As Andrew gets older we keep a closer track on what some of the outside influences are with his watching of tv (or ours!) and other things that he sees or experiences.
Andrew and I went to run a few errands yesterday to get a few things done, but more importantly get Andrew out and about since we were in the house a good portion of the weekend with our ice storm.
While driving to a local warehouse club I was talking to Andrew and doing our best animal imitations (he is an excellent snake and does a fantastic elephant!) but in the back ground Daddy had the radio on to NPR while they are talking about the news of the day.
I thought nothing of it until I am taking Andrew out of the truck and he looks at me and says 'Iraq.'
I was trying to figure out what it was that he said, and continued to say for a while since we weren't talking about rocks, dirt, or any other fun toddler boy thing like snow to talk about until I realized that they were talking about Iraq on the news story.
It's interesting to hear what words they pick up and from varying sources. I recall a story about Andrew's cousin picking up a word that was a little advanced for her 3 years on this planet. When Miss E kept asking about what a 'kiosk' was you know she heard it from someone's conversation.
The little things that they pick up.
-Daddy
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Mathew! Laney!
Last night we went over to some friends house for coffee, desert, and a little socializing before the holiday.
Andrew really had a ball playing with their son and daughter Mathew (4) and Delaney (2.5). Mathew is always Andrew's hero when they get together as Mathew shows him all sorts of tricks that Andrew had never thought of before like running and sliding, and all kinds of little boy things that only experience can teach.
But it was fun to see Andrew and Delaney play around together, they danced, hugged, sat and watched a little grinch, and actually started playing together a bit. Mostly along side each other still, but some together.
It was fun seeing them all run around in their footed pj's when it was time for bed. Andrew was up later than normal, so we took him home and got him in bed around 9:30p which is significantly later than normal.
Of course he woke up at the same time, and has been a little more decisive about what he wants this morning, peppered with a few pursed lip 'NO!' here and there. But once you explain that isn't how he should behave, he gives a big Andrew grin and says 'Nice nice Daddy' and gives you a little love pat on your leg or shoulder. He certainly can play both sides. He knows just what you are looking for!
-Daddy
Andrew really had a ball playing with their son and daughter Mathew (4) and Delaney (2.5). Mathew is always Andrew's hero when they get together as Mathew shows him all sorts of tricks that Andrew had never thought of before like running and sliding, and all kinds of little boy things that only experience can teach.
But it was fun to see Andrew and Delaney play around together, they danced, hugged, sat and watched a little grinch, and actually started playing together a bit. Mostly along side each other still, but some together.
It was fun seeing them all run around in their footed pj's when it was time for bed. Andrew was up later than normal, so we took him home and got him in bed around 9:30p which is significantly later than normal.
Of course he woke up at the same time, and has been a little more decisive about what he wants this morning, peppered with a few pursed lip 'NO!' here and there. But once you explain that isn't how he should behave, he gives a big Andrew grin and says 'Nice nice Daddy' and gives you a little love pat on your leg or shoulder. He certainly can play both sides. He knows just what you are looking for!
-Daddy
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Date pictures
While my parents were in town Angela and I were able to head out on our first date since having Andrew. I think that once we got over the initial shock of letting someone watch our precious son that we both had a good time.
We planned it well in advance and Daddy got tickets to a show for the Saturday night after Thanksgiving. We were going to see Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion for one of their live taping while in NYC.
We had seen the show prior to Andrew being born (actually Angela was pregnant with Andrew at the time) and it is a great evening of entertainment.
We decided to head in prior to Andrew's nap to the city and enjoy a full day around the city exploring and having a fun lunch before the show.
We ended up doing what most parents do on their first date without the little one, talking about Andrew, how he was doing, what we miss about him, and doing Andrew imitations throughout the date for things that we thought that he would do or say in that situation.
We went shopping for both Andrew as well as his future sister and went to a few baby boutiques on the upper east side of Manhattan. There were plenty of nice things, and we got a few little chotchkies, but it was surprising to see the sale rack in one boutique which had their sign hung explaining that it was $75 or less for this rack of clothes! I guess when you have a small place, you get fewer things which are nicer!
We made it to a really nice Italian bistro for lunch and both of us really enjoyed it. Having not been out in a while without Andrew we sat and enjoyed the silence while talking about Andrew and what to expect with his little sister on the way.
Here we are on our date after lunch on the upper east side.
We walked south along Lexington for quite a few blocks dipping into stores to check out their wears, apparently we were in line for several baby stores, as I think that in a span of 8 blocks we hit 4 stores!
We walked over and along Central Park East for a few more blocks until we hit the south side of the park and decided that since we hadn't had an opportunity in the past to take one of the carriage rides that we would line up with everyone else from out of town and take a tour around the park.
It was a very chilly day, but with the blanket on and all bundled up in the carriage, it was fun to see the park from a slightly differ ant vantage point.
Once we got closer, we stopped at a coffee shop for a pre-show hot cocoa and some very tasty deserts (Choc mousse and a lemon bar).
We took our seats which were very good this time. It's something to see everyone on stage up close so that during the rest of the year when you listen to the show on public radio it makes it a little more personal.
We had a great time, and on the way home from our show we realized that Andrew was sleeping soundly and we only had a few times to get out, so we stopped at a restaurant and did something we can't do with Andrew, we sat at the bar on bar chairs and had dinner in a fun, and noisy restaurant.
We realized after the evening was over that it was fun, and we will need to do a few more of these before we get back into the baby swing of things. Perhaps while visiting the Grandparents next time!
We planned it well in advance and Daddy got tickets to a show for the Saturday night after Thanksgiving. We were going to see Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion for one of their live taping while in NYC.
We had seen the show prior to Andrew being born (actually Angela was pregnant with Andrew at the time) and it is a great evening of entertainment.
We decided to head in prior to Andrew's nap to the city and enjoy a full day around the city exploring and having a fun lunch before the show.
We ended up doing what most parents do on their first date without the little one, talking about Andrew, how he was doing, what we miss about him, and doing Andrew imitations throughout the date for things that we thought that he would do or say in that situation.
We went shopping for both Andrew as well as his future sister and went to a few baby boutiques on the upper east side of Manhattan. There were plenty of nice things, and we got a few little chotchkies, but it was surprising to see the sale rack in one boutique which had their sign hung explaining that it was $75 or less for this rack of clothes! I guess when you have a small place, you get fewer things which are nicer!
We made it to a really nice Italian bistro for lunch and both of us really enjoyed it. Having not been out in a while without Andrew we sat and enjoyed the silence while talking about Andrew and what to expect with his little sister on the way.
Here we are on our date after lunch on the upper east side.
We walked south along Lexington for quite a few blocks dipping into stores to check out their wears, apparently we were in line for several baby stores, as I think that in a span of 8 blocks we hit 4 stores!
We walked over and along Central Park East for a few more blocks until we hit the south side of the park and decided that since we hadn't had an opportunity in the past to take one of the carriage rides that we would line up with everyone else from out of town and take a tour around the park.
It was a very chilly day, but with the blanket on and all bundled up in the carriage, it was fun to see the park from a slightly differ ant vantage point.
Once we got closer, we stopped at a coffee shop for a pre-show hot cocoa and some very tasty deserts (Choc mousse and a lemon bar).
We took our seats which were very good this time. It's something to see everyone on stage up close so that during the rest of the year when you listen to the show on public radio it makes it a little more personal.
We had a great time, and on the way home from our show we realized that Andrew was sleeping soundly and we only had a few times to get out, so we stopped at a restaurant and did something we can't do with Andrew, we sat at the bar on bar chairs and had dinner in a fun, and noisy restaurant.
We realized after the evening was over that it was fun, and we will need to do a few more of these before we get back into the baby swing of things. Perhaps while visiting the Grandparents next time!
Oatmeal kid...
Andrew has become an oatmeal connoisseur. He now jumps out of bed, runs around to get Daddy's glasses (Glasses! Daddy glasses!). And once Daddy gets his glasses on it is off and running for the kitchen with only a slight delay to close the bedroom door as he runs out.
The next sound we hear is the creek of the pantry door open and Andrew call out what he is looking for in the pantry for breakfast.
Usually it is: Meal! Meal! Which corresponds to oatmeal.
Other times it can be:
bread = toast
seal = cereal
fuit = fruit
nana = banana
he has these next ones down:
apple
pancake
waffle
raisins
But our breakfast wishes are now bleeding over to the other meals and snacks of the day. He usually wants oatmeal at any time of the day, he really enjoys it and in the morning can quaff down two whole instant oatmeal bags (more than Daddy can eat usually!) in conjunction with his milk, other kind of fruit and sometimes another item from the list above.
Daddy remembers eating oatmeal in the morning with his Grandfather when there was no instant oatmeal. I would wait while they heated up the water, cooked the plain oatmeal and then we would get to flavor our own oatmeal with yummy things like butter, raisins, cinnamon, sugar, and other various treats (like choc chips we I was really good!).
I must admit, oatmeal is a lot easier with the creation of the instant variety, but I wonder if Andrew and his sister will ever recall waiting for the oatmeal to cook and the fun of adding whatever we wanted to make our oatmeal our own.
Daddy
The next sound we hear is the creek of the pantry door open and Andrew call out what he is looking for in the pantry for breakfast.
Usually it is: Meal! Meal! Which corresponds to oatmeal.
Other times it can be:
bread = toast
seal = cereal
fuit = fruit
nana = banana
he has these next ones down:
apple
pancake
waffle
raisins
But our breakfast wishes are now bleeding over to the other meals and snacks of the day. He usually wants oatmeal at any time of the day, he really enjoys it and in the morning can quaff down two whole instant oatmeal bags (more than Daddy can eat usually!) in conjunction with his milk, other kind of fruit and sometimes another item from the list above.
Daddy remembers eating oatmeal in the morning with his Grandfather when there was no instant oatmeal. I would wait while they heated up the water, cooked the plain oatmeal and then we would get to flavor our own oatmeal with yummy things like butter, raisins, cinnamon, sugar, and other various treats (like choc chips we I was really good!).
I must admit, oatmeal is a lot easier with the creation of the instant variety, but I wonder if Andrew and his sister will ever recall waiting for the oatmeal to cook and the fun of adding whatever we wanted to make our oatmeal our own.
Daddy
Yea for the Pancake House!
In our quest for some breakfast in a warm restaurant we went to Andrew's favorite (and ours!) the Pancake house.
He is so cute, he calls for "Pancake! pancake! pancake!" and we know just what he wants. But today we changed it up on him and after telling him that the restaurant was called Pancake House he started jumping around and clapping yelling "Pancake House! Pancake house! Yea!!!"
We got there and since it was early we were one of the few tables in the restaurant so Andrew didn't get a lot of play time with the toys before breakfast was served. But he was hungry so no matter.
He quickly ate two and a half whole pancakes along with some of Momma's strawberries and Daddy's potatoes yummy!
Good time, and we were able to call for the delivery and they got there shortly after we were back from breakfast. Andrew and Momma went out to get some groceries, and they came to fill it while they were out.
Brrrr!
Yea Pancake house!
-Daddy
He is so cute, he calls for "Pancake! pancake! pancake!" and we know just what he wants. But today we changed it up on him and after telling him that the restaurant was called Pancake House he started jumping around and clapping yelling "Pancake House! Pancake house! Yea!!!"
We got there and since it was early we were one of the few tables in the restaurant so Andrew didn't get a lot of play time with the toys before breakfast was served. But he was hungry so no matter.
He quickly ate two and a half whole pancakes along with some of Momma's strawberries and Daddy's potatoes yummy!
Good time, and we were able to call for the delivery and they got there shortly after we were back from breakfast. Andrew and Momma went out to get some groceries, and they came to fill it while they were out.
Brrrr!
Yea Pancake house!
-Daddy
Brrrr Good morning!
Brrrrr! Said both Momma and Daddy when we woke up this morning!
Andrew was nestled in the bed between us going back and forth giving each of us morning kisses and "Bear" hugs (where he give a big hug and growls!).
Daddy went into the hall to see what was wrong with the temperature in the house since it was so chilly, and found that it was 59 degrees in the house! Brrrrr!
We had run out of oil! Even though we are NEVER supposed to run out of oil since we are on automatic delivery from our oil provider. They are supposed to base deliveries on temperature, and past usage. This has been an issue in the past as well and we have decided that it is the last straw! Time for a new oil provider!
So we all got dressed quickly and ran out to get some breakfast while we called for an emergency delivery.
-Brrrrr! Daddy
Andrew was nestled in the bed between us going back and forth giving each of us morning kisses and "Bear" hugs (where he give a big hug and growls!).
Daddy went into the hall to see what was wrong with the temperature in the house since it was so chilly, and found that it was 59 degrees in the house! Brrrrr!
We had run out of oil! Even though we are NEVER supposed to run out of oil since we are on automatic delivery from our oil provider. They are supposed to base deliveries on temperature, and past usage. This has been an issue in the past as well and we have decided that it is the last straw! Time for a new oil provider!
