library day!

July 7

Lunch time is always exciting!  I've been lucky enough this summer to be able to get home most days for lunch with Aaron and Aiden.  It's been a priority since that has been the only family meal of the day since Aaron's been working the evening/night shifts.  Thank God that has FINALLY been changed, and now he's home for dinners!

So today as I sat down Aiden asked to wear my wedding ring.  My first thought was when he learned the word wedding.  Make note- the thought did not cross my mind at this point that the word "wedding" was comprehended- but just that he was able to label it correctly as a "wedding" ring.  So, my response was- "No, you're not married."  And low and behold, without missing a beat, he says- "Yes I am."  Trying not to bust out, I then realize I need to see if he does actually comprehend the word, becuase clearly he gets some connection between wedding and marriage.  I calmly ask, "What does married mean?"  And he says, "When you go like that- muah!", as he kisses his hand.  Huh. So, for some reason, I decide to go a step further, knowing that it could be risky- I'm already biting my tongue.  "So who are you married to?"  And again without missing a beat, "To Olivia from church." Ha. Funny stuff.  There is an Olivia at church. Actually two- one little girl, but not as little as Aiden.  And one big girl, like youth group big girl.  I decided to stop there, becuase I didn't really want to know which girl he was talking about, and knowing that it very well could be the big girl he was talking about.  Aaron decided to pipe in at that point, asking, "So have you kissed Olivia?"  Fortunately, he was in the kitchen and Aiden did not hear that question.  Sheesh.  The kid is 2 and I'm already having anxiety about kissing and girls and wedding and marriage???  O boy.  My boy!

My little drummer boy!

Happy Birthday, Babu!

Happy Easter, Happy Resurrection!

Happy Easter egg hunting!

 Although the hunt began with Aiden's blue basket (yes, this is THE basket that Aiden sat in his first year at 6 months old!) he soon discovered that the Easter Bunny had hidden a dump truck for him...and the basket was quickly forgotten!

 Wow!  Look at all these goodies!  Two spoiled kiddoes, I'd say!

Hiding out in the big blue ball for a candy break!

Dyeing eggs is so much messy fun!

This was the first time Aiden helped dye eggs.  Last year at this time, he still was phobic about getting anything on his fingers- no way!  But this year, the mess included dye, glitter, crayons and stickers- what messy fun!

Well, Hello Mr. Easter Bunny

What a difference a year makes!  Last year, we barely got one shot with Aiden and the Easter Bunny- and it was only because I sat on the bench with Aiden on my lap.  And it still wasn't a publishable shot- well, not for a pleasant memory in any case.  But this year, Aiden could hardly wait his turn.  Aaron waited in line, while Aiden stood as close as possible- dancing around and talking to the Easter Bunny.  By the time he got his turn, he was giving away high 5's and dancing with Mr. E.B.  Too much fun!

Last supper rehearsal night...

Such a funny night- Aaron and I both had to be reading our scripts, so Aiden was all set up with dinner and a movie- "Polar THE Express" as Aiden calls it- but interestingly enough- the rehearsal was more entertaining for him than the movie!

Library funnies!

Aiden loves library Wednesdays.  He goes with Mammy and Babu do storytime, but I think he probably enjoys the computer time even more.  I don't know what this funny face was for, but it sure does show what fun he's having!  I was so glad to get this pix from Mammy because this morning was a rocky one.  About 15 minutes after I left, Aaron called with Aiden on the phone.  Apperantly, Aiden had been calling for me, and when I wasn't answering and Aaron reminded him that I had gone to work, he started crying.  When he calmed down enough on the phone, he sadly begged me, "Mommy come home.  Don't go to work right now."  Oh- just breaks my heart.  I think part of this is getting back into a regular schedule now that Aaron's home.  It really is interesting though, because he was asking for Daddy when I went in this morning as he was waking up.  So, I just have to remind myself, he's a bit mixed up and seems to be asking for whoever is not there in a moment!  The other funny, and very heart warming moment this morning was when I just about to leave, Aiden started getting whiny saying, "Mommy, Mommy..." And as I asked what he needed, he said in the sweetest little voice, "I love you."  Oh- I'm so in love with this little one!

New highchair from Mr. Fogel!

Fun in the sun!

 Nickie came over to play in the water...

 Aaron and Aiden played UNDER the water...

and Punkie was even here for the weekend for fun in the sun!

Best buds!

Levi's train party quickly turned into a pool party!  Can't keep 2 boys like this away from the fun in the water!

Silly boy

Run girls run!

So we started off the day at the Phil, but not for work today!  It was the Run for Music 10K today, and we were excited!  We started strong and seemed to get slower and slower until I finally asked what was going on with Lis- she had to pee!  And of course because we were running through beautifully pristine Pelican Bay, they do not allow port-a-potties!  Anyway, we made it just around the time that we did last year for the first Run for Music- 1 hour and 8 minutes- I'd say not bad for being slow, and doing a run-walk.  Of course the best is running with Lis and just having time on the road together.  Bridget was home with Aiden and Nana, and by the time we were done, they were still cuddling and reading in bed.  Out for a good breakfast all together, some shopping and playtime, then naps, pool and family dinner.  I love days like today that really feel like a weekend day!
The one moment that stands out the clearest though, is when I came in from walking Harley, I had already set Aiden up on the computer to do Readeo with Aaron.  When he had done 2 books, Aaron offered to sing the Pony Man for Aiden.  Of course Aiden listened and rocked with me, but the sweetest moment was sometime while Aaron was singing, Aiden reached out and touched the screen where Aaron's video was showing.  As if he knew that was about as close as he was going to get to him.  So sweet, and so sad- and after I told Aaron what he was doing, we both teared up.  We are definitely over this whole trip thing, and are ready to all be together again!
All in all, a wonderful day!

