Cousin Amanda's 10th Birthday Party at Wood-Dale Swim Club

The Highlight of any Birthday Party....the CAKE!





On Saturday afternoon, we had a great time with Amanda and her friends at Wood-Dale Swim Club, celebrating her 10th birthday, which is actually next weekend. Kenden was full speed ahead the entire time. He went off the diving board, ate icing off the cupcakes, and helped open presents. We had a ball and hope that Amanda has a wonderful day on her REAL birthday!

Helping Amanda Open her Presents!


"What's in here Da-Manda?!" (that is what Kenden calls her)

Just A-Swingin'

Here are a few of Kenden swinging on the swingset at my parents' neighbors' house this past weekend! He had so much fun sliding and swinging and he LOVES when Papa sings "Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot" as he pushes Kenden as high as he can go! We had a great time (minus mommy getting quite a few mosquito bites!). ha!

A Trip to the Park...

Last night, Jeff and I took Kenden to the park around the corner from our house. As we walked up the sidewalk to the play area, we noticed 3 teenage kids on the playground equipment~2 girls and a boy. They were sitting and chatting and of course my social butterfly had to talk to them. He was running up the stairs, would speak to them, then slide down the slide, only to do it all over again. They were very patient with him and would speak every time he would (but I am sure they were ready for us to leave). Eventually, Kenden asked Jeff to push him on the swings, so the 3 of us migrated over toward the kiddie swings. Not too long after we did this, 1 girl and the boy started to roughhouse on the playground equipment~he was teasing her and trying to get her cell phone, and she was giggling up a storm. Immediately, Kenden noticed this and said, "Wook Dada! He tickling her!" And before Jeff could say anything, Kenden goes on to say, "Dada, he's trying to take off her shirt!!" Jeff and I burst out laughing, so Kenden continued to say it....No, the boy was not trying to take off the girl's shirt, but Kenden's take on the situation was a riot!

Halloween...A Bit Early....

Kenden the CROCODILE!

"Mama! I gonna GET you!"

Kenden the Crocodile attacking the couch pillows...

....and now attacking DA-DA!!!


Here's Kenden's SUPER cute crocodile costume for Halloween! He is totally into crocodiles and sharks lately, and I had a hard time deciding what to do because I found this costume and an adorable shark costume, but in the end, price won out (I got this off Ebay!) and I went with the crocodile! I showed it to them for the first time tonight and he HAD to put it on. Boy, did Jeff and I have a great laugh over this! He ran all over the house with it on, attacking everything in sight! He was growling and biting, and proceeded to chase me through the house! I was laughing so hard! Halloween is going to be so fun!

Dinner with My Girl!

Don't smash your fingers!

"See Kayla, here's my cool remote control garbage truck......"

"....BUT you can't play with it!"

"Oh PLEASE Kenden can I play with that!? I am waiting so patiently!"



On Friday evening, Kenden and I had our great friends, Sandra and Kayla, over for dinner and some playtime! Da-da was out of town, so we had mommy and kid time here! We had such a great time! Sandra and I got to catch up some, and the kids got to play. I have learned that Kenden has a hard time sharing. I guess the combination of being an only child right now and being almost 3 is not a good combo. He seems to get especially possessive in his own "turf" (meaning his house). He'd show Kayla a toy, but then not let her touch it! She was such a good sport though...she rolled right with the punches! The only time she got upset was when Kenden sat down on her in the foyer! I'd get mad, too! We had a wonderful dinner, too! Hope we can do this again soon San and Kayla!

Kenden and Kayla SQUEEZING into the container we keep Kenden's matchbox cars in....

This cannot be comfortable!

This makes a nice bed!

Kayla looks like she's doubting her decision! OUCH! Nothing like a hundred matchbox cars digging into your back!

What I Smell??!!

Okay, we all do it...fart, pass gas, cut the cheese....whatever you want to call it. So, here's the story...Kenden and I were outside playing, drawing with chalk on the driveway to be exact. I figured since we were outside in the open air, I was safe to let one go...yes, shock and awe, I fart, too! Except I call it "tooting" because ladies don't fart! My husband would beg to differ I am sure. Anyway, I guess poor Kenden was downwind. He promptly looked up, scrunched up his nose, looked me dead in the eye and said, "What I SMELL?!" (with his nose still wrinkled, of course). I wanted to see what he'd say if I didn't admit to it, so I said, "I don't know, what DO you smell?" And without hesitation or a second thought, he says, "YOUR BUTT!"

Is nothing sacred anymore?

If you are laughing now, you should have been here when he said it. If I hadn't been on the ground already, I would have fallen out laughing!

Goin' for a Swim in Ms. Darlene and Mr. Tom's Pool!

Grammie telling Kenden to make sure he holds his breath!

Face in and Kicking! That is the next Michael Phelps!

READY.......

SET.......

GOOOO!!!!


Kenden and I drove Nanny home to Hopewell today, so we made it a day visit and after we hung out with Nanny at her place for a bit, we went to see Grammie and Papa to have dinner and swim at the home of their very good friends, the Merritts, Darlene and Tom. Kenden was SO excited and has become quite the little fish lately. He will hold his breath and put his head under and kick his legs (with water wings on), as well as jump in all alone, too. Today was the first day he's jumped off a diving board, too. We had a ball over at Ms. Darlene and Mr. Tom's house, swimming and jumping in their pool. I am so excited that Kenden has taken to water as he has, since Jeff and I were both competitive swimmers for years. I will be enrolling him in swim lessons for sure this fall as well, just to keep that bravery and confidence in the water.

Nothing Like a Little Water Up the Nose!


Grammie and Kenden

Kenden trying to convince Papa to either throw him in, or come in for a swim, too! Papa had been working, so he was fully dressed....you can see in the next pic what Papa decided to do!

"Fro ME IN PAPA!"