tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71815117105088524642024-03-05T21:35:32.386-06:00Aidan Elizabeth's UpdatesAidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-57232802986792080282010-12-12T19:17:00.004-06:002010-12-12T19:59:27.009-06:00Blogging things I want to rememberThe blog has fallen by the wayside in favor of facebook, but there are still some things to keep here, I guess. <br /><br />For example, this year (2010) Aidan informed her kinder prep class that Christmas was not about presents or family, it was about giving. She said, "you all are silly. Christmas is about giving." Her class brainstormed community service projects and organized a canned food drive for Christmas. It seems that the kids were supposed to ask their parents if they could do chores to earn cans of food to bring to school. Aidan conveniently forgot that part of the plan. <br /><br />Aidan has music in her bones. She can pick up songs and choreography from watching videos, skips in time to the music (with great ballone) and sings all the time. Her improvisational dances are great.<br /><br />Her comment today, "Mama thinks my ears taste good, but I don't think so." <br /><br />Her absolute love of everything and anything princess.<br /><br />That she loves hearing about the union service Christianne and I did and has drawn pictures of it for me to put up in my office. <br /><br />That she draws pictures of princesses with eyelashes and high heeled shoes.<br /><br />At her October 2010 assessment, she knew all 11 colors, can count to 20, do simple addition, write her name, say her ABCs, knows at least half of the sounds that the letters make, do basic dressing skills, and her teacher said she is a joy to teach. <br /><br />That she has started lying - and she's really bad at it (a developmentally appropriate stage). <br /><br />She is so loving and a snuggle bug.<br /><br />She loves to take off her clothes and then she complains that she is cold. <br /><br />That she says she has hair of "Spun Gold." <br /><br />She is super-excited about our Christmas tree - but isn't crazy about Santa Claus except for the present part.<br /><br />Santa Claus drives around Ellensburg in a convertible and hands out presents. Aidan saw him and got a parrot puppet.<br /><br />She is swimming like a fish, including being able to swim on her stomach, roll on to her back to catch a breath, and roll back over and swim on her stomach again. She also uses her arms and can get them out of the water. She does prefer to swim with only her arms or her legs, however.<br /><br />She's doing gymnastics like a champ too.<br /><br />Aidan would like to have a medal in both gymnastics and swimming. Actually, I think she wants a big trophy.<br /><br />She can color inside the lines most of the time.<br /><br />She uses such big girl sentences.<br /><br />She is so excited about being a kindergartner next year. (We can hardly believe it!)<br /><br />She poses like a fashion model.<br /><br />She is really good at school except for every once in a while when her listening ears fall off. This usually happens for a week at a time. Poor teachers. <br /><br />Aidan still hates to sleep and has yet to sleep through the night on a regular basis. <br /><br />She is super cute in her snowsuit.<br /><br />This September, Aidan and I spent 6 hours at the county fair. Mostly going down slides and through fun houses and eating junk food. Good times! <br /><br />Aidan moved up to her booster seat this fall. <br /><br />One day when I was talking to someone named "Robin" on the phone, Aidan overheard me and asked if I was talking to her brother Robbie. It was so sweet and a little heartbreaking too, especially when she said that she misses Robbie. <br /><br />When I asked Aidan what she thought about God she replied, "Pretty fine." <br /><br />Sometimes Aidan sounds like she is from Boston and other times like she is from Texas. And other times like a Westcoaster. <br /><br />She misses the house we lived in when we first moved to Ellensburg.<br /><br />Her great sense of justice - for herself and others. <br /><br />That she always wants to bring her friends presents and gifts. <br /><br />Tonight she says to me, "Do you know how to make chicken fingers and french fries?" I said, "I know how to call for them." She said, "Great!" <br /><br />That Aidan loves kale chips and will eat by the handful. <br /><br />She calls her villians "mean ones."<br /><br />She regularly says in the course of imaginary play, "When a woman says, 'no': NO!" and then has her princess beat up the mean one. <br /><br />Her favorite knock-knock joke to tell is:<br /><br />Knock-knock.<br />Whose there?<br />Banana.<br />Banana who?<br />House! (or whatever other object she sees)<br /><br />She is an awesome daughter!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-56025780167971344882010-12-12T19:10:00.001-06:002010-12-12T19:10:09.781-06:00Happy Holidays 2010<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AYtmjVq1ZM2PA/0AYtmjVq1ZM2POLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1292202530000/0/"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Happy Snowflakes Christmas</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Make <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">unique Christmas cards</a> with Shutterfly.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-26620564759680063932010-01-02T20:20:00.002-06:002010-01-02T20:31:16.523-06:00Dancing Queen<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk4iasbCRn-D2JW5l8AdQWb8teoOlnvrRWMFghh9XqtWktwgGNUp8605CPkRGFNLPVrCLgiMZoz8H2QgO_SA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Aidan gets her groove on at the County Fair!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-29595117780807188102010-01-02T19:45:00.002-06:002010-01-02T20:17:45.428-06:00Aidan's First Gymnastics Demonstration Event<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwS-tUPGMb0hZxeJ7xXfKR2n6On_ggndxX0tkEzAd65O0O3oxQMK9-OU81zPgAax8Gn3qIEPVgxNMjLQ-CY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Aidan's gymnastic class had an demonstration meet for the preschool-aged classes prior to the intra-squad competition for the older kids. This is Aidan's performance.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-2986287806045069992010-01-02T19:07:00.002-06:002010-01-02T19:45:22.130-06:00Home production of the Nutcracker<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3pfv3n2YMHfxvfOswWTw2mLHX98mnzysfTBZKkE9PP9TSupDaTyMJGXRuA1_uY_5e7LdkIi2R2zSGsod5XA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Aidan and I danced to the Nutcracker on TV. What a lot of fun! Oh...I forgot to say that I took Aidan to see the Nutcracker in Yakima in December. It was the same company that I danced with many moons ago. It was a lot of fun and she was so excited! We went backstage after it was over and Aidan got to see the sugarplum fairy. She thought that was pretty cool! It was a great mommy-Aidan date while Christianne was visiting back in Dallas.