So we all got dressed quickly and ran out to get some breakfast while we called for an emergency delivery.
-Brrrrr! Daddy
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Glove!!!
Andrew is not the typical toddler in many ways, but one that has perplexed both Momma and Daddy is his recent fascination with wearing his mittens everywhere.
He calls them gloves, but he really enjoys running around (inside and out) with them on.
For the past few mornings when Momma dropped Andrew off at school he would nearly go into a mini-melt down while she would help him take off his coat because she takes his mittens off first.
Glove! Glove! GGGLLLOOOVVVEEE!!!!
So once the coat is off she hands him his mittens (gloves) and he can put the first one on by himself and then struggles for a bit with the second until he calls for "Hep, hep! Hep!" with the other mitten.
He even ate most of his meal this evening at the restaurant insisting that he needed to wear his gloves. Again, when we tried it without the mittens on, we got very upset, so we were all content with Andrew munching away using his fork; albeit a little awkwardly; to eat his carrots, green beans, and fruit.
Some times, you just need to eat with mittens on.
-Daddy
He calls them gloves, but he really enjoys running around (inside and out) with them on.
For the past few mornings when Momma dropped Andrew off at school he would nearly go into a mini-melt down while she would help him take off his coat because she takes his mittens off first.
Glove! Glove! GGGLLLOOOVVVEEE!!!!
So once the coat is off she hands him his mittens (gloves) and he can put the first one on by himself and then struggles for a bit with the second until he calls for "Hep, hep! Hep!" with the other mitten.
He even ate most of his meal this evening at the restaurant insisting that he needed to wear his gloves. Again, when we tried it without the mittens on, we got very upset, so we were all content with Andrew munching away using his fork; albeit a little awkwardly; to eat his carrots, green beans, and fruit.
Some times, you just need to eat with mittens on.
-Daddy
Irish pub
Tonight the three of us went out for dinner (lately a more rare occurrence on the week nights) at a local Irish pub.
We have been going to the same place for years and have gotten to know the manager quite well. His grandson is about a month younger than Andrew so we have always shared stories with him since his family is all overseas.
Andrew really enjoyed flirting with the other patrons, especially the table of four women across the isle from us! He was all grins and giggles with waves thrown in until they finally noticed that he was looking for a reaction.
He had a whole breadstick for an appetizer and then polished off two fruit cups even before his dinner arrived.
He really enjoyed sharing Momma's soup as well. We all had a good time, and Andrew did really well going out to this restaurant.
-Daddy
We have been going to the same place for years and have gotten to know the manager quite well. His grandson is about a month younger than Andrew so we have always shared stories with him since his family is all overseas.
Andrew really enjoyed flirting with the other patrons, especially the table of four women across the isle from us! He was all grins and giggles with waves thrown in until they finally noticed that he was looking for a reaction.
He had a whole breadstick for an appetizer and then polished off two fruit cups even before his dinner arrived.
He really enjoyed sharing Momma's soup as well. We all had a good time, and Andrew did really well going out to this restaurant.
-Daddy
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Grandmother and Grandaddy
Andrew and Granddaddy out in the yard by the creek.
Grandmother and Andrew reading about Pooh and Tigger!
Grandmother and Andrew reading about Pooh and Tigger!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Thanksgiving pics
My parents came over for Thanksgiving as well as a little longer to visit and help us have a few date nights while they were here.
We really enjoyed seeing them and I know that Andrew really had fun with "Gan-d-dee" and "Gan-mafer."
While Andrew and my Mother had fun singing and learning new stories together at bed time, Andrew soon associated her with the nap queen and sometimes would give her the evil eye when he would get a little tired thinking that she was going to put him in bed!
Andrew quickly took to my father, but then again who wouldn't when he got popcorn, cookies, and other seldom eaten treats. They had a lot of fun reading from a leap pad junior reading system that Andrew's cousin gave to him (along with lots and lots of great new books!).
For Thanksgiving we all enjoyed ourselves and of course ate entirely too much not just the day of, but in subsequent feasts throughout the holiday!
Andrew really enjoyed the jello with fruit! He ate through not only his bowl, but also Daddy's, Grandmother's, and part of Momma's before we knew it!
Momma working away inside with Grandmother trying to time everything perfectly for when the turkey was going to come out of the fryer. This is our 6th year doing the turkey this way and I don't think that we will go back! With skills of an supreme coordinator Angela was only off by 4 minutes from the time predicted to sit down for our massive meal together.
