See the little fishy...

My two kiddos are quite the little fish this year - Leyton started out the year a bit hesitant, but has slowly warmed back up to the idea, to the point that he doesn't want to stay on the stairs anymore, and instead prefers to float ("I SWIM Mommy!") in his floaties. (Makes Mommy extremely nervous, and I'm constantly making sure he's being hovered over) He took swimming lessons for the first time this summer, and he did actually learn a few things! Britton had his third year of swimming lessons a few weeks back, and I'm happy to report I can officially label him a swimmer. He no long uses any kind of floatation device, and can swim in the deep, shallow, where ever. :) We still of course never take an eye off him, but it's so neat to see him progressing! He's now working on learning strokes, and well, let's just say that's a work in progress. :)

Here's just a few pics from today's swimming adventure (and I apologize for the quality -as always, I didn't have my camera and had to use my phone). I can only wish I had the tan these boys do... Obviously taking after their Daddy on the skin tone.

Britton practicing his crawl:


Aunt Brittney and Sweet Ley-Ley -

Britton just had to have goggles this week - and he actually wore them the whole time!

Weird angle, but I love the look on Trenton's face (mid-jump) -

doctor doctor

For Easter this year, Britton's Nina (Godmother in Spanish) got him the CUTEST scrub outfit. Just so happens she's in that profession (getting a clue as to who he Nina might be?). :) Britton has been saying for a while now that he wants to be a doctor, "just like Nina," so this was just perfect for him! I had to post a pic - he's very busy giving us all check-ups and lots of "flu shots" multiple times a week...

Please ignore the disaster that is my living room in the background. Britton and Leyton had just finished demolishing a fort they built. I promise it isn't normally that bad... Dr. Britton:




Dr. Leyton... For some reason, Leyton always pulls his hats down over his eyes and walks around with his chin in the air so he can barely see out the bottom.


There's the brown eyes!

the best of friends

Both my boys are very blessed to have one friend who has been around since birth (not that either of them are very old) that they are very close to. For Britton, this friend is Bella, who he just LOVES. He would do anything with or for Bella, and I love that he has her as his best bud. It helps that we kinda like her parents too. ;) But Britton and Bella are another post (because believe me, I could fill several posts with all their adventures over the years), this one is all Leyton.

Leyton has Mark (or Mark Thomas, as Leyton ALWAYS refers to him as). They are 2 months apart, to the day, and are just so funny together. They are finally hitting that age where they can play together a little, it's not so much just playing next to each other anymore. They talk to each other, share and/or fight over toys, and just in general make me laugh. hard. Every Sunday morning, the only way we get Leyton to go to church without a major meltdown is to promise Mark Thomas will be there.

So two weekends ago, while Kristy was graduating from her Medical School / Residency Program (YAY KRISTY!!) , we got to keep Mark for the evening. Mark and Leyton had a blast! We jumped on the trampoline, played, ate dinner, jumped on the tramp, ate popsicles, jumped on the tramp some more, bath time, and they even went to sleep in the same room without so much as a peep (and did I mention the tramp?!?). So proud of both of them! I had a great time - Mark, come back and play soon! Leyton wakes up every morning asking for Mark Thomas!

Here's a few pics from their adventures... Sorry they aren't the best, but I figured out real fast that getting two 2-year-olds to look at the camera at the same time requires a small miracle. One that wasn't happening for me.

I love this picture. Mostly because there's a story behind it.... :) You have to realize John and PJ have known each other a looooong time. Like since Middle School when they played soccer for opposing teams. I've been told there's a picture of the two of them where PJ is jumping for the ball in the air and his feet are as high as John's shoulder. I don't think I've ever seen the picture (but I can see it in my head since I've been hearing about it for the last 15 years), but this just reminds me so much of that! Mark is SO high in the air next to Leyton (and he really was that high - it's not just a weird camera angle)!

Bath time!

And the cutest lion and puppy I've ever seen. I had them roaring and barking, and I should have taken a video. It was hysterical.

the graduate

Last week marked a very sad milestone in the Garcia house. Britton officially graduated from preschool. His class had a darling little ceremony complete with cap, diploma, a slide show, and even class awards. I had a very hard time holding it together, staring at this little man that I swear weighed 5 lbs just yesterday.

