Catching Up - March

March was a fun month for us. We spent some time in Pocatello. I went to a seminar in Boise for Scentsy. Braxton and I took a couple of Zoo Tots class at our local zoo.
The first class was called "Zany Zebras" and we got to see where the zebras sleep and what they eat. We didn't get to touch them because they are considered to be a wild animal. We also found out that zebras have black skin... so they are really black with white stripes!
We also made this cute zebra.

Braxton had fun at the zebra class, but I wasn't sure that he got too much out of it. But these days he is much more vocal and talks all the time! When I mentioned that we were going to the zoo, he instantly said "Zebras?" That made me feel better that he actually remembered it!

The second class we took was called "Honey Bunny." Braxton got to pet the bunnies, and he loved it. He kept wanting the bunnies to come closer to him so he could pet them more.
The craft we made was really cute too. It was a bag of jelly beans, with ears and a face stapled to the top, and arms on the side and feet on the bottom. Braxton ate quite a few jelly beans while we were making it, so our bunny was pretty skinny! I didn't take a picture of this one, because the jelly beans were all gone before I thought to!

Braxton has also decided that he LOVES it when Megan S., our babysitter, comes over. He cried for a few minutes when we left him one night with her, but then he cried even harder when we came home and she had to go home! We love Megan for doing such a great job!
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I also realized that we have started a bad habit for bedtime with Braxton. Each night we read scriptures and say prayers (that's a good habit!). Then Braxton picks out a few books to read, and then I crawl in bed with him and read the books. I always did it because John would go and finish his work or work out, or go to meetings. When we had Megan S. babysit, I told her to try and get him into bed and told her the routine. Well, Braxton did great until she tried to read to him. He threw the books and said "No, Mommy do it!" Needless to say, when we got home, he was still up.

When we first got his big boy bed (in December) I would read him the books and then lay next to him to keep him in bed - otherwise he would just crawl out. Well, now I HAVE to stay in his bed until he falls asleep or he just keeps getting up. I've tried to break the habit several times, but have yet to succeed. Each time I try, I talk to Braxton about staying in bed and leave with Braxton saying he will stay in bed. However, at two years old he is already telling lies!

He will get up NONSTOP because he thinks it's a big game. And it doesn't seem to matter if I stay calm or get upset with him when I take him back to his room and tell him to stay in his bed. These nights always end up with him screaming and me holding him tightly in place until he settles down and goes to sleep. I have even tried locking him in his room - which resulted in him screaming for what seemed like hours and then falling asleep in front of his door.

I think the real problem is that I have a huge softspot for him. He is so cute and then when he cries like that it breaks my heart! Someday I'll toughen up....