Playtime and Haircut

Daniel really liked playing with wooden food when we've gone visiting others who have it. So how could I resist getting him some of his own? I chose the healthiest options: fruits and vegetables, with some bread thrown in. He got 2 knives and a cutting board, too! I've been supplementing the foods with other things as I find them, like plates, bowls, a juicer, containers of condiments, and sandwich fixings (where would a Mom be without construction paper and glue?!).

Daniel LOVES it and everyone who comes to our house has a feast!
(Notice the before and after haircut differences in the following pictures!)

Richard's Dad came for a visit this past weekend. He had to eat a LOT of food!

The big event of the weekend was getting Daniel's hair cut. I've been back and forth about it for a while. I loved his curls, but they could be unruly. I didn't want him mistaken for a girl, but folks were always commenting on how much they loved his curly hair. I've trimmed it a few times but knew it needed more.

Richard has been going to the same barber in Flagstaff for decades and promised John he would be the first to cut Daniel's hair. John even ordered special "First Haircut" certificates! When we called to see if he was in, he actually made a special trip to the Barber Shop just to cut Daniel's hair. He even left the Closed sign up so no one else would come in (and he could go home afterwards because he wasn't feeling well). John was as much a trooper as Daniel! I miss the curls a lot less thinking about how happy it seemed to make John to cut Richard's son's hair and give him the certificate. Thanks John!

He was so serious the whole haircut, but managed a little smile as John trimmed with the tickly clippers!

Daniel really wasn't sure what to make of the whole thing. He didn't seem to care either way, but the fuss we were making seemed to make him more nervous than the haircut!

Maybe the curls will grow back?

A Grand Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend at Grand Canyon with Amanda, Yuki, and Maya. Daniel and Yuki are a little over a year apart and have always gotten along well together.  It's so much fun to watch them interact and play!

In the sand box with Daddy serving breakfast.

Looking for wildlife in the forest.

Maya!

Happy family!

And another happy family!

Daniel loves riding on Daddy's shoulders. We can get him to go almost anywhere if he gets to ride on Richard's shoulders! He'll be too big too soon! 

Holbrook Entertainment

I couldn't resist sharing just a few photos of some of the things we have done lately at home. Finger painting and bubbles were a big hit!

The large bubble recipe that worked is 4 cups water, 1/2 cup Dawn liquid dish soap, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Mix well  and let it settle. The plastic flyswatter makes GREAT bubbles, though Daniel got the bubble solution super frothy with it. Another bubble maker is a straw cut in half with a string threaded through the pieces and tied, making a square shape when you hold it up. Works great, though better with someone older than 3. :)

There was a community event at the elementary school where Daniel played hard outside. Here he takes a break with Richard before coming in for water and snacks. Then it was off to the playground again!

Pretend City

While in California, Daniel and I went to a Children's Museum called Pretend City. And it was just that - a pretend city with library, art studio, fire station, beach, grocery store, restaurant, garden, construction site, and more! Daniel loved it. A lot of the stuff was showing its age, but it was still a wonderful experience. Daniel is just now getting into pretend play, so I was pretty excited to see him at "work" in so many areas!

The construction site was Daniel's favorite. We kept going back to it. I was sad there was only one set of pliers and no more tools, but the pipes were pretty good!

Once Daniel found the orange safety helmet, he wouldn't take it off. He had it on when we took a break for lunch and when we went on our second trip to the garden. It kept slipping off because the adjustable strap inside was missing, but he refused to switch it for another.

OOPS!

 The garden had lots of great tools, in addition to the vegetables Daniel could plant and dig up. The "dirt" was shredded tire. I've also seen this used in fossil dig sites and even on playgrounds. What a great reuse of old tires! The walls had orange trees, apple trees, and strawberry plants with fruit that could be picked right off the plant! You can see the oranges in the backgrounds above. Very creative.

There was a house in the city, with all the necessary rooms. Daniel liked the kitchen and bathroom best.

Daniel made pizza in the restaurant and a sandwich with all the fixin's in the grocery store.

He went fishing and colored an airplane for his Uncle Mikey.

He went to the fire station where he lifted weights, and then he drove a car along the "beach." It was such a fun day!

Daniel's Birthday!

Daniel turned 3 on April 27! We had an early party for him in Holbrook before heading out to Las Vegas and California. We celebrated his birthday for the whole next week! Lots of pool time in Vegas and beach and family time in California.

Early Birthday Party at our House:

Yummy birthday cake!

Daniel loved his power drill and safety goggles.

Yes, he loved the drill and goggles.

Still loving the drill and goggles. I had to pry them away before his bath and bedtime!

Las Vegas Action:

We love the pool!

T-ball was a big hit in Vegas! Daniel can really whack that ball!

And what would a trip to Vegas be without a game of video poker? The twins show Daniel how it's done.

 California Lifestyle:

Laguna Beach, of course. Twice during the week! Doesn't get any better than a beautiful day at the beach.

Daniel found this perfect pool of water in the rocks and played in it almost the whole time! Adding "ingredients" to his "soup" and stirring it up with his feet was a big hit both days we were there.

Happy on the beach!

Daniel watches Matthew and Richard play Smash Ball.

He's already got the surf pose down!

Spaghetti Factory was super fun with Uncle Mikey! Daniel turned his elephant balloon into a hat and tuba so he could share the fun.

Daniel shows Matthew how to use my IPhone while we wait for a table at the Spaghetti Factory.

Hildegard's "new" backyard was a big hit this trip!

Richard, Matthew, and Daniel at a playground. Daniel was pretty tired at the end of every day!

It was really nice to have so much time with family in California. And especially with Michael and Denise coming down from Bellingham. They are expecting a baby boy in August. Daniel will have another cousin to play with!