Dad's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day, but with all the recent birsday parties, Brykn couldn't imagine that the gifts sitting on the sofa were for anybody besides him. In fact, as he tore into Brandon's presents, he sang the "Happy Birthday" song with zest and a smile from ear to ear. Good thing he didn't ask for candles and a cake...

After we opened presents, we bee-lined it to Payson Lakes for a relaxing and fun day spent fishing, hiking, and BBQing. What a fun day!

EARS!

I used to think that leaving toys in the bathtub was disgusting...now, I'm a mother. I now realize how much easier it is to just leave the toys in the bathtub than it is to try to get everything out, dry it off, and reorganize. So, needless to say, the toys now simply LIVE in the bathtub--which Brykn loves.

Somehow, I'm not really sure how, Mr. Potato Head ended up going swimming in the tub. We had all the parts too, from the shoes to the glasses to the ears, as you can see. But, rather than the ears going on Mr. Tato Head's body, they ended up in Brykn's ears. He thought it was hillarious!

Pictures of Two.

Two.

Wow! Time has gone by so fast I can't believe it. I can remember the day Brykn was born like it was just earlier today. And yet, I look at him and he's walking (well, running) and talking (sometimes saying things I'm not all that proud of), and being 100% boy. I am loving every minute of it.

Brykn's birthday was a whole lot of fun. He finally got the concept that it was his birthday and not Grandma Sally's. When he finally understood that the party was for him, he was unbelieveably excited. It was so funny to watch him. He opened the presents like they were the last one's he'd ever get and he rode his new 4-wheeler (or, as he calls it, "The BIG truck!) with gusto. All in all, Brykn's birthday was wonderful.

Despite the slide that Grandma and Grandpa Wall gave him and the rumbling truck Grandma Sally gave him, and the hundreds of dollars Brandon and I spent on this little guy's big day, probably the best gift he and I both received was the bolo tie that Hopes gave to him. She had put the tie in the card. When she handed the card to me I wondered why it was so lumpy. When he opened it, the tears just started flowing! Even though Brykn was born after Grandpa passed away, I know they have a connection. Sometimes Brykn looks at me and you can see so many of Grandpa's traits. It's amazing.

Happy Birsday Buddy--Mommy loves you!

Happy Birsday!

I've been trying to help Brykn understand that we are going to have a party for his birthday. Brandon's mom's birthday was a little over a month ago and for some reason Brykn continues to remember it and seems to think that anybody's birthday is Grandma Sally's birthday. I know he doesn't understand what a birthday really is, but he does understand "go to the party to eat." So, I've been telling him we are going to have a party for him where we will eat. I started telling him, "Happy Birthday, Brykn!" He always gets a really big smile on his face when I clap at the end of my birthday wishes; so, I think that even though he doesn't understand what the birthday part is, he definately understands that it's all for him--and it is!

A Boy and His Tractor

Brandon borrowed a friend's tractor to work up our make-shift arena and Brykn seems to think that the tractor was brought here just for him. He calls it, "My big truck!" The kid would sit on that seat for hours if I let him. I think the ability to make the "Brum, Brum" noise is inherent in boys because he sits on that seat and "Brum, Brums" with all his might. He turns the wheel and shifts the shifter. I'm pretty sure I have a old farm hand in the making!

Mother's Day Surprise

Wow! I was so surprised for Mother's Day. Since Brandon broke my digital camera in attempt to get the absolutely perfect Christmas card picture, I have felt like I've been missing out on documenting Brykn's perfect little life. I've tried to capture things with the good 'ol 35 mm, and the throw-away jobs, but it's just not the same as digital. So, for Mother's Day, Brandon and Brykn bought me a whole digital camera suit! A pink Olympus camera, a printer/copy/fax, a camera case, and a memory disk. Brandon was so proud of himself for choosing a printer that even had a mail-in rebate! I laughed and told him it wouldn't be long before he would be clipping coupons--something he teases me about relentlessly.

As thrilled as I was with the camera and slew of gadgets, I was even more thrilled with the precious gift Brykn gave to me. Brykn held a gift bag, complete with tissue paper and, as he gave it to me he said, "My make it at Jamie's house!" He had a smile from ear to ear. I opened the gift sack and Brykn had made me the best gift of all-- a plate with his painted hand print. He picked out a green butterfly to put on it as well. He was so proud of his creation and I was so proud of him!