Monday, March 7, 2011

Brayden's First Birthday

Bray Bray's 1st Birthday!
Brayden turned one on February 26th. 
We can't believe how quickly the year has gone and how much we are enjoying our little boy!

Cake Time
Right now Brayden's favorite thing to do is climb so we made him a monkey cake.

Larkin preferred the Abby Cadabby theme so she did her own thing.

What is this stuff?

At first Brayden wasn't too sure about cake, but he came around.

Not so bad!

Trying seconds.

Time for a bath.

Larkin enjoyed her cake too, but with a little less mess.

Presents
Thank you everyone for all of the wonderful birthday presents and warm wishes.  Even though many of our friends and family live far away, you made sure to make this a special day for Brayden!  The kids loved getting packages from the delivery man and checking the mailbox.  They also had a blast opening some gifts with family on Skype.  You have to love technology!  Brayden loved opening his presents, playing with the wrapping paper, bags, and tissue paper. 
Of course Larkin was right there ready to lend a hand!
Loved the tissue paper!

A new Cookie Monster.

Those clothes sure taste yummy!

Playing with our new Zany Zoo.

Check out my new ride!

Larkin helping to open another package from the delivery man.

A new puppy to chase me around once I get the hang of this walking thing. 
I am so close!

A new musical toothbrush for all these teeth I have coming in right now. 
How did you know, Aunt Tara?

Friday, March 4, 2011

Some Fun At the Children's Museum

Time to Play!
Now that we have our Fridays free we try and get out of the house a little more often.  Of course there is always shopping to do, but a few times a month we also try to do something a bit more exciting.  One of our adventures this month was to the Phoenix Children's Museum.  It was a very cool place that both kids loved and we will definitely be heading back there again!  It is strange to say, but this is one of those great places to visit in the summer when you don't want to be out in the heat all day.  In most states this would be a wonderful winter activity.  Arizona is definitely different! 
The museum is an old school building that has been converted.  It offers all sorts of different activities in each of its themed rooms.
Place for Under Threes
This room was definitely our favorite!  It had all sorts of areas for both kids to play, crawl, and explore.  It also kept them contained which was a BIG help.
Brayden had fun setting the table with plates and bowls while Larkin was busy at the sink.

 Making something yummy for dinner!

 The sensory station to explore different sounds and textures.

 Larkin checking out the bridges and walkways.  The theme of this room was also doorknobs,
so at the top of each rail there were different knobs to play with.

 Made it across the bridge!

Brayden loved pushing the ball through the rungs and also chasing after it.

 Climbing around in the sensory center.

 He decided to take a break from chasing that ball.

The Texture Cafe
This was so much better than playing kitchen at home.  This was a whole restaurant complete with buffet, chefs kitchen, and wood stove. 
Larkin making some lunch at the buffet and Brayden running away with a rolling pin.

 Check out my yummy meal!

Back in the kitchen to make a little dessert.

Outside of the cafe was an ice cream stand and table area to enjoy that yummy treat.  Of course the ice cream cone was just foam board rolled up and the ice cream was a foam ball, but they sure made it look real.  This was the place Larkin kept wanting to stop back by.

Noodle Forest
 What a fun place to crawl, walk, or run through.

The Market
Here you could pick your favorite foods, weigh your items, and even scan your stuff at the checkout.
 The perfect sized shopping cart.

 Weighing some beans.

Art Studio
This room had a variety of activities for kids to do. 
Larkin especially enjoyed painting and playing with play-dough.
 Larkin is painting the ever changing castle!

 Having some fun at the play-dough station.

Building Big
Also known as the giant fort room. 
Here you could build your own fort or help add on to the giant fort in the center of the room.
 Larkin sizing up the room.

 Brayden having fun with some of the headboards and knobs around the room.

Pedal Power
Here they had a variety of trikes and bikes for kids to try out. 
It was complete with a trike wash that kids could pedal through!
 Here Larkin couldn't figure out why Brayden couldn't pedal her around while she relaxed in the backseat.  He actually did a pretty good job of walking her around the room!

And we are back...
We had to finish our afternoon with one last playtime in the little kids' room. 
What a great afternoon we had!

Into Everything

Into Everything!
Our little Brayden is definitely developing quite the personality!  He is into EVERYTHING these days.  His favorite activities are climbing, crawling, chewing, standing, and more climbing. 

Right now Brayden has 5 new teeth coming in so he is chewing on anything and everything. 
He already has his top 4 teeth and bottom 2 front teeth.

 Showing off some of his chompers!

 Not sure how that is comfortable, but Brayden loves his nap time
 with his favorite elephant stuffed animals. 
He is still taking two naps a day which we hope will last a while.

Climbing is another favorite activity.  Here he is under the pool table. 
Shortly after this picture was taken he also discovered how to climb on top of the pool table. 
He is quite the little monkey!

Relaxing with a good book.


 Practicing our standing outside.

Standing on my own! 
Brayden now takes one step and then laughs, drops to the floor and crawls away. 

What a sweet little brother!

The Tutu

The Tutu!
Starting about last November "The Tutu" became a staple in our everyday apparel.  Evidently a purple tutu goes with everything...winter clothes, pajamas, things to wear to the doctor, zoo, grocery store, or anywhere else you may want to go.  And, if on some rare occasion, we do get her to not wear the tutu it still is brought along wherever we go.  It used to only be worn with the velvety shirt that went with it, but now she has branched out to wearing it with pajama pants, regular pants, other dress up clothes, and any shirt that she feels matches.  I guess we should be happy she is dressing herself and feels so strongly about something.  Here are some of Larkin's choices in attire lately.

The Tutu!

 It goes great with Dora the Explorer underwear!

 It goes great with any KSU shirt!

 It is great when you are on the run from your crazy looking fort.

 It even goes great with your Cat Woman sunglasses.

Finally, it is the perfect thing to wear with your aluminum foil crown!

On the rare occasion that Larkin is not in the tutu, you can find her in her apron and cape...

or dressed up in her Ariel dress.  Don't worry the tutu is under the dress.
We definitely love our little Larkin Lou!