Three branches of government?

We learn at an early age that there are three braches of government: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch, which enforces the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws. Is this really true, however? Is the legislative branch really the only branch of government that makes laws or do the other two branches really issue rules, regulations and guidance, which, in essence, are legal mandates for us to follow?