Happy Birthday, Brady!

Finally, a few highlights from Brady's second birthday (November 29)!

For his birthday, he received the Polar Express train sets, the Cars Spiral Speedway, TMX Elmo, several characters from Cars, and a Mickey Mouse airplane. Perfect for a little boy who loves things that go! I made him a Lightning McQueen birthday cake, which he loved.

On the kids' birthdays, we try to do something special. Bryce went go-carting with Daddy, and Bryan visited the fire station. Since Brady's great-grandparents all sent him money, I chose to take the kids to the zoo. They had so much fun, and they behaved very well. The zoo's being practically empty didn't hurt, either!

So happy late birthday, Brady! We love you!


I love this face!


The Polar Express sets in all their glory!


The kids manage to sit still long enough at the zoo for one group picture.


Our edible Lightning McQueen.


Brady always claps for himself when others clap for him. I think it's cute.


Brady shares his spiral speedway with Bryan, who had to keep reminding himself, "It's Baby's toy."


"Look, Mama! Look!" Brady is so proud of himself for lining up all of his Cars characters, much like I'm told his daddy did when he was little. (The band-aid is one of Bryan's Sponge Bob band-aids from his IV incident--Brady just wanted to wear one.)


"Wee!" McQueen races The King to the bottom of the speedway saying, "Speed? I am speed!"

Poor, injured children

The day after the snow was a little dramatic in our house. Bryan woke up screaming that his tummy hurt, and when I looked at this belly, I knew why. The poor boy was retracting, fighting for each breath he took. So I took the other kids to a friend's house (who doesn't hate me for calling at 6:30 a.m.) and took Bryan to the ER. The doctors ordered an IV (lots of fun), blood work, chest x-rays, steroids, and breathing treatments. So the 'gray doc-tor' was mean (the nurse who started the IV), and the 'green doc-tor' was nice (the intern who came to listen to Bryan's chest). When the intern left, Bryan yelled, "Bye, fireman doc-tor man!" That's a huge compliment from this boy! After everything was done, another nurse came in to remove the IV. Bryan screamed at her! But as soon as the IV was out, he was all smiles. "Thank you," he told her. Then he insisted he get band-aids and a purple lollipop. So ended that drama.

That night, Bryce was trying to steal some of the lollipops I'd purchased. I'd promised Bryan, but with 3 other kids, I decided a bag of candy was better. I'd hidden the lollipops in a jar on a top shelf. Bryce successfully snuck the lollipop out of the kitchen (no, I didn't know), then tripped over his feet as he made his getaway. When I got to him, his lip was bleeding and quite swollen. "I'm sorry! I'll never steal a lollipop again!" he cried over and over and over. Wow. That has to be one of the first times I've not had to 'lecture' about why something bad happened. His lip was normal by Friday, which was good since we had our Christmas pictures taken that day.

Bryan giving himself a breathing treatment at home.





Bryce smiling as best he can.

Memories

Syd models her mini-snowman while Brady tries to figure out what all the fuss is about.


This is Barry's favorite Christmas decoration--a spinning Christmas tree.


Syd & Bryce pose in front of our living room tree with a couple early presents.