(She was the one who pointed out the 4 minute schedule!)
Grandmother, Grandaddy, and Momma after we had our Thanksgiving day feast.
We really enjoyed seeing them and I know that Andrew really had fun with "Gan-d-dee" and "Gan-mafer."
While Andrew and my Mother had fun singing and learning new stories together at bed time, Andrew soon associated her with the nap queen and sometimes would give her the evil eye when he would get a little tired thinking that she was going to put him in bed!
Andrew quickly took to my father, but then again who wouldn't when he got popcorn, cookies, and other seldom eaten treats. They had a lot of fun reading from a leap pad junior reading system that Andrew's cousin gave to him (along with lots and lots of great new books!).
For Thanksgiving we all enjoyed ourselves and of course ate entirely too much not just the day of, but in subsequent feasts throughout the holiday!
Andrew really enjoyed the jello with fruit! He ate through not only his bowl, but also Daddy's, Grandmother's, and part of Momma's before we knew it!
Momma working away inside with Grandmother trying to time everything perfectly for when the turkey was going to come out of the fryer. This is our 6th year doing the turkey this way and I don't think that we will go back! With skills of an supreme coordinator Angela was only off by 4 minutes from the time predicted to sit down for our massive meal together.
(She was the one who pointed out the 4 minute schedule!)
Grandmother, Grandaddy, and Momma after we had our Thanksgiving day feast.
Pickup switcheroo
This morning was a blur as Momma needed to be at work early and Daddy needed to drop Andrew off at school early enough to make it to his client on time and do two conference calls while on the road to the client.
So it was no surprise that during the flurry of getting ready this morning (including putting the car seat back in Daddy's car prior to dropping Andrew off at school) Momma and Daddy got our signals crossed for the pickup and who was doing what tonight.
During the day we also spoke about changing the schedule of who picks up and drops off for some other mornings and nights this week, so in the changing of plans we both thought that we needed to pick Andrew up at school this evening.
This is obviously a better problem to have than neither thinking that we need to pick him up! But the funny thing is that I got out of my client's site a little early to get home in time and rushed the whole way (nearly hitting a deer crossing the road a little ways from our house, thankfully the near miss and the pounding heart were the only after effects!).
I ran in, picked up Andrew and spoke with his teachers and two other fathers picking up kids for a few minutes before rounding Andrew up to get in the car.
We made it home and pulled in the drive way to see the garage light on and once inside, the laundry was running! Hmmmmm....
Just then the garage door opened and in walks Momma straight from also trying to pick up Andrew from school!
We chuckled a bit at it and Angela noted that it was interesting playing it off with his teachers when she walks in just a minute or two after I picked him up.
I am sure that this type of thing will happen again as we get closer to April when Andrew's little sister is expected, but until then, too many people picking up Andrew is always better than not enough!
-Daddy
So it was no surprise that during the flurry of getting ready this morning (including putting the car seat back in Daddy's car prior to dropping Andrew off at school) Momma and Daddy got our signals crossed for the pickup and who was doing what tonight.
During the day we also spoke about changing the schedule of who picks up and drops off for some other mornings and nights this week, so in the changing of plans we both thought that we needed to pick Andrew up at school this evening.
This is obviously a better problem to have than neither thinking that we need to pick him up! But the funny thing is that I got out of my client's site a little early to get home in time and rushed the whole way (nearly hitting a deer crossing the road a little ways from our house, thankfully the near miss and the pounding heart were the only after effects!).
I ran in, picked up Andrew and spoke with his teachers and two other fathers picking up kids for a few minutes before rounding Andrew up to get in the car.
We made it home and pulled in the drive way to see the garage light on and once inside, the laundry was running! Hmmmmm....
Just then the garage door opened and in walks Momma straight from also trying to pick up Andrew from school!
We chuckled a bit at it and Angela noted that it was interesting playing it off with his teachers when she walks in just a minute or two after I picked him up.
I am sure that this type of thing will happen again as we get closer to April when Andrew's little sister is expected, but until then, too many people picking up Andrew is always better than not enough!
-Daddy
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Yummy corn!
For dinner tonight Andrew was given a few things to eat, but by far the corn made the hit parade.
It's never too difficult at this stage with Andrew to get him to eat some form of vegetable. He loves his carrots and peas, corn from a can or especially on the cob, broccoli is always a favorite and he really really wants to eat raw veggies as well, but it takes him forever to eat them (like today's baby carrot at the b'day party which he chewed and chewed even while running around for nearly 25 minutes!
