The Hickman Crew: August

Last Saturday before Ayda turns three,

the start of her last week of summer vacation,

Ayda's idea of loving ice skating,

equals to her first ice skating experience!

It only took one minute till she was ready

to let go of the wall (Mommy was not ready)!

Very difficult to take a picture on ice!

Momma thought the picture below was a better

way to take a photo on ice.

Until Ayda started skating down the rink with momma in tow!

(yes, Momma is screaming)

If you look closely, Josh's face is in pain.

In all the excitement, Momma and Daddy put on the wrong shoes!

We changed after this picture! We both skated like pros afterwards.

A very tired girl after skating for a total hour.

We were all ready to come back before we left!

We saw hokey players practicing.

Ayda declared she will be a hockey player.

"I'm upside down, Momma! Take a picture."

8/4/2014: Ayda declared, "a face"

She then added arms, body, legs, and hair

Another snowman

Getting groceries for Ayda's birthday weekend.

They found themselves on the security tv.

Ayda is excited about her Ice Cream cake!

Last day of being two!

Swing Time

Cheering Ayda on!

First Monkey Bars

Happy Third Birthday Ayda!!!

First wish at breakfast!

First present of the Day

Playing with Aunt B and Trent!

Opening presents first!

Princess Anna dress

More presents!

First Dance Pad

Princess Anna and her pink pony

Princess Anna and her big girl bike!!!

Prior to her birthday, Ayda always asked for ice cream instead of cake for her birthday.

She also decided to have a Minnie Mouse birthday party.

The Minnie Mouse Ice Cream Cake

Yummy!

Everyone had black teeth and tongues!

James enjoyed the ice cream.

After getting back home,
Ayda had one last gift to open, Rapunzel Tower!

A wish at every meal!

Already an expert biker

All in the tunnel!

Look Mom, no hands!

8/12/2014: Ayda's first day of K3 preschool at Kiddie Kollege

James stayed home with Momma.

He loves a pickle.

James crawled around calling for Ayda all morning.

Then decided to dress up by himself.

James as also been more daring with walking.

He tries to take steps, usually no more than 2.

Ayda received a certificate for

"Having a Great First Day at Preschool"

Ayda's last birthday surprise.

She is a member of the Barnes and Noble Kids Club

and received a free cupcake.

8/12/2014: Ayda's first bike wreck. Her helmet was scrubbed, elbow pad was marked, her handle bars are no longer new, and Ayda lost a little skin on her knuckle with no blood. She cried, Daddy over acted, Mom calmed both of them down. Ayda got right back on the bike and rode home with smiles. We are very proud!!!

Ayda finally wore the first day of school dress

(on the third day of school) that we picked out.

All it took was her to wear pink socks.

Daddy broke his finger.

Ayda was curious but really didn't want to see.

8/14/14: While washing the car,

Momma caught James standing from sitting position

without any help from objects.

8/16/14: Ayda loves her bike!

Making Pie Pops!!

Delicious!

We finally finished (a year process)

a growth chart for both kids that can move with us.

8/18/2014: We have been talking to James about how Ayda started walking at 11 months and how he is cutting close to that date. Today, James started making the choice to walk instead of squatting down to crawl.

8/19/2014: James's First Haircut

Yes, the curls were clipped, but at least he can see now.

8/20/2014: James is 11 months old!

He is walking!

He has four teeth on top and bottom,

Says momma, Ay...da (really draws it out), Daddy

When he is really proud of himself, he will grab his belly.

When he is really excited to see you, he throws his right arm up with his hand in a fist.

Nickname: Bulldog and Buddy

Loves bath time

Loves to wake in the middle of the night for a little belly pat and tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" (very pleasant at 12am.)

He loves to find where to put objects. (balls or shapes in the correct hole, handing things to someone who has asked for it, objects in boxes, on shelves, etc..)

He loves his cars the most!

Loves to eat pickles.

Loves to give hugs.

Will crawl fast to the fridge when it is open to get inside and get the yogurt. If you close it without getting the yogurt, he will cry and scream until you distract him or get him the yogurt!

Loves the bathroom! If the door is open, you will hear laughter and will see a boy in toilet paper, water from the toilet, or pushing objects into the tub.

Teaching Ayda about how the chicken bones

are similar to her bones and how they move.

A little fun at 6:30 in the morning.

So excited to see us!!!

Loves his books

Fixing my hair!

The one reason we call him a bulldog.

Carries things in his mouth while he crawls.

Looks like a pouty face like a bulldog

Dancing before school

Made pottery at CHOM

Who needs a plate and spoon? Not these two.

She picked out her outfit.

Stripped dress, polka dotted shorts, and pink socks

Since turning three and being "I'm a big girl", Ayda wants to do everything by herself. She can wash her hair and body, put toothpaste on her toothbrush and brush her teeth, puts her socks and shoes on, pours her own drink (when the jug isn't too heavy), potties with no help, picks out her own clothes, brushes brother's teeth, we are very proud of her.

8/23/2014: Steven's Birthday party at the Tumble Bus Station.

The ball pit!

Enjoying the Fire Fighter theme.

When we wake at 5 am, Morning snuggles are a must by 8.

hot day + need to water the yard = fun!

Princess Ayda helping me vacuum

James doing what he does best "the bulldog"

Dinner and a movie

Ayda got to celebrate her Birthday with friends at school.

Loves the tire swing!

8/25/2014: James woke up ready to dance. He would just stand and bounce up and down to music.

Also, during nap time, which he was not happy with the idea, started singing to his favorite song "Row, Row, Row, Row"

James has learned how amazing the snack basket works for him. He will grab a snack when he is hungry and brings it to Momma. It's brings smiles to his face!

Clapping James!

"Momma, I really hate this long sleeve shirt"

James tried to bite the sleeves off.

Unfortunately he bit himself.

Then started to smiled again.

"But, seriously Momma, the sleeves must go!"

Someone will have a tough winter.

A trip to the dentist for Ayda,

which scared Ayda but she never cried,

and then a trip to the mall.

8/26/2014: Ayda's First Dance Class

Jazz and Acrobatics

(to advance her awesome jumping skills)

Ayda saw everyone one jump over the notebook.

But had a hard time herself

Stretching

Frog Jump

High march

Rolling

8/27/2014: Funny Story: Ayda has been sleeping the guest room to stay cool because the afternoon sun heats up her room. Today, I decided to really clean and organize the guest room. I told her that she will have to nap in her room because the guest room is messy. She asked if she could sleep in Momma's bed. I said it was also messy and she can't sleep in there. She said "oh okay" and started to clean my room. She cleaned so awesome that she was able to nap in Momma's bed.

Ayda had her three year old check up.

She grew 3 inches (37.8 inches) and almost weighs 29 pounds.

We will be reevaluated on her pronunciation with our speech therapist.

Labor Day Weekend 2014