Christmas

Santa Claus came to town! We stayed home this year, and Ian got in on writing Santa a letter. More of an abstract drawing than a letter, but Santa understood! Of course Ian has been an awesome little boy this past year, so he got to add to his GeoTrax set. This kid is all about planes, trains, and automobiles!

Don't ask why there's a stroller and a baby doll in our Christmas photo...

Sometimes I just must take video of him...to try to keep him little...

Polar Express!

Ian loves trains, so when he was introduced to The Polar Express movie, it was love at first site. So, we knew he would LOVE riding on The Polar Express train ride from Fishers to The North Pole (aka Noblesville), getting to wear his pajamas, sing carols, drink hot chocolate, and eat cookies. But, Eric and I weren't sure how he would take seeing the Big Guy, since his visit with Santa at school hadn't gone very well. So, when Santa sat down right next to Ian, we were all a little nervous, but it turns out, Santa's still got it, and Ian fell in love with him.

It was a magical night!

Fall!

Ian likes to let me know: "Mama, it's fall! Cuz the leaves fall on the ground!"

The neighbors raked but didn't bag our leaves, and while I *really* wanted them bagged and done with, Eric wanted to give the kids the chance to play in the leaves. It's fun, but, really, how much fun is it??

Well, it's ALL IAN TALKED ABOUT! He got to play in them on several occasions and asked to play in them even more times.

And then it happened.

It was actually time to bag the leaves.

I hear crying upstairs. It can't be about the leaves, right?

Ah, yes, parting is such sweet sorrow. While Audrey helped bag them, Ian actually removed leaves from the bag. And made his own pile. We compromised by Ian getting to keep a picture of the leaves. :)

Rainbow Playground

Ian had spied a playground we drive by on the way to school, and since we had awesome November weather on a Monday, we decided to try it out. I can't imagine how much he will love this place when he realizes it's a splash pad in the summer...

Looks like grandma is sweet on this little guy...even after his antics at church...

Monday conversation

Overheard in church

"Dada, you so handsome!!" (pinches Eric's cheeks)

"Dada...you not dada! You trouble!"

Why must these be spoken when all else are silent in church?

Halloween

Hansel had a great Halloween! He got to march in his parade at school and then we headed home to head out for the evening. I was lucky enough to get to hold his hand but he insisted that no one but him would hold his basket. He was sure to snag M&Ms anytime they were offered/available, and he used good manners. Of course he chose to eat M&Ms when we got back home. When I was putting him in bed. he said, "Me want to trick or treat AGAIN! Ian want more candy!"

I was just glad there was no burping this evening! :)

Isn't this the most handsome Hansel you've ever seen? :)

Monkey hear, Monkey do

Audrey has been practicing her lines as "the little old lady" for her upcoming Halloween skit, "The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat". Her final line is "trick or treat" followed by a burp due to having swallowed said bat. While practicing with Audrey on her lines, we've also been working with Ian on what to say on Halloween night.

You see where this is going?

Ian, what do you say for Halloween?

"Trick or treat! Burp!"

He also sticks his tongue out.

No way we'll break him of that before tomorrow evening!!

Pumpkin patch

In pictures. A few of my favorites:

We each picked one gorgeous mum

Waiting, patiently

We get to ride on what?

Hayride!

Finding the perfect pumpkins

Three of my favorite people

The park. In pictures.

Swimming

Ian is such a little water baby. He can't wait to get in with Eric, so we walk the poolside until Audrey's lesson is finally over. I know this love of water is not something he gets from me!

The Zoo

I think I got more pictures of Ian than the animals at the zoo. :) We did get to hear a lion roaring, which made his eyes light up!

Dear Salad Kit,

I love you. I have loved you almost as much as Lion for the past 10 months. Since I met you. Technically, I hear that Aunt Amanda and Uncle Andy gave you to Audrey for her birthday, but I love you too much to share you with her. I love your felt leaves. And the purple onions, though mommy calls them red onions. And cucumbers. And tomatoes. Sometimes, I will announce while riding in the car "Want to cook! Play with salad!!!" and over to the play kitchen do I immediately run upon arriving home.Please don't ever change.

Your BFF,
Ian

State Fair

Ian had a blast at his first State Fair (also known as the day his mother became a vegetarian - that definitely was not part of Eric's plan for the day). Ian got to ride on a real train for the first time, and well, he was beyond excited. Ian does a great job replicating a train whistle! He got to see lots of different animals, ride on a carousel and a ferris wheel, and he won his first carnival game. He also got his first funnel cake. Did I mention he also got to ride a train? Needless to say, everyone was laughing about the little boy with the frog passed out in his stroller! He woke up just in time for, you guessed, the train!

Waiting for the train

Finally!

Checking out the view

Best seats in the house!

Hello calf!

That's a winner!

Hello frog!

Passed out

Check out the view, frog!

Vacation car trip entertainment

Vacation!

Ian had a fabulous vacation to Michigan. Just a quick trip over the border, but a nice getaway all together. He did great in the car (I should upload the now infamous 'snoring' video) and loved playing in the sand and finally getting in Lake Michigan. He also loved the carousels - yes, more than one. He has no recollection of climbing the sand dune on top Eric's back since he was completely passed out the whole time! We have pictures to show him though! Love, love, love my happy little guy.

Silver Beach Carousel ~ St. Joseph, MI

Silver Beach ~ St. Joseph, MI

Grand Marina Resort ~ New Buffalo, MI

New Buffalo Beach, MI ~ Lake Michigan

Evening walk with mommy, from mommy's view :)

What's Ian up to?

-Speaking in full sentences. I don't understand him 100% of the time yet, but usually one of us can figure out what he wants!
-Loves, loves, loves chocolate.
-Hates, hates, hates peanut butter. Even peanut butter cookies.
-Loves saying "Go Cubbies!" :( Still working on this one.
-Loves big trucks and any construction equipment. They have been doing a lot of construction outside school, and Ian often will watch the trucks through the fence instead of play on the playground. Yes, loves them that much.
-Sings his ABCs with gusto. Counts to 10 without problem. Often to 15. Has known all colors since at least 18 months. Knows all capital letters and circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, octagon, star, and square.

 

Working on daddy's card

With all the excitement of Ian's birthday weekend, I failed to get a picture of Eric with the kids on Father's Day! So, this picture of them working very diligently on his card will have to suffice. They make a great team!