Pumpkins and Polar Bears

Aidan has attached himself to Cassie, the large white teddy bear that was mine as a child, a fact that warms my heart and makes me smile. He carries her and his other "animals" all over the house, and they all sleep with him too. The other morning, I was getting ready in my bathroom with Aidan and all his furry buddies, as he systematically balanced each one on the edge of the tub. He then exclaimed, "Mommy! Look at Cassie Bear!" I looked over at my old bear performing her gravity-defying feat across the rim of my tub, and said, "Wow! She's talented!" To which he informed me, "No, Mommy. She's a polar bear."

Below are some pics of our trip to the pumpkin patch and of Aidan being Aidan. Enjoy!

Beach Trip

*As I was buckling Aidan into the car this morning, he told me: Mommy, you're a beautiful Bunny Rabbit!"

...and I knew it was going to be a good day! :)

In September, our family was finally able to go to the beach! Our trip was up in the air due first to Hurricane Dolly, and then Ike. We were able to skirt around Ike and have a great time! A cold front blew in while we were there and it made for some overcast, but eventually gorgeous cool days-a first for our beach trips that are usually hotter than blazes! Aidan had a blast with Nana, Dad-Dad, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Trey, Uncle Justin, and his BFF Emmie.

His Favorites were:

1. Riding the BIG tube rides at Schlitterbahn S. Padre (This kid is FEARLESS.)

2. Playing hide and seek in the condo with Uncle Trey and Uncle Justin.

3. Eating fried fish at "Dirty Al's" (SO yummy!)

4. Racing his trucks and playing with Nana in the sand.

5. Hunting for shells (there were LOTS b/c of the weather)

6. Jumping waves (and wiping out) in the surf.

7. Eating shrimp and corn on the cob at our shrimp boil.

8. Visiting the sea turtle rescue center and feeding lettuce to "Merry Christmas" the Green Sea Turtle.

We always love our family beach trip, and look forward to continuing the tradition for years to come!

"A Good Three"

Wow! It's been awhile since my last post! We have been so busy around here lately. Here's what we're up to:

Aidan has started Mother's Day Out at our church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm teaching "Music with Brooke" there to the toddlers and 2 year olds on Tuesday mornings and Kindermusik classes on Thursday mornings. Then I get Aidan and we go home for nap! Wednesday mornings we attend a Kindermusik class taught by Ms. Kat who is teaching with my program this semester, and is wonderful! I'm really going to enjoy just being the parent in class with my little boy! Wednesday evenings we have dinner at church (thank you Lord!) and then I teach children's choir to the 4 year olds.

Holy frijoles. Someone please give me some O2!!! No, really. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it's working out. Our crazy busy days are Tues.-Wed. and then we get a 4 day break!

Aidan continues to crack us up with the things he says and does. Here are some of his latest:

Aidan: Mommy, are you tired?

Me: Yes, I'm a little tired. Are you tired?

Aidan: No, I'm HAPPY!

Aidan: "Mommy, hide so I can go tee-tee."

"microphone ears" = earphones

*Aidan was playing a little too roughly with some roly polies the other day and one of them died. Seeing a teachable moment, I told him that it's heart stopped beating, it's body stopped working, and it died. He made a puzzled face and then lit up, looked at me and said, "Oh! I fink it needs some new batterwees!"

Here are Aidan's latest top 10:

1. Favorite food: Kozy Shack Rice Pudding w/Cinnamon on it

2. Favorite book: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear?

3. Favorite Game: Twister

4. Favorite thing: riding tractors with Daddy and tackling Daddy tied

5. Favorite Impersonation: dinosaur (RAAAAWR!!)

6. Favorite Rhyme: "Hold on, wait a minute, let's put some GROOVE in it!" (taught by P. Daddy Karr...)

7. Favorite vehicle: tractor

8. Favorite Movie: Baby Bach (What in the WORLD??!!)

9. Favorite Show: Backyardigans

10. Favorite thing to wear: his new tennis shoes (size 11, HELP!)

Aaron and I were lying with Aidan in his bed after prayers the other night, and Aidan pointed to each of us and said, "Mommy. Daddy. Aidan. It's a good three!"

Aidan Michael, we are "A Good Three"!!! Your daddy and I are so thankful that you're our little boy. We love you so much, little man, and pray that you'll always turn to God, and come to us with everything. We also pray for a smooth transition when our "Good Three" becomes a "Good Four" someday soon. Yes, the other thing that's going on in our lives is that we are hoping to adopt our second child sometime in the next year or so. We are officially "pregnant with papers", but gestation will probably be over a year so please keep us in your prayers!

Guy Stuff

Men at Work

Aidan & Sippy Cup Meet Army Truck

I'm loving watching Aidan and his daddy's relationship grow! Aidan is at the age where he wants to be just like Daddy, and Aaron is loving it too. They had a full morning today and picked up Daddy's BIG tractor at the mechanic's with the trailer (both a source of endless fascination), visited an Army truck on one of Daddy's trailers , went to the Summer Train Show, ate at Dairy Queen, rode on the Landa Park Train, and got haircuts!

Both of my guys are currently napping...

River Day!

Oh my goodness! We had SUCH a fun time at the river with our friends yesterday! It was the perfect summer Sunday afternoon. The kids played Huck Finn style making rafts and boats out of sticks and leaves. The grown-ups visited. The river was peaceful and beautiful (even with the occasional rowdy tuber floating by). Thank you God for making such beauty, and thank you, Laura and Todd, for inviting us!

Aidan had an absolute blast and some of his faves were:

1. Playing with all his buddies

2. "Helping" the big boys build their rock forts

3. Swimming in the "rabbits" (rapids) with Daddy

4. Sailing leaf boats through chanels in the rock

(He did NOT like going home!)

Funny/Not Funny

Funny:

Me: Aidan, hurry up and get in your carseat!

Aidan: Yes, Captain!

NOT Funny:

Yes, folks, that is (most of) a sample spoon from Walmart, and the part that's missing went on a journey through my son's intestinal tract, after he accidentally swallowed it while he was sampling some banana pudding. I know these things generally "pass through", but being that the missing part was sharp, we called several nurses (including Nana) and were advised to go to the ER. The ER took X-rays (even though plastic doesn't show up on one (?!)), examined him, and basically agreed that it should pass. So no major treatments, and and least we slept better knowing we'd done all we could do. I'm also happy to report that we did get to reunite the spoon with it's long-lost piece (not really). Yes, everything "came out" ok, but when I envisioned motherhood, it never included me fishing through a Huggies Pull-Up with a stick.

Word to the wise from our unfortunate experience: Walmart sample spoons are NOT our friends.

Ok, maybe this part was a little funny. :)

New Stuff

How do you like House of Karrs' new look? I've been having fun with different backgrounds and decided to give this one a try. It's called "Go Organic" which I think is very funny b/c I've never even been to a Whole Foods Market...
Here are some things we at HOK have been up to:
Last weekend I got to go on a girls' weekend at the coast with six precious friends. We were so excited that our friend, Allison, who has moved to Oklahoma (and who we miss terribly) flew down to surprise us! It was so nice just to visit and catch up with everyone. Thanks, Laura, for inviting us. I'm using my memory of floating in the pool in my new sunhat as my "happy place" when things get crazy! Speaking of crazy, while I was at the coast, Aaron called to inform me that "he was potty-training my son". Apparantly, when I left Aidan decided it was time to use the potty. Sooooo...I got armed with potty training advice, and headed home to the front lines. We are on day 2, and it's going ok, aside from the fact that I still have no clue what I'm doing and have never felt this out of control in my life!

Here are some things I've learned about potty training so far:

1. I will be doing at least 1 load of laundry a day.
2. When there is actual tee-tee or whatever IN or NEAR the potty, its a cause of great rejoicing.
3. I'm not above using bribery for #2 above to take place.
4. Little boys must be reminded to point "things" downward.
5. Little boys can pee across the bathroom if Mommy forgets #4.
6. A small child who has never seen his own poop before, might be alarmed the first time he does..."Mama, what IS it?!"
7. An Aqua-doodle flipped over makes an excellent under the potty mat. (Not sure if it will ever be used for actual art again...)
8. Clorox clean-up wipes are my new best friend.

That's about it this week. Any and all potty training advice is welcome!
~Brooke :)