Observation week

This time for Kaden's class.  He likes to spin in circles until he gets dizzy and falls, there is also what appears to be a brief sword fight featured in this video.

She's been training

As I've been training for the Beach 2 beacon 10K, Mackinna has decided to train for the B2B kids fun run. This "training" consists mostly of running circles in the driveway, but sometimes she does go down to the track with me as well. Each day she tells us how many miles she has to run today. Its really kind of funny. She is so excited about it! So when the Peak's Island 5 mile race I did on Saturday had a fun run as well- it was a no brainer. Mackinna was thrilled to do it as a practice race for her big one next weekend. She was awesome. She got a number and at the end she even got a medal. She was glowing all day and I think now she is even more excited for next week.

Mackinna (and Mommy) approach the finish

The kids with Daddy on the beach at the island after the race

Ferry ride home- a tired family

Protector

I came downstairs to find the kids like this. Mackinna said it was a
scary part in the movie so she was protecting him. They are still
sitting like this now.

"Happy Birthday to you"

On Kaden's actual birthday we sang to him 3 times- once when he had candles in his donut. Then he ate cake at Tucker's birthday party- didn't sing to him that time- sang to Tucker then, but we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's on the way home and we all sang to him again when he had candles in a brownie. Then when we got home, we stuck candles in a whoopie pie and sang once more. He must have really liked all this singing because in the days that followed whenever we tried to have a slice of left over birthday cake, Kaden would say, "Candles, birthday me." (meaning we needed to sing happy birthday to him) He even sings it along with us sometimes. All told we must have sung to him at least a dozen times.

Baseball Party

Kaden's baseball birthday party was last Saturday at Fort Williams Park. The weather looked questionable in the morning, but it cleared up in the afternoon and was just perfect. Kaden got "Better, Batter, Baseball" and put it to use right away in a great baseball game with family and friends. He could have played all day. The kid was in his glory. We had ballpark food- from popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs and pizza to SEA DOG biscuts. The only thing missing according to Mackinna was the beer! It was such a nice day and a wonderful way to celebrate two years of our Nuggie. Here are some pictures. (all out of order of course because blogger gets me every time.)

Kaden & Uncle Robby try to take some pitches

The baseball cake.

Kids with Daddy & Uncle Matt on the see-saw

birthday boy with Daddy down at the beach

Birthday boy with his Mommy

Kaden even put his feet in the freezing cold water

The kids with Uncle Matt & Aunt Kate by the lighthouse

Family photo by the lighthouse- I love that lighthouse!

Note the glove on the wrong hand

I call this one the blind leading the blind. Shortly after this Mom hit Mackinna in the face with a football.

Mackinna and Daddy up to bat

Mackinna with Jackson & Tucker

Cake time- baseball cake time

The birthday boy with Unlce Matt & Aunt Kate- who even bought Red Sox shirts!

batter up- with a lollipop in his mouth

Family Portraits

We were so pleased with our recent pictures of the kids we decided to try some family portraits. They aren't as good, but I think still worth sharing despite Mackinna's crazy person smile.  (Mark might beg to differ)

Can he really be 2 years old already?

Well my baby turned two on Sunday.  I still can't believe it!  Aside from talking A LOT more Kaden hasn't changed terribly in the past few months.  He's still the most handsome little thing ever, he still loves his dogs, knocking down towers, balls of all kinds, and trucks of all kinds, but has recently added airplanes to the mix as well.  We are still waiting for a few teeth to fill in the holes between his front few and molars, but we have made progress in sleeping through the night, finally.  Most nights we don't see or hear from him now till somewhere between 5 and 6, then he'll come into bed with us and sleep a while longer.  He still prefers to wear only shirts with balls on them, and eats his munchkins in one big bite.  (He now recognizes the Dunkin Donuts sign and yells, "DO-nits" when we drive by.)  He still loves to eat eggs and macaroni and cheese.  Something I've recently learned his doesn't like is strawberries- who doesn't like strawberries?  Overall he's become a much more fussy eater in the past couple months.  I guess that is a sign of a toddler.  The kid used to eat anything put in front of him, but not so much anymore. 

We haven't made any remarkable progress in potty training- he still only using the potty 2-3 times a day, so we've kind of plateaued.  I have started trying pull ups more frequently though to see if that helps and he does have a couple of pairs of underpants that he is pretty excited about.  When he does go on the potty he quickly stands up and shouts, "Candy!" (Because I give him a treat for going on the potty)

The Nug just finished a workshop at Mackinna's dance studio, called "Movement, Music and Play."  He really liked the balance beam and throwing the bean bag in the bean bag dance- oh and the parachute, but only when he could shake it really violently.  I was surprised at how shy he was initially and how reluctant he was to leave my side.  That is not typically his nature- more Mackinna's, but luckily, like his sister he just needs a little time to warm up.  He did great!

Kaden is so easy going and fun to be around almost all the time.  He just rolls with the punches- with Mackinna for a sister, he really has no choice.  His love for her is unconditional.  For as"all "all boy" as he is, he still absolutely loves to play babies or kitchen with his big sister.  He is so gentle and kind when he needs to be.  He will do pretty much anything Mackinna asks.  He's always quick to share, whether its a toy or food and never hesitates to offer her help- not that he's always super helpful...  He still seems like Momma's boy, but we've noticed more and more lately, when he's really scared- its Daddy that he wants.  I guess he figures Daddy is a better protector than Mommy.

For now at least, he is so good about picking up toys when he's done playing with them.  Its just adorable.  Kaden is truly is a delight.  He is sensitive and terribly observant, the things he picks up on sometimes just amaze me.  And the best part of Kaden at 2 and hopefully for a lifetime- he is just so full of love.  He gives the best biggest hugs, and says, "Luv you" all the time.  He's never ever stingy when asked for a kiss.  He can brighten any day.

He's done some good growing since 18 months.  Between 15 and 18 he was kind of at a stand still, but at his 2 year check up on Wed his stats were:

Height- 36.5" (94%)

Weight- 31lbs 5 oz (85%)

Head- 20.16" (96%)

 He's still leading the charge with his big ole head, but Dr Youth was pleased that his head has made the curve with the rest of him now- so that is good!

Pilot & Co-pilot

Captain Kaden

Kaden English Dictionary

I've been meaning to do this for a while.  I know I did with Mackinna.  Here is our latest version of the little Kaden/English dictionary:

Gallgone: All Gone

Dada: Mackinna -though Mackinna has been calling herself Henna again for him- so maybe Dada is actually Henna?  Either was its a stretch...

Oocy: Lucy

Owdie: Jordie

Belbut: Belly Button

Gagle: Bagel

Guggie: Snuggie (blanket)

I'm sure I'm forgetting some good ones, but I'll add them as I think of them.

Ears?

While eating dinner tonight, Mackinna heard a noise and asked Daddy what it was. Mark told her, he didn't hear anything so he wasn't sure. Her reply: "You have ears don't you?"

Sidewalk chalk

Kaden just couldn't wait to get outside and play with his new sidewalk
chalk! He put on his boots (on the wrong feet) and outside he went-
no need for pants!

And now he has his pizza

Yarmouth Clam festival

Kaden with a clam cake in one hand and ice cream in the other and now he hops out of the stroller and says "back". (meaning he'll be back). When we ask him where he is going he responds, "pizza".

Bachabama trading cards!

Mackinna just opened a package from Grandma Campbell and is VERY
excited.

My name is Mackinna how can I help you?

We had a yard sale today and oh man did Mackinna love it. She was
such a helpful sales person and collected quarters in her money belt.

That's all folks

We went to a Sea Dogs game tonight.  It was a beautiful night-for a change. Kaden was excited and clapping and yelling.  He was asking for Slugger and talking about the trash monster and Oakie.  Both kids were eating fried dough...It was a pretty good time.  This lasted about 5 innings, then very abruptly Kaden turns to me and says, "Done."  He then begins to climb off my lap.  When I asked him where he was going, again, he says, "done."  

He was done with the game and had all intentions of leaving, so I figured I 'd better go with him.  I am sitting here now a couple hours later still thinking about it and laughing to myself.  He was so stinking cute.  He was done, no point in beating around the bush... I'd like to be able to end meetings at work or just conversations in general like that, but something tells me while its cute for a nearly 2 year old- it'd be less so if I did it.  

Mackinna wanted to see Bachabama's house!

Bachabama!

Pig pile on Unkie

And Kaden on the metro

He won't let me hold him at all!

Heading to the mall for the Capitol 4th

Mackinna on the metro with her Unkie and Jen

Baseball sand sculpture!!!