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-53444658681176197322010-01-02T17:51:00.005-06:002010-01-02T19:06:31.138-06:00I'm finally getting around to at least putting some pictures of Aidan up. I'm sorry to be so bad. Things are just so busy! <br /><br />Aidan is growing by leaps and bounds. She continues to amaze us and those around us. She is being included in the older class during reading lessons at preschool now and her own teacher is working to catch her fine motor skills up to her cognitive skills so Aidan can move up full-time to the older class. She is starting to be able to recognize some sight words. "Is" is her favorite word to read. She can also do "she," "and," and "in" on a pretty consistent basis. Aidan has made some good friends at school and we have, through her, made friends with some great people in their parents. Life in Ellensburg continues to be very good. My job is keeping me way too busy at times but I'm enjoying it most days. Christianne is enjoying having time to get outdoors and do some things, but suffers some cabin fever from working at home all the time. Here are some pictures from various events from the summer and fall. <br /><br />As the following sampling of pictures shows, Aidan continues to be fiercely fashion forward. She often dresses herself now and enjoys picking out her own clothing. We figure as long as it is warm enough and meets standards of decency, we aren't going to quash her creative side. She LOVES wearing dresses and has finally accepted that in Ellensburg in the winter, this means one has to wear pants under her dresses. At least this means we get longer wear out of those dresses that are beloved, but getting too short!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8lGwGIxxz2a8ZiSqh8pvSCwzT2_tUkW0cnfEl-FareoKaU3cs4hPlDvETP6K6IR6IiKgWVR-4NWzjwlBblfInMv5ryyl7Xu6Kk8OkUG_ytcYxG8YI3hcGLyPJVRgiammvM7fT_vyJPun/s1600-h/P1030458.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8lGwGIxxz2a8ZiSqh8pvSCwzT2_tUkW0cnfEl-FareoKaU3cs4hPlDvETP6K6IR6IiKgWVR-4NWzjwlBblfInMv5ryyl7Xu6Kk8OkUG_ytcYxG8YI3hcGLyPJVRgiammvM7fT_vyJPun/s320/P1030458.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422303347140143842" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9y-Ai5_52gLjOkU7X7rLm03_yhKHajPgLGPl9cdUGNzVr9g-nKi6lOQHj0hbBtpI7jWvpFmByQIoAfoyZvQRu_uSiJvXCW-lyBZRZ6E3ct24c8g8HommtJg7ddmsYQ6p3NPZ8n5qD-cC/s1600-h/P1030466.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9y-Ai5_52gLjOkU7X7rLm03_yhKHajPgLGPl9cdUGNzVr9g-nKi6lOQHj0hbBtpI7jWvpFmByQIoAfoyZvQRu_uSiJvXCW-lyBZRZ6E3ct24c8g8HommtJg7ddmsYQ6p3NPZ8n5qD-cC/s320/P1030466.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422303337334557170" /></a><br /><br />Aidan loves to Seattle Science Museum. They have a butterfly room, along with many other fun things. Christianne caught this great picture of Aidan and a butterfly there. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJc3s7W6VkN5GOKoZSJFvL1QqYYR7UtZq8huiEWuSt55zbcPE9SVRD9eX6vI_0IKLMnAs8jx9mREN7i_RDCzyfflqK_-R_SZ1AzbvqMI77U4dHHYM8vYl2tyj7D2_CMSzkDhkQsPQMscB/s1600-h/P1030405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJc3s7W6VkN5GOKoZSJFvL1QqYYR7UtZq8huiEWuSt55zbcPE9SVRD9eX6vI_0IKLMnAs8jx9mREN7i_RDCzyfflqK_-R_SZ1AzbvqMI77U4dHHYM8vYl2tyj7D2_CMSzkDhkQsPQMscB/s320/P1030405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422303331868292258" /></a><br /><br />Living in an agricultural community means that there are a lot of great festivals in the fall, especially close to Halloween. Here's Aidan picking out a pumpkin. Good thing she is strong! She also participated in her first potato sack race (super cute!) and summersault race - she won that one because she resolutely stuck to doing summersaults while other kids cheated. She was great! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYsKFIWdvORllpLxKUl58kyl8qdmJLzCPjFPtEMr-ni9zh9ZVL-ykuB59kE6kFxyBJtLMfPNAfAlnfHw83CRCvcIUqj2EOGbHD-z9vFCnVP47BiYHNkPnW70VU-poeRALKGw9VJn55j1S/s1600-h/P1030278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYsKFIWdvORllpLxKUl58kyl8qdmJLzCPjFPtEMr-ni9zh9ZVL-ykuB59kE6kFxyBJtLMfPNAfAlnfHw83CRCvcIUqj2EOGbHD-z9vFCnVP47BiYHNkPnW70VU-poeRALKGw9VJn55j1S/s320/P1030278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422303326029813010" /></a><br /><br />Aidan has discovered a love of cooking. Christianne and Aidan made cookies one night when I had to work late. She was so proud of them! Christianne went to Aidan's school and helped a classroom of 20 preschoolers (ages 3-5) make pumpkin pies from scratch (including the crust) for Thanksgiving. Every child got to take one home. It was yummy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDyON2ra7Nux-na7ljMJTkkbjqxYs6se0mUgCljdFLsA4X3BIlm-kgMXrm0BVXiuhL0Khr8hmZu2Vo_mzrDvZAwTkA5FdE7aRIWkCJm22EvRccbtNBYrfkBH5a-D-vIeodO2oKliE-oMu/s1600-h/DSC02529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDyON2ra7Nux-na7ljMJTkkbjqxYs6se0mUgCljdFLsA4X3BIlm-kgMXrm0BVXiuhL0Khr8hmZu2Vo_mzrDvZAwTkA5FdE7aRIWkCJm22EvRccbtNBYrfkBH5a-D-vIeodO2oKliE-oMu/s320/DSC02529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422303319576161970" /></a><br /><br />There is a gym in Yakima that has a subsection called "Kids' Castle" that has a human habitrail for kids to climb around in and slide and all sorts of things. On the weekends, they open up the gymnastic side as well to the kids. Aidan loves to jump in the foam pit! Aidan is taking gymnastic classes here in Ellensburg. She really enjoys them. In October or November, she was moved up from the parent assisted class to the independent class. She is really strong and has some good balance - when she's not checking herself out in the mirror. She is the queen of straddle jumps on the trampoline!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmmKCfX57gGvVw5mYe5UsO0EmGrfeCUvmFKglY_1ZVaa11ymJwFpMVXQyc-rc10JNK-u7tsj-rGnveavAJy798HL0IEm-iavQIalU5K5OO4ipEbM7A25HXKyFJJiZipN6JNPWSajHB3kC/s1600-h/P1030225.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmmKCfX57gGvVw5mYe5UsO0EmGrfeCUvmFKglY_1ZVaa11ymJwFpMVXQyc-rc10JNK-u7tsj-rGnveavAJy798HL0IEm-iavQIalU5K5OO4ipEbM7A25HXKyFJJiZipN6JNPWSajHB3kC/s320/P1030225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422300896621379810" /></a><br /><br />Ellensburg is the county seat so the county fair and rodeo is here every Labor Day weekend. Aidan had quite a bit of fun, especially looking at the horses and other animals. She road the kiddie roller coaster with a friend and loved it for the first 3 times around and then freaked out. Unfortunately, the operator didn't hear her or us asking to stop the ride and she was stuck for another 3 times around, at which point she was quite hysterical. After that experience, she developed a fear of driving over hills. This is a problem when one lives in a mountain valley. It is only this week that she finally seems to have worked it through and understand that the car and the roller coaster are two different things. Poor little girl!