Hi George

Lauren Claire is really talking alot now. She walks around greeting everyone in sight, even George the cat. This video was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's just before we departed for West Des Moines.

Out of all the wonderful clips we took this weekend, I decided to post this one because I love the sweetness in her voice. It's so perfect and innocent. She just loves George, but I'm certain George is happy she is gone. If Lauren wasn't riding her new car from Uncle Daron and Aunt Ginger, she was chasing George around the house saying "Hi George" "Hi George."

Swing Low Sweet Chariot

The video below is a clip of Brayton singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot on the way to Mallard for Christmas. He is really starting to sing alot, I think he's taking after his Grandma Cindy and Aunt Audra, they are great singers.

When he first started singing this song, he was saying "Swing low, sweet cherry yougurt."

I really love the little head nod he does to the beat of the song.

Daddy, What do you got in your eyes?

Today's drive home was pretty uneventful, until we got about 10 miles east of Perry when Brayton informed us he had to go to the bathroom, specifically he had to go #2.

A few weeks back, he said the same thing but that time it was #1. We told him to try to hold it until we got home, less than five minutes. Well, that didn't go so well as about a minute later he told us he peed his pants so he got to sit in a puddle for the next four minutes and daddy got to clean up the mess.

Well, tonight we didn't want to risk telling him to hold his #2 for the next twenty miles so we decided to stop in Granger to let him take care of business. It seemed like a good time to get Lauren on the potty too, so we all piled out of the van and into the womens restroom at Casey's along highway 141.

Colette put the potty seat on the toilet, I plopped Brayton up there to do his deed. He sat there for about 10 seconds and then immediately became distracted from the task at hand by the toilet paper dispenser. There was nothing unusual about it, matter of fact it was exactly like the ones in our house except it had a stainless steel flap, what I call "the toilet paper protecter."

I thought to myself "why would they need a toilet paper protector in a womens bathroom?" I thought only mens restrooms had these because some men cannot control the urge to pee on the toilet paper and ruin it for any subsequent men that come along. There must be something infinitely satisfying about peeing on toilet paper that I am not aware of...but I digress...

So, Brayton is flipping up the stainless steel toilet paper protector. I decided I needed to step in to help him concentrate on the reason we stopped and all piled into this womens restroom in the first place.

I squatted down in front of him, took both his hands in mine and told him he needed to work on going #2. I asked him to concentrate...After a few strong pushes and grunts he looked at me and said:

Brayton: Do I get to pick treat for going poopie?
(we had to walk through the candy isle to get to the restroom)

Dad: Yes, but you've got to go poopie first, before you get any treats.

Brayton: Daddy, what do you got in your eyes?
(As I'm squatting and he is leaning forward on his potty seat, my face is about six inches from his)

Dad: Daddy has his contacts in.
(thinking he could see the outline of my contacts in my eyes, not realizing he could see a reflection)

Brayton (now trying to poke my eye): Daddy, you got a picture of Brayton in your eyes, do you got a picture of Lauren in there?

Once again, I learned another important lesson from my son. Never underestimate the ability of a 3 year old to observe even the most minor details.

Children see and hear everything, if only adults were the same.

Santa has arrived...

Tonight after we got the kids to bed, we started putting out the toys that Santa brought.

Brayton got a big frog tent, some books and puzzels, and a big marble and blocks set.

Lauren got a new baby, stroller, carriage, and bassinet. She also got an electronic hooked on phonics set that teaches all the letters of the alphabet. We used to have one, actually it was Glenda Clark's that she lent to us for a period of time. It was one of the reasons Brayton learned his ABC's at such a young age. About the time Lauren was starting to get interested in it, we had to return it to Glenda, so miraculously Santa brought one for her.

We also set out the chalk board that was Daddy's idea, but the result of Mommy and Grandpa Anderson's handiwork. The chalk board is one that Colette had played with as a child. I thought it would be a good idea to frame it up and pass it on.

Grandpa Allan cut all the frame out in his shop. I thought of painting it white or staining it, but Colette had a better idea of painting it with lots of colors and designs. Finally, I repainted the actual chalk board and assembled all the pieces together with some finish nails and lots of gorilla glue. That chalk board frame won't be coming apart for a very long time. Which is good because I intend for it to be handed down someday, probably to Lauren since it was Mommy's. I still need to figure out about what year Colleen had it made so we can mark the back of it. Maybe it will be around 100 years from now, that would be pretty neat.

