Black Friday

Well - I am officially a grown up. I shopped Black Friday all by myself. I have gone with mom before, but then she had the plan and just told me what to do and we were a great team! This morning I arrived at Walmart at about 4:15. I am so grateful my kids are not old enough to really care what they get! The lines for the big ticket electronics were crazy! I found a ton of great things, chatted with some ladies while we were waiting, and even had fun getting through he maze of aisles.
Here is the best part. I really wanted to get Asher her first cabbage patch doll. They had newborn ones on sale that were pink and purple. I finally found them and grabbed one. The box was a little bent up so I grabbed another one. When I got home I was so proud and showed Matt. It was then that I realized I had bought a dark skinned cabbage patch doll. It is super cute - just the opposite of my very white skinned baby girl! We decided to name her "Holly Berry" to celebrate multicultural dollies and the Christmas season. Asher will love it.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas is coming...

We got our Christmas tree up this weekend. Our investment of the pre-lit tree pays off again. All I had to do was stack it up, plug it in, and fan the branches. I highly recommend one.

I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but we figured since we are going to be out of town next weekend we should get it up now. Aidan liked it and kept saying he didn't know how to put ornaments on it. Later he helped us put some on but kept putting two on one branch. Asher was very interested in the tree. Here are some videos of her. Just a little early taste of the season.

This was Asher's first take on the tree. Later with the ornaments on it we had to keep an eye on her. She kept grabbing the ornaments to look at them.

This was Asher later this evening practicing her Santa Claus routine. She has to sneak in, leave the presents, and dash out of there. Notice the piggy slippers that she got from the Shocks for her birthday. She loves them and will actually keep them on.

Here are the elfs next to the tree. Look at them holding hands!

As you can see Asher is waving.

When I grow up...

I have asked Aidan on several occasions what he wants to be when he grows up. Now, most kids say things like Superman or a fireman or something along those lines. The first time I asked Aidan this question he said, "I want to be nothing." Hmmmm.... Well, he has decided....
Yesterday in the car on the way home from school we were talking as we usually do every day. I asked him again and he said, "I want to be a dog catcher." I thought maybe he meant a vet or something along those lines so I asked him if he wanted to be a doctor that takes care of sick animals and makes them better and he said, "No mama, I want to be a dog catcher. Can you get me a big cage so I can put the animals in there when I catch them?" I am not sure where he got this idea from. We have never talked about it or saw a "dog catcher" in action catching a doggie....
I love Aidan's one of a kind comments. :)

'Tis the Season

Well - 'tis the season for the kids getting sick...
It seems like we have had one or both of our kiddos sick for the past month or so. They both have been fighting fever, runny noses, and fussiness lately. Grandma even pitched in and watched Asher today so Matt and I didn't have to miss another day of work. We hope Asher will be fever free in the morning and able to go to Miss Claudia's.

On a side note, Aidan's latest kick has been having both Matt and I put him to bed every night. We have to each hold his hand and then when we walk in the room one of us has to go pat Asher's back and the other tuck Aidan in. We have both always tucked him in, but now he is adamant that it has to be at the same time. I also didn't realize what a creature of habit he is. Tonight we put Asher to bed a little early, and since we usually put their jammies on at the same time, Aidan didn't have his on yet. We walked upstairs and I wanted to brush his teeth before books. Well, he told me, "That's not what we always do mama." I quickly realized that he knows our bedtime routine better than I do...

They Love Each Other

I absolutely love the fact that Aidan and Asher love to play together. Yesterday Aidan wanted to read to his sister and did a great job telling her the stories.

He was helping her feel the different parts she could touch on the book. Asher wants to do whatever big brother is doing, follows him around, and wants to eat whatever he eats. She loves having a big brother!

We love to dance to country music in the living room! Matt and I usually each take one and dance, but Aidan decided to dance with little sister and Daddy and I got to dance together some too.

The Pooh train that Uncle Zach got for Aidan a few years ago is one of Asher's favorite toys! They now push each other around the house. Daddy had to teach Aidan that he had to "help" Ashy push him. They love this train!

