The Park

While much of the east is buried in snow, the west or at least the northwest is beautiful and the second that the sun shines, my son wants to walk! And let's be honest even when it is pouring rain he is clamoring to get out and "walk" it honestly doesn't matter he knows the word, he knows the concept, he knows what it means and he wants to "walk!"

So yesterday after a nap and after lunch we headed out to a local park. We didn't walk to this particular park, because in order to get to it there are several main roads and Aiden wouldn't be able to do much walking at all - so we drove. This park was targeted specifically because it has a 'toddler' size jungle gym. Yep - it allows Aiden to climb up and all over it all on his own and gives him some freedom to play as he will... and play he did! Over, under, and through!


He had a wonderful wonderful time, but school let out and it became crowded and he's still not terribly assertive and tends to get run over by the bigger less polite children and so we headed home. The plan was to walk to see the ducks after we stopped at the house to grab some bread, but when we got home the neighbors were gathering to walk to another park and so we decided to join them. Aiden always has a good time going with the neighbors. There are some older girls (9 and 10) that love to play with him when we get to the playground and they have a fabulous time climbing all over the play area. It was a good day for parks and playing around.

Today was swim lessons again and he had a blast as always! Today was 'Mat' day and that is the day that we concentrate on the kids playing on floating mats on the water. It helps them have some independence in the water and gathering good tummy muscles all at the same time. Aiden had a blast playing with all the toys on the mat. Last time we did the mats he wasn't thrilled but today he nearly threw a fit when we took him off! :) He had a great time. He continues to show extended breath control underwater and is doing well at feeling safe in the water. He's doing great and I couldn't be happier than when we're playing in the pool. Although he still seems to feel that back floating is his nemesis.

Valentine Wreath

First and foremost! Let's follow up from yesterday...

I ♥ Garrett Heartley for his glorious *feat* (46yds, 44yds, 47yds)
I ♥ Tracy Porter and his exciting 74 yard return!

I ♥ Drew Brees and his 32 completions (tying the record with Tom Brady.)

I ♥ Sean Payton's belief in his team and decision to
have an onside kick at the top of the 3rd quarter.

I ♥ Reggie Bush... because well I have since his time at USC and he had a good game.

Party time in NOLA! What a wonderful game!

Now back to what I spent the rest of the weekend doing. :)

A few of my friends have been making felt rosette wreaths and so I was inspired to do the same since my front door was lacking Valentine's Day decor. B made one for Christmas and Stacy just recently made one for Valentine's. I used the same tutorial that they both used which is simple yet repetitive. I started after Aiden went to bed on Friday night tracing and cutting circles. I cut about 120 and pinned those on and headed to bed around 1am.

I finished on Saturday night with a total around 200(ish) circles pinned onto the 10" foam wreath. I truly recommend getting pins that have the glass balls on the end. I used a box of 200 and then had to move onto push pins without the thumb-saver on them and goodness only using like 10 of those and my finger was burning. So be sure to get some similar to this and you'll be a-ok. Sunday morning I added a few final circles, fluffed, and hung it on our door. Now we're set for Valentine's Day. and if I feel so inspired, it wouldn't be that hard to remove the red coloring off the wreath and replace it with other colors to keep it current with whatever 'season' we're in. We'll see though. It might simply remain a Valentine wreath. :)

Super Bowl Sunday

Do I now owe the franchise money for utilizing the words "Super Bowl" - yikes there I go again - I certainly hope I don't! and as far the logo to the left here, I've taken an image and enhanced it added my 'creative' element to it - so while I may be utilizing an NFL based logo and all of New Orleans for that matter - I have certainly added elements to make this adaptation fair use (and even if I didn't because I didn't are they honestly going to care? Yes, no... maybe.) My 'dissertation' in law school was on copyright law - sorry it seeps out every now and again and certainly whenever the NFL is involved as they think anything is their right to ristrict and claim ownership over. I digress.

Yes today it is time for the National Treasure that last year 31% of the U.S. population tuned in to enjoy (roughly speaking). It is the second biggest 'snack' day of the year, second only to New Years. 8 million lbs of guacamole will be consumed, along with a healthy 14,500 tons of chips! Which likely attributes to the 20% increase in the sale of antacids and 6% of Americans calling in sick on the Monday after the Super Bowl (oops said it again!) and finally in the random fact section a PSA - there is only one day with a higher alcohol related car accident rate and that is St. Patrick's Day - so be careful!

And yes, I am rooting for the Saints! 100% no question. It's nice to have a team going to the SB that I have a desire to see win. The last few years it's just been eh pick one at the beginning of the game and root for 'em. However this year the Saints are playing - and while I am a fan of Reggie Bush it goes much deeper than that. You see I'm rooting not only for myself but also for my dad who was a die-hard Saints fan all his life. The Saints (as you might have heard) are making their first appearance in the SB today! Yes, the team founded in 1967 is now on the road to their first Super Bowl (last time I swear!) victory!

Go Saints!

The last time Aiden (10 weeks old) watched a Saint's game.
New Orleans vs San Diego - Saints won 37-32!
I think it's a sign of good things to come today!

Another great height....

The other day I found him on top of his changing table. I wasn't sure HOW he got there. So I asked him to do it. He hesitated suspicious of my motivations. Knowing that his route would be compromised if he gave it away. He eventually obliged because I told him we could go play outside if he got on his changing table. :) Smart boy! I haven't even rearranged yet.... but I will be very shortly.

Flashback Friday

Before Aiden was even a notion to be had, we had Tort and Nickolas. Here they are three years (and 1 day) ago relaxing in our townhouse enjoying the warm view. They were blissfully unaware that they were about to get outranked in 18 more months. They were happy, cozy kitties.