Space Man!

Our little boy is SO loved... Auntie Valerie just *happens* to work at JPL and did a little shopping on our behalf. Behold! The coolest astronaut costume EVER (oh, yeah, and Alex was really excited about it too):


We laid out his clothes for school. I thought I should prep him up for it - since he hasn't dressed up before.


In the morning, as I was getting him dressed, he kept saying "Mommy hide Alex?" It's really funny, he calls it "hiding"... which I guess makes sense... especially to a 2-1/2 year old.

The teachers at his school thought it was really cool, and really appreciated the practicality of it! (me too) So now, we're just hoping it will fit him next year too! :)

Photos of him actually in it to follow! Stay tuned!

80 years, with a cherry on top!

If there's anything you should be able to do when you turn 80, it's eat your favorite food!

The whole family got together and took Grandmother out to Strouds "Famous for Fried Chicken". We had lots of fun... and oh-so-much good food. We ate, and ate, and ate! And then they brought out the cinnamon rolls!! (and we ate some more) Alex loved the chunky applesauce and we all had plenty of tasty leftovers to enjoy later. It was awesome!

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we can hardly wait for your 81st b'day so we can go back and do it all over again!!

Red Friday

Here in Kansas City, we have a little team called the Kansas City Chiefs. Maybe you've heard of them - maybe not, they haven't been doing so well lately... Regardless, having a local NFL team brings with it some local traditions. Every Friday that there's a home game, people wear red. It's called "Red Friday" (their colors are red & gold).

Last week at school, their focus was on colors. So, on Red Friday the kids all decorated red footballs. Now, most of the kid's said KC, KU or MSU, or some other local team, college or pro - but not our Alex. His favorite red thing is Lightning McQueen!



Considering how little interest Stan has in sports, it seemed only fitting that Alex's craft would have no more to do with football than the paper it was crafted on!

Sasquatch & Elephant

Last weekend we picked up a grab bag of small toy animals at a yard sale.

There's a strange looking ape that Stan decided was really Sasquatch... and promptly began the propaganda campaign, so that's the only thing Alex would call it. It worked, and Stan grins every time Alex says it. Alex grins too, so I think he's totally in on the joke.

I think it's beyond adorable that Alex says "Ephalunt"!

And, realizing that none of this will last very long... we decided to stage a little chat session. Enjoy:

From Alex animal video

Bullwhacker Days

Grammy & Grandpa took Alex to the Mahaffie Bullwhacker Days this morning... he got his first pony ride - and a cowboy hat!! Check out my little dude:

From Mahafee Bullwhacker Days

Little Kid

My little Alex has his first day of preschool today. (It's a child care center that has a preschool program, but it's preschool from 9-noon and it's easiest for us to just call it "school" when talking with Alex).

After leaving Alex, Stan called me so I could share in the moment. I love the story he shared:

As Stan unbuckled Alex from his seat, Alex asked to be carried in...
to which Stan pointed out,

"but all the big kids are walking in...!"

Alex pointed to himself and took the opportunity to remind Stan,

"I just little kid..." (very matter-of-fact)

How-cute-is-my-boy!

He ended up walking in. (a good habit since Mommy won't physically be able to carry him in another 6 months). And Stan says that there was zero trauma... he was a little reserved at first, but was off playing in about 3 minutes. We think he's just going to love it there!!! So many exciting experiences await him!

Make Daddy Happy

On the way home the other day, I was trying to convince Alex to give Daddy a hug when we got home (Stan loves a welcome home hug)...

Me: When we get home, you should give Daddy a BIG hug! It would make him happy!

Alex: no (meekly from the backseat)

Me: Ok then, Mommy will give Daddy a hug. It will make him happy! Will you give Daddy a hug to make him happy too?

Alex: no

Me: What are you going to do to make Daddy happy then?

(long pause... minutes of silence... broken when we rolled into the driveway)

Alex: I need a paci-cier.

Me: No, you don't need a pacifier, it's not bed time!

Alex: Really big paci-cier (holding his hands out in front of him to make a circle)

Me: A really big pacifier??

Alex: Make Daddy happy. A really big paci-cier for Daddy.(stretching his hands up as high as he can to demonstrate really big).

Me: (welling up in the front seat with a big grin on my face) That's a good idea, you should tell Daddy about your idea - I think he would like to hear about it!

And Stan did really enjoy hearing about it.

What an amazing kid we have, that he's thinking creatively about what makes him happy, and about what could make someone else happy.

I am so happy!