But this evening Andrew passed by the apple slices, the pieces of pizza (left over from last night's gourmet ordering!), even the offer of some yogurt or other favorites and literally stuffed his face with the corn that Daddy made on the stove top.
He cleared his plate with both hands, one with a fork and the other with fist fulls until he reached the third helping of corn which he apparently didn't need the hand any more and was OK with the pace he could keep with his fork.
Momma and Daddy were going to eat some as well, but Andrew gnawed through nearly a can of corn.
This was after we got home and Andrew ate as much honey dew melon as he could get his hands on while Daddy was slicing up the pieces. He had two whole slices of melon as a 'tide me over' until dinner was in place.
It was rough holding off that long!
-Nathan
It's never too difficult at this stage with Andrew to get him to eat some form of vegetable. He loves his carrots and peas, corn from a can or especially on the cob, broccoli is always a favorite and he really really wants to eat raw veggies as well, but it takes him forever to eat them (like today's baby carrot at the b'day party which he chewed and chewed even while running around for nearly 25 minutes!
But this evening Andrew passed by the apple slices, the pieces of pizza (left over from last night's gourmet ordering!), even the offer of some yogurt or other favorites and literally stuffed his face with the corn that Daddy made on the stove top.
He cleared his plate with both hands, one with a fork and the other with fist fulls until he reached the third helping of corn which he apparently didn't need the hand any more and was OK with the pace he could keep with his fork.
Momma and Daddy were going to eat some as well, but Andrew gnawed through nearly a can of corn.
This was after we got home and Andrew ate as much honey dew melon as he could get his hands on while Daddy was slicing up the pieces. He had two whole slices of melon as a 'tide me over' until dinner was in place.
It was rough holding off that long!
-Nathan
Birthday party
Today we all went to a colleague of Momma's birthday party for her twin sons who turned one today.
It was a lot of fun, and Andrew really enjoyed being around all of the other kids. He played with the balloons, some balls that they had as well as enjoyed the clown that they had for the children.
He really enjoyed dancing to the hokie pokey, who let the dogs out, the mac arena and all of those other heavy beat songs that they were playing.
He even wanted to do the limbo with everyone and enjoyed that until he got side tracked by a hula hoop! What fun!!!
The entertainer had a lot of fun with the kids and had all sorts of activities to run some energy off with them. Andrew was a little small to fully participate in the parachute play, but Momma helped him out and showed him how to raise and lower the parachute with everyone else. He really got a big grin with this one! He wasn't such a big fan of running under it with all the other squealing kids, but that's OK since someone needed to help Momma hold the parachute up.
There were probably close to 20 total children present with the youngest being the twins and perhaps 1-2 other children who were still either cruising or crawling around. Andrew had another set of twins to play with that were only a week older than him and we enjoyed seeing them interact with one another.
The other children ranged in age from 2-7 or 8 and it's neat to see all of the enthusiasm that each one brings to the party.
It was a "small" party by local standards! Andrew won't know what hit him when we have 4 or 5 of Momma and Daddy's friends over and perhaps a few friends for his birthday coming up! We won't be getting a hall and having it catered for a while I don't think! But we shall see.
The party started at 1pm so it was right in the middle of his nap schedule. We knew we would have some problems with that since he fell asleep in the car and woke up with only a 40 minute nap under his belt.
Andrew took his time waking up with Momma and Daddy and fortunately we were some of the fit st to arrive so it wasn't quite pandemonium in there to bring Andrew into when he was just waking up!
Andrew sensed that Daddy was trying to get him to eat something with some modicum of nutritional value with some cheese, olives, and vegetables and instead ate a hand full of crackers, yum!
Momma got to catch up with a lot of co-workers who were there and introduce Andrew to the crowd, he hammed it up and had everyone smiling with his little dimples and waves to meet everyone with.
As the party progressed and Andrew ran and ran with the other kids, learning how to chase after a bigger girl, throw balloons and spin in circles until we get dizzy enough to walk silly he started to show some signs of wearing out. By the time that the pinata was out and all the kids were ready for cake Andrew was fighting off a case of the over extended toddler syndrome, so we decided to say goodbye right after they sang happy birthday and cut the cake.
