Happy 5th Birthday to Aiden

We went out to The Farm for Aiden's 5th birthday party. The Farm is the home that my grandpa built and now some of my family live there.  I have so many fond childhood memories of that place.  We used to go down every other weekend and go fishing, have bonfires, ride horses, play games, and sit outside until the sun set.

 Each time we go out there, we try to drive by our old house.  This is the first house that Matt and I bought together.  We lived there for about three years.  Lexi was born while we lived there.  She took her first steps there.  We have a lot of fond memories there too.  It looks like the new owners are taking good care of the place.

 The Farm has changed a lot now.  Lexi loves playing on the swing set.

 Jayvan got to make his first trip out there and he seemed to always be looking up at the sky.  I wonder if he can see something that we can't.

 My cousin set up a treasure hunt for the kids and when they found the treasure box it was full of fake money and bling.  Jayvan got his first bling ring.

 Here are my cousin Jessie, her dad (Uncle Steve) and the birthday boy (Aiden).

 Fake mustaches were part of the goody bags and this just had to be done:

We ended the night with a four generation photo.

Happy Birthday to Aiden!

Conversation with a baby

Two Months Old

Jayvan is two months old today.  It's hard to believe it has been that long now.

He is cooing, smiling, and grabbing anything that is in his reach.  He continues to be loved by everyone who meets him.

He is also attempting to sit up (with back support) for a few moments.

And then he gets tired and topples over.

When I kiss him, I give him an extra kiss from his birthmom.

A Day In the Woods

A Rainy Day Production
Directed by Lexi & Mom

Our audience consisted of Daddy and Jayvan

Star of the week

Lexi was the star of the week in her classroom. 

On Monday she took in all of the pictures and information about her favorites.  She said she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up.  I told her that she should probably go back to dance class if she wants to be a ballerina.  She said, "Nevermind.  I'll just be a doctor."
On Tuesday she took her favorite book to share with the class. She chose Inside Your Outside. She said that none of her friends had read it before and they really liked it.
On Wednesday she got to take her favorite stuffed animal, which was her ladybug pillow pet.
On Thursday she got to sit at the teacher's desk during morning activity.
On Friday she got to bring something for show and tell.  She chose her brother. Awe...

A Night at the Races

When I was a Lexi's age (don't a lot of parental stories start this way?), I grew up going to the dirt track races pretty much every weekend in the summer.  I can't say that it was ever my favorite thing to do, but my dad raced frequently, so we went and watched.  My dad hasn't raced in many years (we were thinking 18 years), but a friend of his started renting out hobby stock cars.  So, my dad rented the car and we all drove out to Butler, MO to support him. Matt stayed home with Jayvan, because the dirt and noise aren't exactly baby-friendly.

 Can you tell that my dad was giddy with excitement?

 Lexi is doing the exact thing that I did at many races back in the day (wow, I sound old): playing with her cars.  Of course, I typically was playing in the dirt and she's playing on metal stands.

Here he is with his big winnings ($20).




I am so glad that my dad got the opportunity to race again.  I know he had a blast.  We got home really late (or really early depending on how you look at it), and I had to shower all the dirt off before we climbed into bed. 

First Fall Soccer Game

Lexi had her first Fall soccer game with the Gray Dolphins.

 She had quite the fan club.

  That baby is getting huge!