35

Wow! Yesterday was my 35th Birthday! I certainly don't feel 35, which is a good thing I guess...

Last weekend we celebrated with my parents. Yesterday I recieved a ton of wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook and I have had lunch with co workers all week to celebrate. Everyone knows the way to my heart is through my stomach! LOL! Last night Chris brought me home Outback for dinner and a cake, he and the kids sang Happy Birthday. They also got me presents, a few shirts, the 1st season of Modern Family on DVD which I really wanted, I love that show, and a spa gift card! I can't wait to use it! Maybe during my week off after Christmas I can go get pampered :-) Overall it was a wonderful Birthday! I am not completely focused on Christmas and this next week will be a busy one getting prepared!

Tonight is the kids holiday program for daycare. I look forward to it every year. All the classes get up on stage at a local church and sing a few songs. This will be Ava's first year, I am anxious to see how she reacts to it all. Aiden is a pro now and enjoys the attention! He is also singing a song from the Polar Express which is one of his favorite movies so he knows all the words and is ready to go! My Mother in law is coming to watch them and I will be recording it as well so I can share it with everyone that can't attend. Tomorrow, I am off from work, I hope to get some presents wrapped in the morning and then I am helping with Aiden's end of year party at school in the afternoon. I also helped last year and it was a lot of fun! I just love seeing the kids especially their excitment this time of the year. Tomorrow evening, Chris and I are going to the funny bone with a few of his co workers for a informal Christmas party. I think we are both looking forward to to a night out!

This weekend I hope to make a lot of different Christmas cookies, I made a few batches already but I also ate them already! LOL! I started a little too early, note to self for next year!

Happy Holidays

I wanted to post our holiday card, I was going to try to take a picture of the kids but getting a picture of them both actually looking at the camera is next to impossible! So, I decided to just use the "fall" pictures we had taken and incorporate them into our holiday card.

Ho Ho Ho!!

Wow! Only 12 more days until Christmas! Things have been so busy I feel like I haven't had a lot of spare time for anything other than the kids and Christmas shopping or getting ready for Christmas. The elf is still at our house and Aiden is enjoying the task of finding him each morning! He is a lot more into it than I thought he would be and often thinks the elf is playing tricks on him or winking at him! It's great!

Last weekend my parents came to visit and I took the day off on Friday to go on our annual day of shopping. We had a wonderful day! Saturday we went to see Santa. One of the organizations at my office for the second year organized pictures with Santa. It was once again wonderful! No long lines, and the kids can sit and eat a cookie or have some juice and color while waiting. We really didn't have to wait long at all to see him. Ava was a little shy at first and was hesitate to sit on Santa's lap but she went right to Mrs. Clause, then she went to Santa for a picture :-) Aiden spent some time talking to Santa and I am not sure what all they discussed but I sure hope he enjoys all his gifts come Christmas morning! I can't wait to see their reactions this year!

Saturday evening my parents took us out to dinner at the Fish Market to celebrate my birthday, it was a very nice dinner!

Sunday was LAZY day! It snowed most of the day so I didn't even change out of my pajamas! I laid around all day and took little naps here and there and just relaxed! It was great! I don't get that very often and it was much needed!

So, I have 12 days left to finish my shopping. I have few little gifts left to purchase and mostly all the wrapping still needs done. Then, I will need to run to the grocery store to get all the items for my Christmas day meal. I already have the lists made out! I also need to bake some more cookies, although I made a few dozen two weeks ago and they are gone already :-( so I am holding off until next weekend to make those so I don't end up eating them all!

This week will be another busy week! Aiden and Ava's daycare is having their Christmas program on Thursday evening. Aiden has been practicing his songs and is totally into them all! I am anxious to see what Ava does once she gets up on that stage. Chris and I are going out on Friday night with his co workers for a little holiday party and I am looking forward to that. We have both been so busy, him with work mostly and me with the kids, work and house/holiday stuff! It will be nice to take an evening to relax a little!

