Are Washable Markers Really Washable?

So, there they were...father and son playing with the Crayola markers that mummy had been keeping in hiding. Things seemed to be going well...apart from the stray marker stripes on Hayden's arms, hands and face...most of the 'markering' appeared to be happening on the assigned sheet of paper; until daddy announced his need to use the bathroom. After leaving the living room, Hayden promptly followed with a pink marker in his hands. Scratching noises were soon heard happening on the bathroom door along with the cute sounds of "daddy" being called through the door. When daddy was all done, he had a lovely picture to admire on the bathroom door.

And yes, to answer the question, washable markers are washable - thank goodness!!

Admiring the Cuteness Factor

When you are Hayden and, therefore, thiiiiiiiiiiiiis cute, you just have to stop and watch yourself on the computer. Life is tough for the beautiful.

Christmas Dinner

This year we decided to make a Christmas ham instead of the traditional turkey. It was good! Shane wanted simple vegetables and mashed sweet potatoes to go with the ham....that I can handle! Of course, we had the traditional British Crackers that went with Christmas dinner - complete with party hats. We all ate a great, big dinner (in keeping with the true Christmas spirit of complete and utter over-indulgence!) and are now getting ready to go out for a walk around the neighborhood to admire the Christmas lights. When we get back, Hayden will be able to open those last remaining presents.

A Merry Christmas For Boone

While saying goodbye to Shane's family over Skype, Hayden decided it was a good time to help Boone enjoy his Christmas present. So, all the milk bones got eaten in less than 3 minutes with no complaints from Boone or Hayden; that is, until the biscuits ran out.

The Height Of Frustration....

...is when you reach your goal then some one turns the block over and you realize you have to do it all over again and again. Hmmmm - no wonder this toy comes with a hammer.

Christmas Presents

Well, what can I say? We are all very lucky...Hayden especially. Hayden received so many presents that we have had to split the day in to two. He was getting over-whelmed with all the new toys to play with. He had to play with each toy as he opened it and soon didn't know which one to play with next. We will open the remainder of his gifts after our Christmas dinner.

Christmas is an opportunity to realize exactly how blessed we are...thank you to all of you that play a part in that.

Meet The New Addition To Our Family...

...Elmers! Hayden received the best gift of all this Christmas...his very own pony. He loves him already. We have affectionately named him Elmers (yes, after the glue)...he is very low maintenance and gives little trouble. He is already a family favorite! Thank you SO much to the wonderful Betz family for this fantastic gift!!

Helping Dad Put The New Wheelbarrow Together

Dad got a new wheelbarrow as a thank you from Auntie Vanessa. He had helped her rewire her garage a couple of weeks ago... Daddy decided to save the $10 and put the wheelbarrow together himself with a little help from Hayden; it was a father-son project. This project took two days due to missing screws (because Hayden would put them "somewhere safe"), parts that took adventures to other areas of the house (thanks to Hayden) and Hayden wanting to use the wheelbarrow as a jungle-gym; but, it seems that they both enjoyed themselves.

Community Center Christmas Party

Hayden and I went the the kids Christmas Party at the local community center today. It was loud, crazy and overwhelming!...Just how a kids party is supposed to look! Hayden listened to the pre-school kids sing a few Christmas carols, made a photo frame and a Christmas tree ornament, pet the rabbit (who is called S'mores), played with the toys and played the piano with some other kids. It was a good couple of hours; however, by the time we left, Hayden was exhausted and ready for bed; in fact, he skipped his lunch!...Hayden NEVER skips food!

Visiting Santa For The First Time

Today was Hayden's first trip to see Santa. I have to say, I am very impressed with Hayden. He really did not create too much of a fuss and, although not overly happy, he did not cry or scream. I even went ahead and sat on Santa's lap so that this baby did not feel left out!!

It's a good thing we 'know' Santa and Mrs Claus...it could have been uncomfortable otherwise!

Playing In The Snow

Today has been a day of alternating rain and snow. When snowing, the flakes have been big and fluffy. The roads are, as a result, wet, slushy and not nice.

With snow comes shoveling! Hayden helped daddy today. He wore his froggie rain boots for the first time, put on his big, warm coat and his hat and ventured out into the world of white. He wasn't sure of the snow at first; but, he seems to have 'warmed' up to it...although, he is not impressed when he falls down and the snow gets on his hands - in all the clothing frenzy to get him ready to head outside, we forgot his gloves! Oopsy.

Shane and I have had a productive day of doing nothing. It is the first time, in a long time (neither of us can remember the last time this happened), that we have both just sat on the couch and done a whole lot of nothing. It is the perfect weather for it.

"Eating" Spaghetti

With hindsight, spaghetti may not have been the best shape pasta to feed to an 18-month old. Live and learn.

Did You Ever Wonder...

...what cabin fever looks like? Here are some pictures of it!

Watching It Snow

Here is Hayden in our fancy new hallway that Shane built while Hayden and I were in Florida. It started to snow again today...Hayden was watching the snow and the birds that were flying because of the snow.

Dinner Date

Last night, we had Jeremy, Tamera, Brooke and Vanessa over for a roast chicken dinner. Again, Brooke and Hayden had fun playing while the 'adults' chit-chatted. It was a really nice evening - one, I know, we enjoyed.

Play Date

Some friends of ours, Jeremy and Tamera, have just moved to Burney...and with them their not-quite-15-month old daughter, Brooke. Tamera bought Brooke over for a play date on Wednesday - what a blast! After Hayden had recovered from his shock of someone else raiding his toys (!), he settled right down and shared his toys and played with Brooke. Brooke took custody of Hayden's juice cup and Hayden took her milk cup in exchange. They shared snacks (Hayden had more fun poking snacks into Brooke's mouth than eating them himself - she seemed to agree with the system!) and "talked on the phone." At one point, they had gone very quiet and came back to Hayden's bedroom with water everywhere - Brooke had it all over her face and Hayden's pants were wet - they had decided to take a swim in the dog water bowl!

The great thing, though, is (as you can see from the picture of Tamera above) that Tamera and Jeremy are using sign language with Brooke too. As a result, Hayden was able to interact with Tamera right from the start...it seemed to ease any discomfort he may have had around a stranger.

It is very exciting to have a friend for Hayden - Welcome to the area, Jeremy, Tamera and Brooke!!

18-Month Check Up

Well, finally Hayden seems to be keeping some weight on his bones! He has put on 6 lbs in the past three months and now weighs in at a grand 27 lbs. He has progressed from the 25th percentile up to the 70th...much better!! He has grown 2.25" in the past three months too...he is now measuring in at 33.25"...so tall! He is in the 75th percentile for his height.
The doctor is very happy with him and impressed with the signs and words that he is saying (Hayden did show off for the doctor by asking for Juice and then signing for please!).
Hayden then had to have his second swine flu shot yesterday afternoon - he is such a trooper. He cried when the needle went in and then quit. He recovers very quickly!

Hayden has added a couple more words to his very quickly growing vocabulary...apple, ball and book are now being said pretty clearly. He has also added cereal and open to his signing vocabulary in the past couple of days. He is just so smart!!

First Snow

A couple of nights ago, we got our first snow of the winter. A few inches, not much; but, enough to make the place look beautiful. The first picture is taken out of our back door toward Mt. Burney, the second is from our back door to the shop/guest house, the third is the back garden (complete with trash pile that needs to be taken to the dump - you can ignore that part!), the fourth is the wood shed and neighbors and the last is the fence in the front garden. As you can see, the sky was crystal blue; but, it was cold. Hayden and I did take a walk yesterday afternoon, with Vanessa and Cookie, as we were both feeling a little cabin-fevered. THEN, last night, it got down to -2 degrees Fahrenheit (that's -19 degrees Celsius to all you Brits!!)...brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Hayden TV

Hayden and Shane have been enjoying time together watching "Hayden TV." No, we don't let Hayden watch TV; but, Hayden has learned that the computer has a large inventory of videos on his growth and development...much to his utter amusement. He will stand for hours and watch himself!! Nope, absolutely no narcissism here!

Pregnancy #2!

I am now 24 weeks pregnant with only 16 weeks left to go...again, time is going by way too fast. My good friend, Vanessa, is also pregnant and is 27 weeks along. Shane and I had her over for dinner the other night and decided we needed a "group" picture!

This pregnancy is going just as well as Hayden's did...very easy. Of course, I get tired...but that is to be expected. We don't know what gender the baby is and I am having a much harder time, this time, not knowing. At my core, I don't want to know until the delievery...but, I am getting impatient to know! I did think we were having another boy; but, that feeling has subsided and I don't have any idea now! So, I guess, watch this space!