Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Summer is here!!

Being the summer horse that you are, warm weather couldn't come quicker.  Now that the weather is nice, you love to go outside ALL THE TIME.  From the time that you wake up until bedtime, you would stay outside if you could.  Lots of fun this summer.  In addition to free days with Ashley, you get water days at school and field trips (fire department visit, Paw Patrol visit)

Over the 4th of July, we went to San Francisco and met up with Anthony, Mai Wong and Yipao. After a very lengthy delay we arrived at SF, stayed at the Marriott Marquis downtown.  Every day was action packed and we all had a great time.  On our first day, we took the double decker bus and went over the golden gate bridge.  It was pretty cool and we all got to sit on the top when we went over the bridge.  It turned out to be the best day to drive over the bridge and see the scenic views.  You loved being on the top of the double decker and watched everything (trees, dogs, cars, trucks, stores, buildings, etc).  We pretty much did everything you can think of over the week.  One day, we visited the California Academy of Sciences which was super cool - there was a walk around and up the planetarium as well as a huge aquarium.  We also visited the Golden Gate Park on another day - including the Japanese tea garden. 

Other fun places included going to eat ramen at Japantown.  Yipao generously purchase two animals, one for you and one for Benjamin.  You got a big white kitty and you brother got a small grey mouse.  Oddly enough, you guys named the kitty "Lotion" and the mouse "Grey Soap". 

Of course, we can't visit San Fran without cable cars and Fisherman's Wharf.  We took the cable car from our hotel to fisherman's wharf (first to last stop).  Then, we went to Ghiradelli and had a big ice cream sundae.  Afterwards, we went to the Aquarium which was a lot of fun.  Following the aquarium, we stopped by Boudin and got a huge alligator sourdough bread.  I was laughing b/c I didn't think anyone would eat it.  Best purchase ever.  You and Ben didn't care for it but the alligator was a delicious snack for all of us. 

One of the days, we rented a car and drove up to Muir Woods.  That was a ton of fun, cool trees and hiking trials.  We then stopped in Sausalito for lunch.  We also had yummy snacks from Tartine bakery.  Your baba loved the banana cream pie.  You ate an entire brownie on the ride back... it was a super big, super rich brownie.  Polished it off with a bottle of milk.

San Francisco was an awesome trip. You enjoyed running around and seeing the city, playing in the water with Yipao.

Summer:

What else did we do in the summer?  A TON! Excelsior Commons (twice) for swimming, Round Lake splash pad, Oak Park splash pad, Williston, Lake Minnetonka swim pond (momma and baba) and Big Woods playground and pond (momma and baba). 

There's more!  Meibo also came and spent a week and half with you and Ben.  More outdoor fun and Mall of America too. 

Funny Bradleyisms and milestones:

June - started potty training
7/10 - I 'm not kicking you, I'm just moving my feet
August - Mama, put your finger on my butt.  Yuck that is disgusting mama!!
8/3 - 3 year checkup - all is great, going off neb meds.  40's in height and weight. 
You also started to use the potty at school but not at home.
8/8 - (mom) "Didi, you are beautiful, I love you".  "Mama I have lots of gas in my butt"
8/15 - went potty at home with Ashley

Minions = mingions
Yogurt = Yorgurt
Blippi = Glippi

You also love to say, "that's so cute" or "that's so beautiful"

Bradley, you are such a cute and loving little toddler.  You are always the first to give hugs or share. A typical toddler boy - you are a rough and tumbler, loving soccer shots, tee ball, running, wrestling and all things outdoors.  Your favorite show is Blippi and Peppa Pig.  Favorite foods - corn dogs, strawberries, raspberries and danimals.  Mama loves you sooo much!!

 

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Spring is here and Look Who's THREE!

The sun is here, the weather is warmer and with lots of rain, everything is turning green.  May and June has turned out to be a great hit!

For Memorial Day, we went camping with the Rowen's (Gretta, Elliot, Emerson) and the Eute's (Elsa and Emmett) along with several other families.  This is a first time camping trip for everyone except baba - he's been on several camping trips when he was younger.  I underestimated the effort that goes into a camping trip.  First, we had to get new tents (old one was small and leaking), air mattresses, coolers and everything else that camping requires - flashlights, bug spray, cooking stuff just to name a few.  Then, we had to pack it all in the van.  There was not a single foot of open space.  Then, we had to pack for all weather... which wasn't too bad but just a big list.

We went to Lake Carlos which is a little outside of Alexandria and had gorgeous weather.  You and your brother spent the days outdoors and had plenty of play friends.  We had smores, smore cones (which you and your brother did not like but everyone else did), fishing, bug catching, frog shows, and endless amount of fun at the sand pit.  Also, you had a blast with the car vac and spent hours vacuuming grass and weeds. 

Right after Memorial Day, we had your birthday party.  Yipao came to celebrate for the week.  It was soooo much fun!!  The theme was construction trucks and we had a good combo of neighbor friends (Tad, Siena, Walter, Margaret) and school friends.  It was one of those super humid days but with the party early in the day, it turned out great.  We had a bulldozer bouncy house, sand pit, playground and ring toss.  All the kids had lots of fun, including you!  I wasn't sure if you would enjoy all the attention but you were super happy.  Total success :)

Now that school is out, you and your brother are onto the summer schedule.  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday's, you are at daycare.  Wednesday is water day and soccer (your fav's) and Friday typically comes with some summer fun activity.  Tuesday and Thursday's you are home with your brother and Ashley. Ashley's our new summer babysitter and you both love her!  She brings you to tee ball and Ben to Tennis on Tuesdays.  Last Thursday there was a trip to Target, which is always your favorite. 