He's come such a long way. From a such a peanut (seriously, that's what they called him in the hospital nursery because he was such a bright-eyed little, little, guy) to such a bright, happy, (and yet, still little :) ) almost-Kindergartener. I look at Britton and I know we are on the edge of embarking on a new exciting journey, and I'm sure it will hold so many new fun memories and milestones... But it's just one step closer to him growing up, and I'm just not ready! Ok, enough crying from me. HAPPY TIMES now from what is the best preschool around.

Britton won the Spanish award from his class! He knew every word they learned throughout the year - they had Spanish a couple times a week - probably helped that it's his Aunt that teaches it. :) Also, his Grandma Cindy primarily talks to the boys in Spanish, so he knows quite a bit from her. You know, especially useful phrases like "sit down," "no spitting", "no running", "no hitting," etc. The list of phrases I'm sure he'll use daily out in the corporate world one day goes on and on. :) And if you haven't heard the one for stinky diaper, well, that's another little gem I won't share here. But both my boys are VERY familiar with it. :)

I cannot even begin to tell you everything he learned this year. He has come SO FAR! I'm so proud of all his accomplishments and am so thankful for the WONDERFUL teachers he has been blessed with throughout the last 4 years. Seriously. Like so good, I'm afraid no other teacher he'll ever have will live up to the ones he had at the Kirk (especially this last year - OMG they were awesome).

So if you've made it this far in this blubbering mess of a post, I'm impressed. Here's a few pics from his graduation ceremony and his last year at the Kirk... And be sure to watch the video - it's the "Excel Chant" they sang this year and it's hysterical.

Marching in (sooo proud of themselves! Love how they all have their hands behind their backs):


Britton and PJ's parents:

Getting his "diploma" with Mrs. McKenzie and Mrs. Jezek:

Family Pic


The Excel Chant - Britton still sings this daily:

And even though Leyton isn't leaving the preschool just yet, he's officially out of the Toddler class and into the TWO's! Such a big boy! We've come such a long way from the little man that cried when we dropped him off the first few weeks of school! He lovingly refers to his teachers as "Jones" (Tracey Jones), "Susan" (Susan Peterson), and "Awwbrey" (Aubrey Adams). He's still asking when he goes back to "gigi's house" (AKA the preschool) to see his "fwiends." Thanks Ladies for making Leyton's first year at the Kirk so special!

5 years, 2 wheels, and 1 blessed mama

A little late on the Mother's Day post, but better late than never.

I just can't believe this was my 6th Mother's Day to celebrate as a Mommy (7th if you count the one right after we found out we were expecting sweet Britton)! Time flies! And each year it's just as special as the last. The boys and PJ got me new running shoes for Mother's Day and each of the kids made me a fun little handmade item at church and school. I went to a Mother's Day tea with Britton in Excel, and LOVED it. As usual, I cried at least once. They had each made a star to say something special about their mom, and mine said "SPECTACULAR." Such a big word for my little man, and what an honor!


But the best mother's day gift was what Britton learned on Mother's Day. He picked up a bike while we were at PJ's Grandma's (one without training wheels) and decided he was going to ride it. Keep in mind we haven't even tried taking the training wheels off his bike at home. One trip down the cul-de-sac with Grandma running along behind, and he had it. PJ tried to run down the street with him once, at which point Britton said, "DAD! LET GO! I'VE GOT THIS!" Um, ok. So my sweet little Britton is now a 2-wheel-no-training-wheels-bike-rider and I couldn't be more proud! I think PJ's a little disappointed that he didn't get to teach him, but really, no one did! Britton just decided he could do it, and did! He obviously has his father's athletic ability - you know, the kind that you show them something once, and they are suddenly a superstar. It's completely unfair (especially for those of us that have to work forever to be good at something). But hey, glad he got it! :) You can't tell from the picture because you can't see PJ's right arm, but PJ is NOT holding on to the bike... He's just running along beside. This was about 30 seconds after Britton picked up the bike!


LOVE my sweet BK!


And how could I leave out my munchkin?!? He's the cutest little soccer player I know! Love this little man!

Fun with Dad

I'm in my favorite city in the world for work this weekend (complete and total sarcasm), Houston. I'm sure there are great things about this city (they do have an Ikea and that does increase it's value exponentially in my book), but I'm still looking for them. I hate the weather - I don't do humidity. I hate the traffic. I don't like the airport. I'm ready to go home.