Picnic, playing, and park time with Nina!

Train games

One of Aiden's favorite new "games" is to create a train.  Today it was all about his car and his red "fire truck."

Silly smiles with Audrey!

So the meatballs got burned, but who cares in the presence of friends!  We loved having playtime, dinnertime and bathtime with Audrey and hope she comes to the Thicket again sooooooon!

Playtime with Donovan and Jordan!

Aiden and I went to the Spelman house for dinner...and some crazy fun playtime too!

Thank you, Christopher Columbus!

 Aiden visited the Nina and the Pinta- the replicas of Columbus' ships he sailed in 1492!

My little swimmer!

Aiden could spend all day in the pool!  Especially now that he and his safety seal are best buds- he is totally independent and swims, swims, swims!

Love these cousins!

April fool!

 Aiden really tried to figure this all out.... An egg made of yogurt and an apricot?  Bacon made out of chocolate?  Sweet cake toast?  I don't think he really got it, but it sure was fun trying to convince him to deliver an April Fool's day breakfast to Maam and Babu...

 Here he is, carrying it over- all the while I'm talking to him about the "joke" that this breakfast is.  As soon as we walk in, after practicing saying, "Here you go- have a bite of the breakfast we made."  Instead, out of his mouth comes, "April Fool's day!!!"  Too much funny!

We also had a special meal at lunch time.  Maamy decided that since it was April, and we've been working on letters and sounds, we should visit Alexander's for April with Aiden- all A's!  This little dessert was a special surprise treat from our waiter- who said he knew Aiden would love it!  What a perfect pick-me-up in the middle of the day for me- after a loooong tough week at work- and our first full week without Aaron at home!  3 weeks of training in Tallahasee is NO joke!

How to eat a donut:

Step 1: Introduce donut!

Step 2: Take the biggest bite possible.

Step 3: Enjoy yummy messy donuty goodness!

Step 4: Repeat, repeat, repeat until...

...Almost done!

The imagination...

...on this kid...sometimes surprises me....ok- lots of times, surprises me...like when this picture came through the phone when the boys were grocery shopping.  Aiden has just grabbed the bag of broccoli Aaron put in the cart, puts it under his head, and says, "Ah- a soft pillow for me."  

Where does he get this stuff?!?  

I don't know, but thank God for it!

Pool fun with Tio and Tia!

Tio and Tia came for brunch and pooltime today after our rained out Strawberry church day.  Thankfully, the skies cleared- both for the festival, and also for our favorite after church pool time!  Today was extra special because Aiden was particularly bold and brave...or maybe he was just showing off for his Tio and Tia!  After a bit of our showing his bubbles and jumping in and kicking, Aiden decided he was going to do "swinging" at the steps.  He would hold onto the top step, push away and then kick back to it- most of the time holding on.  Well, I think the magic started happening when he pushed a bit to hard and lost grip of the step and really had to kick to get back to it- sometimes I would give him a little push, but a few times he felt himself let go and knew he had to work to get back!  Then, he didn't want my help- so he had a few big gulps of water when he pushed away too hard and went under as he lost his grip- but never was it traumatic- it was such a fun game that the coughing a sputtering was more painful for me than it was for him!  And within about 5 minutes of that "swinging" game, he turned out to the pool and realized that he could do the same thing if he swam out!  Sure enough, it was magic!  So yes, he has his safety seal on, which is keeping him afloat, but really he's gotta work to keep his face up out of the water.  Within just a few tries of doing it "by self," he was brave enough to swim from the stairs to the number 5, and then the next swim was from the stairs to the ladder.  Incredibly brave-and even as I'm writing about it- I still can hardly believe what progress he's made in the pool in just the last few weeks, and really only 1 or 2 days a week!  The greatest thing about today, was that I had to pull him out- he was kicking for "2 more jumps, 1,2,3,4,5 more jumps!"  So wonderful thinking back to the pain and agony it was just convincing him to be in the water last year at this time!  Wow!

Go blue...or baby blue...or something blue!

So Roy tried brainwashing Aiden with "Go Duke!" and of course Aaron's response was "Go heels, beat those devils!"  And the battle begins!

All-Aboard!

Fun times at the Strawberry Festival!  Aiden went round and round on the train all by himself!  

And each time he came around he'd announce, "All- Aboard!"

Why we love Florida!

It's March and we're at the beach!  Aaron has his weekends on Wednesday and Thursday so we try to take advantage of the evenings to do fun stuff together.  Today was a perfect evening for a trip to the beach, as the blessing of it all is that it's warm enough to splash in the water and chase the seagulls on the sand.  And of course the best part is to say goodbye to the sun and thank God for another beautiful day!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

What a fun morning!  All the stops were out this time, since Aiden has really started enjoying (and getting!) some of the humor of these books.  Aiden's got his One Fish, Two Fish shirt on, and of course he had to eat breakfast on his Cat in the Hat plate!  Green eggs and ham was read while we enjoyed the real thing- Spinach Egg Casserole and Bacon was our "ham!"  Thank you, Theodor, for all the wonderful rhymes and times of fun reading and laughing and along with your books- 

and Happy Birthday, our well-loved Dr. Seuss!