Balloon Fest

CW Octoberfest

I described our life today as crazy, but rich.

Our hearts {and arms} are full,

and our feet are tired.

With 'free reign' at our neighborhood

Octoberfest, we had to divide and conquer.

Anderson stuck close to Daddy 

and followed the stein around,

and I followed Alekzander around from 

bounce house to bounce house.

Later after the sun went down,

Anderson methodically put bean bags 

in and out of a game board.

Luckily everyone wore themselves out

and slept soundly all night long!

Bounce house fun 

After Daddy's Heart

 Claiming the stein as his own.

There's some serious meaning behind Anderson's stare!

Wait, you didn't save me any?

First Haircut

This is how Anderson felt about his first haircut...

The new experience, a stinky diaper, and no afternoon nap

were the impetus for full-out wailing

at our kiddie haircut place.

I was assured it happens all the time...

but I hoped it would never be us!

We still love Ms. Mary - who handled the tears

and tamed both boys' hair like a rockstar!

Best Friend Birthdays

These two shared a special day ::

Syra turned 8 today, and Anderson is now 15 months old.

They also shared in soaking up some Vitamin D

as well as a good book, fittingly about best friends.

Some open mouthed wet kisses may have been shared, too.

Anderson loves Syra.  Syra tolerates Anderson.  

Actually she does love kissing him because {truth} he normally

has some sort of food crust left on face or behind his ears.

{Gross yes, dog kisses - maybe even grosser...}  

These two are pretty cute though. 

Anderson loves to hug his doggy,

and will mimic gentle pets as well.

Syra got spoiled today with love, extra treats,

a car ride to preschool, a walk, and even 

a hand drawn birthday card from his other best friend!

 Happy Birthday, Syra.

15 Months

Our squishy, petite little baby

has changed into a sturdy, strong {willed} little toddler.

While he still likes to be held and picked "uh-uh",

one of his favorite words is "down." 

{Somehow split into two syllables.}

Anderson went from tottering to running.

We have had our share of bumps and bruises

as he becomes more sure of his feet.

He is sure that he wants them to go fast!

Already he sounds like a small, quick elephant herd.

He is surely my son, and already exercising his stubbornness.

While he says many things,  "mama" as my title is not one of them.

He does say "mama" and "mum-mum," but both words come

as a request for more {food}.  He is smart in knowing that 

mama provides his food time and time again.

He will point to me when Andrew asks, "Where's mama?"

but the stinker won't call for me!

He did, however, learn to say "Tessa" as two 

short tongue-between-teeth syllables that sound a lot like her name,

as well as "Ginger" {jin-ja} :: our babysitter's puppy's name.

His favorite word of the month is "button" - clear as day.

We started talking about belly buttons, but he has expanded his knowledge

of but-tuns to any type of button (remotes, clothing, elevator button...) 

or any thing that resembles a button (round object outlined).

Kiddo is smart!  He will follow one step commands 

and understands just about anything you tell him to do.

In our nightly bath/bed routine, I was trying to pass Anderson off to Andrew, 

but Anderson shook his head vehemently 'no'.  

I needed to call Tessa, so I put him down on the ground and said,

"Do you want to walk upstairs by yourself to take a bath?"

He headed straight for the stairs and started to go up as Andrew

and I stood back and shook our heads in disbelief.

He has the best giggle, and like his brother, 

will do anything for a cheap laugh.  

He recently learned to tackle Alekzander; once he had him pinned down,

he would put his finger up Alekzander's nose which 

would make big brother giggle uncontrollably.  It was the best!

You are the best, Anderson Maddox.

We love you and your smiles - and your stubbornness - so much!

Apple of my Eye

Anderson picked his first {and only} apple...

all by himself yesterday at Sky Top Orchard. 

He was so proud,

and you better believe

he ate the whole apple down to the core.

And cried when I took it away!