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgulzBPncSlafzKADW4bOMOsIcFK4b1Q0pW0wUK316UDGny0D7cxYl-U6MTVgLKOF16alfxnq8MhA-CbCUz1C3B38tUB9jQMQ2mLnTCjrKLaqL4sM6owb1gzzFJ-tK7D_KoDnpPUfJIY/s1600-h/P1030105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxgulzBPncSlafzKADW4bOMOsIcFK4b1Q0pW0wUK316UDGny0D7cxYl-U6MTVgLKOF16alfxnq8MhA-CbCUz1C3B38tUB9jQMQ2mLnTCjrKLaqL4sM6owb1gzzFJ-tK7D_KoDnpPUfJIY/s320/P1030105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422300882613118434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt6h9NPjEG4sXFoOE60ntqhMwqVj4KIGlGZMDt3hKVEkPOiMWcygQ66b0WR1oTaqJFTXcnztfMgee7En77pMhxcpUEnp-bN-nL2c1Ju_8vWCk3XqB3WiegpnukW09aIml7Fc_uiqeLhFC/s1600-h/P1030101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt6h9NPjEG4sXFoOE60ntqhMwqVj4KIGlGZMDt3hKVEkPOiMWcygQ66b0WR1oTaqJFTXcnztfMgee7En77pMhxcpUEnp-bN-nL2c1Ju_8vWCk3XqB3WiegpnukW09aIml7Fc_uiqeLhFC/s320/P1030101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422300875497416930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchqFGAeASxDT2bUPdWPwvT7aFGn0TkMi0ko_462pvNkaFF0Gov6b9slpbLtR_vFhT8myPO3peNCFgToib1NgBcamhKUSrhLp8-eL3S4Q_KmmXd5U-xqsVv9tc12wh6cUczrCb3XmDCOcy/s1600-h/P1030094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchqFGAeASxDT2bUPdWPwvT7aFGn0TkMi0ko_462pvNkaFF0Gov6b9slpbLtR_vFhT8myPO3peNCFgToib1NgBcamhKUSrhLp8-eL3S4Q_KmmXd5U-xqsVv9tc12wh6cUczrCb3XmDCOcy/s320/P1030094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422300857086986722" /></a><br /><br />Aidan started ballet classes this fall. They are really creative movement classes with a little introduction to ballet terminology. She really enjoys them. We continue to dance at home and I'm giving her some ideas about steps and skills. She has a great sense of music. Aidan enjoys dancing in the aisle at church and it seems most of the congregation loves it too. Christianne is working on getting licensed in the diocese as well as received into the diocese. She does a bit of supply work at our church here in Ellensburg, which is good for her. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdwiezVJEcYHqrENh1eB432Lr3g8NLGJiUPxhrmzvAELlbyVQD8q8cQsnDqwtKaEjM2HF5fcmvOWoPNeoXCL4tnVMTWxUV_FItWF2ccwoXq_eFYG0y8-xYztTWO25i4Hv5_TLW6Arp1xt/s1600-h/P1030005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdwiezVJEcYHqrENh1eB432Lr3g8NLGJiUPxhrmzvAELlbyVQD8q8cQsnDqwtKaEjM2HF5fcmvOWoPNeoXCL4tnVMTWxUV_FItWF2ccwoXq_eFYG0y8-xYztTWO25i4Hv5_TLW6Arp1xt/s320/P1030005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422300867328364626" /></a><br /><br />Just a picture of Aidan jumping. The summers here can be hot, but are generally pretty nice. It is great to be able to get outside on a regular basis! We currently have snow, but even it is fun to play in and doesn't shut down the town. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl_9-Y6By6VxM7nYhKf9K_cIGkW_jN67RqO4q1kRe9IkF41I50wScZ9QgpST4CzyGy8FovFGAUoAIex_p5TnAwf7UOu1sLxTVEEBqPHzw8XIlJru1P5qHvs7cI0GgYQhawuar875P6wHt/s1600-h/P1030002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl_9-Y6By6VxM7nYhKf9K_cIGkW_jN67RqO4q1kRe9IkF41I50wScZ9QgpST4CzyGy8FovFGAUoAIex_p5TnAwf7UOu1sLxTVEEBqPHzw8XIlJru1P5qHvs7cI0GgYQhawuar875P6wHt/s320/P1030002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422297974832428210" /></a><br /><br />We took Aidan to see The Wiggles when they came to Spokane. She danced in her seat the whole time. This is us playing in the park by the theater. We are practicing our arabesques. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zjh3dPK7OtDH71O4IIV55iO_VZzPEti-Po3uINc5Mi7e-W5CMiJ3_u5SNBH5fdH8iQuADffCxGWsOGbe1SDZY48K-GWHzvfeRxQ0skqA9MxGCAiil0WEG3sJUsGxTwFy3wqq-nQ8Cp6k/s1600-h/P1020827.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zjh3dPK7OtDH71O4IIV55iO_VZzPEti-Po3uINc5Mi7e-W5CMiJ3_u5SNBH5fdH8iQuADffCxGWsOGbe1SDZY48K-GWHzvfeRxQ0skqA9MxGCAiil0WEG3sJUsGxTwFy3wqq-nQ8Cp6k/s320/P1020827.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422297967156056066" /></a><br /><br />Aidan's school does various special events throughout the year. They had a Hawaiian day this summer. This is Aidan posing for the occasion. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR5El1e8Sr694nyz2Sqp283KPrV8YjHpAzixO0FDMBOvT2O_d4MAEiXVz9FLbAF5ofIlE1NY0W2dd_NBvHxWZ1OQmy119__vA84UtXFtzMxDYXX7KuIU2pDPKzQmDDs7VufQ_RcbSGOHR/s1600-h/P1020682.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR5El1e8Sr694nyz2Sqp283KPrV8YjHpAzixO0FDMBOvT2O_d4MAEiXVz9FLbAF5ofIlE1NY0W2dd_NBvHxWZ1OQmy119__vA84UtXFtzMxDYXX7KuIU2pDPKzQmDDs7VufQ_RcbSGOHR/s320/P1020682.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422297957908201938" /></a><br /><br />In the summer, we have a great farmer's market. Our local face painter, Len, does amazing work. Aidan would go every week to have her face painted in some new way. This is one of his tamer pictures. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCaQirRA0_OF9pTwMV9zwI3E5Kc1IKwx4jKJuSOapeTiQ0tD61zuipN_kEzWYUwo88KIKHfW9xkq5OnoFkK8VULVNeZRcUNLZ-cHbmbThJbkOzzwpssYve-EGrm-z2RJ7m8M0nkJqYGvK/s1600-h/P1020326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCaQirRA0_OF9pTwMV9zwI3E5Kc1IKwx4jKJuSOapeTiQ0tD61zuipN_kEzWYUwo88KIKHfW9xkq5OnoFkK8VULVNeZRcUNLZ-cHbmbThJbkOzzwpssYve-EGrm-z2RJ7m8M0nkJqYGvK/s320/P1020326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422297947247138802" /></a><br /><br />This is just another picture of Aidan jumping 'cause I think it is cute. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLa5gcDZIvP8N6C3jJyrFFAl4lbDH4LoJeiBwRuGb8kCrCOhB9WyUsR4NOkifOk01A1DVWnq6Lh3nP0GjatWzlKPI2eTT_DLAWMaLkiyCLzv6VkaQFHBPREw-ewsnrzhwZDOi0RjqCU1oe/s1600-h/DSC02471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLa5gcDZIvP8N6C3jJyrFFAl4lbDH4LoJeiBwRuGb8kCrCOhB9WyUsR4NOkifOk01A1DVWnq6Lh3nP0GjatWzlKPI2eTT_DLAWMaLkiyCLzv6VkaQFHBPREw-ewsnrzhwZDOi0RjqCU1oe/s320/DSC02471.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422297945653284114" /></a><br /><br />We love and miss everyone! I'll try to be better about getting out updates!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-29148619868944903812009-08-24T10:36:00.006-05:002009-08-24T10:54:51.897-05:00blog slackerYes, I am a blog slacker. I've mostly been updating on Facebook lately and neglecting the blog. I'm sorry! <br /><br />We have settled into life in Ellensburg. We have our routines and things we do, which are great. We love the Farmers Market each Saturday. We often go to the Children's Museum on Saturday's as well. We hit the local swimming pool most weeks so Aidan can work on her swimming - and we hope to wear her out enough that she'll go to sleep without too much fuss. (She still hates to sleep, but only gets up once in the night now). We have gotten rid of the pull-ups entirely and she now sleeps all night in big girl panties. We've only had a couple of accidents since we started this 3 or so weeks ago. She just passed her 3-year check-up with flying colors and also had her first eye exam, complete with dilation. She did great! There are glasses in her future, most likely, but for now, she's seeing as she should. We are excited that she will get to try out ballet classes this fall. It is a trial basis because we are trying her in the 4 year old class instead of the 3 year old class (which meets at a time that only parents who work from home can do). Hopefully, Aidan will not feel frustrated in it and it will work. If not, we'll stop for a year and try again. Aidan also requested to do gymnastics again this fall. We did it for a while in the spring, but the evening classes stop over the summer because it is too hot here (and there is no A/C in the gym). Here are the pictures you were hoping for:<br /><br />Aidan exploring some career options:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt80HXi4miCbepvuY8AOXxZSLNlYSP0OhIOjprhAjUf5W7esKHaYlAPwlpUcidTFuVV0T63gpNlgasbsXmYdcKgDttxTYbG_X1YxxOgz8nUzow6TubkXlNcn9KSb9y3WK_JfezBnGluZNS/s1600-h/gymnast.