Aidan frequently tells me how things are going to be when he grows up. They mostly make me smile, but sometimes they give me a good laugh. In addition to being a big time Hockey player, here are a few of my favorites that he has told me:
When I grow up, this closet (pointing to his Dad's closet) will be mine and yours will be my wifes!
Aidan: When I grow up, Mama, where will you live? Me: Well, right here, I guess. Aidan: No you won't. You'll have to live somewhere else because my wife and I are going to live in this house! (I guess I should be happy that he loves his home so much that he never wants to leave it!! )
When I grow up, Mama, I'm going to have six. Six what? Six kids. I'm going to bring them all home from Russia! (so sayeth my only child. . .)
And finally, I have won a major award! (Doesn't that make you think of the movie A Christmas Story??) It is scheduled to be delivered around 10:00 tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for pictures. . .and yes, it is tall and nicely shaped, but it isn't a leg lamp! Although I will have to keep Aidan's hands off of it!!!
Happy Veteren's Day!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Mommy Freak Out Moments
Everybody has them. The differ for each kid, depending on who they are and what they tend to do. Admitedly, most of mine occur when Aidan is on the ice. I see him fall and my heart goes into my throat. But he is so padded up that he practically bounces. And he gets up really fast too. . .so fast that I sometimes wonder if he actually fell!
But there are other moments I don't get over as fast.
Lately, Aidan has been showering on his own. He's not really interested in baths anymore. He has even insisted on big boy shampoo and big boy bar soap. No more baby stuff for him! I know it's inevitable and I even think I remember the same thing happening for me when I was his age. But he's my baby, ya know????
At first I was allowed to stay in the room with him. But, now I have been banished. I am allowed to leave the door cracked open a little bit. A Very Little Bit. And, he has gotten used to yelling out wehn he drops the soap, "I'm okay!" in that kid voice that says "Don't freak, Mama, really, it's just the soap!"
But, now we're on to a new big boy trend. One I really am not liking at all, but am not at all sure what to do about it!!! The Public Bathroom situation.
Aidan prefers. . .no, insists that I no longer accompany him to the bathroom. He wants his privacy. Okay. I'm all about that! But, does he have to insist on this when we're out in public and I can't send Daddy with him????
The first time it became an issue we were at Costco. I had just finished checking out and had a cart filled to the brim with our purchases. Aidan told me he had to go potty to which I said, okay, let's go. Down the hall we went when all of a sudden, the little bugger ran into the Mens Room. I was left standing there nervously pacing back and forth trying to see in without trying to see in, if you know what I mean. An elderly couple had come up right behind us and the gentleman had gone into the Mens Room. Realizing I was very nervous about the situation, he came out and told me Aidan was okay and that he was just washing his hands and would be out momentarily. The gentlemans wife came out shortly after and they waited with me until Aidan came out. I was grateful to them for being so kind.
I did admonish Aidan to not do that again and explained that not everyone is nice (how to say this without saying what could happen???) I don't want my son to live in fear, but I also want him to be prepared. So, we did talk about good and bad touches and that because he is still small he will need to have me go with him if it is just me and him. He doesn't like it one bit. And keeps trying to go into the Mens Room at the Ice House by himself too. He says the Mens Room is better because the toilets are on the wall and the flusher isn't as loud. . .hmmmmm. . . . : )
But, I think he understood that Mama can't live with her heart in her throat all the time!
But there are other moments I don't get over as fast.
Lately, Aidan has been showering on his own. He's not really interested in baths anymore. He has even insisted on big boy shampoo and big boy bar soap. No more baby stuff for him! I know it's inevitable and I even think I remember the same thing happening for me when I was his age. But he's my baby, ya know????
At first I was allowed to stay in the room with him. But, now I have been banished. I am allowed to leave the door cracked open a little bit. A Very Little Bit. And, he has gotten used to yelling out wehn he drops the soap, "I'm okay!" in that kid voice that says "Don't freak, Mama, really, it's just the soap!"
But, now we're on to a new big boy trend. One I really am not liking at all, but am not at all sure what to do about it!!! The Public Bathroom situation.
Aidan prefers. . .no, insists that I no longer accompany him to the bathroom. He wants his privacy. Okay. I'm all about that! But, does he have to insist on this when we're out in public and I can't send Daddy with him????
