Bowling With Brayton

Today Brayton and I got the chance to go bowling with just the two of us.

When we got to the bowling alley Brayton discovered that the window locks weren't on so he decided to exit the car Duk.es of Haz.zard-style:

Before bowling we grabbed some lunch. Brayton was very excited to share a drink with me:

Then it was time to bowl and Brayton had to help get our scoring screen set up:

The bowling alley provides slides to help little kids bowl. Brayton decided he would rather just slide down it (after sending his shoes down first):

Then he had to drag it around and have it crush him:

And occasionally he would actually use it to bowl:

Let Loose On The Playground

McColley's school has kind of an odd playground layout - each grade as their own climbing structure and during recess are only allowed to play in their assigned area.

So, today after an early release and with beautiful weather, several of us parents let our kids go wild on all the play equipment.

First up were the swings:

Pearson decided to investigate (what I believe is) the third grade structure:

His big brothers had to join him for a good look around:

We stayed for an hour and the boys got to slide down all the slides and climb all the climb-y things. It was very exciting.

Mix And Match Monday

Today was Mix and Match Monday at McColley's school. He and I worked together to come up with the silliest outfit we could out of his closet:

His only complaint was that his shoes matched. He wanted to wear one sneaker and one sandal but it was too rainy today.

Donuts, Dancing and Doing Chores

McColley and Brayton have been getting into the rhythm of a new school year and all their activities. The new routine has led to a few fights and some tired tears but all-in-all things are going well.

Last Wednesday I had planned on letting the boys play on McColley's school playground for a bit before heading to McColley's dance lesson. Unfortunately it decided to rain so that plan was a no-go.

Instead we went to the coffee shop and got donuts:

Plus McColley tried a 'Baby-ccino' (just the foamy milk of a cappuccino) and he really liked it!

Friday night was the A.ir F.orce Ball and I got to wear my new dress:

 We had a really great time and the boys (mostly) enjoyed hanging out with their friends at the child development center.

Also, lately Pearson has been mimicking the things he sees us do. Tonight, however, he took it to a whole new level.

He helped Daddy sort the laundry by putting the things B handed him into the green bin:

As far as we know, he's never seen B do this.  B just asked him to put each item into the bin!

He's Going For It!

The Twelve Month Well-Baby

My freshly minted one year old got to go and get checked out by the doctor today. Everything is well and he is doing exactly what he should be.

His official statistics are:
Length: 30in (64%)
Weight: 23lbs 8oz (57%)
Head Circumference: 19in (92%)

Of course, I had to answer all sorts of questions about his motor skills and the big questions were about walking. I told the doctor that he pulls up, stands unassisted and cruises like a motor boat but has so far only taken two or three steps when going between objects like the couch and a chair.

Guess who took a good six steps across the living room when we got home... little stinker.

A Double Big Day

Today was McColley's first day of Kindergarten.

He was totally ready to go:

One of the reasons he was so ready to start 'big school' is because his best friend from preschool is in his class with him:

At the start of the day his teacher came out and collected her class from the waiting area... and now he's an official school kid!

Of course today was big for someone else in this family too:

Pearson figured that since he is now a big giant one year old he should have the run of the house:

At the end of the day we had a small family celebration for Pearson's birthday. He had plenty of candles to try and blow out:

He got his very own cupcake to be confused at...

and then eventually eat...

and smear all over himself:

His big brothers helped him open up his presents:

But he did all the playing by himself:

Incredible^12

This Month Pearson Has:
-Continued to expand his palate and almost exclusively eats table food
-Consistently taken up to three steps when going between two (close) objects
-Started waving
-Started making consistent 'Mamamamama' sound when he wants attention
-Started to mimic Mommy and Daddy (ex. 'throwing' things away in the diaper pail)
-Cut three more teeth

I am a one year old now! Isn't that awesome!

A Weekend On Wight

Friday morning we left early to drive down to P.ortsmouth and catch a ferry to the Isle of W.ight.

We spent the weekend in an historic farm worker's cottage:

That night we decided to explore the N.ational Trust beach right across the road from our cottage. Of course, we had to walk through a cow pasture to get to the steps down to the beach:

And then it turned out the steps down to the beach were a bit more treacherous than we'd anticipated:

But we made it! And the big boys were off and running:

Pearson wanted to join his brothers in flying down the beach:

After getting all their running out the boys checked out the tidal pools and looked for dinosaur bones in the cliffs:

Saturday morning started at Car.isbrooke Castle. The castle has been very important for the protection of the Isle of Wig.ht and therefor England. It also served as C.harles I's prison for a year.

McColley took the opportunity to dress up like a roundhead:

Brayton also tried on the helmet... it was a bit big:

Wondering what a roundhead is? Here, let the boys explain it to you in song:

In the mood for a battle, the boys manned the cannons and fired on us:

We then headed up into the battlements for a look around the countryside:

Done with the Stuarts and Civil War we headed to Os.borne House and the Victorian age:

After touring the house (where no pictures were allowed - major bummer) we headed down to the beach. We decided to go ahead and get ice cream from the beachside cafe. They gave Pearson his own little baby cone:

Once our ice cream was finished the boys took a quick rest in Victoria's alcove:

Pearson loved crawling along the bench:

He did not, however, really enjoy crawling around the beach:

McColley had gotten all muddy on the walk down to the beach so he washed his feet off in The S.olent:

Sunday was the boys' day to choose our activities. McColley chose to go and see the Br.ading Roman Villa which has several almost complete floor mosaics still intact:

We got the chance to build our own mosaic - we went with a sunrise theme:

Brayton's choice was the Din.osaur Isle museum where we got to do a bit of digging:

Before we left the boys played a game to see if they could survive the dinosaur extinction... Brayton did but McColley didn't:

Our last stop of the day was Fort Vic.toria on The Sole.nt side of the island:

Our first stop was the underwater archeology museum where the boys got to try and load up a cargo ship. Considering there had been a lot of talk on the trip about how much could a ship could carry, this was a perfect activity:

We also visited the small aquarium which featured fish from the waters that surround the Isle of W.ight and then a miniature railway.

On Monday morning we got up early to clear out of our little farm cottage and then caught the ferry back to Por.tsmouth. This time we made it up to the sundeck to wave at the ferry going the opposite direction:

Instead of heading straight home we stopped at Le.goland. Since it was Labor Day we figured the park would be pretty empty since the UK's Labor Day is in May.

We were wrong. It was absolutely packed and the most crowded we have ever seen it.

However, we had a very specific list of rides we wanted to do and we headed straight to them (they were all rides we haven't done before). Brayton's number one priority was to take me on the helicopter ride:

We waved down to Daddy and brothers from high up in the sky:

Daddy and McColley rode the dragon roller coaster... which McColley has sworn to NEVER ride again:

And Pearson finally got to climb around in the D.uplo playground, much to his delight: