Boredom

As you know Todd was off for 3 weeks after his surgery. Apparently the house (um, kids) needed some new things to do during that time. So here is a look at some new tricks we learned. By the way Todd is back to work as of this past Monday and doing great surgery-wise. He started day shift when he went back (due to the large amount of layoffs recently, they redistributed people throughout the plant). This is a good and bad deal...but without boring you, I will say from a wife standpoint that I like it better as of right now (may change my mind slightly with the first paycheck, but overall Mommy is happy :)
Okay, so here is Aiden's newest trick:

Almost got it...

Phew, that took some work....it is also now an off limits trick!

Then one day I was in the other room and Todd yelled for me to come and sit by the fire with them. As I turned the corner he said Alyssa was roasting marshmallows (above).

Over the fire. Hey, It is free unlike our gas fireplace :)

Moments later she dove in the...

Crystal blue water for a swim! They also went fishing that morning. At least they were using their imaginations while sitting on the couch. I love my family!!

Art Show and Harvest Party

Alyssa's preschool had a Fall Art Show last Thursday night. It was really cute. They decorated the gym with all the different types of art done at school and had big flood lights set up. Since she only goes 3 days a week she didn't have as much stuff, so you get to see each of her art pieces that were displayed :)

Each child had an "about me" page displayed, no real surprises on hers.

Gotta love the pose next to the painting!

Friday was her harvest party, so we went to watch the parade. Here is a shot of her with Maw Maw. Alyssa is supposed to be Snow White this year for Halloween, but she wanted to dress up as Barbie Mariposa for preschool. That is who she was last year. And someone asked her today what she was going to be for Halloween and she said Cinderella...maybe because that was what she was wearing when they asked. I have no idea, pretty sure she will decide moments before we leave to Trick or Treat. Guess that is what happens when you have dozens of princess dresses??

Aiden at the Harvest party, searching for something in a bowl of rice...

...he didn't care for the spider ring, can't blame him.

Okay, I am going to try at keeping this updated at least weekly again. We shall see!

Aiden's Birthday Party

Here are some pictures of Aiden's birthday party. We had a lot of fun with our family. He got lots of trucks and clothes and also a toy where you hammer all the pegs into a board...lots of fun (& noise ;-) The cake turned out soo cute. I love our Wal-Mart cake decorator, I always take her a napkin from the party theme and she always makes it so cute. I was going to try and make his cake this year and be "that mom", but after thinking about how yummy store bought cakes with bettercreme icing are I decided against it! Here are the pictures:

Family Shot

Taking off his monkey party hat.

Waiting on us to finish singing.

YUM!

Eating with Alyssa.

Organizing party hats.

What a great day, Happy Birthday Aiden Conner!

Happy (late) 2nd Birthday Aiden!!

Aiden is 2!! He actually turned 2 on Monday but it has been a busy week. We celebrated early Monday morning with him before Todd went in for surgery. He then spent the day with friends (Thank You so much Marcie for watching my monkey all day). That night he got to have dinner with MawMaw and PawPaw, and visited with Grandma and Grandpa. I was sooo glad we sang to him and had cupcakes at 7:30 am since we got home later than expected and missed the evening part. Here are some pictures from his actual birthday and I will post more after his party here tomorrow :)

He loves his new Handy Manny toolbox, but it sure is a loud toy!

Cupcakes for breakfast!

Happy Birthday Aiden Conner! We love you very much!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy & Aiden

Crazy busy update

All I feel like my posts are anymore are random/rushed updates. Sorry, that is just how life seems to be around here lately. So here we go! Alyssa still loves preschool and today was pajama day which she thinks is about the BEST DAY EVER!! So she went to school and Aiden and I got to join up with our Church playgroup for a tour of a fire station and lunch at the mall after. Since Todd is off for an unexpected surgery scheduled for Monday he picked Alyssa up from school and Aiden & I got a little one on one time. He enjoyed the fire trucks and the fireman all dressed up (although from a distance)...it was a very extensive tour of the fire house & stuff on the trucks and we had a lot of fun with friends!
Todd came home from work yesterday with what turned out to be a hernia that has to be operated on Monday. Please pray for Todd, the surgery, the recovery, and all that entails. He will not be able to lift more than 15 pounds for awhile...um, like the kids :( So that alone can be a challenge for all, including little ones that do not understand. So that will bring me to another rushed, random post sometime next week I am sure. Until then, here are some pictures of what is going on around here:

Aiden "using" his fork.

Random nap time...

well, we all know by now Aiden would never actually stay still long enough to join the sleeping part of this.

What happens when I go upstairs for 25 seconds.

And here's a look at the new arms crossed pout that is becoming quite popular around here...

...and this is where he learned it.

At the fire station.

In the truck.

Looking out at the Fire truck.

Checking out the fireman from a distance.

A try at a whole group picture, of course Aiden is the only one walking out of it ;-)

Okay, that will have to do for now!!

Overdue post

It has actually been a month since I have updated this thing?? Well, our computer crashed and although we got a new one quickly, we decided on a laptop this time and I am still trying to decide if we made the right choice. I will say I am loving that I am upstairs on the couch right now instead of stuck at the armoire...but I am having trouble getting used to just a laptop. Anyways that leads to the overdue post.

Alyssa started preschool weeks ago and is loving it. She goes 3 days a week this year and we all love her teacher!! She is growing up and I am trying to make sure we have some special alone time together. Today just the 2 of us went to Starbucks for some girl time. We were sitting there (hot chocolate & blueberry muffin for her, Mocha latte for me :) and she said "Mom, is this the coffee place you go to with your friends at night?" When I told her yes, her eyes lit up and she said "Thanks for bringing me here." Every time I go out with my friends she always wants to come...so she finally had "coffee" with Mommy. It was a great afternoon!!
Aiden turns 2 on October 12th and I got his "monkey" party stuff in the mail today. He is turning into quite the little man. He loves balls, cars and trains and if he has any of these things he is pretty much a happy boy. I think he is having some separation issues lately and I am not sure where it is coming from, but he screams when I leave him places that are even familiar to him?? He also gets upset when he is away from Alyssa. Every time we get back in the car after dropping her off at preschool he cries and says "I wan(t) sissy, I wan(t) sissy!"

As for me, I have finally decided to run a half marathon. It is something I have wanted to do but wasn't sure if I could. So I signed up for one in October and have surprised myself with the training. I can't believe I actually feel good after running 11 miles...tomorrow I have to do 12. So wish me luck and say a little prayer for me!! Okay enough words, here are some pictures:

A little book reading time.

Alyssa taking a little run in the house, in her rain boots.

Aiden waiting for her to round the corner.

First day of preschool.

& with Aiden.

Hanging out at Monkey Joes.

Aiden in his new monkey rain boots (& pajamas)...I LOVE them!!

Hugging a baby. He hugs real ones this way too.

Puddle jumping!!

That may catch me up for awhile although I know I have left out a ton :)

~~Tracy~~