Just in case you hadn't seen this already

Halloween!

We got together with all of Aiden's cousins for Halloween last night, and all the kids had a great time. Aiden was an English Bobby (though it was hard to tell because he wouldn't leave his policeman's helmet on.) I made a little navy blue jacket for Aiden with a bit of help from my mom, and it looked great, if I do say so myself. The moms dressed up, but the dad's didn't.

I'd just like to state here that Aiden LOVES his cousins! I think that was at a perfect developmental milestone for this trip to America. The Sunday before we came was his first week staying in the nursery at church without either Mom or Dad with him, and amazingly, he's been great in nursery here so far too. He's also just started being much more interactive with other kids, and he loves playing running and chasing games with all his cousins. I'm finding it very satisfying to see him enjoying playing with them so much. He was so sad to leave Aunt Ruth's house and Joshua and Alex last night. I can even wake him up from a nap (usually a guarantee of at least 30 minutes of grumpiness) and if I tell him that Joshua and Alex are here to play, he'll immediately be happy - if also a bit dazed.

Aiden just ran after his cousins at his top speed to participate in the trick-or-treating. He wasn't sure what it was all about at first, a bit of a mystery for an almost two-year-old. At first he would try to go into every house when the door was opened, but then he realized that they were handing out candy, and it didn't take him long to start trying to grab more. Ah, little ones. Here are some of the best photos I got of the night.

Aiden is becoming much more difficult to photograph as he's developed a habit of running up to the camera and smiling this cheezy smile:Here's Uncle JD with Aiden's youngest cousin: Jovan.

And here is the one photo of Aiden with his helmet: I'm just holding it above his head. In the photo are: my sister Ruth (in purple), My sister Camille, My brother JD and his wife: Valeri, Alex as Scooby Doo, Josh as a ghost, Lincoln as Super Why, Jovan as a lion, and Aiden as a Bobby.Ruth loves halloween and I wish I had a better picture of her front yard, the Haunted Graveyard, it's spooky!
Here's a good shot of Aiden's jacket, couldn't get him to look at the camera though.

Halloween Fun

Friday, the day before Halloween, we took Aiden and his cousins Joshua and Alex to a local pumpkin patch. Aiden loved seeing all the big tractors, the corn maze, and of course, Pumpkins! Some of those pumpkins are a bit the worse for the snow we've had here lately, but it was still great for the kids.

Here in America!

Aiden and I arrived at my parents' house last Wednesday night after a long, but better-than-anticipated journey. Aiden did really well, and we even managed to get an empty seat next to us for Aiden on the long, 9 1/2 hour flight from London to Huston where we changed planes. I was extremely grateful for the people who moved around so we could have the extra space.

Saturday I helped organise my sister, Camille's birthday party and I made her Halloween themed birthday cake. i was quite pleased with how it turned out.
Aiden has been having a fantastic time with his cousins. He's the second youngest of five grandsons in the family, and he's thrilled to be hanging out with all these active boys! Here's a nice, cheeky, spaghetti-covered smile.

Warning: To all cat owners!

I was walking home one night and saw this stuck to a tree on our road:

"Warning: to all cat owners"? I was intrigued and had to have a read. I laughed for about 10 minutes. It was funny for so many reasons that I couldn't list them all!

Training Contracts and all that

For those that didn't know there is good news. I've been offered a training contract with Ashfords in Exeter! Come on you beauty!

It's exactly the kind of firm that I was hoping to go to, great life/work balance, great client contact (Here's an independent write up -> Lex 100). They'll also pay for the rest (well almost) of my legal training.

It does mean that we'll be setting down roots (finally) in the lovely countryside of Devon.

Only one slight drawback. Did I mention that I had to wait until 2011 to start there?

Finally Out and About

Aiden has been fighting a cold/flu off and on for a couple of weeks, which means that he's been going a bit stir-crazy in the house. I finally decided to take him to the park this morning in spite of his nasty sounding cough and his out-of-control mucus production operation. He was thrilled, and here are a few photos of him looking happy at last!

Is that a cheeky smile or what?
He loves dangling from anything that he can reach.

Aiden Washes the Dishes

Aiden likes to help. Well, he likes to stand on the chair and get wet. I've worked out a method of keeping him a bit more dry. I've tied the handles of a big rubbish sack around his neck and another strip around his waist.For the most part he just washes the counter next to the sink and gets as many suds out of the sponge as he can. In the process he also gets suds all over the chair, floor and me if I'm too close. But, at least he's helping, right? And it doesn't usually interfere with me actually getting the dishes done, which genuinely makes it very helpful.