Halloween!

the weather was absolutely perfect this year! I have never had a Halloween where I didn't have to wear a coat or at LEAST a jacket! But not this year. It was like 70 degrees! We started the day at his school. they didn't want them to wear their costumes so they let them wear pajamas instead. We have some communication problems with his teacher and she told my mom the party started at 12:15. So I took off work and went there and by 12:15 the party was already over. I was not a happy camper. I guess they decorated cookies, had a cookie walk and painted their faces....and I missed it all!!!
I took Bradley and the girls trick or treating. they are so funny. I remember as a kid I wanted to keep going until my bag was completely full. We went up our street, then to his friend William's street and then he was ready to go home. He didn't even want to trick or treat down the other side of OUR street! They had a blast handing out candy though so it was worth it to go in early. they had a great time. Look at all my candy!!! And I don't even like candy!
ready to Trick or Treat!
Playing outside on the swingset waiting for Mommy to get home from work
Bradley's friend Gavin
Bradley's class eating snacks

And they do it again!!!!

Grandma is so talented at making Bradley's Halloween costumes. he has won in at least one competition every year! This year we entered at a new place, Crown Center and he won not first but GRAND PRIZE!!! It was so cute. When he walked across stage everyone started cheering. They didn't do that for anyone else. Then they were announcing the winners and we didn't know there was a grand prize so when they got to first place my mom looked at me and said, "we didn't win" then they said and the Grand Prize Winner is Pinocchio! He won a brand new bike and bike helmet!!! It was so funny because he did NOT want to be Pinocchio but once we talked him into it he became Pinocchio! he would walk on stage and sing, "I've got no strings to hold me down"! it was adorable. So we also entered in Grain Valley and won 1st place there which was $15. We entered at the Old Shawnee days and had warned Bradley that this was a stiff competition. Well we didn't win there. I was bummed. I of course think we got cheated, but oh well. Bradley handled it way better than I did! Here are some of the lovely pictures. Bradley with his new bike!
Does this look like a boy that doesn't want to be wearing this?
The proud Grandmama and Bradley!

Bradley's 2nd Play!

dancing to one of the dances
Saying his lines
His friend Brenden that he met


Bradley was in Christian Youth Theater this semester. They just performed "Under the Sea" and Bradley did a fabulous job! He was the 2nd one to speak so he was a bit nervous but once they got going he was amazing! It was short but oh so sweet. I have it on video if anyone is interested.... :)

Carving Pumpkins!

I can't believe my little boy is already old enough to carve pumpkins but he did an amazing job! He wasn't too keen on getting out all the gook, which I wasn't either, but other than that he loved it. He is a perfectionist so he was very careful in creating this and it turned out so cute! Not sure why it won't let me upload the picture of it lit up...but it looks really cool.

sorry about the old posts

For some reason I had 2 blogs going and it was driving me crazy, so I just took the couple entries I had and put them in this one...unfortunatley now they are out of order but oh well....at least they are there. this blogging thing can be stressful for me. I feel like it is yet one more thing I start and don't keep up with and then too many things have gone on so I don't know where to start so I just avoid it. That is how I am with my scrapbooking. I have all the cool supplies but yet never do anything with it. I think I feel too overwhelmed because I wanted to do it from teh begining of Bradley's life and I don't even have him being born done yet! So I am hoping I will do better on the blog....that is my new goal because I think how cool would this be for Bradley someday. Right now he loves to hear about things he did when he was "little". It is really cute.
He is such a good little boy. He definately shows signs of being the only child though. He listens to EVERYTHING that is said, especially if he thinks he is not supposed to be listening. So we are very careful about the things we say.
He loves having friends over and will play with ANYONE. Poor guy, there just aren't a lot of little kids in our neighborhood. He told me he wished he had an older brother to play with. Doesn't want a younger one, just an older one. I thought that was funny.
He is growing up right before my eyes and it makes me sad. i think about how much I miss while I am at work, but I know God knows what he is doing. I don't have the patience I thought I would have and so it is probably better that my mom is the one "raising him". I am so lucky to have my parents. I have no clue how I would survive without them. They are two of the most amazing people I have ever met....with hearts of pure gold.

from old blog 10-31-07

Isabelle, Bradley & Sabrina at Blue Springs Trick or Treat Street
1st (Bradley) & 2nd (the robot) at Old Shawee Halloween
1st (Bradley) 2nd (Donald Duck) and 3rd place at Grain Valley Halloween.


