Birthday Boy

Braden gets so excited about birthdays...anyone's birthday! So naturally, he was thrilled to wake Daddy up on his birthday to give him his presents. We finished the day off with a late dinner out and cake at home.

On the cake, notice the toy dirt bike with the rider doing a trick near the candle flames...this was Braden's addition, of course!

Version 4.5

Braden's officially 4 and a half today. He really wants to be 5-years-old, so he's excited he's inching closer. I've told him as he gets older, he needs to act like a big boy and be responsible. All my lecturing isn't working....

After begging him to brush his teeth and hair countless times before school, he ran over to me and told me he's ready to leave....

Black & Blues

We were given tickets to the Anaheim Ducks vs. the St. Louis Blues hockey game. A great excuse for Braden to stay out late, be rowdy, and eat greasy food....

Besides golf, soccer, basketball, and football, Braden has said he wants to play hockey.

Front and center.... Our seats were just a few rows up from the ice! Braden said hockey players don't smile, so he gave me what he referred to as a "mean smile."
Braden examined every player in the guide and kept us up to date on who was on the ice playing.

Already well on his way to having "hockey hair."

Best seat in the house! Matt hoisted Braden up so he could cheer on the fight....a hockey game just wouldn't be the same without a brawl! Braden also rooted loudly for the Ducks who beat the Blues 2-1!

Season Starter

I guess every mom thinks she's not going to be "that mom" that really gets into her kid's games and cheers loudly from the sideline...and then the first game comes around and it just happens. It's hard not to root for a team consisting of adorable 4 & 5-year-olds doing their best to defeat the other team of adorable 4 & 5-year-olds!

On this gorgeous 83 degree day, Braden had his first official AYSO game, playing on the Silver Knights. This may mark the first day of giving up weekends for the foreseeable future!

Daddy let Braden pick out his cleats...need I say more?! There is an upside to red shoes though...the boys tend to blend in with each other, but I don't think anyone will have a problem immediately spotting which kid is Braden on the field! Another benefit is that the shoes distract from the fact that the jersey would fit me!

The Silver Knights had their first and only practice 20 minutes before the game started. These boys gave the game their best effort, but unfortunately, the other team must have had more practice....
I was worn out just watching these boys run up and down the field....I was told that at this age, they all just stand around or run aimlessly like ants. They actually wanted to score and knew what they were doing on the field!
Braden, Landin and Keegan are either figuring out how to block the other team from scoring another goal or just cracking jokes!

Rest for the Weary

"How am I going to be a pirate if I have to go to bed?" This is what Braden asked me as he tried to negotiate his way out of having to go to sleep. Ten minutes later, I went in to check on him and found this...

Hat? Check. Eye patch? Check. Treasure map clenched in hand? Check. "How to be a Pirate in 7 Days or Less" book on the pillow? Check!