Traditions

Today Brandt's homework was to talk about Thanksgiving traditions. I asked him what he thought our traditions were. He said that we went to Bobby and Rebecca's house. That is true, but I reminded him that we also fry turkeys, Mommy makes the dressing, he and Campbell make a pie, we take family pictures, we watch the Aggies and Cowboys play and have a bonfire at Granny and Bop's. I also pointed out that can we have around 25 people, depending on who comes. We decided these were some pretty good traditions and then Campbell piped up that she knew one more - "the next day we have bacon for breakfast!". And she is right! We always have bacon and breakfast tacos at Beccas house!

Our Pumpkins

The kids made their Halloween pumpkins this week.  We don't carve pumpkins yet because the kids don't like to see the "pumpkin guts".  Here is our alternative.

No, he wouldn't smile.

Happy Halloween!!

Blake at 18 Months

Blake had his 18 month check up last week.  With the exception of his bad sleep habits, he is right on schedule developmentally.  He says all sorts of things and some of them you can actually understand!  He is running everywhere and is climbing on everything.  He has a mouthful of teeth and he will bite you!

He weighs 25 pounds, 11 ounces and is 33 and 1/2 inches tall.  His head is 19 inches.  He is 50% for weight, 80% for height and 65% for head. 

Brandt and Campbell did not have 18 month appointments, but had 15 month.  Blake missed his 15 month and had an 18 month catch up appointment.
Brandt at 15 months:
24 pounds, 13 ounces
32 3/4 inches tall
20 inch head

Campbell at 15 months:
24 pounds, 3 ounces
31 1/4 inches tall
18 3/4 inch head

Some things Blake says:  Mama, Daddy, B, Sissy, Stop It, Juice, Bye Bye, Bites (food), Bath, Car, Mine, More (with a half hearted sign), This, Outside, Night Night (which means - No, I don't want to go), Ball

Brandt's First Report Card

Brandt got his first second grade report card this week.  This is the first year that he gets real grades instead of checks.  I was still expecting the checks, so I was pretty shocked to pull it out and see separate grades for each subject instead of checks for each area and concept that he had mastered.  His grades were:
Language Arts (grammar/composition and spelling): 96
Mathematics: 96
Reading: 99
Science: 98
Social Studies: 96
He received an S in Art and Art Conduct, Music and Music Conduct and PE and PE Conduct.

We are very proud of him.  I had a great parent/teacher conference with his teacher a couple of weeks ago.  She is pleased with his progress and very impressed with his reading skills.  He reads above grade level and loves the "Diary of A Wimpy Kid" books.  We bought the rest of the series at the Book Fair and he has been reading them.  He is excited about the new one coming out soon.

The State Fair

Every year we go to the State Fair.  The kids look forward to the rides and the car show.  Mommy and Daddy look forward to the food and the people watching.  It is always a long day of fun.  This year the weather was perfect and we had a great day!

Brandt and I ride the Texas Star every year

Silly flowers!

Giant Blakey!

Real Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders!

B on the big slide

Blake loved the trains

Watching the divers

Feeding the animals

Cow kids!

Blake and the big train

Daddy and B on the log ride

Campbell on the big slide

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9 Years

And one day late.  Yesterday was Will and my ninth anniversary.  I tried to explain anniversary to the kids - It's like a birthday for your wedding.  I don't think they understood it at all.  Campbell was more concerned that we were going to leave her and go somewhere and then wanted to know if there was going to be cake.  No we were not leaving and no there was no cake.  Ironically I think that part of our wedding cake is still in the freezer.  I can't imagine eating it, but it seems like bad luck or something to throw it away.  I guess it will just sit there gathering freezer burn. 

Later in the day I did have to unzip my dress bag for Campbell to inspect my "marry dress" (again) and get down my shoes and let her wear them around for a few minutes.  One day I will probably have to let her put the dress on.  I told her that I was saving it in case she wanted to wear it one day, but she told me she is not getting married because she is going to live with us forever.  I'm going to remind her of that when she is fifteen.

Fall Festival

Campbell's school hosts a fall festival every year.  There are games, bounce houses, a pumpkin patch and lots of fun.  She gets really excited about going.  This year the kids and I went and had a great time.

Blake tries the bounce house

Brandt climbs!

Campbell jumps!

Brandt jumps higher!

Campbell tries to hit the pumpkin's nose

She makes the shot!

Blake does NOT want to play games!

Blake takes the easy way to win the game

Campbell picks a tiny pumpkin

Brandt chooses a huge one!