The first time it became an issue we were at Costco. I had just finished checking out and had a cart filled to the brim with our purchases. Aidan told me he had to go potty to which I said, okay, let's go. Down the hall we went when all of a sudden, the little bugger ran into the Mens Room. I was left standing there nervously pacing back and forth trying to see in without trying to see in, if you know what I mean. An elderly couple had come up right behind us and the gentleman had gone into the Mens Room. Realizing I was very nervous about the situation, he came out and told me Aidan was okay and that he was just washing his hands and would be out momentarily. The gentlemans wife came out shortly after and they waited with me until Aidan came out. I was grateful to them for being so kind.
I did admonish Aidan to not do that again and explained that not everyone is nice (how to say this without saying what could happen???) I don't want my son to live in fear, but I also want him to be prepared. So, we did talk about good and bad touches and that because he is still small he will need to have me go with him if it is just me and him. He doesn't like it one bit. And keeps trying to go into the Mens Room at the Ice House by himself too. He says the Mens Room is better because the toilets are on the wall and the flusher isn't as loud. . .hmmmmm. . . . : )
But, I think he understood that Mama can't live with her heart in her throat all the time!
Monday, November 7, 2011
A Really Good Saturday
Before Aidan came along, our fall was usually kind of hectic. We would move from Pat's hectic work schedule of lots of overtime in the summer to Pat going off each weekend, as well as many weeknights, to go hunting. Throw in a few overtime days due to fall storms and I had a lot of alone time.
Now that Aidan has joined our little family, I am no longer alone, but we've added Aidan's hockey schedule to the mix. . .and now school activities and homework, too!!! Life is crazy, but so much fun!!!
This Saturday, I had my usual errands to run. . .Dry Cleaners, Home Depot, Target. . .all before noon so we could get home and have lunch and then get dressed for an afternoon at the ice house and hockey. We packed up the car and headed out about a quarter to ten.
And there in front of the stores was a set up from the Purcellville Fire House!!!! A kids dream complete with the boots, pants and jacket for a certain little boy to try on. After I made my drop off at the Dry Cleaners, over we went!!
A happy boy. . .and we added a new shiny red fireman hat to our fireman loot! After finding out that he can join the volunteers in 11 more years, we went on our way, heading over to Home Depot, where I had promised that Aidan could try out the tractors (lawn tractors) as usual.
But. . . .guess what we found there!?!?!?!?
You got it! ANOTHER set up of Firemen! This time, it was the Leesburg Fire Department giving kids a tour of the Tanker Truck. . .
It was really cold, so we didn't linger, but Aidan was some kind of happy! A shiny Black Fireman Hat joined the loot. . .He jabbered all the way through the store and then all the way to Target. . .where there was nothing. . .but it didn't dampen Aidan's high spirits!!!
At Target, we discovered a great Potatoe and bacon soup that Aidan loved--three helpings of the tastings--so we bought several cans for later use. We finished our business and headed home for some lunch.
At the Ice Rink, Aidan had Hockey Skills and, because it was the first Saturday of the Month, Mini Mites was skills class, too. So, Aidan spent 2 1/2 hours on skills this week--with short games at the end of each session. And he did awesome!! The Ashburn Extreme coaches were there as was the manager of the entire Rink doing the coaching and instructing this time. At the end, as per usual, Coach Joe came over and told Aidan how great he was doing, but also Coach Rob came over and made a special point of telling Aidan how awesome he did on charging ( a new skill he just picked up! and he's good, too!) on the ice and still controlling the puck. Aidan was so excited he told me he wanted to go home and practice his stick skills some more. . .I just have to smile at the confidence this kid has gotten and how great he is doing!
After we got home, we did do a little work with the stick and puck, but it was cold outside and a bit blustery! So, in we went to do our bath and have some dinner. Then we headed down to the Rec Room to watch some TV and finish laundry. . .where I found Aidan has now mastered Mosby and gotten him to listen and lie still. . .with his head on Aidan's lap!
Now that Aidan has joined our little family, I am no longer alone, but we've added Aidan's hockey schedule to the mix. . .and now school activities and homework, too!!! Life is crazy, but so much fun!!!
This Saturday, I had my usual errands to run. . .Dry Cleaners, Home Depot, Target. . .all before noon so we could get home and have lunch and then get dressed for an afternoon at the ice house and hockey. We packed up the car and headed out about a quarter to ten.
And there in front of the stores was a set up from the Purcellville Fire House!!!! A kids dream complete with the boots, pants and jacket for a certain little boy to try on. After I made my drop off at the Dry Cleaners, over we went!!
But. . . .guess what we found there!?!?!?!?
You got it! ANOTHER set up of Firemen! This time, it was the Leesburg Fire Department giving kids a tour of the Tanker Truck. . .