Pictures of the chalk board and a quick video of all the toys Santa left for the kids.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Santa brought a new iPod for Mommy. He wanted to bring a cricet machine for Mommy's scrapbooking but it was a bit out of Santa's budget. Santa know's how much Mommy likes to scrapbook and listen to music. Now she can do so anytime she wants.

Thanks to Grandpa Anderson for letting me borrow his clamps for the chalkboard.

See you all in the next few days...

A call from Santa...

As you know from reading previous posts, we took the kids to Santa's workshop at Jolly Holiday Lights. There Brayton and Lauren got to meet Santa up close for the first time. Last year Brayton wouldn't go anywhere close to Santa.


On Monday, when I took the kids to the mall to play we also stopped by the Santa exhibit. While we were standing there, a kid got up from Santa's lap and before the next one came Santa turned and looked directly at Brayton and waved and smiled. I played this up quite a bit for Brayton. I told Brayton that Santa must have remembered him from his workshop when we vistied him. Brayton soaked it up like a drunk soaking up Boones Farm...


Tonight we got home from Matt and Audra's house after going to Christmas Eve Mass at Holy Trinity with Matt, Audra, and Tim & Kathy Meyer and eating some soup and having a little play time.


When we got home, there was a message on the answering machine from Santa (Actually Grandpa Anderson). We played it one time for Brayton, after a seeming to be in a state of shock and disbelief he proceeded to push a chair over to the counter and play the message over and over and over...About six times. To get him away from the answering machine, Colette and I had to coax him into helping to clean the ashes out of the fireplace so that Santa could come down the chimney without getting all dirty.


After we cleaned out the chimney, we put out two cookies and a glass of milk. Brayton asked if I thought Santa would like the cookies he baked. I assured him Santa would be very hungry and that he would love the cookies.


Santa actually had too much to eat at Matt and Audra's so the cookies, while very tasty, made Santa feel more bloated than he already was.

Kitchen Delivery

Today, the post man delivered Brayton and Lauren's kitchen.


Grandma and Grandpa Anderson bought the kitchen for the kids but it would have been prohibitive to put it together and bring it back to Des Moines in the van, so Grandma had it delivered (sort of anyway). Colette and I put it together Sunday evening and stored it in the basement.


Colette took the kids to our room this morning and sequestered them long enough for me to get the kitchen out of the basement. When I got it up, I rang the doorbell a few times, Colette then brought the kids out and voila, a new kitchen.


Brayton, in his excitement coming down the stairs slipped and fell. I caught it all on video. He wasn't hurt but did throw a bit of a fit.


They proceeded to play for the next hour without leaving the kitchen. They actually never fought over any part of it, there were plenty of accessories to go around. Lauren made about 100 phone calls to Grandma on the phone that came with it.

Big Brother comes to the rescue of his sister.

Over the past few months, I've deliberately been telling Brayton that he needs to be a good big brother and help his sister whenever she needs help. I really didn't think these frank conversations had any effect on him, but once again I've been proven wrong. He takes everything in that I say to him. That became evident today.

Today I took the kids to the mall to play at the park there. Colette was trying to make some carmel corn and it's pretty hard to work in the kitchen with two children at your feet all the time. So I packed up the kids and we went to the mall. Of course, since it's two days until Christmas the mall was packed.

There were kids and parents everywhere. Many of the kids however are completely unsupervised, this is a problem that drives me nuts. Parents just drop their kids off at the park and then go off shopping or whatever, it's like a mall babysitting service. It's really shocking.

Well, B and Lauren were playing on the train in the park. Lauren was sitting by the slide and some little boy, about B's size and age started pushing Lauren. Presumably because he thought she was in his way, if he was wanting to go down the slide, she wasn't in his way. So, really there was no reason for this boy to be pushing on Lauren.

Brayton, seeing this happen rushed over to his sisters rescue. I was about to jump in but when I saw B taking charge, I kind of stood back to see what would happen.

