Happy Valentine's Day

A few days early...but Happy Valentine's Day!

Disney Princess on Ice

The "Princess Concert"

Princess Jasmine with Mamaw & Papaw

My grandparents treated our entire family to see Disney Princess Wishes on Ice. Alexandria talked about the "princess concert" every day. I made her a countdown calendar to put up so she could see how many days until we would get to go. Well Saturday was the "BIG DAY!" She wanted to dress as Princess Jasmine from Aladin...and of course the princess' wishes were granted by a Genie (a.k.a. Mamaw). Her reactions were priceless. She had so much fun that she has said over and over she wants to go again. Alise and I had fun too. It brought back many memories of singing along with our favorite Disney movies.

...a little boring for boys I guess...

Just 2 pictures

I have some pictures from Christmas that I will post later...along with pictures from the trip to Tahoe we're taking tomorrow, but I wanted to post these two pictures. I think they capture their personalities perfectly.

A picture with Santa

This is the first Christmas Alexandria hasn't been afraid of Santa. I really thought she was going to cry when she saw him...like she's done every year. But I was happily wrong. She was so excited to see him that she forgot to tell him what she really wanted for Christmas. She saw a basket of candy canes next to him so that's all she said she wanted for Christmas. And Clayson, well he didn't quite know what to think. Just after the picture was taken he started crying. At least we got a tear free picture.

A Call to Santa

My friend posted some information on her blog (http://www.themaxwellgirls.blogspot.com/) about a site where your kids can sign up to call Santa and let him know what they want for Christmas. Alexandria thought it was great. And like Hillary and Natalie she wants to keep calling.

Jeannie, Thanks for letting us know about http://www.telsanta.com/. Alexandria was giggling listening to Santa talk to her and she was answering his questions. That's such a neat site.

I found another site. One to track Santa. It's www.noradsanta.org. Although Santa is still at the North Pole until Christmas Eve, you can track the bussiest village on the North Pole.

I know it's been a while...and I have no excuses

As can imagine a lot has changed in nearly 3 months. I don't even know where to begin...

Alexandria started a new school the end of August and she's doing great! It's a Montessori school. I love their program. She's learned so much! She recites the Pledge and sings "My Country Tis of Thee" every morning she's there. She has made many new friends. One of whom she says she's going to marry. Can you believe she's already talking about marriage?

About the same time she started her new school she began dance classes. She does 30 minutes of ballet followed by 30 minutes of tap. She loves it. They've already begun learning their routine and she knows it pretty good. Their tap song is "The Lion Sings Tonight." I borrowed a CD my mom has with that song on it and we play it over and over while she dances around in the living room.

Alexandria & her dance class

October 30

Alexandria turned 3 a few weeks before my last post (Sept. 7) and for some reason I didn't post any pictures. The day of her actual birthday we took her to Adventure Park and got her a small cake. She usually likes to play games but she was attached to Trace (my cousin). But James got her to ride a go-cart with him. She enjoyed that.

The next day she had a Strawberry Shortcake party and my mom ordered a giant cupcake for her cake. It was filled with fresh strawberries. It was yummy!!!

We took the kids to the Tulare County Fair in mid-September. Alexandria rode some rides for the first time. The first one she wanted me to ride with her and the second she wanted to ride alone.

In October we went to the local pumpkin patch and let Alexandria pick out pumpkins for her and Clayson. (James & I got to pick our own) She had a blast writing all over her pumpkin and helping hollow and carve them. She decided that her pumpkin was sad and Clayson's was suprised.

Alexandria was supposd to be a Ballerina and Clayson was suppose to be a Peapod. Well neither of those worked out. Alexandria decided a few days before Halloween that she was going to be a Bumblebee again. And Clayson didn't like his Peapod costume. It was a bunting and I guess he felt a little tied down. He kept arching his back as if he was irritated. Halloween day I went to find him another costume. The only thing in his size I could find was a dalmation. My mom had a Cruella DeVille costume, so I had to dress up. Alexandria was a little confused about the whole "Trick-or-Treat" deal. She thought that after knocking on someone's door they were suppose to tell her "Trick-or-Treat" then stick candy in her bag. So guess who got to say it all night long...yes Mommy did. But we had fun!