This Halloween has been so fun. Bradley is so full of energy and personality! We saw the Wizard of Oz at Starlight this year and ever since he has been fascinated with the Wizard of Oz. So Grandmama made him a Tin Man costume. She doesn't sew so she hot glued it all together! It turned out really cute and Bradley puts the finishing touches on it by singing "If I only had a heart" and "We're off to see the Wizard". It is really cute. So of course we had to enter him in every Halloween contest we knew of. He went 3 for 3 this year! And won a total of $65! We are very proud!

from old blog 1-31-08

So the other day I was at the gym and Bradley was in the play area. He decided he wanted to draw a picture for Alice. When I went to pick him up he had written her name on it. I asked him who told him how to spell it and he said, " I love her so I just know how!" I couldn't believe it. I had spelled it for him a few times but I was very impressed. He actually forgot the i but that is pretty darn good for a 4 year old, don't you think?
I have to tell one other funny story. We were in Target the other day and he saw a package of underwear that had the little mermaid on them. He was begging for them. I kept telling them they were girls and he kept telling me they would fit.....don't worry we didn't get them! But the next day we were at Applebees and he was playing with my hair and I asked him if he wanted to be a hair stylist when he grew up. He didn't know what that meant so I told him and his face lightened up and he said Yes that is what I want to be! :) So....if this comes true we know where it all stemmed from....

from old blog on 2-18-08

I am bored at work so I thought I should update you on what is going on at home. We have had a lazy couple of weekends. We did go see our local high school play this weekend. Bradley enjoyed it but of course wanted to be up on stage. We went with Aunt Angie, Abbey and Libby. Abbey and Libby fell asleep!
We have 28 more days until we go to Disneyland. I am so excited and can't believe I have kept it a secret from him this long. I really want to surprise him but I am not sure how I am going to pack without him knowing or at least asking me what I am doing.
All of a sudden out of the blue Bradley wanted to watch Star Wars, which is cool with me since they have some Jedi training thing at Disney. So we went to Blockbuster and rented it. I didn't think he would like it, I know I don't. But he seemed to and asked to watch it again but it didn't hold his attention the 2nd time. I think he likes the book better but at least he will have an idea of what they are doing when we get there. It is one of those that they pick people from the audience to participate so I am sure he will want to do it. It sounds like they pick a lot of people at each show and since we are there for 7 days hopefully he will get picked at least once!
I have him now in an acting class at Starlight, however I am not sure how much acting they are really doing. This week they were supposed to practice being something from the book they read....Bradley choose to be a chair??? I am not sure how hard that is to practice but....that is what he picked.
We have been trying to go to the YMCA a lot and Bradley seems to be making friends there. It is fun to see who he is playing with each day.
I was able to go to Bradley's Valentine's day party at school. His teacher kept asking him why he was acting like a baby. I didn't think he was doing anything wrong so.....I guess that means he is really good when I am not there right??? Or does it mean that I am too easy on him? Who knows. I was glad I was able to go though.
Other than that not much has been going on. Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for reading and caring about us!

My baby lost his first tooth!

So my baby lost his first tooth....I guess he is not a baby anymore. His permanent tooth was growing in behind his baby tooth so I was really worried they would have to pull his tooth since the perm. one was not making the baby one loose. We went to Dr. Raper, his dentist, and he said it was fine and that it would come out. I still had my doubts. He was playing with his cousins and he tried to open something with his teeth (I know a bad habit I taught him) His tooth started to bleed and he FREAKED out! We were all so excited and told him that is what is supposed to happen. He was scared and didn't want anyone to see it or touch it. The next morning 5 minutes after I left for work Bradley called to say he pulled out his tooth! He said he woke up and felt it and it was loose so he just pulled it out! He was very excited, especially since he lost a tooth before his good friend Isabelle who is in 1st grade. The tooth fairy came that night and left him $3. He was more excited about the 2 feathers he found that must have fallen off of her wings! It was cute. I only have pictures of that on my phone and haven't figured out yet how to get those on here so I will update that when I figure it out.

Labor Day Weekend

We spent the whole weekend on the boat. It was fantastic, as Bradley would say! Sat. we were joined by our friends, and Bradley's Dentist, Jessica and David Raper. Mark and my parents were there too. We had a very nice time. Sunday one of Pop's friends Gary and Rebecca joined Mark, Bradley, Pop and Grandmama on the boat. They brought their jet ski and we had a blast on that. Mark and Bradley went on the tube. Pop drove and Mommy watched to make sure they didn't fall off. Then wouldn't you know it I fell off and couldn't get back on!!! What a mess! We finally got it figured out and then Bradley was brave enough to go by himself! Monday Uncle Bob, Aunt Angie, Abbey and Libby joined us on the boat. It was a very nice time. Abbey was scared to get in the water at first but soon learned to love it! Bradley rode the tube again this time being pulled by the pontoon so it didn't go nearly as fast but he still had fun. The girls were almost brave enough, next time I think they will do it. It was a very nice relaxing weekend spent with all the people I love so much!
Mark and Bradley tubing!
Pop, Grandmama, Abbey, Libby & Bradley playing Ring around the rosey in the lake!
Best buds having fun on the jet ski

