18 Months!

Aiden is officially a 1 1/2 (as of April 29th)

We've had great weather so we've been able to spend almost everyday outside.

Friend hugs at daycare are the cutest!

We went over to Debbie and Gabe's to enjoy the garden one last time before they moved. We cooked pizza in the oven and made s'mores. Aiden did lots of digging in the garden beds. 

 What comes with 1 1/2 years of life in our house you might be wondering? It has started with a tantrum or two each day. Andrew and I have always really enjoyed Reasons My Son is Crying but we now have an even greater appreciation. Anything can set him off and we never know what it will be. We're reading him the wrong book, we carried him to the wrong room, we brought him in from the rain, we chose the wrong pants, he has to wear pants, we didn't give him the food from our mouths... But, he is also even more loving and fun. He now kisses and hugs us goodnight, hugs his friends and teachers at daycare, brings us books and plops down into our laps to read. He will now come find us, grab our finger, and pull us somewhere he wants to go. He loves "helping" me cook, brushing his teeth and playing outside. He recognizes our family members in his photo album and loves pointing out mama and dada. He has started repeating lots of things we say more clearly including up please, down, more please, all done, night night, thank you (if you ask), stuck, lots of uh oh's, please (in general, when he wants anything). Of course all of this is said in toddler speak, not crystal clear yet. 

Easter

For Easter we kept it very low key and just scattered a few eggs around the yard. Surprisingly, Aiden liked collecting them more than eating the candy inside.  

MeMe & DziaDzia Came to Play

My parents visited for a long weekend, arriving Thursday and leaving Sunday night. We had a wonderful time and as always it was too short. 

 Getting socks put on over his shoes. He insisted.

 MeMe is admiring her accomplishment before this innocent face brings terror and destruction!

 Aiden has really started to enjoy books so much lately. It's how we lure him to his room at night for bed.

We went to Mount Vernon, about an hour north of us, to visit the tulip fields. They were so vibrant, especially against the cloudy sky. We wandered the field and then across the street they had gardens, a shop and food so we spent most our time there. 

 The fields were a little windy and cool, Aiden was not a fan.

 The gardens across the street from the fields were a great place to run around and climb trees.

 Bouncing the bouncy ball... 

 Making cookies!

 We went to Russell's for a nice dinner to celebrate their visit and my dad's 60th birthday. 

 We had wonderful weather every day my parents were here, so there was lots of playing outside.

 Andrew and I also got to go out together Friday night while my parents toddler wrangled for the night. We ate Italian at Bizarro's with Tom and Emily. It was so great to catch up with them. It's been almost a month and that is just too long for us to be apart. 

A Lake Chelan Weekend with the Dads

We took a weekend trip to Lake Chelan with some of our birth class friends, the same place Aiden and I went to almost a year ago. This time the dad's came along. We had amazing weather, enjoyed yummy food and a bonfire with s'mores.