Twin Cities Children's Museum

There are a few posts to be blogged about Aidan's birthday and Christmas but I couldn't help putting these photos up now. Erin, Grandma and Aidan went to the Children's museum in the cities today. I was working, so Erin sent me the below photos from her phone. Let's call them before and after.

Happy birthday Aidy

Aidy's birthday celebrations started the Friday before his birthday. We let him open one present. We got it right too. A Thomas The Tank Engine extravaganza thanks to Jenny and Alan. He loved it and his Thomas - he now called Thomas Tommy - hat is the only one he'll wear.

On the Saturday we went to Wausau. He opened a few of his presents from family and had fun.

Birthday breakfast.

He loved his new books, puzzle, car map, and trucks.

At home on his birthday, he celebrated with Matt, Liz, Sophie, Allie, and Tyler. A few too many candles this time. But he loved his cupcakes.

Annual Christmas treats

Alissa, Erin, Aidan and I went up to Pat and Roby's place - Grandma came down - today to make our usual seasonal candies.

Here's what we made:

• Sea foam
• Chocolate honeycomb
• Chocolate peppermint cookies
• M&M cookies
• Baileys fudge
• Nut toffee
• Anise candy
• White chocolate covered pretzels
• Sugar cookies

Aidan loved his chocolate treats. And Amelia sneaked her first taste of anise. She loved it. But not when her mum swiped it from her.

Happy birthday mama

Happy birthday Erin.

Snow

Last year it happened on December 8, this year it was the night of Dec 3. Fall turned to Winter overnight and we'll probably see the ground in March

White and cream should be seldom seen.

The blind leading the young.

Aidan did pretty well clearing his patch.

We're not sure Aidan's going to love the winter. He got very excited when he first saw the snow. He shouted, "Noooooo." He did it with a smile. He was learning a new word, not being indignant. But he was indignant when he took his hat off. If he doesn't get used to it it's going to be a long winter.

Early Thanksgiving - part 2

The adults had fun too.

Pat - King of the Carvers

Yum.

A wee nipper.

Don't drink too many nippers or you'll dress like this.

(And lose at ping-pong).

Early Thanksgiving - part 1

These posts are a bit out of wack but that's the way my mind works sometimes. The Saturday before Thanksgiving the De Vos clan all met up at Seth and Alissa's palce and shared a turkey, giggles, and ping-pong.

The two eldest cousins burn some energy.

The nearest we get to a photo shoot of the kids.

"What's all the fuss?" says Allie.

Si and Sar - Sunday

On Sunday we had a trip out to New Glarus Brewery. It's built on top of a hill and has beautiful surroundings.

Aidan didn't bother with the tour. he just played with the water feature and scared his dad to death as he walked along the edge of a very steep drop. He couldn't have cared less.

Let's go guys...

...to the park.

Si learned how to never lose at naughts and crosses again. Until next time.

Good times.

Si and Sar - Saturday

We ventured down State Street for Freakfest. Dressed as The English Tea Party and a Nudist On Strike, we had a blast. Unfortunately, we had to forfeit the cucumber sandwiches at the front gate - classed as dangerous or something.

Speaking of trips...

A few weeks ago Si and Sar came out to visit us. It was a great week chock full of the adults acting like big kids gadding around Madison and Wisconsin, often with Aidan tucked up in bed.

First stop on Friday's Milwaukee trip was Lapham Peak.

Ayeeee. It's the Fonz - on the left. Next stop the Spy Bar.

The day was capped with a trip to the hockey. As they scored 5, we won Free ice cream at Culvers.

Choo-choo

Aidan's favourite part of the Washington trip was taking rides on the Metro around D.C. He could have stayed on the trains all day. He loved to shout out to them as they passed outside Fred and Caz's too. He was a true trainspotter that weekend.

Cheese

Aidan may only have a few words but he can be bossy sometimes. He takes pride in his daily work, which mainly comprises of running cars up and down a track or a windowsill. If he sees his mum with her camera in hand he'll get her to take a picture of his handy-work.

Speaking of Aidan's words. he seems to be really gathering them now. His current favourites are choo-choo and kitty-cat. But he also likes to say moon, stars, and pee-pee and poo-poo.

He says, "all done," when he's finished with his food. And his new favorite food is "Cookie".

Mamadada seems to be used a lot too, meaning both my mum and dad. He does differentiate though. When flicking though a magazine the other day he saw a picture of Wonder Woman and shouted, "Mama, Mama." I, on the other hand, have been called Homer Simpson and Thomas The Tank Engine's Fat Controller.

The Simpsons

On Thursday night, in a moment of weakness, we asked Fred and Caz if they had any cartoons for Aidan to watch. They had The Simpsons - 11 seasons of it. Aidan loved it; the Michael Jackson one, the Washington one, every one he watched.

