Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Happenings

There's been lots going on for the holidays and we've been having fun. There were parties and white elephants all around. Andrew has had a bit of weird work schedule with 12 hour shifts but it hasn't been too bad.

We went to KidsQuest Museum one day while Andrew had to work, so fun when it's too cold to play outside and the house is getting boring. Aiden loves the water stuff. We usually do that last because once he sees it, he won't go do anything else. We just play in the water until they close.
I tried to take Aiden to see santa one morning at Redmond Town Center near our house but the line was ridiculously long. Luckily they had several other activities and food carts that weren't busy so we ate tamales, rode the carousel and then took the tractor train ride around Redmond Town Center. The train ride was a huge hit!
Just hanging out at Home Depot for fun... I love these pictures. No line, no charge, so cute! 
 Andrew and I went to my office holiday party. This is the only picture I have from the evening.
I went with a few girlfriends to the annual Four Seasons Chocolate Buffet. It was delicious and a splurge but so fun. 
 I did a cookie swap at work. Aiden was very happy to help me make my Chocolate White Chip Cookies. It was great, I made one kind of cookie and then came home with so many goodies.
I also went to a co-workers "Ladies Who Lounge" party where onsies were required to attend.  
Andrew was able to take Aiden to see Santa during a weekday. I am shocked that he sat in santa's lap AND happily. We had not prepared him or tried to talk it up at all. He didn't even see other kids going before him. Maybe next year will be the classic cry? Even last year's was good in my opinion.

 Aiden is obsessed with buses. He's never been on one but when he sees them he gets soooo excited and always exclaims "Aiden ride bus!" On Christmas eve I worked in the morning and Andrew didn't so he brought Aiden on the bus downtown to visit my office. He loved the bus and every time it would stop he would yell "go bus, go!" Upon arriving and looking out the window at the water Aiden declared "I ride boat!" I think this could become an issue (hehe). 
 He got to walk a balloon dog around the office and color on the walls. I think we have him convinced that going to work is very fun. 
Christmas was very low-key. We opened presents, stayed in our pjs, ate candy and relaxed. Aiden mastered gift opening this year so he's ready for our Indiana visit in January. He got a fireman outfit and ninja turtle robe. Andrew got a new screen and projector for the living room. We still have wiring to hide away, but not before Andrew and Aiden tested out the new setup with Frozen.  
Not relevant to Christmas, but happening nonetheless... Aiden has been requesting to use the potty almost daily for the past few weeks, maybe once or twice a day. He almost always actually goes too. Afterwards he always wants to put on underwear (and my socks?). He specifically requested I take the photo of him on the right.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Pizza Making

We made our own pizza tonight and Aiden made his own mini version. He listened well (for a toddler) and followed along as I did my part. In general he is very interested in anything happening in the kitchen. He definitely seems to be passionate about food and eating it.

1. Rolling out our dough
2. Spreading the sauce 
3. Adding toppings... and sampling them 
It's ready for the oven. He was very proud. 
4. Baking... "Is it done yet?"
5. Enjoying his tasty pizza. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Snowflake Lane

The Pinkowskis invited us and the Alvas to go to Snowflake Lane with them in Bellevue. We met for pizza first, then headed out to the street where there was a dancing parade, SNOW, and most importantly Dan the Polar Bear! Their son Dan worked every single night in the show as the polar bear. It did rain on us but we got suckers and snow so we didnt' mind the rain at all. Everyone had a great time. I had good intentions of taking Andrew back because he was sick this evening but time got away from us as usual. It was so fun and magical in the snow, plus traffic wasn't as bad as I expected. Aiden hung with Mike the whole time and hugged everyone goodbye before he left.

Monday, December 1, 2014

ThievesGiving

Tom and Emily spent the night before Thanksgiving. We had a morning of mimosas and beignets that Tom and Emily made. While they started working on the Turkey Aiden and I went to the airport to get my parents. MeMe and Dzia Dzia were coming to visit until Monday! My sister came up from Portland and we had several friends over who didn't have family local. We danced our hearts out playing Dance Central and a quick game of Salad Bowl.
 We had dinner with Sarah, Tobin and Jadakas before they drove back down to Portland on Friday.
There was lots of play time with MeMe and Dzia Dzia. Andrew and I got to sleep in and go out alone in the evening! 
 We went to Blazing Bagel for breakfast and the Indian buffet at Kanishka for lunch. 
 We spend Sunday afternoon at the KidsQuest Museum where we have a membership.
I have named this year TheivesGiving because right before Thanksgiving my car was stolen out of our driveway. It was then returned... to the driveway during the day... by the thief. They wrecked the back bumper/muffler/body, smoked in it, from the smell of it maybe lived in it for 3 days and left a load of random stuff behind (Vitamin Water bottle, lemonade carton, google directions, sleeping bag, t-shirt, homework), but did not return the car seat or the no-longer-functional garage door opener. When they returned it they did however lock it, set the parking break and leave the key under our front door mat. Yes... that's right, I was kind enough to leave them a key sitting somewhere in the car. I probably set it down the seat or in a cup holder when I was getting Aiden out, so I didn't make it hard for them. We found it returned when we came home early from a doctor's appointment with Aiden 3 days after it went missing. The police came and swept the house to make sure no one had broken in before we went inside and then processed everything left in the car. It was definitely an experience.