Elephants + Cotton Candy + Funny Hats = FUN!

Family pic... Hayden's eyes were this wide the ENTIRE night!

Yep, you guessed it... we went to the circus! Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey's Zing, Zang, Zoom!!! We had such a great time. As did the rest of the sold out crowd on Sunday... it was packed! I had no idea that Hayden was actually going to watch the circus, as a matter of fact I had prepared myself to have to leave 10 minutes into it... but boy did he ever surprise me! He watched the circus in its entirety! You know what that means right?!? We got to watch the circus in its entirety!! It was a great show. I guess Hayden wasn't too young to enjoy it after all. We couldn't really decide if this would be the best year to take him or if we should wait until next year, but in the end we wanted him to have the experience and it proved to be the right decision. He was wide-eyed and taking it all in from the time we entered the building. I felt like I needed to remind him to blink so that his eyes didn't dry out!:) He did shed a few tears right when it got dark or if there was a really loud unexpected noise, but for the most part he did great. We didn't have to exit the arena once! Well, except at intermission for cotton candy of course(which is also where we got Hayden's crazy circus hat... it was attached to the cotton candy)! I think Hayden's favorite part of the circus was the bright lights and music, but my favorite part by far was watching him clap for the performances when they were over. It was the cutest thing ever. When the audience started clapping, Hayden just joined right in and clapped too! It definitely outdid the circus for me... and I LOVE the circus!:) The elephants definitely won the biggest applause award for the night. Everyone loved them... including us! They did everything from standing on their trunk to holding girls in their mouth. Really cool! And now for the pictures...

Look at all their cool tricks!!

The horses were fun to watch too... the black and white ones were so pretty!

One of my favorite parts of the show of course... the doggies!! This one got HIGH!

My real reason for going to the circus!!!

I'm pretty sure Hayden made this face as we were
passing that giant cotton candy stand...
he must love it as much as I do!!!:)

These people were amazing...

And you gotta love a tightrope!

Hayden and Grandaddy definitely enjoyed watching the show!

We did let Hayden down for approximately
10 seconds so he could stretch his
little legs! Sweet of us huh?!?
Just too crowded for
much walking...

Me and the boys!!!

Although you can't see his eyes, I love his expression...
the hat was slightly too large for him!!!

Having fun with Gigi!

I attempted to get a picture of all three of them and this is how it turned out.
I don't believe Hayden wanted any more pictures!

This picture just cracks me up... where is Hayden?!?

Hayden's very first circus was a huge success! Matt and I have always loved the circus, but it was even better this year getting to share the experience with Hayden! We can't wait until next time!:)

It's True...

The beautiful view from our backyard...

It snowed in Cumming, GA!!! Although it has taken me a little bit(okay, let's be honest... FOREVER!) to post this I figured since it actually did snow I had to dedicate a post to it. You've probably been hiding out underneath a rock if you didn't know snow came our way, but just in case you you've been super busy and forgotten to check the news or anyone who lives in Georgia's facebook status I'm gonna update you! We had a light snow about a month ago(an inch or less I think), but this past week we got a REAL snow(about 2-3 inches)! It was enough to grab your sled and take a ride down the hill... without even having to drive to Stone Mountain! It feels like it has been years since we have had snow and I remember it all the time when I was growing up. We would stay out in it as absolutely long as Mom and Dad would let us. I love it, so hopefully we'll see it more often! Matt had to work this past time it snowed, but Mom(Gigi) and I were able to take Hayden out and let him experience it. What an experience it was! You know the kind of experience I'm talking about right?!? The one where it takes longer for you to get ready to go outside than you actually spend outside!!:) Yep... that kind! Hayden was warm... that's for sure! I almost think he was probably too warm!! If you are even in the need of a good story just ask Gigi or I to tell you all about putting on Hayden's snow boots... HILARIOUS! My Mom kept the sled we used when we were growing up(back when it snowed every year in Georgia!), so she brought it up here so we could pull Hayden around in it! He wasn't crazy about the snow, but he LOVED being pulled around in the sled. If only he weren't so heavy to pull around! I'm sure if Daddy would have been home we would have taken him for a ride down the hill, but Mom and I weren't attempting that. Sorry Hayden, we'll do that on the next snow day!:) We tried to make a snowman, but even that proved to be too hard with a little one that didn't want to get off the sled! Again, maybe next time! Sydney was in absolute Heaven... she LOVES the snow. She will roll around in it for hours if you let her... snow jacket and all!!! Enjoy the pics...

I told you... she LOVES it! Thank goodness for the jacket
or we would have one sobbing wet little Sydney!!

This was after the first snow... he was really just checking on
Sydney, but I like to say he was checking out the snow!:)

Just ridin' around...

Okay, so they BOTH loved being pulled around in the sled!!

Footprints in the snow... aren't they so teeny?!?

Would you say this is a face of disgust or what?!? I am pretty
sure he was not crazy about sitting in the snow!!

And not too fond about walking in it either...
maybe because this kept happening!!!

I have no idea what happened to the camera when
taking this picture... some type of exposure
problem, but I think it looks cool,
so I just had to include it!

Trying to make our snowman...

I told you it didn't last very long... I guess Mr. Snowman
will have to wait until next time!:) Sorry Frosty!

Sydney even got a solo ride... lucky girl! And I must add that she LOVED it!
If you look closely you can see the snowballs that accumulated on her feet.
It was crazy... she looked like a poodle instead of a maltese! Needless
to say she had to have a warm bath when she got in!:)

Finally, a semi-happy face!! Maybe next time
we'll get a few more with the smiley face!:)

Cupid's Cookies

All this just to make a little dough?!?