Asher is pretty good at sitting like a big girl at their little table. Aidan really likes having her sit by him. She sits at a table at Miss Claudia's and even sleeps on a sleep mat instead of a pack and play. What a big girl!

The kids are growing up so fast! Aidan LOVES to play outside now that he has the awesome fort daddy and grandpa built. He has such a cute little personality. We asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said, "toys, winter clothes, and little eggs." Where he got the winter clothes from I have no idea! He must have heard daddy and I talk about it or learned it at school. He still loves the little plastic Easter eggs. He can write his name and learned his first word, it. We like to go on a hunt for the word when we are reading and are trying to learn the which is a little harder. He loves to read, especially right before bed. He is doing great at school, learning a ton and having fun. He is a great big brother and a big help to mom and dad.

Asher is so beautiful. She understands when we ask her questions and nods yes or no. You can tell she is trying to talk, and has said duck and we think cup. She runs everywhere now. She loves the doggies and lights up when she sees Aidan. She also is really good at following directions. She loves to brush her teeth, and wants a toothbrush if she sees anyone else brushing. She has been pretty good about letting me do her hair and put bows and ponytails in. I love doing that!!

I love this stage the kids are in. They make each other so happy and we love to watch them play!

Aidan's Big Day! (9 Weeks Later...)

They grow up so fast...

This summer Tiff changed school districts in an effort to be closer to home. At her new school, Old Town Elementary, there is a class for teacher's kids in which Aidan is now attending. He is there with other teacher's kids and Pre-K students with special needs.

He has learned a lot and loves going. In the morning he plays in Tiff's classroom for a little while before going to his class, and after school he gets to play in her room and watch TV some too. She loves having him there. It is cute to see him walking with his class in the halls and sitting in the cafeteria eating (sometimes) his lunch. He has a 'girl' friend in his class. According to his teachers they are like a married couple; either friends or arguing. Everyday when he gets home we have to sit on the front porch and dump the sand out of his shoes from the playground at school. Sometimes the sand is in his hair. Everyday I ask him how his day went and he says 'fab-a-lous.' He is turning into quite the little boy.

Here are a few pictures from his first day.

Aidan all ready with his lunchbox and backpack.

Tiff and Aidan walking from the parking lot to the school

Aaaa!

This wasn't from the first day, but it is cute to see them in their matching Old Town Texans T-shirts.

Boo Who!?!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We had a great time with the kids 'Trick or Treating.' Aidan was a dog and Asher was a kitty. Aidan is the one who decided on the costumes. Tiff did a great job making the costumes and Meme provided the ears and tails. They tested the costumes out at a Halloween party at Miss Claudia's (our daycare), and then after a little repair they were good to go for the big day. Surprisingly Asher kept the ears on.

Grandma and Grandpa came in from the boonies (Georgetown) to man the door and candy bowl at our house. Aidan walked most of the time and Asher either rode in the wagon or was carried. Aidan started a little shy but said 'Trick or Treat' at every house we went to. Asher liked to sit in the wagon and rifle through her goodies. Every once and awhile she would drop some candy on the ground and that meant it was Aidan's for the swipping. We only hit about 10 houses before calling it quits to get home and put Asher to bed. The funny thing is that after all that hard work Aidan hasn't asked for any candy since then. That leaves more for Mommy and Daddy.

Aidan before the party at Miss Claudia's.

Asher at the party.

Mommy Dog and her litter.

SuperDad with his feline companion 'Puss who Poops.'

Trick or Treat!

Notice how Aidan is half behind Tiff.

Asher checking out her winnings for the night.

Aidan helped hand out candy at the end of the night. I would put 2 things in a bag and Aidan would put 2 more in the same bag.

Tip for next Year:

Come to the Buss house late and you'll get handfuls of candy so I don't have to eat the leftovers.

Happy Halloween!

T'was the night before Halloween...

Well we did our annual pumpkin carving with the kids. Asher looked a little bit but then ran off to climb things. Aidan actually took more interest than usual. He stayed up with us and drew faces on the pumpkins while we carved. Here are a few pictures of the nights festivities. We will post some pictures of costumed children this weekend. Enjoy!