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt80HXi4miCbepvuY8AOXxZSLNlYSP0OhIOjprhAjUf5W7esKHaYlAPwlpUcidTFuVV0T63gpNlgasbsXmYdcKgDttxTYbG_X1YxxOgz8nUzow6TubkXlNcn9KSb9y3WK_JfezBnGluZNS/s320/gymnast.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373556718121916482" /></a><br />Gymnast<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0EiA-lZ-DVG8MutqLHpPegncQnrs5BZvNn647HUaO5aU49P1xxMjJqUk3LTBXYu4BuyDkFdOonggsAhaatmt5HzGbIgHO4VKPOrVbG28flO2koAY6z2d0T8lD8l3HYYQjK-xWDjn6gBV/s1600-h/chef.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0EiA-lZ-DVG8MutqLHpPegncQnrs5BZvNn647HUaO5aU49P1xxMjJqUk3LTBXYu4BuyDkFdOonggsAhaatmt5HzGbIgHO4VKPOrVbG28flO2koAY6z2d0T8lD8l3HYYQjK-xWDjn6gBV/s320/chef.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373556713744599394" /></a><br />Chef (That's fresh okra in her mouth)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVRJNPgSk9Dky3-R4McXu0xCYjQ76FdWUTUcj6-TvlY4EDC4jPDkidlgReQxLY03rT_98yof44SGIxAglVAHswS9cKWw5VDHfnGG_c1rzmaAGSBbkFntF2YBOy2xqxxv4KZnxK9dfGy2t/s1600-h/ballerina.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVRJNPgSk9Dky3-R4McXu0xCYjQ76FdWUTUcj6-TvlY4EDC4jPDkidlgReQxLY03rT_98yof44SGIxAglVAHswS9cKWw5VDHfnGG_c1rzmaAGSBbkFntF2YBOy2xqxxv4KZnxK9dfGy2t/s320/ballerina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373556705407755618" /></a><br />Ballerina<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lBQ-WcGflFEMJctzSnZRVADas9XCLKWFgxBw7XsuACw7xmOehnwmipgApTbm7Il3pgLb9wE6YunFjR1zX9iW2zuMraVT7oxt3BR1_2blcXQmuQokM1PjbiYH3Itlv7zI2JXHx9RoHk0/s1600-h/artist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lBQ-WcGflFEMJctzSnZRVADas9XCLKWFgxBw7XsuACw7xmOehnwmipgApTbm7Il3pgLb9wE6YunFjR1zX9iW2zuMraVT7oxt3BR1_2blcXQmuQokM1PjbiYH3Itlv7zI2JXHx9RoHk0/s320/artist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373556697887831810" /></a><br />Artist (This is a picture of Christianne. We gave Aidan some clues about what to include, but she drew it herself.)<br /><br /><br />Some pictures from our trip to Spokane to see The Wiggles:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpuSrXyex4rUNZXIQASA-0Gi-2kkwTtzJGUi5K1-V8omU6xYbeCk-ikemG0xbd8nKQ6nyJrucXNHArboG2wcXgUZVICuIcQ21q-NmVUsuB_7c_IsKlAIMP8-dmQRMLlco1Rk9i-zSnadg/s1600-h/salute.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpuSrXyex4rUNZXIQASA-0Gi-2kkwTtzJGUi5K1-V8omU6xYbeCk-ikemG0xbd8nKQ6nyJrucXNHArboG2wcXgUZVICuIcQ21q-NmVUsuB_7c_IsKlAIMP8-dmQRMLlco1Rk9i-zSnadg/s320/salute.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557323664441522" /></a><br />Playing in the park after the show<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9g5_m01bayGfCnb_wO8L5tJwSw-BYYDAN9McSTfhgH06wDwUoJZuy-0lqN5DND_a8mbK2GBSFzf3qKg24NBHj7q94ELGs6r62y01FRFOMVAW7LEMtCjLnsfynesgld7aU6Aige9C4CKP/s1600-h/mommy+and+aidan+arabesque.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9g5_m01bayGfCnb_wO8L5tJwSw-BYYDAN9McSTfhgH06wDwUoJZuy-0lqN5DND_a8mbK2GBSFzf3qKg24NBHj7q94ELGs6r62y01FRFOMVAW7LEMtCjLnsfynesgld7aU6Aige9C4CKP/s320/mommy+and+aidan+arabesque.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557318946577458" /></a><br />Practice her arabesque<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAuGG_6wCLYYwrglZDY9gGZZuvtELc2o9Ef7C1-GLNPS8PM13cIS24l0aVAq7hEHvAWMrAskTVCYmqkuPiBxsNN6pOO80Bt6OJjiZOe5HwrtvPgi6o2nWgS-xMQeiTwRFQ76-bFcYPbzY/s1600-h/ice+cream+cupcake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAuGG_6wCLYYwrglZDY9gGZZuvtELc2o9Ef7C1-GLNPS8PM13cIS24l0aVAq7hEHvAWMrAskTVCYmqkuPiBxsNN6pOO80Bt6OJjiZOe5HwrtvPgi6o2nWgS-xMQeiTwRFQ76-bFcYPbzY/s320/ice+cream+cupcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557313402584098" /></a><br />Ice cream cupcake after the show<br /><br /><br />Speaking of cupcakes...Aidan wanted to make "Ming-Ming Cupcakes" (a character from the "Wonder Pets." (Ming-Ming is a duckling that wears a flight helmet.) Here are some pictues of the process:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1upXb6hjPPkJUbXSlArszweW_q4Uojb5RmvOC3tJPtckIYD6xfQ0roXithkyxEKVtrB7-Y77DvRBwcI4H9MGiEIf0Rbo2lmuSN8I1izx4Zx-MWJVwHm3EQKLCj407bjQ2KOpXS1izjG4A/s1600-h/frosting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1upXb6hjPPkJUbXSlArszweW_q4Uojb5RmvOC3tJPtckIYD6xfQ0roXithkyxEKVtrB7-Y77DvRBwcI4H9MGiEIf0Rbo2lmuSN8I1izx4Zx-MWJVwHm3EQKLCj407bjQ2KOpXS1izjG4A/s320/frosting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557837002228946" /></a><br />Working on frosting<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAhxJazb8IiQSpaRGidbUOn4YoN_e4QGDn3BHeXuuVQbMjNKzuMGU91lv8ty0rFWcBxGxsMuZenOfKYd8gGCo5kM-yZ1X5AjaDkoIAFPjnfpenfOPgu77Ecotu7Z7ui9Qbb0RZrCFmH5o/s1600-h/working+hard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAhxJazb8IiQSpaRGidbUOn4YoN_e4QGDn3BHeXuuVQbMjNKzuMGU91lv8ty0rFWcBxGxsMuZenOfKYd8gGCo5kM-yZ1X5AjaDkoIAFPjnfpenfOPgu77Ecotu7Z7ui9Qbb0RZrCFmH5o/s320/working+hard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557839810174002" /></a><br />Concentrating really hard<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYnoZTKl9nEH69HIYPyoQRkOSuZCVvfrlWSQZCr0n-RVlnpwwFBNP28W_dn8_-6Waq6F7hKvlyITn4HzRgG5bRtWOs0WCgHDjWMPKrzMJt035wHAyRUHqUXtDukAHC-eldZyZcqpPJxJx/s1600-h/happy+with+her+work.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYnoZTKl9nEH69HIYPyoQRkOSuZCVvfrlWSQZCr0n-RVlnpwwFBNP28W_dn8_-6Waq6F7hKvlyITn4HzRgG5bRtWOs0WCgHDjWMPKrzMJt035wHAyRUHqUXtDukAHC-eldZyZcqpPJxJx/s320/happy+with+her+work.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557849961012610" /></a><br />Happy with her work<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB5vUKmzdjcC4rK3s79nIlMqxLfLOZkGaDKKd-pHuRe-9-470TlgPJJuHew3hIYfDPuDcuytMxV_yJnGvrv8Y1eKvfWE4d-y_D74rPVFeq-ygj9tSUkxY9klaXpMzlxyj36NUDPOTEfTE/s1600-h/finished+product.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB5vUKmzdjcC4rK3s79nIlMqxLfLOZkGaDKKd-pHuRe-9-470TlgPJJuHew3hIYfDPuDcuytMxV_yJnGvrv8Y1eKvfWE4d-y_D74rPVFeq-ygj9tSUkxY9klaXpMzlxyj36NUDPOTEfTE/s320/finished+product.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557856918652754" /></a><br />The finished product<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeGwfSqqmTT5EHz5AciFAjGr5VqlvNOHP_TbuKLWAAjFN5flC2pcCz8ve4yLjHAKnPfUQZcZesjc4U1aRqgNTeiRJ6_n8rGzz1iJmzFZTLTc-_hPJ2l-QnmhbeR6ujJ7cZlu4mjX21Ju9/s1600-h/the+chef.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeGwfSqqmTT5EHz5AciFAjGr5VqlvNOHP_TbuKLWAAjFN5flC2pcCz8ve4yLjHAKnPfUQZcZesjc4U1aRqgNTeiRJ6_n8rGzz1iJmzFZTLTc-_hPJ2l-QnmhbeR6ujJ7cZlu4mjX21Ju9/s320/the+chef.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373557866273461986" /></a><br />The chef<br /><br /><br />Aidan's school had a talent show last week. For the younger children, they did a fashion show for which each child got to pick their favorite dress-up costume. Aidan was Snow White.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjFsw-ZZ8KESqVRm0Q1LbQrJ7U-K-78Yexks8_YTcBRmEqTdoqN7U_oLVNN-TivdeuHWr0k5jKtyB3CM3pvedoPxuoL8ZtZCBqExt7wMaOsVjXfIlXEruJsuAUgDDv4MPeoK9rKseKXiD/s1600-h/talet+show.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjFsw-ZZ8KESqVRm0Q1LbQrJ7U-K-78Yexks8_YTcBRmEqTdoqN7U_oLVNN-TivdeuHWr0k5jKtyB3CM3pvedoPxuoL8ZtZCBqExt7wMaOsVjXfIlXEruJsuAUgDDv4MPeoK9rKseKXiD/s320/talet+show.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373558841878395650" /></a><br />Opening number<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUnheH0Ba46D9EWe_rjwb7ysa7qJXBQ2ExgxBUlSdlQrsXjGlSl4c5wqxBjxfKlEXHH8q1pYwJAZJpAuja-Xa2SZEXSKY7i3A1au28Ar5rDh-RCQwpsZliapYg9g0vSLmKtpfrmascY3q/s1600-h/show+white.