Mailman Grant

You've probably read in another post that Grant likes all things related to the postal service. We have been sending Levi a lot of packages while he's been on deployment so we visit the post office frequently. He enjoys getting the mail with Mimi everyday when she gets home from work. He even picked out a Post Office video at the library. Now, Grant enjoys playing "mailman." I gave him a bag of mine to put over his shoulder. I cut out some foam core for his envelopes and found some little boxes for him to deliver.We made a little mailbox out of an old shoe box, but it didn't last long. So I went to the hardware store, picked up a $10 real mailbox and he's been delivering packages and letters ever since. I think he might have found his calling!

This was before we got a real mailbox. He lifted the lid and flag so many times on his "shoebox mailbox," that within 10 minutes, it was broken! (You probably also noticed the scrapes on Grant's face- the night before he took a tumble down the front patio concrete steps- OOPS!)

Playtime is Funtime!

Having two kids makes for a day without a dull moment!! Grant has been very into playing with me and usually decides to either cry until I have time to play, or be my shadow until I have time to play. Either way, we play together- ALOT! Luckily, Wyatt enjoys watching Grant and I play, plus he enjoys his own toys as well!! So here's a glimpse at the things Grant and I have been playing!

Color and Shape BINGO! Since Grant turned a year old, I've been working on colors and shapes with him!! A year and a half later, we're still working!! At least we can have fun while we learn!
Driving the Police Car! This was my nephew Mason's, Christmas present, much to Grant's liking! That's usually the first thing he asks about when we head over to my sister's house. Luckily its been nice so they can go out and "patrol the streets."


This afternoon, I took Grant and Wyatt to a park the neighborhood where I spent my early childhood- a park where I spent hundreds of hours playing. It's totally different now, but both boys enjoyed themselves! Grant climbed on every piece of equipment, made me diet cokes at his "nemonade stand," and met a new friend. Wyatt enjoyed sitting in the swing watching the leaves blow in the trees!

Grant enjoys painting with watercolors in the bathtub! He not only paints the sides of the tub, but his body as well! I think he even has some green paint behind his ears as I type- I always forget to check there, darnit!

Grant and I spent about 2 hours playing "fireman" yesterday in the driveway. We have 3 radio flyer trikes and each trike was a different rescue vehicle. This bike above definitely got its use- I drove (yes, I really pedaled that thing, not graciously I might add!) and Grant stood on the back ledge hanging on to my shoulders and made the (most obnoxious) siren sound over and over until every "hot fire" was put out!! Phew, that was an exhausting (and butt-breaking) game!!

And of course, playing fireman in the basement. Grant is all decked out in his mask, air tank (the backpack), boots, and hose (the flashlight). There was hot fire all around us so we were constantly putting out fires!!

I have so much fun playing with him and am sooooo lucky that I get to be the one he wants to play with!!

The Cutest Thing...

...about a sleeping baby is a tushy in the air!! Not to mention, sleeping on top of his lovey!! Just too cute!

Getting Closer

Wyatt thinks its a good idea to try and start crawling! I don't share the same sentiment, but more power to him!! He is trying to inch along and is starting to actually make headway! He's totally not coordinated, as he pulls himself forward and then sticks his little tush up in the air, usually face planting into the floor!! I know he'll get it one of these days!! I really can't imagine how life will be with 2 mobile children, and actually- I'd rather not know for a few more months!
But I'm proud of you little buddy for all the effort!!

Grantisms

I have to write down all these cute things Grant says and does before I forget:

- Since his baptism, he keeps saying, "In the name of the Father, and Mason, and the Holy Beer. Amen. All done!"

- He refers to me as just "Mom" or "Aunt Laura"(obviously confused from his cousins!) and most often, instead of saying "Daddy" he says"Levi." I think that's a sign Levi needs to come home soon!

- Grant usually likes me to kiss his boo-boos, but since he's been asserting his independence, he will say, "I do it myself." Yesterday, he bumped into the corner of the coffee table, so he licked his finger and touched his boo-boo and said, "All better now."

- We were playing "beauty shop" yesterday (yes, its ok for boys to do that!) and he got a little carried away with the brush and wound up hitting my lip with it. I said not to do that because it hurt Mommy. He took his little hands, grabbed my chin and said, "Sorry Mom" and gave me a kiss! So sweet!

- When he wants to do something and I tell him not right now, he usually answers with "In two minutes?" or "When I get bigger?" or "How bout Friday?"