We started outside but there were too many bugs.

Asher the pumpkin inspector

Aidan scooping some guts

Tiff's on the right and mine on the left

Aidan's concept as carved by Daddy

Trying to update

Well more and more time seems to pass and life goes on and nothing is posted. So we are trying to update this. A few things to come are Aidan's first day of school, Asher's first birthday, and our recent trip to the pumpkin patch. We are sorry that we are so bad at this, but I leave you with a picture of the cutest girl ever!!!

I said 'smile' and sure enough she smiled. Asher that is, not Tiff.

Our First Family Photos

We had our first family pictures taken by Rachel Parkhurst in Old Settlers Park. She did a great job! I love how much the kids look like each other. Uncle Kaleb was here and was able to take some pictures with the kids also.

Uncle Kaleb with the kids.

Daddy found a really big ant and Aidan was wondering where it was going.

Swimming Lessons

Last month the kids took swimming lesson through the YMCA. The classes met at Dell Diamond so they were close for us. Asher did very well and is taking to the water much better than Aidan did. Aidan has really changed this summer. He is now swimming on his own with arm floaties. Gone are the days of him clinging to us the whole time in the pool. Here are a few pictures and videos of their classes. Asher's class was a 'Mommy and me' class. Aidan was on his own with some support from Uncle Kaleb.

Aidan and Uncle Kaleb sitting on the side of the pool

Aidan waiting to jump in.

Aidan going for some rings.

Tiff and Asher

Surfing Baby!


Hold your breath Asher!

Aidan's very belated 3rd birthday

Yes, Aidan's birthday has come and gone (April 11) - but we still want to share pictures of that wonderful day. I can't believe our firstborn is already 3!!

Aidan's 1st Birthday

Aidan's 3rd Birthday
Matt and I have started a tradition of taking off work for Aidan's birthday (and will for Asher's also). We spent the day with mostly just Aidan and had a wonderful time.

Good morning son! Happy Birthday!

Opening presents - and one of Aidan's favorite books - How Does a Dinosaur Play with His Friends.

We went to Old Settler's and took some pictures in the bluebonnets and then Aidan and Daddy flew a kite.

Aidan loves Maggie Moo's!! He got that from his Uncle Kaleb! His favorite is strawberry ice cream with sprinkles and gummy bears.

We celebrated with a little cake at home.We went to the Express game with Grandad and Miss Gerry. Taking our picture with the cow at Dell Diamond was HUGE!! Before this day, Aidan had always been petrified of Spike and any large strange looking animal or person, including Santa and the Easter Bunny. On his birthday he saw the cow and wanted us to go after him and then hug him. This was monumental!! He still is only a fan of Spike from far away, but maybe someday!
Aidan and Sissy eating cracker jacks and watching the game.

We had an awesome day with Aidan on his birthday. I like this family tradition of one on one time with the birthday child!

Cameron Park Zoo

We had a lot of fun at the Cameron Park Zoo last week. It was our first family trip to the zoo! It is in Waco which is a little over an hour away. The kids did great on the car ride there and back. Even though it was 100 degrees out, there was a lot of shade and even a few water play spots so we were able to keep cool. I would recommend it for anyone who doesn't want to make the 2 hour drive to the San Antonio Zoo. Aidan and Mommy looking at the Tigers

Checking out the elephants.
Aidan LOVED the monkeys! There were 3 of them that were swinging all over!

Daddy and Aidan watching the monkeys. If you look closely you can see one in the tree.

The turtle was HUGE! Aidan was also wet from splashing around in the sprinklers!

Our two little ladybugs!

There were lots of fish to look at.

Aidan really liked the alligators!

This is really hard to see but it is a black bear that would swim right up to the glass tank. It was really neat to see!

By this time Asher had finally feel asleep around 2:00 for a nap.

The snakes were great! They were right on Aidan's level.

Taking an ice cream break to cool off. We had a lot of fun together!