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUnheH0Ba46D9EWe_rjwb7ysa7qJXBQ2ExgxBUlSdlQrsXjGlSl4c5wqxBjxfKlEXHH8q1pYwJAZJpAuja-Xa2SZEXSKY7i3A1au28Ar5rDh-RCQwpsZliapYg9g0vSLmKtpfrmascY3q/s320/show+white.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373558836995177314" /></a><br />Snow whiteAidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-65150807518166327842009-04-28T00:02:00.002-05:002009-04-28T00:07:23.053-05:00We are having a baby - maybe 3!No, not in real life. :-)<br /><br />However, Aidan seems convinced that she (or we) are going to have a baby soon. Maybe in June. This has been going on for a few weeks now. It used to be that I was going to have a baby the old fashioned way (in my tummy), but tonight, Aidan informed me that the plan has changed. She stated that *she* is going to have a baby (which she will get from the baby hospital) and she will name it "Baby Girl." I will also have a baby and name it "Baby Woman" (because I am a woman). Christianne will have a baby and name it "Baby Mama." I asked her how we were going to feed all these babies and Aidan answered, "With baby bottles." Glad that was cleared up. I have no idea where she got this idea. And, for those of you hoping for additional, live children from us: don't hold your breath. I'm not sure what we'll do come June. Maybe dig out the baby dolls that she has not wanted to play with much so far and give them to her again. Very interesting....Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-51620258925348209822009-04-27T12:56:00.003-05:002009-04-27T12:58:50.020-05:00Deep thoughts by a 2 year oldMe: Aidan, what do you think about life?<br /><br />Aidan: It's pretty fine.<br /><br />*******************************<br /><br />Aidan: (Running around naked except for black patent leather shoes) "I have stinky bo-bo!!!"<br /><br />*******************************<br /><br />Aidan: Mama, I need this rock. It is a magic rock.<br /><br />Mama: What makes it a magic rock?<br /><br />Aidan: It sings.<br /><br />*******************************<br /><br />There are more, but the chronically sleep deprived mommy brain is having trouble remembering them right now...Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-23581362381236005042009-04-11T22:46:00.003-05:002009-04-11T22:52:22.510-05:00The end of a big daySo, what happens when you are "Two and seven months" (as Aidan likes to tell people who ask her how old she is), have gone on an Easter Egg hunt, played at the Children's Museum, refused to take a nap, dyed Easter Eggs at home, helped clean up the yard, and had a melt down because you were not allowed to watch TV or play computer games after dinner (because you hit Mommy earlier in the day)?<br /><br />This is what happens:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD-ryMu3pn0N5MxR6dHKYuG_jOJRAdVkqgXMWA9_9LPhJtO7rhU9aTiivxPA1-2uZj-bZdiU-Txpx5ng9H_xvKlcqsrbGJVk6dOjGjM2LzSYwVZLWe7BAFD-miJFEYjYyy6S2pKLZhJ6v/s1600-h/P1020217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD-ryMu3pn0N5MxR6dHKYuG_jOJRAdVkqgXMWA9_9LPhJtO7rhU9aTiivxPA1-2uZj-bZdiU-Txpx5ng9H_xvKlcqsrbGJVk6dOjGjM2LzSYwVZLWe7BAFD-miJFEYjYyy6S2pKLZhJ6v/s320/P1020217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323647419055951650" /></a><br /><br />She was being a pill while we were eating and we gave her the choice of sitting with us and eating her dinner, drawing in her princess drawing pad, or going upstairs to her room. First we heard cries and then, before long, we heard little snores. The above picture is how we found her. She woke-up briefly while we were trying to get her pants off and a pull-up on for the night, but went back to sleep without too much fuss. Poor girl. I hope she sleeps long and hard so she can have a happy Easter tomorrow.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-90623398218280984642009-04-11T22:34:00.003-05:002009-04-11T22:46:33.516-05:00Coloring Easter Eggs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1_PH-hIuwxopLnr-JDFkRLsI0QVxzYRRn3ucu1U6oqGYsbt860l8fXITS0qNvvDvsGG2uEHVt-KTc0Psvo7yRz813slzVfT9vK_l6Gljr4NqXLKn7xMv8Oy4l_QAnCp6TIvpxsEo0TiH/s1600-h/P1020214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1_PH-hIuwxopLnr-JDFkRLsI0QVxzYRRn3ucu1U6oqGYsbt860l8fXITS0qNvvDvsGG2uEHVt-KTc0Psvo7yRz813slzVfT9vK_l6Gljr4NqXLKn7xMv8Oy4l_QAnCp6TIvpxsEo0TiH/s320/P1020214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323645296808299426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNmoTHxmTq_ynCQ2iuuQAu8IMp1GspXM203wpTvvhpsn4FHnpf-yoNVvALnjbT9QNg4RE7BG34doBH4c6uIuzKcuADk2CZoKRcWxK-cdVBVII9J1hbuKEpWKWIyLf_XOj9H6tFpvdBTpW/s1600-h/P1020208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNmoTHxmTq_ynCQ2iuuQAu8IMp1GspXM203wpTvvhpsn4FHnpf-yoNVvALnjbT9QNg4RE7BG34doBH4c6uIuzKcuADk2CZoKRcWxK-cdVBVII9J1hbuKEpWKWIyLf_XOj9H6tFpvdBTpW/s320/P1020208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323645294949844482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0k1IxzkOPkJNXJd71XyLTNalt61VGGhn5r3lqJEKv4dosRFht2sXZ8cJn8OuocutSZJtQKuDAQg5eV1W_OgVzOSTMMxtsK29Ms6uJyz4HOdvAxPiY5ec6r8J3EXfyGZsuYAS9Km2TP7n/s1600-h/P1020209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0k1IxzkOPkJNXJd71XyLTNalt61VGGhn5r3lqJEKv4dosRFht2sXZ8cJn8OuocutSZJtQKuDAQg5eV1W_OgVzOSTMMxtsK29Ms6uJyz4HOdvAxPiY5ec6r8J3EXfyGZsuYAS9Km2TP7n/s320/P1020209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323645288342766162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielsYW68fTEI_fjF0MiY3DuCj3iwntPQXx4hik6uAlIpI4Hs9fNsIiBLZAKFL_JEq6C3YFIw_df5qgbIjKkp2rWx9PZ7j9CA6r6K9UXJTaqqgMlkSLNwH6SbCnYqFpa2HkXS-IAF8WRDvb/s1600-h/P1020207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielsYW68fTEI_fjF0MiY3DuCj3iwntPQXx4hik6uAlIpI4Hs9fNsIiBLZAKFL_JEq6C3YFIw_df5qgbIjKkp2rWx9PZ7j9CA6r6K9UXJTaqqgMlkSLNwH6SbCnYqFpa2HkXS-IAF8WRDvb/s320/P1020207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323645284331740274" /></a>Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-74830859986554467612009-04-11T16:36:00.002-05:002009-04-11T17:26:40.634-05:00Update from Ellensburg - finallyFinally, an update from our new home in Ellensburg. We miss all of our Dallas friends and family soooooo much! You are in our thoughts and prayers all the time. <br /><br />Here is a picture of Aidan helping us pack in Dallas:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1010900.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1010900.jpg" border="0" alt="Aidan helping us pack"></a><br /><br />Here's a picture of her attempt to put on make-up that Ms Ferzeta and Ms. Mona gave her as a good-bye present. I tried to tell her it was blush, but she insisted it was eye shadow:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1010904.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1010904.jpg" border="0" alt="Aidan wearing make-up"></a><br /><br />Here are some picture of our new house (the Princess house as Aidan likes to call it):<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=2387_1088439018328_1447038149_24972.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/2387_1088439018328_1447038149_24972.jpg" border="0" alt="our new house"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1010781.