Winding Down

The last few weeks have been exhausting - emotionally and physically because of work and getting Aiden ready for school and trying to find a healthy work balance between days and nights and extra jobs.

Labor Day couldn't have come sooner, we I needed a nice little break from the everyday to re-group.

Aiden had a fabulous first week at school, so while we were playing around Friday afternoon trying to get out of town I took him to Kohl's for new pjs, more big boy underwear and a toy.

While walking into the store from the parking lot, a car paused and waited for us to cross to the sidewalk. When the car stopped, Aiden put out his hand, raised his voice real big and said, "YOU STOP! Wait your turn! DON'T HIT ME!" Of course the driver's window was open and she replied very meekly to assertive Aiden, "Don't worry I won't hit you!" Funny little guy.

Inside the store, I let Aiden pick two pairs of pjs and two packs of underwear -- he was excited about the Elmo pjs so much that he grabbed the first pair of Elmo underwear he saw -- they were pink. Normally, I would take the stance, eh, if it's what he wants...but really, there's kind of an important difference in boy/girl underpants so he had to put them back and settle for choo-choos and SpongeBobs.

Back in the car Aiden practiced his photography --  

This pose is Aiden's favorite. He requests all models use this for photos.

Since we still had a little time to kill we had to stop for a snack too...

 When we finally got to the lake, I got to help Maria make a HUGE pot of spaghetti sauce for Italian Night - since I begged to have it and then it got re-scheduled just for me. So I helped with the sauce, the beef and the sausage. MMMMMMMM!

Since there is officially no water left in the lake, we spent the day Saturday playing Slip N Slide.

While it may look like Aiden is having the most fun ever, I can assure you that I had even more fun than him.

A swift twist of fate put me back in Denver late Saturday night, but I needed the rest and when I was done working on Sunday I got to catch up on a quick couple things around the house that I have been dying to do.

Like take the cat for a walk...

I took Kane to the pet store wiht me to get food, and while walking around with the horse of a dog that he is (knocking over displays left and right) I was asking for help finding a cat harness and leash. You can't really tell but Dexter's harness is fiercely striped like a zebra and his leash is pink.

He LOVED going outside, sniffed everything, talked a lot and purred in the grass.

I also got to catch up with the girls in the evening.

Of course we had out margaritas before we painted our nails....

This is my "I'm at the top of the bathroom" spot

careful, don't spill that!

Jo, who came ot spend some extra time with Katie before she moves, was a very good sport and made an excellent cabana boy when drinks ran low.

Things got a little silly.

After a good night's sleep, Kelly and I made our Clinique Bonus Days trip on Monday and then an impromptu trip to Taste Of Colorado for lunch.

Once Aiden was back in town, he was right back to taking pictures...

I even managed to finish an IKEA project - but don't get me started on the damn shelf in the living room

Finally settled and ready for Fall.

Fun Day!

Every year at the lake there is a kid's day (called fun day) -- this year it couldn't have come at a better time since there is no water left and Aiden keeps asking to go the beach which is now about a mile walk and completely muddy.

These photos taken on a long quest to find the water with my toes.

As I was saying, all Aiden wants to do is go to the beach and since that's not an option all he has at grandma's house is his kiddie pool and crazy sprinkler, so Fun Day was a welcome change of pace for him.

Every year the kids get to choose what color shirt they want and what color backpack they want -- to hold all their prizes.

This year Aiden wanted a purple shirt which didn't surprise me because he is always saying how much he likes purple.

And he chose a pink backpack, which for whatever reason, didn't surprise me either.

We made our rounds through the games, Aiden taking his time to get each one right before taking a prize.

First he went fishing.

Then he did the bean bag toss (which he scored perfectly on, first try!)

And of course took his time picking the perfect prizes.

Magnet darts were a bit harder for him, the "arrows" were pretty heavy, but he kept trying until he earned himself some more prizes.

The big game to play, was darts and balloons. This game had real, big, awesome prizes.

And Aiden hit a balloon with his first dart!

So what big prize did he pick to go with his pink backpack and purple shirt?

A shotgun of course!

When the cake walk started we went into the club house, it was packed when we got there but with everyone outside fighting over brownies Aiden had all the space he needed to make a flower pot.

Get a black turtle tattoo...

And do some sand art.

Just when I couldn't fit anymore crafts or prizes in my arms, we went back outside to play the cake walk...Mommy didn't bake for nothing.

And look! Someone already scooped up my lemon bars!

Aiden did really well when the music was playing and everyone was walking.

But stopping on one spot was harder for him to understand.

After a few times around we ended up with a plate full of brownie bites.

Which Aiden gobbled up immediately. I didn't get a single one.

After a yummy hot dog lunch the kids took turns at the pinata - Mike Wizowski

Of course Aiden wanted more than his two swings, but luckily couldn't do much damage.

After scrambling to get some candy off the ground, we went back to grandma's all sugared up and the two of us crashed for about 4 hours.

Probably shouldn't have been snuggling so close since now I have Aiden's cold but I was way too tired and way too content snuggled in with him to get up. Se la vie.

After nap time, we went looking for a nice piece of beach to play in.

The boys got a little carried away, and I made Aiden shake the sand out of his booty (naked!) on the beach before taking him home.

Uncle Wayne had his grand daughter and one of her friends out for the weekend, Aiden just thought they were the cats pajamas.

He spent the evening playing frogs with them.

He was one pooped pup come Sunday, but I've been hearing about Fun Day ever since we got home.