Storytime with Grandma

Ice Age 3

Today I took Aidan to see his first movie in a theater, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. He loves dinosaurs, so when he saw the previews for the new Ice Age movie, he informed me that he wanted to see it. I had been wanting to take him to the movies for a while now, and I thought this was the perfect time. We went with a couple of friends, Emily and Blake, and Kara and Stella. About 20 minutes into the movie, Aidan and I were the only ones left of our group still watching the movie. His friends were not too fond of the theater yet. He loved it. He looked so cute sitting in the chair, eating a snack, while watching the movie. He was a little antsy toward the end, wanting to walk around and switch seats, but after an hour that is understandable. I'm sure we will be enjoying many more movies together in the future.

Meeting Diego

Diego is one of Aidan's favorite shows, so I thought he would like to meet him in person. Well, not so much. As soon as we walked into the room and he spied Diego he hid behind my leg and would not let go. He would not go anywhere near him. In order to get out of the room you had to walk past him. I just about dragged him to get out of there. When I asked him why he did not like him he said " he's too big and I do not like his hair like that." A good excuse, I thought. He did look a little creepy.

Here is Aidan clinging to my leg for dear life.

Remember, I love you.

For a little while now, Aidan has been somewhat difficult. I am told it is his age. Apparently at age three some crazy thing happens to most children. At least according to many other mother's of three year olds. The biggest problem is listening. Everything is "NO" or "I don't want to." It can be me asking if he wants to read books or telling him it's bedtime. I have been giving him consequences and choices and that seems to be helping. The last couple of days he has been so sweet. He's like a totally different child. It's very weird that he can be so different from day to day. Lately he has been saying the cutest thing. Out of the blue he will say "You know mommy, I love you. Remember?" I can be playing with him, or making lunch, or playing outside and he will stop what he is doing and say that to me. It melts my heart. For a split second, it makes forget all the "I don't want to's" of the day.

Aidan's 3rd Birthday party

Last Saturday we celebrated Aidan's 3rd birthday with lots of family and friends.


We all enjoyed plenty of food...
singing "Happy Birthday" to Aidan...
reading birthday cards...
and opening presents.
Then there was all the playing with friends....
and giving them all jeep rides.

Oh, and the cake. Aidan asked for a dinosaur cake. Specifically a triceratops cake. Luckily a friend had made one before and gave a pictorial on how to make it. So, it was 1 in the morning the night before the party and I had just finished decorating the cake. I had been doing so for about three hours. It looked really cute and I was so relieved to be done. I started cleaning up to go to bed and I looked over and part of the cake had cracked in half (apparently you are supposed to use supports). I was so tired I couldn't do anything about it. So, the next morning I woke up and started to try and "save" the cake. It actually turned out pretty good.

Here it is while we are singing to Aidan:
P.S. Originally I was going to just leave the cake. We were just going to cut and eat it anyway. I told Aidan I had made his cake but it had broken. He informed me that I had to fix it cause he didn't want everyone to see the cake broken.

Aidan is THREE!

Today Aidan turned three years old. Three years ago today I was about to become a Mommy. I didn't have any idea how that would feel until he was born. Sure, I could imagine, but I never really knew until the moment he was in my arms. It was one of the best feeling in my life. I could not even begin to describe the love that poured out of me.

Aidan has become such a little boy, a little person. He is full of energy, he is extremely funny, very strong willed, and intense. He knows what he wants, and doesn't have a problem telling you. He likes many thing to be a certain way, like he needs to line up his cars before we leave the house or go to bed. He loves to be outside. If we could spend all day, every day outside, he would. He loves to play with critters. Ants, lady bugs, dragonflies, he loves them all. He loves his sister, although he likes to beat her up a little as well.

To celebrate Jon got out of work early, and we took Aidan to chuck E cheese to play some games. It was really nice to be able to spend time with just him. He picked out Moe's for dinner, and then we headed home to the rest of the family for cake and ice cream.



When we got home this was waiting for him from Nana and Grandma:
the kids had so much fun with this. They played with it until bedtime.

Aidan wanted a dinosaur cake. This is what I made for today. Stay tuned for the cake for Saturday's party.
Aidan gobbled up the cake and had a frosting face to show for it.
Peyton also got to enjoy a little cake, and enjoy she did! She ended up with a frosting face too.
Aidan had such a fun day! He didn't want to go to bed. (does he ever?) Jon brought him up crying because he did not want to stop playing with his new toys.

Aidan, THANK YOU for making me a Mama, your Mama. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Ocean Isle

Last weekend we went to the beach in Ocean Isle to visit Aunt Mary and Uncle Dick. Every year they rent a condo for two months and this year we were finally able to make it. It was our first time at a beach here in NC, and the kids first time ever.




The first day Peyton loved the ocean, but the second day she wasn't so sure.


Aidan, on the other hand, loved it.




I love this picture, so I had to sneak it in.
Aidan and Peyton loved collecting seashells...

and digging in the sand.

Another favorite activity was playing with the water spout used to rinse off the sand.
There was a pool there as well which was a big hit with both the kids.

We all had a great time and can't wait to go back next year. Thanks Aunt Mary and Uncle Dick!