Wonderful Weekends!

This weekend was another GREAT and BUSY one. Friday, my sis and I got together and walked in the park again. Then she came over and we took the kiddies to the pool. They had a great time splashing and playing together (they really do love each other so much).

Saturday morning was Aiden's show for the Winchester Little Gym. It's been a wonderful session with the WLG and we have thoroughly (and I streess WE) enjoyed each Saturday with Miss Laura. Aiden has learned so many things there and he's met so many friends. Aiden's grandparents came out to watch all the cool things that he learned. Saturday afternoon we headed over to celebrate another of my friends 30th birthday.

Sunday we went out to my dad's house for a BBQ. We don't get to see him THAT often so when we do it's so special. Aiden played on the slip n slide and my dad has this great playground! Aiden and I had such a great time!

The time is flying by so fast...before we know it, it will be Christmas again...YIKES!!

Here are some pics of us swimming!!

Show week at the WLG!! Way to go Aiden!

Picnic at the Park

My lil' sis Danielle has been trying to get me to come to the park and motivate her to walk and get some exercise. Yesterday we finally got the chance to meet up! We packed up the kiddies and the strollers and we headed to Jim Barnette for some exercise and fun.

We walked around the park while Aiden and Teagahn chatted it up. The humidity killed though. Good thing is was cloudy because had the sun been out we would have been drenched. Once we were done walking we took the kids to the playground.

Aiden has really come a long way on the playground. JBP has a great one for smaller children. Round and round we went....up the ramp...down the slide...up the ramp...down the slide. After about 100 rounds of this Aiden decided that it was time to swing. For those who have never been to JBP...they have the COOLEST swings. The are these big chairs and they seem very comfortable for the kids to sit in and enjoy the ride. Aiden was pretty content for a while. So much in fact that, when it was time to go, he threw ANOTHER tantrem (HAHA).

By this time it was almost noon and Dan and I were getting hungry. She recommended salads from Martins (YUM!). We went and picked our salads and some goodies for the kids and headed back to the park for a picnic lunch. We had a really great time. I love that she's living here and that A and T will grow to be so close. They love each other so much already, you can tell. I cherish this time that I get to spend with my little sister as well! She's a wonderful mother!

I can't wait for all the times to come that we will get to hang out again!!

BTW: I really need to get better at taking my camera with me....I forgot it AGAIN so I didn't get any pictures (AARRRGG)!

Happy Hump Day to Me!!

NOT...

It has been a day of tantrems from my wonderful baby boy...

First it was the tantrem in the morning because mommy took a bite of his blueberry waffle (when did my little boy care about such things)?

Then after his nap I decided that it would be a good time to go grocery shopping. I knew I only had a little bit of time before lunch so I hurried. Well about ten minutes into the trip tantrem number two began. He wanted to get down, so in the quiet isle I let him run. BOY WAS THAT A MISTAKE. As soon as I tried to put him back in the cart the screaming began (and it didn't end until we were almost home).

SIDE NOTE: I hate to admit that I used to be that person who would look at the parents of out of control children and wish they would just 'shut their kid up' but now I take all that back. I totally know how they felt...wondering who was
looking at them and thinking that same thing. It's really out of your hands to a
certain extent. Hopefully this 'tantrem' stage will go by fast, but I have a feeling it's gonna be with us for a while!!

Tantrem number three happened at lunch. Again, mommy was trying to show Aiden how to take a bite of his peanut butter cracker and he was not having that. The peanut butter cracker went flying and screaming resumed. I had to give him a new cracker to eat (BTW, he pulls the sides apart and licks the peanut butter off first...how cute).

Tantrem number four happened at the playground when mommy tried to take away a cup that belonged to another child.

And finally the afternoon tantrem (YES that makes NUMBER FIVE). This one happened because mommy yelled at the little bugger because he decided to fill an entire cuppy with water from the dispenser on the fridge and then thought it would be a good idea to dump it all over himself and the kitchen loor. Again I ask, since when did he become smart AND tall enough to do such a thing??

The evening was pretty uneventful (THANK GOODNESS)!!! Luke's on nights this week so Aiden and I get lots of time to hang out together. He ate really well at dinner. We attempted to take a bath but due the the storm we opted against it. Now he's upstairs sleeping peacefully and I have a quiet TANTREM FREE house!!

I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us!

A HAPPIER (AND QUIETER) AIDEN THIS EVENING WITH HIS NEW TOY

The animals in our back yard!

