Trick or Treat!! We Got a Trick from Mother Nature!

I should explain that last post. .  .the kids in our area have a little fun superstition that if they flush ice down the toilet and wear their pj's inside out, we will get a lot of snow. . .enough that they won't have to go to school.  When we were having our huge snow storms in early 2010, my father in law jokingly told Aidan that he wasn't allowed to flush anymore ice down the toilet.  We did get over four feet in two really big whopping storms, plus several inches in various "smaller" storms.  So, Grandpa's concern was valid! 

Last night we really didn't think we would get snow.  It is only October, afterall, and we live in Virginia.  A place that will maybe see some snow in January, February and possibly early March.  Sometimes in late December, but not usually until January.  Here we are, the 29th of October and I am here to tell you that yes, indeed, there is snow coming down.  The grass and trees are coated. . .as are the pumpkins!

It is supposed to snow all day and into the evening.  It is pretty, just very early!  And, I have a feeling that Grandpa will forgive Aidan. . .  : )

Meanwhile, we're still getting ready for Halloween.  Some friends are supposed to come over this evening for dinner. . .provided they don't get snowed in. . . they do live at the top of the mountain up by Mount Washington along the Appalachians.  I'm making some homemade Jambalaya with chicken and Louisiana spicy sausage and garlic bread on the side.  The children will have chicken tenders (one has reached a saturation point on mac and cheese, and the other reached a limit on hot dogs!)  We will have lemonade punch with a green ice hand floating in the bowl and devil's food cupcakes decorated with spider webs, sprinkles and pumpkins.  Fun!  Then we'll do some Wii bowling.  Fun times at the Harrison's!

Aidan has his Hockey Skills class and Mini Mites this afternoon as usual.  He's doing really well.  He has gotten the stop down pretty good and is learning now how to do power turns and how to defend the goal better.  He was exhausted by the end of Mini Mites last week (2 1/2 hours on the ice!), but look how well he was doing regardless!  Ignore my blathering in the background.  I was bragging about my son's educational achievements and kept getting distracted by his playing!  : )

We went to Free Skate on Thursday after work and saw Coach Joe.  He's really an awesome coach for these little guys.  He spent a good 30 minutes (FREE!!) with a group of the boys just working on stopping, power turns, and how to turn around while skating forward and then going on backwards.  And then playing tag!  He's very encouraging with the boys, always praising every little thing.  It's nice.

And so, on to our day!  Happy Halloween Snowy Saturday everyone!!

Snow? A Message for Grandpa. . .

Film At 11:00

Don't you just hate it when you're watching the news and they tantalize you with a big story but say they will tell you all about it at a later time????  Well, that's what I'm doing to you!  Stay with me and you'll see Aidan later doing something amazing!

Yesterday was an awesome day.  Aidan got up in the most amazing mood.  He came down to breakfast without any grumbles and ate quite a lot.  Then he proceeded to work on his sight words for school instead of watching TV. . .totally uncoerced by me, too!  He did so well with his sight words that he even created a couple of sentences. . .we're going to show Daddy tonight!  "I"  "Can" "Go" "And" "See" "The" and Mommy added "Caps".  I didn't even have to tell him what Caps said. . .he knew!  : )

I did have to coerce him on wearing a jacket though.  He's still coughing and so I really wanted him to wear something warm.  Incredibly, I had to brow beat him into wearing his hoody with his jean jacket.  Kid doesn't like his jean jacket!  What's up with that???  Aren't I raising him to be an all American kid???  Okay. . .film at 11:00. . .

Typically Friday is Blue and White spirit day at Leesburg Elementary.  But, Aidan's long sleeved LES shirt has not arrived yet and I felt it was too chilly to wear just a short sleeved shirt so I sent him to school in his long sleeved Mickey Mouse shirt.  It's cool looking.   And, because it was Crazy Hat Day (so Aidan told us on Thursday night) I sent him wearing his Mickey Mouse ears that have Lighting McQueen and Mator on them.  Of course, when I dropped him off, he was wearing his ears and I did not see another single child wearing any kind of hat. . .so then I worried all day that I had opened my baby up to ridicule. . .what if it was Crazy Hat Day at Winwood????  Pat wasn't sure either so I did not get any relief until he picked Aidan up around 4:00 and found out that, yes, it had been at Leesburg Elementary. . .I'll be glad when we only have one school to worry about keeping up with! 

