Friday, May 29, 2009
What? Mother's Day?
No, we didn't forget Mother's Day... but I did forget to post about it. We spent the day before Mother's Day at the Botanical Gardens at Nicole's request. The Gardens were featuring their roses and Nicole loves roses. So off we went to spend the afternoon...
Then it was through the forest to the Japanese Garden:
...and in the Japanese Garden there is a fantastic bell from Osaka - huge!! - and Brayden had a fun time trying to ring it:
The whole time, poor little Layna was in the stroller. Here's what she thought of that:
Then it was through the forest to the Japanese Garden:
...and in the Japanese Garden there is a fantastic bell from Osaka - huge!! - and Brayden had a fun time trying to ring it:
The whole time, poor little Layna was in the stroller. Here's what she thought of that:
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
(still a) Busy girl
Not to be outdone, Layna stole Brayden's Mickey ears so she could play, too. How cute is she?! I love her!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Busy girl
Layna has really come into her own. Her personality is now on display all the time... and let me tell you, she has a lot of it! Early on, Nicole had hoped that Layna might be more reserved like her so that the family would be balanced 2-2... but apparently she was simply waiting until she could compete with Brayden to come out of her shell (and she's out, people!).
I had a few cute pictures of her around the house to share. Like this one, eating (or massacring) a cupcake:
Just last week I heard Layna cooing to herself on the other side of the kitchen island. When I walked around the island, I realized that she was reading to herself! (just like Brayden all those years ago -- click here for a reminder of that post) It was super cute, but I only got still pictures this time... but it's just as good!
I had a few cute pictures of her around the house to share. Like this one, eating (or massacring) a cupcake:
Just last week I heard Layna cooing to herself on the other side of the kitchen island. When I walked around the island, I realized that she was reading to herself! (just like Brayden all those years ago -- click here for a reminder of that post) It was super cute, but I only got still pictures this time... but it's just as good!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Brayden!!
Brayden is 3!! It's hard to believe that he's such an old kid already!
As I look back at this year, I can't tell you how proud I am of the sweet kid he's becoming. After his first year of school, I can certainly tell you that he is a standout. He's got a huge personality, he's very considerate of others, and he's brilliant* (if I do say so myself). All in all, he's awesome. So awesome, in fact, that my celebration of his birthday will feature pictures that capture his personality in total.
First, this is Brayden in a nutshell:
But nothing says Brayden like this (on the way to the bath):
*So, want some proof of his brilliance? I offer you two stories:
1) He can count to 100 (as well as read all those numbers). This may not seem like much, but to put it in perspective, the standard for children his age is to be able to count to 5, maybe 10. They're supposed to be able to count to 20 in Kindergarten... more than 2 years from now. As if that wasn't enough, he's also been able to add small numbers for months (like 3+3, etc.) and has begun to demonstrate the tangible representation of those numbers... such as adding numbers with blocks or (his favorite) pieces of hot dog.
2) Even better than that... last week, he was given a goodie-bag of sweets at school. When he was in my office, he pulled one piece of candy out and said, "this belongs to Reese," a girl in his class. I said that it was his, and he just repeated himself. When I asked him why it belonged to her, he pointed to the wrapper and said, "look, this belongs to Reese." It was a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, so obviously Reese's name was on it! He read her name on the wrapper! Later in the car, when he no longer had the candy, Nicole asked him to spell Reese, and he did, no problem. Then she asked him to spell the names of others kids in class, which he did! He was recalling their names from memory, without ever having been taught! I even checked with his teachers the next day, and they said that they've never done anything to teach names to the kids. All we can figure is that he saw the names on the birthday wall or on their chairs and simply remembered them. Awesome!
As I look back at this year, I can't tell you how proud I am of the sweet kid he's becoming. After his first year of school, I can certainly tell you that he is a standout. He's got a huge personality, he's very considerate of others, and he's brilliant* (if I do say so myself). All in all, he's awesome. So awesome, in fact, that my celebration of his birthday will feature pictures that capture his personality in total.
First, this is Brayden in a nutshell:
But nothing says Brayden like this (on the way to the bath):
*So, want some proof of his brilliance? I offer you two stories:
1) He can count to 100 (as well as read all those numbers). This may not seem like much, but to put it in perspective, the standard for children his age is to be able to count to 5, maybe 10. They're supposed to be able to count to 20 in Kindergarten... more than 2 years from now. As if that wasn't enough, he's also been able to add small numbers for months (like 3+3, etc.) and has begun to demonstrate the tangible representation of those numbers... such as adding numbers with blocks or (his favorite) pieces of hot dog.
