Random Moments From This Week

We've been busy playing this week since it's been so ridiculously cold. They say a picture is worth a thousand words- so here goes!!


Alden pointing to himself- he was just asked whos snack he was eating! What a smart little man!


Alden and Addie enjoying the bounty from their Valentines Party- 3 days later....


Addie showing me her favorite Valentine- from Grayson!

A true Diva- heels, tiara, necklace, hand on hip

Who needs building block when you can "Building" with Daddy's books?

Modeling a special scarf!

Alden's First "Real" Haircut

Alden was born with a full head of hair. His first "trim" was at 12 weeks- I hated how it stuck out around his ears.... Since then, he's been subjected to "Mom Cuts" since I just can't bring myself to spend $13-15 for a hair cut. During his last hair cut, I started rethinking that- he moved TOO much. I was confident that I was going to lop-off an ear.... Thankfully last week, we got a coupon in the mail for a local Beauty School- $5 boy hair cuts!! Perfect!! Al took Alden- a male-bonding time- and as you can tell, Alden wasn't a fan of getting his hair cut, but he's going to have to get used to it! For $5, he will no longer have to sport a dorky "Mom Do."

Starting the torture.

Not very sure about this...

"I thought you loved me, Dad!"- I love how the man is looking and laughing at Alden!!

MOPS Valentines Party

The MOPS group we are involved in, had a Valentines Party on Feb 4th. The kids had fun decorating bags and then "delivering" Valentines to each one. Then they played, ate food, and played some more. It was low-key and lots of fun!

Alden doing his best to look cool while having a VERY full mouth!

Addie and Grayson playing together so nicely.

All the "mailboxes" waiting to be stuffed!

Avery being adorable while crawling underneath Alden's chair- I think he may have been dropping her special cookie crumbs....

Addie's First Day of Preschool

Today was a big day in our house. Addie went to preschool for the first time!! I never imagined her starting "school" so young- but when I started calling places for NEXT year, I found out that The Little Red School House had an unprecedented opening starting the beginning of February. Thanks to Grandparent's generosity, Addie got to take the opening in the Tue-Thur 12:30-3pm class.

This morning, it was snowing, and I wondered if today would infact be her first day.... Thankfully the 60 degree temps helped all the snow to melt on the streets and school was on!! When it was time to get ready to go, she started to say she didn't want to go- the fact that 2 of her friends were at out house was the reason! When she realized that her friends would be napping, and she would NOT have to, she became very excited!

We arrived a little early, met the director and got a tour of the facility. I liked this preschool because it is not a daycare center. It only offers academics- parents must pick-up and drop-off. Addie wasn't really intimidated- she did hold my hand as we walked around, but once she saw all the baby dolls and the Cinderella table, I might as well have not existed!! I was able to leave and she didn't even notice!!

When I picked her up- she had LOTS to say! I will try to summarize what she shared.
-She made a friend named Allie- they played Baby Dolls together
-She had fun sitting at a tea party at the Cinderella table
-She did a good job tracing the circles and her hands. She got a sticker for it.
-She loved singing the songs- Wheels on the Bus, Little Tea Pot, ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle
-The snack was crackers and juice- she LOVED it
-She didn't go potty

Not a bad summary of her day!! I look forward to what she learns these 4 months at The Little Red School House!!

All ready to go!

Proud Mommy and Addie- thanks Allison for taking the pic!!

Addie on the stairs of The Little Red School House

Hanging up her coat and backpack like a big girl

Talking with the director, Miss Debbie with her teacher Miss Pam, looking on

Super Bowl Fun

For the Super Bowl, we went to our good friend, April and James' house. Our kids are similar in age and they love each other!! As an added bonus, all of the spouses are friends, too!! Yay!

While the men watched the game, the kids played in the basement with the Mom's watching and chatting. Once it was time to eat, we headed upstairs and made pizzas. I had bought the personal sized Bobli pizza crusts- Addie and Grayson had a blast "making" their own pizzas.

While waiting for the pizzas to cook, Addie finally noticed the game on the big tv.
Addie: "Oh Mommy! Them men is falling down!! Oh No! They not sharing the ball! Tell dem to share, Mommy. Desus (Jesus) wants us to share. Oh No! They falling down again!!"
Pretty funny observation on football!!

Once dinner was over, the kids all changed into their PJ's and had fun playing together. Time for bed, we headed home.

Grayson showing off his pizza.

The men watching the game.

The PJ Brigade

Addie LOVES Grayson- and he loves her, too!

Playing with "Miss" April

Big Girl Bed

A few weeks ago, when Addie was sick with the high fevers, Al pulled out the futon that's in her room, to sleep on with her. She LOVED the futon and asked to sleep on it whenever sleep was required of her. We thought it was a pretty good transition bed- low to the ground, the arms act as guardrails, and she already loves it.

I took away her converted crib- unconverted it and gave it to Alden, and promptly sold his crib.

We practiced with the futon for a few weeks, to make sure she wouldn't change her mind or fall out of it all the time. She has done marvelously!! She loves the futon and she even tells random strangers, "I'm a big girl. I sleep on a FUTON!"

Today, the bedding I ordered for her arrived. I was able to put it all together while she played downstairs before church. When we came home, I surprised her with it. She LOVED it- as I think you can see in the pictures. I still need to take down the quilt off the wall from her crib bedding. Then I need to find some sort of art to go on the wall to fill that big void....

I can't believe my little girl's a Big Girl!! Next thing you know she'll be going off to school! Oh wait! That's happening on Tuesday!!

Anyone know someone who wants Glenna Jean's Maggie's Garden nursery bedding?

Hugging her new bedding.

She is SO excited to have such fun bedding!!

She looks SO tiny here!!

Addie and all her "friends" necessary to nap

The finishing touch- a hot pink Princess nigh light- she picked it out herself!

The Business Brigade

Recently a friend told me that it was recommended to potty train boys at 18 months. At this age they are still Mommy-Pleasers. I thought I would give it a try....

Day 1

After breakfast, put Alden on The Big Potty Chair when I hear him grunting.... He does #1 and #2!! We were both shocked and thrilled!! He kept looking into the PC saying "Yuck! Yuck!"

He LOVED the DumDum he got as a reward. He even shared it with me- smearing it on my jeans....

We try a few more times that day, but he did nothing- oh well. He does enjoy sitting on the PC!

Day 2

After breakfast, attempted to put Alden on Addie's little potty. No dice. I left him naked upstairs (I thought watching a Veggie Tale video would help him be happy sitting still). I brought upstairs the PC only to discover that Addie had peed in it already. In the 5 seconds it took to empty the bowl of Potty Chair, Alden peed ALL over the Potty Chair- looking VERY proud of himself. I cleaned it up, while trying to be encouraging about peeing near the potty- but also pointing out that he needs to pee IN the potty.... He sat for 30 min on the Potty Chair- nothing.

I took him off the PC and within 5 min, he filled his diaper with #2. He smiled really big and told me "Yuck! Yuck!" pointing to his diaper.

Sigh..... We will revist this when it's warmer and he can walk around naked. Hopefully he'll also learn a few more words- communication with a word other then "yuck" would be helpful!!

Happy Boy- DumDum in mouth and down arm. He was thrilled to actually be allowed to touch the TP!!

Here is my Business Brigade.... Addie was trying to be a good leader and show Alden how it's done.... So cute!!