Brennan and Conner have a party!

Today Brennan and his new buddy, Conner, got down and dirty and partied hardy! Kasey (Conner's mom) and I invited all the kids from church to the Orchard Sprinkle Park for a casual, wet birthday play date. Everybody seemed to have a great time, going from sprinklers to the park (and sand) and back. I think everybody carted home a few extra pounds of sand, but that's okay, more for our sandboxes at home.
Instead of cake (you know, cake+sand=disaster) we had cookies...lots of cookies. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies in a variety of fun shapes and colors (who wants to eat a round sugar cookie?), and Oatmeal M&M cookies were all a big hit. Overall, I'd say the party was a success...but how can you go wrong when mixing sun+sugar+kids+water???? It's a recipe for a 'super rad' party waiting to happen.

Chocolate Chip/Peanut Butter Cookies

Mix in a bowl: 1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
Add & stir: ⅔ cup melted butter (or margarine)
Add & stir: 2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
⅔ cup peanut butter
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
Add & stir: 2 ½ cups flour
Add & stir: ¾ bag of chocolate chip cookies
Drop by the spoonful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Tips: Sometimes I use chunky, but you can use creamy peanut butter as well. Don’t overdo the chocolatechips or it is too much. Mix it by hand instead of with a mixer or the cookies don’t come out right.

(Just look at Jackson's face for proof of how yummy these things are!)
Thanks Kasey for the great recipe!

Brennan the Brave

About two years ago, Brennan decided there were two things he hated more than anything else in the world...haircuts (thank you Nicole for always being patient) and doctor visits. Now, it wasn't like Brennan had experienced any trauma with the doctor. He's only had two ear infections his entire life and pink eye once, it's not like this child has been in and out of the doctor's office. Basically, he's been "as healthy as a horse" (as if that is something you would want to be compared to) but you had to hold him down in with a Vulcan death grip if the doctor was going to get within three feet of him.
So, this morning as I was getting ready to take Brennan to the doctor for his four year check-up, I was a bit apprehensive about the events that were about to unfold. I kept a positive face on for Brennan, but deep down, I was dreading 9:30, appt. time.
As we waited to be called back, I explained to Brennan YET AGAIN that doctors (and dentist, that was added to his hate list at age 3) do not hurt you but help you stay healthy. Our name was called and Brennan became invisible behind me, whimpering and holding my shirt.
When the nurse took us to get weighed and measured (41.3 lb.s and 43 inches tall), I kept smiling and pointing out how nice the nurse was, how neat the scale was (it really was, it is digital and fast and shaped like some sort of exercise machine at the gym) and how cool those Thomas the Train stickers were for after the visit. Well, height and weight was a success, only a few tears. (Brennan is usually in tears before we have him in on the scale)
I'm not going to bore you with the details of the entire visit, but needless to say, I AM IMPRESSED! Brennan was a total 'big boy'. He (cautiously, he was still nervous!) climbed onto the table without me having to hold him down like I was Macho Man trying to win a WWE wrestling match, let the doctor listen and poke and prod, and he even participated in the reflex part with only a few tears, much less than is usually shed when a balloon pops in Brennan's presence.
I still am wondering where my hell's angel possessed by the crazies child went, but I will gladly take this guy any day.

Little Fishy

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Brennan

Brennan is such a wonderful son. Today he turned four years old. We are truly blessed to have him in our lives. He has been a joy, even on days when he is napless and cranky.
He has been so excited for his birthday to get here. I am not quite sure what Brennan thinks happens when you turn four, but whatever it is, he is ready for it.
Monday night, Bart took him to get a birthday surprise...both for Bren and me. They came home with a hamster...Harry the hamster. I dislike hamsters with a vengeance, but Brennan is so darn cute around Harry that is is getting hard to hate the little guy (hamster, not Bren).
Brennan does so many things that make me laugh and smile. Some of his comments are just off the wall and hilarious. Tonight, as we ate Brennan's birthday dinner (all his favorites, chicken nuggets, french fries, corn, and cake), Brennan said, "Hey, did you see that? Harry's exercise ball moved."
After examining the ball, he announces, "No, it was just my imagination."
Thanks for making Mommy and Daddy's lives even BETTER!

