Protective son

The other evening we were enjoying dinner at a local restaurant with my grandmother. Daniel was with us and, as usual, he was a big hit with the waiters and waitresses. He had them laughing and smiling with all his talking and questions for them.

Our waitress in particular was really entertained by him, and the two of them got along well all night. She’d come by and ask us questions and Daniel would repeat them, say hi, etc. Everything was going well until our waitress crossed a line with Daniel…she cleared my empty plate. Daniel’s response:

(Screaming at the top of his lungs) “NOOOOOO!!! DADDY’S PLATE!!!!!”

Yes, everyone stared.

Apparently Daniel fiercely defends dinnerware.

Pretend

We've had a few new "firsts" take place in the past few days/weeks--climbing out of the crib and opening doorknobs being the more stressful ones, but my favorite new thing that Daniel is doing now is....playing pretend! Right now he's walking around with a cup and spoon, stirring the air inside the cup saying "mmm...coffee!" He also pretends that the plastic post-thing from a stacking ring toy is a lotion bottle, and he wanders around the house pouring lotion on things. Outside, he has a rock that is round and flat that he carries in his plastic shovel saying "hamburger's ready!" Pretend games are so much fun to watch!

Hot Weather Craziness

We had quite a few adventures during the insanely hot weather last week. Here are some of the highlights.

Daniel's preferred method of cooling off--standing in front of the fan, wearing nearly nothing, trying to choose which flavor of ice cream to make.

Getting some much-coveted phone time in Mommy and Daddy's bed, wearing his hot weather pajamas.

Practicing his back-stroke in the pool at the hotel where Great-Grandma Eva was staying.

Posing? There were a couple of cute little girls there...

Daniel and Daddy

Ahh...a refreshing orange popsicle.

Another favorite hot-day activity: the sprinkler!

In the sprinkler with Matteo and Auntie Julie.

Finally, Daniel decides this is the best way to stay cool. Thanks for the well-placed milk cup, Daddy!

Our Little Viking

We have a little Viking that lives in our backyard. He bravely protects the family...as long as his sippy-cup stays filled with milk, and he gets to play in his kiddie pool.

And through the magic of Hollywood...

Old diaper

I told Daniel today that I needed to change his diaper.

Me: "Daniel, Mommy needs to change your diaper."

Daniel: "Daddy already do it!"

Not exactly. The last time Dad changed his diaper was 2 days ago.

Daniel's first camping trip

Daniel had a great time on his first camping trip. There wasn't a lot of sleeping, but there was lots of fun at the camp ground and on the boat.

Grandma Jean and Mommy on the innertube!

Daniel's first innertube ride!

Those are some cool shades, Daniel.

Turns out, Mom and Dad like'm too!

Grandma and Grandpa enjoy the sun.

Flag boy. Safety first!

Daniel's pre-boating driving test.

Smores and campfire = sugar high and burn danger.

At the end of it all, Daniel was pretty wiped out.

Kissing

After dinner Daniel grabbed my hand and Michele's hand and pulled us together. Then he looked up and said, "Mama? Dada? Kiss?".

I love my son:)

Crying Mommy

I got home today and noticed Michele's eyeliner was smeared a little under her right eye. Being the sensitive and attentive husband that I am, I asked,

(in an extremely caring and sensitive tone)

"Honey, were you crying today? Are you OK?"

Michele:

"I'm fine. I was out in the garden with Daniel today. I turned around to find him and found that he had picked up the hose and was pointing it at me. I told him to put it down, but he just pulled the trigger. I didn't think he'd do it."

Sugar, Yummy Sugar

Daniel is definitely his mother's son: I was just making dinner in the kitchen and absent-mindedly left one of the lower cabinets open. I turned away for a second to put some dishes in the sink, and when I turned back, there was Daniel was sitting on the floor with a bag of brown sugar open next to him. There was a pile of sugar on the floor, and Daniel looks up at me and says "Sugar!" I don't know where he got it, but he actually had a measuring spoon that he had scooped sugar from the bag with and was eating from. As I carried him from the kitchen to put him in his crib so I could clean up easier, Daniel just kept repeating "Sugar, yummy sugar."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Pictures from our Fourth of July at the O'Leary Annual Party on Shady Lake. It was quite the adventure. Happy Fourth, everyone!

Three Amigos: Cora, Nick, and Daniel

Daddy and Daniel had some fun playing in the water. He could have done this forever, but not Dad's back.

Lake Shady pre-start fireworks. Emphasis on "pre". Things got pretty amazing.

This video shows just how intense the fireworks got. And this wasn't even the most active part of the night. Bonus points if you can catch the errant bottle rocket that flies into the video around second 22. No one noticed, and we didn't notice until watching the video. Close call!

Celebrate your country's independence by blowing up a small piece of it.