- He loves thinking about Wyatt getting bigger and ALWAYS says, "Wyatt get bigger, he _____" and the blank is usually whatever Grant is doing at the moment! I love how excited he is to see his brother get bigger!

I think from now on, I'll carry a notebook with me at all times so I don't miss a moment!

You Make Me Smile!

Grant keeps me laughing all day long!! He is talking so much now and everyday, I'm amazed at the things he thinks of!!

- He calls a volcano a "hotcano"

- He'll put his finger to his chin and say, "Got an idea: _________ We've got a mission! To Rocket!" Then he'll say, "Mission Copeken (completion)"

-When he doesn't know what something is, he'll ask "This thingy called?"

- He likes to say, "Goodbye Honey" or "Goodbye Sweetheart"

- He is constantly pretending he is a character from whatever TV show he's watching and he'll tell me which one I am and which one he is

- He gives his brother kisses and says in a high pitched voice, "Hi Little Punkin!" (His Aunt Summer likes to call Wyatt that!)

- He can tell you his entire name- Grant David Broeckelman- and his brother's entire name- Wyatt Daniel Broeckelman.

- When he gets to crying over something silly, I tell him to go to his room until he can calm down. When he does, he'll walk up to me and say, "Calmed down now. Now crying. I happy."

I need to really start writing down all his quirky little sayings!! I know Levi will be AMAZED when he comes home to find this giant kid running his mouth a mile a minute, since Grant was barely talking when he left!! I'm lucky I get to witness it first hand :)

Baptism Boys!!

My boys got baptized on Sunday, August 15th!!! It had been a long time in the making for Grant. The churches in Florida were really hard to work with, so Levi and I agreed I would have them baptized at Holy Trinity while he was gone. Grant was, forgive the pun, a holy terror during Mass, but was a little saint during the baptism!! Wyatt was a little angel the whole time! It was a great day and we're glad we were able to spend it with our family, even though Levi wasn't there.

Wyatt getting baptized!

Grant getting baptized!

Sara and Eric, Wyatt's Godparents

Mimi and PawPaw, Grant's Godparents

Just Call Me Spike

Wyatt was born with quite a bit of hair. He's lost most of it, but it's starting to slowly grow in. What was left of his "baby fuzz" is so fluffy and sticks straight up! I just love his little "spike" of hair!!

Our Trip to the Farm

Grant, Wyatt, and I headed out west to visit The Broeckelman family! It was Great-Grandma Edna's 87th birthday so we came out to celebrate with her!! We were there from July 29-Aug 7, so we got to enjoy a nice long visit. We not only celebrated Great-Mom's birthday, but it was Levi and I's 4th wedding anniversary the day we got there! (He surprised me with a bouquet of my favorite pink tulips and the prettiest earrings!) The boys got to meet their new cousin, Haylie, who is 25 days younger than Wyatt. They had alot of fun playing together!! We also went to a few different parks, and Grant got to go on a mower ride AND a tractor ride!! He loved looking for Grandpa's dog, Jeeps, and checking to see what Grandpa and Uncle Zach were doing out on the farm. It was a nice visit and we look forward to spending time out there again in the fall!
Grandpa taking Grant for a ride on the new mower

Grant called this the "spaceship slide"

Haylie and Wyatt just hanging out!

Hey cousin!

Grant Goes Bowling

We celebrated Grant's cousin Luke's 3rd birthday at Park Lanes bowling alley. Grant didn't have a clue what bowling was, but he was very excited to go nonetheless!! Mason and Luke had been bowling before, so Grant was able to pick up a few pointers from them! Park Lanes had this awesome dinosaur ramp that all you had to do was place the ball on top and the kids could push it down. It was a sure way the ball would actually reach the pins before stopping. I don't remember Grant's final score, but I must say his was probably pretty close to mine!! Thank you for inviting us Luke!! We had a fun time!!

Trip to the Lake

July 17-24th was spent at the Lake of the Ozarks on our annual family vacation! We've been doing this ever since I was a kid, and its something I look forward to every year!! Our week was spent swimming, eating popsicles and snack after snack, staying up late (and not sleeping at night, thanks to Wyatt) and enjoying a few adult beverages!
The boys enjoying yet another popsicle!

Sara and Mason, and Me and Grant swimming in the "lake pool"

Grant enjoying a swim!

Wyatt absolutely LOVED the lake! His feet were kicking the entire time and hands were splashing constantly!!!

The boys enjoying a morning on the swingset!

Wyatt baring it all!