A lot to digest

I had to take Kaylen to express care today because she has pink eye. Very minor and nothing much to worry about, but while we were there she was examining all the "pictures" on the wall (i.e. medical posters). One was a poster of the digestive tract. I showed her the mouth, where our food goes in, and then how it goes to the stomach and then loops all the way through the intestines. I had intended to stop there, but Kaylen doesn't miss a thing and asked what the thing was down at the bottom. I told her that was where her poop came out. Talking to a three year old, that was the best I could come up with. She giggled a little and continued looking at everything else in the room, never mentioning the poster again. This afternoon, while she was eating her afternoon snack, I told her to eat some of her fruit and not just the other stuff. She says "I did mom! It went in my mouth and is all the way down to my butt. I promise!"
Oh heavens, this girl doesn't miss (or forget) a thing!

Learning Letters

The other day we were at Taekwondo watching Aiden. As Kaylen usually gets bored with this pretty quickly, she usually resorts to doodling and drawing on whatever piece of paper she can find - her most favorite pasttime. Also, she has been learning to write some of her letters. We have seen mostly O, Q, K and lately H. So on her drawing at Taekwondo, she had drawn the letter H and took it over to Trent. Holding it up for him to see, she says "what letter is this Daddy?" He responds, telling her it is the letter H. She says, "good job Daddy, you're learning!" Love that girl~

I'm blessed to have an amazing friend (Tina) who can do amazing things with a camera! Not only that, but she has the patience of a saint when it comes to portrait sessions and all the chaos that can go with them!

As you can see, we had some pictures taken of the kids. Well...it was suppose to be of the kids with a few cameos of mom thrown in for fun. The session started off on the wrong foot when we were running late due to construction, not to mention I was not thinking clearly and made our appointment for 9:00am - in Billings - and hour and a half away. So the kids were tired, I was flustered because we were running late, and Kaylen decided this WAS NOT the day to have pictures taken. Long story short, Aiden was an angel and did whatever Tina asked of him, Kaylen was a stinker and did nothing Tina asked of her, and mom ended up in almost every shot.

While this wasn't what I had intended, I know that I will be able to look back on these pictures for many years to come and ☺smile☺. There can never be enough pictures of our little ones, and of those pictures, few capture the sweet lovies between a momma and her baby ducks. I ♥ you guys!

Fortune Cookies...

We went out to eat at Chinese a while back - one of the kids favorite places to eat. We had a super delicious dinner and were getting ready to go. The server brought out the bill and fortune cookies. Now, a little background, a child believes everything they are told - including what is written in a fortune cookies. Aiden especially looks forward to reading his fortune at the end of every meal. So, upon the arrival of the beloved cookies, he snatched one up, rips open the plastic wrapper and is just about ready to crack it open. Suddenly he stops, holds his cookie close to his heart, closes his eyes and says "I hope it says I'll get another girlfriend." Oh my, we are going to be in serious trouble with this one!

The F word!

Every mother has been there. The day your child will completely and utterly embarrass you in public. Well, today was one of those days...almost!
We were in the grocery store, by the fruits and veggies (almost the exact same spot as the "kids in public post" way back when) Kaylen was sitting in the front of the cart, Aiden in the back. They had been quite well behaved through the entire store, being very patient as we gathered our groceries. They were talking amongst themselves and even singing a few Christmas carols along the way. So we were almost done with our shopping excursion when Aiden pipes up and says "Mom, guess what? I know an F word!"
The sheer look of horror that must have been on my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I see another shopper whip her head around and stare in awe. What was I to do; divert the situation, tell him to be quite, scold him and say we don't say the F word, run out of the store like my life depended on it...all suitable options. Instead I'm completely shell shocked and speechless. Before I could gather my thoughts, he says "I learned it at school!"
Seriously, one of his little buddies is teaching him cuss words at school? He's only 5; have I not protected his innocence better then this? Oh no, here it comes. (sounding it out) "Fuu, Fuu, Fuu...Fine! Fine starts with F."
My heart is pounding out of my chest, relief fills the air. Bless his little heart, I'm so proud that he is learning to read, even the F words. I'm sure it won't be too long before he does learn the real F word, but for now I can have a good laugh about it. We love our little Aiden so much, he makes our lives so much more interesting and entertaining. ♥

All I want for Christmas (part II)