Yesterday morning, we followed our neighbor to the school who was dropping off her son who is in the third grade.  Logan is awesome and always likes playing with Aidan.  Aidan really looks up to Logan so when he saw Logan hop out of his Mom's SUV he said to me, "Mama, you can drop me off at the curb today."  Really sweetie?  Are you sure?  "Oh yeah.  I can do it."  Okay. . .And then he followed that up at dinner last night with a "You can drop me off at the curb from now on, Mama."  Okay, if you're sure. . .I've been waiting for this to happen--it does cut about 5 minutes off my time on getting to work--but now that it has, I feel kinda sad!  : (  My baby is really growing up.

Public School is changing him in so many ways. . .good and bad.  But, now for that film, and this is a good thing!!

And there you have it.  He is being Americanized as I thought.

A Friendly, but Weighty, Wager

I am an underwriter for an insurance company in Western Loudoun County.  I have agents all over Virginia whom I work with on a daily basis.  They are all a great group of people.  One, however, who is located in Richmond, happens to be a Penguins fan. . .boo hiss!!  : )  I think it's because he's from Pittsburgh or something (I have a taunting voice here).  He knows I am a Caps fan and he tries to give me a hard time about it all the time.  Says I'm brainwashing my son--really Aidan loves the Caps all on his own!!  He says he wants to be one one day! 

So, this agent and I entered into a friendly wager.  The best of the Caps v. Pens series:  the loser has to wear the jersey of the other team to work one day.  Doesn't seem like much, so I decided to add a twist to the wager.  For every point scored by both teams, I will donate 10 pounds of food to our local food pantry--Interfaith Relief.  He will do the same for his local food pantry.  So far, the teams have played one game and we're already up to 50 pounds of food!!  (Caps won 3-2 (sing songy voice : } ) ).

They play again on 12/1 and then twice in January 1/11 and then 1/22.  So, the food will then be donated near the end of January. . .at a time when most people will have moved on from the holidays and won't be giving as much.  This is a really hard month for charities and especially the food pantries.

So, this got me to thinking: what if Aidan and I gathered ten pounds of food for each goal the Capitals score each month and then take it to the food pantry at the end of each month for the entire season?  Not so much per month, but that could end up being about a 1000 pounds of food or more in total!  So far for October, the Caps have scored 23 points with 3 games to go. . .that is already 230 pounds of food!!!  Aidan and I are going shopping tomorrow to get on this thing. 

Go Caps!!

Do You Decorate for Halloween?

A few years ago, my mom told me that now that I have a little one in my home, I was going to have to have to decorate for all of the holidays.  Sure, I said.  I do that.  I go all out at Christmas with the lights outside and beautiful tree, wreaths, greenery.  I even do elves and a Rudolph.  AND I have a Nativity scene.

No no no, said my mom.  I mean ALL of the holidays.  In horror, it dawned on me that she was talking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, the Sun God of all creation Day. . .you get my drift.

These past couple of years, I have decorated as usual.  Tasteful Fall decorations that can easily go with Halloween or Thanksgiving:

Beautiful Fall Leaf wreath on my front door--see how it contrasts nicely with my black front door??

And I have a beautiful center piece made out of colored material that looks like fall leaves on my dining room table on which the cool ceramic pumpkin sits that Pat grew up with.

In other areas, I have nice orangy cinnamon candles, and even a couple of other cloth pumpkins.  With the exception of the ceramic pumpkin which I can exchange for the nice glass turkey, everything can stay as it is through Thanksgiving. 

