Awkward

Just in case you haven't laughed at these yet, here they are. One.more.time.  My reaction every time I see them ranges from a giggle to a full out laughing-so-hard-I-am-crying fit.  Priceless.

Mucho Informacion

Lots if information. Lots.  So much that I really need to blog more than once a month. But where's the time???

So, Aidan turned 5 and Aubrey turned 3 at the end of March.  Both of them are still talking about it, a month later, and Aubrey is convinced that she has another birthday coming up soon.  The concept of a whole year is just too much to digest.  And really, who doesn't want to get presents every month? She gets that from me.








Stats:
Aidan: Height: 43 1/2" (60th %-ile)
           Weight: 39 lbs (36th %-ile)

Aubrey: Height: 38" (74th %-ile)
             Weight: 31 lbs (60th %-ile)





Both healthy and, now that the memory of the shots have faded, happy.







Then there was Easter, spent in IL at my mom and dad's house.  It was so good to see everyone, especially Kali, Kyle, Reese, and Preston.  The kids had a fabulous time playing together.  As long as it did not involve Aidan touching Aubrey.

April.  The only way to describe it is rain, then snow, then rain, then lots more snow.  If you can't beat it, join it.  The kids hopped in rain puddles one day, then went sledding the next.  Every once in awhile Aidan has been able to squeeze in rides on his new bike and trips down the block on his new roller blades.  That kid continues to be one big ball of endless energy.

Catch Up- Part 1

Whew!  Time flies when you have Spring Break, Easter, and two birthday's packed into one month.  You'd think that being on "break" would mean that I had time to sit down at the computer.  That was not the case.  We went to the zoo, ramped up my attempt to train for a 5k (ugh.  I hate running.), and then drove down to IL to celebrate Easter.  Now I'm just really behind in my blogging!  Lot's of pictures to share, but I think I will break them up into separate posts.

1st up in order of when it happened:  Aidan and Aubrey's combined birthday party...Ice Skating!

1st time on skates (for Aubrey).  She looks like a regular little skater!

Ready?

GO!

It was also my first time on skates.  I'm a natural.
(and not very modest) ; )

While she looked cute off the ice, she wasn't quite sure
what to do with her feet once she was on the ice

My favorite 

Finnland at our finest

Party!

Obviously Aidan wanted a hockey cake.
The purple cupcakes were for Aubrey.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Easter

Argh Matey

Round five of the eye specialist, and no change in Aidan's vision.  His right eye is still working better than his left eye, even though he's been patching for two hours a day.  New plan: patch the right eye for 4 hours a day.  Good thing he's still little and doesn't care about his appearance...yet. He's going to have to start wearing the patch at school in the morning. I'm hoping if we're nonchalant about the whole situation, he won't think it's a big deal.  Oh yeah, and he has a cool pirate patch to sweeten th deal.

February Funk

I haven't had the urge to update my blog this month. Same 'ol ho hum stuff happening in the Finn household.  The highlights of the month included:

Nana, Poppa, and Reese came to visit.
Aubrey and Reese FINALLY played together.
Only took 31 months.

While they were here, we hit up the MN Children's Museum.
The girls spent most of their time in the water room.

Aidan spent most of his time on the conveyor belt, sending
foam blocks up the conveyor belt.

Kyle graduated from Ohio State University with his
Certified Financial Planners degree. Now he just needs
to pass the licensing exam...

We celebrated with our friend, Jackson, at Pump It Up,
as he turned 4.  Great place for kids!

Aidan had his final hockey game of the season.
Kyle's team is still at it and will play in the
Section Finals on Wednesday at Mariucci Arena. (U of MN campus)

Winner Dinner(s)

*Editors note:  I wrote this blog several weeks ago, couldn't publish it on my iPad, then forgot about it.  

Does anyone else get "recipe block" in the winter months? You know, when you just can't figure out what to make for dinner?  Every winter I start craving casseroles, but they're all made with some sort of dairy product that Aubrey can't eat, and I end up back at square one, trying to figure out what to have for dinner.  I spent last weekend blog trolling, looking for some yummy recipes.  Here's what I found that we all agreed were yummy dinners:

Pot Sticker Burgers (no pot stickers involved, but still delicious)

Chili Lime Chicken Burgers 

Chicken-Sausage Pasta Toss

Meatloaf Muffins: no link because I devised these bad boys myself

Bowling

As I mentioned in the last post, I took the kids bowling during winter break.  Aidan loved it, Aubrey was fine with about 5 frames, and I rocked.  ; )  Did I mention there were bumpers?  Definitely something we will be doing again, but as a family next time, because I can't corral two kids when it's my turn to bowl.

Aidan and his buddy, Braden, discussing bowling strategy
(or what they got for Christmas, could go either way)

The pink lemonade was Aubrey's favorite part

Score!

Aidan and Braden

I don't know why, but Aidan felt the need to kneel down
and watch his ball roll down the lane. Every. Time.

R & R

After a quick trip back to IL for Christmas, the Finn's have been hunkered down like hibernating bears.  Well, not totally, but I haven't left the house yet today, so that's something.  We've tried to see friends and have play dates while we've had the time.  New experience during break: bowling.  We met the family of one of Aidan's classmates at the bowling alley and had a rousing game (set?, match?...whatever it's called).  The rest of winter break has been spent organizing, relaxing, and playing with all the new toys and games the kids got on Christmas morning.

Trying (and mostly failing) to get a picture of the cousins

Annual Christmas Eve photo

Christmas morning

Nerf Gun!

Captain America!

What's it going to be?

The ONLY thing Aidan wanted from Santa

Big girl backpack

Sledding with Uncle BJ;
Note that Aubrey is wearing her backpack AND carrying Aidan's
Captain America shield.  Silly girl. 

 

Little Performers

The kids had their preschool holiday concert last night, and boy did they have a good time!

I took a lick of a peppermint stick, and boy, it sure was yummy.
It used to be on my Christmas tree, but now, it's in my tummy.

*Aidan's favorite song because he got to keep the candy cane.

Jingle Bells

*Aubrey's favorite song because she got to shake the bells.

What?!?!  Christmas is almost here?!?!  I'm not done shopping!

Dear Santa,

I was hoping this year might be different.  I was hoping Aubrey would be nice to Santa.  I did not get what I hoped for.  Please excuse how awful I look.  I had just finished working out, and had not planned on getting my picture taken with Santa.

I call this picture, "You WILL see Santa!"
Look at the determination on my face.  Aubrey didn't stand a chance.

After I told Aubrey that Santa wouldn't bring her anything if she
didn't at least say hi, she warmed up a little bit.

Aidan had no problem asking for what he wants.
(New Transformers)

Not shy in the slightest