1st day of School

I can't believe it is already that time of year again. Abbey started 2nd grade, Libby started Kindergarten and Bradley is still in preschool. We changed preschools this year since his old school, which we loved, would be doing the same thing they did last year. We hope that we made the right decision and that he will love school as much as he did last year. His teacher is Miss Tara and seems nice but very shy. At back to school night Bradley instantly made a friend named Pete so he was excited to go see him again! He called Mommy as soon as he got in the car to tell me about his day. Of course the only thing he remembered is playing! He is going 3 days a week this year and has to bring his lunch so hopefully that will help him get ready for next year. So far no problems!
Abbey & Libby's first day of school
All dressed and ready to go!
Chilling with his new friend Pete
Talking to Mommy telling her all about his 1st day!

Day out with the girls

Grandmama and her bundles of joy!
Bradley enjoying the Big Slide!
My Skinny minnie boy. Obviously he didn't take after me!
I love this guy more than you will ever know!

Grandmama always wants to make sure the kids are able to go back to school and say something fun they did over the summer....and to create lasting memories. So last Thursday I took the day off and we took the 3 kids to get their pictures taken and then we were supposed to go to Oceans of Fun. Well wouldn't you know it, it rained that day. So we went to Coco Beach instead. It is a new indoor water park and is a lot like Oceans of Fun only smaller and indoors! We had a blast. It is fun to watch as the kids grow to see them go on things they normally wouldn't. Libby wasn't too sure about the big slides and went up the steps a few times and back down again. Finally after watching Bradley do it a few times she got brave and did it! She loved it and I almost couldn't get her off of it! Bradley seemed to like the hot tub the most. It is pretty cool, you can swim outside and still be in the hot tub. I think Abbey liked the lazy river best but I am not sure. We all had a great day and I am sure they will talk about it at school so Grandmama's job is complete!

Pop's Father of the year Royals tickets and running the bases!

Sunday we used the tickets Pop won for being Father of the Year. It was kind of hot outside but the tickets were behind home plate in the shade...I am telling you I have been getting lucky these days! Bradley has been on the big screen I am pretty sure everytime we have been to a game this year. This was no exception....however the picture I got doesn't really show Bradley because someone threw up their arm in front of him but you can see Iggy! We had a great time and then Bradley was able to run the bases after the game. Grandmama ended up doing it with him. I knew my fat booty wasn't getting out there but Grandmama didn't mind! Iggy ran too!

My birthday

Bradley's favorite part of camping...although he is embarassed that I put this pic on here and wants me to take it off.


For my birthday we went camping. My Friend Mark, Bradley and I went to Knob Noster so we would be close to the state fair. It was so weird. The weather was PERFECT. I mean it almost felt like God wanted me to have an amazing birthday so he made the weather JUST for me!!! We got there kind of late on Friday night so we set up the tent and put Bradley to bed and then Mark and I stayed up and talked and drank a few beers. It is August and we were cold! We didn't bring sweatshirts or anything so we covered up with towels. It was kind of funny. The next day, my actual birthday, Mark had to help his dad so Bradley and I went to the state fair. It was again perfect weather. We did have a few raindrops but nothing to even make us flinch. We watched some shows, learned some fire safety, fed the animals and bought a few things. Then we headed back to the campsite. Bradley fell asleep on the way home which was kind of a bummer because he didn't get to enjoy the fire or smores or anything that goes along with camping. He must have been tired because he slept the whole night! Mark and I made smores but were really tired from being up most the night before (there was a racoon that had NO fear in our stuff all night). So we called it a night early and good thing we did because Bradley woke up at the crack of dawn ready for the day. I got up with him and tried to get the fire going again but being a girl wasn't too successful...so we had to wait for Mark to get up. He was able to get it going....thanks to Bradley and him finding some small sticks...which made Bradley say...and I am quoting here "boys have to do everything while girls just get to sit and relax" yep that is how it goes. I mean who went and got all the food, all the camping stuff together, made sure we had clothes and pillows and blankets and bug spray. It is funny that at such a young age boys already feel this way. And Mark did not say anything to make him say something like this. Oh well, I guess some things never change! We had a really good time but we had to hurry up and pack up because our tickets Dad won for being Father of the Year were Sunday so we had to get home for that. But I think we will start camping more often. I loved it and love that you can just hang out and not feel bad doing nothing!