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1010781.jpg" border="0" alt="back yard"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1010782.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1010782.jpg" border="0" alt="garage"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020097.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020097.jpg" border="0" alt="looking out the window"></a><br /><br />Here's Aidan helping us unpack:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020110.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020110.jpg" border="0" alt="helping up-pack"></a><br /><br />And her nap on the move-in day in Ellensburg:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020100.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020100.jpg" border="0" alt="nap on move-in day"></a><br /><br />Palm Sunday:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020125.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020125.jpg" border="0" alt="Palm Sunday"></a><br /><br />Playing at the park (fashion forward as usual):<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020111.jpg" border="0" alt="fashion forward at the park"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020119.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020114.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020114.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Easter Egg hunt at her new school:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020147.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020147.jpg" border="0" alt="egg hunt at school"></a><br /><br />Ready for Easter Egg hunt on Holy Saturday:<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020172.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020172.jpg" border="0" alt="ready for egg hunt on Saturday"></a><br /><br />Some picture of the area we live in (everywhere you look, there are hills and mountains in the background):<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020182.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020182.jpg" border="0" alt="what it looks like wear we live"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020187.jpg" border="0" alt="with mama"></a><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/?action=view¤t=P1020201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/dymphnapsyche/P1020201.jpg" border="0" alt="with mommy"></a>Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-48623908785778429712009-03-11T18:30:00.003-05:002009-03-11T20:23:28.607-05:00Singing in the showerAidan is working on her singing talents while getting clean. These were too cute not to post.<br /><br />You are my sunshine:<br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-63cccd2ea15cfaea height=266 width=320 contentId="63cccd2ea15cfaea"></OBJECT><br /><br />Jesus loves me, this I know:<br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-f0eef656a6f80cbd height=266 width=320 contentId="f0eef656a6f80cbd"></OBJECT>Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-82371969912754678882009-03-05T09:08:00.002-06:002009-03-05T09:28:20.956-06:00Update on the bedtime sagaSo, I had a great conversation with my sweet friend Barbara, who also happens to be a great psychologist and play therapist (shout out to Barbara for always being willing to talk through parenting trials!). We brainstormed some things to try with Aidan. Among them was trying to get Aidan help brainstorm how to make bedtime better for everyone involved.<br /><br />I also had the idea that perhaps a new stuffed animal that was specifically for bedtime might help things along. I was going to make a big deal about how this is her baby and she needs to take care of it and help it go to sleep by cuddling with it like Mama and Mommy cuddle her to help her go to sleep. This was my devious plan.<br /><br />So, last night I picked her up from school and we had the following conversation:<br /><br />Me: Aidan, you know how at bedtime you yell and get mad and cry and Mommy and Mama get mad. Do you like that?<br /><br />Aidan: No.<br /><br />Me: Well, I have an idea. What if we went and got something special that would help bedtime be calm and quiet. Do you think that's a good idea?<br /><br />Aidan: Yes. <br /><br />Me: So, do you think it is worth it to yell and scream and cry at bedtime?<br /><br />Aidan: Yes.<br /><br />Me: What makes it worth it?<br /><br />Aidan: 'Cause...I *really* want to watch "Dora Saves the Ice Princess." <br /><br />Me: So, if you got to watch Dora before bedtime do you think that would help bedtime be calm and quiet?<br /><br />Aidan: Yes.<br /><br />Me: What if after dinner, you put on your pajamas and brushed your teeth and then you got to watch some Dora before bedtime?<br /><br />Aidan: That's a good idea.<br /><br />Me: How long do you think you would need to watch Dora before bedtime?<br /><br />Aidan: 10.<br /><br />Me: 10 minutes and then you could go to bed and be quiet and calm?<br /><br />Aidan: Yes.<br /><br />Me: OK, so the plan is: dinner, pjs, brush teeth, Dora, bedtime.<br /><br />Aidan: Yes.<br /><br />And we went off to Build-a-Bear to get a special bedtime baby (aka Hello Kitty). <br /><br />We came home and shared the plan with Mama, who gave her blessing to the plan. It went very well in the beginning. We had dinner. Aidan got her pjs on and did the best teeth brushing I have ever seen and got to watch Dora (more than 10 minutes) and then went to her room with no trouble at all. We tucked Hello Kitty into bed and Aidan got in bed an started to read stories (Oh, and I gave her a little homeopathic kids sleep aid just to hedge my bets), and then...<br /><br />Aidan gets out of bed, starts running around the room, hiding in the closet, etc. <br /><br />First we tried reminding Aidan that Hello Kitty needed her help going to sleep. Aidan gave the 2.5 year old equivalent of screw Hello Kitty and went back to playing. So, then I told Aidan that if she did not want to snuggle in bed and read stories with us, that we were going to leave the room and not come back until morning. <br /><br />I called Aidan over before we left and asked her what was going to happen if we left. She said, "Don't come back!" I asked if that was what she wanted. She said, "Go!" So, we turned out the light, turned on her turtle start gazer, and out we went.<br /><br />While Aidan and I were shopping for Hello Kitty, Christianne had been changing out the door knob to one that locks from the outside. When we left the room, we locked the door. It took Aidan about 3 minutes to discover that she could not leave her room. Boy was she MAD. She screamed, hollered, kicked, attempted to pick the lock. Never did she sound scared, however. Just not happy about her circumstances. So we just let her go and stuck to our word that we were not coming back in until morning. <br /><br />This went on for almost an hour. About 45 minutes in, she seemed to calm down, accept her fate, and turned on her pirate story CD. She climbed in bed with Hello Kitty and finally went to sleep. <br /><br />We went in to check on her after she was asleep and made sure all was well. She's pulled the covers all the way over her head and was sound asleep. We unlocked the door and left it ajar in case she needed anything in the middle of the night.