The Great Chase

After a busy week, spending time as a family on Friday evening seemed like the perfect cure for exhaustion!

Matt & I ran while Braden raced through the nature trails on his bike. While this wasn't exactly relaxing, chasing after him must have helped us burn a million calories! A quick break to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors that is just passed our backyard.
He came up with this pose for this photo...looks like a future pro BMXer! Unsure if it was getting too hot or Braden just wanted to show off his tattoo?! He rocks a new, elaborate helmet since he has gotten more adventurous on his bike!

Spring Breaking

April showers? Nowhere in sight! Rather than doing some necessary spring cleaning, Braden and I hit up the beach to enjoy the beautiful Laguna weather and scenery. After Braden's soccer game, we spent the day with his teammates Landin and Keegan.

Braden looks like he's ready to boogie into the waves.

This kid can't stay still! Landin and Keegan were watching for waves, while Braden looks like he's busting a move!
A few shovels, buckets and sand is a perfect combo for three playful boys!

Time for a carwash!

We had such a nice day at the beach that it was hard to convince Braden that we needed to head home. He can twist my arm to head to the beach again soon!

A New Addition?

Matt has warned me that at some point, Braden will want a reptile for a pet. Really, it's more like Matt thinks it will be fun to have another pet, so he'll talk Braden into insisting we get one. I'd give in to the idea, but I just think Pepper and Enzo would be so jealous....

Fortunately, Braden looks a bit unsure about this enormous snake. However, he did come home from the Pet Expo and tried to sell me on the idea of getting one. He assured me it would be smaller than this one...phew!!

Mountain Man

Braden discovered that he enjoys one of Papa and Gramma's pastimes as much as they do. Hiking in the great outdoors in Idyllwild made for a perfect evening activity.

He hiked the trails like a champ! Water bottle? Check. Fanny pack? Check Walking stick? Check. Cheesy grin? Always!

He's got the "I can't wait to push Papa in the stream" look all over that face!

Cheetos are the perfect protein to help power through a hike.

Looks just like his Daddy when he was younger. Full of mischief, but so cute!

Searching for creatures or maybe just looking for a way to get really dirty?

Fanny packs do look a bit cooler when worn around the back.

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!

Move Over Tony Hawk

Braden recalls that we told him he can start riding a skateboard once he mastered his razor scooter...well, guess that time has come! He seems to take after his father, meaning that he is good at every activity he tries!

This kid is always trying something new. He watches the older boys in the neighborhood do tricks on their skateboards, and then he attempts to emulate them.

Braden unbuckled the strap on his helmet for the picture and commented that this is how he will wear it when he is older....He said he's noticed the big kids on our street do that!
It's probably about time we invest in some knee and elbow pads!