{304/365} Happy Halloween

I was worried about how tonight would go.  Aiden had a huge meltdown on the way home from church, mostly because he didn't want to leave a fire truck that's in his Sunday School room and also because I didn't bring his beloved paci and blanket.  That was intentional.  I am trying to get Aiden to use the paci only at nap and bedtime.  I don't mind him having the blanket but with one comes the other.  And on top of that, he didn't fall asleep for his nap until 2:30.  I put him in the car while he was still asleep around 4:15.  He woke up a few minutes later.  I told him we were going trick or treating.  His response?  "Finally". He was pumped after that.  I shouldn't have worried!

Aiden had a practice run at my parents' house.  He was so cute.  He would knock on the door, quietly count to 3, and whether they had opened the door by 3 or not, he yelled trick or treat.  I did get him to wait for the door to open a few times!

 He was rarin' to go after his practice runs!

Aiden was a trooper, although as his bag filled with candy he had Papa carry that and had me carry him.  But he marched right up to each house and knocked on the door.  He usually remember to say trick or treat, but sometimes said, "I want some candy please."  I also heard him say, "What are you doing here" to several people when they answered the door.  Too funny.  After about 6 or 7 houses he wanted us to wait at the end of the driveway. "I do it by self".  Okay, Mr. Independent.

 Aiden made sure to correct everyone who called him a dragon. "I a dinosaur- ROAR!"

He made it for a whole hour of trick or treating.  He also loved passing out candy.

 He would great people with "trick or treat" and then say "come on in, you'll be safe here".  I don't know where he gets these things!  I think it's pretty safe to say Halloween is Aiden's new favorite holiday!

{303.365}

A well deserved meal.

Yep, Aiden ate ice cream for dinner.  We had family photos taken on Saturday.  An hour plus at a beautiful park on the White River complete with a covered bridge.  Can't wait to see some of the pictures.  Aiden sure made the sweet ladies taking our pictures work!  He was so not into it.  I'll bet they got a few good ones. It helps to have two people snapping pics with an almost 2.5 year old who has his own agenda.

{302/365} GymBOOree

Aiden was supposed to wear his costume to music class on Friday morning but he wouldn't put it on.  I was a little worried that he would want nothing to do with the costume that evening at the Gymb0ree party.  But a little bribe worked wonders.  And no, it wasn't the piece of candy.  He found that in the car before we came in.  It was his gymb0ree teacher, Miss Melissa.  I told him Miss Melissa really wanted to see him in his costume and that he could go in and roar at her.  That was all it took- game on.

 Aiden loved running through the not so scary tunnel.

One of the pictures from last year's party made our Christmas card last year.  Some of you may remember this- one of my favorite pictures of all time.

 Aiden made sure to check himself out in plenty of mirrors this year too...

Aiden was so proud of his dinosaur costume and roared at everyone.

Aiden really got into the craft this year.

 And no night at gymb0ree would be complete without gymb0 stamps!

{300.301/365} Bug Bites and Potty Time

 And on the 300th day, Aiden discovered a new body part.  The conversation went like this:

Aiden: Mommy! Mommy! I've got a bug bite.
Me (in the kitchen) : Okay.  I'll bring the medicine
Aiden: Mommy! MOMMY! I've got two bug bites.
Me:  Where are your bug bites?
Aiden (pointing to his chest): Right there.  Put the medicine right there!
Me (trying not to totally lose it):  Aiden, those are part of your body.  Those are called nipples.
Aiden: Oh, my body...(Gram walks in) Gram, these are my body.
What a silly silly boy.

 Want to know what else happened on the 300th day of 2010?  Aiden asked to use the potty at gymboree.  No success but it was the first time he requested it. But on the 301st day of 2010?  Yep.  Success on the potty at school!  HOORAY!  Let the potty training begin!

We also went to a Halloween party at my school tonight.  Aiden had tons of fun.  Just look at how he chowed down on that cookie!!

 There was also coloring and lots of games which, of course. included candy.  Aiden has not met a piece of candy he doesn't like.  Let the sugar fest begin.

{299/365} The Great Pumpkin

 Aiden was all about picking the shapes for his jack-o-lantern.  Cleaning it out?

 No thanks! He took off for the basement and had no intention of sticking his hand in the pumpkin.

 As soon as he heard Papa using some power tools to cut the face Aiden came running back to the table.

 Peeking through the jack-o-lantern's ears...

 Aiden loved blowing out the candle inside.

 Pumpkin carving was a success!

{297.298/365} I Don't Understand You

 This is what happens to Aiden at 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon when he misses nap 2 days in a row.  On Sunday I put him in my bed, thinking he would fall asleep like at night.  I went downstairs to do a workout.  I was jogging in place when I hear "use your walking feet Mommy".  Aiden found me.  I will give him credit- he actually let me finish 30 minutes of working out.  And when he fell asleep, I let him stay asleep for an hour and got the kitchen cleaned.  I even mopped the floor!

 Have I ever mentioned Aiden is a sponge?  It's crazy what he knows and what he remembers.  It truly blows me away with his memory. He sings a whole lot of the end song at Gymb0ree.  We've only been in this level for about a month.

He has been using lines from shows these days.  And it's not like he watches shows all day long.  Even when they are on he's not sitting and watching but playing and watching.  Today I tried to take these pictures while we were playing with playdoh.  Aiden looked right at me and said, "Oh brother. No pictures".  I think the Oh brother is from W0nder Pets.

 He's also been going around saying, "Note to self: focus".

Aiden has started hitting me when he's tired or frustrated.  With his verbal skills, he can usually tell me what's bothering him, but not always.  Sometimes it's hard to remember he really is only 2.  He's advanced intellectually but emotionally, Aiden's two (thanks for reminding of that Laura). Anyway, I always tell him that it's not okay to hit mommy.  It's not safe (they use conscious discipline at school and I am trying to do so at home too).  I always end by asking him if he understands and he tells me yes and will usually say, "No hitting.  I'm sorry".  The other night I first asked if he was ready for bed.  Of course he said no.  I think told him it was time for bed and we were going to go upstairs in 2 more minutes.  He looked right at me and said, "I don't understand you".  He keeps me on my toes!  Good thing he's so cute and is sweet 99% of the time.  Of course tonight I asked him for a kiss and he said, "Not now.  Check back later".  He keeps me on my toes!