KINDERMUSIK

Kai and I joined a KINDERMUSIK class. We stay home together on Friday's, and since it is cold and snowy we wanted something fun to do...so we signed up for a music class. So far Kai loves it, he shakes little music makers, beats on drums, reads books (well I read to him), sings songs (once again...me), dances and plays with friends. He LOVES it! The only downside is that the teacher sings everything she says, so if I miss the song...I miss the instructions. (Kai likes the singing...his Mom is still adjusting).

Sleepover!!!

Darin's brother Brian and his kids slept over a couple of weekends ago, and we had so much fun! We played SINGSTAR all night, made waffles from scratch (all BRIAN), built forts, ate candy (LOTS), and Kai was in COUSIN-HEAVEN!!! Thanks Pattersons!

Crawlin...

Kai started crawling a few weeks ago, and I am just barely getting around to documenting it. He was a charming little HOPPER for a month or so, until he slowly figured out how to put one hand in front of the other. Now he thinks he can tackle ANYTHING...and he's a quick one. Each night after we put him to bed, we spend the rest of the evening baby proofing. Oh how I love his milestones. Oh how I miss him being stationary.

Little Yogi

Kai has been practicing his yoga poses AKA "learning to crawl", and since it is National Yoga day this coming Saturday, I thought I would prep everyone with Kai's perfect downward dog.  He also loves to hop around like a bunny rabbit...literally he gets on all fours and hops across the room.  It's hilarious.

Bienvenido au MEXICO!!!

I know, I know...I haven't blogged in a long time.  We have been busy.  However, I didn't want anyone to miss the opportunity to read all about Kai's first International trip (passport and all).  We spent the week of Christmas in Mexico (Cabo San Lucas).  It was warm, beautiful, warm, relaxing, warm and the weather was really warm. :)

Nothing says WELCOME TO MEXICO like walking onto your condo balcony and discovering this is your view.  Kai and I watched Whales from our balcony every single morning.

Kai would scream if I let his toes touch the water...but it was so funny, I had to do it a few times, just to hear his little squeals.

Christmas Eve was a delight...we went into the downtown area of the VERY small town we were staying near (San Jose Del Cabo), so that Darin could experience Catholic Mass for the first time.  The area outside of the church had turned into a little bazar for the evening, complete with lights, popcorn, balloons, and a man pushing a wheel barrow full of candy for the kids.  Mass was very interesting and definitely had a local flare to it.  Darin loved it, and Kai and I spent most of the time outside (as he was not in a very church-going mood).

Christmas Morning...

Before.

During.

More During.

And, After.

He loved opening a couple of presents (Santa gave him a trip to Mexico).

We went on a Snorkeling/Lunch Cruise, and saw 6 different whales, ate delicious food, snuck up on a colony of Sea Lions sun bathing, danced the Macarena and snorkeled the day away.

Kai loved his time on the beach...but he sure is a quick one, I have been changing diapers with sand filled waste for two weeks...What kind of mother lets her 9 month old eat handfuls of sand (I guess I do?!?)

Everyday, Kai and Darin spent an hour or two wading in the pool.  Kai couldn't get enough of the 90 degree pool water.

And, our last meal in mexico included a little local entertainment from a miniature Gringo in a Pancho with a Sombrero and Maraca.

book club, kind of.

i started reading the most enchanting book this weekend, and had to share.  if you haven't picked up a copy of this little treasure yet, you are missing out.  and, if you blog...lets start a "sort of book club", meaning we can chat back and forth about this post world war II setting, literary masterpiece.  let me know if you are interested.

Friends, Family and Festivities

We spent the weekend cramming in as many family, friends and festivities as we could possibly fit into one 48 hour period....Friday night we met up with Darin's brother's family (Brian and Kristy),  we exchanged gifts, and Kai loved the blanket Kristy made him as well as the sign language books and cute little cup.  Briana and Garrett were pretty fond of their new keyboard that lights up when you play it. Garrett told Darin: "Thanks for getting me the piano, I've been wanting one my whole life...I just never knew where to find one" (keep in mind he is 4).  It was so cute!

After the gift exchange, we headed out to see the lights...Kai loved hanging out with Brianna and Garett!

The kids spent the night, and had tons of fun cooking pancakes and waffles for breakfast.

In the afternoon, we joined Darin's Mom's side of the family for a holiday party...this was Kai's first introduction to Santa Claus.

That night we had dinner with friends, and they came back to our house for hot chocolate and cookies.  Leila and Kai watched holiday movies and then exchanged gifts.  Leila gave Kai some really cool keys, toys and finger foods.  Kai gave Leila a "Baby Obama" T-shirt, Leila loves to say Omama, Omama, every time she see's pictures of the president, and Kai's parents are big Obama fans, so we wanted to support her infatuation.

Lastly we had a great Sunday resting and eating delicious food...these are my favorite guys in their holiday sweaters.