It was a good thing as Andrew started to show why they call them the terrible two's when Momma and Daddy tried to get him to put on his coat and go outside to the car. Once he settled back down we all headed out and Andrew was in a complete daze most of the way home.
What a fun day at the party! He even got a balloon animal made for him. While the other kids were asking the entertainer to make up horses (for the girls) and spiders (for the boys) as well as fish, elmo hats and other very complicated creations my son wanted what he has been asking about all week...
Side bar -
Every week or so Andrew switches what his animal of the day is. The only constant since he started talking has been puppies, but we have gone through:
1. Puppies
2. Cat
3. Bug... "Ew! Bug!"
4. Tiger
5. Bear
6. Lady Bug
7. Alligator
8. Monkey (the favorite while Grandmother and Grandaddy were in town)
And this week he asked the entertainer for her toughest balloon animal of all, a snake!
I think that even Momma and Daddy could have formed a snake out of one of those long skinny balloons! But she curled it for him and he carried it around triumphantly telling everyone that he had a snake while waving it about!
Fun day for everyone...
-Daddy
It was a lot of fun, and Andrew really enjoyed being around all of the other kids. He played with the balloons, some balls that they had as well as enjoyed the clown that they had for the children.
He really enjoyed dancing to the hokie pokey, who let the dogs out, the mac arena and all of those other heavy beat songs that they were playing.
He even wanted to do the limbo with everyone and enjoyed that until he got side tracked by a hula hoop! What fun!!!
The entertainer had a lot of fun with the kids and had all sorts of activities to run some energy off with them. Andrew was a little small to fully participate in the parachute play, but Momma helped him out and showed him how to raise and lower the parachute with everyone else. He really got a big grin with this one! He wasn't such a big fan of running under it with all the other squealing kids, but that's OK since someone needed to help Momma hold the parachute up.
There were probably close to 20 total children present with the youngest being the twins and perhaps 1-2 other children who were still either cruising or crawling around. Andrew had another set of twins to play with that were only a week older than him and we enjoyed seeing them interact with one another.
The other children ranged in age from 2-7 or 8 and it's neat to see all of the enthusiasm that each one brings to the party.
It was a "small" party by local standards! Andrew won't know what hit him when we have 4 or 5 of Momma and Daddy's friends over and perhaps a few friends for his birthday coming up! We won't be getting a hall and having it catered for a while I don't think! But we shall see.
The party started at 1pm so it was right in the middle of his nap schedule. We knew we would have some problems with that since he fell asleep in the car and woke up with only a 40 minute nap under his belt.
Andrew took his time waking up with Momma and Daddy and fortunately we were some of the fit st to arrive so it wasn't quite pandemonium in there to bring Andrew into when he was just waking up!
Andrew sensed that Daddy was trying to get him to eat something with some modicum of nutritional value with some cheese, olives, and vegetables and instead ate a hand full of crackers, yum!
Momma got to catch up with a lot of co-workers who were there and introduce Andrew to the crowd, he hammed it up and had everyone smiling with his little dimples and waves to meet everyone with.
As the party progressed and Andrew ran and ran with the other kids, learning how to chase after a bigger girl, throw balloons and spin in circles until we get dizzy enough to walk silly he started to show some signs of wearing out. By the time that the pinata was out and all the kids were ready for cake Andrew was fighting off a case of the over extended toddler syndrome, so we decided to say goodbye right after they sang happy birthday and cut the cake.
It was a good thing as Andrew started to show why they call them the terrible two's when Momma and Daddy tried to get him to put on his coat and go outside to the car. Once he settled back down we all headed out and Andrew was in a complete daze most of the way home.
What a fun day at the party! He even got a balloon animal made for him. While the other kids were asking the entertainer to make up horses (for the girls) and spiders (for the boys) as well as fish, elmo hats and other very complicated creations my son wanted what he has been asking about all week...
Side bar -
Every week or so Andrew switches what his animal of the day is. The only constant since he started talking has been puppies, but we have gone through:
1. Puppies
2. Cat
3. Bug... "Ew! Bug!"
4. Tiger
5. Bear
6. Lady Bug
7. Alligator
8. Monkey (the favorite while Grandmother and Grandaddy were in town)
And this week he asked the entertainer for her toughest balloon animal of all, a snake!
I think that even Momma and Daddy could have formed a snake out of one of those long skinny balloons! But she curled it for him and he carried it around triumphantly telling everyone that he had a snake while waving it about!
Fun day for everyone...
-Daddy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)