ETA: the one bright spot has been my rental car. Yes, my rental car. Normally I get the boring, shoebox-sized compact that flashes my life before my eyes at least once a trip on the Houston Beltway. But as luck would have it, they were out of shoebox-sized compacts this week and upgraded me to a small SUV! It's a fun, spunky, and CUTE (that's for PJ) Nissan Rogue! Not something I'd every even paid much attention to before, but I LOVE this car! It's like a small Murano. Or Lexus SUV. Take your pick - but I love it. But because I called it "cute" PJ said I can't have one. Cute cars are apparently not allowed in the Garcia household. Whatever. As long as it's not a minivan, I don't care! :)

PJ has sent some pics of the boys and their adventures over the last few days... Britton had "Derby Day" in his class yesterday - where each kid built a soapbox derby car with their dad and brought it to race yesterday. Apparently there was a huge track and all the kids were really into it. PJ thought he was being sooo sneaky weighting the car to make it faster (yeah, he did. we don't normally teach our children to win at all costs, including cheating, but PJ "claims" everyone weights soap box cars). He bought these tiny rolls of nails, epoxied (not really a word I suppose??) them to the bottom of the car and painted over them. Too bad several of the other dads did the same thing, and they weren't nearly as discrete - apparently several just attached weights to the top. Britton really wanted an OSU car, so they painted it black, complete with an orange racing stripe, and had me paint "OSU" along the top. Britton was so proud of it, and apparently their little race car came in THIRD out of 16! Go BK! :) So glad we all also got a lesson in cheating to win! Ha!

Britton and his friend Elliot after the race. Apparently she had the winning car...



Last night, they headed to a family fun night at the Kirk with my Mom, where they had dinner and apparently line-danced. I'm sad I missed that - My Mom, PJ, Britton, and Leyton line dancing - I bet that was quite a site...

My little cowboys (love the bandanas):

Pure Trouble

We spend a lot of time laughing around here at the predicaments Leyton finds himself in. He's my little explorer, and there is just NO FEAR. Scares me to death on a regular basis. Anyway, just thought I'd share just a few of the pictures from the last couple of months of his "adventures." Most of the time around here, QUIET = TROUBLE.

Leyton decided he wanted to play Operation too (which was on the table to keep little parts out of reach of little hands). Obviously height is not a barrier for him.

Unrolling toilet paper is great fun. And it totally stresses Mommy out on so many levels.

Why not trap Britton under the laundry basket?

I just love these sweet (and sometimes mischievous) brown eyes!

Happy Birthday Leyton!

I cannot believe I have a two year old. He's still the baby around here, and I am in complete denial that he might be closer to a kid than a baby. Last week was rough - and I mean ROUGH. Between several unforeseen issues and 2 sick kiddos for 7 days straight it was about all we could handle! But by Friday, which was Leyton's real birthday, everyone was well and it was a BEAUTIFUL day! Leyton took treats to school to celebrate with his friends (donut holes - one of his favorites), and we all went to the zoo after school. He topped off the night with a trip to play at Gigi's house (always a favorite). Saturday we celebrated at home with a few close friends and family members with a Mickey Mouse themed party as Leyton is completely obsessed with all things Mickey. (A HUGE thanks goes to my friend Michelle for keeping me on track for the party, even when things were crashing down around me - I owe you one!)

So a little about my big boy these days... At his two year check-up, he was 26lb, 6 oz (30%), 35 inches (75%!?! - Umm, really? He's tall? Have you seen his parents?) Leyton is talking up a storm - starting most sentences with "I wanna..." I wanna a snack. I wanna wawa (water). I wanna Mickey Mouse (wants to watch Mickey). I wanna Britton Amo. (I want to tell Britton "Amo" - which is I love you in Spanish). He loves to repeat anything we say - and I do mean ANYTHING, so we have to very careful! Yesterday, he said (completely on his own) - "Sorry, I broke it" when he accidentally broke an old toy cell phone. He can name almost any animal, and tell you the sound it makes. He can name all of his family members (immediate and most of his extended), and calls "roll" regularly. :) He can count to 10 on his own, and Britton can help him get to 20. He knows a ton of songs, and loves to sing and shake it. We are working on colors, and he can name quite a few shapes. He loves to read, and has recently become quite the artist - asking to "Keelah" (color) at least 5 times a day. I could go on and on, but I'll stop. I'm just so proud of my little man! :)


Here's a few pics from the last week of birthday celebrations! First, a picture from the zoo. They seem to fit in well, don't you think? :) There's a really old pic of John, Kristy, me and PJ in this same monkey thing floating around somewhere, but we won't be posting that. But it is good for a laugh (too bad I'm not willing to share it - it's funny on so many levels)

Blowing out the candles at Gigi's house:

Note the sand bucket he's holding in this picture. This was his favorite gift. After he opened this one, he no longer cared what else there was.

"Mom! I'm just trying to HELP him open it." (Uh huh, yep, not buying that)

Finally, it's open and it's MINE!


The party goodies!


A big smile from the birthday boy! I LOVED the ears my Mom made for him to wear - SO cute! Thanks Mom!

The next video is really short, but too funny. PJ and John taught Leyton and Mark how to give each other high five. We don't exactly have the timing down, but it's cute!

Aunt Becky's Wedding and the Little Ring Bearer

So let's talk about HOW FAR BEHIND I am. Aunt Becky got married in October. :) Oh well, better late than never...

So Becky and AJ finally tied the knot. It turned out to be a great wedding, although I had my serious doubts in the planning stages (oh, and the early morning hours THE DAY OF THE WEDDING when I was frosting 8 zillion cupcakes). Becky lives in Arizona, but had decided she wanted to have a "backyard wedding" at PJ's parents new house here. They have a ton of land, and it really is the perfect "party" yard. PJ's parents worked tirelessly for months to add on to their patio, build arbors, more roofing over the patio, etc, etc. But that was really just the start. PJ's Dad built a huge dance floor among other things.

In the end, the wedding ceremony was short and sweet, and the party was great fun. She asked Britton and Alex to be the ring bearers, and they were SO cute. Becky really has great taste, and she stuck hard to her casual backyard theme, right down to the ring bearers, sending them down the aisle in black converse high tops. I had my doubts about that as well, but seriously, it was super cute. Here's a few pics from the big day - keep in mind I'm no photographer... :)

The wedding party (during the ceremony):


Becky and her Dad getting ready to walk down the aisle. Isn't she just gorgeous?!? I love how serious Britton and Alex look. Funny story - Lexi, the flower girl, was walking pretty slow down the aisle, so Britton walked back down the aisle to "help" her deposit her flower petals faster. It was hysterical.

PJ walking his mama in.

Becky and my new brother-in-law - AJ. We LOVE him! He's a soccer player and has the same initials as PJ (whose initials are really AJ. Really. I know. Stick with me here.)

A little pre-wedding bounce for Ley-Ley with Daddy on the trampoline.

I LOVED the decorations she had - just beautiful! Tons of lights and these huge paper flowers. It really was a magical atmosphere.

My handiwork. Yep. ALL the cupcakes were frosted by me, or Laura, one of the bridesmaids. And this picture doesn't even show the half of it.



Britton and Leyton shakin it with Gigi. They just danced, and danced, and danced.

So now, it would all be perfect if we could just talk Aunt Becky and Uncle AJ into moving back to Tulsa (currently in Tucson)! We miss you guys!

Snow Monster

Britton LOVES the snow. Like could-stay-out-there-all-day-with-soaking-wet-feet-blue-lips-and-shaking-like-a-leaf loves it. So with the amount of snow we've had this year, he's been able to make up for lost time the last few years when it didn't seem we really had a "good" snow! Here's a just a few pics from the many trips out into the yard.

One note... It seems every time it snows, Leyton is a little under the weather. Never anything serious, but sick enough I'm not dying to let him play in the cold, wet snow. It breaks his heart (and therefore mine), but I generally make it up to him with extra special snacks (you can fix anything with Leyton with food) and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. :)

Britton took a snowball to the neck in a snowball fight with Daddy. Note he's still smiling - even with the cold snow IN his coat. Yikes.

Mimi is quite the snow bunny herself - in fact she played Frisbee with PJ on Christmas until her nails bled - literally. She had just had them trimmed, and I guess the ice and snow really reopened the quick on her nails. She didn't seem to mind though, and was not happy when we made her stop (as soon as we realized her nails were bleeding). I love that she is still such a pointer when she wants something!

Britton insisted on making a snow angel. On the driveway. Nice and comfy.

Check out how deep the snow was in front of our garage - well past his knees!