Toy Extravaganza!**

**Or more appropriately titled So Blessed!

This year was the first year that Hayden "got" Christmas. I don't think he fully understands Santa (except that he says Ho Ho Ho) or Jesus (other than he's the baby in the manger), but he understands presents. This year we made our own Christmas Eve and Chirstmas morning traditions. I even cooked a "big" meal with pies by myself! And I didn't poison anyone! We decorated cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, which Hayden loved.

On Christmas morning, Hayden discovered his presents. Love his baby bed head:

I don't know what he's more excited about, the "choo choo" or Toy Story DVDs, but I love the look on his face.

Of course any good Texan, must have a pair of boots, and Santa did not disappoint:

He loved his boots, even though it took him a minute to figure out how to walk in them:

Of course, the Christmas fun didn't stop there. After breakfast we loaded up and headed to Sherman for Christmas with Nan. Hayden didn't like leaving his choo choo one bit, but little did he know one billion presents awaited him at Nan's.

What boy doesn't need a Handy Manny (or as Hayden calls him "Hammy") 4 wheeler?? It was a huge hit

Needless to say, we had a great Christmas. Hayden received wonderful gifts from some of the sweetest people in his life (Kathy and Mark, his aunt BeBe to name a few). Hayden got more presents than he knows what to do with...and we're not finished! We're heading to Beaumont to see Grammy and Pop on Tuesday. Hayden can't wait to hang out with them for a couple of days! Mom and Dad will be going to Baylor's bowl game at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday while Grammy and Pop have a day full of Hayden. More pics to come then.

Oh, in the meantime, if you have any medical needs, please contact Dr. Meador, he'll be sure to help you out.

He's highly qualified, I assure you.

Tis the Season!

For medical mishaps...and first time trips to the ER. So Hayden beat the child proof cap and drank half a bottle of one these bad boys last Sunday. Judging by the look on Clark's face when this happened, this is a very bad thing. So we went to Cook's Children's ER. They were very kind, very understanding (CPS wasn't even called) and fixed H right up. One chocolate milk and charcoal cocktail later, Hayden threw up a lot of Tylenol and we were okay! This is of course a very abbreviated version of events. I was too busy crying hysterically to know what exactly happened. Hayden never acted worse for the wear. He got to watch Dora, Finding Nemo and How to Train Your Dragon, so he actually kind of enjoyed himself.

We're preparing for Christmas around here. It is so fun to play Santa! We also bought Elf on a Shelf. We named him Petey and Hayden loves to find him every morning. He yells "Pe-ey! Pe-ey!" When you ask him where Petey goes at night he says, "ho ho ho!"

Yesterday was Cookies with Santa at Hayden's school. We didn't do the mall Santa thing this year b/c I am not waiting in line for 3 hours for Hayden to scream his guts out when he sees Santa. Hayden didn't scream when he saw Santa at school, but he didn't like it either.

We're really looking forward to Christmas morning to see his reaction to his gifts. I'll have lots more pics then!

Hayden wants....

Okay, I want. I'm sure Hayden will get into this eventually. Elf on the Shelf looks like a cute little tradition that I would love to start with Hayden. The elf (you or your child names him) comes out after Thanksgiving. He is not to touch. He hang out on a mantle or various other places around your home. Every night he goes back to Santa and reports on your child's behavior. The next day he comes back to watch you from a different spot. How fun is that? And talk about some serious, kick ass bribery! Granted I don't think Hayden is at a point where he understands what naming something is (he would likely name him Ho Ho Ho, as that is his favorite thing to say right now) and he certainly doesn't understand holding Santa over his head (but he will one day).

What do you think? Anyone out there do the Elf on the Shelf thing?

Thankful

So, I'm late with the Thanksgiving post. Shocking, I know. We hosted Thanksgiving for the 3rd (4th? I'm not sure) year in a row. It was a total success. We were so sad that Pop missed out, though! All week, I thought about the things I'm most thankful for. It really can be summed up in two words: family and friends. I love the little family Clark and I have made and I'm looking forward to all the family traditions we will continue to make together.

How could I not be thankful for this guy? He is so perfect, so handsome, so incredibly brilliant. Really, I could go on. He's healthy, which I'm incredibly thankful for. Sure, learning how to be a parent has been incredibly difficult and I'm not always good at it, but being Hayden's mom is easily the crowning achievement of my life.

