The Bates Family
Allen, Leah, Brookelyn, & Braedyn

Friday, June 25, 2010

Checked That Box...

On Wednesday night we were headed to Taco Bueno for dinner, when Braedyn declared, "Cheese! Cheese!" Which, really means he wants chicken. (I know, I know. It only makes sense in Braedyn talk.) So, since we are obedient parents, we turned into Chik-fil-A. After dinner, the kids went to go play, so Allen and I could have a few, short moments of peace. However, it wasn't three minutes, and we heard Braedyn crying and a Daddy shot into the playplace to talk to his son. Allen walked into the playplace and found our little guy in bad shape. Translation: the other Daddy was not watching his son as he trampled/pushed Braedyn eye-first into the steps. I thought we were headed straight for the ER, but Allen assured me that the huge purple lump and cut were fine--WOW, Allen has come a LONG way in the last few years, huh?!

Here is B-Man on the way home after it happened. The picture does not do his poor little eye justice at ALL!


After we got home Allen and I promised him everything from candy to Diet Coke out of the can to make him happy. Finally, he stopped crying and seemed better. (I also called my friend in Dallas who is an opthamologist. She said he should be fine. Please, all of you out there who are my friends and happen to be doctors, don't disown me! I am sorry for always calling you with my crazy issues!)


Here is B Man day two right before he went to school:


And, here he is this morning. I had to bribe him with Diet Coke to take this picture--that is why he is smiling with so much emphasis.
So, we have officially checked the "Black-Eye Box." Please, we don't need any repeats!

And, I had to include this shot of my little Sugar-and-Spice-and-Everything-Nice Princess. She would never give her mom an ulcer over a black eye, right?!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Allen! We started the morning by having a great lunch at the Bates' house and going for a swim. Of course the kids didn't want to get out of the pool--I think they have both oficially turned into little fish! Both jumped off the diving board and paddled all around the pool wearing their new water wings. It was GREAT!

Then, after naptime, we took Allen on a surprise trip. Brookelyn blindfolded him and we drove him to Gator Golf in Fayetteville. Here they are right before the first hole. You can see that B-man picked out the pink dolphin lemonade and of course the pink golf ball to match.

The kids had a great time (even though it was SO hot), and Allen even won us a free game by getting a hole in one on the 18th hole! I don't know how he managed to do it with the kids all over the green, but somehow that ball rolled right through Braedyn's legs and into the hole!

Then, the blindfold went back on and we drove him to dinner. We surprised him with Catfish Hole. It was delicious, and we had a great time! Here is Brookelyn with her Daddy.

It was a great day! We love you Allen!

Rain, Rain, DON'T Go Away!

Few things have delighted the kids more than playing in the rain the other evening. We were cleaning up the playroom before bathtime when I looked out the window and saw the downpour. I asked the kids if they wanted to play in the rain, and of course they did. It had been so hot outside all day, that it was perfect.
Here they are smiling quickly before they ran back and started splashing again.
Brookelyn had the idea to lay in the puddles and catch the rain with her tounge.
Of course, Braedyn had to copy her!
They played and played! Braedyn even tried to drink the rain rushing from the gutters! It was a great evening!

Potty Progress

Well, so far so good! Braedyn has been doing so well with his potty training! He now tells us when he needs to go and wakes up most days dry from his naps. I am so proud of him. Our one fatal mistake was letting him go potty outside ONE TIME. Well, that one time has turned into many, many times. In fact, his favorite place to go potty is outside. Honestly, I am just thrilled that I am not changing diapers anymore. Way to go B-Man!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Busy, Busy, BUSY!

We are still trying to settle into our new house, while at the same time keep the kids happy--not an easy feat! So in the midst of painters, carpenters, electrical guys, etc, we have been having some FUN!

While mowing, Daddy found the kids a new friend! We put him in a big box and the kids were entertained for almost an hour! Finally, I put him back in the pond across the street.


Since we no longer have a neighborhood pool, Daddy went to Walmart and bought the kids one. It has been a BLAST! Of course Brookelyn has fallen off backward at least 8 times and has tried to do cannon balls off the slide.


We had a wonderful lunch the other day at Allen and Melinda's house. The kids gave a lot of loving to their uncles!


And yes, in the middle of all this fun, B-Man is potty training. Day 3 and still no accidents. Of course there is A LOT of bribery going on.


On Tuesday night Allen took Brookelyn out for a date after Braedyn went to bed. They went to Braum's and had ice cream. She dressed herself.

It has been a crazy but fun couple of weeks!