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!"