Aiden~3 Years Old

My big little man is 3. It's amazing to me every time we celebrate another birthday for one of the kids. I'm always in awe that another year has gone by and they are one year older. In the last six months, Aiden has really developed into a little boy. He is potty trained now and not even wearing a pull-up at night! He is pretty self-sufficient getting dressed, although his choice in outfits is interesting. He speaks much clearer now and people other than myself can understand the majority of what he says. Things Aiden loves; fruit snacks, any kind of fruit, most vegetables, bread, warm pants, boots(snow or cowboy), Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, cars, running, snuggling, sneaking in our bed(every night), being a boy(I'll spare you the details), pizza, iPad, ice cream, brushing his teeth, memice(also known as medicine), going to church and his "friends". He's passionate about things, good or bad. Every day is a new experience. Sometimes a challenge and sometimes full of giggles. I really feel like we are slowly turning a corner with his behavior and fits and he's starting to respect and understand things a little more. He has been playing t-ball this month and he starts preschool in the fall. This will be a big adjustment for him but one I know he will enjoy. He is so excited to have his own things to do and to talk about. Aiden we love you much and are so excited to see all of the exciting things this next year will bring!

Baby Aiden Lynn

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

Birthday Boys

On May 16th, we had a joint birthday party for Aiden and Evan. Aiden has been talking about his birthday party since we threw Isla's in January! He's literally been talking about it for months and has been looking forward to this day. I really struggled on how to handle the party(s) this year. I knew Aiden was so excited and I kind of wanted him to have his own and with Evan turning one I also wanted him to have his own but then that meant I was asking our family to come two separate weekends and on and on and on! Then, Josh ended up having to travel to Maine for two consecutive weeks so it really made the decision for us to have a joint party. SO. We moved forward with our hot wheel party complete with t-shirts and hot wheel themed cakes. Cakes made by non other than Grandma Downing. It's so special that she continues to make cakes for birthdays :) We kept it simple with family and some close friends. All Aiden could talk about was his "friends" coming for his party and he really enjoyed playing with everyone.

Last year we could barely get Aiden to participate and this year he was more than willing! He tore through his presents and was happy to be sang to. In fact, I don't know who got him what because he ripped through them so fast!

Evan wasn't too interested in opening presents. He wanted to go play with the big kids. He LOVED the cake that I made just for him and he seemed to enjoy the day as well.

Happy Birthday to my little(big) guys!

Five Little Monkeys~Studio 320 Dance Recital 2015

On April 26th, Isla performed in her 2nd dance recital with Studio 320! She LOVES dance and she did such a good job. It's such a proud moment to see her perform the routine she's been working on for months. This year they danced to "Five Little Monkey's" and her teacher was Ms. Sheila. 

The interesting thing about the Studio is that the owner actually grew up in this house. Isla has the same bedroom she did and there is a little area in the unfinished portion of the basement that has mirrors and flooring just to practice dancing, It's such a small world sometimes! Ms. Sheila really worked the kids hard this year and it's so awesome to see the kids progress. It's amazing how far a cartwheel can come in 9 months! Isla was devastated when it was over because they take a break over the summer. She has asked us to do two classes next year so I think we may have a dancer on our hands!

After the big show

 Her supporting and enthusiastic brothers! I say that now because it's just a matter of time before they are begging us not to go to the recital ;) 

Evan---- 11 Months

At 11 months old Evan has conquered a major milestone, he can walk! He can also say "please" and he waves at cars and sometimes people. He sleeps really well now and he is working on getting rid of his morning naps. He has one bottle in the morning and one before bed. He is so HAPPY! He just loves to walk around and play with toys. Although, his favorite place to escape to is the bathroom....... It's like wrestling a bear when you change his diaper or clothes but he's not afraid to bust a move when the music from Madagascar starts playing! He can give kisses, loves to play peek-a-boo but most of all LOVES to be chased by Daddy. I think he looks forward to josh coming home every day so they can play. It's very sweet to watch.The hair, oh the hair! Let's just say he wears a comb-over well :) We love love love this little man and can't believe we will soon be celebrating his first birthday!

It's blurry but there he is! Big smile and all :)

Goofball!

 Sweet baby kisses 

Easter Weekend

This past weekend we celebrated Easter! On Saturday the Josh and Aiden got their hair cut at a little barber shop in town. I tool Aiden there about a month ago and he was super excited to take Josh to "his" haircut place :) That afternoon we went to celebrate Morley's 3rd birthday complete with princesses and jumping on the little trampoline. After the party we decided to brave it and eat out at Texas Roadhouse! You never know what's going to happen when eating out with 3 children but it was a very enjoyable meal with lots of laughs! Aiden did choke on a peanut and it was terrifying but I handled the situation and he was OK! The kids and Josh were dancing to the music after we ate and it was so heartwarming to watch everyone having a good time.

When we got home we dyed Easter eggs and did baths and then off to bed for the kids! The Easter bunny came and delivered some fun stuff in their baskets and hid the eggs. On Sunday morning we actually had enough time to find the eggs, dig through the baskets, get dressed and make it to church by 9am!

After church we headed to Oak Grove to have dinner and spend time with my family. The kids of course got more treats! Nana makes a mean ham and maybe put a little too much rum in the tiramasu but everything was delicious! We played outside and had another egg hunt where the kids found some money and of course......more treats :) Even Evan had some eggs with puffs and yogurt melts.

It was a wonderful weekend and we are always happy to have a happy weekend!