Kaylen is reaching one of my favorite stages; the stage where they are talking pretty well, you can understand what they are saying, but they just don't really get it! It seems that everything that comes out of their little mouths is so hilarious.
As I mentioned in a previous post we have been talking to Kaylen alot about Christmas and Santa. Of course I don't want her to be freaked out by Santa, so I figured the more I talk about it the more comfortable she will be with the whole situation. Also, so I know what my kids will be asking for (also to sway their decision to the gifts I alread bought) I also ask them what they will be asking Santa for. When we asked Kaylen what she wanted for Christmas, her immediate response was "kleenex". Of course, finding that an odd response, we quizzed her a few more times, with every answer being the same. So funny!
Well last week, the kids had their Christmas program and Santa made a suprise visit. It was the time! Would she really ask Santa for kleenex for Christmas? Well, long story short, she never did tell Santa what she wanted, but rather just smiled and cuddled with him and agreed that she had been a good girl this year. However, after she got off Santa's lap, I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring her. And her response...."an apple"
Well at least she is an easy shopper. ♥

Our little angel...

Ok, he is not really such an angel at times, but Aiden played an angel in the Christmas play at church this weekend. As evidence by the second picture, he might have also been casted well as a little devil...stinker! He was so excited to be "on stage", sing his lines, and be the center of attention ☺

We have always said he would make a good actor (or comedian), so perhaps this is his start.

Another daycare story...

This is another email sent out by the college daycare director. I'd like to say that Aiden has them all fooled, but he really is very protective and caring towards his little sister. I can only imagine when they are both in High School. I have a feeling that Aiden will be very protective when his little sister starts dating! Pity the fool who hurts HIS baby sister!

Copy of email:
"One of our four year-old's little sister, who is two, started today. She was just not too sure about us at first so she cried for about 1 minute ☺ He hugged her and said "I am going to be here with you all day." She stopped crying. He has been doting over her all day and calling her "honey" as he leads her around the Center. Such strong social skills at such a young age.
She is having a great first day thanks to her BIG BROTHER" ♥

Such a helper!

This is a copy of another email sent out to the college by the daycare director at Aiden's preschool. He is developing quite the reputation!

"We have a little one that is struggling with social skills…so this morning she was complaining about not having enough milk and was pouting (though there was enough in the pitcher and we always have more if needed) so a little guy sitting across from her, ever so kindly tried his best to help her…."do want me to help you…do you want me to get you some water…I can share my cup with you.”

What a little gentleman"

Aiden loves to be the "helper" and especially help those in need. I have no doubt that whatever he chooses to do with his life will involve helping others. He makes me so proud ♥

Liar Liar

A few weeks ago we went camping with some friends. Their daughter, Aubree, has been Aiden's "girlfriend" since before they could talk. He wants to do whatever she does, he talks about when she's not there, she says jump and he says how high...you get the picture. Most notably, he believes everything Miss Aubree tells him. While we were camping, Aubree told Aiden that if you lie, you will get a red dot on your forehead. This stuck with him and he has brought up the "red dot" story on a few occasions.
Now we'll jump to present day. Recently we changed daycare and Aiden has been going to the college daycare/preschool. He loves the center and all the activities they offer. As Grandma Jeanne works at the college, she received this email the other day from the daycare director (note this email was sent out college wide)

"I was visiting with a couple of our little boys. One was telling me a story. It was a bit far fetched so I asked him if the story was true. The other little guy kept trying to see the storyteller’s forehead and when he did get a look, he turned around to me and said “It is true…he is not lying because there is no red dot on his forehead. When you lie there is a red dot on your forehead….Aubree told me.”

So if you don’t want a red dot on your forehead, don’t lie"

Pretty funny. Aiden always keeps us on our toes and very entertained!

Playing catch up...

A few recent pictures of the kiddos...

All I want for Christmas...

I was chatting with Kaylen tonight and asked her if she had been a good girl this year and if she thought Santa would bring her any presents. "Yes" was of course her answer. So, try to figure out what "Santa" would be shopping for this year, I asked her what she would ask Santa to bring her. Without even hesitating she says "Kleenex!"
Well, I have no idea where that one came from, but I guess shopping should be pretty easy this year.

Woah Baby!

