to Z

A friend had this idea to focus on a letter of the alphabet every two weeks of the year...Each letter gets 14 days to make an impression on you. It sounded fun, since we spend most days doing something alphabet related anyway.

We're having the best time. It gives small things a purpose. Like going to the library. We spun the globe and found all the A continents (Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica), then checked out A books (Armadillo and Anteater). The boys are eating A foods (apples and avocados), we found all the A states on the map (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas), play with their abacus every day...even a trip to Albertson's becomes learning related! Jeff even pitched in, watching Alabama and Auburn football games.

The funnest part is reading all their A books. We have an apple tree, and they put the name of the book on an apple and glue it on. We've read:

Arthur's New Puppy
Alphabet Soup- Barney
Alaska ABC
Aristocats
Arthur's Reading Race
Are You My Mother
ABC - Dr. Seuss
Armidillos
Amazing Ants
Angela's Airplane
ABC - Busy Fingers
Arthur's Truck Adventure

The ABC books are coming in handy - making us think of stuff to do when that letter gets it's turn.

Number 2!

He did it! Earned 2 potty prizes by making a dookie in the potty! It's still a long way until I no longer have to wrangle stinky poos off him, but it is a step in the right direction! And best of all, he told me he had to go. No prompting. What a fabulous way to start the new year!

Merry Christmas

The holidays got a jump start with Swedish Christmas Eve at Aunt Sunny's new house. Hayden gobbled up as many meatballs as we let him, and Bayley ate a roll and some cookies. After stuffing ourslves we took a walk in Sunny's new neighborhood. These peopel are SERIOUS about their holiday decorations. There were polar bears, a dozen santas, a train, a chipmunk family and to top that - a Charlie Brown Christmas pageant display complete with audio. People were constantly driving by in their cars. After enjoying the light displays the boys got to open some great gifts. Like this globe for B and bus for H.

Christmas morning was stockings, and Hungry Hungry Hippos. After naps we headed up to Grandma & Grandpa's for Christmas dinner. The boys again made out in the toy parade with H getting his own LeapPad, and B receiving new LeapPad books. Again...we gorged ourselves on food. And H got to do his favorite thing, feed Amigo. (One of the horses Grandpa is boarding.)

Keeping Them Busy

I've really started using preschool as a crutch. I don't do nearly as much dual child art projects as I used to. Things are so much easier one on one. Ah well, I guess I need the challenge.

To keep the boys from OD-ing on TV and driving me insane, I opted to keep them very busy during this break from school. We went to the science museum, where they got really wet playing with the different exhibits. But then...after we got home they were both terribly bratty and refused to nap.

Then I tried the Sesame Street exhibit at the Children's Museum. I loved it - but since it is vacation time there were a lot of kids, and Bayley doesn't do well when things get loud. But he did love the digging pit. And of course the water table.

The rest of the time we braved the zoo that was the holiday shopping season and did tons of craft projects. Lots of coloring, paint and glue.

RALPH!

Hayden should come with a warning...don't feed after dinner. I swear, everytime that kid gets so much as a cookie after eating dinner he ends up puking before the night is out. I get that he wants to keep up with his big brother, but your stomach is only so big little dude!

Santa

Santa was invented by parents to get children to behave for a few days each year. Mention Hungry Hungry Hippos (don't buy it for them, I did) or Santa's naughty list and Bay is a gem. The kids at school really got him into Santa, odd because last year he had the real story on Santa and now he's into the fable. But whatever if it keeps him from screaming.

So I bucked up and took the kids to see Santa. There's a Christmas exhibit at the local dairy and they have model trains and a storybook lane...and a room where the kids play with toys while they wait their turn. Much better than the line at the mall. Hayden squirmed, but loved the candy cane. Bay was more excited that he got to go, than by the actual event.

Ho Ho Ho

Uncle Chris took the boys to the playground today. They had the best time.

That smile is lethal.