<br /><br />Here's the interesting part. I heard her wake up around 4:00 or so. She got out of bed, found her sippy cup, and went back to bed without coming in to get me. Hooray on that front!<br /><br />Aidan, if you are reading this years from now, just know it broke our heart to let her cry it out and lock you in your room, but it seemed the only option left. We love you!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-38443378094099767742009-03-05T06:32:00.003-06:002009-03-05T06:53:26.693-06:00Pictures finally!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3wFVsBb9b_sKlpuLVBrsDCDv1LpL8VJcEZcq2UIIGRBdfiEhJTC0KkISGkvv6p0HV5XFRf9bWo8AdIHnqmdDuGy45MstHgJZh2nrOvBmHep5Z-aTSe3OhyUx2x6Cy7AhtTx35IjP5Q20/s1600-h/P1010791c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3wFVsBb9b_sKlpuLVBrsDCDv1LpL8VJcEZcq2UIIGRBdfiEhJTC0KkISGkvv6p0HV5XFRf9bWo8AdIHnqmdDuGy45MstHgJZh2nrOvBmHep5Z-aTSe3OhyUx2x6Cy7AhtTx35IjP5Q20/s320/P1010791c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309683031872233426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5bbYkA3oFshm8nOcN0hXe0lpgaAJLVmiz3dYqfyS4725OT0xU54CZfaNznLPTyV6TqNwPixjvVRNIGwjsVwP_D2-XKkN9Le6gaEv81yidVC5Na93eiLylGgPage_Hk353IQxc-_iNSm_/s1600-h/P1010754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5bbYkA3oFshm8nOcN0hXe0lpgaAJLVmiz3dYqfyS4725OT0xU54CZfaNznLPTyV6TqNwPixjvVRNIGwjsVwP_D2-XKkN9Le6gaEv81yidVC5Na93eiLylGgPage_Hk353IQxc-_iNSm_/s320/P1010754.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309683021007397138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvhSpacmDZ0ZXiMFm6vfQ-GL30bcDLxAxQwjIAR1mfmlWl4SkgdJ3Ey8ZnF_94Kaa0zp3GrVTsH_OhZ8VNTzI_rMjbd465zxM2memUnisYT2UDRD2sZVw8UWj109ovXpxSdtsLh0CjeIz/s1600-h/P1010736c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvhSpacmDZ0ZXiMFm6vfQ-GL30bcDLxAxQwjIAR1mfmlWl4SkgdJ3Ey8ZnF_94Kaa0zp3GrVTsH_OhZ8VNTzI_rMjbd465zxM2memUnisYT2UDRD2sZVw8UWj109ovXpxSdtsLh0CjeIz/s320/P1010736c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309683015790725954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9rmacIQiaqFk6_A1jLM9Ja4QyMVtLnkFD_28znXsSdaJDPU08Aw-wrUaQMUv77RoqpNu6ViIz6RsVsn8ZHQQGS-HmPEm8tXGOgsLtxkCBQTxmhdf77fRb5L5I6PXtMytvHe47zMZ1Brb/s1600-h/P1010733comp.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9rmacIQiaqFk6_A1jLM9Ja4QyMVtLnkFD_28znXsSdaJDPU08Aw-wrUaQMUv77RoqpNu6ViIz6RsVsn8ZHQQGS-HmPEm8tXGOgsLtxkCBQTxmhdf77fRb5L5I6PXtMytvHe47zMZ1Brb/s320/P1010733comp.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309683009182361954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YiR2ZieBBJ7HU1tAvUc2EnQ845_DPX5QqapGl7JwpdSFA4aJUBROcKyVO_aRzfBh6B-TbparE4xSDWnFA-U2QHYr1YEziCNLvBwEelmuiIxey6sDNfs2zFviX3whFLNbNnU2t3urynZE/s1600-h/P1010815.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YiR2ZieBBJ7HU1tAvUc2EnQ845_DPX5QqapGl7JwpdSFA4aJUBROcKyVO_aRzfBh6B-TbparE4xSDWnFA-U2QHYr1YEziCNLvBwEelmuiIxey6sDNfs2zFviX3whFLNbNnU2t3urynZE/s320/P1010815.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309683003100777842" /></a>Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-84619961009926195622009-03-04T09:41:00.002-06:002009-03-04T09:43:25.181-06:00Two year old prayerAidan asked me to repeat the following last night:<br /><br />"Jesus saves our house."<br /><br />"Jesus Church of Christ."<br /><br />"Jesus is waiting outside our house."<br /><br />She then informed me that her friends were coming over last night; her friends Joseph, Mary, and Ava. I'm sure Ava's parents will be happy to know she's been elevated to the status of the Holy Family.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-29560339963101969122009-03-04T09:39:00.001-06:002009-03-04T09:41:21.027-06:00First real poop!Last night, Aidan, went poop in the potty. Totally in the potty with none in her panties! Very exciting. She needed a little help to get to the potty, but she waited and then did it. What a big girl!<br /><br />(And it is pretty cute to watch her go. She sits there and makes a scrinched up face and says, "Puuuuuusssshhhhh! Come on poop! Come on!"<br /><br />Another step on the road to potty training success.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-28004323498443593852009-03-02T09:29:00.002-06:002009-03-02T09:34:13.979-06:00Stories I don't want to forgetStory One:<br /><br />After our traditional "taco-rice-and-beans" (pronounced as one word) meal following swim class on Thursday, Aidan came home with a little tummy trouble. (This was bad when she was in pull-ups, in big girl panties - oh ick!) As I was cleaning her up, I commented, "Aidan, what was that?" Aidan looked down at the remnents and said with great certitude, "Salsa Verde!"<br /><br />Story Two:<br /><br />Aidan and I were grocery shopping last night. She was doing something that had to be done just the way she wanted it to be done (she was trying to be helpful). I said, "You are a little high maintenance, you know that?" Without missing a beat, Aidan replied, "I am Princess!" <br /><br />Bedtime is still a miserable event. We are working on it. Threatening to treat her like "a little baby" seems to make some small impression. We keep trying...Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-66278244194507312192009-02-18T12:03:00.002-06:002009-02-18T12:09:35.203-06:00Santa's a BlackmailerWell, bedtime was a little better last night. It still took an hour from putting on PJs to actually being asleep, and we can't just leave the room and expect her to stay in bed. However, little screaming, crying, or body tackling, so that's an improvement, right? <br /><br />Our new plan last night was to allow some going back and forth and quiet play (but no hiding in the closet) until she started to wind down. But still, actually getting in and staying in the bed was not going so well. The previous night, I had finally gotten her in bed by changing the Dora Christmas book and suggesting that Santa had been going to bring Aidan presents, but had to skip her house because he heard she was not cooperating and Santa only brings presents to girls and boys who cooperate at bedtime. Last night, when Aidan started to escalate, I picked up the phone and had a conversation with Santa. It seemed that Santa was making a pre-Christmas present for Aidan, but when he heard that she would not go to bed, he said he couldn't bring the present. Santa told me to tell Aidan that if she went to bed without a fuss for 10 whole days, he would bring her the present. Aidan got right in bed after that and (mostly) stayed. I think we need a chart to keep track of how she does. <br /><br />Suppose she'll be mad about this when she realizes that Santa's not real?Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-20813298513140625262009-02-17T15:27:00.002-06:002009-02-17T15:31:14.755-06:00This morning's conversationAidan: (Lying in bed looking sad). Mommy, I look sad.<br /><br />Me: Yes, sweetheart, you do look sad. Are you feeling sad?<br /><br />Aidan: Yes.<br /><br />Me: Why are you sad?<br /><br />Aidan: I need candy.<br /><br />Me: No, you can't have any candy. <br /><br />Aidan: Please...<br /><br />Me: No, but you can have Cheerios.<br /><br />Aidan: (Sounding dejected) Okay....<br /><br />She then refused to get dressed this morning and screamed all the way to school because her breakfast in the car was cereal with dried strawberries instead of a "car-waffle." Life if difficult when you are almost 2.5 years old.