I have been wanting to make cookies with Hayden for quite a while now, and a couple of days ago we FINALLY did it! Valentine's sugar cookies to be exact... we named them Cupid's Cookies! Boy was it fun! Messy, but fun. I'm not quite sure it was one of my greatest ideas to try to make cookies with an active 14 month old, but we did it none the less. Hayden is always attentive and interested when I'm cooking, but he was especially interested in the cookies. I made the dough while he played in the tupperware cabinet, and then put it in the refrigerator while he was napping so we could use our cookie cutters as soon as he woke up. I had the dough all rolled out and ready for him... just close enough for him to reach. I showed him how to use the cookie cutter, placed it in his hand, and what does he do? Politely puts down the cookie cutter, picks up a huge clump of cookie dough, and puts it in his mouth!:) I don't know what I was expecting... it is yummy after all. But, because of the whole raw eggs thing I wasn't crazy about him eating it until it was cooked. Needless to say he still managed to get a little into that tummy of his! We did manage to get a cookie cut together, but I must say I did most of the cutting myself! At least he knows what making cookies is all about now... even if he didn't make many of them himself! I am pretty sure he had more fun playing in the tupperware cabinet than making the cookies, but I'm sure it'll grow on him! One thing is for sure, he LOVED eating them!!

This is what Hayden did the entire time I made the dough... and he
LOVED it! He could play in the tupperware cabinet forever!:)

Smiling big for Mommy!

Helping Mommy cut the cookies...

I told you it made a big mess!!!

Eating the dough instead of creating the cookies!!

Ready to bake...

This is how happy he was once he got a little dough in his tummy!!!

The finished product... ready to eat!

We got tired of cutting cookies and just used to rest of the dough
to make a giant Mickey!:) Nothing to do with Valentine's,
but easy way to use the rest of the dough!!!

Enjoying our treat... one BIG bite at a time!

Chew, chew, chew, Hayden...

I thought milk with the cookies would be good,
but Hayden couldn't let go of the cookie long
enough to really enjoy his milk!!
Funny huh?!?

One HAPPY boy!

And this is where Sydney sat the entire time Hayden enjoyed his cookie...
right under the highchair!! She knows how to get her a piece of cookie!:)

Finally.... this is how I found Hayden after
our little cookie extravaganza. Who knew
toilet paper could be so entertaining?!?
By the look on his face it seems he
knew he was going to be in
trouble for doing this!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I know I'm his Mom, BUT...

I can't be the only one who thinks he is the cutest thing ever!
You've gotta admit he takes a pretty good picture...

Our sweet little boy...

Ok, so the outfit is a little big. The next size
down is just too tight and short so
this will have to do for now.
It looks hilarious right?!?

I can't decide if this is my favorite or the first one.
His eyes get me every time!!

I just had to post these pictures because I thought they were so cute. Four little pictures give you such a great look into Hayden's personality. He is energetic, fun, strong-willed, mischievous, attention-seeking, independent, vibrant, funny, action filled, opinionated, and please don't let me forget to mention SMART. I'm pretty sure he's gonna be a nerd just like Matt and I! Again, I know I'm his Mom, but really, I'm certain if you were around him a whole day you would think these same things!!!:) Okay, maybe not to the extent I do(I'll admit I'm biased!), but I'm sure you would agree with some of them! There are times we are doing something and I truly think he thinks he is smarter than we are. HOW... I mean really, how in the world could something so small know the things he knows? And by know, I mean he actually knows he knows what he is talking about, doing, etc. He looks for no one to tell him he is right or wrong... he KNOWS. Yikes! I find myself shaking my head often throughout the day, and I know the day will come when he actually does outsmart me. What then?!? I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get there! For now we are simply working on how to discipline a 14 month old when he blatantly does something you asked him not to do. I mean when we tell him no, no or not to touch something it is almost as if that makes him want to do it more. Definitely testing those limits!:) He wants what he wants and he wants it now... did you get that? I sure hope so because he does not, I repeat DOES NOT like to tell you the same thing twice. And he's not just smart when it comes to getting what he wants, he is very good at sorting shapes, recognizes a few colors, assembles blocks, puts a few puzzles together(the big ones with the big knobs), and we are even working on shapes/colors/numbers on flash cards. I didn't know you did those things at 14 months, but what do first time Mothers know anyway?!? He also loves to help. He will follow me around and try to help me from the time we get up until the time we go to bed. Laundry, dishes, picking up toys, trash, cleaning, cooking... he does it all. Mommy's big helper! The funniest thing to watch is him letting Sydney in and out to go potty. He stands at the door and calls for her/bangs on the door panel/claps his hands until she comes back in. I think he has heard us telling her to go potty and he is just trying to help, but to see him do it is just the funniest thing! The only thing is... he gets REALLY loud! Needless to say I am always happy when she comes in and he closes the door. Be as loud as you want when it is just me and you, but please, please don't disturb the neighbors!:) He is also cute with the dishwasher. You can barely get the stuff in there before he is either trying to take it out or closing it up. I have learned to do it very quick!! Hopefully he'll be this into "helping" Mommy and Daddy when he's old enough to actually help! Although he says very few phrases you can understand, I have a sneaking suspicion it won't be long before he is talking just as good as us, and maybe even just as fast. As much as it will be great when we can understand everything he is always trying to tell us, I'm not sure I want to hear it all! Like I said... he's opinionated! We're probably going to have to do lots of negotiating around here!:) I'm going to leave you with one more picture... Hayden and his Uncle Mike. We don't get to see Uncle Mike very often because he lives in Germany, but he came for a visit a couple of weeks ago and I quickly snapped this pic!

FYI... Hayden did not want to take this pic. He was done
taking pictures, but at least I caught him smiling.
Tongue out of course! He kind of
resembles Uncle Mike huh?!?