A Play Date In Shingletown

Yesterday, Hayden, Meghan and I headed over to Shingletown so that Hayden could have a play date with Nicholas. Nicholas has many, many more toys than Hayden...so, for a while, Hayden was completely overwhelmed. He soon set his sights on a large fire truck that had flashing lights and noises.

We went outside to play in the pool; however, Hayden was not as impressed as he had been at the Burney pool on Tuesday and preferred to play in the grass with the inflatable ball.

Meghan took many great pictures of Hayden while there, and it was hard having to choose which ones to put on the blog...hence why there are so many of them!

Swimming In Burney

Today, Amanda and I took Hayden to the Burney pool for some outside fun. Although he was a little tentative at first (he was content to stand and watch the other kids), he quickly became aware of his surroundings and their capabilities. He splashed, giggled and played with the best of them. He is not afraid to get water in his eyes, up his nose or anywhere else. He had a blast. We stayed for a couple of hours before he got tired and wanted to take a nap.

He played in his inflatable crab for a while too. His legs go through the crab and, as a result, he was able to walk, by himself, around the pool. Let me tell you, he was moving! I had a hard time keeping up with him!

It was so, so lovely to spend the afternoon outside, in the pool, with Amanda and, especially, with Hayden. A great, great day.

The July Day At The Lake

Last year we had a rather large get together at the lake for Shane's 30th birthday. Well, this year, Shane wanted to do the same thing. We managed to get a few friends together to enjoy BBQ burgers and each other's company for a few hours. It was nice to be out in the sunshine rather than at work or in the house.

The top picture shows Hayden at last year's party...the others are, obviously, Hayden from this year. It's amazing what happens in a year.

How Big Is Hayden?

He's so big!! This is one of Hayden's party tricks. It is so cute and he will do it for just about anybody.

Check, Check, 1, 2, 1, 2

Is this microphone on?

Hayden's First Wheelbarrow Ride

Playing in the dirt can be so exhausting for a baby boy...thank goodness there is a wheelbarrow going in the right direction.

Playing With Boone

We spent the day outside playing in the shade. Hayden continues to love his doggy, and Boone?...Well, he is starting to acknowledge the baby.

Helping Mumma Clean House

Apparently I missed I spot....

Playing In The Shade Of The Lodge Trees

After his second nap, Hayden and I went outside to play in the shade. He got to practice his fly cast with his very own fly rod (otherwise known as a sycamore twig), push his tractor and pretend he was in jail using the bench.

The Lodge is the best place for dogs to play and kids to grow up...trees to climb, squirrels to chase and grass to run, run, run! Hayden is, however, pretty sure that the maintenance man, Ramon, has the best job of anyone out there; because, Ramon gets to play in the mud and water, drive the ride-on lawn mower, push wheelbarrows and get paid!! He cannot help but watch whatever Ramon is working on...and yesterday, it was mud! Oh, boy!

Walking At Work

I took Hayden to work with me yesterday. It was the perfect day to spend at the Lodge...the weather cooled off, we were relatively quiet and the phone was not too busy. It meant that Hayden and I got some quality play time together. We used this time to create beautiful works of art (mostly on the paper), talk to Nanna and Grandad in England, play outside, and walk constantly around the building. Hayden quickly figured out that he could comandeer my chair and use it as a means of transportation; but, owing to the lack of breaks (and the fact that I no longer had anywhere to sit), I had to go too.

Hayden is great to have at work. He does not fuss (except when he is telling me that he is ready for a nap), he is social and smiles at everyone, loves everything and he can easily entertain himself. AND, he sleeps in whichever Lodge Room is unoccupied.... This kid really is too easy! He is the kind of child that lulls you into a false sense of security of wanting more children - thank goodness we are on to THAT ploy!

Oreo Wrappers

Apparently, to a kid that has never had sugar before....even the wrappers are tasty. Hayden spotted me working my way through a pack of cookies and decided that the blue wrapper looked to be the best part. Let's just say that there was a minor tantrum when the wrapper was removed from the mouth and hands of the one year old.

I also lost my chair while playing in the back garden. Hayden loved this chair and did not give it up (we never declared to be raising a gentleman!) until it was time to come in. By that time, it was soaking wet from his wet clothes. It did, however, provide some great entertainment and some great picture shots...as well as a distraction from the removal of the before mentioned oreo wrapper.

Playing In The Water

So, it turns out that Hayden loves to play in the water...sprinklers, puddles, hoses, water tables, swimming pools, bath tubs and dog bowls all provide endless hours of fun. He is not afraid of splashing; in fact, he does not care if the water gets all over his face, clothes, feet or anywhere else. He loves it when Shane dumps water on him - there are loud giggles then. He gives us full belly laughs if he splashes water and Shane or I pretend to shiver.

Most nights when I get home, Hayden, Shane and I head out to the back garden where we play with the water wheel table, the sprinkler and his swimming pool. His clothes and diaper get horrendously wet; but, he is as happy as a clam. We know when it is time to come in by the shivering of his bottom lip (!); but, do not feel bad for him...oh no!...He gets to come in from outside and immediately gets to splash in the bath tub!

I am excited to take him swimming later this week when I have some time off!

Hayden's Version Of Helping

What is that old saying about kids and plastic bags?

For Jacob

Hi Jacob!

When we took Hayden to Turtle Bay for his birthday, we got to go and see this exhibit. All of these things are made out of legos!! The dinosaur has 30,000 pieces of lego and took three months to build...pretty impressive, huh?

Your uncle Shane and I thought you might like to see these,

We love you,

Aunty Marisa, Uncle Shane and Hayden

The Rest Of Hayden's Birthday

Sorry it has taken me so long to put these up. Here are the pictures from the rest of Hayden's birthday. We did not want to have a party for Hayden and we did not want to do the cake...so, instead, we opted to go to Redding and visit Turtle Bay as a family. At Turtle Bay, Hayden got to watch the fish in the aquarium, drive an old chevy truck, play with building blocks, look at rescued birds and, most importantly, aid in the driving of his stroller.

As he is one now, Hayden gets to ride facing forwards in his car seat. He loved it! He talked, smiled and giggled all the way down to Redding and slept like, well, a baby on the way home.

It was a good birthday...we all had fun.

Happy First Birthday, Hayden!

Here is Hayden at the start of his birthday celebrations. He opened his presents and cards from England with Nanna and Grandad watching...then he got to open his birthday present from Nana and Grandpa while Shirley watched on. Skype is so nice for being able to stay in touch.

Later today, after Hayden has woken from his morning nap, we are going to Redding to go to Turtle Bay. There is a lego exhibit there right now and Hayden will be able to crawl his way round the Butterfly House. It is much cooler today, so that will make being in Redding much more tolerable!

More pictures to come later...