First day of Soccer

Aiden started soccer today. It was actually everything BUT soccer. They drove a boat, played with a parachute, threw the ball and did a lot of running. Whatever it was, it was cute, they had fun and were definitely worn out when we got home! Especially Ellie.

More pics from Florida

Here are some pics from our most recent trip to Florida. We spent our time in the pool or at the beach.

Long overdue update

This is very long overdue. We tackled potty training and won! Aiden is an A Plus at using the big boy potty. I think I annoy him by asking him too often if he has to go but he has had very few accidents, usually when he is in timeout or upset about something.

We went to Florida for Christmas break. This was a rough trip. I went down early with the kids. Matt stayed home to finish up a few things only to come down with appendicitis. He ended up joining us in Florida but was not able to enjoy the freezing cold weather as he was pretty much recovering on the couch the whole trip. Thank God we survived that one. The highlight of our trip though was seeing our cousin, Charlie. He was scared of us at first but then he thought we were pretty funny. We miss you, Charlie!

Ellie is all over the place these days. She is keeping up with her brother and has learned to fight back when necessary (or when not necessary). She is talking like crazy and although we don't understand everything she says, she understands everything we say!

We just got back from a quick getaway back down to Florida. This trip was much more exciting. The weather was great and we could not keep the kids away from the pool. Aiden is swimming by himself and Ellie has no fear when it comes to jumping in the pool. We had a blast! Aiden starts soccer this weekend with his "friends". This should be interesting...

Potty Training

After pushing this off for quite awhile, I decided to tackle potty training with Aiden...on Thanksgiving weekend. I feel like I was talked into it by: (1) Erica, who believed I was waiting too long and he would be too old and "untrainable" if I waited any longer and (2) my mom, who was conveniently going to be out of town that weekend. The first 2 days were the worst I have ever been through as a parent. Saying I hated it is an understatement, it was pure hell. But, I realized it was because I made it that way. I was a freak of nature about the possibility of my kid peeing his pants??!! Who cares, clean it up and move on! Since the day we stopped using diapers, the poor guy has had only 3 accidents. He loves to pee and poop in the potty! That's not to say that he isn't addicted to Dora, Diego and/or a "special surprise" each time he goes to the potty!

Ellie turns 1

I can't believe it's here...where has this year gone? My youngest baby is a toddler, how could this have happened so soon? We had a nice little celebration for her but I don't know if I'm happy about this milestone. My babies are growing up...

Happy Halloween!

We have been loving the amazing fall weather here in Indiana. Matt and I enjoyed Halloween weekend in Bloomington trying to relive our college days. The football game was brutal but Mimi and Aunt Mary found Herman B Wells on campus and became "giddy". We were miserable on Halloween, but we put on a brave face for the kids! We had Superman and a princess in our house. Aiden loved it this year which was so fun for us. Bring on the holidays...

Clarke Family Update

The Clarke's are coming off a busy summer and headed straight into a busy fall/winter. So I, decided to be the guest blog updater for the month of October...just to "help a sister out."

Jenni, Matt and the kids spent the summer traveling, hosting fabulous parties/reunions and hanging out by the lake. Here is a little photo update of the summer and fall.

In August, Matt and the boys headed into the Rockies for a 4 day backpacking trip to kick off Jeb's wedding weekend in Crested Butte.

Jeb & Sam's wedding weekend...



Cousin Charlie visits Indiana and Aiden goes tubing for the first time...



We celebrated the Watts Family Reunion in Cicero, IN...



Jenni and Matt cruise along with the Zac Brown Band...



And finally, these beautiful Clarke kids enjoying the Fall on the Pumpkin Train...


Kiddo Update:
Aiden is going to school 2 full days, which means naps on a cot. He seems to be doing really well, with the exception of the day he threw the baby against the filing cabinet. No big deal...teacher thinks it was his 2 year molars breaking (um, he already has those???). He has also made the transition to a "big boy bed." And after a few early mornings and turning the door around, he has made that switch really well!

Ellie is officially walking. She had been attempting to walk since ~8 months, but finally started full time over the past few weeks. Walking has caused a few accidents, hence the black eye in the pumpkin picture. But I am pretty sure, Ellie is going to be a bruiser. She'll be beating up Aiden in the near future so she handled it like the tough little girl that she is!

I miss the kids but the holiday's aren't far off...

Much Love,
Erica