Each time he wanted to watch one he'd climb up on the same seat and say, "see-see". He didn't always get what he wanted but when he did, and it was accompanied by a cookie, he was content.

"Cheese."

OK, it wasn't just Aidan who enjoyed it.

D.C. - Washington Zoo

On Sunday Fred, Erin, Aidan and I went to Washington Zoo. We got there around 10. Most of the animals weren't awake. The first animal we saw was the red panda - asleep. Next we went to see the elephants. But they didn't see to be about until we saw one throwing dust over itself - sunscreen for elephants, apparently - in the distance. Aidan did his elephant noises and it came out looking for him.

The pandas were next. Notorious for being lazy, we didn't hold much hope.

Aidan thought this was as much action he was going to see from a panda.

He tried to wake him by cuddling.

But finally he saw one, alive and eating. Mr. Panda even walked around and entertained a little.

We went into the Small Mammal House were the best show was put on. Tamarins and owls made Aidy laugh. But the naked mole-rats darting through the transparent tunnels were his favourite, even though the adults thought they were disgusting.

Gingerbread house

When Fred and I returned from an evening of burritos, and a few cheeky ones at the Quarry House Tavern, us adults decorated a gingerbread house. Aidan didn't get to take part in the fun but he devoured the gingerbread man in the morning.

D.C. - Saturday

After the trip to Georgetown we walked to the White House. We saw where the West Wing gang shot the basketball episode. But not where Obama had his little accident.

The White House.

Aidan looking grumpy as he knows he might work here one day but he won't be President as he was born in the UK.

On a cold sunny day, we took in the monument tour with Washington, Lincoln and the Korean War memorial.

Aidan was heartbroken during the Vietnam War Memorial but I think it was more to do with being cold and tired rather than the emotion of the 58,000 names.

Georgetown Cupcake

Mmmmm. Cupcake.

We ummed and arred whether or not to go to get some Georgetown Cupcakes. They are hyped up to the max here and are supposed to be the best cupcakes ever. There's even a reality TV show about the place. The downside is that the store is tiny and people are usually queueing for over an hour to get in - to buy half a dozen. But when we happened to stroll by on Saturday morning the queue was minimal and we decided to get half a dozen.

Unfortunately, Fred isn't in the shot, nor managed to capture the Georgetown Cupcake bag in the photo.

Erin snapped it.

Here's our review:

Red Velvet - You'd understand why this is Georgetown Cupcake's biggest seller. Icing like cheesecake - in a good way. Unsure what the red colour of the cupcake is but it's a fluffy winner.

Double chocolate - If you like dark chocolate you'll like this. But it is very rich. A bit OTT.

Salted Caramel - Tasty, buttery icing but where was the salt?

Mint cookies and cream - The mint lover didn't love it. But the rest of us thought it was mintilicious.

Vanilla Vanilla - "So good I didn't share," says Fred.

Peanut Butter - Holy Moly that was good.

Aidan loved all the icing he was given, which wasn't all that much. Greedy adults.

D. C. - Friday

Yesterday, after 2 flights, 3 Thomas The Tank Engine books, a Bob the Builder book, watching trucks and airplanes at the airport, playing with toys cars, taking a nap - thank goodness - and a lot of distraction by his mum, Aidan - and his mum and dad - arrived in D.C. We were met by Fred and went off to see Caz.

We were treated to a great Thanksgiving meal - we won't tell the American's it was a delicious roast lamb - and had a fun evening of catch-up.

Today, we went to the Museum of Natural History where Aidan seemed in awe of the stuffed elephants, lions, flying foxes, zebras and giraffes. We went to see as blue whale, a few dinosaurs and then he'd had enough.

We had a few hours to spare before we were due to go on the capitol tour so we walked to the Washington Monument, hoping the boy would take a nap. Traveling with children is very different to being without. Before we set off to walk around the monument and see Lincoln's Memorial, we put Aidan's dummy in his mouth, gave him his blankie and hoped that would be the potion for sleep. During the walk, his sleep was all we could think about, not the history.

He was just falling asleep when we got to the The Mall Carousel. But as we passed it, with its organ music piping out, he pointed at it with tears in his eyes. The fight was over. He was staying awake.

The capitol.

We finally got a family photo.

The dome.

Aidan and dad looking at the dome.

Aidan listened intently to the tour guide. Later he told me a few facts:

• The British only lost the Revolutionary War because of the French
• The Brits were still living it up in the US at least 7 years after the war.
• The architect of the dome was British - the painter Italian.

After so much learning, you just need a rest.

After the tour, we met Caz at Union Station where we ate soup and cookies.

Aidan loved his cookie.