Trick or Treat...

Happy Halloween!

This year, Halloween was on a Saturday which made it relaxing for trick or treating. Mimi was also able to come over and participate in the festivities. After nap, we got Alexander in his golfer's costume ready to go!
Here is Alexander posing with his very own caddy for the evening - Team Alexander.
His caddy was giving him pointers as to what club to use and how to swing
Bye folks, I got my lesson, I'm off to swing for candy!
Our cute little golfer ready for a night of fun! The crew trying to get a family shot in (it was VERY windy)
The Halloween Family photo
Caddy heads off to Hole #1, err House #1...
Mrs. Mack thought the costume, wagon & caddy was the cutest thingThen after three more houses (Alexander refused to get out of the wagon at each house - he made one of us ring the bells), it was time to head home...a successful evening!

Halloween Parade...

Friday was the annual Halloween Parade at Alexander's school, followed by a Halloween Party. This year, they decorated school up a bit more than they have in the previous two years which made Alexander a bit weary. (He was a tad upset during drop-off and really wanted no part of the decorations.) However, Miss Lori said that once it was time to get changed into costume he was fine & ready to go. He was extremely excited when I got to class that he could barely sit still during song time.Once everyone had their costumes on, it was time for the parade. In Alexander's class, there was a lion, pirate, bumble bee, chipmunk, Mickey Mouse, two princesses & the golfer. They lined up and got ready to walk in the parade. The parade seemed a bit disjointed as not all the classes stayed together, so it felt more like a walk around the building then a parade, but the kids were excited nonetheless. While walking, I heard teachers checking out the other kids costumes. One of them said "oh goodness, look at how cute Alexander is as a golfer", the other teacher agreed, and the first one said "well he looks the most like his normal clothes". I took it as a compliment that my kid is always nicely dressed & super cute!After the walk, they stopped at the two neighboring businesses to "trick or treat". They guys were really sweet and gave out candy to each kid in the trick or treat bags. Then it was time to go to the karate studio next door. It was dark & decorated for halloween...I thought for sure some kid (probably mine) would be completely freaked out due to the cobwebs & smoke machine...no crying, but a lot of weary kids. Later on my child explained, many times, that he did not like the 'smoke man'.

After trick or treating the kids went inside to trick or treat to the other classrooms. Alexander didn't want me to leave again, so we had to distract him. Miss Lori asked him to be her helper and go get all the fruit we brought for the party...this helped! All in all, a fun little Halloween parade.

And we got a picture of Connor, Alexander & Aidan - the three musketeers. Of course this was the best one I got where at least two of them were looking!
As usual, I've blocked out the faces of other kids in the pictures.

Catch Phrase...

Here's a cute video of Alexander explaining the 'catch phrase' each grandfather uses...

It's that Time of the Year...

Normally, our doctor is relaxed about flu shots, doesn't really push them, as he feels they are more useful to the extreme cases rather than the average-joe-kids. Due to the current cold/flu season already kicking in and the concerns of H1N1, I spoke to the Dr to get their thoughts on whether or not we should get Alexander a flu shot this year. We have not given him flu shots in the past. The office said they were very supportive of parents who wanted to get the flu shots for their kids, especially with kids who have breathing/asthmatic issues. Since Alexander fell into that category, they strongly suggested we get it done for him.

So this afternoon, I took Alexander to get his flu shot with Dr. M. I picked Alexander up from school and explained that we could go to Target to get a book but I first had to stop at the doctor's office. He immediately knew. He got all upset and said he didn't want to stop at the office just go to Target. Once I pulled into the parking lot, he was sobbing & couldn't see out his eyes. I was hoping because we were on time that the wait wouldn't be bad but unfortunately Dr. M was in with someone. We ended up waiting for 20 LONG minutes, all of which Alexander was terribly upset & wanted to leave.

As soon as Dr. M came out to get us, Alexander freaked out. He hated going into his room and wouldn't let me sit down at first. He also fought me trying to get his pants off so much so that Dr. M had to help. Thankfully the shot itself was super quick and as soon as the bandaid was about to go on, Alexander was all smiles. He let him put on the bandaid, pull up his pants, and then he slid off my lap and said: "Okay, Dr, thank you have a nice day" just as if nothing happened. It was almost hysterical.

We were walking out and Lee just laughed at me and how quickly he rebounds! Unfortunately the flu shot is a two-parter so we'll have to go back in a month to finish. Hopefully next time there will be less waiting!

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, October 19th - Sunday, October 25th, 2009)

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, October 19th - Sunday, October 25th, 2009)

Weekly Glance...

