Brody is THREE!

Brody is THREE! 

We started off celebrating with family and friends on Sunday.  Brody said he wanted a Transformers cake, so I delegated that to my brother-in-law Mason, who made an Optimus Prime face.  Brody was super excited.  We had a nacho bar and he got to open some presents.  Pretty simple.  We had friends visiting from out of town, so that it made it a little extra fun.  

On the day of Brody's actual birthday, we brought cupcakes to the park and Orin wrapped up some toys (that we already own) for a "present" for Brody to unwrap.  He even wanted to write him a little Happy Birthday card which was cute!

But, what really made Brody's birthday fun was...

DISNEYLAND! 

We went the day after his birthday, but kept telling him it was for his birthday! He got his free birthday button just to make things official! 

We went with our friends Brandon & Brittany, Brad & Tonya, and Mese & Anna met up with us too.

We hadn't been to Disneyland in a year, maybe two? And this was Brody's first time.  Wyatt stayed behind with Melina, so we were free to just ride the rides, which made it so much easier!

The Buzz Lightyear ride was probably the favorite, but they loved Dumbo, Autotopia, Nemo.  They were not so thrilled about Pirates, Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain (Orin was tall enough, but as you can see from the top right picture below, he wasn't a fan! The ride stopped and the lights went on, and he asks me, "Mom. Will we ever make it back to Earth?"  He also was then figuring out that we weren't really going into space after all.  We got to ride a second time, since the ride had stopped on us, and he was brave, but definitely ready to get off!)

It was really such a fun day.  Shawn got his churros, the boys got to go on rides, I just love the details and atmosphere of Disney, oh and the Dole pineapple sundaes! Yum! 

Brody is such a little spazz! He is just too fun!  I feel very lucky to have this special little boy!  He is fun, independent, smart, funny and full of energy!

Growing up, my parents would always do a video interview on our birthday.  I've tried to keep the tradition, but haven't been good about posting it.  Here's what Brody said.  Maybe I'll try to post it too. 

Interview with Brody:

What's your name? Brody

What's your full name? Brodster, Brody Brodster, Brody Patterson

How old are you? (shows three fingers) 

How many fingers is that? A lot. 18.

What's your favorite color? Red

What's your favorite superhero? Batman

Who are your friends? I don't know. Pam's kids. Owen, Mya, Lu, Gweny, Mese, Sila, Nani.

What's your favorite show? Busytown

What's your favorite movie? Lion King

What is your favorite food? Pizza, apples, and quesidillas

What is your favorite treat? Costco treats

What is your favorite dessert? Green apples, McDonald's chocolate ice cream cones

What is your favorite thing to do? Poop in the toilet

What is your favorite thing to play? Army game

Where is your favorite place to go? To McDonald's

What are you scared of? skeleton

What makes you happy? Playing with friends

What makes you sad? Orin hitting me

What's something you love? Playing games (hide and seek) and I love to do tricks (rolly polly trick)

Date Night

So on Wednesday night, when Shawn heard I had enrichment night, he told the boys that they were going to have a special "guys night!" He whispered his fun plans and told them to not tell me (they love that)!  Pizza was ordered and they watched Star Wars (the boys actually have never seen it... they were sooo excited)!  Well...

Shawn went on a camp out with the scouts... So, I of course started my own whispering about our "date night!"  I needed to top dad!  

 Just as a side note, we went hiking a while back when my parents came to visit.  As we were going up the mountain, we heard a low growl in the mountains.  We, of course, meaning mostly my mom and I, were quite concerned and quickly headed back down!  The boys were pretty excited about the idea that they thought they heard a "mountain lion" or "bobcat" (really, we have no idea)!  Anyway, as Shawn was leaving they were yelling to him...

Orin: "Be careful, dad! Heed the warning! Watch out for lions!" 

Brody: "Watch out for tigers! They growl!"

And with that loving caution, Shawn was gone for the night... and we were ready to party.  We headed to the park with friends/family.  Then, got home and started a movie in mom's bed! That's right... we planned a sleep over! (much better than the unplanned ones that seem to happen too regularly, when scared little boys try to sneak in our room).  I convinced them we should watch Tangled since it has a girl and a boy in it.  

As soon as we put Wyatt to bed, we were hot tubbin' it!  They were super excited.  We (meaning I) also consumed an unhealthy amount of Starburst Jelly beans... a weakness of mine! 

 I even let them eat pop corn in my bed! What's a sleep over without a movie & pop corn.
Boy, am I lucky to have these little men for dates! :)

Be Mine

I have a blog post that I've written (or more hoped to write) in my mind for years, and well, just haven't typed it out! Basically, it's about my "retirement" from teaching (this year).  Anyway, I was thinking about this post again on Valentine's day, because as a teacher, I always had around 30 Valentines (except the year I taught at BHS, a bit more awkward trying to pass out Valentines to teenagers!)

 (Kissy face Ory, V-day 2010)

Look at that loot! Lots of those chocolate boxes, stuffed animals, fake flowers, snow globes... but it was fun to get a chance to pass out Valentines, and have a "party" with the kids (we'd usually have a Vday shoebox decorating contest). 

However...

this year, since it was my turn to teach preschool, I still got to have a Valentine's day party! Just on a bit smaller scale.  We made Valentine bags (idea taken from the fabulous Pebbles in My Pocket), played musical mats to the music of Orin's favorite... that's right... Justin Bieber (Somebody to Love)! The kids frosted sugar cookies (which they had helped to make), and we played "Don't Eat Pete" which is a game I had never heard of, but found last minute here... gotta love Pinterest.  I was dying watching Orin play! He was so expressive and would slowly pick up the candy with such anticipation, it was just too fun!  They, of course, had to play when dad came home for lunch.  The boys were also spoiled by Pat & Hershel, who showed up with some really fun things!  Cars shake & roll toys, candy, and stuffed dogs! The boys LOVED it!  Shawn & I exchanged cards and that was about it, but it was perfect! 

(Orin was all about the sprinkles, and Brody was very into the placement of the hearts! It's fun to watch them create!)

I have to admit, I've had quite a few "valentines" aka students over the years, but these three just might be the cutest!