Meanwhile, I have gotten Aidan's costume ready and bought the candy and all we have to do is get the Rocket ship going--this weekend. . .We even have this really cool pumpkin that Aidan's friend Catherine made for us out of a paperbag!  Cool!

So imagine my feeling of horror when my wonderful beautiful son said to me, "Mama, when are we going to decorate for Halloween???  Look, see Scotty and Logan have skeletons, witches, and ghosts out in their yard.  Where's ours???"  sigh. . .it was good while it lasted. . .

So, on Sunday, after church, we headed to the store.  Thinking I could get away with a Scarecrow, I snatched up this little baby:

It looks really cute on the front porch with our SEVEN pumpkins that we now have!

Thinking we were done, I then saw the look on Aidan's face and grabbed the clingy things for the windows, which are now all over the house windows. . .

Still not satisfied, I realized that I was going to have to go all out.  And so, I did it.  I bought the witch, which is now hanging from the tree out front!

I think he is finally satisfied, especially since I have hung pumpkin and spider streamers on his bed and ceiling fan in his bedroom. . .

But. . .

I have a new fear that I will be buying one of those deer that lights up and moves for the front yard for Christmas this year!  As long as I don't have to put a snowman on my roof. . .

Love his Words!!

Tonight...Aidan watched "Panny McPhee" (Aidan speak) while I watched the Caps win game #4 in row. . .Love "Panny McPhee!"  ; )

First Parent Teacher Conference

I met with Aidan's teacher yesterday for the first parent teacher conference.  The first 9 weeks period is coming to a close and this was an interim report, so she told me that although these things will be on the report card, Aidan has already improved. 

In all skills, Aidan either meets or exceeds the County requirements for this stage except in one. . .counting to 25.  I really think Aidan can actually count to 100, but for some reason he always skips 13 or 14.  He's been doing this for a little while, but we didn't really work with him like we should have been.  Now that we are, I see that his slight lisp has caused him to somehow combine and confuse these two numbers.  My thought is to make some flash cards and then have him put them in order, saying the number out loud, to try and help him remember that there are actually two numbers there.  Fortunately it's not a huge concern. 

Mrs. Taylor also showed me a picture Aidan had drawn of a bike and then when asked to write something about it, he wrote, "I Can RD."  She said she was stunned that he had already picked up R and D for Ride!  I was too, truth be known.  She said that was a skill most Kindergartners don't get until the end of the year.  Aidan is obviously reading a lot already, and is even beginning to really comprehend what he is reading to be able to do this. 

Aidan can also read some of the words that are on the list to learn for the second quarter already.  So, she gave me the list for the entire year and we'll see what we can do with him on these. 

I knew he was a smarty pants!

So far, he has been awesome with homework.  His homework comes on Monday afternoon and is due back by Thursday morning.  I always give him the choice to either do it all Monday night; do some of it Monday, some Tuesday and some Wednesday until it is complete; or do it all on Wednesday.  I do always tell him that once it is done, we don't have to worry about it and can then play.  I give him the choice because, although I always want him to do the homework and then play (rule for when he gets older), I want him to understand and develop that kind of ethic by his own choice.  So far, he has opted to do it all on Monday night.  I'm so proud of him on that!

As smart as he is, I just can't correct him, though, when he says things like, "Mama!  Look at that Jet!  It's hunormous!!  And it doesn't have any japellers, either!"  : )  I like the words "hunormous" and "japellers"!

Active Boy Makes Mom Happy, But Tired

We had a nice three day weekend, but now I need a day off to rest and recuperate!    But, alas. . .

Friday, Pat and I had a date night and went out to dinner with friends.  Not our favorite restaurant, but we had a nice time anyway.  Aidan spent the time with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was their maiden voyage on watching Aidan and from what I can tell, everyone survived and even came out smiling!  We neglected to call on Saturday to see how they were doing, but did finally check in yesterday.  All is well.  We may try that again in the near future, if they are game, of course!

Saturday, Aidan and Pat went fishing at Franklin Park in Purcellville.  Wow!!!  Did they bring home some fish!  Trout is so yummy so we had some on Sunday:  stuffed with lemon, onion and butter, a sprig of rosemary and a dash of lemon pepper, wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill.  Magnificent!!  We have enough for another trout night too!  The boys had a lot of fun and will likely go again this afternoon for a bit.

I don't know why that one is rotating, but it is a cute picture.

Later, I took Aidan to a birthday party for one of his new friends in his Kindergarten class.  Not a part of town I typically go to, so I was a bit uncomfortable, but Aidan had a blast!  There was a moon bounce and a pinata and the parents had tons of food for the adults and the children.  Very nice folks. 

On Sunday, I took Aidan to church where he complained mightily of being sooooo tired!!!  He said he was too tired to go to Sunday School. . . But, of course, he was okay for Pumpkinville.  So, I told him that if I took him to Pumpkinville, as planned, I expected that he would be going to Children's Chapel and Sunday School without complaint next week.  We'll see if that happens!   But, off to Pumpkinville we went. . .

Cheesy and expensive ($26.00 for us to just get in!!)  but a lot of fun.

The long slides were fun. . .

 So was pretending to be on the bus!

The rope swing rocked. . .

And so did the funny little car. . .

But the maze was a favorite. . .even though Mama kept getting worried because she couldn't see Aidan. . .

Where's Aidan?????

Aidan, where are you???

Seriously, Aidan, where are you????

Here I am, Mama!!  Little stinker. . .

And back to the big slide!!!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

Finish it up with a "free" pumpkin Aidan got to paint and then we met Daddy in the patch to pick our last pumpkin.  2 1/2 hours and almost $50. later, we finally ended our 2011 Pumpkinville visit. 

Monday Aidan and I scrubbed the basement.  The Rec Room was a wreck, the laundry room floor needed to be mopped and the bathroom needed a major scrubbing.  We spent a little over two hours working on it and then headed to the ice rink for some play time on the ice (Aidan is free because of his lessons, thank goodness!).  But, while we were in the laundry room, I happen to look over and saw Aidan standing near the wall chart where I have been measuring him.  I noticed that his head was way above the most recent marking.  So, I asked him to take his shoes off so I could measure him.  Sure enough!!!  He has grown!!  I last measured him on August 27th, two days before school started and he has grown 3/4 of an inch since then!  And it is 1 1/4 inch since his birthday on May 15th!!  No wonder his jeans are already looking like they are shorter. . .

In all, he's grown just over 14 inches since coming home in April 2008. . .wow. 

In other news, The Caps have won their first two games!!!  And both were against Southeastern Division rivals!!  We're off to a great season and we are excited about it!

More Of The Same

This past weekend, Aidan started his Hockey Skills class.  He is on the ice with children up to the age of 13.  I was a little nervous about that at first, but Aidan is really a good skater and was definitely not the worst of the group.  The ages for this class are supposed to be 7-13 (remember Aidan is 5) making Aidan definitely the youngest there but he is about middle of the pack on skills level.  Pretty cool!  And what was really really cool was that the older boys acted as mentors to the little ones.  They line up in groups and the biggest and oldest goes first and then they encourage the smaller boys behind them.  As each one completes the skill, the older boys give the little ones knuckles.  Definitely a nice sight!

After Hockey skills, Aidan had Mini Mites.  So. . . he ended up being on the ice for 2 1/2 hours straight!  He was a tired boy and was ready for a snack and a nap but perked right up and got excited when Coach Joe came over and offered to play tag during free skate on Thursdays.   I guess we'll be doing that next.

Here are some pictures of the Hockey Skills and Mini Mites.  Aidan wears red for Hockey Skills and Yellow for Mini Mites.  He will have many jerseys to choose form next time they have Jersey Day at school!!

In the second picture, Aidan is in the back next to the boy in the blue.

Uncle Todd wants film of Aidan playing, which I will do next time they play.  They do skills on the first Saturday of the month, so there was very little game play this time.