It was really cold, so we didn't linger, but Aidan was some kind of happy! A shiny Black Fireman Hat joined the loot. . .He jabbered all the way through the store and then all the way to Target. . .where there was nothing. . .but it didn't dampen Aidan's high spirits!!!
At Target, we discovered a great Potatoe and bacon soup that Aidan loved--three helpings of the tastings--so we bought several cans for later use. We finished our business and headed home for some lunch.
At the Ice Rink, Aidan had Hockey Skills and, because it was the first Saturday of the Month, Mini Mites was skills class, too. So, Aidan spent 2 1/2 hours on skills this week--with short games at the end of each session. And he did awesome!! The Ashburn Extreme coaches were there as was the manager of the entire Rink doing the coaching and instructing this time. At the end, as per usual, Coach Joe came over and told Aidan how great he was doing, but also Coach Rob came over and made a special point of telling Aidan how awesome he did on charging ( a new skill he just picked up! and he's good, too!) on the ice and still controlling the puck. Aidan was so excited he told me he wanted to go home and practice his stick skills some more. . .I just have to smile at the confidence this kid has gotten and how great he is doing!
After we got home, we did do a little work with the stick and puck, but it was cold outside and a bit blustery! So, in we went to do our bath and have some dinner. Then we headed down to the Rec Room to watch some TV and finish laundry. . .where I found Aidan has now mastered Mosby and gotten him to listen and lie still. . .with his head on Aidan's lap!
All in all, a really good day.
Aidan is off school for the next two days (Quarter End and Election Day). He'll be spending both days at Winwood and will then go back to school on Wednesday. Meanwhile, I'll be happy when this years elections are done. No more crazy phone calls or mail packed with fliers!!! I just have to dodge them tonight. . .
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Jackolanterns, Homework, Hockey and Being Thankful
Well, I found the Jackolantern pictures. . .on my phone!!! I forgot that I had taken them with my phone because a friend dropped by right after I took them and we started talking, etc. . .Anyways, here they are! Pat did one of the big ones; Aidan did the littlest one; I did the really weird and goofy looking one; and Aidan and I, together, did the other big one. The beautiful human face mixed in is Aidan. . .in case you didn't know!
And the furry face belongs to Mosby. . .
We have been so hectic around here. It's fall. It's how it is. But, really, now that we are adding homework and school activities in with the hockey and hunting, whew! I'm getting some kind of tired! But, it's a happy tired and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Aidan brings home his homework for the week on Mondays. So far, he's been awesome about trying to get it done right away. It's not due back until Thursday, the same day as his library book, but we have not handed it in any later than Wednesday. And he's doing so good with it too! He is sounding out nearly every word he sees now and, I think, is on the brink of full blown reading. Miss Mandy, at Winwood, says they will be working on reading in the after school care beginning in January and I just know Aidan's reading abilities will really explode then! He can read all of his sight words. Now I need to work on writing them with him. I'm going to pick up some paper today at Target to get on that. His report card is due on November 16th. I already know he'll be below on the counting to 25 part, but I also know he'll be exceeding in all other areas. He has difficulty in saying thirteen and fourteen. . .it extends to when he says the thirtys and forties when counting, too. We're working on that. I know he knows it, it's just a matter of saying it correctly. Meanwhile, we're also keeping up with his reading assignment that Mrs. Taylor has given him online. We try to do a book or two every other day.
Pat hunts most evenings after work and usually on Saturdays, so dinner and Saturday's hockey has been up to me. Aidan and I have been having fun though. On Thursdays, I pick him up and we head to McDonalds (not my best choice, but he loves it) and then we go to the Ice House to play and practice our moves. The last two Thursdays in a row, we have run into his coach who takes the boys aside and works with them on their moves. He's awsome with them. At the end, they skate, in follow the leader fashion, around the rink and have to do the moves that Coach Joe does as they follow him. I told one of the Dad's the other night that it reminds me of the Pied Piper. . .in a good way! I do stay on the ice with him, but I hang back. You can't imagine how it warms my heart to see Aidan stepping out confidently and not being clingy with me!! Such a confidence builder this has been for him!! Anyway, here is a brief clip of Aidan working on turns and skating faster.
Well now. . .today, I am working on my shopping list for Thanksgiving dinner. . . I can not believe we are less than three weeks away from Thanksgiving!!!! AND I need to start thinking about the Advent Calendar and it's surprises. . .THAT begins in FOUR weeks!!!! Yikes!!! I have my menu set for Thanksgiving and know where and when I want to purchase things. I just need to write it out so I can feel more organized in my mind about it.