Bradley's 5th Birthday!

For Bradley's actual Birthday I took the day off. We went and got his pictures taken and then out to breakfast. Then we picked up Isabelle and Sabrina and went to Blue Springs Beach. It was great. The kids all got along and had a good time. We finished off the day with Pizza Street.
Then I had a garage sale for the next 4 days. It was A LOT of work. I thought I would just sit there and do stuff for his party but it was a lot more work then I thought it would be and we were exhausted. At night I would work on the party. By the time Sunday came we were so tired and of course it was the hottest day of the year. We got most of it together minutes before people started coming. Almost everyone invited came which was a shock. But of course I invited too many people thinking not everyone would come. I tried so hard to have this party organized and thought out. I even had some of my friends without kids come to help out in the booths. Well of course things didn't go as planned. The clown was late (he showed up at the wrong house) and he was good but an hour was definitely too long for kids that age. I think 30 min. would have been perfect. But anyway. Then they all ran out to play the carnival games and I guess I didn't explain to my helpers that they get a prize no matter what so now i have enough prizes to have 2 more "normal" parties and I feel like so many of the kids went home with hardly anything in their bags. We had cotton candy and snow cones which we forgot to hand out. So...needless to say with all my planning that I thought I did it still turned out to be CRAZY. Hopefully the kids had fun though. Everyone said I spent way too much money so I think next year I will try to keep it smaller....maybe just invite Bradley's friends instead of my friends. I think Bradley had a good time though so that was what was important to me. I love him so much. I felt like I had neglected him for most of the month so although I love birthday parties I am glad it is over and now we can just look back at it. My parents and my friend Mark helped out so much...I can't thank them enough.

July 08

SO it is already July and my BABY is about to turn 5!!! I can't believe it. I used to hate when people would say time flies but come on....5 years ago I gave birth....it just doesn't seem real.

Well I have good news. The house is rented. They move in on the 28th. Bradley and I have been staying at the house on an air mattress. It has been fun but I guess yesterday he told Grandmama that he was ready to move back home. He had enough of living with mommy and he missed Pop and Grandmama. So....his life really is messed up. Instead of a mom I am more like a grandma that he goes and stays with for a week....but he is excited to get back home. It hurt my feelings but at least he isn't afraid to express how he is feeling!

We are getting ready for his big birthday party. It is a carnival theme and I have been spending so much time on it. His parties are always over the top but this one is getting out of control I think. I am trying so hard to make sure this is organized and run smoothly since all his past parties have been crazy messes. We will see how it goes.

We spent the 4th of July at our family freinds' house,John and Vicki. Then my good friend from HS Laurie was in town so we stopped by her house. Then went on the boat to watch fireworks. The next day another one of my good freinds was in town from St. Louis, Heather, so we took them on the boat. It was a very nice weekend.

June update

So I was reading a random person's blog and was laughing through the whole thing. Oh how I wish I were witty. But...I am not so....I am just going to keep on doing my updates....sorry if you are bored...but I am mainly doing it so that someday Bradley will look through it and think his mom was really cool and did a lot of fun stuff with him.

I am not sure if I have mentioned how much Bradley adores his Pop. Well I do too but I have a hard time saying it to him. Well I heard on the radio that they were having a world's greatest Dad contest and since I know my dad is the worlds greatest I knew I needed to enter. I didn't think we would win because it was for kids but I wanted him to know I thought enough of him to nominate him. So. I did...and guess what...he won! It was a very touching moment in our lives and I meant every word that I said. I have NO idea what I would do without BOTH of my parents. Bradley's life would be crazy and awful if it were for them. So....again Thank you Mom and Dad and I really do think you are the greatest!

My renters suck and moved out during the middle of their lease and stopped payment on their last check. So...my family has been over there fixing it up and trying to get it rented out again. I wish so much that I could move back in and if I were smart I would have been saving these last 5 years that I have been living rent free with my parents and should have more than enough money to live there now. But I don't. So...we are desperately trying to rent it out. We are going to have a garage sale there first and try to get rid of 2 of our storage units. And we are having Bradley's birthday party there! I am pretty excited about this. He is having a carnival party and it should be a lot of fun. Let's hope it all works out and is not crazy disorganized mess like the rest of his parties have been. I always have these great ideas and then never quite get them all finished so it ends up being a mess. I am afraid I have crammed too many things into this party but we will see. The good thing about having it in an empty house is if it rains we are still ok.

The summer has been fun so far. Most of our time has been spent dealing with the house but we have been able to go to some Royals games, go on the boat, go to a T-bones game and just play outside. So....enjoy the pics!