Aiden turns ONE!

That's right... we have a ONE year old! I can't believe a year has passed already! Just thinking back where we were a year ago... wow! There were some scary moments leading up to his birth, and I am just so thankful to have a beautiful healthy boy. Bob and I are so very blessed with our two sweet kids.

Aiden's birthday was September 28th, and we celebrated with family and friends the weekend before with a Circus Birthday BBQ. {it was also Bob's dads birthday on the 25th so we were able to celebrate Vovo too!} The weather was beautiful, the kids got a nap in before the party started, and we had a great turnout. The food was delicious thanks to Bob (for waking up at 6:00am to start smoking the 10lb brisket!), Vovo for making the ever-popular brigadero, and Mimi for her famous mini mac'n cheese bites. Poppa researched balloon animals online, which became the hit of the party. Big thanks to family that traveled in town just for the party! We love you Katy Crockers and the Bloem-Curtis clan! :) As usual, there were too many pictures to chose from, so I created a birthday image board that captures the highlights of the party.

Aiden - we love you! Happy Birthday big boy!

Plano Balloon Festival

Attempt that is... the weather wasn't cooperating on the morning we planned to go, so by the time we arrived to the site, everything was being taken down. Bridgette didn't know any better so she still thought the larger balloons (not hot air) that were used as signage for ATM machines, etc. were awesome! So instead we went to breakfast with Mimi and Poppa, and played at the coolest grocery store playground. Central Market in Plano has a barn themed playground outside their eating area, and the kids had a great time. We will try the balloon fest next year...

Just another day at the playground...

Last week the kids and I checked out a new playground at a not-so-normal spot: the Shops at Park Lane. It was a perfect little morning amid this crazy {HOT} summer! We actually had clouds that day... with a little breeze... so it wasn't too bad outside. I parked at one side of the shops... walked to get a coffee and some fruit for the kiddos at Whole Foods, then continued walking/window shopping to the playground. It's fenced in, new, tucked in the back of this urban space, and best of all... we had it all to ourselves that morning! Aiden LOVED watching big sis climb up the slide... then following right behind her. We played, ate our snack, saw the fountain, then walked back to the car. Like I said.... a perfect little morning!

A Room to Call Their Own

That's right... the kids have their OWN rooms! {We actually did this a while back, but I just now took pictures to share.} We tried having them share a room so I could have my office - but that just didn't work out as planned. As much fun as the kids had shouting and laughing at each other from crib to crib, the sleep situation just was not working. That, and my "office" quickly turned to "playroom" and that was not mixing well. The solution? Bridgette stayed in her room and we just "re-vamped" the decor a bit. Aiden moved into the front room, and got his own "boy" room. And mommy moved into the dining room. We bought a hutch from IKEA that I can house everything behind closed doors, but the furniture looks like it belongs in a kitchen (and we will be able to use this in the future... when mommy gets her own office again... right Bob? ;)) So there you have it - a house with revolving rooms. Until we are ready to build up or move (which we aren't right now) ... then you just have to "make it work!" I'm still working on some art and little touches to add, but check out the pics.

{Aiden's Abode}

{Bridgette's Bungalow}

Bridgette v. the color Yellow...

The mind of a 2 year old is hilarious! We love hearing what our Miss Bridgette has to say these days... but this one takes the cake. About a week ago, we started noticing her taking the yellow crayon or marker and setting it aside. Then she would say "no like it" and hand it to us. She's been doing this a lot the last few days. Today while we were at Central Market... I decided to get us some gelato. They had new flavors, so naturally we needed to sample. First up - lemon cookie gelato. (sound delicious, right?) I asked for a sample and handed it to Bridgette. She pushed it away and said "no like it"! I was shocked! My daughter definitely doesn't turn down ice cream!? I looked down and noticed "yellow" bits of cookie and asked "you don't like the yellow?" ... in which she replied "no like it". So I asked her which one she wanted to try... "black one" (a.k.a. chocolate, or as Bridgette says "coclit"). HA! I'm not sure what the color "yellow" ever did to her... but she does not want anything to do with it!

And I can't post without a picture, so I'll leave you with this... this afternoon we were coloring, and she put a marker cap in the stamp... held it with both hands and started singing "happy birthday" to Aiden. The cap was the "candle" and the stamp was the "cupcake". Gotta love these little {BIG} imaginations!

Aiden = GQ

Although we've had 37 consecutive days of 100+ degree weather ... we still have to step outside every now and again to get some (somewhat) fresh air. Last week we did just that, and Aiden started climbing/playing on our little bench out front. I knew he was handsome, but I had no idea he was such a stud-muffin! He sat in the bench in the poses below all on his own! I did not prop him up, sit him there, or pose him in any way for these pictures! Watch out ladies!

Best of Summer

Now that I'm catching up... I thought I'd just post some "best of" pictures from the summer {mainly June and July}. The kids definitely keep me on my toes and keep me laughing on a daily basis, and I try to capture as many moments as I can with the camera. Of course, there are quite a few moments that are just for me - sorry, perks of being a mom of two great kids! ;) This summer we've gone to playdates, walked the mall (about once a week) and look at the ducks, painted, read books, played with Mimi, watched movies, "helped" mom work, built towers with blocks, rode in "car carts" at our favorite central market + whole foods stores, made masterpieces with chalk on the front driveway, got to ride in a boat over 4th of July, braved restaurants with mommy by ourselves!, played "bumper cars" in the house, got mommy a new car, enjoyed lots of frozen yogurt, and moved Bridgette into a big girl bed and Aiden into his own room. {more on that later} Here are just a few of my favorite photos...

Club Lake over 4th of July

Making lots of messes in the house...

Two peas in a pod...

First pigtails!

Mimi sneaks Aiden a taste of fro-yo!

Working from home - HA!