Indoor Playing

We got some new rainy day activities lately with the new birthday gifts. Andy got this UPS package on Friday night from my friends Chris and Juliana: a box of wooden puzzles! He got really into it right away: started working on them before dinner and more this morning (new rainy day activity).

He likes to stand in the puzzle's wooden box when doing the puzzles. One of them proves to be challenging: the kite, since it has 4 triangles that you have to oriented them all correctly.

We also got into Tiffany's play doh and one of the "Ni Hao MuLan" DVDs today. Andy loves playing with the doh and playing house using the things made from the doh. I made a little chair, a big baby, bowl of fruits, a duck, etc. He served "food" to the "baby", pretended to eat the "fruits", and made his own little figurines. I was amazed by how long Andy was completely captivated by the graphics and sounds (maybe partially due he hasn't watched any TV other than Yoga before): close to half an hour! I like the program not only teaches the language but also some ideas. For example, the "China trip" episode we watched today encourages to be open and try out new things.

He's also been walking around buzzing with the new Geo Track train head. Playing with the tracks and train has become a new part of the bed time routine.

Will have to shoot more pictures to update...

2nd Birthday Party

Bright early 10am (to avoid nap conflict) @North Rose Hill Woodlands Park right across from the condo. It was a bit chilly and cloudy in the morning, but we had lots of kids (I counted 13) and lots of fun! The decorating a hat or shirt idea got kids all working and feathers flying all over. Kids also liked the castle playground next to the picnic area.

Kids really enjoyed the sleeping party at the end (Ali and Carolyn's idea).

I was really impressed with how the girls really got into the "Get to know the most people" game I had last minute! We had 3 Caleb's and 2 Lily's at the party. The girls got every kid's name, favorite animal, favorite color and favorite word. Some facts might even be unknown to the parents :) Ashley had a creative idea of recording facts on the shirt.

The winner: Ashley

Winer of the most creative hat: Ali

Winner of the most beautiful shirt: Carolyn

The girls totally rock! They were also the awesome helpers for helping me making multiple food carrying trips to/from the condo.

Thanks all for coming. We had a great time. Andy is blessed to be among friends.

More pictures here:

20091010Andy2BdayParty

2nd Birthday (Updated)

It was a nice sunny day like 2 years ago. Andy went in for the 2 year checkup and found he now weighs 28.6 lb and is 43.25 in tall (50% in both). He is healthy and very much into the 2 year old phase (with no as his favorite word).

Didn't have much celebration on his birthday (saving it for the Saturday morning party) other than added a candle blowing surprise to the night time routine (he loved it :-) . I didn't get around to bake the banana muffin (Joe started the tradition for Andy's 1st birthday) before Friday so that'll for tomorrow.

Andy put the candles back and pleading for another round.

Update:
It turns out Joe made Andy a fancy birthday cake on his birthday: an apple tart! Andy sure loved it.

More pictures here:

20091009BirthdayCandle

September Fall fun outings

9/7 Monday - Labor day
It was rainy in the morning, but the sun came out just in time for the neighborhood Houghton picnic. Joe took Andy there for a lot of kids fun.


9/18 Apple picking
Joe took Andy apple picking. Hmm, Andy loved it!

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9/20 Saturday - Farrel McWhirter Animal Farm
Animals! Need I say more?

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9/21 Monday - Idylwood Park
May be one of the last nice warm sunny days. See how Andy dug a sand hole for a mud spa:

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9/29 Tuesday
Andy and Joe hopped on a plane for Wisconsin. The last free ride before turning two...