2) Even better than that... last week, he was given a goodie-bag of sweets at school. When he was in my office, he pulled one piece of candy out and said, "this belongs to Reese," a girl in his class. I said that it was his, and he just repeated himself. When I asked him why it belonged to her, he pointed to the wrapper and said, "look, this belongs to Reese." It was a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, so obviously Reese's name was on it! He read her name on the wrapper! Later in the car, when he no longer had the candy, Nicole asked him to spell Reese, and he did, no problem. Then she asked him to spell the names of others kids in class, which he did! He was recalling their names from memory, without ever having been taught! I even checked with his teachers the next day, and they said that they've never done anything to teach names to the kids. All we can figure is that he saw the names on the birthday wall or on their chairs and simply remembered them. Awesome!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Welcome to Birmingham
The Girata Family is welcoming the Roenick and Weitz Families to Birmingham this weekend to celebrate the baptism of our niece, Jillian, on Saturday... and I'm blessed to be baptizing her at Saint Luke's! I'm sure I'll have pictures very soon, but until then, please say a prayer for little Jillian tomorrow morning!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Portraits of the artists
The kids are constantly wanting to do something artistic (well, Brayden wants to do something artistic and Layna simply wants to do whatever Brayden wants to do...) Whether it's molding with Play-Doh, coloring with crayons, or painting, Brayden wants to do it all. the. time. Here they are, getting their paint on:
Monday, May 18, 2009
Potty update
Potty training has been going... but I won't say it's been going terribly well. Brayden simply doesn't seem to care yet. He's a very good sport and will go whenever we ask, but we always have to ask. He hasn't gotten to the point where he'd rather go in the potty rather than his pants. So it's hit or miss. BUT, one of the things he loves is wearing big-boy underwear. (I won't lie -- we do say things like "Now Brayden, don't pee on Elmo...")
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Brayden's Birthday Party (at school)
Brayden's 3rd Birthday is right around the corner, but school ended last week. So to make sure he got a fun day at school, we provided the end-of-the-year desserts in order to celebrate his birthday! He was thrilled Thursday morning as we loaded up the cupcakes that Nicole made so well... this year's birthday theme is African Animals (technically it's "jungle" animals, but there really aren't any animals in the theme that aren't from Africa). Anyway, here are the cupcakes:
After lunch, I went down to join the class in celebrating Brayden (and to take some pictures AND video!).
I also caught some action shots of the cupcake massacre...
...and of Brayden playing peek-a-boo with his "party hat"
After lunch, I went down to join the class in celebrating Brayden (and to take some pictures AND video!).
I also caught some action shots of the cupcake massacre...
...and of Brayden playing peek-a-boo with his "party hat"
Monday, May 11, 2009
Church Picnic
Last Sunday was Saint Luke's Family Fun Day at the Farm - our annual parish picnic, held at one of our parishioner's farms just outside the city. Everybody went and had a great time (fried catfish like you would not believe - this is the SOUTH, baby!).
Layna was a busy little girl, running all over the place...
...and always chasing Brayden!
Layna was a busy little girl, running all over the place...
...and always chasing Brayden!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Play hard
Of course whenever you have visitors, it's incumbent upon you to host them properly. The kids knew just what to do: PLAY! Whether it was playing at Chick-fil-A...
...or playing in the backyard.
And don't forget about Layna - she's always one step behind Brayden!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Layna. I think it captures her personality.
...or playing in the backyard.
And don't forget about Layna - she's always one step behind Brayden!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Layna. I think it captures her personality.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Arrival
When Gigi and Aunt Nancy arrived in Birmingham, they came with me to the church to pick up the kids from school.
Then we headed home for some fun. It didn't take long for the kids to get us all in the playing spirit. First, Gigi passed out some gifts like this one:
...while Layna got Aunt Nancy to read one of her favorite books:
Then we headed home for some fun. It didn't take long for the kids to get us all in the playing spirit. First, Gigi passed out some gifts like this one:
...while Layna got Aunt Nancy to read one of her favorite books:
Friday, May 08, 2009
A great weekend
No, we were not blown away by the recent tornadoes. I've just been engrossed in reading for fun the last couple weeks and haven't gotten around to the blog. My apologies! The Girata Family hopes you've been well since the last time we saw you here...
Last weekend was GREAT fun with Gigi (my mom) and Aunt Nancy (my sister) in town for a visit... no reason, just 'cause! We did quite a lot, so stay tuned for daily posts recapping the time, but we'll start today with bowling. The weather wasn't always cooperative, so we had to flex our plans a little. Instead of heading to the Birmingham Zoo on Saturday, we had to switch it up and hit the bowling alley. Brayden loved it! (before getting a little bored)
More to come!
Last weekend was GREAT fun with Gigi (my mom) and Aunt Nancy (my sister) in town for a visit... no reason, just 'cause! We did quite a lot, so stay tuned for daily posts recapping the time, but we'll start today with bowling. The weather wasn't always cooperative, so we had to flex our plans a little. Instead of heading to the Birmingham Zoo on Saturday, we had to switch it up and hit the bowling alley. Brayden loved it! (before getting a little bored)
More to come!
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