Guiseppe even dressed up...he was a lobster.

For Thanksgiving we went to the Bay Area to my Uncle, Aunt & Cousin's. My cousin Trace recently became engaged to Nicole. So we celebrated the holiday and their engagement. Alexandria adores Trace & Nicole. When they asked her to be the flower girl she was excited...although I don't think she knows what that means. She talks about them getting married a lot.

Last year we began a new tradition. We decided that we would all decorate my mom's tree together. This day happened to be this past Friday. We were having a little too much fun and decorated Alexandria too.

Now a little about Clayson. He's changed so much. He's rolling all over the place and cooing at everything and everyone. He recently began getting in the crawling position and rocking a few times. He's eating baby food twice a day now and loving it. He's so much fun but oh, so demanding. He wants to be held 24 hours a day. There are many times I have to just put him in his swing and let him cry for a little bit to get things done. Alexandria will go into the the living room and talk to him and he hysterically laughs at her. He loves watching her and talking to her. She's such a good big sister. We go to the Doctor if a few weeks for his six month check up. Wow time flies!!!

Some additional pictures: Daddy gave him a crazy hair-do after the bath

Uncle Josh has got Alexandria into what she calls a "play housie housie." Better known as a tent.

Yummy!

Both of them in Mommy & Daddy's bed

Daddy gave the kids a ride...Clayson didn't have much fun

an oreo cookie


Clayson wearing Papaw's shoes

it's been a while, but here they are!

It's been about 2 months since I last blogged. I won't bore you with the excuses...I'll just say "life is busy!" I'm still figuring out my new camera too...so the only pictures I have to post are ones I had taken at the studio.

Alexandri a & Clayson (2 months)

August 2007

We finally have Clayson's acid reflux under control. The doctor has him on prevacid and it seems to be working. I also purchased what is called a moby wrap (check it out on http://www.mobywrap.com/). I saw a lady in Costco with a baby about Clayson's age and stopped her and asked her about it. She told me that it was recommended to her for her baby's acid reflux. Clayson loves it...and Alexandria does too.

Alexandria started a new school the end of August. It's is a Montessori school. We are very happy with it and she has learned so much. She knows the Pledge and has learned great things, such as cleaning spills and organization. I have noticed her becoming more and more picky about her clothes. I went to dress her in navy the other day and she wanted to be in pink. What a girl, huh? She has such a great personality and it's really coming out. She blows me away sometimes with the things she says.

Miss Grump

On September 7, Alexandria turned 3! I can't believe it. When I woke her up to tell her Happy Birthday, she said "Mommy, my birthday is not ready yet." I think she associated her birthday with her party and she didn't see any party decorations. That night we took her to Adventure Park (she doesn't like Chuck-E-Cheese). She was more interested in being next to Trace (my cousin) than playing games. The next day she had a Strawberry "Corkcake" party and had lots of fun. It amazes me that my baby girl is already 3.

Clayson turned 3 months September 17. He's changed so much in the last month. He's discovered that he can control his hands. Each day he's using his hands more and more. He smiles and coo's so much. When he wakes in the morning he's smiling before his eyes are even opened. Just last night he laughed for the first time (at his Auntie Alise). It was very exciting. You know how most children love the car and usually fall asleep? Well it's not true for me. Alexandria screamed in the car as an infant, as does Clayson. He screames until he breaks out in a sweat and throws up. It's horrible. I think his best time of day is night, which use to be his worse. He goes to bed around 9:45 and doesn't wake up until 8 or 9ish. I'm VERY lucky!!!

Tomorrow we are going to the zoo and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and try to post them soon.