Surprise Mom & Dad

My parents had their 40th Wedding Anniversary, this year. The kids got their house painted for them, and boy does it look nice. My mom kept saying that she felt like she was on make-a-wish, she was so giddy about it. However, that was just the beginning. We surprised her by having her family (sister, her sister's husband, their daughter Erin, Erin's boyfriend Courtney, and my mom's brother Bill) fly into town all the way from Pennsylvania. We surprised her at Mesa Rosa (Thursday night). Friday, we went to Akira's for lunch and then went to Esther's Follies that night. It was the funniest show I'd ever seen there. I liked the Old Spice/Pres. Obama skit the best. More surprises awaited them that weekend, but that'll be a separate post. We had my cousin Erin and her boyfriend staying with us, but then our AC died. Fortunately, that didn't spoil anything about the weekend. Happy 40th wedding anniversary to the best parents in the world!!

Hayden's in 1st Grade

Riverbats, perhaps???

I'm wayyyy behind on blogging, and I have tons of posts to do (story of my life). Anyhow, Hayden started 1st grade this year in Mrs. Haji's class. Only one girl from last year (Sydney) is in his class this year, but he is still able to see some of his old friends during recess. So far, he really likes his teacher. We just had teacher/parent conference and his teacher said he is doing great. He's learning how to be a good citizen (always doing his personal best), and he is already reading at the end of 1st grade level (which is good, because he is blind). He had a few days (he says 11) of shedding tears until snack time, but we think we are over that. He was excited to get his 20 checks this week for being a good citizen (cleaning kids' desks when they are ill, for example), and I think he gets to bring a stuffed animal (not stuffed bird) to school, tomorrow. So far, he seems to have less homework than last year (or maybe it just doesn't take as long to do, since he can read and write so much better). He went home sick, today (Kevin think he was faking it-diarrhea and headache), and we are going to discuss The Boy Who Cried Wolf with him. Hayden is such a sweet, smart, boy and I really don't want him to grow up, but I just know he is going to learn and grow soooo much, this year. Hayden, your momma loves you bunches and will still drop you off at the hug zone and eat lunch with you as often as you want ;)

Side note-Kevin went back to school, and his mascot is the riverbat.

Weekly Photos of Nadia with Fozzy (Weeks 48-52)

Week 48

Week 49

Week 50

Week 51

Week 52

My angel Nadia turned one on September 10, 2011 (9-10-11). Where did the time go?!? To be honest, it will be a little nice to not have to worry about her weekly photo shoot (she doesn't like it-can you tell?). Nadia went to her doctor's appointment, and although I didn't get the weight, I'm guessing it was 22 pounds at most. She was in the 75% for weight, and over 95% for height. The doctor said she was actually underweight for her height. She looks like a super model baby ;) She is still in size 3 diapers and wears either 12 or 18 months clothes. Her shoe size is 5, and lately she has been loving to wear them. She is really good about keeping her bows in her hair, unless she is in the car. She still doesn't like car rides, much. She is turning into a really good walker. She loves being outside. She is still nursing and needs to be put to sleep (can't fall asleep on her own). We are lucky if she will take one short (30-60 min) nap a day. She usually sleeps from about 9:30-7:30. She still has the bluest eyes that are gorgeous. She doesn't talk much, and is generally pretty quiet. She says Ma! in the middle of the night if she is looking to eat. She is generally pretty quiet. She seems to play well with other kids and doesn't have the stranger anxiety as bad as my boys did. She loves to laugh, and I think it is so cute when she tries to dance and bob her head to the side with her crinkle-nose smile. We sing "girlfriend, girlfriend, you are my girlfriend" and "good morning, good mooooorrrrnning" to get her dancing. She got some girl toys for her birthday, and she loves to push her babies in her stroller or pram. She still just has her 8 teeth. She is getting so much better at eating table food, as long as it is cut up. If it looks like baby food (yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, etc.) she generally won't eat it. She still doesn't drink much, and actually prefers water to milk or juice. We are trying to get her to drink more whole milk, but she only drinks like an ounce or two at a time. Rowan loves her to pieces, and even says he wants to have a "Nadia" party for his upcoming bday, instead of "Spiderman", for example. Hayden is really good with her, too, and loves to play with her. Both boys can pick her up and carry her around and make sure she doesn't put anything bad in her mouth. The boys are also good at getting her to clap her hands, dance, smile, laugh, or even sometimes cry ;) She is one lucky gal, and we sure are lucky to have her!!

Happy Birthday, Nadia!!

Nadia is one, today!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! We had an angel-themed birthday party for Nadia. She turned one on 9-10-11. We took pics of her in an angel outfit prior to her birthday party. We had angel boxes with m&ms in them with Nadia's picture on them. We had angel ornaments with her picture in them. We had angel hair pasta and angel food cake. We mainly just ate. Nadia had a fun time opening up her presents. It was so much fun to see her get so many girly and pink toys. She loves playing with all of them. Nadia is quite the angel! Happy Birthday, my sweet daughter!!