The Harbor Fall Festival

Sunday night we attended our new church's Fall Festival. One of the members owns a chicken farm so he hosts it. It was the perfect weather, in the mid 50's, clear blue skies, and a slight breeze (which you need when you are next to chicken coops!). There was a chili cook-off (yum!), hayrides, a HUGE bonfire, singing, roasting of marshmallows, and a costume contest. There were about 12 other kids in the contest, and we swept 1st and 3rd! Alden got 1st as The Little Cowboy while Addie got 3rd as A Korean Princess. Here are a few pics of the evening- it was a blast!


The Korean Princess preparing to leave.


The Little Cowboy- the hat is just as big as he is!

His trophy is as big has he is! His favorite thing to do with it- knock it over!


Addie and her trophy. She was more excited about the bag of candy then winning 3rd place!


The Bon Fire!


Addie preparing to roast the marshmallows. Once Daddy roasted them, neither she nor Alden would eat one! This is a 1st for them both- turning down something sweet!


Hayride! Both kids LOVED this!

Fun Around the House

My kids have fun with the strangest things....

Alden finds the dishwasher fun! I have to keep it locked at all times now!

Who needs sand? Just the plain-old turtle is fun enough for them!

Addie's Goose Egg

Last night, what was supposed to be a special treat, turned tragic. Addie was getting to watch a special before-bed video of Dora, while snuggling with Mommy. She handed me the remote, climbed onto the bed, and then walked across the bed to sit by the pillows. It was as innocent as that. As I'm turning on the video, I hear a loud "CRACK" followed by a high-pitched scream. I turn around and see Addie sitting next to the pillow, holding her head, screaming- not breathing- just screaming. I look at her head and this is what I see:

This is less then 3 min after her hitting it. If my camera hadn't been within reach, there never would have been pictures! Thankfully we have 2 friends who are nurses- and after a frantic call to them, they both assured us that she would be okay. This morning, it's just a slightly purple circle on her forehead. What an ordeal- all brought on by a "special" treat of watching a video on Mommy and Daddy's bed!

Richmond Weekend Fun

I know this is out of sequence, but better late then never.

We had fun visiting with Mike, Karen and Baby Hannah. The actual purpose of the visit was for the men to tan a rental property roof. They ended up taking a much needed mini-vacation to West Virginia to ride an ATV and dirtbike. While they were doing such things, all us women and Alden had fun together! Here are a few pictures that show what we did!

Playing at Mike's Grandma's house- the big picture window was a favorite!

Playing with our dear friends, and old neighbors, Scott and Kelleigh. The kids LOVED the cat and the special cat door (it's in the back of the picture).

Addie "riding" the horses at the mall. She has yet to realize that they MOVE if you put money in! I'm happy she's happy just sitting on them!!

Trying to climb up the blocks. She's sure limber!

Alden in his I-Can-Fix-It-Because-I'm-A-Man pose!

All having fun on the Wasch porch

Happy to be in Richmond- I LOVE this picture!

Alden feeling a little "locked in" being the only guy around for most of the time!

Addie showing off the acorn she just found. She left with a rather extensive collection of them...

The Weekend Gang. Not bad considering we're using the timer....

Addie Funnies

Addie has said some funny things lately- I love a 2 year old's perspective!

Walking in Blockbuster with Al, she sees a poster for The Incredible Hulk.
Her response: Daddy, that man DIRTY! He needs be keened (cleaned) in baf (bath)!
She's not disturbed by his size or that he's green, just the fact that he's dirty.

It's finally been cold here in the morning!
Addie: Mommy! It's coooooold! Did Vinnie leave 'fridge open? (Vinnie is her little friend who lives across the common area from us)

When we were in Richmond, she was loving on Hannah, and to her, this was the best compliment:
Oh, Baby Hannah Rose Peter Paweckah! You so cute Hannah Rose Peter Paweckah!
She didn't get it that not everyone has a middle name of Rose or Peter. The fact that Hannah's last name was not Perreca also boggled her mind. I would love for Hannah's last name to be Perreca some day, maybe Addie knows something that I'm just hoping for?!?

We have been working on Addie learning important information- her full name, her birthday, where she lives, her phone number, etc. Here is the progress we've made....

Me: What's your name?
A: Addie Rose Paweckah!
Me: What's your Mom's name?
A: Mommy Paweckah
Me: What's your Daddy's name?
A: Daddy Paweckah
Me: When's your birthday?
A: Commin' up!
Me: When exactly is that?
A: Decemer Fourth!
Me: How old will you be?
A: TWO!!!
Me: That's how old you are now. How old will you be next?
A: Oh. Three (sounding dejected).
Me: Where do you live?
A: Delllllllllllla ware!
Me: Where in DE?
A: Whitstone Wane (Lane)
We haven't made any progress with her phone number or house address, but she's not even 3 yet!!

We have been working on numbers and she can count well up to 12. After that, it becomes "mumble TEEN", "mumble TEEN"- and it goes on like this for quiet some time!

Alden has totally taken off with walking, and Addie deserves much of the credit. She's been his biggest cheerleader!
A: Way to go Algen! I so proud of you! You such a big boy! Someday you walk jus like me!!
When he falls,
A: Oh, Algen Peter! It's okay. You tough cookie. Jus brush it off (showing him how to brush his hands).

