Nick and I went out to dinner last night at Smokey Bones with my friend and her new husband. Tasarah and her husband, Chris, are both from Walla Walla. They just got married and are stationed out here in VA at Langley AFB. We also learned that you have to be 18+years to order steak because of the raw-consumption laws. VA is weird...
So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Send me an email with your address, to: thegiannifamily@yahoo.com
Remember only the first three get a gift....so be quick!
Lately, Aiden has been testing my patience a whole lot. Today for instance, we were in the WIC office. He would freak out and scream every time someone came near him. He had to have a new piece of paper to color on every 30 seconds and nobody in the office really wanted to help me out. He also wouldn't let me put him down. Mind you, I had Elle with us too. (Another 2 yr old I watch.) When they pricked his finger to test his iron, and he saw the blood, it was GAME OVER. He proceeded to scream bloody murder for 20 minutes after that. We left with blood all over both of us. Needless to say, he has been really testing my patience.
It surprises me how he can completely ruin my day sometimes, but at the end of the day, he always manages to make me smile.
So I have gotten a lot of e-mails about making chocolate cake in the microwave. Well I FINALLY decided to try it out. Here are the pics and recipe for those brave enough to try it!!! 5 Minute Chocolate Mug... 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE 4 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). 
I took Aiden out on a date tonight. He fell asleep on the way! We went to the Disney store where Aiden picked out 2 stuffed animals. Woody & Buzz. He thought he was so cool carrying around his own shopping bag! We then went to Johnny Rockets for dinner. He had ketchup to eat and milk & coke to drink. What a cheap date!
This is how Aiden reacted to his first Taco Bell soft taco.
Erika: "Aiden, wanna eat?"
Aiden: "Ma, baby wanna eat."
Erika: "Here is your taco."
Aiden proceeds to look inside of it...
Aiden: "Maaaameee, don't want dis poopy taco."
Apparently Taco Bell's ground beef looks like poop to a child. Ever since this incident, he won't eat anything brown, for example, m&m's, and chocolate chip cookies...HAHAHAHA
Nick has been mentioning that he would love an old car to restore. When he was little, his dad and him restored a 1979 Camaro. When Nick found one on Craigslist for $300, he begged on his knees (just kidding) for me to buy it for him. I figured $300 was a steal because there are the same year Camaros online that are in worse condition, selling for $5000. Here is the start of Nick's project. 
I was at the mall and when I pulled in the driveway, Nick was on the front porch. He told me Aiden was in the living room watching Batman. When I opened the door, this is what I found....
Aiden with his Batman pajama top on backwards, and both of his legs through one of the holes in his Superman pajama shorts!
We moved into a house closer to Nick's work. It's 1,600 square feet and was built in 1939. It has been upgraded of course! The thing I love the most is that whenever any door or window leading to the outside is opening, the alarm beeps! I can keep track of the kiddos this way. I starting watching another 2 year old named Elle. Aiden and her get along really well. Here are some pictures for everyone to enjoy!
Aiden and Elle, the little girl I watch
Aiden and Elle 
Nick, Aiden, Elle
Aiden helping Nick plant some bushes
Aiden and Elle using sidewalk Chalk
Nick and Aiden
Nick
Aiden
The massive bunny that lives in our yard
My huge kitchen!
Lots of Cupboards!
I love it!