The Elf on the Shelf

Praise the Lord for Facebook, otherwise I may have never known about "the Elf on the Shelf"

Incase you are not aware of what this is...( I wasn't either until I saw a post about it!)

"Elf on the Shelf is based on a tradition Carol Aebersold began with her family in the 1970s. This cleverly rhymed children's book explains that Santa knows who is naughty and/or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. During the holiday season, the Elf on the shelf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the Elf on the shelf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. This activity allows The Elf on the Shelf to become a delightful hide-and-seek game. Each collection comes with its very own scout elf, a hardbound children's book, and a keepsake box for easy storage. In addition, each shipment is marked for “Special Delivery” from Santa's workshop."

Our elf was delivered to Aiden on Sunday afternoon, he has been given the name Moxy. The first morning, Moxy was hanging from the kitchen light, last night he was hanging upside down from on of the return vents in the upstairs hallway! He is one silly elf and Aiden is TOTALLY into him! Chris and I are also having a great time coming up with places to put him each night. I think this is such a wonderful tradition to start and I look forward to using it when Ava is old enough to understand. Maybe someday their little ones will use it too! I highly recommend getting one if you have a little one that is into the magic of Christmas!

Random Weekend Pictures...because I love my kids!

Ice Skating on Saturday

Ava looking cute as ever before heading to the mall on Friday.

Thanksgiving

Ava, Alex, Jackson, Aiden and Carli

Aiden and Ava playing the piano at Grandmas

Aiden and Ava with their Grandma Gerri

Our family- Thanksgiving 2010

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone...what an eventful weekend!

Last Wednesday, after the kids and I got home, Aiden finally lost his front tooth! The tooth fairy brought him one of his favorite books, the magic treehouse book about Thanksgiving and put a $5.00 bill in it! He was super excited to wake up Thursday morning and find that under his pillow!


We drove to my parents on Thursday morning, and spent the afternoon eating and visiting with my parents, grandfather, mother in law and my nieces and nephew. The kids played BINGO after we ate and Grandma was handing out cash prizes so there was a lot of competition happening among the cousins! Once again all the food was fantastic! My niece Carli, decided she wanted to come stay the weekend with us so I made arrangements with my Mom to meet half way on Sunday...

We got up early Friday morning and headed back with the three kids! Chris had to go into the office so once Ava took a nice nap the kids and I headed to the mall. I know I am CRAZY! Normally I wouldn't go near the mall on Black Friday but....Victoria's Secret was giving away a cute tote only on Friday with a $60 purchase...so I went for that reason and of course they were out of them! But, I did get some perfume for $16 so it's wasn't all a loss, and I exchanged and returned shirts for Chris. The kids went to build a bear and Carli made a reindeer for her other Aunt that is currently in treatment for cancer. It was so sweet of her and she spent her own money on it too. I let Ava run around the kids area for a little while but it was a little out of control so we didn't stay long...we then headed to target, yes, even CRAZIER! Friday evening we watched National Lampoons Christmas vacation, which is one of my favoirte holiday movies :-)

Saturday, it was the big day OSU vs. Michigan, but I had told Carli and Aiden I would take them ice skating and the only time the rink was opened was 1:15-3:15- of course the game was at noon. So I did what every good Mommy/Aunt does and took them ice skating! We had a lot of fun! We checked the score of the game every so often, watched a little of the high school boys play hockey in the rink next door and just had a great afternoon! Later that evening, we all headed to Red Robin for dinner, then Carli and I watched the Last Song before bed. I loved having her there. I miss her already. She was so much help with Ava, wanting to push her stroller in the mall or get her in and out of the car seat or her booster when she ate. Aiden and her also get along so well, too bad we can't keep her!

Sunday morning we got ready and I met my Mom half way. I took the kids with me so Chris could work on the Christmas lights. We ate at cracker barrel and headed back home. I took a nice nap and we put up some more Christmas decorations that evening. The only think left is our big tree for the living room but we are going with a real one this year so I think that will be our task for next weekend! I would like to go to a tree farm and cut out own!

