Christmas 2008

Christmas was a different experience for me this year. It was so cool to view this holiday from Aiden's perspective. It wa sort of enlightening. This year was the first year he really understood Christmas. "Santa will bring me toys and put them under the Christmas tree". I don't know how many times I used that as a bargining tool in the month of December. (Remember Santa only gives good boys and girls presents. Which of course would immediately be followed by I am a good boy).

Christmas Eve was spend at Carole and Tim's house (aka Nanny and grampy). Aiden enjoyed playing in nanny's village, signaling nanny's train to the tune of jingle bells repeatedly, and playing with uncle Timmy and Melissa.

Christmas morning Aiden woke up late. I love him for this. We opened stockings followed by presents. When he walked down the stairs, I said to him lets go see if Santa came last night. When he saw all the presents under the tree his little eyes lit up and made all the shopping worthwhile. I have to admit I even shed a few tears. Being a mom is the best job ever.

Later we went to visit Keith and Angela. Thanks for the bike guys. Then we travelled to Nonna's to hang with the Mento family for the day. We had lots of laughs. Aiden also played with Nonna's village and Calder the dog. Aiden fell so many times throughout the day that the quote of the day was "Man Down". We definately enjoyed Christmas 2008. Thank you everyone.

It is very exciting to have power again! It was difficult to live without power with a 2 and a half year old. It's good to be civilized again. I felt as though I was winter camping.

Anyway, so far this month we have made yummy cookies, decorated the Christmas tree and created our very own gingerbread house. I think Aiden enjoyed the candy more than putting the house together. He loves the movie Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Right now Aiden knows the following colors: red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple and white. He can sing his ABC's and can count to 6.

He recently got a new Thomas the Tank Engine Bed that he enjoys every night. He also upgraded to a larger bedroom so he can now play in his room with all of his cool toys.

Let me see, no pictures this time. I'm sure there will be many to follow with the holidays around the corner. Aiden is sure taking his time potty training. I think he has the pee part down it's the number 2 that he refuses not to do besides in the pullup. Oh the joys of motherhood. Let me see. Some of his favorite things right now: trains, matchbox cars, firetrucks, building blocks, coloring, stickers, kicking the ball around, and playing on the computer.

The past few months have been busy for us. Aiden was in Keith and Angela's wedding as the ring bearer. They had a beautiful wedding and Aiden did a excellent job walking down the aisle. All he needed was a little bribe. (Look closely on what's on the pillow as he is walking down-tractor treat). Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but it really does work.

We also took a trip to Mack's Apples in Londonderry. Grammy and Grammy J also came with us. We picked up lots of apples and a few pumpkins. We enjoyed looking at the animals they had there too.

Another day our family went to Charminfare Farm. We went on a hay ride, tractor ride, and a pony ride. There were so many animals there. Aiden even milked a cow!

For Halloween this year, Aiden was a dragon. He would go up to houses and say Trick or Treat-roar!!!!

On August 1st Aiden, nonna and I went to Storyland. We had an amazing time. It was difficult to take pictures while on most of the rides, but here are a few. We lucked out weather wise, it was sunny with a light breeze. Aiden had a blast. When he saw the rollercoaster for the first time, he was scared. It was kind of funny to see.

On a different note, Aiden had to try on a tux for our friends Keith and Angela's wedding that he is in on September 6th.

The Cabot Factory

Train Ride

Wink-wink-wink

Aiden's room in the cabin

Stowe Cabin in the Woods

Conflict? Who is right?

Daddy & Aiden eating lunch at Ben & Jerry's

We took a weekend "camping trip" aka we stayed in a cabin up in Waterbury VT. We stopped in to visit Ben & Jerry's Factory and sampled some delicious ice cream, had a lunch, layed on the playground and did some spin art. We then went to the Cabot factory where we feasted on cheese samples. Then we went to the VT teddy bear company, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Green Mt. Factory and Quechee Train Museum.

All grown up

Once again Summer vacation is finally here. Aiden does not attend school in the summer as the family is able to do fun trips together, including visiting some of his favorite people. This picture of Aiden makes him look so grown up. We opened the pool about a month ago and Aiden loves swimming in it and kicking his feet, especially when he splashes water in grampy's face. That of course is followed by long amounts of laughter!

Over the last several months Aiden has changed so much! He no longer uses a pacifer, sleeps in a toddler bed and is toilet training... I feel as though this happened all at once and I was completely overwhelmed with different emotions. I am proud to say it only took 1 night of crying to discontinue the infamous "binkie". However, it is a night that we will never forget. Since the last entry we have celebrated Easter as well as Aiden's 2nd birthday. He was able to find the Easter eggs that we hid around the house with some prompting of course. I wish all of you could see the smile on his face everytime he found one. Aiden enjoys running around outside, terrorizing the cats, riding his bike and car, throwing the ball around, blowing bubbles, playing his recorder, playing with his 1 million trains, playing hide and seek and his favorite thing of all is to sing!

Since the last entry Aiden has been helping out in the house a lot. One day I was trying to vacum and he grabbed it when I put it down for a moment and cleaned the entire dining room. He also enjoys hiding in our cabinets while playing hide and seek. Aiden has also begun to potty train. How exciting is that. He will do anything for a Jello pudding pop. I sometimes feel as though I am training a dog.

Aiden has been going on some fun playdates lately. One of his favorite places is the Discovery Stop in Londonderry. It's a hands on learning environment. There's also a place in Portsmouth of course I forget the name, but it is just as fun.

Like Father, Like Son

Well the three of us just returned home from a wrestling meet. No, Aiden did not wrestle. He is however dressed to take anyone down in his XXXS wrestling attire. I think this makes his dad rather happy...

Believe it or not people are always asking what Aiden wants or needs. So I came up with a list of toys that could be an option. (All from Target). If you are interested in getting him clothes we are buying sizes 24 month or 2T for him at this time. He has more than enough 18 month.

1. VTECH Bob the Builder Laptop $24.99
2. 100 Foam Building Blocks $19.99
3. Marble Run $19.99
4. Schleich Dino Set $22.99
5. Prism Voit Set of 6 Balls $17.84
6. Sand & Surf Water Table $79.99
7. Franklin Hopping Ball $8.49
8. Little Tree Rescue Train 70 Pc. Set $19.99
9. Who Lives Where Game $17.99
10. Step 2 Play Food $24.99
11. Little Tree Side Bin Train Table $79.99
12. Aquadoodle Bath & Color $19.99
13. Doodlepro Dino $14.99
14. Rocket USA Bozo Bop Bag $14.99
15. Play Dough Creativity Center $24.99

Here are some pictures that I forgot last time, but I think that others will truly appreciate!

As you can see we take things rather seriously around here!

Currently he enjoys eating pears, grapes and "nana's"-sorry Carole. He does not like most veggies, however he enjoys an old fashioned fist full of dip. Otherwise he tends to eat what we're having.

He knows where his head, eyes, nose, teeth, belly and feet are. His favorite word right now is "no". He enjoys saying no when I ask him something, laughs and runs in the opposite direction. As I am writng this it sounds rather funny, but believe me it gets irritating quickly:)

Aiden sucessfully survived the holiday season with ease. He has been playing outside in the snow a lot. He enjoys sledding and making a snowman and knocking it down. During one snow day the three of us decided to make and decorate Christmas cookies. I think Aiden ate more frosting than he actually put on the cookies. Don't worry we did not give those cookies to anyone, so all of you are safe! He absolutely loved the Christmas tree ornaments located on the bottom of the tree. I woke him up one morning and he was still holding onto one. I don't know how he snuck that to bed the night before. The little stinker!