Yesterday was Luke's mom's birthday so we thought it would be a great idea to take her with us to Wilson's Petting Zoo. I hate to admit that in all the years I've lived in this area, I'd never been there before.

WHAT A COOL PLACE!!

There were not only deer and goats, but we saw bears, some sort of BIG cat, lions, camels, monkeys...you get it. In a way it was sort of sad to see some of those animals....they should probably be running wild in Africa somewhere...but at least Aiden got a good learning experience out of it!

Let me tell you, he loved loved LOVED feeding the animals..but then again, what kid doesn't.
We spent a lot of time at this one particular goat pin. They were the loudest goats I'd ever heard (not that I've been around a ton of goats or anything). Once Aiden was done feeding them we all began to walk away and all of sudden one of the goats BAAAHHHed (sp??) really loudly. It's startled Aiden so badly that he began to cry. It took everything Luke and I had not to laugh...poor baby ;)

here are some of the pics we took!!

Feeding the cute deer!

I don't know what Aiden is doing here??

Daddy and Aiden feeding the goats

A VERY happy boy!

more pictures to come!

Tummy Slide

It's crazy that there are so many things to consider once your child really begins to move around. For example, in our house we have what seems like the STEEPEST and LONGEST set of stairs. Aiden just about gives me a heart attack every time he gets anywhere near the top of them. Unfortunatly, the stairs are his favorite place in the WHOLE ENTIRE HOUSE to play..AAARRRGG!

We keep them gated but he's starting to get strong and he's pulling them down.

ANYWAYS...

I began teaching him the proper way to handle the top of the stairs. I showed him that instead of going forward and trying to take a step down, he's to turn around, get on his knees and back up onto the stairs and go down them backwards on his knees. Surprisingly, he's grasped the concept really well. However, insead of going down the stairs one by one, he stretches his legs out behind him and slides down backwards on his tummy. I'm shocked that by now he doesn't have the worst rug burn on his belly.

It's really funny to watch. I'm still trying to get a shot of him in motion but it's proven to be really difficult because by the time I get my camera, he's down the whole staircase already...fast little buggar!!

Once I do get a shot...I'll be sure to share!! Until then, here are few of Aiden watching his FAVORITE SHOW in the entire world...YO GABBA GABBA...it's a weird one but he loves it!!

His hair is really getting long and curly!!

He's really concentration on something (BTW...this is how he uses the potty too..hehe)

An Old Friend

I love having so many friends. It's really a blessing, because most people go through thier entire life with only a few, so to have so many makes me a VERY lucky girl. What's just as great, as having so many friends, is running into old friends and catching up!!

About a year and a half ago Luke and I were out shopping and we ran into an old neighborhood friend of mine. I hadn't seen her in ages so we stood there chatting away for what seemed like forever. We exchanged numbers and that was that. Then, about a month ago, Luke and I were talking and somehow that "run-in" came into the conversation. It's funny how things work because about a week later, this friend called me. I have to admit, I'm not the best at calling people- all of my friends can attest to that, so it was great that she took the initative to call ME!

We made plans to get together and yesterday Aiden and I ventured over there. We had a wondeful afternooon. She has two beautiful children and Aiden had a blast with them. It was SO GREAT to catch up and hear about her family and what she's been up to over the last several years.

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."

Aiden with his new friends, Sam and Leah

The Great Escape

Aiden and go for a run/walk almost every morning and sometimes I can bring the crazy mutt of a dog we call Mackenzie and SOMETIMES I CAN'T (or just don't want to). Today was one of those mornings. I hadn't had the chance to get out with Aiden all week because of the holiday and then the rain so I really wanted to go out, just the two of us.

Well Mackenzie decided that he was having none of that. As soon as I opened the door he dashed out before I could catch him and off he went.

Really...really dog, you are going to do this to me NOW?

NOW...when I'm the only one home and I can't sprint after you because I have Aiden in tow.

Luckily my wonderful neighbor, Sandy, was home so I had her watch Aiden while I chased after the white mess (I really do love him).

I finally spotted him across the neighborhood trying to start a fight with the biggest German Shepherd I have ever seen (Mac would have gotten his doggy butt kicked). I approached them fearfully, appologized to the GS's owner and scooped Mac up. On our walk home I disciplined him as best I could, threw him inside and resumed my walk with Aiden.

Despite the escapte attempt of our wonderful poochie, I've gotta say it was a wonderul walk!!

I can just imagine what he's thinking right now...hehe