Life as a Brandtito

Florida Snow It’s Report Card time again and in celebration we planned a special camping trip at Ft. Pickens . The kids have really been itching to go   and the weather this past weekend was just irresistible. Now that 2 of the 3 mini Brandts have now mastered their bikes, we loaded them up among the 2 truckloads of camping necessities and headed out! (And yes, 2 truckloads is an absolutely reasonable amount of needed items for a night of camping…completely reasonable). The kids were * thrilled * when we arrived to see other kids roaming around and immediately set off to make some new friends. Even Gav enjoyed playing with the other kids as someone mentioned “Bey Blades” which of course made them instantly approved by Gavin. We cooked an exceptionally wonderful campfire dinner & roasted smores by the fire. We also taunted the kids with spooky stories about Geronimo (who was held at Ft. Pickens ). The joke quickly became on us as I realized, well I don’t actually know anything

Thing 1 & Thing 2 Milk & Cookies with their neighborhood bestie, Danielle Tonight was Literacy Night at PRE. While the Brandt men did not see the fun in hopping into PJ's and listening to bedtime stories, the ladies of the house were very eager to go. The girls loved it. They were given a card upon arrival with their "station schedule" for the evening. Their were stations with teachers reading stories, computer lab activites, crafts, book bingo and the girls favorite station, milk & cookies. We topped off the evening with Breakfast for Dinner.

The Brandt family gained 2 cookie selling Girl Scouts this week! We've been on the waiting list for a troop FOREVER but we finally got placed this week. Since both girls need to be in the same troop (for sanity and logistic purposes) we had a hard time finding a "split" troop (Annabelle is a "Daisy" and Heaven is a "Brownie"). This week we joined troop 418 and the girls had their first meeting. They absolutely loved it. There are 9 girls in their troop total and they all seemed eager to welcome the newbies. (One of the girls told Heaven she was "so pretty" which granted her instant acceptance and top spot into Heaven's friendship circle). Much to their disappointment and embarrassment I crashed their first meeting on Tuesday. I told them I promise not to stay at every meeting but I wasn't going to just leave them with a stranger either. They seemed to accept this with reluctance. The meeting went well and as we are right in the begin

Not much to report just enjoying this spring like January weather. Oh..and wearing Pirate gear. Thanks Auntie Erin!!

 Annabelle & her 7 favorite stuffed friends  I have a goal this year of starting some new traditions for the kids. I recently started them “memory boxes”. I’m including school projects, crafts, photos, and anything else I think might be noteworthy. I’m hoping to do “birthday packs” for them each year. Since Annabelle had the first birthday, I’m starting with hers. My plan is to write them a note on each birthday, to include mementos from that day (newspapers, magazines…), birthday cards from family and also a mini book of photo’s from their party. I’m going to put each pack into a manilla envelope with the year and then when they’re older I’ll give them all to them.   I like to think down the road they’ll like having something to look back on. I’m also going to do a “photo shoot” with each of them each year around their birthday…because in my opinion, you can never really take too many pictures. Here are a few of my favorites from Annabelle’s 7 year photos. If you have any no

Me and Auntie J loaded up the car with ladies Saturday night for some 3d Beauty and the Beast action. The girls were so pumped and they all shamelessly sang throughout the movie. It was adorable. Afterwards they insisted on a photo with The Chipmunks...even though they are all secretly scared of them!

It’s official. Annabelle Brandt has the most celebrated birthday of all birthdays!! This week, much to Annabelle’s disappointment, we were forced to put an end to the partying….AFTER a few more celebrations of course… This weekend Annabelle had celebrated her birthday party with friends at OOP’S Bowling Alley. She had such a good time & I would highly recommend OOPS to anyone looking for a perfect birthday spot. The kids played in the arcade (with tokens provided by OOPS), had tons of cake and ice cream, and of course got their bowl on. I think everyone had a blast!! Annabelle was definitely enjoying the celebrating as well. She received a very “cool” outfit from Nana & Papa,   Some $ and CANDY from Nana P & Bubs, a target giftcard, some Baby doll toys, a “Password Journal”, some Beyblades and lots more goodies too! AB's Bowling Cake ....Lot's cursing, frustation and of course Love went into this cake.. Ava working hard for her tickets So Stressful...