Cute as a Punkin!

It was very funny. On Friday night we were discussing the next nights festivities with Braxton going over what all was going to happen and for weeks we had been telling him he was going to be a lion (again because it still fits). Well, Friday night he had in his head that he was going to be a "punkin". Anytime we'd ask him what he was going to be he'd say "punkin".
Last night I went to the closet to pull out the lion costume and there hanging right next to it was a pumpkin costume that a friend had passed down last year. I hesitated to even pull it out because the tag said '12-18 months'. I walked into the den and held up the lion costume and the pumpkin costume and asked which one he wanted to be. Needless to say the costume fit. He was so darned cute. I thought it was perfect considering our fascination with pumpkins this fall. He was only able to go to 2 houses Trick-or-Treating because of the rain but that was ok with him. He had a blast handing out candy.

A Little Monkey Business

It's finished. Braxton's bathroom received it's finishing touches this weekend and it looks fabulous. Brandon, once again, did an incredible job. The paint color turned our great, the motif is adorable, and most importantly Braxton likes it. After all, it is "bue".
I am dying to show you my newly re-upholstered dining room chairs from the dining room set that I was so graciously given by Grandmama but I want her to see it in person first. I have my china in the cabinet and we just got back all the chairs from the re-upholsterer on Saturday. The set is absolutely gorgeous. More on it all later.

My Little "Punkin"

Brax is into "punkins" BIG time this fall. He loves going to Wal-Mart and Target and walking up and down the Halloween aisles. He's a little freaked by the "itch" which surprises me because he loves the Wizard of Oz but he really gets spooked by the witches in the stores. I think the fact that they are motion censored freaks him out a little. He will hide his eyes and bury his head and this past Sunday (so cute) he stood at the end of the aisle watching me while I walked down. He didn't want to have any part of the "itch".
Anyways, we have gotten a new pumpkin every weekend. We have a "daddy punkin and a grandaddy punkin" outside on the porch. We have 4 more real pumpkins inside and just this weekend we picked up 3 more fake ones. 2 of which are blue, Brax's favorite color. Brandon is on fall break this week and he's actually painting our hall bath blue for him. I think it'll turn out real cute. I'll put up some pictures when it's all done.
We are really looking forward to the holidays coming up. We have LOT'S of fun things planned and great times planned with family. I promise to keep you posted.

A Day for Treva

Saturday marked my 10th time walking in the Komen Race for the Cure. I've walked in every one since mama died in 1998. I have been so amazed every year at how many people are affected by it and how proud people are to be survivors. I regret that my mom never saw that. When she died, she was ashamed and people didn't talk about breast cancer like they do now. I wished that she could have lived long enough for us all to rally around her and for us to show our support for her.
Although she wasn't there we did go out to support her yesterday. Dad and Allyson were there at 4:30am to help blow up the 3500 balloons for the survivors to release. 14,000 participants came out to help walk for a cure. Charlotte alone raised over 1 million dollars. I took a picture of one leg of the race. It was amazing! Braxton did incredible. We had to get him up 15 minutes earlier than we do on a school day and he just popped out of bed. It was almost as if he knew the cause. He was a real trooper and at one point even got out of the stroller and held my hand and walked alongside me.
I know Treva was watching. I know she was proud.

Campfire Boys

Monday was Labor Day and is was awesome. We didn't do anything major but that's what I loved about it. It was nice and breezy outside so we were able to open the french doors leading out on to the screen porch. Braxton laid out on the screen porch and watched The Bee Movie (for the 500,000 time this summer) and ate cashews! It was nice being at home and not having to rush off to work, or class, or the store.
Later in the evening the boys made a fire in the fire pit out back. I had to take some pictures of that!

Changes

Yes, 2 in one day. I had to post about the latest goings on around here and now I have to post about the latest changes in Mr. Braxton. If you haven't seen him in more than a week you wouldn't believe how good he is talking now.
Last week I had to secretly sneak Busch into the washing machine and dryer. We were about to head out for our evening walk when I went to check on the status of Busch when Braxton saw me get him out. He said "Busch!" I responded with 'Yeah, Busch got a bath and now he has to dry while we go for our walk" Braxton said, "Busch go walk with me!"
In this photo, Braxton thinks Busch needs something to drink.

I'm Back!

It's been a long time since my last post. I apologize and know I have to do better. Just in the last week Braxton has changed so much.
The school year has gotten off to a excellent start. With all the changes at school due to the budget crisis I have been assigned a new assistant. My old one, with whom I had worked with for 3 years, was moved to kindergarten because they had to let 6 go last year and my "new" assistant was moved up from 1st grade. She is great but it's been a time of learning about one another and readjusting. I also have a college intern working with me this year. She's actually a graduate intern so this is her second degree. She's not actually student teaching until after Christmas but for the first semester she's just "floating" and observing. She's really helpful but it's different having someone new around all the time and that has taken some adjusting to also. She's awesome to have around. My class seems to be a really good group of kids. The 10th day of school is tomorrow. In the education world the 10th day of school (just like the 100th and just like the 180th) is a huge milestone. Things seem to calm down a bit and become more concrete. I On top of everything else Brandon has returned to school in addition to working full-time. I couldn't be more proud of him but I am SO tired in the evenings. I have been staying at work much later than I normally prefer just to get as much stuff done at work because when I pick Mr. Braxton it's all me and he makes sure that I am doing nothing but tending to his every whimper.
Every night I have made dinner (this is only going on week 3. I'll post about this subject periodically) except one and that was only because Allyson and dad wanted to come to see Braxton and brought dinner, done the laundry, packed lunches for the next day, gone for a walk, and given Braxton a bath before Brandon gets home from class. I want him to be able to walk in and and not have to do anything but spend time with Braxton before we have to put him to bed.
We try to have him down by 8:30. And we try to be in bed by 10pm. 5am comes very early. We get him up at 6:30 and they are out the door to Maw- Maw's by 6:45. Needless to say this school year has started very busy but seamlessly. Brandon seems to like his classes and doesn't mind having to study after Braxton is in bed. Keep him in your thoughts this semester!!