Come Back, Squirrel!

[Transcribed from video]
Alex got another chance to spend a day with Daddy today.  Mommy was hard at work at home, moving lots of stuff around for Alex's great, new room.

They took a trip to one of Alex's favorit-est places, Florence Street Park and stayed at the playground for a while.  Daddy talked Alex into riding the swings and he loved it - for all of a few minutes.   Then, Alex realized that he can't run around and explore while riding the swings.  It was a lot more fun to explore the big kid swings, until one swung and smacked him.  Then he was back to the bouncy animals he loved as a baby. Then back to the jungle gym. Then a bout of chasing a plastic bag as it blew in the breeze.

There was the usual visit to the tennis courts and to the storm drain, which stole his hay! (After he'd dropped in it, he called for help to get his hay back.)  There was even a wagon of babies to stop and greet.

But the most fun came from chasing a squirrel to a tree in front of the tennis courts.  "Come back, squirrel", he cried with glee.

He has such fun with Daddy.

June 28, 2009

Pirate Ship - Arrrr!

[Transcribed from video]
Daddy Adventure Day continued in the Marina Park! They had walked all the way there from Harrison!

Alex loved steering the pirate ship and playing in the sandbox.  No matter how tired he might be, there's always time to be a pirate!

Arrr!

June 27, 2009

Haircut, Yawn. Playground, Yay!

[Transcribed from video]

Daddy took Alex to get a haircut today. Unlike other haircut times, Alex actually had some fun this time around. He absolutely loved sitting in the car shaped seat and spinning around. He did just fine while the barber combed and cut his hair. He's getting to be a big boy now!

Then Alex and Daddy headed off to the toddler playground near the Harrison train station.  He showed Daddy all around the park, pointing out that the jungle gym is shaped like a train (in case Daddy didn't notice) and that sometimes the riding bouncy cars can get hot in the sun. He told Daddy about the fire engine bouncy car too. Alex climbed up to the jungle gym, but he wouldn't yet go down the slide by himself.  He just had lots of fun experiencing climbing and walking on it without anyone holding his hand.  He was so proud and excited.  He checked out every part of the gym, from the bars to the floor with holes in it. He loved pointing out that it was red all over.

When Daddy tried to talk him into sliding down the slide, though, Alex responded with "Nope!".

Daddy did get Alex to ride on the bouncy plane, though. Alex loved when Daddy made fighter plane noises, especially when Alex found that he could make it rock by himself.  It was a really hot day, so Daddy let Alex get some water at the lion water fountain (even though Daddy had water with him). Alex was able to push the button and get the lion to give water.  "Thanks lion!", Alex declared, but he had a really hard time getting it to give water while he drank.  Needs some practice, I think.

Alex was pooped after a while, but no trip to the Toddler Park is complete without a visit to the gazebo. Alex loves to walk around underneath the shade of it.  "Yay!" he shouted "We did it!".  He had climbed the steps to the gazebo all by himself. (Mommy usually brings the stroller there.)

Still, there were the swings to try before they left. Daddy talked Alex onto them, but he loved it once there.

There was more to see on Daddy Adventure day. It was turning out to be a really fun one!

June 27, 2009

We have a favorite musician!

Alex will often demand her!
"Bertner! Bertner!" "Bertner on? Bertner on teleginjun?"
(Laurie Berkner)

June 26, 2009

3:11 PM

Proud to be an American

[Transcribed from video]

A few days ago, Alex was given an American flag by one of the ladies at the hardware store.  Today, Mommy let him play with it for a while and he was exicted to show it to daddy. "Obama! Obama!" he called it, as he typically calls American flags. (From having seen so many of them in the election season and from Dan's campaign pin.)

He waved it around and Daddy explained that the flag was from our country, Alex's country. "Country! Our country!" Alex declared.

He's all prepared for the fourth, it seems.

June 26, 2009

Daddy Adventures

[Transcribed from video]

Today was a special treat. Alex got to do an adventure with Daddy! Yay!

Daddy took him to the Stamford mall where he ran around the children's play area. He was no longer afraid to climb through the tunnel parts like he used to be.  Alex loved being able to run around free with other children and climb on the pretty, soft sculptures. He dashed to the butterfly that once so mystified him.

Then he wanted to climb through the corn-on-the-cob tunnel several times.  Yup! He's over his fear of tunnels now. At one point, Alex was so thrilled to be able to run around and scream, he ran up to Daddy and hugged a great big "Thanks". (We know that's what big hugs out of nowhere mean now.)

June 22, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

[Transcribed from video]

Alex and I spent the morning creating a Father's Day card for Daddy. We used crayons and his new stickers of pirates and aliens and dinosaurs! Inside, we drew an outline of Alex's hand.

When we gave it to Daddy, I tried to get Alex to say "Happy Father's Day" to Daddy while on camera.  He did off camera, but said "No" to an on-camera greeting. He was laughing his shy smile and teasing us until he finally said in a breathy whisper "Happy Father's Day".

June 21, 2009