Snow....So Far

It is still coming down outside but here were shots from our first trip outside today. Everytime we come back in for an hour we have ot head out to shovel again becuase it is coming down 2" an hour easy. I'm curious to hear what the final snowfall total is. After a while even AJ was sick of it saying "Mommy, I want to go inside. This isn't fun" I'm sure that will last maybe a day before we are back out playing in it. Trouble was the snow is so deep he can't walk in it without being stuck and needing rescued!

Visit with Santa

AJ was super excited to see Santa this year - he really got the whole naughty and nice list concept and boy am I milking it! So, he rehearsed his lines -yes I was a good boy, I want a scooter and fire house legos. He climbed right up on Santa's lap and was downright mesmerised. No tears but no smile either - just awe.

Winter's First Snow

We got our first snow early this year and it was a respectable one too. More than a dusting and wet enough to have some fun in. Here are photos of AJ's very first snowman attempt. Great job, right?!

Crazy Hair Day

I hope this photo makes you all laugh out loud like I did. Today was "crazy hair day" at preschool and AJ was very proud of his effort. Don't think much more explanation is needed :-)

Meatball Movie

A recent Sunday afternoon with not much else to do, we got together with the neighbors and took the kids to the movie. We saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and AJ really liked it. He liked it so much, he actually sat still the entire movie - taking cues from Vicki and laughing when she did. He got the whole experience for his first trip to the movies - popcorn, soda and buddies. What a cool milestone to have conquered - I'm looking forward to our next trip to the movies.

Spooky Spidey

This is the first year AJ really got into Halloween - picking his own costume and practicing his "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You". It was really fun to watch. We met up with him and his buddies at preschool for thier parade around the school and nearby shopping center. Of course, AJ just had to be at the front of the rope line with his teacher Ms. Kelsey.

Also no surprise that I couldn't get him to stand still for pictures. Here he is jumping around the front porch doing his best Spiderman impression. And no, he never did wear the mask - he said "Mommy, it is too dark in there!"

Pumpkinville Field Trip with Grandpa

We have not had a weekend without rain since early in the month so it was getting down to the wire on our annual trip to Pumpkinville. Finally we caught a break and it was on the Monday when Grandpa was visiting. I have now learned the Monday is clearly the day to go - not as crowded as the weekends.

We had a great time feeding the animals, sliding down the hay slides, climbing up into the pirate ship and jumping around the moonbounces. Grandpa was a great playmate and even spent a good chunck of time in the Incredible Hulk Moonbounce with AJ. At the end we picked our pumpkins and headed home, ready for a nap.

Riding the Metro

AJ took his first ride on DC's Metro last weekend - thanks Grandpa Steve for coming to run the marathon and giving us an excuse! He really enjoyed it and there were lots of "wow" and "mommy what is that/why is that there?".

AJ held hands, rode on laps and listened well. All in all a fun adventure that we'll be repeating soon.

Seperation Anxiety No More

AJ went through a phase in September and early Octoebr where he would cling to me as soon as we walked into school each morning. For a kid who has never had too rough of a time letting go of Mommy, this was a surprise. I chalked it up to a new classroom and post tonsil surgery making him a bit clingy. It seems like he may be coming out of the phase though.

His preschool class has a big picture window that faces the parking lot so many mornings when AJ was upset his teacher would take him over to the window and I would stop to wave and blow a kiss. Well, this morning I went to the window and AJ wasn't there. Instead his buddies Oliver and Conner were there waving and yelling " Goodbye AJ's Mommy". I could see AJ across the room already playing with a car!

Quotables

AJ has been a very entertianing little boy the last few days. Here are a couple of highlights from his verbal ponderings.

On Day 3 of 5 days of rain...
AJ to Mommy as we get out of the car to go into school: "Mommy, I can smell the rain"
Mommy to AJ, curious what rain smells like to a little man: "and what does the rain smell like AJ?"
AJ to mommy, without a pause and delivered with gusto: "It smells like hamburger!"


On Day 5 of the rain...
Mommy left AJ to watch a movie with Daddy for quiet time (this has replaced naps most days) while she went upstairs to put away laundry, make beds and clean up the guest rooms. I didn't realize they were going to watch Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. So, imagine how hard it was not to fall over laughing when AJ exclaimed this morning that "Someone stole my mojo!"

Don't Stop...AIr Guitar by AJ

Thanks Auntie Sydney for caputuring AJ's performance of Journey's Don't Stop.

Oh if I could bottle the energy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxKB_F-hMdw

Shoes vs Snack

While at the beach house in S.C. AJ threw a good little fit...or two. Auntie Sydney was kind enough to capture :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vggLYIwOA_4

Bolt

Auntie Megs was thoughtful enough to bring a new Netflix movie when she last visited, just after AJ's surgery. He really enjoyed watching Bolt and still is. Have to remember to tell Megan it might be a few more days before we can stand to part with it and mail it back!

Vrrrrrrmmmm Vrrrrrmmmmm

Last weekend, before the official start to the college football season, we met up with Bob G and Ms. Ellen to check out their rides. Wow! There were some pretty fantastic cars out that morning when the Porsche club gathered in Reston.

Bob G is so cool he even let AJ hop in and take his vintage Speedster for a spin!

Healthy Again

Thanks for all the happy thoughts and prayers. AJ has fully recovered from surgery and is once an energetic, crazy little boy.

He started in his new preschool room full time this week and the transition has been seamless. Yippee!

