Trees and Trains

Ashten, Ayden, and Uncle Terry Anderson and Aunt Kathy
Kathy and Terry set up their Christmas tree, a village, and train set and invite family over to see. They invited us over to see it and to have lunch today. The kids had so much fun watching the train go around and playing I Spy. Even AJ got excited this year when he saw it. We had pizza for lunch and got to watch Mickey's A Christmas Carol. Then they played with toys and watched Frosty the Snowman. We had a great time!

Deer and Doo Doo

Ashten, Anderson, and Ayden

I forgot my camera so the cell phone had to do.Today, after doing some really "fun" stuff, dentist appointment, car tabs, etc we stopped by Grammy and Papa's house. We played computer games and visited. Later when Papa went to work we tried to go geocaching. The cache was supposed to be located on the old 11th Street bridge in Tacoma. We looked everywhere but the only thing we found was a dead deer that someone had dumped and lots of dog poo. The kids were bummed but they were so excited to walk up to the draw bridge. By the time we were done with the walk it was getting dark and the GPS batteries were dead so we went home.

Team Bright!

Welcome to this weeks edition of overheard.

Ayden: There are three dark boys, Daddy, Ayden, and AJ.

Ashten: Hey! What about me?

Ayden: No, you're bright. And Mommy's bright too!

The New Alderwood

AJ, Toni, Ayden, and Ashten

Ayden brought his skateboard but AJ logged more time on itAshten and Ayden took AJ on a walkAj tried really hard to climb the slide

Today, we went over to talk with the firemen at the station across the street. While waiting for the fire truck to return we decided to go play at the library since it was so beautiful today. (Yesterday, it snowed by the way.) They've added onto the park including 4 new swings, another slide, a climbing wall, and some other things. The kids love the new additions. We played for half an hour when a truck came back to the station but as after only a minute or so they ran their siren and took off. After about 45 minutes another truck came back so we started walking over right away. We were all frozen anyway and the kids were ready for some hot chocolate. We're looking forward to warmer weather so we can get more use out of the new park.

Back to the Cheese

This morning we had a play date at Chuck E Cheese. We met Julie, Alex, and Abby. The kids had a ton of fun, of course what's not to like. Before we left the house, on the other hand, was miserable. I don't know why everytime we are going somewhere we have to have major meltdowns. It's so frustrating! I have tried everything from rushing out the door last minute to giving them 5 hours of prep time. It doesn't seem to make a difference. Anyone have any ideas?

Chores

I've had the boys in charge of unloading the dishwasher for a long time now. Usually Ayden emptied the top rack which is mostly all cups and bowls. Ashten was in charge of the bottom rack of plates, silverware, and pans. This week I decided that they are big enough to each have their own chores. Ayden now is in charge of the garbage and Ashten dishes. This is one of Ashten's first days and this is his version of putting away the top rack. I guess we have some more training to do.

Overheard

Ayden: "Ashten, don't back talk Mommy...forward talk her!"

Funny Funny Boys!

Fish Face

AJ with his fish mask on AJ couldn't breathe last night. I knew it was coming, he seemed wheezy around noon and all day he got progressively worse working up to a deep cough. I gave him a treatment with the nebulizer before he went to bed. Later, when I was about to go to sleep, he woke up calling for me and breathing even worse. I gave him a second treatment and let him stay up for about an hour to watch him since it didn't seem to be working. He has come along way since that first treatment of having 3 people hold him to now holding it himself. Anyway, he went back to bed at midnight but at 1am he woke up screaming, I had brought out the baby monitor so after listening for 10 minutes I decided I better go check on him. He had thrown up everywhere. (Turns out I should have read the directions. I am supposed to only give him one every four hours and I'd given him 2 in 3 hours. The first time he had a problem, the doctor gave him 4 in one hour so I thought I was good, but then I remembered that he had thrown up after that session too.) I had to clean his bed, carpet, wall, and give him a bath, then once I got him back in bed at 2am, I had to start the laundry. Needless to say it was a long night. On top of this, he has 3 more molars coming in, so he has been mean and cranky for the past 2 days. I hope he outgrows this soon.

