Unexpected Snow Day

Today was an unexpected Snow Day.

The snow wasn't unexpected.  Definitely not.  We knew last night that we were going to get hit.  Hard.  However, this has been an unusually mild winter.  So I guess maybe we weren't quite expecting the storm we had.  It was a snow day for the schools today, which if you know Minnesota, you know that is a big deal.  For our family, however, snow days don't mean a whole lot, right?  My kids aren't in public school yet, so no difference there.

Cameron went out to shovel the driveway this morning, and came back in and decided he was probably going to stay home from work.  But, he is going to be home for the next three work days while I go out to help my sister who just had twins.  Due to that, he figured he better try to go in today.

He didn't get far.  He got down the driveway, but then immediately got stuck in our little G6.  Some neighbors came to the rescue with shovels, and helped dig him out, and got him going down hill on our street, and we though he was on his way.  Until he got stuck again.  So, thanks to a neighbor, and a big rope and a Yukon, we got him back into our garage and he stayed there for the rest of the day.

It was too funny watching him get stuck, and then slipping and sliding in his nice dress clothes.  I had to take pictures.  Miley and Landon were having fun watching.  Miley kept yelling out the door, "Are you OK, Daddy?"

We were gad to have Cameron home, although he still had to work quite a bit and call into meetings.

So what were we to do on our unexpected snow day?  Sledding in the back yard, of course!  A bunch of the neighbors came over, and despite the deep snow that was still falling and freezing winds, we still had a lot of fun.

Miley had so much fun.  We tried to get Landon in on the action (as you can can see in the first couple of pictures), but he was over it once he got a little snow in his face.  But he sure was cute hanging out in the back of the car while we did some shoveling!

It was a great day, but now I am crossing my fingers for good weather so there are no delays for my flight tomorrow!

Earning His Keep

Now that Landon is one, we decided he is old enough to be put to work around here...

He doesn't seem to mind one bit (now if only some of that enthusiasm could rub off on his sister!).

I kid, I kid.  Landon just likes playing with the little broom and pretending to sweep.  But hey...I will take what I can get.  :)

First Year, First Haircut

So there we were, just eating dinner on Thursday night.  Kids were dirty, it was late, and it was time to throw them in the bath.  I was cleaning up, and Cameron decided that it would be a great time to give Landon his first haircut.

Whaaaaat?

I mean, agreed, Landon was definitely in need of a little trim.  He was rocking this not-so-attractive mullet, and as cute as he is, the mullet just wasn't cutting it (no pun intended).

But to be honest, I like to prepare for these kinds of things.  You know, have the kids looking a little more put together, have it at a time when we aren't in the pre-bedtime craziness, and perhaps bring him to a place that specializes in cutting the hair of super wiggly one-year olds, youknowwhatI'msayin'????

But Cameron was not to be deterred, and before I knew it, he had pulled out the scissors, some water and a comb, and was ready to get to work.  So all I could do was roll with it, and get some pictures.

Thanks goodness for some M&M's and a big sister that helped with distracting the little guy...

I wasn't too sure how the finished result would turn out.  While it isn't perfect, it definitely beats the mullet.  I think he looks pretty handsome, but I am not biased or anything (don't mind the dinner / M&M mess all over his face and shirt!).  ;) 

Now could my kids pleeeeease stop growing up?!?

One-Year Stats

Landon had his one-year well visit yesterday, February 22nd.

After asking a few people if they could watch Miley, no one was available, so I brought Miley along with us.  As I started writing this blog post, I realized that I left the little book that we get that has all the kid's information in it (weight, height, etc.) at the doctor's office.  I guess I had my hands full trying to get two kids and the diaper bag full of stuff out of there, and left it on the little table.  I am a little sad, because that had all of Landon's stats from all of his appointments in it...I guess it is good I keep track of it on here, too!

That being said, I remember his weight and length, but can't remember his head circumference.  Oh well...what can ya do, right?

At one, Landon's stats are:

Height:  30 inches - 50th %

Weight:  19 pounds - 5th %

I think there may have been a little error in the height...I just can't picture one of our kids being in the 50th percentile for height!  :)  However, I am not really sure, because I had to take Miley on a potty run and while I was gone the nurse measured Landon.

Landon got the dreaded four shots at the end of his appointment.  He didn't even flinch for the first one, but then started crying during the second.  Besides a little fussiness that first afternoon / evening, he handled them really well and they haven't seemed to bother him at all.

