Zoo Lights

We went to the zoo today to see the lights and ride the train. There were a few animals awake.

Ben and Aaron had a blast together running all over the place.

I know I have a pic of Aaron and I on this trike the first time I took him to the zoo when he was about 10 months old. Time flies.

Aaron has been making gingerbread houses with Susie. This was a perfect thing to see!

It took 50 minutes waiting in line, but our train was finally ready. And it was worth it!

More Christmas Pics

Christmas Morning

For Aaron, this was the first year that was full of anticipation of Santa's arrival. So we thought it was funny when he didn't burst into our room on Christmas morning ready to head downstairs. Leland and Aaron had been tracking Santa's progress the night before on the NORAD site. After awhile in our bed he said, "we should go check the map". Leland told him that Santa would have already been here. It took a minute to sink in. "What do you think we should do?" I asked him."I think we should go downstairs", he said slowly.

And so we did. It was a very nice Christmas morning.

Later that day, Gaga, Papa, Uncle Chad, Aunt Kristin, and Uncle Kevin came over to open presents and have dinner.

The kids and kids-in-law and grandsons.

The 5 of us.

They Haven't Taken Him Away From Me Yet...

Well, Winter Break is not off to a good start. Aaron and I were getting ready for his 1st dentist appointment this morning when he tripped (and couldn't catch himself because I wrapped him in a towel after the tub) and smashed his face into a pile of plastic toys. There was lots and lots of blood from both lips and his top gums. His top right tooth was at a 45 degree angle pointed into his mouth. So our routine dental appointment turned into an emergency dental appointment. I highly recommend pre-scheduling all your emergency dental visits---they got us right in. I started to call the dentist as we drove and Aaron said (through the blood and crying), “no! don’t call a DENTIST!!! Call my Gaga. She is SMART. SHE will know what to do!!!!”

Aaron was amazing at the dentist. He had never been there before (obviously) and took xrays like a champ---even with the bum tooth. His dentist was absolutely wonderful with him. He had to use nitrous oxide (Aaron picked bubble gum-scented), numbing jelly and an injection of numbing medicine. Then the dentist realigned his tooth. It’s not as perfect as it was, but it’s not at a 45 degree angle either. As we headed back to the lobby Aaron was singing, “M-I-C-K-E-Y… M-O-U-S-E… It’s the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Come inside, it’s fun inside!” I think he was a little high from huffin’ the gas.

When we finished up at the dentist we went straight to Gaga’s house (Aaron’s request….plus that’s where the liquor is and Mommy needed a drink!  ). We both felt much better after our visit.

So now he has two fat lips and purple gums on the top. He is on soft foods and a mouth rinse for the next 2 weeks. We have to wait to see if the tooth will tighten back into place or if it will have to be pulled. He gets checked in 3 weeks. His dentist said there may be damage to his adult tooth down the line, but there is no way to tell yet and nothing we can do for it at this point.

Fourteen days left of Winter Break. Stay tuned!

In Orbit

"You know... I was thinking about something", Aaron began as we drove home from school today.

"What's that, buddy?" I asked.

"Can you believe the moon is only a satellite?"

"It's interesting, isn't it?" I said.

"Yes, because the Earth orbits the sun. It goes around and around and around. But the moon only orbits the Earth. Why doesn't the Earth and moon fly away from the sun?"

"Because.... ummm.... because the sun keeps the Earth in its orbital path with the pull of its gravity."

"Why doesn't the sun just pull the moon to itself so it will orbit the sun and be a planet too?"

SERIOUSLY?!?!?! I can't keep up with this kid. It went on from there, but I will stick to the short version.

Thank you Jen, for Earth and Sky---the book you gave Aaron last Christmas. Next time we have a solar system question I am having him call you rather than having him google with me! :)

Holiday Fun

Last night Aaron and I went to the annual tree lighting event at WOU. He scored a red and green light stick, we watched a parade featuring Santa on a fire truck, and then we helped the crowd count down to the tree lighting on the darkened campus. Aaron was thoroughly impressed.

Today we headed to the annual Labor Council holiday event at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem. We stopped for a cupcake at a neighboring cupcake shop and then Aaron had his turn with Santa. On the way to Salem he had practiced what he was going to say to the Big Guy in Red. On Aaron's list this year: Hello Kitty with a yellow hat, an automatic toothbrush featuring Hello Kitty, a ride-on car with a steering wheel and gear shift, and a Buzz Lightyear with wings that move. Santa heard it all. When Aaron was done they shook hands and wished one another a Merry Christmas.

His shirt,"I'm a Union Kid",was a big hit. Mrs. Claus was impressed. :) Thanks, Papa!

N17

After work today Aaron and I participated in the OWS N17 day of action with Occupy Salem. We gathered at the capitol steps and marched down town with a few hundred people. It was small, but it was a show of solidarity.

As we were approaching the capitol a couple of the bike cops started chatting with Aaron. One policeman asked Aaron if he had ever seen the golden pioneer before. "Yes", Aaron said, "that's my Papa's golden man because this is my Papa's capitol". They asked him if we was out for a walk with his mom. He said, "no, we are going to stand with the people. For salad". The two police officers gave me an odd look. I told them that "solidarity" was a new word for him.

Aaron walked (ran) and stayed with the crowd for much of the march. After awhile he asked to be carried and was fascinated by watching the crowd behind him. He saw his first bubble-blowing gum-chewer and he was sure he spotted Santa.

A photographer from the Statesman Journal took a lot of photos of Aaron, at times even running ahead so he could stop and take Aaron's pic as he ran with the crowd (his legs are small!). I imagine he IS the most adorable Occupier in the nation... :)

I've included a "video" below. You can't see anything but feet----I had a 3 year old on my hip at that point. But I wanted to capture the chanting. On the video it sounds so much smaller. In real life it was loud and powerful and moving.

The police were friendly and helped our crowd cross streets safely during busy down town traffic. The marchers were civil and respectful. It was a positive experience.

On the way home in the car we were drenched and cold and chatty. Aaron told me the chanting was loud on his ears and he asked if the people were mad. I told him they were upset about the way things are going in our country. He asked, "well which way do they want the things to go? Left? Or right?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbpIMDto6k&feature=youtu.be

Someone Call the Authorities

Today was a nice, crisp, dry, fall day. Aaron and Leland used the new leaf blower. Aaron was set in his fall gear and safety goggles.

Then he figured out a super fun (and safe) game to play with the lawn mower. This kid needs some snow and a sled REAL BAD. He's into The Incredibles lately. He alternates pretending to be Elastagirl and Mr. Incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZziqpVqtxdk

At the end of the first video he sees I am taking his picture. He starts to say, "I'm NOT going to have my picture taken!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlqyjT9Y1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1cdgcpvi0

Pumpkin Patch

We have lots of frogs living near and on our house. This one seemed to appreciate the extra warmth.

Two weeks ago we went to Airlie Farms Pumpkin Patch. We had a great time.

Aaron went down the big slide many many many times.

The small slide was ok too.