My little didi - I cannot believe you are three already!  Where did the time go?  I love your kind heart, gentle soul and toddler boy spunk and energy.  You have a ton of fun anywhere you go and always flexible.  Nowadays, you are nonstop chatter as you have mastered speaking and communicating your thoughts and feelings.  Some of the super funny sayings:

5/19 - Mama, I want to go to toy Target, not food Target (our Target is huge and it literally feels like two Targets with the layout)
5/24 - did you do this Bradley? "No, Monster did it"
6/2 - Ms Shelby and the class was singing happy birthday to you.  You said, "Where's the cake?  No cake? Well that's enough of that"
6/10 - Found out how much you like Danimals.  (you call it Your-gurt)
6/15 - Bradley, stop stepping on my phone.  "I'm not!  I'm doing exercise!"

Walking to the construction site
I'm sitting in brothers chair!

Puppy need water

Brothers (Love!!)

Rocks into Lake Minnetonka

 I love chocolate


sassy

Getting the garden up

Starting to potty train

Not exactly the right direction

New rainboots!

Some things never change

Add caption


Taking a break while mowing


Camping

Urban camper

I heart marshmallows

Matching PJs - thanks Yipao!


Snake whisperer


I love danimals

Mama's glasses


T ball!!

Soccer shots

So cute

Teamwork?

Watch this mom


Getting ready for the party

Happy Birthday Bradley!!

The bounce house

Cake was a big hit

Presents!!

need help


 

Monday, May 22, 2017

2017 Winter fun

Winter seems to always drag on forever in Minnesota but we had a lot of fun these past few months!  First, we celebrated Ben's 6th birthday which was a lot of fun.  You went to the birthday party but was a little scared of all the big boys and the huge inflatables. 

Everyday, you'll have something funny to say.  Baba and I get a good laugh constantly at your funny comments and shenanigans.  Like baba said - you're going to be the smart ass class clown.   We had a lot of visitors come and see you.  Yipao came for a week in March and Meibo came for a week in April.  We had a ton of fun and did a bunch of activities. 

We also celebrated St Patrick's Day and Easter.  For St Patrick's Day, both you and your brother were looking for the leprechaun who left green foot prints in the house.  For Easter, we went to the Lowry Nature Center to find colored rocks.  Then, we had an Easter Egg Hunt at home. 

The good news is that it's finally beginning to warm up!  Last couple of weeks, you'll been enjoying a lot of outdoor time.  We also decided to plant a vegetable garden in the backyard for Mother's Day!  Hopefully we'll get lots of veggies.  Both you and your brother also helped me with the flower bed in the windows.  On Mother's Day, we went all around town looking for the replacement gnome as Ben's green gnome accidentally flew across the family room. 

A couple of Bradley-isms in the last couple of months include:

2/3 - glombs = gloves.  You also have mow glombs that you wear for mowing the lawn (pink peppa pig ones)
3/10 - corner to poop. This also happened with your brother which signals that potty training is coming soon!
3/12 - (dressed as a tiger)  "I not scary, I Bradley brother!" because you thought Beni was scared of you.
3/27 - (when it was time for bed)  I'm not talking about that
4/20 - Ms Shelby shared that you were putting all the worms in pocket.  Then when you took them out for 'catch and release' you said, "they're all licking me!"
4/28 - (when I said no more episodes, time for bed) Don't say no at me mom
5/1 - Do you want butter noodles?  No, I don't want to eat brother noodles.  No, not brother, butter!  This went on for five minutes. LOL
5/5 - I Bradley Buuuuurger!
There is never a dull moment in the Berger house.  Every day, you do or say something super cute and funny.  Even though you are a true toddler boy, rough and tumbler, you are a caring, kind and gentle little guy.  You are always the first to share with your brother and look up to him like an idol.  I am so humble and proud to be your mama Didi!!


Visiting the castle park with Yipao

Add caption

Meibo comes w/ cool clothes

Troubles

Huskies at the Zoo!

Tractor

Baby farm animals exhibit

Silly Meibo

Add caption

Adele's is open!

Bloody Fingers MAMA!!

Meibo teaches you to cheer for brothers soccer

Easter at the Lowry Nature Center

Found all the color rocks!

Face painting

Easter Egg Hunt

Lots of eggs

I dunno what peeps are

Old school tractor

Licking all the sugar off the peeps

Cheese!

one foot

Other foot

I'm breaking brothers legos


Daycare

Catching snow

The fort

Mama's dream of you two playing together...

Just like baba

I like fire trucks!


Having a convo at Target

Chatting at the Children's Museum


Where is that leprechaun??

Slightly on the big side


Looking good, bring it on Soccer Shots!


Hello? I'm at Target. Ok bye


I miss Yipao!

Designer tee and jeans

Shoveling s&*(

Giving Yipao a tour of Target toys