Toddler Sports

This weekend we started a Toddler sports class at the YMCA in Woburn.  We missed the first class for our trip to San Diego and LA, but the idea is to give toddlers (2 to 3.5 years in this case) a sampler of a bunch of different sports in 30 minute classes over 6 or 8 weeks.  Our first class was basketball and it was an amazing amount of fun.

The class started out with about 15 toddlers and their parents lined up at one side of the gym.  The instructors told the toddlers that they should run across the gym as warm up.  When they said go, some of the toddlers ran across, others stayed where they were and other, such as our son, just ran and ran and ran.  They then ran back across the gym (Davis once again went for a big run).  This was followed by stretching (touching toes, arms up and arms down) then by some basic basketball instruction.  They tried to teach bounce passes, chest passes, shooting and dribbling, all of which were a ton of fun for the kids and great entertainment for the parents.  Davis enjoyed running, kicking and throwing the ball, as well as jumping of random structures in the gym and running all over.  We don't have any pictures yet since the Y only allows pictures to be taken during one week during of the classes.

We can't wait for next week!

San Diego and LA Pictures

We've just got back from a week long trip piggy backed on a conference to San Diego and LA.  We had a great trip and Davis was a fantastic traveler.  We spent 4.5 days in San Diego and the 4 days in LA with my brother, his wife and their daughter.  Here are a few pictures from the trip.  I hope to get some posts up about the trip soon, but right now we are playing catch-up with chores and sleep while Kristen gets ready for another trip in a few days.

"Tide pools" at Seaworld

Davis loved the killer whales

At the San Diego zoo, we probably spent an hour here over two trips - playing in the caves by the polar bears

There were Pandas at the zoo, but other things were more interesting

Old town San Diego had a bench with a hole that was perfect for dropping rocks through

There were also some great trees in Old Town San Diego to climb

We petted some deer at the wild animal park

And fed gorillas at the Zoo (second visit)

Davis has learned to "Raaaar"

A visit wouldn't be complete without some sharing issues

Friday we went to a train park where they had TRAINS! Davis was in heaven.

Watching the train take people around the park

Davis and Melanie at the train park

Riding the train around the park. Toot toot!

Wresting in the crib while I was "supervising"

There are more pictures from the trip:

• https://picasaweb.google.com/john.naegle/201102#
• https://picasaweb.google.com/john.naegle/201103#

Cooking with Davis

Cooking with Davis has become something of a regular weekend activity.  During the week, we spend a lot of time after picking Davis up from daycare cooking in the kitchen while he plays in the other room (or screams at the gate).  On the weekend, we have a little more time and can bring Davis in the kitchen with us in a little bit more controlled environment and let him have fun cooking with us.  We've made banana bread, muffins, lots of different types of cookies.  Today we made cookies and macaroni and cheese (in the crockpot).  He had a blast - he loves being in the kitchen and helping out.

Early on making cookies

Adding baking powder

With Gusto!

A great helper

Helping clean up

Raaaaaar!!

Yum!

Finished!

His own baking powder

I would also like to add: Toddlers are awesome.

Bye Tree

About a month ago, we took our Christmas tree out to the curb for recycling.  We did this right before bed and Davis said bye to the tree and waved as the tree went down the stairs.  Since then, it has been part of our bedtime routine to say bye to the tree (bye tw-ree) and wave down the stairs at bedtime.  There have been nights where we have forgotten to do this, and he has cried at his door until we open it so he can say bye to the tree.  This routine now seems to be fading a little bit, but he will still say bye to the tree pretty frequently.  It is very cute and endearing.

Snow Photos

Icicles on the back porch.  Those are about 4 feet long

Icicles on the neighbor's house.  Ours looks just like this, I just can't get a good shot of it without climbing into a snow bank.

The pile on the left is about 8 feet tall and 20 feet long and 6 feet deep.

Same thing, different perspective.  This is the end of our driveway.  The pile on the right is taller than the car and it makes pulling out into the road interesting.

Our place, from across the street.  The street is narrowed from three lanes (1 parking, 2 travel) to 1 lane with no parking.  

New Photos - Blog update

Kristen and I have fallen off the blogging wagon pretty hard in the last month.  With the stupid amount of snow that has fallen so far, and a few colds, we've had to take a lot of days off of work, or had a lot of early mornings and late nights splitting days off with Davis.  Davis is growing up fast, so hopefully we'll get back on the blog wagon soon.  Until then, here a few new pictures.

Getting blocks out of his toy chest.

Opening the blocks

A quick cuddle with mom

Hamming it up while mom cooks

Going for a walk. Two snow storms ago.

Skiing at great brook farm.

Watching babies.

Cooking (and eating) with mom

Trying to fill mom's shoes

New Videos

I took three videos of Davis/Tarzan today.  Two in the snow and one playing on his bed.

Davis helps clean the driveway:

Davis outside in the blizzard:

Tarzan on the bed: