Smart Start Soccer

Tonight was our second "Smart Start Soccer" class through the park district. Given all the running and kicking that the kids got to do, Alex was right in his element. This week they got to practice outside (even though it was only in the 50s). I think as the weeks go by and it gets warmer, this will be more and more fun for everyone!

It is a parent participation class and this week Brad got to stretch, dribble, toss, and act as goalie with Alex. Alex's least favorite part of the class is slowing down to wait in line during drills. Similarly, waiting in line was his least favorite part in Disney World. He would say "I don't want to stop", which seems to be the way he has lived his life from the start :) Go, go, go, that's our little Alex!!

A Magical Trip

We just returned from a week in Disney World in Orlando, FL and the 80 degree temperatures were so hard to leave behind! Alex adored all things Disney. He loved swimming everyday. He loved that there were fireworks every night. He loved that we got to take airplanes, trains, buses, boats, monorails, you name it, each day. He loved the larger than life characters. He loved the ice cream and special treats. He loved staying up late too :) We're all a little tired but it was so worth it. Here are just a few of our favorite photos. I'll send out the full Walgreens album later tonight.

Here are Alex and Mommy approaching the castle on Main St. USA!

Alex and Daddy driving race cars at the Tomorrowland Speedway.

Alex got to meet his favorite characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear at Hollywood Studios.

The three of us before dinner at O'Hana at the Polynesian Resort. One of the most memorable meals we had during our stay :)

Believe it or not, this was the only souvenir Alex asked for on the entire trip. Needless to say, Tigger was Alex's return flight carry-on bag.

Alex begged to play in this fountain at Epcot the night before but it was dark and chilly so we promised him that the next morning he could go back and splash around. Sure enough he remembered that promise and he had a great time playing here.

Throughout the trip, Brad and I commented on how other children would lean back and nap in their strollers while Alex sat up and took it all in, even if he was tired. Wouldn't you know that on our last night Alex fell asleep on the walk from our bus to the restaurant. He slept through dinner that night and probably would have greatly enjoyed the show at the hibachi restaurant. The chef was very loud in his presentation and Alex just snoozed away in the stroller right next to him. Too funny!!

Dump Truck Fun

Alex's hair was out of control, again, so we got him cleaned up today at the kiddie salon. He seemed happy being entertained by Thomas the Train while sitting in a rocket ship and eating a lollipop. Whatever works I guess! We got through the whole thing without tears this time, which was a vast improvement over the last few haircuts.

Our days have been filled with sunshine and warm temperatures this week. Alex loves to fill up his dumptrucks with dirt (a.k.a. mulch from around the tree) and then dump it all over the sidewalk. I'll have to take some video of him tearing down the driveway with his dumptruck, over and over. It never gets old for him. Each time we get home from somewhere he begs to get out the dumptrucks and get to work.

What's for Dinner?

Ooh, a new potato recipe that is super easy!

2lbs. of russet potatoes cut in chunks (skin on)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Mix these three ingredients in a large ziploc bag and spread on a greased baking sheet.
Bake 40 minutes @425 degrees, stir frequently.

**The recipe called for 450 degrees but I found the potatoes stuck a bit to the pan at this temperature. It probably would have helped if I had sprayed the pan...oops. They were super tasty nonetheless!

Look What I Can Do Dad!

While playing in the basement over the weekend, Alex showed Brad that he and Scooter have lots in common. The carrier is not only large enough for our 18lb cat, it can also hold our 35lb son!

The "try on clothes for treats" Game

In preparation for our upcoming trip to Disney, I had lots of clothes I wanted Alex to try on. Some things fit, some are too big just yet, and I needed to sort through them. We played a little game with M&M's. Each pair of shorts he tried on, he received a treat, each shirt, another treat. By the end of the game I had a sugared up, but well-dressed little guy! At least now I know what to pack. We leave Sunday and are super excited about the warm temperatures (and the castle!).

Lovely

The weather this weekend was lovely so we just had to be outside the whole time!! Saturday we welcomed Spring with a trip to the Brookfield Zoo where we had a nice lunch outside and Alex got to visit all of his favorite animals. It is amazing what a little sunshine can do for one's attitude :) We had lots of energy and just generally soaked up the rays this weekend. I think we were spoiled in TX with so much sun but now we are very appreciative of the nice days.

Even the rabbits know Spring is here as we already have a nest of babies in the backyard! Let's hope they grow big soon and hop away so I can let the cats out to play again :)

On the Surface...

As I've been wiping down surfaces around the house this week, I have to tell you about my most disturbing finding. I love our little library. I think it is great and Alex loves going there to find new (or the same) train books, Clifford books, Curious George books, boat books, you name it! However, those books are filthy!! I was wiping down the covers of his most frequently read books in his room and then I got to the library books and the Clorox wipes turned black. I guess I should not be totally surprised by this finding, however, from now on I will wipe the outside of our library books when we get home each week (the library should appreciate my contributions to making their collections a bit cleaner!!).

Am I the last Mom on this planet to have this finding?

Day 6

Sorry for the lack of posts. While I have certainly been thinking of what to "blog" about, we are in a temporary holding pattern around here. Alex is in Day 6 of the Rotavirus. I will not post any of the deatils but assure you that if you search google for Rotavirus, you will get all the info you need :) The doctor said yesterday that it will probably last a week to a week and a half. We are definitely hoping for the shorter version!! Good news is, he probably won't get it again after this. I guess most kids get it sometime before they turn 3 so it was just his turn.

Here's a photo from April 2007. Hard to believe it has been a year already since we put our house in Houston on the market and began the move to Illinois.

If anyone in TX has any sunshine they'd like to send our way, we'd far prefer to see the sun than these gloomy skies right now!!