Field trips

Wednesday June 18, 2014

Changing Hands Bookstore recently opened their new Phoenix location.  Time to check it out.

Logan and I got there right when it opened, so we had the place to ourselves (except for two bratty girls, but that's another story).  We read some books, played with toys and had a biscotti while working on a (new!) shapes puzzle.  And of course, found time for an "L"fie.

We found a few good books, including a version of Moby Dick for Bruce to read (and explain) to Logan.  It's a picture book with only 10 words.  Tells the whole story in 206,042 fewer words than Melville used.

Before we left, Logan had earned enough points to fill up half his very own, first Changing Hands Bonus Card.  "Fill 10 squares, get $10 off your next purchase".  Bruce will be explaining "Spend Save" to Logan soon.

From there we went to the Farmers Market at Town and Country.  As we were checking out, there was an ear of corn ('orn!) that caught his attention.  While we were waiting for lunch to be served, Logan learned how to shuck an ear of corn.  He wasn't totally convinced that it was corn till he pulled the piece that opened up for him to see the silk and the colnels.  Smiling from ear to ear, his completed the process.  Then started to eat it immediately.  Turns out if you don't cook the corn, you don't have to worry about it being hot.  (Please notice the everpresent chapstick)

We started a new summer tradition this afternoon.  Bruce comes home early and we go swimming.  We are loving the lazy habits of summer.

PS.  This post launches another new category - Toy of the Day.  Logan tends to find one toy that totally captivates him all day.  Today it's the duck (see photo above).  It has a button which starts a light show while quacking Farmer in the Dell, London Bridge and Old MacDonald.  Can there be anything cuter than a boy with a quaking duck dancing to Old Macdonald?  It just quacked us up.

Fathers Day Overnight

June 14, 2014

For their anniversary, Theresa gave Lorin an overnight at the Arizona Grand Resort. She asked if we could take Logan for the night.  An easy yes.

We had arranged to go pick him up after Bruce's tennis so we could play with him (more likely watch him) in the water park at the resort.  Then we'd bring him to our house.  Unfortunately this was Bruce's "first day of summer" as far as tennis goes.  He had to take a nap.  I know the feeling.

When I picked up Logan at the resort, he had been playing in the water for 2 hours.  He looks exhausted. The good kind of exhausted after working out really hard.   All I had to do was get him home for a nap.

Nap didn't go well.  Well, it didn't go at all.  So we had a quiet afternoon, trying to recover from all the activities of the morning. Including lots of time playing with the thingamaging - a gift from Uncle Jason.

Logan pleaded every once in a while with a wistful  "pool?" request.  We put him off with as many games as we could muster.  Including going to Michaels (more activity books!) and dinner at one of Bruce's favorites - Miracle Mile Deli.  Now known to Logan as the best place for macaroni and cheese ('eese") in the world.

Logan spent a lot of time with Bruce (Broosh) this weekend.  And Bruce indulged him as much as he wanted.  The real benefit of grandparenting.  In this spirit, Logan was able to build a stash of Chapsticks ('ick") to 4 strong.  Hard to carry around while picking up toys, drinking juice or sucking his thumb.  So Logan devised his own "Chapstick Transportation System".  He had Bruce put them up the cuffed pants legs of his pjs.  Worked like a charm.

And of course, there's always time for "L"fies.

We celebrated Fathers Day for all on Sunday afternoon when Jason, Lorin and Theresa came over after his nap.  By that time, we had indulged many of Logan's whims and were looking for more.  He's just that much fun.

Our REALLY first day of summer

June 12, 2014

I've been wanting to check out Enchanted Island,  the kids park at Encanto Park for a while. Turns out, it's a lot of fun.  But really,what was I thinking?

We didn't get to the park till 10:30.  By the time we left at 11:45, it was 104 degrees.  I'm sure I could get picked up for abuse after a playdate like that.

We managed to get in a train ride, a selfie and a snow cone.  It really was a bad idea for June.  But we'll go back again in the fall.

Cooler heads prevailed after the nap when we spent ALL afternoon getting our ducks in a row.

Our first day of summer

Monday, May 19, 2014

Logan showed up this morning with his Birthday Bear (from his birthday party 2 days earlier) clutched in his arms.  Lorin chuckled.  He knew I'd be listening to the bear "singing" Happy Birthday all day.  Logan played with the bear like a BFF all morning.  And Logan made sure that the bear got his snacks.

We're finally starting to feel the summer. We need to change our schedule.  It's too hot to go to parks.  We need indoor activities.  To have indoor activities, you need indoor toys.

So we took a field trip to Kidstop, a fun toy store in Scottsdale.  We put on our hats, grabbed our toys and headed out...

Logan settled in at the playstation for Thomas.  He was there so long he got tired of standing.  He dragged the stool over so he could "it".  He settled in for the long haul.

Luna bought Duplos, blocks, a new book, and a magnetic puzzle.  She got some good ideas for activities including playdough, a magnetic board for letters and puzzles, activity books and more duplos.  Let's go home and play!

Our best sky castle for the day?  10 blocks high.  It's going to be a fun summer.

Don't worry about the little guy

Dear Theresa and Lorin:

We and Logan have had a ball today.

We showed him where his dad and I sometimes have lunch (Miracle Mile), watched Little Mermaid and now Logan and a few if his duck friends are in our Jacuzzi tub.

Hope you guys are having a special time.

See you around 2:30 tomorrow.

Bruce.

PS from Luna.  The real fun started when we turned on the Jacuzzi.  Logan exploded with laughter.  I had to turn the jets off every so often so he could catch his breath.  He was laughing so hard throughout all of this that my stomach hurt.