I mean, just look him. Toddler perfection.

Check out how determined he is coloring...such drive! Hey Baylor, give this kid a scholarship!

An artiste! And ambidextrous! Seriously Baylor, give us $$!

Have I mentioned he's technologically savvy?

Yes, that's Hayden working the iPad. God help us. Thanks for that one, Grammy.

Since I started the post out sappy, I'll end sappy too. I'm so thankful for all my friends. I have amazing friends. Friends who are willing to spend a few hours discussing the finer points of Harry Potter, friends who are separated by many miles but always seem close, and friends who are my Mommy Yodas. Each one challenges me and makes me laugh. No need for an exhaustive list, they know who they are! And to keep it Hayden-centric, Hayden loves them too!

Am I a Bad Parent if.... ?

If I didn't take Hayden trick or treating so I could see history in person?

Am I a bad parent if I let Hayden have sips (or large drinks) of my iced tea (decaffinated) because he gives me sweet kisses to get it?

Am I a bad parent if I let this girl babysit for an hour (or 2) after school:

Am I a bad parent if Hayden can identify

and

but can't say his own name?

I hope not!!!

I love this game!

I call it Then and Now.

Then (2009):

And Now:

Happy Halloween. And Go Rangers.

Happy Homecoming! GOOOOO Rangers!!!

What a weekend!! This past weekend was Baylor Homecoming -- always a big event for us. We headed down to Waco on Friday afternoon. We wanted to get there early so Hayden could see the bears. Also, because we wanted to watch the TEXAS RANGERS.

Oh my GOSH. We are SO excited about the Rangers' trip to the World Series. I have only been following the Rangers since we moved to DFW 5 1/2 years ago, but Clark has been a fan his entire life. It so wonderful to see this team have success. The Rangers are undefeated in the post season when Hayden wears his Kinsler shirt, so it may get worn out this week....

Hayden is teaching Anna about bears here. As you can tell, she is giving him her full attention. Hayden was so sweet to Anna this weekend. When she wasn't around he'd yell, "ANNA!" When she was near, he'd try to give her kisses. So cute.

Saturday was a big day. First, the homecoming parade:

Hayden was ready to get the day started (yes, those are Baylor pajamas).

Mom and Hayden are ready to go!

Anna shows off her cute tutu, Hayden looks interested.

Clark and Hayden eagerly await the beginning of the parade.

A quick family pic!

I really thought Hayden would love the balloons in the parade, but I was wrong. He HATED this bear. I wish I got a picture of his face as this bear came up the street, because it was hilarious. Side note: Am I a bad parent for laughing at his terror? Because I couldn't take a picture because I was laughing too hard. Hayden's face looked like a cartoon of "I'm scared." So funny. As the balloon got over head, I expected him to cry but he just yelled at the balloon. Good stuff! Hayden did enjoy the marching bad though.

After the parade, Clark and I trekked across campus for our family picture in front of Judge Baylor. You may remember last year's epic fail:

This year, we had better luck:

Of course, the AChiO who was generous enough to take our pic cut off Judge Baylor's head. Next year we'll do better!

The game was a success -- in that the Baylor Bears were victorious and are now bowl eligible. Congratulations Hayden you had to wait 20 months what I've waited for since 1999. Good for you. Baylor is also ranked #25 in the BCS. Are you kidding me?! I was 12 the last time Baylor was ranked! The game was a fail in other respects...a 2 hour lightening delay and a huge down pour. A game that should have ended around 5:30 or 6 ended around 7:30ish. Needless to say we didn't last that long. Hayden did great during the monsoon (we were protected under a pavillion in the end zone). However, I think we saw maybe 4 downs of football, collectively. After the weather came through it was chilly and still sprinkling. I spent a lot of my time hanging out with Hayden in the family room/bathroom. Hayden still found a way to celebrate though:

I thought we did a great job of just "going with the flow" as much as possible on a trip with a toddler and an infant. There were no embarrassing meltdowns or seriously stressful moments. Special thanks to Jay and Judy James and to Blenda and Rick Helms for offering so many helping hands. Of course they wanted to help out with their sweet granddaughter, Anna but they were especially sweet to help out with our little monster too. The weekend would not have been a success without them! Plus, Hayden loves the attention.