Bikers

Grapevine Bikers

Last weekend we took the boys out for a bike ride around Lake Grapevine. Aidan rides on two wheels (no more training wheels) and Austin was on our tag-a-long bike attached to the back of mine. Austin enjoyed the outing, but Aidan got frustrated with the occassional hill and not always getting to be first in the line. Also, the off-roading we tried was too much and we had to walk our bikes back to the paved area. The boys did find one particularly fun stop. On an off-shoot of the path, there was a pile of old asphalt. They had fun running up and down the pile and finally decided it was a buried alligator. Of course, while that was an exciting prospect, Austin was a bit scared, so that was the end of climbing on the imaginary alligator!

Valentines Suitors

Aidan was to dress up for a tea party at school. Well, he usually wears khakis and a polo to school so we needed something a little "spiffier". We had some suits from Ed's youth, so I asked Aidan if he'd like to try one on. He loved the idea, and especially wanted to wear the clip-on tie.

Now, everything new Aidan gets to do, Austin has to do as well. We only had one button down shirt and it was 8:30 pm, so we made quick work of trying everything on. Here are the boys in suits circa 1976-8.

All Grown Up

Getting back on the horse, so to speak...

January was busy, and I fell behind reporting on our activities in part because I have misplaced the cable to download photos from the camera to the computer. Well, I bought a new cable and so I am ready to get back to blogging.

We went to the Ft. Worth Stockshow parade opening weekend. It was chilly and the boys wanted to be lifted up to see. Briefly (very briefly) I had Aidan on my shoulders and Austin in my arms. They could see the horses, wagons, stagecoaches, cowboys and cowgirls, but I couldn't see a thing.

RIDE 'EM COWBOYS

Ed took the boys to the Stockshow with some of their friends (James and Rachel). Aidan's favorite animals were the baby ducklings sliding down a tiny waterslide. Austin liked the 10 baby piglets that were fighting to get a spot at one of Mommy pig's 8 nipples. But both boys' favorite time was on the rides and eating in the carnival area.

We moved the boys into a bedroom together (into Ed's old office). We repainted the ceiling, but couldn't agree on painting the walls, so we just moved the boys stuff in. Now Aidan has his "Fat Head" on the wall - the #8 race car. I didn't realize that I would be hanging an 8 foot King of Beers ad on the wall. Alas, if Aidan was 13 I might not have done it, but for now - it's just a red race car.

CAR NUT

The Addition

We are moving into our addition (just a few minor touchups to go). Walking up the stairs you see the Hess truck display. Most were Ed's collection, but have since been taken out of their pristine boxes for full access play by the boys.

LINE 'EM UP... LIKE ON THE TURNPIKE

ED'S "CORNER" OFFICE

Ed has his desk and computer relocated and the boys

have their trains all over the place. Here's the proof that the room is living up to its potential already!

The new 3rd bathroom is functional, but the spicket in the tub needs a bit more work to get it flush with the wall

Happy 4th Birthday, Austin!

Hard as it is for me to believe, my little guy turned 4 this week. Austin got to take sprinkle donuts in to share with his class - these are by far his favorite treat. After school, Ed took the boys to play putt-putt, let Austin pick out his own toy at the toy store (Ed was concerned about the "girlee" toy he picked - but it is his choice) and then we all met at Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games.

At four here are some of Austin's favorite things:

Color: Green

Food: Chicken (in nugget or grilled form)

TV Show: Spongebob, followed by Dora

Toy: Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles (up to doing 100 pieces on his own)

Game: The Barnyard Game (where you have to find matching baby animals under haystacks and hear it they make the same sound as their parent)

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and anything he can just make up on his own

Other favorites include the living room recliner - and he must sit in it by himself; his tigger straw cup (a gift from last year's birthday); juice, juice and more juice; riding his big wheel; getting himself dressed in the morning; doing craft projects which always involve scissors and scotch tape.