Tom's birthday and recent photos

Tom's 3rd Birthday

I know everyone says that time really flies - but it seems odd that our Thomas is already three years old. He had a fun birthday party and was quite spoiled by attention and presents. Here are some of the photos from his party.

Grandma Bradshaw, Chelsea (honorary Aunt), Aunt Lindsey, Aunt Sue, Aunt Teresa, EmmaLee, Aunt Becca and Aunt Amy watch Tom open his presents.

Tom blowing out the candle on his birthday cake.

The birthday cake before it was sliced up. I was pretty proud of this - I am not much of a chef, but managed to finally get it to look like a sword. Tom is particularly into swords right now and wasn't quite sure what to do with a sword that was also a cake...

... but he finally figured it out.

Conference Weekend

We had the pleasure of having Becca come and stay with us for Conference weekend. Tom really enjoys his Aunt Becca. Here were some of their activities.

Tom teaching Aunt Becca about the "proper" way to floss. (Translation: pull all of the floss out of the tube and tie it around things...)

Here are Becca and Tom dressed up like cowboys at Great Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw's house. We went up to Rupert to visit on that Sunday.

Miscellaneous

You know you have taken the lazy way out of making dinner one too many times when your son pops through the hole in wall while you are walking down the hallway and asks you if you would like fries with that... But hey - with both parents working full time and going to school full time and a pregnant mom - we make a lot of allowances.

This is how Tom accessorized himself for church the other day: complete with boots, swords, and bow-tie. The bow-tie was a present from his grandparents who had just gotten back from Scotland and he really took to it - his nursery leaders had a really good laugh about the ensemble. Well, except the sword - that was left at home. We have had to institute a strict "no swords at church" policy. He has, however, found substitute swords to fill his three hours.... his crayons are his current favorite.

Naughty Fingers and more Tom-isms

Naughty Fingers

Tom has recently developed a new method of getting out of trouble. Whenever he does something "naughty" and gets caught, he blames it on his fingers. So yesterday, when he was discovered pouring out his drink and splashing in it (after repeatedly being told not to...), it wasn't he who was being naughty - he argued indignantly - it was his fingers. So, we decided to test how committed he was to correcting the naughtiness in his fingers. I suggested that Tom ought to punish the naughty behavior of his fingers by putting them in time out. He concurred and ran over to the time out chair and laid his hand on it. He looked sternly at his hand and said, "No dumping the drink! Naughty fingers - two minutes, time out." But, wouldn't you know it - those naughty fingers just couldn't sit still in time out and kept trying to get off the chair. Tom would then inform me that the naughty fingers were escaping and I would tell him to go catch them and put them back in time out. This happened about three or four times before I suggested that maybe he should sit on the naughty fingers and then they would stay put. He did so and the two minutes were finally completed. It was the least fitful time out we have had yet!


Deity's Approval of Tom's Foot Apparel

We were driving to the store the other day and passed the Temple. Tom gets really excited whenever we pass by it and I always ask him what it is and who lives there. In recent weeks, it apparently is not only the residence of Heavenly Father and Jesus, but also Santa Claus. We have had to nip that last notion in the bud and he has finally caught on. So, on our last drive past the temple, he told me that it is "not Santa Claus' house, it is Heavenly Father and Jesus' house...," he paused dramatically and added as a bonus, "... but Jesus likes my boots."

What happens when your parents leave town?

This year marks 30 years of marriage for my parents. As a tribute to them, my siblings and I wanted to do something nice for them. We talked over a variety of possibilities and finally settled on the idea of repainting their bedroom and office - the latter of which was still decorated with the blue and pink hearts we painted when our youngest sister Rebecca was born 13 years ago. Since the folks were leaving town to go to Scotland for a week and a half (lucky ducks!), we had a perfect opportunity to take over their house.

However, plans quickly evolved from our initial vision. With the amazing help of Deanne Uriana and Michelle Rigby, designers extraordinaire from Pace Interiors, the financial backing of my dad's most generous employer, Kelly Thueson, and the muscle of our cousin Cindy, the two Johns, and our super-helpful neighbors, the Larsen family, we managed to put together quite a transformation.

Take a look:

Before

Bedroom - looking towards the north wall.

Bedroom - looking towards the west wall.

Office - west wall. Notice Dad's make-shift desk. Definitely functional - but a bit tight, space-wise.

Office - Southeast corner. Don't you just love the hearts?

The Makeover

Teresa and Lindsey putting on the primer coat. Must cover up those hearts!

After

After a couple coats of paint, new carpet, new curtains, new bedding, several new pieces of furniture and a whole lot more lighting...


TADA!

The bedroom looking towards the north/west walls.

The bedroom looking towards the south/west walls.

The office - featuring a brand new desk! (And no hearts...)

The Reaction

Extras

The new coffee table and rearranged basement....