Summer Rewind

So I've been slacking again. We went to San Diego (I'll post on that later) and I had to upload all the pictures on the camera so that I could take more of the boy at the beach and SeaWorld. There were +300 photos! I obviously have a lot of catching up to do.

We did a lot of swimming. Since Afton took swim lessons he thinks he knows all there is to know about swimming. He loves going underwater and looking around. I bought him some goggles but he hated them. Oh well.

There was lots of time spent indoors because of the heat. Afton loves playing with his daddy, making music, and doing a ton of coloring and finger painting. Of course there was lots of Yo Gabba Gabba watching too.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese. I actually had never been. You can't beat the games...they are all one token! Afton wasn't too fond of the animatronic mouse, but he couldn't get enough of the flashing lights and fun games.



One of our favorite places to go is Tumbleweed Rec Center.

It's super fun because there are lots of balls!

Here we are on a hayride at Superstition Farms on one of many play dates. Afton really liked petting and feeding the animals. I think my favorite part was the homemade ice cream.

We like to hit up a bunch of mall play areas. Afton seems really independent there. He doesn't try and drag me around, which is awesome.

This is at the SanTan splash pad. We like meeting up with our friends Chelsea, Ella, Debbie & Ethan there and then go shopping after! Well, I like that part.

We went to a birthday party at a place called Family Time. They had lots to do! There was an area for the little kids that Afton took full advantage of. He stacked large colored blocks, rolled on the foam cylinder, and went on the slide all by himself. They also have this big lava slide (not sure why it's called that) was awesome because Nippon and I could go on it. It was pretty steep and extra fun. Then of course there was coloring.



When the rains finally came it was a nice coincidence that my brother Scott, his wife Jessica, and their daughter Adyson were here to enjoy it. And of course the cousins had to take a bath. Nothing cuter than babies in the tub!



We got a visit from our Rath cousins too! Afton played with his new cousin Marici., which was super cute. We then headed over to Desert Breeze Park and let the kids get wet while Nancy and I chatted it up.

It's Potty Time!

I bought Afton this potty chair a while back and have slowly been getting him use to it. He used it a couple of time but nothing consistent. This last week he has really jumped on the potty training wagon. He uses it several times a day to go pee, and yesterday actually pooped in it!!! His face was hilarious. He seemed dumbfounded as to what it was. I made a big deal about it, clapping and giving high fives, so he became excited as well. We did a happy dance to the bathroom and I let him flush it (his favorite part) and washed our hands (his second favorite part). I'm so proud of him. My technique isn't anything special. I take him over to the potty every hour or so and let him try. I think the process of taking the potty to flush it is the part he enjoys so I haven't had to use any other incentives, i.e. treats, stickers or presents. He tends to go to corners and hide when he poops, so I took the chair to one of his regular spots and gave him some privacy. This did the trick. I know we are just at the beginning, but it's nice knowing that he understands and is willing to do it.

More Teef

Since teeth have been on the mind, I wanted to document the growth of Afton's pearly whites. His first teeth (he got the top two at the same time) started coming in last year while we were in India. They started swelling at the beginning of October 2009 and were in around Christmas, which was when his bottom two teeth began their arrival. He has had those 4 teeth since January and it seemed that he would never get any more. Finally he started to get his next two teeth (on the top) in July and that started a full on bloom of them. Currently he is getting the two teeth next to his bottom ones as well as two bottom molars! He is super drolly and is constantly chewing on his fingers. Luckily he isn't too whiny, but there have been some days that he wakes up really early or doesn't want to nap because they are bothering him. I have given him teething tabs, which work for a little while. He seems to thinks they are candy or something even though they have no flavor. I also tried Orajel. He hates it! I have resorted to some pain meds to give him a little relief, but I do that sparingly. Overall though he hasn't been to grumpy, and I'm excited that he will be able to chew up his food better. Hopefully I won't have to give him puree fruits and veggies any more. Yay for teeth!

