Hair cut + playing at the park + carrots, corn and green beans =

Dare Devil

Vaughn has his daddy's genes. Unfortunately, it's the dare devil genes. Don't get me wrong, I'm love that Vaughn is busy and loves to play, I'm just not good at hospitals, blood and stitches. Thankfully, we haven't any of those kind of trips yet.

At school, the kids are constantly climbing. Every time their teacher turns around, they are up on the tables, on chairs, on the play stove, on the bus, on the little stairs, anything they can climb up on. Now, Vaughn has turned into the kid. He loves to climb up on anything. The problem is, he doesn't have one ounce of fear when he does it. I talked to a friend and she said her son loves to climb on everything but will put his hand out when he does something where he can fall. Not Vaughn! The other day I watched him push his recliner over to the couch, stand on the recliner, do a little dance, climb on the couch, and then try to flail himself backwards...until I ran over and caught him as he was in the air. Thankfully, I was there or he would've hit the coffee table or tile floor - both ending in a bloody mess.

On Monday, I bought Vaughn some diapers. I brought them in the kitchen as I put some other things away. I looked around the island to see him standing on the tiny little box. And then, of course, when got on top, he started to dance until he almost fell off. In a way, I thought it was hilarious, but then deep down inside, I got very nervous. My little climber dancer is bound to get hurt. I know, I know, it's part of growing up and I need to let him learn, however, our tile floors are not the most falling-friendly floors to land on.

So lately, to help Vaughn's need to climb (and dance), I've been trying to take him to the park as much as possible. We are so thankful to live in a neighborhood that has playgrounds everywhere. I stick Vaughn in the bike trailer (best thing ever!) and ride around to different playgrounds so he can get out and climb then move on to the next one.

Sooner or later, he will learn what his boundaries are and I will hopefully get a little more comfortable with the whole idea.

Another birthday :)

Vaughn's little friend, Avery, turned one! Her mom and I work together and Avery goes to the same school as Vaughn. Her birthday party was beautiful! It was a butterfly garden theme. Her mom spent months preparing with special window chains, crafts, paper bag lunches, potted flowers, butterfly sign, amazing desserts that matched the theme and other amazing decorations. Vaughn was the closest in age with Avery so they followed each other around a lot. Don't tell anyone you heard it from me, but I think he might have his second crush (Christine was her first but she totally denied him)!

Precious Moment...making motor noises

Before bed tonight, Vaughn got his second wind as he always does after bath time, and kept making motor noises. He was sitting next to me as I was sewing his friend, Cheetah, who had a very big boo boo on her back. I couldn't quite tell if it was a car or motorcycle or truck, but they were definitely some kind of motor. Dave overhead us in the hallway so he decided to join us. As I sat there, weaving thread in and out of a fuzzy tan and black stuff animal, Dave began making the same motor sounds. They kept egging each other on and I absolutely loved it.

Valentine's Day Party

For Valentine's Day, Vaughn's friends all met up at our new little park spot down in Goodyear. The kids got a lot of energy out on the playground then built it back up by eating some cookies after they frosted them with a lot of sugar-filled icing. We did a little Valentine exchange, too. Vaughn really made out. Most of the stuff he got, he's not allowed to eat, but we sure enjoyed it. Dave was at home building us an amazing backyard, but we sure did miss him. On actual Valentine's day, we had a big family dinner together to share the love we have for each other. 

It's crazy to think back to Vaughn's first Valentine's Day. This past year has been full of love. Love from Vaughn, love given to Vaughn by us, his friends, his family, and love given to use as a family.

Also looking back, Vaughn was so little. He's the youngest baby in the group and at that time was still having weight issues. At this year's party, he was one of the biggest kids and full of energy and spunk. He was able to keep up with the rest of them versus laying on a blanket while the others played. I loved the shirt he wore, "I'm a great catch," because in my opinion, he sure is a great catch! I love him so much!

White Tanks!

Vaughn is quite the hiker! When he was two months old, pappy, nunny and Aunt CC took him to the White Tanks waterfall trail. He did such a great job riding in the baby bjorn and stroller. This year, Aunt Nay Nay, our new friend, Talitha and I took him again and then we went a third time with cousin Missy. He loved it. This time, he mainly rode in the stroller until the very end. There was much of a "fall", but there was a small pool of water. Vaughn's walking is still a little wobbly so he did end up falling once when we were with Missy. He fell on his face, but surprisingly, only got a few small abrasions on his head. Again, with walking, definitely comes boo boos!

After we went hiking, we tried to head over to the playground they have in the park. For the first time, Vaughn finally sat on his butt and scooted over to the slide to go down on his bottom instead of head first on his stomach.

Vaughn absolutely loves to be outside. He always has been. He still does great in the stroller, loves to try to walk around and is quite the climber at the playground. I would really like to find some other trails we can take him in the stroller on. Let the search begin!

Everything Granddad!

Granddad (Dave's dad) came to visit his grandchildren. It's so fun to say grandchildren. Vaughn and Molly! Vaughn loves playing with his granddad. He especially liked walking through his legs and being held by him. Both activities are so enjoyable for him because of granddad's height. I think Vaughn will be tall like him, but we never know!

 During granddad's visit, we hung out at our house for a little, went out to Red Robin, had a Superbowl party at Aunt Jamie and Uncle Dusty's, and went to BJ's for dinner. It sure looked like Granddad was just in heaven holding his little granddaughter and grandson. They sure enjoyed it!

Superbowl...
So as mentioned, we went to Dusty and Jamie's. The Pittsburgh Steelers were playing the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, our team lost, but it was still a fun day.

In addition to granddad being there, we got to enjoy it with cousin Missy, too! She wasn't in Pennsylvania last year for MVP (Meet Vaughn Personally) party, so this was the first time she was able to hang out with the little hambone.

Before heading to Scottsdale, Dave, Missy and I made this awesome casserole called Buffalo Chili Mac - mmm, sooo good! When we got to Dusty and Jamie's, Dave was getting things out of the back when the Chili mac slid out on to the pavement and the glass dish exploded into about a million pieces. Dusty, Granddad and Dave all cleaned it up. Vaughn tried to help since he loves housekeeping so much.

Once the game started, we plugged the bounce house in so Connor, Layla and Vaughn could play. They had a blast. It was such a great idea to have a bounce house to keep the kids entertained. Connor turned it into his castle. We couldn't keep him away from it.

Since we didn't have the chili mac (oh, so sad!), we had pizza rolls and salsa dips and hot dogs and bratz! Good ol' Pittsburgh food. Vaughn's favorite thing was the water. Well, he would not leave the water cooler alone because it was just so much fun to let the water run out and make little puddles. Eventually, we turned it around so he couldn't do that anymore.

Granddad's visit was so short, but we cherished every second we had with him. Until next time!