Instagram+Three Things...

Well, potty training is complete, Brecken was a rockstar and powered through it like a champ. Unfortunately, the little guy still needs up getting his pants up n' down. Have you ever seen a little boy running around white tighties?  holy cuteness. 

Here are a three things you may love this week:

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Happy Hump Day!

DIY: Baby Girl Bohemian Wrap

The snow has hit, and there is lots of it. So we've spent lots of hours building block castles, making Lego airplanes, and potty training. My sweet sister-in-law has a three day potty training plan that I thought I would give a try. There have been some modifications, which have included now turning it into a five day plan... ;)

Ugh. More on that later. 

Anyway, here is a fun and quick headband. The idea came from a post from More Design Please and I modified it a bit to fit a baby/toddler head. The only item required for this sweet wrap is a 3x25'' jersey knit piece of fabric (jersey knit is the best because of the stretch). 

Enjoy {and stay warm too}.

And so it begins...

...for the next three months we'll be hit hard--birthdays. holidays. birthdays. more holidays. more birthdays. It only seems fitting to have Brecken's birthday kick off the Bishop Family Extravaganza  The event lasted three days. John remarked we were setting him up for unrealistic expectations in the future...who wouldn't want a three-day birthday bash?! Perhaps, we'll do a big one for him, that will change his mind!

Anyway, here are the things that I am loving about Brecken right now

*He has this witty sense of humor. I wish I had a piece of paper and pen with me all the time because he makes the funniest remarks, and he knows he funny, which then makes it even funnier.

*If you've ever met Brecken you know that someday he will be a heart breaker. This guy has the prettiest eyes and the most lush, long, and dark eyelashes in the world. jealouuus.  When mixed with his contagious smile and laugh, I know it will be a recipe for disaster when he is sixteen.

*He loves Cars and "Bwues Cwues." They've become a crutch when I need a moment of peace ;)

*Brecken is like this walking road map. He knows where the parks are at, when we are getting close, and when we've passed (which often leads to tears). Every time we go to Bozeman he knows when we are getting close to Grandma and Grandpa's house and he is constantly yelling "Stop Mommy, stop!" Even more impressive, this past summer we met up with my parents at the fairgrounds in Bozeman (for maybe three hours) and now when we drive that direction he is constantly asking why we're not stopping to see them.

*He is in the stage the mimicking stage. On a regular basis he will grab my face with both hands and he'll say "Listen to me. Listen to me."  He's also picked up "oh my gosh," "that is so cute" and "crap." crap.

*Even though he is speaking well, some words still come out funky, like: butterfwy , wiggle-washin (worm), wuv you, paghetti (spaghetti)

*he hates taking pictures. with. a. passion.

*He is finally at a stage where he will pay with toys, versus the alternative, which was everything other than a toy. Blocks, in his mind are met for stacking then destroying. Cars are meant to be chucked down the stairs, and balls are meant for kicking and throwing at the wall. However, I still can't keep him away from the can opener...

*Have I ever mentioned his obsession with drawing? I am sure I have. But the kid is seriously obsessed.  color all the time, and I think he loves crayons just for the joy of snapping them in half.

*books have always been a hot item in our house. Which usually means we go in phases with certain ones, right now that book would be Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big (it's my fave) it you don't have it, you definitely need to add it to your collection.

*Our little boy is so good with his sister. Whenever we are in the car and she starts to cry he will lean over his car seat and gently whisper "hey, hey, hey, hey" until she falls back asleep. If that doesn't work he often will sing "Add-y, Ma-e. Add-y, Ma-e" over and over again until she quiets down. It's precious.

*He's not a big candy eater, but if you leave a bag of chips laying around the contents will be gone in a matter of minutes.

*This kid is like the Energizer Rabbit. He runs and jumps all day long--that may be way he calls our couch a "trampoline."

*He's started to show interest in gender specific toys, it's not that we don't have girl toys because we have our fair share of Barbies, purses, and play make up laying around--he's just grown to love cars and trucks.

*We've hit the tantrum stage. On Monday it was an all out lay down, kick feet, scream tantrum while at gymnastics. It was horrifying. 

*He's a cuddler. At night after we've brushed teeth, read books, and said our prayers he will often ask me to lay and cuddle with him. Some nights I sing to him, other nights he runs his fingers through me hair, no matter what we are doing it is always so hard to get up and leave the bed. Baby boy isn't so little anymore.

 Breck, you're the entire package. Always remember that.

We love you! 

Happy Birthday.

Three years. Has it really been that long? It seems like just yesterday we welcomed you into this world under less than ideal circumstances. You survived because you are strong. It's one of your most defining characteristics. You have a strong mind, and a vibrant personality and you have very strong opinions for such a young age mixed with a heart that is so loving and kind. It seems silly to think of life before you. Those things I used to fill my days now seem so superficial compared to now. Motherhood has become the most rewarding life I could have ever asked for--and it is all because of you. 

Sometimes I lay by you as you sleep wondering why God gave you to me? God must have known I needed you.  Deep down I hold a special place for you in my heart, two kindred spirits that share a common bond as first-borns as well as the same temperament and personality--I am sure I will regret it though when you're eighteen. But for now I savor your spit-fire mannerisms and continuous bursts energy. Thank you for making me into the person I never knew I could be. 

My little boy, my love is without bounds for you. Happy Birthday B. 

Halloween

The kids and I started trick-r-treating at 9:30 in the morning with Brecken's cute daycare group. The kids were more excited to ride the bus than to get candy. Imagine for a second manhandling fifteen little ones under the age of four while on a bus? Holy mac! I have a new found respect for our his teachers. They're sweet souls. 

After a busy morning of going around downtown trick-r-treating at the local businesses (and admiring the soda turkey at the grocery store) we finally ventured home for a short nap before our ward's Halloween dinner and trunk-r-treat. Our quintessential little town never disappoints when it comes to holidays. For Halloween there is always a carnival for the kids and bingo for the adults at the high school. This year's warm spell pushed all the kids out to the streets to go door-to-door trick-r-treating--without having to be bundled in five layers! By the time we got home that night John said, "Oh Honey, I don't know how you do it everyday." Icing on the cake. Until next year.