Brayton said two times to the little boy, "Stop pushing my sister." This didn't deter the little pusher. When he pushed Lauren a third time, Brayton pushed his arm through placing his palm against the wall of the train and separating the little boy from Lauren. Then the little pusher proceeded to try to push Brayton. Brayton turned his body so his back was facing the little pusher and Brayton stuck his butt out and with a big hip thrust effectively shoved the little boy off the back of the train. He fell about a foot and was not harmed at all. He proceeded to stand up and ran off.

At that point, I went to Brayton and asked him if he was allright. He proceeded to tell me "That boy was pushing Lauren!!" I told him I saw it all and that I was proud of him for sticking up for his sister.

When we got home to eat lunch, Colette asked B if he had fun at the mall. He said "yes". Then Colette asked him what had happened (I had not told Colette the entire story at this point) and Brayton proceeded to tell Colette the whole thing. "There was a boy who was pushing Lauren."

I was very happy to see big brother stick up for his sister, and happy to know our conversations do get absorbed into his little head.

Sledding and Santa...

Today while I was at class, it was a beautiful 50 degree day. Some of the snow was melting, but that didn't matter. Colette and the kids took advantage of the great weather and were outside playing in the snow. The video below is a shot Colette took of Brayton pulling Lauren in the sled.

After I got done with class, Colette and the kids picked me up and we went to play at a park. It was a little cold on the kids hands because the playground equipment was cold, but they still had fun going on the slides and climbing on the equipment. Of course we very close all the time, holding on to coat tails to make sure slippery wet shoes didn't provoke a fall.

We went to supper at Hy Vee, and then proceeded to Jolly Holiday lights. We knew Santa would be there, I used to volunteer to be Santa a few years ago, and Santa is free at Jolly Holiday lights. Whereas if you go to the mall, you have to stand in line for a very long time and pay $10.

We used the opportunity to reinforce being "nice" rather than "naughty" to Brayton over the past few days. We knew that if he knew he was going to see Santa, we could leverage that into good behavior, and for the most part it worked well.

There was a long line to see Santa today, but the kids waited in line very well. They never fussed. Brayton we could tell had to really go potty, but there isn't a bathroom there. When the time came to talk to Santa, Brayton was very excited. Lauren cried and didn't want anything to do with him. Neither would sit on his lap, I don't think that was a surprise. Maybe next year.

Potty School Begins...

Well, here it goes....I haven't written in the blog yet. Not because I haven't wanted to, nor that I don't have any good stories (being blessed to be able to be home with my babies has aforded me so many wonderful stories that I could fill a book!) The main reason is that I usually do scrapbooks for my children, I am the one who is always behind the camera. and I am not as good at the story telling as Daddy is.

But.....I think that I have a few wonderful stories/pictures/videos that definitely need to be archived. As you may know, Lauren is now 19 months. She has been showing interest in the potty and always wants to do what her brother is doing. I started the "official" potty school yesterday. We went to Target and after looking at all of the pretty little panties for Lauren, she chose Hello Kitty ones. She looked at Dora, Tinkerbell, Princess ones, and low and behold said,"Kitty, moew!", and pointed to the Hello Kitty panties. She was so excited when we got them home.

We got them out of the package so that she could check them out. Well, being the accesorizing guru that she is...(she loves shoes, necklaces, bracelets, bows, bowls, buckets...whatever she can put on her head!).....they did not go where everyone else puts undies.....she proceeded to put them on her head. Granted they were quite adorable, even on her head~,kind of like a do-rag really. I can already tell she is one of those girls that looks good in anything! Not to mention...a real trend starter. After the family had witnessed this stunning new look, we all had to try it. So now not only do you have a 19 month old who has Hello Kitty undies on her head, but a 3 year old boy, a young & beautiful girl....... whose age will remain undefined, (let's just call her....Mommy:), and then we also have a 34 year old male sporting Hello Kitty trousers as well. Nothing says fashion like a 6 foot 4 inch, 250 pound male adorned in his daughter brand new skivees!

Next, the training. I put Lauren on the potty about every 30-60 minutes in the morning.....nothing happens. We'll I guess not really "nothing". A couple of times Lauren was perched up on the thrown, then her brother comes barreling in with urgency in his voice,"I need to got potty....now!" Well, considering Lauren had been perched there for a few minutes, I figured we'll let Brayton go and then try again. Well, as soon as I got her off of the potty and she stood on the floor.....she peed! I honestly wonder is she is just trying to be like her brother and doesn't understand that girls don't pee standing up!

