The Smalleywog takes Arizona

Last week a lot of things happened in Arizona - spring training started, some important basketball games happened, drag racing, a convention of the National Hot Rod Association, a rodeo, something to do with horses, and a visit by President Obama. While Arizona had plenty of time to get ready for these events, there was little they could do to prepare for the arrival, and visit of Oliver aka The Smalleywog. Armed with our new super fantastic camera which can go 33 feet underwater, can withstand 220 pounds, is freezeproof, and can be dropped 6.6 feet, we documented the event. We did not test out all the features of the new camera, but, I am sure, we will soon have a posting that focuses on doing just that (hey it is still cold and snowy here in New England, we need something to keep us busy).

Oliver began his Arizona adventure riding in style - surveying the scene.
He then decided to do a bit of exploring on his own.

Frustrated at the pace of this form of exploration, Oliver decided to ask his dad to give him a hand (or two).
As you may have noticed from the pictures, Oliver decided, after seven months, to take a pacifier. What you can't see from the pictures is that Oliver decided to grow two more teeth while in Arizona. We managed to pull the pacifier out long enough for Oliver to test out his new (and old) teeth on an apple. He thought it was the best thing ever and refused to give us back the apple.
We did take one day off from hiking and headed to the Grand Canyon. While there Oliver wrestled an elk. It was quite a fight, but in the end, the elk didn't have a chance.
We had a wonderful trip - and took lots more pictures. Which, because this post is already quite long, I am going to save for a sequel -- The Smalleywog takes Arizona II (watch the blog for its arrival).

Boxes really are better

Last week at playgroup Oliver picked on the older kids - despite being the youngest in the group, he is the only one who is crawling. He took full advantage of this and crawled around to each of the other kids and stole their toys. I tried to get him to play with the super fantastic toys I'd brought with us, but he had no interest. Deciding that he might be bored of his toys, the next day I bought him a new toy. Well, he played with it for a few minutes and then crawled away to explore the shoes on the other side of the room. Then the doorbell rang (ok, really Anna went crazy and alerted us that the UPS man was at the door) and our seltzer maker arrived.

Oliver, his dino, and I celebrated by playing, for hours, in the box (who needs new toys) and drinking seltzer. Davis came home and took the celebration up a notch (who knew a seltzer maker could also produce prosecco?).

Sunny days are here again

This weekend we had a break from the cold and snow and we enjoyed every minute of it. We took walks on the beach and in the woods, and we went cross-country skiing. We also took Oliver to the park near our house so he could try out the swings for the first time. It was a little snowy, but he thoroughly enjoyed himself. We managed to coax the camera back to life to capture a couple pictures.

Submersible

Unfortunately, after about 5 years, my camera has decided that it is time to retire. I've just ordered a new one, but it will be a few days before it arrives. I'm going to take advantage of the lack of new photos and post a few pictures I took last weekend of Oliver and Davis at swim class.


Oliver and Davis are really enjoying swim class. Last week the little ones went underwater for the first time. Neither Oliver nor Davis seemed phased by it, me, on the other hand, I was a bit nervous.

Third time's a charm?

My dad spent a significant amount of time trying to get Elizabeth Jon and me interested in baseball and football. Although he had a pretty strong feeling he didn't quite succeed I think he knew when, a few years ago, he and Jon were talking while stacking wood and the subject of Tom Brady came up -- Jon had not a clue who he was. Strike one. Along comes Davis. A son-in-law to talk sports with and to watch games with... well, a week or so ago we were watching TV and there was an ad for the Super Bowl - seeing the ad, Davis comments - "Wow, I thought they were done with all that. Haven't they already played that?" Strike two. Last night Oliver watched his first Super Bowl and got down and dirty and ate wings with the boys (ok, really he sampled his first Gerber chicken dinner concoction thing).

When they game got close he really got pretty excited.

He even got a little heated and stuck his tongue out at the ref a few times.


Maybe the third time's a charm?