The Dentist

Today all three of the boys and I all had dentist appointments. This is the first trip to the dentist for all of them. Ayden wouldn't get out of the car because he was scared. Luckily, they wanted Ashten to go first which meant Ayden was able to watch. He was still hesitant but I went in with him and he did fine. Towards the end of his appointment I was able to leave him to start my cleaning. Ashten loved it he was outgoing and brave. Since I made the appointment in December, we had role played what it would be like there. I made sounds with my mouth when brushing their teeth to imitate the sound of the dentist's toothbrush, told them all about the bright light, pictures of their teeth, and getting to choose a prize. Ashten's favorite part: "the air sucker!" My favorite part...no cavities for all four of us!!

Fruity the Snowmen

Ayden with his snowman

Cathy M helping Ashten with his

Karen P, Cathy M, Ashten, Ayden

Randon P, Ada S, Isaac H, Taylor H, and Daniel G playing at playgroup

Ben V looks like he's tasting his

Today I brought back playgroup. I took a break from doing them after summer was over pretty much just because majority of the group was not coming anymore and I was out of ideas for fun things to do. Anyway, Valerie had a great idea thanks to blog stalking. These snowman are actually apples dipped in almond bark. The kids had a good time and I know my kids loved eating them...ok even I did. And it's semi healthy, I mean it is a fruit.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Since I don't have a girl, I like to play dress up. Poor Zach V he was an unsuspecting victim.
This wasn't the first time. This is AJ at about the same age. He was born with long hair, so of course I had to play with it. I also have a picture of Ayden at around 9-12 months wearing a beautiful red velvet Christmas dress. I couldn't find it right now but it's a good one.

Drifting 101

I heard screaming coming from the kitchen, so I went to check it out. Ayden was on AJ's dump truck. AJ is very protective of the truck and gets very mad when anyone so much as looks at it let alone actually sits on it. So AJ was letting Ayden know what he thought. Ayden was telling him, "It's okay AJ, I'm drifting". Ayden loves watching movies with Armand. The other day Tokyo Drift was on TV and the boys watched it together. Here is Ayden's demonstration.

"I'm going to show you what drifting is"

Colonel Sanders, Jr.

Who doesn't love the bottom bowl from the cereal bag? The kids poured their own bowls along with some for AJ this morning. I came in the kitchen to find AJ with his face in the bowl trying to get the yummy powder from the Marshmallow Mateys. When he pulled his head out of the bowl he looked like a baby Colonel Sanders. Too bad he doesn't have some snazzy glasses and bowtie.

Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam

Ever since Ayden went into Primary 2 years ago Ashten has wanted to join him. Unfortunately, Ashten's birthday is in February just missing the cut off. This January it was finally his chance. He wasn't a hundred percent sure he wanted to go there, but I knew he'd be happy once he saw Ayden and Grammy in singing time. He went right in with no crying. He growing up. What a difference between the two boys. Ayden had to go alone and cried for months and Ashten is in and mostly happy. I overheard the boys talking about it the other day. Ashten said, "Ayden do you get food in your class?" Ayden: "Well sometimes we get fruit nacks...fruit snacks." Ashten: "Do you ever get fishie crackers? In a big box?" Ayden: "No." Obviously Ashten's main concern is that he doesn't get food in his new class. I think he'll get over it.

Christmas VI

Naked AJ Ayden playing with the lacing boxAshten, Aaron, Steven, Julie, Armand, Brian, Mom, and Andrew

First I have to say that I thought I had already blogged this but found that I am behind a little.

Today was our final Christmas celebration of the season. I am so happy that Christmas is now over. Grandma Anderson's party had to be postponed from the 27th to today because she lives on a hill and was locked in her house due to snow. On the way to Grandma's house the boys watched Ratatouille. Just as we were taking the Olympia exit AJ threw up all over himself. What a bummer! I didn't know what to do so I cleaned as much as I could with wipes. When we got to Grandma's house we had to strip him down along with his car seat and wash all of it. He had to run around in his diaper throughout the whole party. Dinner was delicious as always. We had prime rib with all the yummy veggies, and rolls. After dinner we opened gifts then played games. Ayden and Ashten had so much fun playing with their cousin Gabriel. Grandma has a closet of games for them to play besides the ones they got for Christmas. AJ was fine the rest of the day he ate well and napped and was perfectly happy. Armand took the boys and Dad home later in the evening so Mom and I coul stay and play some more. We had a great time!