The day continues and after her nap I get her up and perched on the potty once more....and.....aaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaa! Here comes "big poopy"! She looks at me with her big browns sparking (as she new her hard work would pay off in the best thing possible for a little tyke....Jelly Beans!) She enjoyed her treat, we went about our playing..... and 10 minutes later, she's back in on the potty, grabs her toilet paper, wipes, and then says,"Jay bee!" Of course wanting a reward. Did I tell you yet that she didn't do anything?? The joys of Potty School!

But truly, you are doing a great job on the potty honey! You've peed and pood both days of Potty School, and we are so proud of you!

As you finished a nice piece of work in the toilet this after noon Brayton came over, gave you a hug and told you,"I am so proud of you Lauren, you're a big girl!!", with all of the excitement a 3 year old boy can muster (and that's alot!), you looked up at him adoringly with a smile a mile wide! Be still my heart! These are the most precious days!

Old sunglasses and party favors...

Tonight I decided it was time to use some old party favors as a playtime toy. Colette bought these things (not even sure what to call them) for Brayton's birthday party. We never used them, so I decided tonight was as good a night as ever.


We sat down in the living room, and Brayton was wearing a pair of my old sunglasses that Lauren had broken some time ago. The frame cracked and the lenses had popped out long ago. Brayton wears them because both Mommy and Daddy wear glasses.


We proceeded to have a great time with the party favors and Brayton's glasses made this an extra fun night.

Braytons Stories...

Tonight when I was putting Brayton to bed, we were sitting in the recliner with the lights off in his room just rocking getting in a little snuggle before I put him down. We normally say our prayers and he tells me a little story about his day.

Since the kids went to Mom & Dad's this weekend, I got a 3 year olds rundown of the entire weekend. It became obvious to me that you can't sneak anything by him anymore, he takes it all in and then you can guarantee that he is going to tell someone about it.

Tonght as we were sitting there, Brayton proceeded to tell me all about his weekend. It went something like this.

Dad: "Brayton tell me about your weekend at Grandma Cindy's."

Brayton: "I helped Grandma Cindy bake cookies." "I told Grandma Cindy, NO, NO, NO no eggs Grandma."

Dad: "Did Grandma Cindy put eggs in the cookies?"

Brayton: "Ya, she did." "She gave me chocolate cookies and said there was no eggs in them."

Dad: "Did you like those chocolate cookies?"

Brayton: "Ya, but Grandma Cindy said I could not eat them all we had to save them for Christmas."

Brayton: "I have five Grandmas"

Dad: "No, you have four Grandmas"

Brayton: "I have Grandma Coke, Grandma Cindy, Grandma Bernie, and Grandma Dorris."

Dad: "You are a pretty lucky boy to have four Grandmas."

Brayton: "I got to sleep in Grandma's bed. Lauren had to sleep in the baby bed. I am going to eat Grandma's chocolate cookies at Christmas."

Dad: "Did you get to see Uncle Nick and Uncle Dustin?"

Brayton: "Yes, we watched 'Wiggly, Wiggly, Gremlins' at Uncle Nicks house. We could not find that movie. Can I watch a movie now?"

Dad: "No, It's time for bed son."

Then I put him in bed and he proceeded to tell me good night four times. As I was walking out the door he was still yelling "Good Night Daddy."

I learned once again, that there is nothing he can observe that he cannot go and tell someone else. Not that I'd do anything I wouldn't want him to repeat, but I thought it was funny the way he told me how Grandma put the eggs in the cookies.

2nd Thoughts about going potty...

Lauren has been getting more and more interested in going potty.


She see's Brayton going potty every day. She is kind of his fan club, Brayton goes to the potty and Lauren follows to cheer him on.


She tells us when she goes "poop" in her diaper. Usually after disappearing for a few minutes behind the chair. She's somewhat secretive about it.


The other night, she said she needed to go "poop". So, Colette took her to the bathroom and asked if she said she wanted to go sit on the potty, she said "yes".


The second Colette got her up there, she changed her mind. Evidently it was too real.


Maybe it was the fact that Dad ran and got the camera as soon as she got up there.


December 1st is the date of the video.