Happy Valentines Day!

For Valentines Day, Brycen really got into the festivities this year. They had a pajama party at school and he picked out Valentines cards for his classmates.  He was excited because he wore his dinosaur pajamas that Grandma Blanchard made him for Christmas.  Brycen has many pairs of pajamas and he loves his pajamas.  He's got two pairs that have detachable capes (Superman and Spider Man), some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Diggers, dinosaurs from Grandma, and two pairs of zip-up footie dinosaur pajamas.

Brycen getting ready for school in his dinosaur pajamas

Brycen came home with a bag full of Valentine's cards and lots of sugary snacks. He had a lot of fun at school and told all about what kind of pajamas his friends had on. 

Rhyme Time

I've heard that many kids go through a phase where they like to rhyme. Well, Brycen is in that phase.  He takes a word like "Dad" and nearly goes through the alphabet (and many times makes up other words) that rhyme. He has such a fun time doing it too. 

Just last week, he told Burke and I that they learned to rhyme at school. Burke asked if Brycen taught the class. Brycen looked at him confused and said," no Dad." Well, we think he could have!

First wrestling meet

On Sunday, Brycen attended his first Iowa Wrestling meet.  We went to church that morning and the deal was, if he laid down for "quiet time" immediately after we came home from church, then we would go to the meet. 

He did real well and took a small nap much earlier than he normally goes down without any fuss. The meet was at 2:00 and we made it down a little early because the temperature was barely above zero and wanted to land a good parking spot. 

At first, he didn't say much and he just took the in the experience of Carver. We watched the wrestlers warm up on the May before the meet and took our seats. 

He asked a lot of questions and it was easy to see that he really followed what was taking place in the mat. After being there for a little bit he really warmed up and was cheering and yelling for the wrestlers down on the floor. He even started yelling things like, " You need to kick out when that guy is on top of you" and putting two fingers up saying "two" and "take down!" 

Of course he behaved so very well and enjoyed the experience watching the Hawkeyes. Now he practices these new moves on Dad at night...

Snow Day Projects

We had a snow day/cold weather day on January 27th.  It was a welcomed day off where Brycen & Mom got to stay home and work on "projects" as Brycen called them.

We'd had a night stand piece of furniture since shortly after we moved into the house that I've been meaning to paint for Brycen's room.  At Christmas time, Brycen and I went to Menards to pick up a paint color that he picked out - bright green!  He liked it because it was like John Deere green.  (Close to it.)

One of our projects that day was to prime and paint the little three-drawer stand.  Brycen had a foam brush and primed the drawer fronts all by himself.  He did extremely well and he continues to surprise me on how well he can be trusted with more of these tasks.

During Brycen's nap, I put on two coats of green paint and we let it sit for a few nights before putting it in his room.  He uses it for clothes like PJ's, socks, underwear.  The top drawer is his 'keepsake' drawer where he has his prized jar of cicada bugs, flash light, a few basketballs, and other knick-knack items.

We enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate that afternoon after his nap.  He is just like his Mom and loves the hot chocolate made with milk - YUM! 

At some point that day, I caught him digging food out of the pantry.  He said he was hungry and needed a snack.  Burke and I don't keep candy, fruit snacks, or other "kid" snacks around at all - never have so Brycen's idea of a snack is a rice cake, pretzels, clementine, raisins, and peanuts.  It's a healthier snack than I usually crave on a normal day!  

Weekend at Grandpa & Grandma Blanchard's

Two weekends ago, Brycen spent the night at Grandpa & Grandma Blanchard's house.  It gave Mom & Dad the opportunity to go to a Hawkeye wrestling meet, and run some errands, and attend the annual meeting at church.  Plus, Brycen just needed a little time to spend with grandparents. 

He had a great time scooping snow and told a fun story about how he and Grandma made a snowman.  He went to church with them on Sunday morning and was excited that he actually went up for the children's sermon by himself.  (Now if he'd only do that at our church!)  

Grandma sent him home with a few mints to share for after supper on Sunday night.  It was pretty chilly that day and the next day (Monday - Jan 27th) was a snow day for Kirkwood so Brycen & Mom were able to stay home all day and play! 

Brycen helping Gramps fill up the bird feeder

"Mowing" the snow

That's how God made it

A few weeks ago, Brycen was explaining something to me and I asked why? He replied with "that's how God made it."  It made me smile for a few reasons. 

One is because he is the KING of the why question and matter how complicated the answer, he wants to know why things are the way they are. 

The second is because I am so happy he goes to a daycare/school where the teachings and environment is Christian focused. He is learning at such a young age how God is all around us and part of our everyday lives. 

The last reason is because he is just so smart and sometimes even witty! He takes after smarts from me and the witty from Burke... haha. I'll see what Dad has to say about that. :)

Favorite Basketball Player

We have been watching a lot of Iowa Hawkeye Basketball lately and Brycen is loving it. He cheers on the hawks by saying stuff like, " Come on Hawkeyes, you can do it! And Let's go Hawkeyes!"  Burke really enjoys the time they spend snuggling on the couch watching the game together. 

A few weeks ago, Brycen picked up on the player Devin Marble as he made a big play. Immediately, it seemed that he had a favorite player. He keeps cheering for Marble, always calling him by both his first and last name. He said to Burke one night, " Dad, Devin Marble is both of our favorite player on the Hawkeyes."  He even knows when MRble is not on the court and recognizes his number.

He repeats sayingshe hears from. Burke and I like that was from downtown and WHAT?! It's absolutely hilarious to sit with him for. Game because he really does follow the flow of the game and the concept of basketball. 

He has had some experience going to Kirkwood basketball games. He pays close attention to the players, referees, and asks a lot of questions. He even told me one night as we were leaving a Kirkwood women's game that next time he thinks he would really like to go to a Hawkeye Basketball game .