Date Night

I love Chelsea Handler, reading all three of her books was my own guilty pleasure, apparently I am not alone! When I first heard she was coming to Columbus, I suggested to Chris that we get tickets. When he attempted to get them he said there were not any good seats left so he didn't want to spend the money to sit in the nose bleeds, which I was fine with so we decided not to go. Then, a friend at work mentioned he had a few extra tickets in the 20th row back, and I was sold! I booked the sitter for the evening and we went to see Chelsea Handler Live on Friday night. It was a lot of fun! She is hysterical, very politically incorrect, which I expected and sometimes you just need to laugh at certain things (or people). Chris also enjoyed the show but he thought he women enjoyed it more than the men. There were a few topics she spent a lot of time on what were funny but I thought she could have gotten more material in if she would have shortened those moments but overall, great show, fun date night and just what the doctor ordered after a few stressful weeks!

Halloween

Aiden as Luke Skywalker and Ava as Princess Leia

getting ready to head out for Trick or Treat!

Ava in her wagon just before she decided to eat
her first milky way, through the wrapper!


Ava in her Little Red Riding Hood Costume
(the original idea before Aiden decided to be Luke)


Halloween was a success! We had trick or treating on Thursday the 28th of October for some reason. It was a chilly evening but the kids had a great time! Ava went to a few houses then we just pulled her in the wagon while Aiden went door to door. I decided about an hour into it to take her home and she could help me pass out candy. She enjoyed that but cried at a few costumes! I almost cried too, I always leave our bucket out and hope kids use the "honor" system but this year some little goblin decided to take most of the candy. There was only about 10-15 pieces left when we got back so I had to take some of the candy the kids got from their
daycare party and distribute that. Boo!

Fall Photos!

My family :-)

These are the pictures that we had taken last Sunday, Ava was all over the place but managed to sit still for a few family shots! Overall I am really pleased with how they turned out! There were a few more the link to the others is:

http://www.photosbyellis.com/Ighnat_102410/

What a weekend!

Ava made it through her first week of daycare like a champ! I knew she would do well at both of my children are not very shy and tend to adjust to changes very well. I am so grateful for that!

This past weekend was CRAZY! It started out with a planned happy hour for a co workers Birthday. Well, I wasn't feeling all that great at the end of the day Friday but I was also up with Ava at 4:30 am so I figured I was just tired. I already had Chris picking thd kids up from daycare and thought I should take advantage of being able to go out for a beer or two. I went home on my way to the bar, got more chores done in 30 minutes than I would have all weekend with the two kids around then headed to meet my co workers. I went had 3 beers, talked then ordered food for Chris and I and was home by 7:00 PM. We ate, I played with the kids, I was going to have another drink and wasn't feeling it (so Chris finished it). I headed to bed and a few minutes later....BLAH!!!!!!!! I got sick and sick and sick again...tried to sip water and take tylenol my stomach wasn't having it! I had a fever, tossed and turned and was just SICK!
I woke up Saturday morning feeling like a train ran me over, Aiden had his last flag game so I cleaned myself up, grabbed a bottle of gaterade, and Ava and I headed out the door. I couldn't miss his last game. Me and a few other Mother's organized a little pizza party after and they recieved their trophies there. It was very nice and the boys had a great time. I didn't make it through the entire party but I did stay for most of it. Ava and I headed home and we both took a nice long nap. I tried to lay around and relax Sat evening. I still felt horrible but managed to run to the grocery store (with both kids). Chris was working on a presentation for work with any free time he had this weekend. Then, Sunday we woke up and headed to walk for Congenital Heart Defects. This was a walk that my friends Amy and Felix were participating in for their son Seth so we joined their team. It was a beautiful morning and I was feeling somewhat better. The kids enjoyed playing at the park a little as well. I got another short nap in on Sunday afternoon before we headed to have our fall family pictures taken. Then I took Aiden to trunk or treat at the church where he plays Upward basketball.

Monday morning I was woken up by the most horrible noise, Chris up getting sick....and sick...I felt so bad for him. It was 4:45 AM and he had to be up at 6 and at work early to give his mock presentation which was a preliminary to giving the "big" presentation on Tuesday. He had to go to work sick, worked all day long until 7PM then had to be up the next morning to be at the office at 6AM. I felt so bad for him. (that will teach him to never drink my beer again!)