All in all, not a bad appointment, although next time I will hopefully schedule his appointment at a time when Cameron can be around to watch Miley, and then maybe I won't be leaving stuff behind.  :)

Mr. ONE-derful

Yes, it's true.  Landon is now ONE!  The last year has flown by.  I can't believe I now have a one-year old little guy.  I still think of him as being around 6-months old.  I guess it is time to get over that, huh?  It's so crazy to think we have gone from this...

...to this.

We celebrated the big day with a very low-key party.  Things have been crazy busy around here.  Between Cameron's school and work, church obligations for both of us, etc, we just wanted to have a night with our little family.

Landon got birthday blueberry pancakes in the morning.  Cameron stayed home a little later than normal to make breakfast and to see everyone.  The rest of the day was a pretty standard day for us, but we did get to run around and pick up balloons and our free birthday cake from Byerly's  (yessssss!).

We were pleasantly surprised when Cameron got home a little early that day (around 3:30).  We opened a few presents, because we figured we would space out some of the present opening to keep Landon's attention a little more.  :)  Afterwards, we went to Culver's to have a little birthday dinner (fancy, we know).

Upon returning home, we opened the rest of the presents.  Really, Miley did most of the opening.  Landon was entertained by everything, but didn't really have any interest in opening things.  Miley was more than happy to fill the spot for him.  Our family sent some really nice gifts...Landon was sure spoiled!  Our big gift to him was a little basketball hoop (although I think Cameron may have been the most excited about this!).

Then it was time for cake.  In true Clark kid fashion, Landon dug right in, and scarfed his cake down!

It was so nice to have a relaxing evening, and to not be stressing about a big birthday party.  Although we would have LOVED to have some family here to celebrate with, this was pretty nice.

Now for just a little bit about our Landon at one-year old:

• He is walking all over the place now and is FAST!  I love the little baby walk-it's adorable.  
• He eats anything we put in front of him.  Seriously, I have not found anything yet that this kid will not eat.  He has made the transition to drinking whole milk, with  no problem at all.  I was expecting a little more trouble, considering we still can't get Miley to drink milk.
• Landon is outgrowing his 6-12 month clothes.  They still fit, but are starting to get a little snug / short.  We are starting to bring out the 12-18 month stuff.  He is wearing size 3 diapers.
• There are still only 6 little teeth in his mouth - 4 on top, and 2 on bottom.  It looks like he may be getting his top canines soon, but who really know.  Either way, teething hasn't seemed to bother him too much.  
• Landon still take two naps.  He sleeps from about 9:00-10:30 am, and then again from about 12:30-2:30 pm.  He is more than ready for bed by about 7:00 pm, and then sleeps through the night till anywhere from 6:30-7:30 am.  Fortunately for me, he is usually pretty happy hanging out in his crib till 7:00, if he wakes up before then.
• He will wave, point, clap, give high fives and "noggins," and gives big open mouth kisses.
• He loves trains, boats, cars...you name it.  He is all boy and will make sound effects to go with them when he is playing with them.  He is also very into Miley's kitchen and play food, and will occasionally pick up a Barbie.  The joys of having an older sister.  :)
• He is into anything and everything still.  He gets into kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, toilet paper, toilets (if we forget to close the lid!), bookshelves...you name it.  Everything still goes into his mouth.  
• He loves his big sister.  He loves to play with her and follow her around.  Miley thinks it is fun to "wrestle" with him sometimes, and he enjoys it for a little while, and then I think Miley gets a little too rough with him sometimes.  Oh well.  Toughens him up, right?
• He loves when his dad gets home and will toddle over to him with arms up to have him pick him up.  
• He is getting more and more attached to his pacifier every day.  I feel like we should take it away before it gets harder, but he goes to sleep so easily for us now, and I hate to mess with that.  He is also starting to get attached to a blanket, and will rub it on his face when we lie him down.  When we are snuggling with him before sleep though, his favorite thing is to play with our fingers.  Weird, but without fail, he reaches for your fingers, and doesn't stop until he finds them.
• He has the cutest laugh.

I love seeing the little boy Landon is becoming, and can't wait to see even more changes in the next year, although I am in no hurry for him to get any bigger!  I wish he could stay at this sweet age for a long time!

Happy Birthday, Landon!