Meanwhile, I have been gathering things for Christmas gifts since late summer. I am nearly ready for my western living family and working steadily on my immediate and local family. I'd love to be ready to ship things right after Thanksgiving. It is such a relief to get that portion done and on it's way!! I have been working on one item for each person while I watch Aidan at his hockey. Sorry, I can't share what it is because those who will recieve it read this here blog! : ) But, I'll show you on Christmas!!
And finally, before I head up to shower and get ready to take Aidan to Home Depot to make a birdhouse. . .I have to share that today marks four years since I saw my baby's face for the first time. I got a call from our Social Worker at work, impatiently wanting me to open my email (funny thing, that!! I had been checking it up to that day every 5 minutes and the one day I didn't!!!. . . )
When I opened my email, I saw this face and burst into tears because my heart was so full of love!!!
We have been so hectic around here. It's fall. It's how it is. But, really, now that we are adding homework and school activities in with the hockey and hunting, whew! I'm getting some kind of tired! But, it's a happy tired and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Aidan brings home his homework for the week on Mondays. So far, he's been awesome about trying to get it done right away. It's not due back until Thursday, the same day as his library book, but we have not handed it in any later than Wednesday. And he's doing so good with it too! He is sounding out nearly every word he sees now and, I think, is on the brink of full blown reading. Miss Mandy, at Winwood, says they will be working on reading in the after school care beginning in January and I just know Aidan's reading abilities will really explode then! He can read all of his sight words. Now I need to work on writing them with him. I'm going to pick up some paper today at Target to get on that. His report card is due on November 16th. I already know he'll be below on the counting to 25 part, but I also know he'll be exceeding in all other areas. He has difficulty in saying thirteen and fourteen. . .it extends to when he says the thirtys and forties when counting, too. We're working on that. I know he knows it, it's just a matter of saying it correctly. Meanwhile, we're also keeping up with his reading assignment that Mrs. Taylor has given him online. We try to do a book or two every other day.
Pat hunts most evenings after work and usually on Saturdays, so dinner and Saturday's hockey has been up to me. Aidan and I have been having fun though. On Thursdays, I pick him up and we head to McDonalds (not my best choice, but he loves it) and then we go to the Ice House to play and practice our moves. The last two Thursdays in a row, we have run into his coach who takes the boys aside and works with them on their moves. He's awsome with them. At the end, they skate, in follow the leader fashion, around the rink and have to do the moves that Coach Joe does as they follow him. I told one of the Dad's the other night that it reminds me of the Pied Piper. . .in a good way! I do stay on the ice with him, but I hang back. You can't imagine how it warms my heart to see Aidan stepping out confidently and not being clingy with me!! Such a confidence builder this has been for him!! Anyway, here is a brief clip of Aidan working on turns and skating faster.
Well now. . .today, I am working on my shopping list for Thanksgiving dinner. . . I can not believe we are less than three weeks away from Thanksgiving!!!! AND I need to start thinking about the Advent Calendar and it's surprises. . .THAT begins in FOUR weeks!!!! Yikes!!! I have my menu set for Thanksgiving and know where and when I want to purchase things. I just need to write it out so I can feel more organized in my mind about it.
Meanwhile, I have been gathering things for Christmas gifts since late summer. I am nearly ready for my western living family and working steadily on my immediate and local family. I'd love to be ready to ship things right after Thanksgiving. It is such a relief to get that portion done and on it's way!! I have been working on one item for each person while I watch Aidan at his hockey. Sorry, I can't share what it is because those who will recieve it read this here blog! : ) But, I'll show you on Christmas!!
And finally, before I head up to shower and get ready to take Aidan to Home Depot to make a birdhouse. . .I have to share that today marks four years since I saw my baby's face for the first time. I got a call from our Social Worker at work, impatiently wanting me to open my email (funny thing, that!! I had been checking it up to that day every 5 minutes and the one day I didn't!!!. . . )
When I opened my email, I saw this face and burst into tears because my heart was so full of love!!!
I am thankful today for this little person who has become so huge in my heart and in my life. God is so good!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Great Pumpkin Has Come And Gone
So Halloween weekend has come and gone and All Saint's Day passed quietly enough. I am finally able to sit down and put some Halloween pictures up on this here blog. . .
As you know, Saturday was quite snowy around here. I think we got about 5 or 6 inches of snow. It didn't all stick, but the world was white, nonetheless for several hours. Aidan even commented that all of a sudden everything was all one color. We do like the snow, but not the ice. At least not the ice that happens on the roads, powerlines and anywhere else that might be dangerous for us humans! And because our trees had only lost about 20% of the leaves so far, they were holding a LOT of snow in them. . .causing branches to come down. . .causing power outages. And Daddy went to work.