Teef

Today I went to the dentist for the first time in 12 years. I know, I know. Stupid, but that's what happens when you have no insurance. Actually I've had dental insurance for about 3 years now and should have done this much sooner but getting my teeth cleaned and checked on hasn't been in my routine in ages. Better late than never. Right?

Anyhoo...I had a great check-up! They were all surprised that it had been so long. I have two small cavities that will be filled on the 20th, but other than that they said my teeth look fabulous. Yay for me! Of course they think I should get my wisdom teeth out. Boo.They don't bother me and aren't causing any problems so it's not high on my list of things to do. So, even though I hadn't seen the dentist in FOREVER I was definitely conscious of my oral hygiene and it paid off. I rule.

Funsy Fotos

Afton chilling with his robot (transformer).
Robot is one of his favorite words to say.
It's right up there with rocket.

My lil bookworm.

Two hats are better than one.

Spilling his guts.

The Cooking Bug

So I've caught some sort of bug this week...The Cooking Bug. It's not like I don't cook often anyway, but this week it's been crazy. Maybe it's because I've been watching too much Iron Chef or my favorite TNFNS Aarti making mad dishes, but I've been making tons of yummy food. Here is what's I've cooked.....

• Aloo Gobi - This yummy Indian dish has potatoes and cauliflower in it. It's suppose to be more of a dry dish but mine usually ends up a bit saucier than it should...but it's SUPER good! (Hey I rhymed!)
  
• Chicken Korma - Okay, so I do have some help on this one. Seeds of Changes makes a delicious Korma simmer sauce. I cook up the chicken and saute onions before cooking them in the sauce. Then I add freshly chopped cilantro and serve it with Basmati rice.
• Aarti's Unemployment Dinner (aka Swiss chard, tomato and Great Northern Bean saute) - This is a great side dish, but makes a wonderful main dish as well. I came across this recipe at aartipaarti.com and decided to make it to go along with my brother-in-laws brined pork a few weeks ago. I had used mustard greens last time, but this time (once again there was no swiss chard at the store) I used spinach. The creaminess of the beans and the tang of the tomatoes make this dish a keeper. Go Team Aarti!
  
• Cheese Logs - I received this great recipe from my friend to make for my son. They are soft enough for him to eat (with his limited teeth) and have a yummy cheddar flavor. It's nice adding another item to his list of snacks.
  
• Spicy Tofu with Pork - Holy Cow! This was SO good I'm not even sure I made it. Haha! There is a place in Tucson, Lucky's, that I always went to to get this spicy dish. Since I haven't been there in years, I thought I'd try making my own. I must say that mine is better. Heehee! It's nice to be able to add more of 'this and that' if you want. (I guess that's why cooking is so much fun.) The only thing I would have done different is use firmer tofu.
• Buffalo Baby's Pancakes - This is another friend recommended item that I made for my son but I ate as well. It has great ingredients like rye flour, flax seed, yogurt, blueberries, and honey. At first I thought they would be too dense for him, but he gobbled them right up....and I ate 4....shhhh.....don't tell.
• Whole Wheat Bread - I made some homemade bread a few weeks back and Afton would beg for it. I think he ate a loaf and a half on his own. I decided to make some more for him today. Currently it is on it's second rise. The house should be smelling good this evening!

Like a Fish

I enrolled Afton in swimming lessons this summer, and it was super fun for both of us. Not only did Afton become really confident in the water but I got a nice lil tan too! I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a fish. He LOVES to go underwater. So much that it kind of freaks me out. He isn't afraid of jumping in from the side and going completely under. Surprisingly he doesn't drink or swallow much water. We took the class with my cousin Carianne and her daughter Kate. Afton didn't quite pick up the pro-bubbling skill that Kate did. He needs more practice! I'm pretty sure Kate is the only other child that Afton actually recognizes. This is kind of sad because I've been trying to socialize him more. Luckily we've been going on more play dates and getting out more since there are so many activities available during these hot summer months.