The Traditional Santa Screamer Picture

Everybody has to have a picture of their child screaming bloody murder sitting in the scary old man's lap and now we have ours. Andy and I took Aiden to Lenox Friday night to see Santa-- the same Santa he saw last year. We met Granma and Granpa again, but this year instead of just looking apprehensive we have the full-out scream. Oh well, Andy and I got a lovely date night out of it. We walked across the street to Houstons for dinner while Mom and Dad took Aiden to Panera for his favorite BP&J then on to play at the Apple store and Pottery Barn Kids. Aiden also enjoyed riding the escalators!

Last year's apprehensive Santa pose.

This year's screaming Santa pose-- poor Santa!

Granma and Granpa trying to get a good Christmas card picture.

This is the best picture with Aiden Momma could hope for.

Isn't that the cutest Christmas sweater? I think I paid $3 for it at a consignment sale.

Granpa and Daddy with Aiden

Playing 'puter at the Apple store.

Christmas Preparations

We have had a great time decorating for Christmas this year. Aiden is really into trains (we have at least 2 sets of tracks set up on the living room floor at all times) and several years ago Memaw and Papaw (Andy's parents) gave us this really cool train set that can go around a Christmas tree. We decided to get it out this year and see what Aiden thought of it. It is really big and high tech with a remote control and everything. Needless to say Aiden loves it! However, it is so big that we are going to have to do some moving around because of the close proximity of the hearth to the base of the tree. In the meantime here are some pictures from last Thursday when we put the tree up.

Aiden checking out the remote control for the train.

He had his camera ready to take my picture too!

Daddy working on getting the train to go around on the too tight turns.

All the excitement was too much for him-- he fell asleep in front of the fire with Melmo playing on the portable DVD (in his Melmo pjs of course-- I had to take the seam out of the toes because his feet were too big).

I honestly don't know how we ended up with only UGA stockings!

Aiden's Photography

Aiden is becoming quite an accomplished photographer. Here are a few he took in Athens at the last home game.

Left- Matt Rice and Uncle Bob

Chris Rice, Aunt Jessie, Momma, Grandma

Granma and Daddy

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

Yesterday we had Thanksgiving Feast with the toddlers preschooler class at First Baptist Newnan. I was surprised and impressed with the parent turnout we had (especially since me and the other room moms had gone a little over board with the food!). Aiden was of course very excited to have Mama and Dada there and had to show off for all his friends. And again he played class photographer!

Aiden and his classmates, starting from Aiden's left: Anabelle, Reid, Samantha, Harper, Lila, Shana, Chloe, Ryan, Callie, Morgan, and Sam.

Aiden was showing off his Da-dee to Sam.

Sam, Aiden and Anabelle (notice that Aiden's roll is always in his hand).

Chillin'-- on a break from taking pictures.

Touch a Truck

Monday night was Touch a Truck night at the Dwarf House in Newnan so I met Mom, Dad and Aiden there after work. There were several different kinds of firetrucks, an ambulance, a police car and a wrecker there. Aiden enjoyed playing on the firetrucks and looking at the wrecker and police car. He wanted in the police car as soon as he saw the " 'puter." But I think he liked getting a balloon as much as he liked seeing the trucks.

Aiden and Granpa checking out the firetruck's cab.

Aiden and Granma riding where the "firefighters ride."

"What does this switch do?"

Aiden liked all the hoses.

Climbing the steps.

Now he's driving!

Anabelle's Birthday Party

Ok, I know I am a little behind with my posts. I am going to try to keep them in chronological order so I will start with last Saturday.

Aiden went to a birthday party for his girlfriend, Anabelle before heading northeast for GA-AU. Anabelle and Aiden go to church AND school together so they are big buds. Anabelle's mom Miss Amy is Aiden's preschool teacher, but she is out until the first of the year because she just had Anabelle's sister, Amelia 3 weeks ago! It was a cupcake decorating party and Aiden had a lot of fun decorating his cupcakes. I couldn't convince him to actually eat one, but he did say mmmmm after licking icing and sprinkles off his fingers. Aiden also played the role of paparazzi when he got his hands on the camera and carried it around shouting at everyone to say "cheese." He's getting better at holding it up and has actually gotten a couple of good shots lately!

Aiden and Anabelle getting ready for the other guests to arrive.

Not sure why he was pointing to his cupcake-- just proud I guess....

"Mmmmm!!!"

Anabelle also enjoyed the sprinkles.
She dumped a huge pile of pink ones on her plate and just kept eating them.

Cupcake #2.

Aiden took this one of Anabelle.
That's Amelia in the background in the pink blanket.

Aiden was "helping" Isabelle put her cupcake box with her stuff. Isabelle's sister, Ella, is in the same Sunday School class with Aiden and Anabelle.

Aiden's Early Birthday Present

Aiden loves to watch the Wiggles and is always commandeering the remote ("mote") to watch recorded episodes so, last Sunday I bought Aiden a portable DVD player as an early birthday present. We got the idea from my dad because he lets Aiden watch his Wiggles video on his laptop when he's at their house. He has loved it! Now he watches the Wiggles, Elmo Goes to the Firehouse ("Melmo") and Thomas the Train ("Twain" or "choo-choo"). Unfortunately, Elmo is really getting on Andy's nerves, but at least now we can watch something else while he's watching Melmo. He knows how to change videos, play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind and work the volume! The rest of these pictures are just of him all dressed up and looking cute.

Trying to whistle like Granpa.

Ready to go eat at Cracker Barrel.