Ayden Learns to Tie His Shoes! Jan. 26, 2011

In late January, Ayden took some extra time (he had been watching others for quite a number of months) to take note of how some of his classmates were tying their shoes. He really wanted to learn, but wouldn't for the life of him, let me teach him how. :( I had to just wait and all he wanted was to practice with his friends. My child is not independent minded at all, right?! :) So, in late January (this photo was taken on Jan. 26th), he officially started tying his own shoes! Go Ayden!!

Hide and Go Seek!

Hide & Seek!- Jan. 25, 2011

I think this was Gabriel's first game of hide and seek and he was so thrilled to play a "big boy" game!

Not sure who was hiding and who was seeking!

Gabriel kept hiding in the same place and Ayden was laughing because Gabriel didn't get why Ayden found him so quickly each time! :)

Gabriel is Potty Trained! Jan.23, 2011

Is this the face and pose of a proud little 2 year old potty trained kid or what? After struggling through potty training with Ayden, we decided to just let Gabriel tell us when he was ready. One day at a couple of months past two and a half, he starting taking interest in going on the potty and in wearing underwear. Wearing the underwear didn't go too well, he soiled them almost immediately after putting them on nearly every time. So, we worked on the going on the potty, but gave the underwear a rest for a few weeks. Then, Ayden came downstairs with Gabriel's clothes and underwear one morning when I had asked him to go get Gabriel's clothes and try to dress him since I was running late. He brought the underwear even though Gabriel was currently wearing a pull up or diaper. That day, we put Gabriel in the underwear that Ayden brought him as well as the clothes and he hasn't had an accident since. He does have a poor little habit of waiting too long to use the potty and letting a few drops out, but we don't count that as an accident. I usually have to race him to the potty to avoid that happening since he is too busy just like his brother was. :) Just for mom's records, Gabriel was about 2 years and 9 ish months when he became potty trained!

Hanging Out! Jan.23, 2011

Yet another moment when they were getting along! I think Gabriel went over to the couch where Ayden was watching a movie and sat next to him and put his arm around Ayden's neck, it was so cute, I couldn't resist getting out the camera!

Morning Playtime - Jan.19, 2011

Just some cute play time among brothers! They set up a picnic in the hall on a blanket. It was one of those cute moments when they were playing well together! I have to snap photos of it when it happens because this is not the norm around our house!

Play Date - No School Day, Jan.17, 2011

Ayden's buddies from school all came over one day that they were out of school (I can't remember why they were out!), but they had so much fun! Their moms thought I was crazy inviting them all over and having four, six year olds at my house in addition to Gabriel! This was their "lego battle" pose! :)

Ayden's 6th Birthday Party!

So, the following weekend, as in past years, we hosted a birthday party for a few of Ayden's school friends to attend along with him. He chose to go to Frankie's, a Fun Park that has an indoor arcade/activities/rides and outdoor bumber boats, race cars, etc. Since it was January 8th, we took advantage on the indoor activities! Above is a silly photo that I took of the whole crew of boys! Of course Ayden was flipping around so much that this is how I caught him in the photo!

Here is a more calmed down version! :)

They climbed around on the indoor maze, did some bowling and of course plenty of video games!

Afterwards, we went to the restaurant within the Frankie's Fun Park and the kids ate some early dinner and...

Birthday Cake!! Here's Ayden blowing out his second birthday candle in his 6th year! We went with a little winter theme this year, hence the snowman cake!

Ayden's 6th Birthday! Jan.1, 2011

Every year, it seems like we end up having a little get together party on New Year's Day, otherwise known around our house as Ayden's Birthday! We threw on some party hats and had a little ice cream sundae party.

Instead of posting the photo of Lucy and Ayden giving a silly little grin when I asked them to say cheese, I thought I would post this cute candid one of them checking out the gift that Lucy and Quentin gave to Ayden for his birthday. :)

Ayden opening up the rest of his gifts!

Make a wish, 6 year old!! :)

Some of the party guests!

More Boone Photos! Dec.28-30 2010

Sledding all day!

We tried to go to tubing at Beech Mountain, a ski resort up the hill from where we were staying, but after a few runs, the tubing was slow and didn't really seem worth the money...so we headed back to the hill by our little cottage.

Ayden found a snow cave or igloo that some older boys left behind. Gabriel still refers (it is May 2011 as I blog this) to the igloo when we talk about what words start with the letter "I". :) What a fun trip!

Trip to Boone, NC! Dec.28-30, 2010

A few days after Christmas, we packed up for a short getaway to Boone, NC! Julio and I had been wanting to take the kids to the snow for a couple of years now and this Winter was the perfect time since Gabriel is now old enough to enjoy playing in the snow! Here is a photo of the little cottage we stayed in for three nights. It was "Paradise!" (That was the name of our cottage!) :)

The little cottage was part of a place called The Inn at Yonahlossee. They had a small breakfast at the lodge each morning with hot tea and cocoa...which we also took advantage of after sledding each afternoon!

Christmas Morning! Dec.25, 2010

Gabriel and his new train set!

Dad gets in on the action and spaces out the gift opening to spread out the fun over the course of the morning!

Gabriel in his new "Mack" truck!

Ayden opening up his star wars lego set with joy on his face!

The damage done! Not bad...fun morning! And again, first Christmas morning in our own home! Loved it!

All Ready for Christmas Morning! Dec.24, 2010

Gifts under the tree, crumbs left from the cookies that Santa ate and some milk remmants left in the glass - evidence that Santa was here!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care! Well, in our house, we can't hang them on the mantle because those heavy stocking holders don't stay on our mantle too well and I think Ayden received a bump on the head from one falling stocking holder one year...so our alternative is the tv cabinet!

Christmas Eve Dinner at Our House! Dec.24, 2010

The little ones: Jake, Gabriel and Cecilia (friends from Life Group) watching something on video!

The older ones must be hopped up on the sugar from apple pie and vanilla ice cream! Tyler, Ayden and Hunter!

Steve and Tracey Drotts (from our Life Group)

Our neighborhood friends, Valerie and Gordon Selkirk! It was a yummy dinner that everyone contributed to and a fun night! My first Christmas Eve at home!