Alden's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Alden's 3rd Birthday a few day early- so Al could actually be home for an actual birthday party! It was a great day filled with friends and fun. Since food is something special to Alden, we decided to fix his favorite foods- appetizers of chips, salsa and cheese dip; dinner of hot dogs, pasta salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob; cake and ice cream. Yummy!

Thankfully the weather wasn't too hot, so the kiddos played on the swingset and we were even able to eat outside, too! Inside we colored pictures of trains, and then wooden trains with magnets on the back. Back outside, we played Toss the Package in the Train- each person at the party had a personalized bean bag- and they tossed them from various distances- into a train car. The kids loved it- throwing things! And once home, they will double as coasters. And what Train Conductor is complete without a tattoo? We added those as well!

The cake- it was amazing! A friend at church makes these amazing cakes as a hobby, and she was willing to make one for Alden- how awesome is that? He was thrilled when she delivered it- and even more thrilled when he found out it was 1)Blue (his favorite color), 2)Edible, and 3)Chocolate! Thanks, Sarah!!

It was a great day- and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful son (Addie is awesome, too!) and wonderful friends to raise him with. There were too many picture to do without a slide show- enjoy! (More pics to come on Tuesday, his actual birthday)

Sneak Peek

Weekend Fun

We had a blast this weekend doing a LARGE variety of activities. Since it was gorgeous, we made it a point to be outside as much as possible!!

Saturday we headed to Rocketts' Landing to watch Dagon Boat Racing. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was really neat! There were well over 30 teams (each team 22-25 members), several booths set-up with freebies, and a live band. The kids loved it!

Here is a winning team!

Watching a race from their own "Chariot"

We indulged in some face painting- Alden wanted Blue's Clues pawprint- in his favorite color- blue!

Addie has a pink and yellow butterfly- so cute, just like her!

This picture just melts my heart- they loved having their Daddy around!!

Addie decided Daddy needed his back rubbed- she is so thoughtful!!

The Boat Racing wore them out!

He is into being "cool" right now- even in his sleep!

Sunday after church and naps, we headed to a local park to unload the ton of bread heals that I had in the 'fridge. The kids loved it until a Canadian Goose waddled up to Alden (at the same eye level), gave him a "look" and then promptly snatched the entire piece of bread out of Alden's hand- freaking him out! Al went to shoo the bird away, but the bird wasn't scared, so Al actually pushed it off the dock and into the water! I'm not sure who was more shocked- Al or the bird!

Once the bread was gone, we played on the playground. It's kinda scary how even weight-wise, the kids are now! They just love this version of the see-saw!

Swinging with Daddy- he pushes much higher than I do! I actually don't push much anymore since they can both pump...

A tradition in our house is Sunday night dinner is something "fun"- this week, it was banana splits! They were allowed to eat in the playroom (on a beach towel) and watch Dora- what a treat!!

Alden is really into puzzles lately. He did all of these with a little help from me, and was so proud of himself!!

Gramma Jenny and Mr. Jim Visit

Recently, my Mom (aka Gramma Jenny) and her fiance, Mr. Jim, stopped by for a little visit! The kids were happy to see Gramma Jenny and to meet Mr. Jim- whom they loved! We had lots of fun- Al gave them a tour of Richmond, we played at our pool, we swam in their hotel pool, we ate yummy meals home-made and out, toured Carytown, colored, read books, and had lots of fun! Sadly, my camera didn't make any of the outings....

Here the kids are watching Gramma Jenny swim laps during an Adult Swim. They would cheer every time she swam by

Once Adult Swim was over, they had her playing games with them! Their recent favorite is being thrown... Gramma Jenny got a good arm work-out!

This was after our yummy dinner and tour of Carytown!

Gramma Jenny loves to read- and they loved having her read to them. She brought them several books- their favorite was Dr. Seuss ABC's.

Our Swimmer in Action

Addie was back in action today at the pool!

Alden keeping an eye on Addie- so sweet!

Jumping!!

More action! She LOVES it!

There is a great video, but for some reason, I cannot get it to load....

Little Mermaid

Today, the one day that I DON'T take my camera to the pool, Addie officially turned into Ariel!

A little background.... Ever since our first day at the pool, she's had her eye on the slide, allllll the way in the deep end (10ft deep). In order to go off the slide, you have to pass the swim test- swimming from one side of the pool, all the way to the other side (25meters), without stopping. Since she is my daughter, she's been totally focused on her swimming and making it to The Deep End.

Today, when we arrived at the pool, it was pretty empty- it had just POURED beforehand. She was swimming around, and without much trouble swam across the pool the short way- at least 20meters. Once done with that, she asked to go to the lap lane to see how far she could swim. She made it 3/4 of the way!! The lifeguard on duty told her to go rest in the shallow end for a few min, and then he was sure she could pass the swim test. She rested for about 2min and then was gung-ho to try again.

She jumped in and started stroking.

She kept stroking, coming up for a breath, and then back to stroking.

At this point, the entire pool (3 life guards, 1 Mom and her 3 sons) are all cheering for her!

She made it- and everyone clapped, cheered, and someone was jumping up and down they were SO excited!! (What's a Mom to do when she's so proud she could just explode!?!)

Her smile could have split her face in 1/2!! She promptly asked to go off the slide- which she did 5 times without a break. Then she spied the diving board. Without hesitation, she marched over to it, walked to the end, looked over, and jumped. The lifeguards were speechless. They had never seen someone so little be so fearless!!

She went off the diving board at least 5 more times!! After that, she asked me to teach her to dive- which she learned in about 5 min!!

I am SO proud of my little girl! At the beginning of the summer she would paddle around in the shallow-end with her water wings on- and only a short 6 weeks later, here she is swimming 25meters without stopping, jumping off diving boards, sliding down slides, and even learning to dive! Way to go, Addie!!

I WILL remember my camera when we go to the pool tomorrow- so be prepared for pics of her in action!!

Now to build-up Alden's endurance- he can swim, get a breath and keep going, and he's VERY determined now! I'm just not sure I'M ready for my almost 3yr old to be going off the diving board quite yet.... But I can't keep 'em small- I'm glad I'm getting to do my "job" by helping them learn to be grown-ups!!

Happy Birthday To Me!

We celebrated my birthday a day early since Al was off on Saturday and has to work all day 9am-10pm on Sunday, the actual day of my birthday.

It was fantastic! I got to go shopping- twice- by myself!! The end result- a great new shirt from Target, lots of school supplies purchased at amazing deals, 2 new dresses for the new job, and groceries. It was fantastic! I know I've said it already, but repeating something adds emphasis!

Here the kiddos are helping me open my present from my Dad and Young before heading out for the traditional breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. I got special, spiffy extending mascara- yay!

We then descended upon Dunkin Donuts which is gloriously close (1.5 miles) from our home!! And thanks to Dunkin Perks, a free sign-up on line, most of breakfast was free! Even better!

We enjoyed our afternoon- the kids helped decorate my birthday cake.

Here I am with the best 2 gifts I have ever received on this planet!! I didn't go out and buy the numbered candles for me, it just happens to come in handy that I have a child who is 1 ahead of me in years (only in the ones column, not in the tens column...).

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting served with low-fat vanilla ice cream- perfection!!

He loved it! Granted, he hasn't ever had a cake he hasn't liked....

And my cutie-pie liked it too- notice the empty bowl!

I am a blessed woman- not just today, but every day.