Daniel's new game

Daniel asked me to play "Fan" today with him. I've never heard of the game "Fan", so I asked him...

Chris: "Daniel, how do you play Fan?"

Daniel: "You hit bookshelves back and forth in front of a racquetball court."

I wonder if I have to wear gloves for that.

Hold me...

Apparently I've been taking the Husky loss in the Sweet 16 pretty hard. Tonight at dinner Daniel asked the following:

Daniel: "Mommy, why is Daddy so sad?"

Michele (trying not to roll her eyes): "Daddy is sad because the Huskies lost their basketball game today."

Daniel (pauses, then turns to me): "Daddy....hold me!"

And held each other we did.

Great run Huskies. Better luck next year.

What is 'easier' ?

I thought I had a teachable moment for Daniel today.

We've been working with Daniel to understand the importance of following directions, or "listening", and remembering to continue to listen throughout the day. Not listening is currently the #1 reason for timeout, followed closely by not listening.

While putting on his pajamas tonight he was giving Michele a run for her money. So I stepped in and had a little 'man-to-man' chat with him. It was one of those moments where I was feeling pretty macho and proud that my son was going to listen to my commanding voice and presence as his Father, and through this, grow into a better man himself.

I explained that listening to Mommy was important because Mommy loves him and wants to protect him. (I had him captivated - looking right at me) I also explained that if he listened to Mommy and Daddy "his life would be easier".

Daniel: "Daddy, what is 'easier'?"

Chris: "Well, can you think of something that's difficult for you to do? Something that you have to ask help for?"

Daniel: "Listening."

Touche, son. Touche.

Savings 101

Considering the current economy, I've been teaching Daniel the value of savings. He has a small piggy bank he puts coins into when he finds them. And, seeing as tuition is always going up, I've also been trying to reinforce the idea that he's saving for his education.

Today he put a coin into his piggy bank and I asked him what he was saving for.

Chris: "Daniel, what are you saving your money for?"

Daniel: "My education!"

Chris: "Good job! That's right! Now go tell Mommy too."

(Daniel sprints to Michele)

Daniel: "Mommy, I'm saving!"

Michele: "Good job! What are you saving for?"

Daniel: "My vacation!!"

I'm definitely not telling him about his 529 account.

Snow day!

Chris and Daniel had a great time heading up to "the snow" with Daniel's buddy, Nick, and his daddy, Pete, Chris' friend. There was a lot of eating snow and looking for lost gloves. But at the end of the day Daniel had a blast playing in the snow.

And of course, what day spent sledding in the snow is complete without a jump?

Prepping the gear for a day of serious snow play.

Daniel says his goodbyes before his first snow exploration.

Captured moments before Daniel set a new US toboggan jump record.

The 2010 US Men's Tandom Dad-Assisted Toboggan Jumping Team.

If you can't tell, he loved it.

Come here quick...and don't be mad

Chris called to me the other day from Daniel's room and simply said, "Michele! Come here quick. Bring the camera....and don't be mad." Thank you washable glue...

Our Polite Pirate

Seen today: Daniel playing with his astronaut figures, walking them along the edge of a box saying "Can you please walk the plank?" before knocking them down over the edge of the box and onto the floor.

The Garage Worm

Today after coming home from a walk we went into the house through the garage. Daniel walked along the side of the car as I put the stroller in the trunk, and when I asked him to come back (since he had gone on the side of the car that does not lead to a door), he turned around and pointed out a worm that had made its way into the garage. Daniel got pretty scared and did not want to walk back to me since he'd be near the worm. I didn't think I'd be able to squeeze between the car and the wall, so after much convincing, he inched his way back to me being very careful to stay as far as possible (inches) away from the worm. Now all day he's been talking about how he's scared of "the garage worm." Thankfully, we do not enter the car from that side, so I doubt we will be seeing this particular worm again. Although if it makes its way over to the other side of the garage, I'm not sure how we will ever get Daniel into the car again...

Baby Hanzeli v2.0

Michele's recent ultrasound gave us our first glimpse of the little miracle in her tummy! Daniel is very excited and has been preparing by pretending he is the mother of all his stuffed animals. Please pray for a healthy baby and Mommy! More news in May!

Daniel's question of the day

Daniel: "Mommy, are we butterflies?"