b is for...

Brennan!

Uncle Brennan and Aunt Lindsay visited Nashville this weekend and got their fill of some Bryant Boys. Davis hadn't seen his godfather in several months but it took less than two minutes before he had a new best friend. I think Brennan enjoyed a brief break from princesses and ballerinas (he has two girls and another on the way).




Other than the obvious sweet stuff, I think Davis really enjoyed another grown-up to harass about reading Thomas the Train stories. I know I enjoyed the reprieve.

Boo!

Our morning began with a Halloween parade at school. While we waited for Commander Bryant of the Shuttle Nashvegas, Davis the (space) monkey enjoyed some time on the big playground. All by himself.










By the way, this child NEVER carries his tail between his legs. When Peter finally came by, he covered his eyes with his hat so I couldn't see him. Super attitude, kiddo. So I have no good pics of him from Halloween.







Halloween is not my favorite holiday. Mix it with Monday and a really disrespectful four-year-old, and I was ready to call it a day at 4pm. Thank goodness for Aunt Callie coming to the rescue and wrestling my monkeys when I was about to cage them for the evening. We persevered and joined our good friends Rachel, Bob and Katie for some pizza and trick-or-treating.




Davis didn't quite understand the concept of gathering candy and then saving it for later. He wanted each piece right as he received it. We tried distracting him with the plush banana sewn onto his costume but it didn't work. Fortunately he was content to eventually stay in the stroller and eat a lollipop. Rachel and I were content to follow Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman as long as the kids would cooperate. Peter proclaimed trick or treating so much fun and said more than once how much he likes the night. The days are dark by 6 or 6:15 now so he's spending more and more time in the night. We have evaded any major fears of the dark but he has demonstrated an interesting aversion to stinkbugs, tornadoes and rattlesnakes. Don't ask - I don't know either.

There seems to be a couple of Starbursts missing from Davis's stash, which wouldn't be a big deal if we knew where the WRAPPERS ended up. He is such a puppy dog.

Happy Halloween!

So glad this day only comes once a year.

ode to an uncle

Ode to an Uncle

Can it be that over a year has passed?

You had better get ready - they warm up fast.

Last you saw Peter you were like butter and bread.

Would Davis be jelly or a third wheel instead?

The big boy was ecstatic, 

the younger quite confused.

Who was this person 

who had the whole house amused?

Almost two weeks of frivolous play,

in dirt piles, leaves and creeks did they lay.

"No! No! Stop the eel!"  Peter would cry,

but how could he resist such a fun guy?

 

 

One friendship cemented; one other so new.

I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful view.

The boys miss their uncle already so dear,

won't you please just leave Cali and MOVE OVER HERE!?

Kidding.  Well, not really.

Love you, Geoff.

Thanks for loving these boys so well.

all my chickens

Now I know how my mom, grandmothers and aunts feel when the whole family gets together.  I have had my mom and brother here for a week now, a depressingly rare occurrence given my brother's work load and schedule.  I feel like the mother hen with all her chickens in one place.  Probably a bit like my mom feels, if I had to guess.  The only difference is that it has gone from being their vacation to my vacation.  The boys always have a special someone to themselves and I'm old news, so I've been painting walls, organizing closets, shuffling seasonal wardrobes and even doing some clutter disposal via Craigslist.  Makes me realize just how productive I once was. Also reminds me how much I wish we all lived closer (and not just because I'd get more done).

We have been spending a lot of time outside.  At home, at the pumpkin farm, at the dirt pile/nature center.  Corn maze, hayrides (sans hay), swimming (indoors), park picnics.... it's hard to pick who is the most exhausted.  We have to go back to the school week routine for a break! 

Can we puhleeze go pick a pumpkin now?!

Love those peepers

 

... and that smirk!

Attempting the steal the props at the farm

Troughs of corn + shovels = hours of entertainment

I eventually gave up on a decent shot, but this shows how big they're getting!

Love.

Who is this giant and what has he done with my baby!?

Inspecting the firetrucks at the Public Safety Demonstration

Learning about corn mazes

Not one to be left behind

My boys

 

 

 

 

 

Investigating the hayride situation