Brandon's First basketball Game

Last night was Brandon's first basketball game. He got to play 2 quarters (2nd and 3rd). The other players passed him the ball a few times but he didn't score any points, but I was so proud of him anyway. He really hustled and tried to "be there" for his other teammates. I was really kindof worried when at practice they started scrimmaging because Brandon is not very agressive and is more passive. And so I thought that he may never get any B ball action because of this. He can shoot the ball.. don't get me wrong, but I worry sometimes about his competitiveness. So I have been talking to him about really getting around his defenders and trying to get up there where the ball is in case they need to pass it. I think it helped because they passed him the ball more in the game than they do at practice! I was so proud. His team, The Hornets, lost last night. But I think they all had fun, and that's the main thing.

So far I haven't seen any over-the-top competitive obnoxious parents who scream at thier kids at the top of thier lungs or yells and bad mouths the other children on the team for doing something wrong. The ones who must think that thier children are future professional athletic money making machines. I'm sure there are some out there who will be pro basketball players and what not, but don't verbally abuse your kids and others on the team because of your dream for them. Am I right? Sorry, I got off on a tangent there. But it was fun and the main thing that I want Brandon to do is learn teamwork, counting on others and have them count on him, and of course to have fun.

The score ended 18-5. As I said before, Brandon's team lost. But the 5 points scored by our team were scored by our friends Thomas and Amy's little boy and it was so cute to see the glow on thier faces when thier little boy looked up in the bleachers at them like hey mom, did you see that! Oh, they were so proud and it made me so happy that I got to see thier faces in that moment. Anywho, below are some pictures of Brandon playing.

Brandon has the ball!

Blue #11

Daddy and Brodie at the game. Brodie's eating a snack.

Good Stuff

Last night I let Brodie try to use a spoon for the first time! He did great. After he tried to scoop the food onto the spoon and couldn't, he started picking the food up and putting it on the spoon and then into his mouth. Cute!

Brandon is a real manly man because he needs two remotes to watch TV! He's watching his shows that we record for him every day; Truth or Scare and Mystery Hunters. They are kid oriented Discovery shows that he really enjoys and they are also educational. But, shhh.. don't tell him that part!

The Jeep

Yesterday was a warmer day, it got up to 60 degrees, but the sun was not shining. That's too bad because I love the sunshine. I had Matthew yesterday, and since it was a warm day I wanted to take the boys out to play in Brodie's new power wheels Jeep that papa and nanny Vick got Brodie for Christmas. When I say play, I mean that I sat them in there and they didn't know what to do. They looked at me like are you crazy? what the hell are we supposed to do with this! Anyway, well at least I got the pictures.

So it was off to other things. They were too busy for the Jeep this time, but I'm sure with practice they will soon realize that they can drive it themselves and that crazy mommy person will stop leaning over them trying to push the damn gas pedal for them all the while trying to get her feet out of the way before they get ran over.

Jay was home with us so he actually came outside to help me play with the boys. They wanted to eat, I mean play with the rocks in the driveway, as you can see in one of the above pictures. Although, you may have a hard time seeing Brodie what with his camouflage disguising him and all. They also loved playing with the neighbor's dog, Kelsey through the chain link fence. Brodie giggled everytime the dog licked his hand, and Matthew got a big french kiss from her. I know, gross. But it was cute and they had fun with her. Oh and they wanted to see-saw so Jay and I held each of the children on one end and they had fun with that, but I ended up dropping Brodie. Yes once again, Mother of the year, right here!

But I have an excuse, Brodie had a really runny nose and I was trying to wipe it with the inside of my shirt, and then he just fell off. Even though I was holding onto him with the other hand. He's tough though, so he didn't cry.

So, that was pretty much our adventure with the Jeep.

Brandon came home really excited yesterday afternoon. (sorry I don't have pictures, he's waay too busy for that) He recieved 2 awards for his acedemic performance last six weeks. I thought that saounded fancy! Ayways, he recieved one certificate for most improved, and the other was a Stallion Star award, which is the equivelent of honor roll or whatever means all E's and S+'s. I am so proud of him ya'll! I didn't go to awards day to see him get them because a.) I had Matthew and Brodie, and no thanks, I don't want to sit there for an hour with two toddlers, and b.) becasue I didn't know that he would be getting one. They didn't send home the little paper that tells the parents about it like they did last year. But oh well, he was excited and came skipping out to the car with them. Did I mention how proud I am of him?

Well, so that was our day!

A little sunshine in my life!

Today was a beautiful day! After being cooped up for weeks in the stale air in my house, the germs and the funk. We decided that today was warm enough to go out and play. It has been below freezing outside FOREVER, and today the temp got up to the mid 50's. The sun was shining for once.

After I picked Brandon up from school we came straight home and headed out the door. Brandon went to play with one of his neighborhood friends and Brodie and I went for a walk. I took him in his stroller down the street to the playground. (we're not really supposed to play there since technically we don't live in that neighborhood, but we did anyway, we broke the law).

