Raking Leaves

A few weeks ago Tim was gone for the weekend, attending a NE Patriots game. The weather was gorgeous so Cameron and I went outside to help Nana and Poppa rake leaves. Cam didn't do so much raking, but he definitely enjoyed being outside and helping with all of the activities associated with raking (except jumping in the leaves; he didn't like that because they were wet).

He started out by helping Poppa pull a sled full of leaf bags into the front yard, and liked that. But pretty soon, Nana came up with a much better idea - Cam rode in the sled to "help" hold the leaf bags up. He LOVED it!! He kept urging us to fill the bags quicker so that he could have another rid into the front yard.

First, Cam got into the sled with the leaf bags.
The Poppa would pull him into the front.
Wheeeee!!!
Cameron took his job of holding up the leaf bags very seriously.
After dropping off the leaf bags in the front yard, Cam would get a high speed ride back into the back yard.
He LOVED those rides too.
The ride would always end by crashing into the leaf pile.
Timber!
Then Cameron decided to give Nana a ride. He gave up fairly quickly, declaring "You too big Nana. You pull me."

These photos have nothing to do with raking leaves, they are just cute pictures from another night. At this birthday party, Bridgette showed Cameron how to make a giant bead snake/circle. He has been making them every since.
This is Cameron's "CHEESE" smile.
He loves stretching out inside the circle. If you want to come into the circle too, he will break the beads so there is an opening in the circle - that lets you in. You walk in and he puts the circle back together. You can only get back out if he opens the circle again for you.

Cam Cutes: Random Stuff

Cameron has been especially cute lately (and also, especially trying... but the terrible twos are for another post!) so I want to record a couple stories and photos.
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First, a photo from Cameron's birthday. This was a couple hours after he actually turned two, but Mama had to have a picture with him on his big day!
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Cameron "helped" Poppa open a bottle of wine and got the cork as his prize. He spent the entire night playing with the cork. When he was in the bath, he spent a ton of time trying to make the cork sink. He thought it was hilarious that it kept popping back to the surface. Tim was giving him that particular bath, so when I came up to get him into pajamas, I asked him what he was playing with.
Mama: What is that you have, Cam?
Cam: A porcupine, Mama!
Mama: What? No, silly boy, it is a cork!
Cam: It's a cork-u-pine!!
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One day Cam was a bit tired out, so he wanted to relax and watch some TV. He got on the couch and asked for two pillows and a blanket, just like Nana uses. He snuggled in, chewed his hand and relaxed for a few minutes. Luckily, I got a picture of the cuteness!
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We have been spending a ton of time at various home improvement stores, trying to get everything that we need for the new house. Cam comes along for most of the trips, so now he is very familiar with the stores, where to go, who to ask for stickers, and can do various gymnastics in, around and on top of the carts. Every time that he gets in the car these days, he asks "We go to Home Depot?". Sometimes we spend an hour or two there, and he is so good, so patient. He keeps himself busy on and around the cart, playing with toys out of my purse, pushing the cart down the aisle and charming the people who work there. He is such a good boy!

Just a walk in the park

A couple weekends ago, Emily and Justin were up in Syracuse for a wedding. We got to have dinner with them on Thursday night, and then spent the day with them on Sunday. It was a gorgeous day so we decided to go down to Onondaga Lake Park and go for a walk.

Walking along the path. At this point, Cameron was riding in the wagon.
That didn't last for long though. He wanted to help Mama pull the wagon.
Mr. Cool Man.... And yes, his sunglasses are on upside-down. They stay on better that way, and he doesn't care about the fashion at this point.
We decided to have an impromptu photo shoot when Tim found a tree that worked. Cameron was happy to cooperate.
My handsome smiley boy
What a cutie!!
Mama, Daddy, Cam, Emily and Justin

House Update

It has been a while, so here is a quick update on the house. On the outside the shutters are on, and they fixed two pieces of siding that were a shade off.

