Pre-Easter Festivities!!

We have had a fun weekend filled with Easter activities.  Yesterday morning we visited the Easter Bunny at the mall and then later in the afternoon we went over to our neighbors for a fun evening of egg dying and hunting!  So fun to celebrate the holidays with our boys, and watch their reactions to all the different traditions.

The boys were very excited to go visit the Easter Bunny.  Maddux might have asked 100 times in 1 hour if we were ready to go see the "Easter Rabbit".  He could not wait!  Until he got about 5 feet away...then he was over it!  Ha!  He didn't cry, but he was definitely not feeling comfortable about sitting next to the Rabbit!However, after a little persuading, and a little bribing with a sucker, he sat long enough to get the picture.  But as you will see in the picture below, he wasn't as excited as he was before we left the house that morning. 

Payton on the other hand, NOT having it!  As soon as we began walking toward the Bunny, he locked his legs around my waist and clung to my neck and screamed as loud as his little lungs would allow!  He wanted no where near that Bunny.  I couldn't even get him to let me get him close enough to hold him in the picture.  Last year he was only a few weeks old, and was screaming because he was hungry, but at least we had three boys in the picture, I am ok with screamers, it's all about preserving the memories right?!  But not this year, only two boys with the bunny, Payton was not a fan! Oh well, maybe next year!

Aidan was excited to go see the Bunny yesterday morning, as you can see he was definitely the most cooperative in the picture extravaganza, but what he was most excited about yesterday was his playdate with our next door neighbors for a little egg dying and hunting.  He truly loves to play with Abigail and Hannah and couldn't wait to dye eggs.  The kids had so much fun, and it was a great time with great friends.

Daddy helping the boys with their eggs.

Aidan and Abigail hard at work!

Maddux and Payton had to take a break and start dinner.

Time to hunt those eggs!  The kiddos wait patiently (minus Maddux) for the call upstairs.

Got one!!

Payton was best at eating them and breaking them!

And after every Egg Hunt you should always have cupcakes right?!!  Maddux thinks so!

And Aidan thinks Mommy should STOP taking pics!

That's all for the Easter activities this weekend, a few days of work, school, and lessons and then we are headed to SO IL to spend Easter at the farm.  We are all so excited to see everyone and watch Auntie E's Salukis!  Happy Easter All!!

Karate Kid!

Well our house just got a little more dangerous!  Aidan has started karate.  He is VERY excited about this, and truly believes he'll be breaking boards in no time (like next week).  I was very excited for him, yet very scared for Maddux and Payton!  However, during his first class the instructor gave a big speech on behavior and discipline and sent each child home with a book that allows me to give Aidan a grade on his behavior every week.  Every week he must take this book and show it to his instructor.  If the rating is less than a 5/10, he has a special chat with the instructor on what he did wrong and how he can improve his behavior.  If he has a great week, the instructor calls him in front of the class to recognize his good behavior!  I love having reinforcement outside the house, so hopefully this will work out great!  I think I might really like this karate thing! :)

Here's a picture of Aidan during his first class.  They ordered uniforms that night, so they were in street clothes for the night.  In this pic the instructor is introducing the behavior book.  Wish I had a pic of Aidan's face.  He knew this might not be a good thing for him! HA!

Learning to bow...

This week was his second week and he got his uniform before class.  He was SOOO excited to put this on.  You can tell how proud he is, by the smile!

He was even game for a little photo shoot.  Not normal for Aidan!

So wish us luck as we take on this new challenge in our house!  It should be interesting, but I know he will do great!  We will keep you updated as the belts start to change colors...

Catch Up...

Long time no blog!  A month to be exact.  But it's been a little busy and unfortunately the blog is the first to get the cut.  I'll have to continue to work on my blogging habits :).  But here's a little catch-up on the Archibald household...

Since my last blog we took a family trip down south to catch some Georgia softball and spend Spring Break with my parents and sis.  One of my goals for the Spring was to be able to go to the Georgia vs. Alabama softball series in Tuscaloosa.  I had very fond memories of Alabama's stadium and fans when I played there with the Salukis, and really wanted to go back and see some great softball in an SEC series.  So we did, and man were we blown away!  Alabama softball is incredible!  Their crowd is incredible, their facilities are amazing, and the atmosphere can't be beat, other than the WCWS.  Such a great place for college softball and our sport.  If you haven't been and you are a softball fan you must go!! 

Anyway, the series didn't go as we wanted it to for the Dawgs, but it was still good softball none the less and we had a great weekend with my family and enjoyed some beautiful 80+ degree weather, which was much needed in the middle of March.  I was also able to go prom dress shopping with Geri Ann which made the trip even more special for me!  After a great weekend we dropped Bryan off at the Birmingham airport and he headed back to Chicago to work, and the boys and I headed to my parents to enjoy Spring Break Georgia style.  I am so thankful to have a husband who will allow me and the boys to spend so much time with my parents and let the boys get so much quality time with their grandparents!  Really means the world to me.  Thanks Babe!!

As always the boys had a blast down south with my parents!  Aidan and Papa got their daily batting practice in on the field.  Aidan was really proud as this trip he was able to hit the ball past the G in centerfield.  And Papa was pretty proud to as he had to step off Aidan's farthest hit and tell us all it was 160 FT!!  We spent a lot of time playing outside in the wonderful weather.  Mama took the boys on 4Wheeler rides. 

Aidan desperately wanted to drive himself...

And we spent hours just playing outside, going to the park, and hanging out.  So relaxing and much needed quality time with my family.  We also took a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, which Maddux nicknamed "Chunky Cheese sticks" and it will forever be called that in our household from now on!  So cute! 

While in Georgia I took Maddux for a much needed haircut.  They had a really cute kids salon that Maddux loved.  It had all his favorites, Toy Story capes, cars to ride in, and slides to play on at the end!  What else could a 2 year old ask for!!  So the haircut was a huge success and he looked adorable afterward.

Before the haircut... (Yes his hair is in his eyes!)

Check out his cool car he picked to ride in!

And AFTER!! Much better!

So the trip to Georgia was a great success and we made it home safe and sound.  Since then, we've been trying to recoop, battling some colds, but all is well now I think.  We've been enjoying some Spring weather, so nice to be able to get the boys out and let them run!!  Here's a few shots of them in action...

Payton is walking 99%  of the time now.  So he is right there with the big boys, trying to do everything they do.  This particular day he was headed to ball practice! :)

Aidan posing on the skateboard!!  He is the happiest to be out and about.  And I am happiest Mom to have him there, when you keep this kid cooped up, your walls are in danger as is everyone inside them!

Maddux enjoys the outdoors also.  He loves to RIDE things, tractors, cars, four wheelers, etc.  But he also would just as well be inside watching a movie.  He doesn't last as long.  So sweet how they all have their own personalities!

Other than that we've been going through the normal rat race, Bryan working, my lessons at night, and chasing these super active boys.  With Payton walking now it only gets crazier around here!!  But it's so fun and we wouldn't change a thing.  And with that, gotta go get Aidan from preschool!  Bye for now!!