I pushed Brodie on the swing and he loved it, and he slid down the slide. There was another mommy there with her almost 2 year old little boy and we chatted while playing with the kids.

Brodie and I had a lot of fun. We played for about an hour and then headed back home. When we got home, Brodie was not yet ready to come in so we played in the yard for a few more minutes.

Brandon came back home shortly after. I usually give him a certain time that he needs to be home. So he came in and was really worried about being late, although he was actually early. He said, "mom, I'm sorry I'm late, but I have an excuse. My pants leg got caught in the chain on my bike and I couldn't get it out. So I had to flag down this lady and she helped me get my pantsleg out of the chain." Me, "what?!! You flagged down a stranger! You know you're not supposed to talk to strangers!" But what else could he do? I wasn't around to see that he got his pants stuck and he couldn't go anywhere like that. Yes, I know, the mother of the year award should go to me! I told him he needs to quit riding that piece of crap bike that he bought off of a boy that lives in our neighborhood and ride the one we spent good money on. Oh well, I guess I will have to remind him every time he goes out to play not to ride the crappy one, but the good one to his friends house.

Well, I got over it and then the boys had a snack in the rocking chair. So it was a wonderful day for us all! Tomorrow it is supposed to be 60 degrees and sunny, so we are going to break out the power wheels Jeep that papa and nanny Vick gave to Brodie for Christmas. I will post pictures of that tomorrow.

Inauguration Day Jan. 20, 2009

Today history was made! The first African-American was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America! I am very proud that I live in a time where this was made possible. I am also very proud that my children live in this great country and they have an example that with hard work and big dreams, that they can be and do anything that they think possible. Today is proof of that. I wanted to take pictures of my children today because someday they may want to see the photos of themselves as history was being made. Brodie, Matthew, my sister and I all watched the inauguration ceremonies on T.V. I was moved to tears several times.

Brandon said that at school today they all got to watch this on T.V as well. I am so glad for that. I think that he will remember this day. Also, his whole class got to write a letter to President Obama, and he was really excited about it. I wish I could have a copy of that letter or at least know what he wrote. How exciting!!

I never knew that in my lifetime there would actually be a black president I am proud to live in a country with so much diversity and love for one another. So I wanted to write this as part of my on line journal, for my kids.

This is the second very historical event that has happened since I have been a mother. When Brandon was Brodie's age, the tragedies on September 11, 2001 was happening. I remember what we were doing that day, and how I felt, and the way the light came through the window.. that was not good history, but history none the less. Today, my youngest son, Brodie is about the same age Brandon was when that tragedy happened, and though the history being made today is much happier, I will remember what we were doing, how I felt, and how the light shined through my windows.

I am so glad to live in this great country with my family and friends. Let freedom ring!

God Bless America!!!

Just pictures

Brodie dumped out all of his toys and sat in the basket

A surprise visit from papa

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were pretty interesting days for us here in the house of Warren. On Tuesday, Karen and Matthew came to visit. I babysit Matthew 1-3 days a week to make extra money and to help out his parents. They are good friends of ours. Brodie was acting very fussy that day and did not want me to put him down and he was sleeping for long periods of time pretty much all day. And he started running a fever.

I was supposed to keep Matthew on Wednesday, but I couldn't because Brodie was sick and I didn't want Matthew to catch anything. I was so exhausted from getting almost no sleep the night before because Brodie wanted to be held all night. By the time my alarm clock went off to get Brandon ready for school, I could not make myself get out of bed, and also Brodie was finally asleep. I went back to sleep. Brandon stayed home with me, so he got to play hookey! I know that this seems like a really bad example, but with the bitter cold and my baby running a fever and not getting any sleep the night before, I just couldn't bear to take them out of the house.

Then my mother called and told me that she took my 15 year old brother, Levi to get his braces off and he wasn't going back to school that day, so he came and hung out with me all day. He played hookey too.

My sister, Jenna called and said that she had taken a personal day at work and wanted to know if she could come hang out with us too. She kindof played hookey also!

Later on, my father-in-law, aka papa, called and said that he was in Nashville headed back home to Georgia and wanted to know if he could stop by and get some kisses from Brodie before he left town. This was such a nice surprise for us and I'm so glad that he stopped by. Even though it was only for a few minutes. So, it's good that Brandon played hookey because papa got to see him too!

Thursday, Brodie had his 15 month well baby visit at the pediatrician. He had to get two shots. Poor thing. He did really well with the first shot b/c the nurse gave him a sucker before she started. She stuck him with the needle and he just looked around, and then went back to his sucker. He didn't even cry! I was like, why haven't they ever given him a sucker before?! People, that is the trick. Just give them a sucker and they won't care about the shot. That's good to know now that he's almost done with his infant vaccinations. That figures!

All is well now in the house of Warren. I babysat Matthew today and he and Brodie played/ faught, all day long. Now Brodie is exhausted and has fallen asleep in his high chair.