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Raisin' Cane's

There are certain things you lose or miss out on when you move away from home. In our case, one of those things is Raising Cane's chicken fingers. Now it just so happens that another Baton Rouge West transferee is also an avid R.C. fan. His wife, an even BIGGER fan, discovered a R.C. right in our own backyard, a mere 52.3 miles away, in Lincoln. Bart, Jason, and Chad (the Baton Rouge crew of West) have already made the trek to Lincoln a time or two during the work week, taking extended lunches and treating the one who got stuck driving. I, on the other hand, have been busy with other things, such as swim lessons and grocery shopping and housework. But, you can only go so long with the knowledge of good and evil and not act on it.
Bart, wonderful husband that he is, knows that I would not make the 104.6 mile journey just for a few pieces of chicken...but he knows I love a good time with the family. So, he did a little research, located a great Children's Museum in Lincoln, and we were off on a mini-adventure. Although the decorations of Cane's was a bit different (80's movies/music vs. LSU), it proved that there is still only ONE LOVE.

Happy Birthday President Hinckley

June 23 is President Hinckley's birthday. The people of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area are holding a birthday party for him at the Western Heritage Trail Museum. All the birthday cards collected will be taken to the prophet by the wagon train that is leaving the area and going to Utah, in honor of the pioneers. (Yes, I know that all sounds a little weird...too bad we can't make it)
Brennan made a beautiful card for the prophet. He drew (in gray magic marker) the prophet with a tie for the front of the card and Jesus and water for the back of the card(Jesus was orange). He was very proud to drop it off at Bro. and Sis. Holmes house to take it to the prophet. I just wish I had a scanner so I could have saved a copy of his creative artwork. I am sure that the prophet will love it. It's wonderful to watch Brennan as he learns about our church and the prophet and Jesus Christ.

The Beginning of the End

We did it. No more bottles, no more pacifiers. It is a bittersweet moment for us. On the one hand we are glad that Jackson is growing up, becoming independent, and not needing so much care. On the other hand, our little baby is now a toddler. Pretty soon he will be talking and saying, "No Mommy, water guns NEED water" and "Daddy, swing me higher!" It's amazing to watch our tiny baby blossom into such a sweet little boy. It's hard to look at a newborn baby and remember Jackson ever being that small and delicate, but he was, I have pictures and scrapbooks and videos to prove it. Times like these remind you to sit back and enjoy the little things, like Jackson watching a bug crawl on the sidewalk or playing peek-a-boo with his favorite blanket. My favorite is when Jackson snuggles with me and looks up at me with a smile that seems to say, "Mommy, I love you forever."

RAGHAV

This week- end we went to a BBQ at the home of Raghav and Kim. These are friends of ours, Kim being Bart's old boss before we moved to Omaha.
Brennan was smitten by Raghav, following him around, shouting his name for the world to hear. Brennan had played with Raghav before, but for some reason, he really "bonded" at the BBQ.
It was a very 'international' BBQ, with everything from steaks and cupcakes to curry, lentils, and Japanese eggrolls (yum). I tried curried chicken and an Indian dish, Bart tried lentils. Everyone kept saying, "Oh, this dish is hot" or "Careful, don't burn your mouth." I didn't have a problem with the heat, and neither did Jackson. (That boy can EAT!) It was all delicious. Jackson especially loved the Japanese jello stuff (in little cups) made with vegetables. He ate two by himself, plus the bites he had of ours.
We all had a great time at the BBQ, but I would have to say that Brennan had the best time out of our family, between playing with Baxter the dog and Raghav the magnificent. We can hardly wait until football season...Kim and Raghav are getting a 42 inch flat screen tv...

