Mr. Sunshine

I'm feelin' the need to give an update on my biggest little man. And man, is he getting big! I can't believe how much Brody has grown in the past year, and I don't mean just physically. Yes, he's shooting up like a little beanpole, but he's also really growing UP! I feel like he understands some of the most complex things, and he certainly remembers anything we say, sometimes bringing things up at the most random times! He is an amazing little guy, and we are so blessed!

Brody is going to Berry Patch three mornings a week this year, and he loves it! He is making new friends and really learning a lot about friendship and respect for others. So far, we are so happy with the school and all it offers. They take field trips, do monthly service projects to benefit those in need, sing for the elderly during the holidays, and say a blessing every day before snack. I love that he is getting good old Christian values while learning skills he'll need in school. He comes home tired but happy and always looks forward to school days.

Brody is crazy in to superheroes right now, which is funny because he's never seen a superhero show or even read a superhero book. But he knows Batman and Spiderman and Superman and talks about them all the time. He likes that they go on missions and save people, so we use that to our advantage when we need him to do something. "Brody, have I got a rescue mission for you! There are three bottles upstairs in Leyton's room that need to be brought down here. Can you rescue them quickly before they explode?" He loves that kind of stuff!

He's still very much in to books, and now TV too, so we have to limit that a bit. He also loves getting his High Five magazine every month and sitting down to read it cover to cover, spending most of the time on the hidden picture page. He's really good at them!

Brody now likes to pick out his clothes and help out with preparing meals (even though he has become the pickiest eater I know, so I have to hide things when he's not looking, like turkey in his cheese sandwich or pureed spinach in his spaghetti!) doing laundry and cleaning. It's nice to be able to give him a wipe and let him go to town dusting all the furniture.

Things aren't always hunky-dory, though. I've mentioned before that he's bigger and stronger, so sometimes it can be really hard to get him to do something he doesn't want to do. He's very opinionated and can be overly rambunctious when visitors come over. He can also be really rough with Leyton, which does tend to make me very sad as I want them to be good friends. I'm sure it will come with time, and it won't be long before Leyton can defend himself!

Mostly, though, Brody is so dang funny I can't believe it. He makes me laugh every day with the silly things he says and does. He also is the biggest cuddle bug, always quick to give a hug or kiss or say I love you. I love his humor and vibrant personality, and I hope that he learns to use those things to his advantage as he gets older. He can win over just about anyone. :)