Is it a boy or a girl?

Regan and Haden are expecting a new sibling to arrive toward the end of June. Both kids are VERY excited. Regan's eyes were huge the first time she felt the baby move! (It didn't just move, it was more like a somersault.) Regan insists that it is a dancing baby just like she was. We had to dance with her to keep her quiet, merely holding her while standing or swaying back and forth were not adequate. I sincerely hope this is NOT a dancing baby! Haden frequently kisses my belly and pats it lovingly. I hope that he is still affectionate towards the baby after it comes!

We have started getting some of the baby stuff out in hopes that the novelty of these new things will wear off by the time the baby comes, but we aren't having much success. Why is a bassinet so exciting? I wonder what the weight limit is?

Forney's Transportation Museum

Regan's preschool studied trains during March and went on a field trip to Forney's Transportation Museum. They have several trains, lots of old cars, old motorcycles, and some unusual bikes. The kids were allowed to climb on several of the cars. The Jeep was far and away Haden's favorite. Regan liked the 4 person bicycle (just like in Purplelicious!) and thinks her dad should start riding one with a huge front tire and a little back tire! Regan's teacher gave each kid a whistle when we were done exploring that they could blow all the way home! (They have since disappeared.)This was Amelia Earhart's car that she drove from Los Angeles to Boston in 1924. It took six weeks and was apparently unheard of at the time.

The Downtown Aquarium

Regan's preschool class studied the ocean during January and went on a field trip to the aquarium. Since we were dealing with stomach flu, I promised her that we could go when we were healthy. Clint had a meeting downtown last Friday and was able to meet us there. Both kids were having a good time until we came to the desert section of the aquarium. They have a display to demonstrate what a flash flood in the desert is like, complete with thunder and lightening. Regan and Haden are both terrified of the dark and loud noises. Regan was screaming within seconds of the first thunder bolt. Haden lasted a little longer, but not much. It took a while for them to calm down.

Regan liked the seahorses, starfish, and jellyfish, but couldn't leave the tiger fast enough. Haden had fun being so close to all the fish.

Afterwards, we stopped at the restaurant for lunch. Haden was shoveling straight butter into his mouth-who needs bread? Both kids loved the huge brownie. It was delicious! It was fun to be able to spend the morning together before Clint had to go back to work.

Chilly Cheeks #2

Clint signed up to compete in three duathlons (running & biking) held during the winter at Cherry Creek State Park. This one was the second, but the first where we went to cheer him on. It was also the first where Clint had a buddy to compete against. It was very cold! Rather than play on the toys, both kids wanted to go to the car. We waited until Clint's first transition, took his picture and then made for the car.

We had conveniently parked along the race course, so we could stay warm and still take pictures. It wasn't long before the kids became bored and stole the camera. I love seeing what they deem important enough to take a picture of!

Even though it was cold, everyone had fun. (Luckily, they served hot chocolate-I think Regan drank 3 cups by herself!) Despite Clint being so humble, I think he was rather smug when the results came out and he had beaten his friend!

Idaho

We left for Idaho the day after Christmas. We had a late start due to roads closed in Wyoming. The kids did okay in the car until eight or nine hours into the eleven hour car ride. Haden kept telling us in a pitiful voice to help him get out of his carseat because he was stuck. We were all relieved to get to my mom's house. Regan loved playing with her aunts and cousins while Haden terrorized my mom's two house cats. Her cats must be dumb, because they rarely ran when they saw him coming! He caught them a lot, but luckily only wound up with two scratches on his cheek.

In Samaria, Grandpa took us to help him feed the cows. At first, Regan adamantly refused to go. I think that she was envisioning my mom hand feeding her two pygmy goats and had no desire to get that close to a cow! She finally gave in, but upon climbing into the farm truck, claimed that it was too dirty and needed to be cleaned. This is Regan not happy about such a dirty truck.

Haden loved riding around in the truck without his carseat, but loved driving the tractor with Clint even more. Regan kept telling Clint that he didn't know how to drive the tractor and he should go get Grandpa! I think Clint was offended!

