Timeless Theatrics

A movie I cherished as a child was this:

I searched for it last year before Christmas because I wanted to get it for Ayden. He loves Mickey Mouse (what kid doesn't) and he absolutely LOVES classical music (Little Einsteins, anyone?) Much to my dismay, I could not find this movie anywhere. I then learned it was in the Disney Vault. What is that you ask? Basically, Disney puts movies in the 'vault' after only selling them for a short time. Every few years or so they release them for a limited time. Stupid vault. ;)

So how excited was I to find out that our friends the Parkhills had a copy? And they were willing to give it to us? Super excited! When Ayden and I got home yesterday I popped in Fantasia. And he loved it! Well, the first 45 minutes or so. He sat in his chair and just watched. Every now and then he would look over at me and I would smile. He would in turn smile back, turn back to the movie, and begin nodding his head to the music! Have I mentioned how much I adore that boy?

Happy birthday, Frank Buck Zoo

St. Patrick's Day happened to be Frank Buck Zoo's birthday. And what does that mean? $1 ADMISSION!!!

We decided to take advantage of this opportunity and went with Aunt Jennifer, Cole, Grayden and Ella. And who would've guessed: we were not the only ones with this idea! There was a line to get in! The zoo opens at 10, so we thought we would let the kids play at the park for a bit before going. Jennifer got there about 9:30 and she said there was a line already started. The weather that day was supposed to warm up, so I didn't bring a jacket for Ayden or myself, but he was in jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Needless to say, it decided to warm up after we left the park. Poor Ayden was shivering by the time we left. We had to warm up in the gift shop!

This was really his first time to be at the park while walking well, so he was all over the place! This is mainly because Cole was all over the place, and where Cole goes, so shall Ayden.

The older kids wanted to ride the train. This was Ayden and my first time to ride the express. A free bit of advice: Don't ride when the temperature is in the 40s.

Ayden was excited at first, but this quickly subsided. Once we crossed the first crossing, he was in my lap. The crossings have bells that sound like old school fire alarms, and apparently he does not enjoy that sound. He would calm down once we got passed, but after the second one he tells me, "I off, Mama." I, of course, couldn't oblige him since we were on a moving train. He decided he would try Aunt Jennifer and wanted to got back to her in the row behind us. I don't think he was to pleased with her not appeasing him, either! ;)

Once in the zoo, Ayden again was all about following the big kids. At one point I told him, "Follow the kids", just trying to get him to keep moving. Well, I didn't take into account the fact there were TONS of kids everywhere. So when I turn around, this is what I see:

He just found a random group of people and decided he was going to follow them. Don't worry, he didn't get far before I caught up with him.

Ever try to get a group picture with four kids 5 and under?

Do funny faces prove relation?

And here are some of the animals.

I got a new camera in January (thanks to all who contributed to my camera fund for Christmas). However, it is quite advanced and I don't always get great pictures due to operator error. When I bought it, I got free classes to learn how to use it but I haven't had a chance to got to any of them yet. I took many more pictures than these, but they were blurry. This was also Ayden's second trip to the zoo, so I will post about that in another update.

Just a little check up

Today we went for Ayden's 18 month check up. He unfortunately had two shots, but he took them like a champ! He also behaved very well while getting weighed and measured. This was the second attempt to weigh him on the grown people scale, and he did great. As opposed to the last check up where he threw a wild-eyed fit. He also got measured by standing against the wall instead of laying on the table and being 'marked'. Below are his updates:

27 lbs 75th percentile

2'9.5" 75th percentile

49.5" head circumference 95th percentile

Those may look unproportional, Dr. Klein said it is. He said he may not look big for his age, but he actually is.

A Mini Major Mile Stone!

So, Ayden has been telling us, "I pee pee" and grabs his little stool. He then proceeds to run into the nearest bathroom, place the stool in front of the toilet, then climb on it and stand there. Sometimes he tells us this before he actually uses the restroom. Because of this, we bought one of these:

Some of you may wonder why we bought a seat insert as opposed to the separate toilet. Now, if you know Ayden, you know that he does not do 'baby' stuff. If he isn't doing it like a grown up, he's not doing it at all! We figured we would not take the risk of him disliking a separate toilet that mom and dad don't use.

Last night we got home from eating dinner at Taco Casa where conversation was about potty training. Even the TC worker thought she needed to explain to us how she potty trained her two sons! While we were there, Brody was a big boy and used the potty. When we got back to the house, I asked Ayden if he had to potty because he was following me around. He immediately ran to the living room, grabbed his stool, and headed for the front bathroom. I took his diaper off and sat him down -

About a minute later I heard tinkling! Yay! It wasn't much, but it was a start. And he looked so cute! I wish I would have had a camera!

I supposed this is where I should tell you that he then wanted to take a bath. He gets down from the potty and turns it on himself. While standing next to the tub testing the water (again, part of his I am a big boy complex), he decides he wasn't done peeing. I look down to see his sock, the only article of clothing he still had on, is soaked! Then I see the puddle at his feet. Oh well.

He then gets in the tub. And after a few minutes, I see a grimace - and the little fart poops in the tub! This was a first. Fortunately for us, he had never done this. And honestly, I was hoping he never would. Watching that hope fly right out the window... I have heard horror stories of kids being so scared they wouldn't take baths forever after doing this. I did my best for him not to see, sent him off with daddy, and proceeded to scrub the tub.

So let's recap, shall we? Ayden peed in the potty, then finished on the floor, then pooped in the bathtub. What an eventful night! But we'll keep trying. Sorry there weren't any pictures, but to be honest: I am typing this during my conference at school! Shhh... don't tell.

Blizzard!

Ok, so maybe not a blizzard. But it was close by Texas standards.

So Bandit sees I am taking her picture. She says to me, "Let me pose with my good side." This is what I got:

The Stang. Amazing.

And here comes the star. If you wonder why there aren't many pictures of our little buddy, he HATED the snow. He loved looking out the window and saying, "Noe" (basically snow without the s). The instant his glove and pant leg got wet, he was ready to go back in. And yes, I had him layered!

Snuggle up, Ayden!

Ayden had some snuggle time with dad in the chair a few nights ago. However, snuggle time turned to tickle time! By Ayden absolutely loved it. And I'm sure Kendall did, too...

Brooklyn came to visit on our snow day. Ayden was sweet enough to share his chair.

Mosty pictures...

I know most of you come strictly for the pictures, so here are some from last month. As you can tell, it was a great weather day! (and Cowboys game day, too)

Whatcha doin' mom?

Well, ok...but let me stike my pose!