Info on an awesome Giveaway!

Hi, everyone! I just wanted to pass along a link to a fantastic giveaway that is going on until midnight tomorrow. This is a friend of a friend, and she is going to Ethiopia in July to spend time with some of the orphans there. There is one particular orphanage there that is very near and dear to her heart, and she is currently in the process of raising money to assist them with things they need to help the kids (basics like DIAPERS!). If you are able to donate to her cause, you will be entered to win one of many great prizes (you choose which drawing you go into) so it's a win for everyone involved. Go check out her website here and please consider donating to help these sweet, innocent children! Thanks, and God bless!

Putt-Putt, T-ball, and Big Boy Beds!

I LOVE this time of year! It's starting to warm up outside, I've been able to dress the boys in some of their new spring clothes, and we have been able to enjoy more outdoor activities. T-ball is the newest, biggest thing going on right now, but we also took a morning off of preschool to enjoy a round of putt-putt at Frankie's Fun Park.

The Monday after Kaden's birthday party I decided to let him stay home from school. I don't usually just let him stay home unless he is sick, but Patrick was off on this particular Monday, and we thought it would be fun to take the boys out for the morning doing something fun together. Neither boy had ever played putt-putt before, so that's what we decided to do. Kaden was SO excited because he loves to "play golf." We got off to a good start, but on the third hole Kaden decided to check out the pond that was next to the hole and HE FELL IN! I kid you not! He was chest deep in the water. Luckily, I had a change of clothes in the car, so we were able to dry him off and continue our game (on a different course with less water :). Unfortunately, I didn't get a single picture of him soaking wet on the course... I was so flustered that my biggest concern was getting the wet clothes off! You will notice, however, that in the pictures he undergoes a wardrobe change :)

Kaden has also started playing t-ball this year! We decided that we were going to let him decide between t-ball and soccer, and he chose t-ball (I think because he has been watching A.J. play t-ball since he was born). His team is called the Mighty Mud Hens and their colors are red and navy blue. So far, we have had 5 practices and a scrimmage game. Kaden really does a great job! He is catching on very quickly that when you are on the field you have to be watching for the ball. We are working with him on throwing to first base when he gets the ball. He also does a great job at bat! It took him a few tries to remember that he runs to first base after he hits, but he's got it down now and did a great job at their scrimmage. His coach is wonderful, and I just feel very blessed that is having such a great experience so far. He is the most adorable little t-ball player I have ever seen!

Now for some Noah news! Noah has kind of been living in Kaden's shadow these past few weeks between the birthday party and t-ball, but Noah is the star in the Todd house this week! Over the weekend we broke down and purchased Noah's big boy bed! With Kaden and Noah we completely skipped the toddler bed stage and just bought them both twin beds with a safety rail on the side. Noah's crib converted into a toddler bed, but since he never slept in his crib it was impossible for us to get him in that toddler bed. The twin bed is the most like our bed (which is where he has been sleeping - keep your opinions to yourselves!), and we figured it would make the transition a little easier. I am happy to report that he napped in his room with very few tears yesterday for a whole hour! He didn't wake up at all for that hour. Last night was more difficult. He cried his little heart out for about an hour and a half (it felt much longer) and finally crashed in his bed. The plus to all that was that he slept the ENTIRE night in his bed! He didn't come into our room once or even wake up. I'm not holding my breath that it will happen that way every night, but I am keeping my fingers crossed. I didn't sleep a wink because I was worried about him, but I'm sure restful sleep will find me soon :)

Kaden's Birthday Party - The "Birthday Season" Finale!

We made it through Birthday Season in the Todd house for the second year straight! This year was a lot different than last year because we actually had separate birthday parties for the boys in addition to celebrating their actual birthdays. It was a LOT of celebrating, and, while the boys are sad to see the birthday banner come down, mama and daddy are happy to have a break for awhile! My birthday is later this month, but it is highly likely that I'm going to ignore it just I won't have to eat any more birthday cake(ugh!)!

Anyway, we had a blast celebrating Kaden P's 4th birthday! On his actual birthday (the 27th), we started off at church like we do every Sunday. We sang to him during Sunday School and enjoyed the service that was put on by the youth group. After lunch and naptime, we headed over to my mom's house where we had a cook-out and birthday cake just with my immediate family plus Bryan (Kimbo's boyfriend). Kaden got to open his present from us that morning, and he got to open one of his presents from my parents that evening. It was very low-key, but it was a lot of fun for Kaden since it was a beautiful day and he got to play outside and then, of course, enjoy his Thomas cake.

On Wednesday, March 2nd, we celebrated his birthday at preschool with his class and teachers. I, by this time, was completely sick of birthday cake since we had already had 2 for Noah and 1 for Kaden, so we opted for a train cookie cake and Cheetos :) Let me just say that the cookie cake was a hit! All the kids really seemed to enjoy themselves, and Kaden LOVED having Noah come to preschool to hang out with him for a bit. After the kids enjoyed their birthday snack, we stayed so Noah could go out on the playground with Kaden's class and then we called it a day. I loved the look on Kaden's face as he realized it was finally HIS turn to have a birthday with his friends, and just soaked up all the attention!

Finally, on Saturday, we had Kaden's official birthday party where we invited family and friends to celebrate. It was the first "outdoor" party I have ever braved, and luckily the rain held off for the most part! I hired the Fun Bus as the entertainment, and I am so glad I did! Almost all of the kids stayed on-board the entire hour they were there! Every now and then a child would emerge for a juicebox or to make sure mom was still there, but, overall, it was a smashing success and I would hire them to come again and again if I could. After the Fun Bus left, we headed back inside to eat Kaden's 2nd cookie cake (he requested this one!) and to open all the awesome presents his friends were generous enough to bring. The kid really racked up, and he is still in shock over all the new "stuff" he has! To any of our friends who were there, a gigantic THANK YOU for coming and for spoiling our big boy rotten!

Kaden's Actual Birthday 2-27-11

Kaden's Party at Preschool 3-2-11


Kaden's Birthday Party 3-5-11

On a sappy side note:

I cannot believe it has been FOUR years since Mr. Kaden P came and changed our lives completely. He gave Patrick and me the best job titles EVER as daddy and mommy and has truly taught us what it is to love unconditionally. While he most certainly drives me crazy at least once a day, I would not trade that sweet smile or those big hugs for a million bajillion dollars and I know that my life is so much better than anything I could have ever dreamed of before he helped to build our sweet little family. I love you Kaden!