Twice Off the Low Diving Board!

Today, at Danny's last swim lesson...he went off the low diving board TWICE at the Mayfield Village Pool! I couldn't believe it :) Last week, our instructors/12-year old life guards...(ok, they just look 12), finally caught the hint that the little ones in the class were not quite ready for Michael Phelps training, and decided to let them play. They turned on all the water toys and the slide. Danny LOVED the water slide. We probably went down 5 or 6 times! Today, they took the same approach...but then invited the kids to go off the diving boards. Dave and I hesitated even taking Danny over, because he doesn't like to get his face wet (really, it's his eyes). But, after seeing another little girl do it, he wanted to. So, Dave walked the plank with him, and I was in the deep water waiting. On the count of three, Dave helped him "jump". He went under but bounced right back up (they tie a noodle under their arms). He was confused, but once he saw us smiling, he smiled...and wanted to do it again. The second time, he jumped on his own (with Dave behind him!). I am so hoping that next year, he will do it again.

Swimming "lessons" at this age might seem silly to some....but I really want him to be comfortable in a pool. I won't even write what one of my worst fears is, but I'm sure you can guess...which is why learning how to swim and being comfortable in a pool means a lot to me.

Happiness

Yesterday marked the third anniversary that we said good-bye to Angela. We took Friday off, and took Danny to the Zoo. Which was also our fifth wedding anniversary :) Time flies when you are having fun.

Danny is the perfect age for the Zoo. He loves animals. Monkeys. Giraffes. Lions (just ask him, how does a Lion go?..and you'll get a resilient...ROAR!!!!). And while he enjoyed seeing all of these animals, he was far more interested in what you ask? Well let me explain. Each monkey exhibit contains a toy ball and a big thing of water. Welcome Danny's two favorite things. Balls and Water. I'm not sure he even saw the monkey's. Every glass we looked through, was the most enthusiastic scream of "BALL and WATER".

Staring at the Polar Bear

Seriously, I have no tan. I think I'm alergic to the sun or something.

One of the only times Danny was on his feet. Hand in his pocket like he is such a "what a guy".

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Staring at the monkeys..

Really into the monkeys in this picture...

He was able to maintain that energy level throughout the day because he maybe only walked 100-feet while we were there. Spoiled little monkey had his Dad carry him around (Daddy.....Daddy....) the entire Zoo. Including the walk UP the giant hill to the Primates. God love David that he did it. We took turns, but all Danny wanted was "Daddddyyyyyy". Now, if I could only teach him to do that in the middle of the night :)

Ok. So he crashed at the end of the day...

Look at that yawn!"

Out cold

So tired, his head flopped and he lost his coveted Elmo hat

For Angela's actual birthday, we took Danny to his morning swimming lessons...and then a friends daughters Birthday Party. We thought Danny would get a nap in at some time, but that never happened, unless you count the time from the birthday party to BJ's, maybe 35-minutes? (By the way, we haven't had a nap ALL flippin weekend!)

David carried him all around BJ's. Seriously, I'm loving this whole "Dadddyyyy" business. Ok. I'm not loving it all of the time. Only when it works in my favor. All of the other times, it hurts my feelings. Immature, I know. But it's the truth.

After BJ's, we took the little guy over to Red Robin...ahh...where it all began. That's where David and I had our "blind date" lunch 9-years ago :) Danny was mostly good. Busy, as always, but really good. Such a great place for kids.

We had a low key evening at home. Dave's parents and Grandma stopped by for a drink, and then we watched the movie, "It's Complicated". I laughed. Dave didn't. He swears he liked it, but I'm not totally convinced.

Have I mentioned how lucky we are? Countless friends sent cards, texts, emails and called. Look at the beautiful roses Dawn gave us.

Beautiful flowers from Dawn. She is so thoughtful :)

Attempt at a family picture...

David and his mini-me!

Me...and David's mini-me :)

Elmo? I love books!

Today, we went to mass to remember Angela. Danny was really good. Dave's parents, his sister, and Noelle and Noah joined us. All were a pleasant surprise. This was the first mass that the guy from Zimbabwee or Botswana (I can't remember) wasn't there raising money for his mission. An act I totally support...but not when the whole mass (2-years in a row...2-different churches!!!)is all about donating money in an accent so strong I can barely understand! Danny smiled, and sat so well during the whole mass. The only time he really got a little rowdy was right during the intentions when they said Angela's name as Dave was walking him out. Go figure. She'll pay him back somehow :) Maybe trip him in front of his dream girl. Karma :)

Oh my gosh, I want to push him down he's so cute!

Just look at that dimple! Must restrain from pinching!

Emotions are powerful. I think it is amazing that your heart can physically hurt from being so overwhelmed with sadness and joy. That is what Angela's birthday is for us now. We are so sad for the little girl we lost, but so overwhelmed with happiness at the little boy we have. So even though we are sad, and we remember Angela, it's almost more important to celebrate her birthday because she has given us so much to be thankful for, and we have hopefully become better. Better people. Better parents. More loving. More thoughtful. More caring. Grateful.

Happy Birthday Angela :)

June Pictures!

In June, we enjoyed our first Kirtland Strawberry Festival as members of the community! Danny just took it all in. This is all just a short walk from our house! I love our location :)


Last weekend, we had such a great time just hanging around at home. I couldn't help but pull out the camera and take a zillion pictures of my handsome men.


And finally, just a few miscellaneous pictures of my little guy! I love some of the faces :)

Updated Pictures of my Little Man

May 2010



April 2010

Let the Potty Training Begin

We have now made two unsuccessful attempts at going #2 on the potty. But we are getting closer. Danny makes his face that he has to go, and Momma starts running. Today was the closest attempt of the two. He was all for it. I don't know if he got stage fright and just couldn't finish, but he was so proud of himself. "Potty. Potty. Potty." And of course, David is in there high fiving him.

Men.

Honestly.

If it wasn't bath time, he would have sat on the throne all night!

We just received his little potty today from Jodi. And it was still in the car during our attempt. I am hoping that by having his own cammode, he will be even more enthusiastic.

Note to self: Pull-ups would be helpful to assist with speed. Oh, and to be even more efficient, lose the snap at the bottom shirts and undershirts. The double layer snaps coupled with a diaper that had to be undone...I know the potty training "gods" were laughing at me :)

Hopefully I'll get some cute pictures...that are appropriate...and post them soon! His wedding day slide-show is going to be a breeze!

Let the Landscaping Begin!

I can't wait to have a yard again! I am just chomping at the bit to get moving. But everything takes time, patience, and of course...money. So, we are excited to put the lawn in this summer, and may do a few other things.

I'm excited to finally put together a Memory Garden for Angela. I've got a few mini-rose bushes just waiting to be planted, a beautiful angel statue from my parents and I think I've decided that the center piece will be a Weeping Willow. I love Willow trees. I love the name Willow. I loved the book about OI where the main characters name was Willow and I collect Willow Tree figurines. Serendipitous! I haven't quite figured out what cozy corner or spot this will go, but I think I'll have a few options. I am currently doing some research on deer friendly flowers and shrubs. As much as I enjoy watching the deer, I don't want to invite them for dinner.

Danny loves the dirt. Go figure. And the machinery just fascinates him. Too stinking cute. He will have so much fun running around (dodging Freddy bombs of course).

I just want time to fast forward and to have a green lawn!

When did this happen?

I could just eat him up. He went from a mini-sumo wrestler to mischievous little boy! He was trying to squish into his Bumbo because his cousin Nicholas was in one too.