Brenner's school update

We had parent teacher conference with Brenner's teacher. He is doing fabulous - he is caring, compassionate, bright, and a joy :) BHP needs to work on tying his shoes, buttoning, and keeping quiet when he is done with an assignment but others are still working! We are not for sure yet where he will be going to Kindergarten next year but have a meeting with the primary school principal this next Friday. Can't believe he is that old already!!!! A big thanks to Grandma Val for taking the kids with her on Friday night so Matt and I could go out to for drinks and dinner with friends. We didn't get home until after 11:00 - that is way late for us :)

Brenner drew this three-eyed monster named Landon. His friend Landon drew a three-eyed monster named Brenner. We have started to work on his reading a little each day because he has been so inquisitive about words that he sees. So far he is enjoying it - but we are taking a little at a time!

Nola is doing great too. She did so good this week potty training that she earned her "Merida movie" (Disney's Brave). So we got to have family movie night on Thursday! Nola hasn't had an accident in a week (not even at night) - so amazing. She did fall out of bed twice this week so trying to make sure pillows and stuffed animals are there just in case!

Brenner's preschool class went to the grocery store this week. Grandma said in this picture he was chatting it up with his teacher Ms. Gerhardt.

His class got to decorate cupcakes. Brenner didn't get one at first but waited patiently - way to go buddy!

Concentrating with the icing.....

Licking the wrapper.....

Nola got one too, of course :)

Science experiment......the kids rubbed balloons on the curtains and they stayed. Then Grandma rubbed them on their backs which made Brenner and Nola laugh!

Brenner cleaning the toys from under his bed :) We had gymnastics on the TV this afternoon. Brenner was watching saying "wow, awesome, cool" when I told him our friends Aislinn, Jack, and Gigi do gymnastics and does he think it looks fun. Brenner said "Bones aren't suppose to go that way. I will do karate." Interesting, buddy!

Stir Crazy

The bit of warmer weather have made the kids restless! Brenner and Nola continue to grow like weeds - Nola grew an inch in the past month while Brenner has grown 1/4 inch. Their personalities are growing much faster :) Brenner told me on Sunday night "I am glad you didn't die today." I said "Me too!". Silly boy.

Brenner's preschool class went to the vet this week. Brenner told us two animals had surgery - a dog and a cat. He said it was a lot of fun!

Brooks loves Nola and was quick to hold her up so that she could see over the wall at the animals.

My first note from Brenner - "No PBS". He was quite angry at me for something and decided that I should loose tv. Sigh - sassiness even in notes.

Nola loved the way her wet hair felt after her bath!

Nola rockin' a pony tail with her bangs - they are finally long enough!

On Saturday we met up with some friends on the Katy Trail. Nola and all the boys loved splashing in the puddles. All the kids got so wet, they rode home in underwear only :)

Brenner expending some energy pounding a plastic jug. Hey - at least he wasn't destroying something inside the house!

Papa and Brenner having some play time!

Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Chris stopped by Sunday evening and boy did the kids love it. Nola was stuck to Lynnie like you wouldn't believe! Brenner would hardly stop for anything but loved showing Uncle Chris his Batcave from Santa.

A trip to the fire station and then sickness.....

I was gone for a work trip for part of the week and the kids did not play well for Papa. Nola especially - not sleeping well at all which meant Papa didn't get much sleep either! On Wednesday, Brenner's class went to the fire station - he loved it! Then Brenner got a fever and cough. His poor eyes with so red. Brenner was really upset when he didn't get to go to school on Friday. Luckily, his fever has been gone since Saturday night so it looks like he will go to school tomorrow!



Brenner striking a pose at the fire station.

Brenner and his showing how heavy the fireman uniform is.

Nola is always entertaining Brenner's classmates. Grandma confessed she lost Nola in the fire house but found her with one of the other moms!

The sick guy :(

With Brenner sick, Nola had to spend sometime playing on her own before church. Isn't her hair getting long?!

Brenner was still out of the picture, so Nola and Papa decided to play Dinosaur Bingo! Nola beat Papa 3 games to 1 game. Way to go Nola!

Nola and her biggest fan :)

Nola is working on potty training and doing pretty well. She gets chocolate covered raisins as rewards. Here she is showing off her reward. Poor Brenner - you can see how red his eyes are!

Snowman time!

We had a wonderful snow on New Year's Eve - it was the perfect wetness to build a HUGE snowman. Brenner was so excited to go out in the snow. Nola, well not so much! She preferred to stay inside and play with her toys. Brenner and Nola were glad to have Grandma Val back but continued to be crazy little kids! One night before bath they were doing their normal "naked baby" laps (yes - it is what you think). But the funny part was when Matt overheard Brenner say "I'll be blue steagal and you are pink cootah!" Not sure what a steagal nor a cottah are but he said it with clarity! You all should know by now that Brenner is inquisitive. He has been asking more about body parts on girls. He asked "What is that called?" I told him, he laughed at the name, and then I distracted with something else. Well a few hours later he asked me "What did you call that thing again? Va....what was it? A Janet? Was it a Va-Janet?" Well this made me laugh so hard that I cried.  Then Brenner started laughing and finally said "Stop laughing or I am going to pee my pants!" Can't wait to tell Aunt Janet this story!

Our pink girl. Nola is very hesitant about the snow....

Brenner LOVES the snow! He was very into rolling the snow into balls for our snowman!

I love, love, love this picture. Great smiles, fabulous snowman, and beautiful snow.

Snow angel or devil? Love this guy.

We came inside to warm up and play connect four.

A great smile from Nola....she was refusing to eat her dinner in this picture.

The kids love to play "telephone" at dinner. Brenner doesn't really whisper because he starts laughing too hard. You can see the smile on his face a bit in the picture.

My attempt at behavior modification. Chores to do before earning tv show (WildKrats is his current favorite). I added the worksheets over Christmas break - Brenner likes to do them for the most part. Once he does enough sheets, he can earn a movie!