Weekly Glance (Monday, October 19th - Sunday, October 25th, 2009)

• Week at school was a bit "iffy" - he was cranky, territorial & whiny. He even had to sit down in the chair for screaming at Miss Lori
• He also was sent home with an incident report for biting (see post)
• However he did have on & off nights of sleeping - there were a couple nights where he actually stayed in his crib all night
• Did his little dancing videos (coming soon)
• Went to Target with Mommy for our weekly visit & decided it was hilarious to make a mad dash & run. Thankfully, I can run fast.
• Woke up with Daddy on Saturday
• Played trains with Daddy
• Helped Daddy cook dinner on Saturday for our family dinner
• Woke up at what we thought was 4:40am because one of our clocks changed automatically so the poor kid was forced to lie with us for an hour - turns out our clock changed incorrectly so it was really 5:40am. Oops
• Played with Mommy Sunday morning
• Then we went to Mimi & Papi's house to celebrate Auntie's birthday
• Went to brunch which Alexander ate very well, got to watch golfers/golf carts
• Hung out, napped, then dinner at Mimi & Papi's
• Celebrated Auntie's birthday with cake & singing Happy Birthday

Blog Update

Hello folks...
I hate to be the bearer of some bad news but Alexander's blog won't be updated at its usual time this week. Sunday's activities were fun yet they got us home later than expected. So blog posts & pictures will hopefully arrive sometime this evening.

Thanks for your patience!

Weekend Activities...

Rainy Saturday
It was a rainy Saturday day so we pretty much had a lowkey day at home. Daddy woke up in the morning to help split weekend mornings. The boys had breakfast, played trains & did some coloring. Then after a good lunch, Alexander took a nap (actually naps were contagious around the house), and then we worked on family dinner. Alexander was good and sat at the table with us for dinner, even eating some! Definitely a rainy, lowkey day!

Alyson's birthday
Sunday, we woke up after what I thought was 4:40am but it was really 5:40am, and got ready to go celebrate Auntie's birthday. We headed to Mimi & Papi's for brunch & then an afternoon of hanging out/relaxing. Alexander was super excited - and we've decided if we're going to Mimi & Papi's we need to not tell him so far in advance as he becomes too excited. We went to a restaurant for brunch where he could also watch some golfers (which he loved). We had the room we were in all to ourselves which was nice but of course Alexander was very well behaved.
After brunch, we headed back to their house for the afternoon. He rode his bike, played with some trucks & then headed down for a nap. After nap, we had Sunday dinner which he continued eating well and then had cake & presents for Auntie. He was so excited to help sing & then help her blow out the candles.

Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday, Auntie!

We hope you have a wonderful birthday & a fantastic vacation!

Love,

Alexander

Monthly Update...

The only main thing to comment in this monthly update is that Alexander is getting the remainder of his teeth in & it's been impacting his sleeping.

For the past 2 1/2 weeks, he's been waking up every night crying & ultimately sleeping with me (using me as a pillow). I've tried a few nights to let him cry it out, or go in and rub his back, rock in the chair, but it ultimately ends in a crying fit so rather than none of us sleeping, I bring him in our bed.

Also, at school he has his moments where he's more whiny or territorial than usual. Miss Lori & I talked and think it definitely could be affected by his sleeping schedule (or lack their of) but it could also be normal for a 2 1/2 year old.

The other thing to note is that he's been good at trying new food. He won't necessarily try something new all the time but he is better. In fact, last weekend he tried pepperoni & items from an antipasto salad and enjoyed it!

Clothes: He's pretty much in 24 months/2T now for everything although there are some things he can wear that is 18-24 months.

Likes: Elmo, Trains, trucks, Thomas the Tank Engine, Little Einsteins, dancing, arts & crafts
Dislikes: dogs
Favorite phrase: "here he comes" - this gets him very excited/giddy

Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday, Pop Pop!

We hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Love,

Alexander

Incident Report...

Alexander came home today with an incident report. Alexander bit someone in his class (turns out it was Aidan because Alexander told us later that night). It appears that all the kids were in fool moods and none of them were cooperative. Miss Lori said they were all pretty awful & not listening to rules.

But Alexander bit someone and then started screaming at Miss Lori when she asked him to apologize and then sit down. So he had to sit down longer because he was not listening & screaming.

Then later in the day they were reading a book about "Mommies" and Alexander got VERY territorial. He took the book and kept saying "my mommy" and if any of the other kids would say "mommy" he would yell at them and swing out as if to hit.

Overall, not a good day!

Notice to Retail Stores...

Attention: Retail Stores

It is only mid-October. Why oh why is most of your winter inventory gone already? And why are the items that are left looked like they were picked over by a gaggle of geese?

Do you realize it's not officially winter yet? Why do I have to worry about winter jacket/snow pants/hats/glove/boots before mid-October? And what happens if he outgrows something mid season?

Could you learn to keep your inventory a bit more replenished in the Northeast Region? Afterall, we do have longer winters.

Okay, thanks.

PS - I did get something but for your sake, you better hope it fits all season!

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, October 12th - Sunday, October 18th, 2009)

Photo Recap...

Photo Recap (Monday, October 12th - Sunday, October 18th, 2009)