So, we made it through, so far neither of the kids got sick, thank goodness!

We are looking forward to trick or treat tomorrow!!!! Aiden and I carved pumpkins last night and the candy is in the bucket!!

Big Girl

Ava hiding in the cubby at daycare :-) Silly Girl.

Ava is now a BIG Girl!!!!!! She started attending daycare at the daycare center on Monday! She started at home daycare as an infant and we decided to go a head and start her in a center at 18 months. She loves being around other kids and I think she will really enjoy it. Lucky for me the director is also our personal baby sitter and she has been sending me updates through out the day which has allowed me to be a little more relaxed about the transition. This is the same center Aiden has gone to since he was 2 and a half so I am confident that she is in wonderful hands! Today is day #3, she didn't cry the first two days but did wimper a little this morning. Although, last night was a rough one, she didn't sleep very well and I think she is getting a cold.

We also had her 18 month appointment last week. She is 22.8 pounds (25%) and 32 inches long (50%). She had to get two pinches (as Aiden calls them), one scheduled vaccine and her flu shot. She did great! Everything else is right on target and I assume her vocabulary is going to explode now that she is attending daycare. She is a sassy little one, there is a HUGE difference between her and Aiden at this age. If she doesn't get her way, watch out! To be completely honest, it scares me a little!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We took our annual family trip to the Pumpkin Patch this past Sunday. Aiden was able to go with his daycare last Friday to the place we normally go so we decided to go to a different one on Sunday. Ava was everywhere!!! They had a small hay maze that the kids ran through then we took the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins! Ava lost a shoe on the hayride so Chris had to hop off to get her shoe and meet us with us...never a dull moment! It was a really nice day actually a little warmer than it usually is this time of year. They also had a petting zoo with some baby calfs, bunnies and chickens. We now have 7 pumpkins total, so we have our work cut out for us when we go to carve them all this weekend! I can't believe next week is already Halloween!

Ava's 1st Haircut

Before

During

After

Her certificate!

I finally decided to go ahead and get Ava's haircut! I plan on letting it grow however it's at that ackward in between stage and something needed to be done! I took her to Cookie Cutters which is a kids hair salon. I also took Aiden to the same place to get his first haircut. They have cars, and fire trucks for the kids to sit in and they can watch their favorite dvd while they are getting their haircut. It's really a wonderful place for kids. Ava did really well and she got a certificate with her little locket of hair for keepsake and a sucker and balloon! I look forward to the days she is able to sit still long enough for a mani and pedi!

Mommycation

St. Pete Beach

My Mom, Dad and Me

Sunset 10-10-10

I had a wonderful time on my little get away to Florida. It was the perfect amount of time for a little rest and relaxation! I missed the kids but, also was able to relax a little and enjoy a little time for myself which was much needed. My parents went down the Florida at the same time. We went to the beach two days and hung out at the pool at my Aunts complex. The weather is perfect as well! I might have to make this an annual event.

Rockin the Toddler Mullet

Oh how I love this precious picture of Ava with her Daddy.

However, I am having a little bit of an issue with the toddler mullet! Her hair is at the in between stage, I want her hair to grow and she has the most perfect little curls in the back, just the right around of bounce in each curl...so I REFUSE to cut it! I also REFUSE to give her bangs. So, I guess I am just going to have to suffer through this awkward phase. She also won't keep clips in her hair for more than a few minutes, I attempt to do really cute things with her hair but it never lasts.

What is a Mom to do??

Christmas cards this year are going to be great! Aiden is about to lose his two front teeth and Ava has a mullet!!!! LOL

I blinked and it's October already!

Well, I just realized it's been almost a month since I posted anything! I don't know where the past two months have gone! I feel like since Aiden started school I literally blinked and October is here already!!! The weather is getting cooler, football season is in full gear. The pictures I posted above are from this past Sunday. We were all dressed in our Browns gear and since they finally won a game, Chris thought it was the perfect opportunity for a family photo!

