My crazy monkeys

This is Aidan and Ashley's idea of how a sweet family picture should look.

Luckily, I did get a couple of really adorable pictures also! But this one is my favorite because it is sooooo typical of their personalities!

The battle scars of summer

If you could see poor Aidan's shins you would understand the title. His little legs are so bruised that it makes me cringe every time I have to put on another band aid. But he really is a trooper and mostly doesn't even say anything unless there is major blood involved, so I can't complain. But last Friday Aidan stubbed his big toe running around barefoot (how many times have I told him....?). He did cry with this one and I don't blame him because there was a sizeable 'hunk of meat' in his words, hanging off his toe. So we patched it up with a couple of band aids after bathtime and off to bed he went.

About an hour later I heard some whimpering so I went up to check on him. He was in my bed slathering Clinique night-time eye cream on his wound which was already covered with blue tooth-whitening toothpaste. I think I would be howling at this point, but he was just crying in silence. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I was trying to make it better". I gave him a big kiss for effort, washed and patched it up again and that was the last I heard. But true to his words, when I took the band aid off two days later it was completely healed. So if anyone out there has a sore that won't heal, you know what to try!

Pickle Top

OK, now it is Ashley's turn for a funny story. Ashley is usually very reluctant about wrestling with Aidan and Shannon. She really doesn't even like it if Aidan looks like he is in too much 'distress'. So they have had to tame down their act. But on a very rare occasion Ashley will join in and they will make a sandwich.....like an Aidan sandwich. Which consist mostly of Shannon 'gently' squashing Aidan. And then Ashley gets to be the 'pickle on top' of the sandwich. So whenever Ashley is game for wrestling she will yell "pickle top, pickle top" and go jump on the pile. It is all great fun to watch!

Sleeping beauties!

If these aren't the two most precious faces... I love to watch both of my kids sleep. They are so peaceful and innocent during sleep. It makes all the troubles of the day melt away, well almost. But watching them does fill my heart with love and happiness for sure! We are so blessed!

"my stomach just wanted it"

I have to include a little funny story about Aidan. He loves chewing gum but can't seem to keep it in his mouth. So often it ends up in his tummy after only 4 minutes of chewing so most of the time he doesn't get any. But yesterday he really wanted a piece and promised he wouldn't swallow it, so I let him have a piece. After about 10 minutes I noticed he wasn't chewing anymore and asked him where was the gum. His reply was "I was chewing it, but my tongue didn't know the difference and my stomach just wanted it." Simple as that.

Frankie & Mandy

What a wonderful visit we had with Frankie and Mandy, although it seemed to go by too fast! We miss you both already!

Oooohh, Yummy Mama!!

I had to go back in time to March 13th on Ashley's 2nd birthday because this blog wouldn't be complete without a cake face! The morning before her birthday party, Ashley was sitting on the counter watching me ice her birthday cake. As I was just about finished I said "Doesn't it look pretty, Ashley?" To which her reply was to stick her whole face into the cake and take a bite. Then she said "Oooohhhh yummy Mama!". I guess she couldn't hold back any longer. It was so cute we all laughed til we had tears.

As to the last picture, Ashley wanted to put on all the clothes she got as she was opening her presents. It was a good thing it was cold because by the end of it she had on about 5 layers. Too Cute!