Flyin' High

Our version of a windy day is really just a very breezy one. However, we thought it would be fun to try to fly a kite.

Braden would've probably been content running around the front yard dragging the kite. I certainly had no pointers to offer him. Fortunately, his daddy gave him a few tips on how to fly the kite....Daddies just know that kind of stuff!

Braden had shear determination in his face as he tried to catch some of the wind.
He did a great job throwing the kite into the breeze so Daddy could take off running on the other end.

Apparently the frustration of getting just enough wind paid off. Braden had fun!

Park Hopping

The weather was way too beautiful to stay inside, so Braden suggested heading to the park. It was quite hot, so I figured we would just drive there. However, Braden insisted we walk there and take Pepper along. It's hard to pass up an opportunity to get out and exercise while enjoying the company of Braden and Pepper.

After playing at this park for a while, Braden asked to go to another park. Since there was another one fairly close by, Braden led us in the direction of our second park stop.

Apparently, Braden is turning into a park connoisseur. After hanging out at the second park for a bit, he wanted to hit up a third one. I wasn't as much of a pushover this time....mainly because I realized I still had to walk home after all this playing!
We headed back to the first park for another ride on the swing. Braden really wanted Pepper to sit on the swing next to him, but Pepper was too busy relaxing on the grass.

Pepper was thrilled Braden talked me into taking her with us.

We headed home through the meadows so we could check out the horses and chickens. We got to check out lots of rabbits, cats, and lizards as well. Braden insists he saw a snake slither into a bush too!

Hypochondriac

Fortunately, Braden has dodged getting sick this season for the most part. However, out of the blue, he said he wanted to go to Dr. Du's. Dr. Du is his pediatrician, who happens to live on our block. I explained that we couldn't just stop by her house, but we would go to her office if he ever gets sick. He suddenly burst into a coughing fit & said he needed some medicine! I asked him what kind of medicine I should give him and he said "ice cream." Well, this boy sure knows how to work me over.....

There's nothing quite like a bowl of Rocky Road to get rid of fake coughs!

The ice cream worked like a charm....Braden was back to his old self in minutes!
No need to go to the pediatrician after all!

Let Them Eat Cake

Matt's birthday wouldn't quite be complete without enjoying the cake that Braden helped make. Since Braden turned 2 and a half, he figured he should participate in the celebration too.

Braden busted out another rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Daddy and helped blow out the candles.

We love watching Braden's excitement in practically everything he does!
This picture depicts how Braden feels about his daddy....absolute admiration!

This is the look of a boy who thinks he's getting away with something since he was eating a big piece of cake before dinner.

Spring Has Sprung

Rain was in the forecast, but we saw no signs of it on this first weekend of spring. We attempted to get a bit of spring cleaning in while having a bit of fun too.

Braden finds the fun in every chore. Watering the flowers turned into watering everything in sight! Pepper looked like a ferocious beast while attempting to sneak in a drink of water.

The hose probably could have entertained Braden for an hour, but our backyard would have been flooded. He enjoyed soaking himself from head to toe too!

Just cruising around the yard looking for his next task.....

Apparently Braden decided the lawn needed to be fertilized. His sidekick, Pepper, followed close beside him during this chore.

The yard work would not quite be complete without shoveling a bit of dirt on the walkway and pulling off a flower bud to give to Pepper.

Big Day for Daddy-O

March 18 is a special day in the Johnson household. Not only is it Matt's birthday, but it was also Matt's beloved grandfather's birthday and even his great-grandfather's birthday. On top of that, March 18 marks Braden's "half birthday"....in other words, Braden is officially 2 and a half!

Braden asked me countless times if Daddy was going to get a cake for his birthday, so we decided to whip one up. Braden took this task very seriously....

Ooops! Well, a few egg shells in a cake can't hurt! Braden wasn't amused by having yolk on his hands apparently.
The entire time Braden was combining ingredients, he was singing, "Happy birthday to Daddy," over and over.
At this point in the baking process, this cute little baker was getting bored....or maybe just tired. It was way past his bedtime!

In a somewhat delirious state right before bedtime, Braden decided he had to make a card for Daddy-o. Of course there was meticulous drawing and placement of stickers on Daddy's special birthday card....and a nice song to top it off!

Bradenisms

As Braden's parents, we think he is the funniest 2-year-old on earth. He entertains us daily, usually without even putting forth much effort! We're documenting a few funny things he's done in the last couple days simply so we can look back in a few years when we are looking for a good chuckle.