I think Pat left around noon on Saturday and didn't get home until about 8 or so Sunday morning. Our friends cancelled for Saturday night so it was just me and Aidan. We went to his hockey lesson (the Ice House rarely closes for snow!) and I'm really glad because we were able to be out for a bit. Aidan did great, as usual and his coach even came up after Mini Mites and told Aidan how proud he was of him and how really good he's getting. He's such a good coach for these little guys! Aidan beamed the rest of the evening. . . .
We watched movies and just hung out in the basement that night and made the decision to skip church on Sunday in favor or sleeping in. So glad! Aidan and I slept until when Pat got home. While Daddy slept for a few hours, Aidan and I got started carving pumpkins. It was really chilly, even in the garage, so we decided to work on the two smaller ones in the kitchen. Luckily, Daddy had brought our frozen pumpkins inside when he got home in the morning and they had defrosted by the time we got to work!
Visualizing how to carve this bad boy up. . .
And I put him to work. . .with a very small carver. . .with almost over bearing supervision! : )
Aidan's pumpkin ended up having it's mouth wide open and Aidan told me he was saying, "Why Mama???" LOL. . .little stinker says that a lot to me and now I know he knows he says it a lot!!
Monday was still chilly and because Aidan's costume was kind of thin, I made him put some warm PJ's underneath. I knew we would have a big fight if I tried to get him to wear a jacket, so he wore some flannel PJ's and all was good. He fussed at first, but later didn't say a word. He seemed fine the entire evening. Some friends came for some dinner and then we got the kids together and went to the parade. . .which was awesome!!!
Introducing. . . .Aidan the Astronaut and Erin the Witch. . .Aren't they adorable???
After Trick or Treating, which Daddy took Aidan to while Mama stayed home to hand out candy, we gathered back at the house and went through the loot. Have to check it all carefully, you know!!
We ate a fair amount and then, sufficiently sugared up, we all went to bed. Until next year, Great Pumpkin!!!
Now to get my shopping list in order for Thanksgiving!
As you know, Saturday was quite snowy around here. I think we got about 5 or 6 inches of snow. It didn't all stick, but the world was white, nonetheless for several hours. Aidan even commented that all of a sudden everything was all one color. We do like the snow, but not the ice. At least not the ice that happens on the roads, powerlines and anywhere else that might be dangerous for us humans! And because our trees had only lost about 20% of the leaves so far, they were holding a LOT of snow in them. . .causing branches to come down. . .causing power outages. And Daddy went to work.
I think Pat left around noon on Saturday and didn't get home until about 8 or so Sunday morning. Our friends cancelled for Saturday night so it was just me and Aidan. We went to his hockey lesson (the Ice House rarely closes for snow!) and I'm really glad because we were able to be out for a bit. Aidan did great, as usual and his coach even came up after Mini Mites and told Aidan how proud he was of him and how really good he's getting. He's such a good coach for these little guys! Aidan beamed the rest of the evening. . . .
We watched movies and just hung out in the basement that night and made the decision to skip church on Sunday in favor or sleeping in. So glad! Aidan and I slept until when Pat got home. While Daddy slept for a few hours, Aidan and I got started carving pumpkins. It was really chilly, even in the garage, so we decided to work on the two smaller ones in the kitchen. Luckily, Daddy had brought our frozen pumpkins inside when he got home in the morning and they had defrosted by the time we got to work!
Aidan helped a lot, even with getting the gross glop out!
Visualizing how to carve this bad boy up. . .
Aidan's pumpkin ended up having it's mouth wide open and Aidan told me he was saying, "Why Mama???" LOL. . .little stinker says that a lot to me and now I know he knows he says it a lot!!
And the really goofy other small pumpkin. . .
Then, after Daddy got up, we went to work on the two larger pumpkins. We took them out to the garage where it was still chilly, but not as bad as it had been. We worked for a couple of hours on them, Daddy on his and Aidan and I on the other one. And when we were done, we had some really nice scary pumpkins. I sprinkled them with some cinnamon on the inside (makes them smell better when lit) put in the special candles and we lit them to see how they looked. . .oooooohhhhhh!!! And forgot to take pictures of the final product!! But, here we are at work!
Introducing. . . .Aidan the Astronaut and Erin the Witch. . .Aren't they adorable???
Now to get my shopping list in order for Thanksgiving!
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