<br /><br />We turned Aidan's crib into a big girl bed with big girl (princess) bedding in the hopes it would make going to bed more attactive. <br /><br />Can I just say, "No dice." <br /><br />On to a new (as yet to be developed) plan for tonight. Stay tuned...Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-69956335026727465142009-02-16T15:13:00.002-06:002009-02-16T15:25:04.618-06:00Bedtime funWell, it finally happened. Aidan learned that she can climb out of her crib, adding a new dimension to bedtime. She won't stay in the big bed either. Here's how bed (and nap) time went this weekend:<br /><br />Me: Aidan, it is time to go to your room to get ready for nap (bed).<br /><br />Aidan: No.<br /><br />Me: Yep. Come on. Its time. Do you want to read stories or sing?<br /><br />Aidan: Goes to room and slams door in my face, blocking my entry with her body.<br /><br />Me: Aidan, I'm going to count to 10 and then I'm going to come in.<br /><br />Aidan: Goes and hides in the closet or behind the rocking chair while I'm counting.<br /><br />Me: Aidan, I'm going to count to 5 and if you want to read stories, you come out of the closet. Otherwise, I'm going to pick you up and put you in your crib. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.<br /><br />Aidan: Collaspes on floor of closet (or runs to closet if she's behind the chair).<br /><br />Me: Pick up dead weight named Aidan and place her in the crib.<br /><br />Aidan: Start screaming at top of her lungs and crying hysterically while attempting to climb out of crib.<br /><br />Me: Blocking escape attempts physically and placing her back in her crib while say, "Aidan, you may not climb out of your crib. If you would like to sleep in the big bed, calm down and use your words. If you want to sleep in the big bed, you must cooperate.<br /><br />Repeat for 20-40 minutes<br /><br />Me: Would you like a hug?<br /><br />Aidan: Nods head finally.<br /><br />Me: Pick up Aidan and snuggle her. Get her calm but don't let her feet touch the ground. When calm, ask if she wants to sleep in the big bed or crib. Place her where she chooses.<br /><br />Aidan: Changes her mind.<br /><br />Me: You may change your mind one time. If you change it again, you may not move.<br /><br />Aidan: Changes mind again or attempts to leave big bed and hide again.<br /><br />Repeat previous cycle.<br /><br />Aidan finally falls asleep while I'm snuggling her and she gets put to sleep wherever we had our last battle.<br /><br />Aidan: Wakes up early, climbs out of crib or bed and comes padding into our room. <br /><br />I don't know what the solution is. Leave her in her room until she falls asleep wherever and when ever she wants? Taking way things doesn't work. I took away things at naptime on Saturday (e.g., her starlight turtle) and she started handing me other things and told me to take everything. Shaming doesn't work. Firm tone doesn't work. Empathy works some, but she has to rage first and that's hard on both of us. Giving her the big bed right away doesn't work because she gets out to hide and it is harder to contain her in the big bed. I hope if we are consistent in our message, she will eventually stop the testing, but this is hard! Maybe a toddler bed with princess bedding...Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-37466607683275733612009-02-06T16:09:00.002-06:002009-02-06T16:18:03.404-06:00CouponsWell, this story may fall in the TMI category, but it is too funny not to share and guaranteed to embarrass Aidan when she gets older. I'm thinking it will be a good one to share when she's a teen and I don't want to forget it. I know you would rather see pictures, but trust me, it is a funny story. My apologies to anyone who is offended by the TMI portion.<br /><br />So, we've been staying in a hotel the last few nights while our floors were being refinished. I was unpacking things and a tampon fell out of my toiletries case. Aidan picked it up and asked what it was. I told her it was a tampon. I figure it is best to give straight-forward, age appropriate information to her about bodily things so she learns to that they are things that can be talked about. Best to start young. And, since we are working so hard on potty training, well, let's just say that there isn't a lot of bathroom privacy at our house these days. I'll leave it at that and let you infer from the rest of the story.<br /><br />Aidan's still working on some of her word pronunciation, so she was calling the tampon "coupon." I corrected her a couple of times, but coupon stuck. <br /><br />Now, Aidan has had a miserable rash for the last several days. The doctor thinks it is viral and we have some anti-itch medicine to give her. I didn't give it to her early enough before bed last night, so she was itchy as she was trying to go to sleep. Now, we were all in the same bed, because we were in the hotel. Aidan is rolling around in bed (kicking me in the process), trying to claw at her backside, and repeating over and over (with the utmost distress in her voice), "Ow! There's a coupon stuck in my bo-bo." <br /><br />She was so upset and miserable and we were trying to comfort her but at the same time, we were trying not to burst out laughing. <br /><br />So, be careful, everyone: Don't get a coupon stuck in your bo-bo. It, according to Aidan, is VERY uncomfortable.<br /><br />I hope this doesn't mess her up for life...Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-71004910689261242832009-02-05T14:41:00.001-06:002009-02-05T14:44:39.187-06:00A sweet storyLast night, we were at dinner and waiting for our food. Aidan starts singing, as she often does these days, and I'm only half listening until I realize she is singing "You are my sunshine." It was so sweet and just melted my heart. I know she doesn't understand all the words or what the song is really saying to someone, but it was just so sweet to have her singing those words to me (and later in the evening to Christianne). I must ask her to sing it 5 times a day now. :-) She learned it at school in preparation for their Valentine's Day concert. So sweet!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-25668555402378482002009-02-05T07:44:00.002-06:002009-02-05T07:47:38.589-06:00Big GirlYesterday, Aidan had a big girl accomplishment. She stayed dry in big girl panties all day at school, stayed dry in her big girl panties (no pull up on for back up) all evening with me, and then stayed dry (in a pull up) all night, and got up this morning and tee-teed in the potty (with some coercion to do so). It was a big accomplishment and we are very proud of our big girl! I offered to let her just wear big girl panties today, but she wanted a pull up. But, this is progress. Hooray!Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181511710508852464.post-80927900290863726312009-02-02T15:04:00.002-06:002009-02-02T15:06:53.568-06:00Aidan's reasoningThe other day, Aidan came into the room carrying her gas drops and announced she needed medicine. I asked her why she needed medicine and she said, "I have germs in my tummy." <br /><br />She didn't get any medicine, but it seemed like a well-reasoned argument to me.Aidan Elizabeth's Updateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13513124184838399817noreply@blogger.com0