Reality

Everyone always tells us how sweet Braydon is and that we are so lucky. But what they don't see is the struggle we fight with each and every day. Since Braydon started preschool he has had a few incidents with not being good in class. After much discussion with the teacher we decided to begin using behavior charts to show how he does every day. Since he started these charts around Thanksgiving he has only had a few with all smiley faces. Most of the problems stem from him not using his inside voice, or keeping his hands to himself. Today however we received the worst chart so far and it makes me not want to send him back to school. These charts reflect how we parent and just looking at it makes me not want to show my face at the school.

Today was a tough day to begin. Braydon was being a bully to me and knocked me over in front of the other parents, and wouldn't listen to me. So I was scared to see how his chart would look when I picked him up.

Usually on the car ride home we discuss his behavior, but today all he kept telling me was that he wanted a snack. I'm at my wits end with his behavior and worried it may get worse when the baby comes! Really wish they had a manual for how to deal with 4 1/2 year olds, because I'm at a loss!

Mother/Son Date Knight

This past Monday the Chic-Fil-A by my house was having their Mother/Son Date Knight. I figured this would be a good event to take Braydon to because Chris had just left on a work trip. We made our reservations and when we arrived were seated at a table near their play area. They even gave me a carnation, heart shaped cookie, and a mini stuffed Chic-Fil-A cow who was dressed as a Knight.

Braydon and Mini Moo

My heart shaped cookie

We ate our food and then Braydon got to play in the play area. Afterwards they had a free sundae bar for us. I applaud them for this idea and think I will definitely take Braydon again.

We are having a .................

I'm currently 19 weeks along in my pregnancy and today we had our ultra-sound. We found out a few weeks ago what gender the baby is because of a new blood test they do. However, we wanted to wait until we had our ultra-sound to announce it to everyone.

Girl or Boy?

Braydon's hands are painted

Placing on hands with paint on Mommy's belly

It's a boy!

In case you couldn't figure it out from the photos we are having a BOY!!!!

Here is his first picture!

Baby boy profile!

Santa

We have been slacking this winter and kept putting off seeing Santa. So today we decided to head to the mall and pay the old guy a visit. Since it is December 22nd it was packed!! We got in line at 10:30am and were told that we may not make it to the front of the line by 12:30pm, which is when Santa goes to lunch. So we waited since we really don't have another day to go. After waiting in line 1 1/2 hours we are told the line has been stopped, so Santa can have lunch. We now have to wait 1 hour and 15 min until the line will move again. To make it worse we were five people away from Santa!

So we wait and take turns standing in line. Braydon and I head to Panda Express and grab some food. Then Chris goes for a walk when we return. Braydon passes the time by playing games on my phone. Finally the line starts to move again and we get to see Santa!

Braydon was so happy and told Santa he was good, even though he told us he would tell Santa he wasn't good! He also asked for a Monsters University toy (Santa got him the move instead of a toy!) Then when I went up to pay for the photo and I was told someone bought it early! After all that it made me feel better and know there are good people out there!

Pulling my hair out!

Things here have been really crazy lately. Braydon is 4 1/2 and testing us all the time. Lately it has been because we ask him to clean up his toys and he refuses. Then I box them up or put them in garbage bags and he tells me I missed a few. It seems he doesn't care if he has toys or not! So that will make it very easy for Santa Claus this year, no toys for this child. When I told him Santa wouldn't be bringing him toys this year, he didn't seem to care.

I have tried all the discipline books and he just doesn't respond to anything. You can only put someone in time out so many times! He loses out on going to things with friends because he doesn't listen, but yet it doesn't seem to bother him. Both the hubby and I are at our wits end with this child. He is so stubborn we don't know what else to do.

Then when you get really mad at him he does something really cute and you want to just eat him up! I have friends with older kids who tell me it gets better when they reach five years old! I honestly don't know if I can make it till then!

First Day of Pre K

Braydon started Pre K today! It's hard to believe he is old enough for school, didn't I just have him yesterday? LOL! He goes to school in the afternoon session and couldn't wait to get there. When it was finally time to go he was out the door in a flash!

I was wondering if he would cry when I dropped him off, but nope not a tear! :( I actually got teary eyed dropping him off!

Chris came with me to pick Braydon up as a surprise. We got there a little early and they where outside playing. Each kid had art work in their cubby, we picked it up and him. He sat quietly and waited for the teacher to call his name to go home. He was so happy to see Mommy and Daddy and wouldn't stop talking about his school day. Can't wait to see how he does on Monday!

Preschool Orientation

Today Braydon had his orientation for preschool. He was a little upset because we only stayed for an hour! There are going to be 19 maybe 20 kids in his class with two teachers. I picked the Freedom Center Preschool because I liked how intimate the class was. We do swim lessons in the same building and the people are so nice it made me like the school too!

The orientation didn't have all of his classmates just half. There is already one boy who I can see as being an issue. This kid wouldn't listen to the teachers and his parents just ignored him and his bad behavior. He thought it was alright to run out the door, to throw pencils at people, and to dump all the legos out when the Teacher said not to. The kicker is that this all happened in a 30 time span!!

He will start this coming Friday. Crazy that he will be starting school on Friday the 13th! Is that a bad omen? Can't wait to see how that goes!