Some mornings, Al is gone when she wakes up, and we have to go through this same dialogue every time!
A: Where's Daddy?
Me: He's gone to work.
A: Oh. I miss Daddy!
Me: Daddy misses you, too. Why does Daddy go to work?
A: 'Cause he wuvs us. (This is said with a huge smile, her little head tilted to 1 side)
That's always the end of all the "where is daddy" questions! I love that she loves her Daddy and is comforted knowing he loves her!

There are many more funny things she says, but that's enough for now! Every day I amazed at what she learns, says, does. Children are amazing gifts from God!

Breaking News!

Addie and Alden now have new teeth (the "breaking" part of the new)!! Alden is cutting his top 4 teeth- 1 is through while the other 3 should pop through any day. And his other 2 bottom are starting to push through as well. This isn't really all that new- these teeth have been about to pop through for the last month.... I've come to terms that my kids take forever to cut teeth and that it's a painful process for all parties involved. We give Motrin plenty of business!

This weekend Addie was chewing on her fingers non-stop. I couldn't get her to take them out! Since she wasn't grouchy, running a fever, or refusing to eat, I wasn't really clear what was going on. I knew she was due for her 3 year-old molars, but I figured that they would show-up sometime around 3 1/2 years- like all her other teeth. As I was showing a friend Alden's new teeth, Addie wanted me to see her new teeth. What?!? Sure enough, laying on the couch, mouth angled towards the light, I could see new molars on the top with the ones on the bottom about to break through!

I was SO excited!! I am STILL excited!! I just hope this is a new trend!! I would love to not support Motrin as much!!

Fun with Keili

For the next few weeks, our friend, Keili will be coming over on Tue and Wed after kindergarten- it's only a 1/2 day around here so we pick her up at her bus stop at 10:45am! Addie ADORES Keili and Keili is such a good sport with both Addie and Alden! It's worked out so well- I actually can get more done since the kids happily play with Keili!! Here are a few pictures of our picnic lunch and playtime at the local park.

Lunch buddies!

Feeding the ducks- she wasn't afraid at all!

The new favorite swing-pusher!

I love all the silly faces as they all came down the slide together!

A house behind the park was being demolished- Alden was fascinated!

Alden's Italian Roots

Alden is apparently a true Italian. He's become obbessessed with wearing Addie's necklaces. He will only wear them 1 at a time- and you can tell he's very proud of himself as he wears them pushing his trucks around the floor, playing and throwing balls around, so he's still very much a boy. How funny!

PICTURES!!!

At long last, here are some pictures of what we have been up to!! There are so many, I've created a slideshow instead of going back and inserting them in the posts where they belong.... I wish there was more time in the day, but alas, there isn't. Enjoy!!

Local Culture

This weekend, we experienced some of the local culture- we attended the Apple Scrapple Festival. The name says it all! The highlight of it for Addie was the fact that the shuttle from the parking lot to the festival was a school bus! She about exploded when we actually got on the school bus, she was SO happy! Alden, on the other hand, was a huge fan of all the garbage that was on the ground. I couldn't let him down at all or else he would revert to crawling and attempt to pick-up all the cigarette butts, smashed board-walk fries, and who knows what else, all over the ground. We did enjoy all the various booths and listing to the local country music station's singing contest (the girl who runs the children's ministry at our church was a contestant). **Pictures to come soon!!

Little Cowboys

I guess my Texan roots are showing.... I have been trying to decide what I want the kids to be for Halloween, and this is 1 option. Alden was happy as could be right up until the girl put the camera to her face. Strange! Oh well! At least this picture was free!

Alden's Dirty Little Obesessions

Yes, at the ripe ol' age of 13 months, Alden has developed several dirty obsessions.

1. He loves playing in the toilet water. He has a special gift (and I shudder to call it that) for knowing the 1 time I don't put the lid down, or when I leave the bathroom door open. He is always highly offended when I sternly snatch him out of the water and tell him "No! No! We do NOT play in the potty!"

2. He has also developed a passion for the kitchen garbage. He crawls right up to, pushes the button to open the lid, and then his eyes just light-up as if he's looking at a golden treasure instead of the banana peel from breakfast! I have to check the garbage multiple times each day- only to find some toy he's someone sneaked into the garbage without me seeing. If it's quiet and the bathroom door is closed, I can almost guarantee you that he's standing, staring into the garbage can. Thankfully he isn't into pulling much out- he just loves to put things in.

3. His 3rd and final dirty obsession has to do with the dogs water bowl. The fact that my 2 dogs drink from it, and it's covered with dog slober makes it one of the grossest places in our house. When Alden was just learning to crawl, he pulled the bowl over onto himself, drenching him, the floor, and the poor dog who was trying to keep watch. He hadn't come near it until last week. Now he loves to throw any ball he can get his hands onto, into that bowl. The laugh that comes out of him as the ball splashes, is adorable. As much as I want him to be happy, I am not into cleaning the floor all day long!

I have always heard that boys and girls were different- and BOY! They ARE! I love Alden and the new things he teaches me everyday! I am certainly in for an adventurous ride being the mother of both a boy and a girl!!

Cold Feet

Addie got cold feet during her nap today. When I went into her room to get her, she had 5 pairs of socks on. They were all different colors and styles. What makes this so funny is that she was so hot, she couldn't wear pants- and was napping in her shirt and panties. I guess this comes with the territory of being a big-girl-bed!