In the back the rear steps are in and the kitchen vent has been added on top of the kitchen roof.

The hardwoods have been stained and first two coats of polyurethane applied. The trim around the window wall and fireplace are almost done the fireplace is just missing the actual mantel piece.

Here are a few different views of the kitchen. You can see the two levels for the island in this one.

Microwave is in, stove will go underneath and fridge will go to the left.

Here is were the sink will be.

Updated dining room shot with the floors done. The only thing left to do in here is outlet/switch plates and hanging the light.

The stairs and railings are stained.

Nothing has really changed in Cam's room but I liked this angle. It shows that besides the color being really BRIGHT, it also looks really nice with the white trim.

Cabinets in the master bathroom.

Front door is stained.

View of Kitchen from mudroom door.

Tonight we picked up all of the lights so they should be going in this week. I think the counter tops will go in next week, along with closet organizers. Then tile in master shower/tub and backsplash in kitchen. Then carpet upstairs, sinks, toilets, faucets, shower trim, shower glass/door, towel and TP holders, and who knows what else. We are getting close though. Hopefully we will finally close on our old house this week!

Cameron turns TWO!!

Two weeks ago our big boy turned two years old. It is crazy to think about - how can two years have passed already?? Cameron had his two year checkup last week and did very well. The doctor was impressed with how much Cameron talks and how well he could answer questions. The doctor asked him what he got for his birthday and Cam answered, "Got airplane. People get in. Airplane fly in the sky." We were proud of our smartie! The doctor asked us if Cameron eats well and when we told him that Cam's birthday dinner was Thai food, he thought that was pretty good. Cam capped off his great visit with two shots and having to get blood drawn (for lead testing) - he did not like that at all, but got three stickers out of the ordeal so he survived. Here are Cam's two year stats (where the trend continues - tall, skinny, big-headed kid):
Height: 36 inches - 90th percentile
Weight: 27 lbs, 12 ounces - 50th percentile
Head: 50 cm - 85th percentile

And now for more interesting stuff - pictures from Cameron's birthday party! We had Cam's party the day before he turned two. Lots of friends and family attended: Nana, Poppa, Uncle Matt and Gina, Omi and Opa, Aunt Susi, Ed and Michael, all of the Alexanders, Amanda (representing the Mantiones), Aunt Jen, Joe, Uncle Chris and Patrick, the Santaguidas and the Langes. Cameron also got great gifts sent from afar from Grandma and Grandpa, Mimi and Grandpa, Auntie Cathy, and Auntie Kim, Uncle Jeff, Ella and Jack. And now for some photos!

Cameron gives Abby a push on the firetruck.
Braden and Bridgette discuss the weirdness of the old school toys.
Now Cam gives Braden a ride. Pretty much everyone who rode the fire truck was "helped" by Cam, whether they wanted the help or not!
Daddy and Cam checkout the fridge animal magnets
And the train tracks
Festive Daddy
Cameron thanking Bridgette for his gift. We joked that we will show this picture some day at their rehearsal dinner.
The aftermath: Mama is highly amused, Cameron is falling down lovestruck, and Bridgette realizes for the first time the power she will have over men.
One of Cam's big gifts from Mama and Daddy: his own tool bench and tools
Abby the goalie
Cameron's birthday cake, courtesy of Wegman's. One of these years I will actually make and decorate his cake!
And the cupcakes. These we did make! The chocolate animal toppers are from Germany, and they were very cute.
Cameron tried several times to blow out his candles with not a lot of success. Daddy turned the cake around with candles near him and he did a little bit better.
He did very well with chowing down on the cake though!
I love frosting!!!
And the mess afterward. If you look closely, you can see the damage that brightly colored frosting does to your face, hands, arms and any other visible skin. Cameron had a blast!
Two kids in the toybox
Ok, I have had enough of close proximity with girls, get me out of here!!
All in all, it was a great party. Cam had a great time with everyone, got lots of great gifts and ate a ton of food. Thanks to everyone!!!