Mom's Day

Spending the day at home with family is the perfect way to enjoy Mother's Day. I am so blessed with a wonderful son who makes everyday special.

Have I mentioned how much I absolutely adore this funny boy that surprises me with his wit daily?

Is it possible that he'll always be this sweet and loving?!

Class Cuties

The mothers were invited to preschool for a special program in honor of Mother's Day. We enjoyed a morning full of activities, including a song performed by the class.

Braden belted out the "I Love Mommy" song loudly. It's unclear why his buddy, Hudson, is glaring at him. It could be because Addison is torn between the two on who should be her boyfriend this week. Braden made it very clear to me that Addison is just his friend and he doesn't kiss her or hold her hand at school. He just hugs her sometimes and gives her heart stickers....they are 3-years-old! I don't know where he comes up with this!

Braden also told me that he loves Ms. Tricia almost as much as he loves me...once again, I'm not sure how to take that!

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

Braden's preschool teacher nicknamed him Boo Boo Bear because he often has new bumps, scrapes, scratches and bruises. I chock it up as something we'll deal with for the next several years simply because he's an adventurous boy. His new favorite activity is riding his razor scooter.

He was showing off a bit by trying to jump the scooter off the curb.

Braden looks like the cutest little bobble head in this helmet. Surprisingly, there were no falls on this day.

Two Can Play at this Game

Some boys just never grow up....

Guess this never gets old. I recall Matt doing this with Braden when he was a baby. Braden still squeals with laughter.

Braden proudly displays his strength any chance he gets!

The Other Kid

Out of the blue, Braden mentioned "my other kid." Naturally, I was puzzled by this statement since Braden doesn't have any siblings. Then he said, "You know Mom, I'm talking about Dad. He's your other kid, right?"

I captured this photo without Braden's knowledge while he was watching a group of giddy 6-year-old girls at the park.

Braden sat in the backseat of this firetruck because he was saving the front for "my other kid" apparently.
Pretending to go fishing, Braden looks like he's ready for summer...the new hair do is helping too!
For now, Braden's dogs are the only other kids I have.

Army of Ants

I never thought I would become a soccer mom when my son was only 3-years-old, however, today was Braden's first day of soccer....The look on his face (double click on photo) sums up why I swore I'd wait until he was in school before we attempted a team sport. Braden put forth a strong effort to excel on his first day. Hopefully he takes after his Daddy and becomes a great soccer player.

I think he was wondering why half the group was running around like a group of aimless ants.

Heartbreaker

Braden made a big announcement when I picked him up from school last week. "Addison isn't my girlfriend anymore." Then he went on to explain that he wanted more time to hang out with his buddies at school and doesn't have time for a girlfriend. He wants her to be his girlfriend when we go out to the desert with her family....if only life was so simple! Bet he'll regret this break-up in about 15 years!

Braden checked out the wild flowers in the meadow near our house.

He discovered he preferred to just run around with Pepper in the meadow instead of pick flowers.
The flower appeared too perfect, so...

Braden fixed that. He sprinkled the trail with lots of petals. No, he wasn't playing, "She loves me, she loves me not!"

The fields of wild flowers were great for rolling around in and making "dirt angels."

Three, Going on Forty Three

Braden overuses a certain line several times daily..."I'll do it tomorrow." He replies with this statement in a variety of situations. So, he is either going to be quite a procrastinator, or maybe he is just a planner....His other favorite line begins with, "When I am 43, I am going to..." Here are a few of my favorite things he's said recently. By the way, we have no idea why he chose 43 as the magic age...

When I am 43 I am going to:

Drink Dr. Pepper

Chew gum

Want a brother or sister

Have Addison be my girlfriend again

Buy Mommy a convertible

Let Daddy cut my hair into a mohawk

Ride a motorcycle

Go to work

When I told Braden that I'll be 73 when he's 43, he said that maybe he just wants to be a little boy for a while.

The Hunt

We started the holiest day of the year with church, followed by an egg hunt at home. It was a beautiful day to reflect on Easter and enjoy the beginning of spring.

Braden was quite impressed with his eggs. This one-eyed monster with a yellow fro was his favorite creation.

Braden's best monster impression....not exactly too intimidating, but he does kind of have the crazy hair thing going for him!
Braden was disturbed that I used the same eggs from last year....oops! I thought he still likes Lightening McQueen!

Another oops...this egg was empty.

Fortunately, this one wasn't a dud.

A couple quarters to add to his bank!

Papa and Braden made all kinds of silly faces while eating the sour candies they discovered in some of the eggs.

Birthday Balloon

March 18 is a significant day around the Johnson household. Matt celebrated the big 35, while Braden is excited that he is officially 3.5 years old as of today. We remember Matt's late Grandpa Johnson who also shared the March 18 birthday. Sadly, Matt's Grandpa Dethier passed away this year on March 18. It will always be a day we celebrate, while also remembering special loved ones who are no longer with us.

We started the beautiful morning off with a private sunrise hot air balloon ride a few thousand feet above the Temecula valley.

We enjoyed views of the lake, wild flowers, and wine country.
Braden searched for wildlife down below (we spotted horses, a coyote, and some rabbits) and he checked out the inside of the vast balloon with his homemade "telescope."
Braden enjoyed watching the highly technical manner in which the balloon is deflated and put back in the sack...all the guys use their weight to deflate and shove it in!

Most 3-year-olds don't have the opportunity to go for a hot air balloon ride in the morning before heading off to preschool. Braden proudly displayed his First Flight in a Hot Air Balloon Certificate.

We topped Daddy's birthday off with some gifts Braden picked out...a toy truck and silly putty. It wouldn't be a birthday celebration without ice cream cake with batman figurines on top right before bedtime.