I started the "Couch to 5K" Running program so that keeps me busy 3 nights a week. It's a 9 week program and you alternate running and walking for about 30 minutes three nights a week, then the running gradually increases each week until you are able to run a 5K or for 30 minutes straight. You would think taking a half hour to exercise wouldn't be a big deal but when you only have a few hours in the evening to get everything done with two kids like homework, dinner, laundry, baths, getting everything ready for the next dayand just spending time some quality time enjoying each other, a half an hour is a lot of time!

Aiden is still playing flag football and scored his first official touchdown this past Saturday! He also got a flag, all in one game! For some of the other players on his team this might not be a big deal but it's taken Aiden a little time to grasp the playing process and the difference in him from last year to this year is amazing!!!! Chris and I were so proud of him! I had just gotten to the field with Ava and was literally walking from the parking lot when I saw him run the ball into the end zone. I thought it was him but to be honest I wasn't 100% certain until I got up to the stands and Chris asked if I saw him! It was one of those moments I just wanted to cry!

Ava is also doing great. She is talking more and more and she is certainly more DRAMA than Aiden ever was at her age! If you take something away from her and she is angry she will let you know it! Only two more weeks and she will start at the daycare center. I took her in last night to pick up Aiden, I stopped by the room she will be in and she was smiling and seemed to love it! I hope the adjustment goes well for her! She even had a little boy come up to her and give her a big hug as soon as I put her down...so sweet!

Chris is working a lot still but is now in town which has been nice! I will be leaving he and and kids on Saturday afternoon for a few days. My parents and I are heading to Tampa to visit my aunts and relax a little. I am not sure what I am going to do with myself. This is the very first time leaving Ava for more than one night. But I am going to try my best to relaxxxxxx and I am taking a few books that I have been really wanting to read and haven't had time to and I hope that I am able to just enjoy my time away! Although I know come Wednesday I will be aching to get back to hug and kiss my kids!

AAACCCCHHHOOOO!

That would be me sneezing! It's been a busy couple of weeks at our house and with back to school and the sporatic temperatures I seem to be coming down with something...not fun, but no time to be sick here!

Aiden is officially back to school! So far he seems to be really enjoying first grade! We had a last minute change in teachers so he in now in Mrs. Harpham's class. There are 21 students in his classroom with him and he knows one from his daycare. He is making new friends and I continue to be amazed at how fast he is learning! Part if his homework assignments is reading 60 minutes per week, and sometimes I just can't believe how well he is doing. There are words he needs help with at times but overall he is doing a great job! He also seems to really enjoy Math! He plays a few math computer games and I was teaching him how to add double digits the other day. He seems to really catch on quickly. His first flag football game was this past Saturday, he is once again on the Beavers. Our next couple of weeks will start with his games on Saturday mornings!

And here is sweet Ava, she never stops long enough for me to get a good picture so I imagine the next few months will have to be "action" photos! LOL! She loves to run, climb, dance, twirl, and just about anything else that involves movement! I certainly feel 5 years older chasing her around, because it didn't seem as hard with Aiden or maybe it's just been so long ago that I forgot how much energy it takes to chase a toddler! But, wouldn't change it for the world, she is happy healthy and exploring the world around her. She is repeating more words, now she says MAMAMAMA all the time! Last night she said "chalk" every once in a while she just blurts out something new! She will be 17 months this weekend and she will start at the daycare center where her brother attends before and after school on the 18th of October!

This coming weekend Chris and I are going to tailgate for the OSU vs. Miami game so that will be a nice break for us. Hopefully the weather holds out and we don't get any rain. It's hard to believe fall is already here, in some ways I am ready, I love the changing colors of the leaves and the cool air in the mornings. However if we could skip over winter completely I would be fine with that! I am heading to Florida the second week of October to visit my family. Chris will be solo with the kids for a few days :-) I am very much looking forward to a few days of complete relaxation!!!!!

Gotta go blow my nose now......URGH!

Summer is slowly ending...

