Alphabet

We had a great visit with Aaron's grandparents (Cislaks) this past weekend (more pictures to come soon). On Monday, however, Aaron got very sick with fever and lots of congestion. He's getting better today. This video was taken on Monday. You might wonder why we took it while he was doing his business. The answer is, that's where he likes learning his English alphabet:)

Following in the steps of his great Uncle C:)

I think he's getting there, don't you think?:)

Trip to Indy and Clemyjontri Park

It's been a week since we came back from Indianapolis. We have a very good time with the family. You can see the pictures in Aaron's latest album. Also, today we went to Clemyjontri Park in McLean, VA. It's huge with all sorts of swings, tunnels, slides, carousels etc. designed esp. for kids. Aaron wore his new tennis shoes, his first pair of tennis shoes. He looks so grown up in them. They' re size 6 and they fit just right, not even sure whether for much longer.

Aaron is into noise making cars right now. He loves watching a firetruck, a police car or an ambulance to rush by, and he likes immitating the sounds they make. They all sound the same to us, but it's so funny to watch him do it because he takes it seriously:)

Treating the Lord with Contempt (Numbers 14:1-35)

I encourage you to listen to this sermon. I found it very edifying, some things I did not think of before.
http://www.bbcofcranberry.org/component/sermonspeaker/singlesermon/10082.html

Cheap Toys

Almost free...:)

I'm sure you heard this many times that kids prefer simple toys they make out of every day objects to colorful expensive toys we buy for them in a store. Very true for Aaron. As one of our friends mentioned, toddlers are like little scientists: they test the laws of physics, chemistry and parents' patience:) There are very few toys Aaron plays with. He likes putting objects into a container, like books into the box, toys into the box, or sometimes he just takes a container (a cup, a pot, etc.) and tests what objects around the house would fit in. A lot of things end up in a trash can:) He started paying more attention to his stuffed animals. I showed him how to feed his Teddy Bear "Mishka", and now he wants Mishka to eat what Aaron does not want to.

I thought of listing some of Aaron's every day vocabulary for fun here (and in case you get to babysit for him:)):

"Meeee" (Mishka)

"Aa" (potty)

"Didi" (Izzy)

"chu-chu" (train)

"Mamoh" (Elmo)

"dah-dah-dah" (Water/vadah)

"tsai" (tea/chai)

"dadi" (when pointing at a stranger, which is similar to a Russian word "djadja", or saying "granddaddy)

"ao-ao" (hallo on the phone)

"kaka"(his cereal, for Russian "kashka")

"goh-goh" (yogurt)

"pu-pu" (belly botton/pupok)

and others:)

He is saying mama and papa very clearly too.

Cancelation of some plans

We had to stay home this weekend as Aaron developed croup Thursday night. I think it was the right dicision as now I am sick too. Aaron seems to be doing better. The doctor prescribed him prednisolone and that seems to help with his stuffiness. And something else has been going on: he slept through the night 2 times in a row. I would think it's prednisolone but steroids usually have the opposite effect-sleep disturbances. So, we'll see how he does once he stops taking them.

We need to get better before the next weekend because we want to enjoy our visit with grandmommy and granddaddy Cislak!

Busy bee and his busy summer

The good part about living in the DC area is that there are tons of parks designed especially for kids. We just need to get a good GPS in the car:) So far you've seen the pictures from the park behind our house. It's great-lots of toys and neighborhood kids to play with. There is also a park about 11 minutes away from us which I posted videos from. Aaron enjoys the fountains and the sandbox the most. He also started Play and Learn class at Gymboree this week. I felt like it was much needed for him as he's in his climbing phase right now and it's a safe place for him to climb there. He has a blast there. Next week I'll make sure to take a video and the pictures there.

We also visited a Baltimore Aquarium last weekend, and this weekend, God allows, we'll be visiting the DC zoo.

Next weekend Aaron is going to his Cousin Nikolai's B-Day party and he can hardly wait, he told me. And two weekends from now we're going to Indianapolis for 4 days to see his grandmommy and granddaddy and the rest of the family. We're so looking forward to these plans!