Rub-a-dub-dub, all my kids are in the tub!

Here's the typical response to the call for a bath for Ben.  "Yeah!  I go take bath now, with toys!"  Here's the typical response when I call for Braden to take a bath.  "Ughhhhhhhhhh, I don't want to!" 

Why is it that a 2-year-old can play for hours in the tub, surrounded by bubbles and cars, or even just an old broken cup, and it's still entertaining!  But then my 7-year-old acts like I've asked him to do an incredibly difficult chore along the lines of toilet scrubbing and laundry folding, when I just want him to wash off the gunk of the day!  I think Braden would have been happy in the middle ages when bath time was an annual or semi-annual adventure! 

Maybe I can keep Ben enjoying the baths and bubbles a little while longer!  Sorry Braden, you still have to take a bath - like it or not!

So, in the process of my bathroom redecorating project (thanks Erika!) I have been collecting pics of my kids in the bathtub through the years.  Here are a few of my favorites. . .

Katie - just a tiny little thing in our "sink tub" in Colorado.

Katie (2) and baby Braden (1 1/2 mths old) playing in our big tub in Cedar Hills

I love this one!  Chunky-monkey Braden abt. 6 mths old!

The lipstick culprit trying to wash off evidence of her crime.  One day while we were still living in San Diego Kate found mom's lipstick.  It was everywhere!  She thought she was so beautiful, until she realized she was in trouble!

And there's Ben loving the bathtub as usual!  We took this one just last week!

Katie's January Dancing

Right after Christmas craziness came to an end, we had dance recital craziness begin!  Kate's little dance studio had 2 days of performances with 2 performances each day.  Yes, 4 performances, it was a bit much but I think she had a good time.  Her good friend and neighbor is in her class so they had plenty of giggling, visiting, and hanging out time during dress rehearsals and all those performances.  Here are a few pics of beautiful Kate!

Katie and her wonderful friend Emma!

The "Seekchasers" all dressed up and ready to dance!

Merry Christmas!

Katie (9), Braden (7), and Ben (2) the Sunday before Christmas

December 21, 2008

"Don't Look Mom - I Know I'm in Trouble!"

This picture says so many things without needing too much description from me.  It says:

• Never, ever, ever, leave a 2-year-old unattended!
• Showers are overrated because by the time you finish your shower and then clean up the mess the 2-year-old created while you were in the shower, you'll need another one!
• Don't buy Oreos when a 2-year-old lives in the house.
• Don't leave Oreos on a shelf evenly remotely within reach of the most ambitious and dextrous 2-year-old!
• When you see your 2-year-old cowering in the fetal position on the floor, assume the worst!
• Oreos make great finger-paints!
• Oreos mixed with water are a substitute for cement in a pinch.
• 2-year-olds know their parents love to see their cute handprints - well, unless it's a handprint make of cookie slime.
• Oreo slime can be created within moments.
• Oreos don't just get soft and mushy in milk!
• At least Ben didn't eat the whole package. . .I think?!
• OREOS ARE FUN!

The evidence: December 14, 2008

Please note: two well-defined and distinct handprints on the floor that match the suspect's hand-size perfectly!

The cookie-slime criminal cowering in fear of his punishment!

AF City Christmas Party Fun!

Braden with his cotton candy at the party.

This year AF City hosted an incredible Christmas party!  It was their first time attempting such an event and we're hoping they'll repeat it every year now.  The kids had so much fun - it was a Christmas carnival combined with dinner and topped off with a visit from Santa, lots of toys and treats!  It was incredibly crowded and difficult to find a seat at first but the games, prizes, and fun more than made up for the tight quarters.  First we had dinner and Christmas performers, then they opened up the carnival room where the kids had popcorn, cotton candy, fish pond, "pin the nose on Rudolph," several other games, plus cookie decorating.  It was a kid's party-dream come true!  The funniest part of the evening was when the cotton candy machine sent up little fluffs of candy to the ceiling, setting off the smoke detectors, and then the whole fire department came to join the party too!

Katie helping Ben win a prize at the cake walk.

Ben was nervous when Santa walked in the room, he hid his face in mom's shoulder as Santa jingled his way by us and up to the front of the room, and there was NO WAY he was sitting on that scary man's lap!  The closest we could get him was in David's arms, half-on Santa's lap.  Santa took it all in stride and asked Ben what he wanted for Christmas.  Ben, with his head still hidden in Dad's shoulder, turned his face slightly toward Santa and said "A big truck!"  A few weeks later, we discovered that Ben's shy request for Santa had been heard when he found a big yellow dump truck under the tree! 

Mom: Here comes Santa Ben! Let's go say hi to him!

Ben: Santa scary - I wan' go home now!

Katie and Braden are "Santa lap veterans."  They had no problem visiting the big man's knee, asking for a gift, and collecting their candy cane!

I blinked and it was gone. . . .December 2008

Somehow December flew right by and I haven't posted a single thing!  So, here it is, January 5th.  The kids are back in school again, Ben is watching Elmo hunt for the letter "N" - and I have a moment to breathe again!  So, we'll start at the beginning and work back towards the big day. 

The beginning of Christmas is traditionally the tree-trimming party!  The holidays can't begin until we've "decked the halls."  Here are a few pics of our tree-trimming/hall-decking festivities from the first of December. 

A cool day at the beach

Saturday, November 29th

The clever and crazy castle-building crew! 

It was a cool day for swimming but did that stop the crazy Bradshaw children?  No way!  At first they were just going to "jump over a few waves."  They weren't going to get all wet!  Well, that lasted about 30 seconds before Braden was ripping off his shirt, Kate was drenched down to her undershirt, and Ben was covered from head to toe in salt and sand.

This picture tells a story without any words.  .  . just look at those smiles! 

Ben refers to the beach as his "sandbox." 

Yes, only a two-year-old can claim ownership of an entire strip of beach and label it as his own personal sand-toy!

Mom, Braden, Kate, and Ben had a fun and relaxing afternoon at Mission Beach before we drove back to Utah all night long!