Braxton's handy dandy ... notebook!

After our trip back to Utah for Christmas, Jeff and I decided that we should try and get Braxton off of "The Wiggles". So, now Braxton likes an assortment of shows: "Max and Ruby, Lazytown, Dora, Little Bill, The Backyardigans, Little Einsteins ... and Blues Clue's" But, he really wants his very own handy dandy notebook to write in. Well, handy dandy notebooks (like the one shown to the upper left) that are bought in the stores or on the internet are atleast $10 - then there is usually a shipping payment on top of that. So, I took it upon myself to make him one. I figured I could use an old Leappad notebook for the red binding, and proceeded to get out some crayons, markers and some yellow construction paper. After I was finished, all I needed was to get everything laminated so I headed out to FedEx Kinko's. Their laminator is really awesome. It is a thick lamination, not flimsy. Well, this is what I ended up with. Not quite the same, but good enough for Braxton AND cheaper.

So, on Monday we met at the zoo for playgroup. I think I mentioned earlier, that I am not really a zoo person. An hour is usually the limit for me. Well, we were there from 10:30 - 2:15! That is a long time. Braxton had a lot of fun. They even have a butterfly exhibit open until September. That was really cool, actually. They had many different species of butterflies. Pretty neat.

A few Braxton stories ....

Well, later that day (06-25-07), Jeff and I were headed somewhere and we stopped to get some gas. I stayed in the car with Braxton and I heard him talking to himself, so I turned my ear to listen more closely and this is what he was saying, "R. A. I. N. spells rain. N. I. A. R. spells rain backwards." He repeated it several times and at first, I thought he was spelling it backwards wrong ... but then concentrated harder and realized, I shouldn't second guess my little genius.

Then the next day (06-26-07), he was drawing on his dry-erase board. He came in and said he needed help drawing an "n." So, I went in there to help him. He had a "B" and what looked like an "I" and was trying to write an "N". I again, assumed that he was trying to spell his name. (we worked on that a few days ago.) I thought the "I" was supposed to be an "R" and that he had just forgotten the loop and the other leg. So, I said, "Brax, it isn't an 'N' next, it is an 'A'." He looked at me all confused. I reiterated, "It is spelled, B.R.A.X.T.O.N." He took a step back and looked at the board and said, "no, next it is a 'G'." I was like, ... "no, sweetheart, it would be a 'X." He questioned me, "In Bingo?"

I felt like such a dummy. You know, we are always telling our children to not assume things if they don't know, that they should always ask. Well, shoot. I need some new parenting skills. Because, I guess since I'm the parent I think I know everything and I don't! My sweet, intelligent three year old got stuck with me for a Mom. Poor thing.