Aiden got to go to Skate America for his first time roller skating this week. He has gotten to do so many fun things at summer camp this year. I sometimes feel like I would like to be home but when I hear about all the fun he has going on a new field trip almost every day of the summer I know he is where he needs to be right now. I tell him all the time how lucky he is because there is no way I could take him all the places he has gotten to go this summer and he gets to do it with his friends, which is even better! We received his packet from his new elementary school (we are sending him back to his home school this year as he was in another school for the full day kindergarten class). His teacher's name is Ms. Valentine. We have orientation on Monday night and he starts on Tuesday morning!

Ava has been great!! Finally sleeping all night and it's wonderful! I took her to her follow up ENT appointment yesterday afternoon and he said her ears look great! We don't need to head back there for another 6 months! I took her to a going away party at the daycare center on Tuesday evening and she really loved looking around and seeing all the kids! She will start attending on October 18th. I am really excited as I think she is going to love it! Plus, that will allow me only one stop every morning and evening instead of two! Yahoo! It's the small things in life that get me excited anymore!

Last night while Aiden was at football, Ava and I went out back to enjoy this weather as I am sure we only have a few more weeks left before it will be getting dark and chilly early in the evening :-( She ran over to the play house that has been retired in the corner all summer and I could tell she was really wanting to play in it so I carried it over and hosed it out for her. She loved going in and out. I think she will probably need one of her own soon, maybe for Christmas or her Birthday next year! I always wanted one that had flower boxed in the windows so we could plant real flowers in them :-)

Although summer is my favorite season and I am not ready for it to end, maybe because Chris has been gone for most of it. I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to all the fun that fall brings. I love apple cider and going out on our annual pumpkin picking trip. We didn't get around to planting our garden this year with all the chaos in our house so I was thinking about growing some pumpkins there for the kids. I need to find out how long they take to grow. I already have Ava's Halloween costume, although I need to add some embellishments to it! Aiden is still on the fence about what he wants to be this year but I guess we have a little time for him to decide. Of course, if he could be a red power ranger every year he would totally be one and not have any issues with it! He mentioned a oompa loompa (Chris didn't like that idea but has warmed up to it) then he said police officer (which he has been wearing two pin on badges to daycare every day this week so not sure he will be over that by Oct or not) Hard to tell these days what new idea will pop into that boys head! Gotta love him!

Ava

I love this picture of Ava. Certain pictures especially of kids just capture them and who they are, maybe I feel that way because she is looking and something and she always seems to be intense and looks around and always trying to figure things out! I endered this in a Gerber photo contest online. I will be posting when it's time to vote on it on FB. Not expecting her to win as there are a million kids entered but it's a chance at a $25,000 scholarship! Certainly worth a try! She will be 16 months old tomorrow! I am already considering themes for her second Birthday party! Yes, I have serious issues!

1995 ICHS Reunion (Chris's Class)

Me and Chris

Chris and Jamie

(they were voted biggest flirt and this is the exact pose of the picture that

was taken for their yearbook just 15 years later, wish I had the original to post)

So glad everyone just accepts me as one of their own!


ICHS 95 class picture!
15 year Reunion

I gratuated in 1994 a year a head of him, he always calls me a cradle robber! But, we attended the same high school so I know all his classmates and alway have as much fun if not more at his class reunions! I enjoy hanging out with everyone and it was so much fun catching up this year!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We celebrated my Daddy's 61st Birthday on Sunday which was his actual Birthday! All his grandchildren were there to celebrate with him! I could kick myself for not getting a picture with all of them with him! We had a nice lunch and ice cream cake!

Friends Forever

This is Ava and I with Krissa and her son Teddy! Krissa is one of my oldest and dearest friends. She was my first friend when we moved from Pa to Ohio and she is like a sister to me in so many ways! She lives in Chicago and we hadn't seen each other since she was pregnant with Teddy. I was sooo excited to get to visit with her, her awesome husband Chris and their little guy Teddy this weekend! Meeting Teddy was wonderful! I hope we never go 2 years again before getting to see one another!!!