Regan quickly lost interesest in riding in the tractor and climbed down to be with me. While Clint and his dad were spreading out straw for the baby calves, I gave Regan the job of pulling the bailing twine out of the straw. She wasn't exactly excited about it.The 4 wheeler and snowmobile pulled sled were also big attractions. Both kids loved going fast especially over the bumps! In Samaria, there is a penny candy store named the Blue Goose. (Clint & I actually had our wedding reception there years ago!) Clint's dad traditionally takes the kids to visit Clarence, the storekeeper , and assemble their bag of penny candy. This trip was the first time Haden understood that when he went to the Goose he got candy. There were several times that Haden would grab my hand, pull me to the door, saying, "Go, Goose!" over and over. The poor little boy didn't understand that it wasn't open 24 hours. The Goose was supposed to be closed New Year's Day, but Clarence had sympathy for Haden, and called to let us know he would be there for a few minutes if Haden wanted to come visit.

It was a fun trip, but we were all relieved to get home, this time ahead of the storm.

Merry Christmas

Christmas with kids is so much fun! I love seeing their expressions when they come down the stairs and see all the presents under the tree. (We don't have any presents under the tree until the kids go to bed Christmas Eve-my kids have little self control when it comes to presents.) This year both kids were spoiled, Regan loves her Barbie house and Haden had so much fun fishing for Regan with his new Spiderman pole that it had to disappear until we actually take him fishing. The Zhu Zhu pet was a hit, and has surprisingly not been stepped on as it wanders around the kitchen while I am making dinner.

Ballet

To conclude this semester of ballet, the kids performed to Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Regan did a wonderful job and cannot wait for ballet to start again!

Happy Birthday Haden!

Haden turned 2 on December 18. It was a rather low-key affair. Clint took off work early to take the kids to the library. They LOVE going to the library with Daddy. I don't know why it is any different than when I take them. We had been getting toy catalogs for several weeks advertising this year's must have toys. For some reason, Haden fell in love with Buzz Lightyear. He has never seen the movie and we have no other Toy Story things, but he could pick out a half inch tall picture of Buzz in every magazine. It made present shopping easy! Haden got his Buzz Lightyear and was thrilled! He would frequently bring us the picture in the catalog and then proudly point to his own Buzz. I'm not sure why we didn't get any pictures.

Haden is all boy and definitely a different animal than Regan. His ridiculous antics always keep us well entertained! Whether he is climbing the wall, doing flips off the couch, or reading "Gone With the Wind" we love having him in our family!

Cinderella

Regan's preschool teacher's 2 sons were performing in a local high school's performance of Cinderella. Regan wanted to go and, after all, we needed another opportunity to wear her fancy Halloween costume! The girls were supposed to dress up as princesses and bring magic wands to help the fairy godmother get Cinderella to the ball. It was Regan's first play in a long time, and I don't think she knew what to expect. I assume she was expecting Disney's version rather than Rodgers and Hammerstein's. She was intrigued by the play, but commented later that Cinderella's dress was not the right color and the fairy godmother looked funny!

Halloween

This past summer, while in Idaho, Regan and I went with my brother to his friend's quinceanera (a coming of age party for 15 year old Mexican girls). The music was way too loud, but the birthday girl was wearing a bright pink version of a wedding dress. Regan was instantly captivated. When we got home, she told my mom all about the "beautiful princess" and her "fancy dress." My mom used to sew professionally and was very good. She promised Regan that if we would pick out the fabric and the pattern she would make Regan a "quince" dress for Halloween. So, despite what I had planned, she was a princess again for Halloween. Haden was a knight. He hated his costume, but LOVED his sword. After several attacks on Regan, we had to institute a rule that he was only allowed to hit Daddy!

The week of Halloween, Regan's ballet class had a Halloween party where all the ballerinas could wear their Halloween costumes. I think Regan struggled to dance in hers (she had layers of tulle petticoats) but loved wearing it every chance she got. She refused to wear her crown though and produced instead last year's Easter hat.

Clint took the kids trick or treating. I was sick, so I didn't get many pictures. These were post trick or treating. Notice the Starbursts Haden already had in his mouth. The kids had fun and Regan is already talking about what she should dress up as next year!