More Brae-isms

First, I want to say thank you to everyone who gave me such great feedback about Brae's "bullying" at his little school.  After talking with some more teachers, talking with Brae, and witnessing some 1:1 interaction between Brae and this little boy, I say with sufficient confidence that this mother was overreacting.  And that is hard to say, because I'm not one to dismiss allegations of bullying lightly.  

But to know a little bit more about why I think this mom overreacted, I think you also need to know a little bit about this mom.  I think she is perhaps more sensitive to "unkind" remarks because I think she was probably a victim of (more than the "usual") unkind treatment when she was younger (and perhaps, sadly, still is).  The entire conversation between she and I was very odd.  While she was telling me about her son's behavior toward Brae, she was smiling.  Perhaps it was just a nervous smile, but I also got the sense that she was, perhaps, encouraged, that at least her son was not a victim of bullying.  It was very odd.  

But, now that I'm aware that this type of thing can happen as early as the preschool years, my eyes are much more open.

Okay, now on to much lighter topics.  Some recent Brae-isms:  

-- What is it with boys and their bowel movements?  The other day, Brae wanted to play with some toys outside.  He went outside, dropped his drawers, and peed.  Then, he decided to take all of his clothes off, except his socks (in February?).  I was preparing dinner, so I wasn't watching him closely.  When he trotted in after about 10 minutes, the bottom of his socks were black.  And they smelled.  

"Brae," I asked. "Did you go poop outside?"

He nodded approvingly.  "Yes, mama! C'mon, let me show you!"

And then he gallivanted me proudly around the backyard, showing me the three places he went poop, and then had stepped in each with his feet. 

Seriously? 

-- The other morning, as I'm waiting for Brae to go pee, he declares, "Mama, I'm going to go pee like a Warrior!"

And then, while pants down, he proceeds to get into a warrior (think yoga-warrior) pose, and remarkably, aimed perfectly into the toilet. 

-- Every Sunday Tygh takes Brae to the driving range after church.  They go to this local golf course called Langdon Farms that has big, beautiful red farmhouses all throughout the golf course.  After they finish at the driving range, they have lunch together.  The wait staff know Brae so well, his chicken nuggets and chocolate milk are already waiting for him when they step in from outside.  

This last Sunday, as Tygh and Brae were driving up to the golf course, Brae began to sing: 

"Old MacDonald had a farm, ee-i-ee-i-ooo... and on that farm he had some ..... (long pause) ..... golf balls... ee-i-ee-i-ooo.... and on that farm he had some ..... (long pause) ..... chicken nuggets ..... ee-i-ee-i-ooo....." 

Here are some recent pics of the kiddos (and, drumroll... Sienna. Is. Crawling!!!!!): 

Happy Valentine's Day!