On Sunday, it was cold and rainy but Pat and Aidan insisted on going out to go fishing.  They caught some Blue Gill and Crappie at a friends farm in Aldie.  Aidan really had fun and did catch some decent ones.  But, Daddy was teaching Catch and Release.  It was great practice for the Trout Fishing that they will do on this coming Saturday.

But, being out in that weather did not help his cold.  He has had a nagging cough and when I took him to the pediatrician yesterday, a slight fever.  Nothing major.  But, enough that he was given a three day dose of Prednisone and I was told to dust off the nebulizer and make sure the Albuterol supply was up to date.  Could be one of those winters.  sigh. . .

Today Aidan has Kids With Purpose.  For their activity, they will go to a farm in Purcellville and glean apples to be donated to Interfaith Relief here in Loudoun County.  What fun!  Daddy will take him and possibly get a pumpkin.  I have to miss it because I will be going to Wintergreen for my works annual meeting.  It will be beautiful there but I will miss my two boys.

Thursday is Aidan's flu shot day--pediatrician said it is okay to have it--and then Friday Daddy and I have a dinner date with friends while Aidan will go watch movies with Grandma and Grandpa. 

Fun and busy times with the Harrisons.

Like I said, more of the same!  : )

Crazy Busy; Hockey; and a Sneak Peak!

This has been a crazy busy week.  I'm so glad it's the weekend so we can relax!  We had Parents Night Out last night but were so tired we picked Aidan up at 8:30! 

Let's see what's on tap for today. . .

-need to get to mall and spend the Gymbucks I have ($125. worth!).  Aidan needs new winter PJ's and I'd like to go ahead and get him his nice Christmas outfit.
-need to be at the Ice Rink by 1:45 to get Aidan suited up for his Hockey Skills Class that begins at 2:10.
-Mini Mites is at 3:20.
-we'll have to rush home to give Aidan a bath after Mini Mites so we can get out to Bluemont for dinner with our friends by 6:00.  Aidan loves playing with Catherine!

Okay, how about tomorrow. . .

-church is at 9:00 followed immediately by Sunday School.
-home for lunch and a change of clothes and then off to Winchester where we are going to Cabela's to buy some fishing supplies for next weekends fishing adventure.  Home in time for dinner.

Oh well!  Perhaps next weekend won't be so busy!  At least we're having fun. . .

But, here are some pictures that I haven't posted previously--Aidan is in the Yellow jerset with the red and white showing on his socks:

Aidan was right there waiting for the puck but kinda sorta knocked the Blue kid off it.  The Blue kid fell. . .not hurt.

Aidan hustling back to the other end!  Go Aidan!! (Mama pounding on the glass)

Aidan ready for the puck drop on a face off.  He won.  Of course.

Surveying the scene.

Hustling over to get the puck.

Got it!!!  Sent it over to another Yellow team mate who scored!!!  Yeah Aidan!!!  (Mama pounding on the glass)

Um. . . Aidan. . .your not supposed to mess with your own team mates, dude!

That's better!  Go after the Green guy!

Controlling the puck even in the face of the opponent coming up to him.  Way to go Aidan!!! 

Aidan won this face off again and passed it to the Yellow team mate with the one black sock and one white sock. . .who. . .

Socred!!!!!  Way to go Aidan!!!!  What an assist!!!!  (Mama pounding on the glass)

When Aidan gets older, he's going to roll his eyes and say, "Yeah, that's my mom. . ." in that quietly disgusted voice that pre-teens and teens get.  : )

So, now it's October and Halloween is coming.  We've decorated our house--never really thought I'd have to do that! but Aidan insists.  And we're getting ready for the big day at the end of this month. 

And so, without further ado, here is a Halloween Sneak Peak!!!!

I'm going to add a nose cone and after burner to the wagon, cover it in foil and then create flames with tissue paper to have a rocket.  I'm thinking USA will have to be on it!  : ) 

If this incessant rain would ever end, I'd like to take Aidan up to Bears Den and do a little hiking on the Appalachian Trail.  I think he's old enough now.  In the next few weeks, the colors will be beautiful!