A nice weekend at home

This was a big weekend for the McCulloch Family! We borrowed a toddler bed from Aunt Carol and decided to give it a shot for Alyssa, since in the past week we have caught her straddling the crib rail and figured she would like the independence. Well by the time we got home from getting the bed and visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa in Strathroy it was nearly 9pm, about an hour past her bedtime. We got the bed set up, and she thought it was pretty neat. She got settled in pretty good with Cookie as a pillow. We read one story...then "one more story" and out we went. She was quiet for about 10 minutes, and then she was up wanting out. We did that about 2 more times and after the last one, she finally fell asleep, which was about 9:30. She didn't wake up until 6:15am the next morning. She crawled out of bed herself and stood in our doorway. It was actually Riley that woke me up as he was thumping his tail on the floor. I thought he was dreaming until I realized it was Alyssa. My, the time has flown. I can't believe she adjusted so well into a big girl bed. I continue to look at her in amazement! It just baffles me how far she's come. I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm just so proud of her!



Sunday we decided to go to the school park to see what was there. She enjoyed the new equipment, but the slides were 'too hot' to go down.

Playing with her watering can that we got her for her birthday. It worked great until she realized that she could dump the water onto Mommy and Daddy! Then it became a game!

And with the spade. She was helping Dad take out some of the dirt from the front flower bed. She was covered in dirt by the time she was finished. She also had a hard time resisting shoveling the dirt OUT of the trailer and wheelbarrow!

May 2-4 Weekend

Mmmm cheesies!

Grandma found her a ducky watering can. She walked around 'watering' the plants...aka weeds! and everyone's feet!

Alyssa's first campfire. She wasn't too sure what to make of it!

She has a hang nail and would not leave it alone!

Snuggles with Grandma :)...while picking her fingers!

Sitting on Riley...while picking her fingers!

She loved the sparklers, but didn't know what to think of them!

Loved roasting marshmallows!

Loved eating them more! "ONE MORE!"

Grandma and Grandpa got a new outdoor set for Alyssa to play with.

She was cheering them on as she waiting patiently. All she wanted to do was go down the slide!

Telling Mommy to "come on up!"

Watching as Grandpa and Uncle Adam install the slide!

So happy with the new playset! I'm sure she'll spend many hours on there this summer!

Alyssa likes hamburgers

With warmer weather, out comes the BBQ. And of course, a great BBQ treat are hamburgers. We knew Alyssa would never be able to hold a huge hamburger so we found sliders that are just her size! She loved them! Inhaled the whole thing with all the toppings just like Mom and Dad!

Mississauga Half Marathon

Today was Craig, Christy and Dustin's Mississauga Half Marathon Race. While the weather had been threatening rain all week prior, the day turned out to be ok. It was a bit windy but there was just a drizzle, which kept them cool while running. Every single one of them ran under 2:00 and Craig and Christy made a new PB. I'm proud of each one of them for accomplishing yet another amazing feat that some only dream of. I hate to admit it, but a small part (right now, it's a VERY small part) of me wants that same 'runners high' that they have and that feeling of personal accomplishment as you step across the finish line happy with your race.

Trying to keep warm and dry before they take off.

Always a few last minute race discussions.

And they're off...finally!

Craig coming up on the 12k mark. He looked strong at this point. Mom and Dad were there to cheer him on! It was company for me and more support for Craig so I'm glad they came! (Selfishly, they were back-ups incase something happened to me)

Coming around the lake front at Port Credit. He looks tired and worn here, but somehow manages to push through it with great time!

Congrats again to them all! I get goosebumps when I tell people what you've done in the past 3 weeks!

Playing at the Park

With long overdue nice weather, Alyssa and I decided to take the wagon to the park. How different the park is this year compared to last, as she can now slide by herself. In fact, she takes my hand and tells me to "stand there" and "catch, Mommy." And I'm not sure where the time went, but she no longer enjoys the baby swing anymore, now it's the big girl swing. I give her a few pushes and she tells me to "sit on that swing" and swing with her. I'm sure the baby appreciates the sensation, but she insists I sit beside her. This summer is going to be great with her, I can't wait!

Oakville 10k

Craig and I spent our anniversary weekend in Toronto while Alyssa stayed with Aunt Christy and Uncle Dustin. They took her to the Toronto Zoo and played lots at home. We had a great weekend of beautiful weather with lots of walking, a Blue Jays game and a jazz club on Saturday. To top it off, the 3 D's (deaf, dumb and dynamite) ran the Oakville Mercedes 10k. After the 10k there was a toddler trot in which we signed Alyssa up. She was in a great mood all morning, but come time for the race, she fell apart. We took bunny away...big mistake. Lead to a huge meltdown. Then she saw a scary apple costume, which freaked her right out. She was also very tired. Needless to say, Craig walked her around the 300m course. Next year, this race is ours!

Christy sprints across the finish! Yay!

Craig is there with Dustin, just behind the woman in black.

See, he finished!

I have a feeling this photo will end up at her wedding!

Even Alyssa gets a ribbon.

The finishers! Yay!