Mumbo Jumbo

In other news, Beckham had his 4-year check up just before Thanksgiving. He weighed in at 33 pounds (+3 from last year). The doctor wants him to work on his core strength and suggested gymnastics. Imagine Scott's reaction!! Needless to say, we'll be enrolling him in soccer next spring (which was the plan anyhow). He did a tremendous job manning up for his shots (meaning he cried but didn't kick and scream) and Daddy brought him a Blue Coconut Slush as a reward.

Brooks has also met some milestones this month. He accomplished climbing out of his crib on the lowest mattress setting (something we never had to worry about with Beckham) and was rewarded by having the mattress placed on the floor inside the crib (resembling a jail cell). He was none too thrilled and still hasn't completely warmed to going to bed without crying.

Beckham and Brooks have grown an alliance and team up against Scott and I 99% of the time. They say "no way" in response to anything and everything and have added a very annoying grunting sound to their repertoire. 1-2-3 Magic has been pretty effective with Beckham, but Brooks just counts back at us with his adorable little smile. Removing him from the circumstances typically works for now. Mommy and Daddy could really use a vacation if anyone is up for it- haha!Beckham has taken to singing a lot lately. His mouth goes nonstop! If he's not singing a tune, he's asking a question. I know all of you parents out there are just shaking your heads and laughing at us right now, but seriously, the word "why" needs to be taken out of his vocabulary!!!! He is constantly asking why things are what they are. Why is that a garbage can? Really!?! Work with me here, kid!

Super Dad

Scott took Beckham on a surprise outing. They bought some Beckham-sized ice skates at Play-it-again Sports and hit the ice for a couple hours. Beckham couldn't have been more excited! And he hasn't stopped asking to look at his iceskates :) What a dad!

What We've Been Up To. . .

picnicking (when its warm)

jeep-riding (Brooks can drive now)

Teddy snuggling (Beckham's class bear came home for the weekend)

sideways hat-wearing (this is the ONLY way he'll wear a cowboy hat)

book reading/ mommy snuggling

and "block-store" playing.
Aren't we just a couple of guys who know how to have fun!?!

A Day at the Boot's

So, as I said, we went to my sister's for the day. The kids had so much fun playing together. We spent nearly the entire day outside since the weather was BEAUTIFUL!

The kids had a leaf-raking competition (which Beckham got kicked out of because he just wanted to jump in them). After Annelies won by a long shot, they combined the piles and dove in. . .

Even Aunt Shanna joined in the fun :)
HAPPY FALL!

November Birthdays

It seems like every year August and November barely get blogged due to excessive activity. So, here goes. . .

November is a month full of birthdays in our family. The first, of course, was Beckham's. Then comes Brandon. We went to Mom and Dad's for the day and sang "Happy Birthday" to Brando. Beckham even helped him blow out the candles on his awesome soccer cake :) Welcome to the teen years, kiddo! The next day is Ben's birthday. We met at Scalini's for some fine Italian and wished Benjamin a happy 36th.

Next was Juan David's birthday party at the Bounce-U. Never have pizza and cake been so welcome at the end of bouncing around for 2 hours :) Then came Jakob's birthday. We went to my sister's house to visit and give him some birthday hugs. We're done with the November birthdays for this year! Woohoo!

~Another celebration that we partook in this year was the ever-loved Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad made a beautiful feast. We lazed around all day watching football, thus the reason there are no pictures. I'm kicking myself, too, 'cause Beckham and Brooks were both dressed very handsome. We stopped in to give hugs and kisses at my sister's on the way home, then took two very sleepy boys home to bed. Gobble Gobble!~

Ahoy, Matey!

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day! The sea was calm that day, my friends. The perfect day to spend outside bouncing on a PIRATE bounce house. Beckham's birthday started and ended without a hitch. We invited the family, his buddy Harrison, and his classmates.

The bounce house was a HUGE hit :)

Even Brooks took to it like a natural.

Johnny Depp crashed the party as well.

The kids had so much fun playing and eating. (This is Harrison's version of "cheese".)

Arrrrr!

Brooks slept through all the guests arriving and woke up to a full blown shindig. He was a little dazed, but didn't turn down food ;)

Gift opening was exciting. I was unsuccessful at getting everyone to sit down so all could see. Four-year-olds! I tell ya what!

But Beckham didn't mind. He was still thrilled with every gift and couldn't wait to get them all out of the packaging.

Gift-opening spectators.

Give us all your booty!

And then there was cake!

And the Parker tradition of cutting the cake and making another wish. Yes, I walk on the dangerous side!

Scott and I had such a wonderful time throwing the party for Beckham and seeing his face light up at every turn. The tears of exhaustion from the birthday boy at dinner time were just proof that he enjoyed himself. As much fun as it was, though, I think we'll be taking next year off :)

A Meal Fit For Kings

When asked where Beckham wanted to go for his birthday dinner, he responded, "Red Lobster!" So I said, "Would you rather go somewhere like Red Lobster or somewhere like Chick-fil-a where you can play on the playground after you eat?" I think the pictures are self explanatory ;)

They pigged out on chicken nuggets and fruit and Beckham had fun pulling Brooks next to him so he could share his chocolate milk. So cute!

So, after a delightful time spent on the playground, we went back in for icedream cones. Yum! I figured the birthday boy needed something sweet on his birthday since we wouldn't have cake until his party on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Little Prince!

Beckham is 4!

Beckham turned 4 years old on Wednesday! He and I made Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies the day before for his school friends. Brooks and I went to visit him and take the yummy cookies on Wednesday morning. They were saying the pledge when we got there and Beckham got to be the flag holder!

Then they sat and said the blessing before digging in to their cookies. They were so cute crossing themselves (all of them did it completely different from the others).Brooks joined in the celebration by donning a crown. (Beckham couldn't be the ONLY one with a cool crown on :))

All the kiddos sang Happy Birthday and had fun asking him questions about his party and what gifts he wanted. It was so great to finally see the little munchkins in action. His friends are all so sweet.

Trick-or-Treat, Ya'll!

The boys dressed up as an "Army Guy" and Hairy-Dawg for Halloween this year.

I was Princess Mommy and Scott was Brooks Orpik :)

Mom came over to see the boys and hand out candy for us. And Amanda came up to go trick-or-treating with the boys.

We walked around for a while with our next door neighbors (the shark and the monster).

Amanda got kinda freaked out that some people thought she was Brooksy's mom :)

Hairy Dawg had to take a pause with the fire hydrant :)

Some of our neighbors are very creative. I love that Beckham can act so fearless-haha!

AK-47

Calling it quits?

And the sorting of the loot. . .

Daddy put on his serious face to make sure there were no razor blades :)

Hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

Oy Vey!

Beckham's Shiner

Beckham had a meeting of minds with the corner of the couch :(

Wedding Bells for Beth

Scott and I got all dolled up on Saturday! We dropped the boys off with Grandma and Uncle Brandon and went to the wedding of the former Beth Hester.

Scott got text message updates on the GA-FL game throughout the ceremony :) After Andrew and Beth Brewer were pronounced husband and wife, it was time for some group pictures.

Then off to the Historic Gwinnett Courthouse where Andy and Beth had their first dance as husband and wife.

Of course there were more group shots (some of which Anne brought props for!).

The boys took some time out from behind the cameras and got a couple shots of their own :)

And then Au Revoir to the bride and groom who were off to France! Jealous :)

Congratulations, Andy and Beth! May your marriage be long and prosperous!