Spider Girl

My Mom, Hayden and I were talking the other night and the subject of  holidays came up. We mentioned to Hayden that the next big holiday to come would be Halloween. We asked her what she wanted to dress up as this year. Her eyes got wider than I've seen them in a while and she grinned from ear to ear. Without hesitation, she excitedly answered, "SPIDERMAN!!" We all laughed out loud! I couldn't help but wonder how she knew about Spiderman. It's not really a cartoon we watch at our house. Then I remembered that her friend Oliver had a Spiderman costume on a few months ago when we were there for a visit. And her friend Stella has 2 older brothers that have probably watched the cartoon when Hayden was there for play dates. Regardless, it was an unexpected and totally adorable response. "You don't wanna dress up like a princess for Halloween?" I asked.
"Princesses are NOT for Halloween!" she informed me.
Touché, my dear. Touché!
The next day my Mom texted me a picture of a Spiderman costume for sale at Costco. So, of course, I stopped there today after work to buy it. I knew Hayden would be THRILLED to see it when I brought it home. The look on her face was priceless! That spidey costume was worth EVERY penny.

Once she was all dressed up, the first thing out of her mouth was, "I've gotta go save everybody!!"
I walked into the bathroom while she was admiring herself. She couldn't stop giggling. At one point she removed the mask, telling herself, "Hee Hee, it's just me Hayden."

This kid is so full of surprises. I just adore her and all her silliness. Who knows if this will still be her costume of choice once October 31st actually rolls around. Whatever makes her happy, and as of now, being Spiderman obviously does!

Back in the Saddle Again

I got a new computer! My very own laptop. Chris has been telling me I needed one for well over a year now but I've been in denial. He found a screamin deal and surprised me with it when I got home from work yesterday. Hopefully this will enable me to blog again. It's been over a year since my last post. So much has happened since then! Too much to write in one post or even attempt to remember in one sitting.  The things that stand out the most?

1.  We bought our first home! Aside from Hayden it is our biggest accomplishment. It is perfect for us and we take much pride in what we've attained through all of our hard work and determination.
2.  I quite my job at Rite Aid and started working for a home health company in Spokane as a compounding technician, mixing sterile products (ie - IV antibiotics, TPN's, etc). I've learned a ton already and feel far more satisfied in my new position.
3.  Hayden turned 3!! AND she is officially a preschooler. I have a journal full of some of the silly things that have come out of her mouth over the course of the last year, but that will be another post for another day.

We've been living in Idaho for almost 2 years now. Our lives are so much richer here. It's been amazing watching Hayden grow in this beautiful place. Seeing her relationships develop with friends and family. Her cousin Holland and her have become best buddies and it warms my heart to see them together.  Her younger cousin Halle and her have started to become closer over the last few months as well. Not to mention I ADORE being able to watch my Nieces grow up. Those 3 little girls bring more joy to my life than I can even begin to express.

 

I just ordered a book version of this blog from my posts during 2010 to 2012. It reminded me how amazing blogging is. How much I miss it. How good it feels to read old posts and be reminded of those times during my life. There is still so much story to tell. And I know how much I will cherish being able to look back at it someday.

Until next time.....

I'm 2!

For the few weeks leading up to Hayden's 2nd Birthday we tried and tried to teach her how to say "I'm 2!", when asked how old she was. She never quite got it down but seeing how she's a little parrot these days she had no problem repeating us if we said it first. Adorable, either way. Today was her actual birthday and unfortunately I had to work. I got to tell her good morning and Happy Birthday when she first woke up. Her Daddy made her some extra special Birthday pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles for breakfast:

Isn't he the BEST?! I think so. I LOVE that guy!

We did all of the celebrating for her Birthday last Sunday. Fortunately, her party day landed on one of the most beautiful days so far this year. The turn out was fantastic and with all the sun we were able to break out the bounce house, squirt guns, bubbles, side walk chalk, hula hoops, jump ropes, a pinata, etc...It actually felt like summer. I don't think I've ever seen Hayden play that hard. It was SO fun to watch her with that many kids, laughing and playing. Here are just a few of the many, many photos taken that day.

Cousin Holland and Hayden

Chasing after Princess

Bubbles with Auntie "NoNo"

Big Wheel from Mommy and Daddy

Chris did all of the decorating (Hayden did the sprinkles)

Her face lit up when we sang her "Happy Birthday"

Blowing out her B-Day candle

And just to toot my own horn real quick, I made Hayden's cake this year. I took a shot at a rainbow cake I saw on Pinterest. I had very low expectations of my ability to pull it off so when I attempted the first round with just one box of cake and it turned out super thin, I wasn't too disappointed. I went back to the store and tried it with a double batch of cake mix and it totally worked! Everybody loved it! It's rare that I find things on Pinterest that I think I want to try that I ACTUALLY follow through with. I should do stuff like that more often. It was SUPER fun!

I can't believe my baby is 2! I can't believe I've been a Mom for 2 years!  I have learned more in the last 2 years about myself and what I am capable of than I had the entire 28 years of my life before Hayden was a part of it. It's amazing how much having a child turns your world up-side-down! It is the most challenging and gratifying work I have ever known. And I am grateful for EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. Happy Birthday Hayden Marie. Mommy loves you with ALL that she is and ever will be.