Mini Golf Outting

On a recent weekend we were looking for something to do outside that wouldn't take too long - it was hot and it looked like a big storm was coming. I suggested trying out miniature golf. We got our putters, balls and headed to the first hole. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a big success but it did get us out of the house and I can laugh at it now.

AJ tended to push the ball around and then pick it up to place it in the hole or the tunnels to the green. Pete got frustrated on the 4th hole and threw his club. Note the scorecard picture - I quit keeping score! :-)

Morning at the Park

AJ took his Aunties and Gramma to one of his favorite places in the neighborhood - the park behind the old stone house. He showed them the swings, the climbing equipment, slides and took a little walk down the bike path.

Final Birthday Hoopla

( It's been such a fun and busy summer I think it will take me a while to catch up to real time on the pictures and posts!)

Late in July the Ledger girls and the Sarikas clan came to visit as part of AJ's final birthday celebration. We really enjoyed having everyone here to visit. AJ got a ridiculous amount of attention and love. The highlight of the weekend was the Pirate themed party complete with a yummy cake decorated by Auntie Megs.

Slurpee Makes Everything Better

Tuesday was a rough day all around - long day at work for Mommy and a rough time for AJ too. He didn't want to leave his buddies at school or get in the car to come home. I got him in his seat and he was a mad little man, yelling and fussing.

I called Gramma on the cell and she had the answer....stop for a slurpee. Just the mention changed the mood in the car. We picked up two of the smallest slurpees they sell and everyone felt better. Probably the best $2 I have spent in a long time!

Backyard Water Fun

AJ and the neighbor kids - and once again the adults - turned our yard into a swamp on a recent Sunday. You can tell I am getting my money's worth out of these squirters! AJ likes the water so much that I think I will end up signing him up for swimming lessons at the indoor pool later this year.

Little Man Turns 3

On AJ's birthday earlier in the month he made one simple request - to go to the park. Not the big one by the school 2 blocks from home. No, he wanted to go to the massive park under the big old trees a ways down the road. He had a GREAT time and I laughed pretty hard watching him burn off energy. Here are some pics of one of my favorite happenings. What you think happened, did ;-)

(of course no one was hurt!!!!)

July 4th - Fireworks, Water Fights, Cake and Cousins

It was a super full weekend celebrating the 4th of July. Uncle Matt, Aunt Laura, Charlie and Nora came up from North Carolina and we spent most of Friday and Saturday hanging out with the family at Jamma & Jampa's.

We had a yummy chocolate cake to celebrate AJ's birthday a few days early. It was homemade - even the icing - and fabulous. (Can you tell how proud I am?!) We brought over water squirters and the kids (as well as parents) had a blast. Of course we found time for some fireworks at the end of driveway too.

Sleeping Boys

AJ has finally gotten the message that we will take the baby gate off his bedroom door if he will just come into our room in the morning to get me instead of roaming the house alone and getting into trouble. So now he wanders in most mornings, climbs up the bench at the foot of the bed and dives into the middle of the bed. By this point, I am awake because he isn't exactly quiet when he opens our bedroom door. On weekdays this often starts our morning and I head for the shower while he lays in my spot watching cartoons.

One recent weekend morning he woke at 5:45 am and climbed into the bed. Since I was half asleep, I told him it was too early to be awake and he needed to go back to sleep. Well he did! I woke up again about an hour later and this is what I rolled over and saw. They slept like this for another hour and I got to lounge in my chair and read, looking over once in a while at the boys and smiling. Not a bad Saturday morning.

Quote of the Month

"Mommy, quit saying no to me"
(Heard after Mommy denied a request to have cupcakes for breakfast)

Crocs Rock!

So I think Croc shoes are kind of silly - actually, I think they are pretty ugly. Somehow a couple of weekends back I ended up buying a pair for AJ. Something about the look of pure joy and happiness that he had when he tried them on and looked up at me. It was downright adorable.

He loves his crocs and asks to wear them daily. Since he tends to trip and is a bit of a klutz like me, I don't like him to wear them to school or the the playground but they are good for around the house and the yard.

He is especially pleased that he can put them on himself and I like that too. He holds one up and says "Is this the right foot mommy?" Here he is showing off his prized, bright red crocs.

Very Belated Fathers Day

So, we celebrated Father's Day right on time, I'm just wayyyy behind in sharing news :-) AJ had a good time at Wegman's on the Saturday before Daddy Day, decorating a special cake and distributing the sprinkles all by himself. We all laughed and you can guess who claimed the peice of cake covered in icing and sprinkles.

Old Town Outing

What started as Mommy dragging AJ and Daddy to Alexandria to shop turned into a really fun day for all. Really - ask them!!

We left home with the top down on the convertible and enjoying the perfect morning weather. Of course we took the scenic, non-toll road route to take advantage. AJ was so relaxed he nodded off on the ride. After some uick shopping we drove up the GW Parkway and landed in Old Town Alexandria. We should have know what a great plan it was when we scored a parking spot right by the big fountain on King st - near enough to stop and throw some pennies in of course.

As we finished up at the fountain we heard some strange noises - loud bangs. Turns out there was a British soldier rennactment group a block up and they were firing thier muskets. AJ got the grand tour of their "campsite", a quick musket firing lesson with Daddy, a look inside the soldiers pack-pack and he even scarfed down the gingerbread the nice women had!

After a stop for some lunch, we walked down to the waterfront and checked out the boats. I think AJ enjoyed standing right in front of the kid playing guitar more than watching the boats!