2007 College World Series

Bart was able to attend the 2007 College World Series, Louisville vs. Rice. His work gets tickets every year, and since we now live here, Bart was able to go this year. His work had a catered tailgating party and then everyone went to see game one. Louisville lost (Omaha's fav. since no NE teams made it), 10-15, but that's okay...LSU didn't even make it.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Brennan is so happy that we have finally found a bookstore with a train table. The bookstore closest to us doesn't have one, so he has had to settle for looking at train books when we go there.
We found this one at a Barnes and Noble at the mall that is slowly dying, sorta like Cortana Mall. Both Brennan and Jackson played nicely, sharing when another child came to play, and taking turns with the trains. I met another stay-at-home mom who invited us to join her playgroup. I am very excited about that. We'll see how that goes. Brennan found some Thomas toys that he really wanted, such as a Thomas engine and a birthday car, but I told him he had to wait until his birthday...

The Swim Suit Monster

I am brave and take on the world of swimsuit shopping.

I really want a cute swimsuit, I do. It's just that I can't find what I think I want. No bikini's, no tankini's (those are worse than a bikini, because just the edges of blubber hang out), and no grandma suits. Shouldn't be too hard, right? Wrong!!! "Swim Shops" at the mall are horrid places but boutiques are just a little too pricey (especially for something I wear maybe three times a year). So, I brave the mall and fight the monster I like to call "the swimsuit monster of doom!"

A store associate tells me, "You are so lucky. You have a baby, so you don't have to worry how you look."
Excuse me? You just lost yourself a sale, because really you just called me fat in a 'nice' way.

So, on the boys and I go, to store after store, mall after mall, until, finally, I find a swimsuit that isn't too trashy, too frumpy, too mawmawish, too ugly, or too expensive. What do you think?
This is my tale of horror. I hope your swimsuit shopping experience isn't quite so scary as mine.

Why did I quit jazzercise?????

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Jackson the Carnivore

Let Him Eat Cake Steak

Jessie, AKA Parent of the Year, decided to let Jackson hold a fork and knife since he likes steak so much. I could just see her eyes sparkle as she envisioned another "perfect scrapbook moment." It may have been the irresistible Outback marinade or the grilled to perfection stylings of yours truly, but Jackson decided to attempt to take a bite out of the knife. Yes, our son is both adorable and daring, much like his idol Evel Knievel. Luckily, no one suffered any serious injuries, and we were able to add yet another food item that Jackson will devour. He tried to eat a rock earlier, but although his physique may resemble that rock eater from The Never Ending Story, it didn't work out as well for Jack as the steak.

by: Bart

Our Dad

See for yourself why Bart is such a great role model for the boys!

They have football in Nebraska?

We aren't becoming traitors, but we did go and tour the University of Nebraska's football stadium. They leave a gate open so that you can give yourself a "self-guided" tour. We had a lot of fun, even though it started POURING down rain about ten seconds after we got everyone buckled into the car. Their stadium is nice, but rather small, especially compared to Death Valley. I think Bart said their stadium seats about 75,000. Like I said, tiny.
Brennan was amazed that there was football in Nebraska. I guess he thought it was a one state sport. Nope, kiddo, it's EVERYWHERE, it just happens that LSU is GREAT!
The best part of the afternoon was that we had spotted a Little Cesar's Pizza in Lincoln and we got one to go...yum. Nothing like eating pizza in a car all the way home. Two things that just shouldn't go together, but work great none the less...you just need a few extra napkins.

Bubbles

We played outside today with bubbles. It was so sweet to see Jackson and Brennan chasing the bubbles. We really ought to get a bubble blowing machine, and then I could chase the bubbles, too! That would be a lot of fun, and maybe good exercise, if I chased them up and down the hill!

It is awesome to be a part of Brennan and Jackson's lives. Bart and I are truly blessed to have them as our children. They are both so special and sweet. I can hardly stand it sometimes. I just hope I can be the best mom possible to help them develop as children of God. There is so much bad out there in the world to corrupt them, I just hope they can see the good within.