When asked what his favorite song is, Braden replies, "ABC's and the single ladies song." The single ladies song is Beyonce's latest hit. Watching him dance and try to sing to any song is hilarious, but when it's a pop song, the funny factor is definitely heightened!

When questioned if he has a girlfriend, Braden replies with a different girl's name every time. He comments that Addison is "cute." All of our friends out there with daughters may want to lock them up for a few years! As long as we don't get a call from his preschool reporting that he's trying to kiss one, then it's pretty funny and innocent at this point.

Out of the blue, Braden asked for chocolate pudding which we never have in our house. When I told him that, he stomped over to the front door, opened it, and said he was going to Gramma's to get chocolate pudding. He came inside a moment later & asked me to drive him there. When I refused, he walked outside again & shouted, "I will walk to Gramma's for chocolate pudding!" He made it as far as the lawn and got distracted with the rabbits eating our grass. Fortunately, he forgot all about the pudding.

Do all boys like gross things like bugs?! Braden was trying to convince me to touch the bug by telling me it was a "nice bug."

Braden kept hiding behind this post & then would jump out & say, "Boo, Angela!" Calling us by our first names every now and then is funny....maybe not in a few years though!
Mr. Mischief was trying to pull off an innocent smile just for the picture!

Pee Wee Paradise

Braden's best buddy, Jett, celebrated his 2nd birthday at Playwerx in Carlsbad. The lack of naps didn't slow the kids down at all.

Braden's immense amount of energy wore me out even though I was just standing on the sidelines most of the time just watching.

Whoever invented the ball pit was a genius. Braden could play in one of these forever!
Braden had this look on his face during the whole party!

The combination of the chocolate on Jett's face and Braden's overly excited, nerdy smile doesn't really make this the best picture. However, it does show their identical hats. Braden picked the hat out for Jett's present.

There's nothing quite as sweet as a hug to say thanks before sprinting off to play again.

Vegas Visitors

Our friends from Vegas, the Cottrells, came for a visit this weekend. We enjoyed catching up with them and Braden loved having friends over.

I think these kids get tired of hearing their moms say to look at the camera for a picture. This is the reaction I got...

Braden thought Jenna was very funny and liked copying her. He sat quietly and colored with her for a bit until Cody enticed him with something more fun.
Do these 2-year-olds look like they are searching for trouble?!

These boys came up with some pretty creative ways to have fun with "sock monsters" on their hands.

Jenna thought that putting on a show for us would be a good idea. Braden thought so too. She assigned him the role of the knight. It was a bit hard to follow the storyline of a performance put on by two 2-year-olds and a 4-year-old, but we still found the effort entertaining.

Braden can't wait for his new friends to come back to California soon!

Playing Hookie

Braden was a bit under the weather today, so I stayed home with him. I envisioned cuddling with him, reading books, and relaxing so that he could get better quickly. Braden had another plan though...

Braden talked me into letting him nap in our bed. I gave in since he was sick. Instead of sleeping though, he was looking through our clothes. I went in to check on him, found all of our drawers open, and this is what Braden looked like....

An explanation is required....There is a bag of costumes in our closet that contains outfits we've worn to theme parties. Braden obviously found it!
Does this look like a child who is too sick to go to preschool??!

We did have fun hanging out today. Braden had a ridiculous amount of energy though!

So This is Why We Love California....

Braden was stomping around in the snow yesterday at Gramma and Papa's house. Today he was splashing around at the beach....Does this kid have it good or what?!

We may be Southern Californians, but I dressed Braden in jeans today. We felt like real out-of-towners. Apparently all the other visitors got the memo about wearing bathing suits and summer clothing today. After all, it was 80 degrees! The lack of appropriate beach attire didn't seem to slow Braden down.

And there were certainly no qualms about stomping in the sand and shore. While checking out all the people laying out, he did wonder why so many people were going "night night" on the sand and wanted to know why the girls were wearing "underpants." Oh, the joys of acknowledging the many questions of a 2-year-old!

Braden is very anxious for his cousin Charley to get bigger. He is a bit outnumbered by 3 girl cousins, so the prospect of having another boy to make trouble with is exciting.

Is this a great way to kick off the month of March or what?! Uncle John-Paul, Aunt Kristen, Charley, and Braden hung out in the sunshine while waiting for our lunch.

Braden always hams it up with Aunt Maria.