Kaylen was walking around the living room this morning when she tripped on her shoe lying on the floor. She totally biffs it on the floor, pops her head up and says "Whoa baby". Guess that is her new word of the day. Here are few more that popped up in the last few days:

Baseball "bayball"
Baseball Bat "bayball bat"
Oh man (thanks Dora the explorer and swiper cartoon!)
Shut up (I know, I know. I attribute this to Trent yelling at the dogs to quit barking)
Kleenex "keenet"

Aiden's first trip away from home

We went to Casper for the weekend to celebrate Sheridan's birthday. I love spending time with my family and letting all the cousins get together to have some fun! We had planned on coming home Sunday, but with a last minute change of plans, Aiden was invited to stay a few extra days for some quality cousin time! Of course I was hesitant to leave him, as he has never been that far away from home for that length of time without Trent or I with him. I thought surely he would be home sick just thinking of it and wouldn't want to stay, but I was wrong. I thought "As soon as we start packing up our stuff to go, he will change his mind". Wrong again! As we were driving home, I kept expecting a call saying he was upset and wanted us to turn around and go get him. WRONG!
We talked with him on the phone last night, and still no feelings of missing home. Trent, who didn't go to Casper with us, said "I thought you were going to come home and see me. I'm missing you". To which Aiden replied "Daaaddd, it's only a few days. You'll be fine". We couldn't help but laugh.
So, I'm a little sad that my boy is gone, but more sad that he doesn't miss me or want to come home! I guess that is life and one of the many blows to my ego that I will endure as my little boy continue to grow up. ♥ u little man!

Words of the Weekend!

We went to Casper for the weekend, which brought new places, familiar faces and new words for Kaylen to learn! Here is the additions to her vocabulary:

Pink: (every color is pink - apparently it is her favorite color)
Orange: "Oungh"
Blue: "Bluoooo"
Ethan: "E-an"
Avery: "Aay-wree"
Z-Man: "E-man"
Cartoon
Swimming: "Weeming"
Pool: "Pooh"
Swim suit: "Weem suit"
Motorcyle: "Mimo" (I know...this one is a stretch, but she say's it everytime she sees a motorcycle)

Silly girl!

I just had to post these pictures because they make me laugh every time I look at them! The first is Kaylen wearing the camera case on her head like a hat. She did this as we took a drive through Yellowstone a few weeks ago. Amazingly this kept her occupied for a good hour of the trip; put it on, take it off, repeat process! Then she would laugh at herself, or better yet, get us to laugh at her! As I have said before, she is all about the accessories. Let's just hope she finds some better accessories!

The second is Kaylen on the swings at the park. What is it about swings and kids? It gets a giggle out of them every time! She just loves the wind blowing through her hair and that flying sensation. Whatever it is, it makes for a darn cute picture ♥

More new words!

So many new words from Kaylen, they are hard to keep up with. Here are a few from the last week:

Pretty: "Peddy"
Kaylen: "Kay-en"
Come on
Truck: "Tuck"
Outside: "Oh-Side"
Slide: "Side"
See you
Drink: "Dink"

☼Fireworks☼

Happy Fourth of July! As you can tell by the pictures, Aiden was way more excited about fireworks then Kaylen - she feel asleep about half way through the show. Aiden was so excited about his "rocket" firework, but was so sad after we set it off! I guess all things must come to an end, including rocket fireworks.

The learning curve!

I keep saying that Kaylen is literally learning at least one new word a day. Sometimes I find it hard to remember all the things she can say, and I don't think others really believe me just how fast she is really picking up on it. So, I've decided to start blogging them! I love this stage; their little minds are like a sponge and pick up on everything that goes on around them. Really I think Kaylen is learning to talk so rapidly because Aiden quizzes her ALL THE TIME. Most every day, when we are driving to daycare, Aiden is in the back seat saying "Kaylen can you say....". Amazingly, she like this and she will at least try to say everything he asks her to say. So here are a few of her most recent words:

Shoes: "sues"
Juice: "sues" (sounds exactly like shoes - this gets very confusing)
Snack: "Sack"
Aiden: "A-e"
Peek-a-Boo: "Pee-Boo"
Elmo (she loves Elmo)
Elmo movie: "Elmo mooee" (also loves the elmo move - we watch ALOT)
Come on: "Cuh on"
Bike
Hat

These of course are in addition to the many words she has said for a while; Mama, Dada, Poppy, Papa, Nany, Nana, ball, dog, cat, cow, eyes, nose, mouth, book, Love You, night-night, hot (learned that one the hard way), no-no and many more. It is so fun to see her grow up!

What a goof!

This is Aiden as he was getting ready to go play on the slip-n-slip in the backyard. No, I didn't make him hike up those swim trunks to his armpits; that was all him! He saw no problem with it, but did agree to lowing the waist line to a bit more "normal" level. Then, of course, he had to show off his muscles and act silly for some pictures!