Abigail's First Camping Trip in Virginia Beach

Oh boy, there is a lot of details and packing that goes into preparing for camping.

First of all this the first real vacation in 10 years.  Meaning there was not a long flight or trip to anywhere except to the beach for three (3) whole days with Mrs. Smith and the girls (AIAYF http://aiayf.blogspot.com/ and EIAYF - http://eiayf.blogspot.com/).

On the first day, Mrs. Smith and I setup our new tent while the girls played and watched us.  After we setup our camping site at the KOA, we went to the Oceanfront of VA Beach and we took turns with AIAYF in the water which was quite refreshing.  The water was a big relief with the humidity and the hot sun.  EIAYF was in the stroller (keeping out of the sun, even though she had sunscreen on).


















Our first full day, we enjoyed some more beach time and the pool at the KOA.  AIAYF and I had fun going down the water slide into the pool (which was 8 feet deep).  I had to propel her upward as I went into the water.  The ladder we took was not the typical one.  We actually had short crawl openings to each level whether to the blue or red slide.  Mrs. Smith and EIAYF joins us in the pool after EIAYF's nap.  EIAYF really enjoyed the water and I had her in my arms very firmly and holding her so she can see mommy and AIAYF.  She was giggling and splashing her legs and arms.  We all enjoyed the water for about a half hour and then got out and dried up.   Once we left we went to the store that was next to the pool and got ice cream treats for Mrs. Smith, AIAYF and myself.  Boy it is amazing to watch children eating ice cream.


























One of the other fun activities at the KOA was a large bouncing pillow that Mrs. Smith and AIAYF saw.  But the day AIAYF and I went was really hot, so chose not to go on it



Later in the day Mrs. Smith put EIAYF down for a nap which was needed, she was wiped out from the busy day, sun and heat.  We kept them hydrated especially EIAYF.  She would drink out of my water bottle to keep her hydrated and cooled down.  For two days for her day nap, I had EIAYF in her car seat and I drove around in our Odyssey Van to keep her cool and peaceful, she slept good!

Well, I am believing that those that read my blog will be inspired and excited to live life and have fun living one day at a time!

God Bless to all!

Abigail - Enjoying Pre-School and Making Friends

It has been awhile since last post, but life gets busy and fun!  Well, Abigail now is in Pre-School for the past year and she will be starting Kindergarten next year.  Boy, Oh Boy she is growing up fast.  I had friends telling me this when she was still a baby and I said no way... well I am now seeing the reality and it is quite true!

Four years old, talking (non-stop, unless sleeping), walking (sometimes) and running (alot!).  But that is ok!  I know at the end of the day she will be tired and ready for sleep, not always the case.  She always enjoys story-time whether the Mrs. or Me.

She gets a variety of books, (Curious George, Madeline, Clifford, etc., too many to remember).  It is a great thing to have public libraries, for books, music and story times.  My wonderful and beautiful wife goes with her most of the time, but she likes to have daddy time at the library also.  This has really allowed us (Mr. / Mrs. ) to help her grow mentally and vocally.  Reading and speaking with her daily has helped her to grow and develop her speaking abilities.  She use to be really shy, but it didn't take long for her to open up to people.  This was a good thing, because we wanted her to grow gradually of not walking up to strangers and start talking.  Keeping it safe.

Abigail has now turned into a social butterfly with her friends (neighborhood & school) and making new friends.  When we go to the local farmers market and park she stays with me and we gradually speak to some people we know and get to meet new people.

When it is time for the park, the doors are wide open....:)  She walks up to other children and asks nicely if they would like to play (some parents sometimes stand there in amazement of her boldness)!

I will continue to love her and teach her to be kind to others in her words and actions.  There are so many children that don't get enough love and attention.  There is a balance in disciplining properly and showing love so there is no anger and bitterness.

That is what the Mrs. and Myself endeavor to do everyday!

Abigail's Year in 2012

This past year has gone by fast! Last holiday friends of ours got Abigail a wooden kitchen (a one piece) with a stove, stink and cupboards. Not knowingly that my wife had gotten her a plastic set of dishes, food and condiments. So it was a big treat for her having a complete kitchen. This year was a quiet one with just our family of three exchanging gifts between my wife and I and getting gifts for Abigail.

This year has been busy for us all. My wife being a Home Executive, Home Teacher and a Wonderful, loving Wife (she is Superwoman with power within (h.s.))! My wife is part of a Mom's group that had a holiday party for the children and she asked if I could be Santa for the party, I had responded with a yes! She ordered a suit for me, so the day we got it, I tried it on with some extra pillow's. We decided the day of the party that I wouldn't wear my eyeglasses so Abigail wouldn't recognize me. Well the day came, I took the morning off from work to become St. Nicholas (which is my full name). Some of the kids were thrilled, but Abigail was being really shy, so I played along that way for the full hour I was there. She eventually came up, but didn't recognize me at all, even with my (ho, ho, ho)! Some of the mothers had me sit on a chair so the kids could sit on my lap and ask what they wanted and then take pictures.

So my payment for all that was the joy to give to the kids and be a great example for the kids!

ABC Song

This past week while I was driving my daughter started singing the ABC song all the way from A to Z and then singing "now I know my ABC's, next time won't sing with me.  I haven't heard her sing it all the way through before.  My wife has been teaching her the ABC's and singing it to her.   So I was amazed at first, but I realize she has been retaining and remembering alot.

We limit her TV time to learning shows or cartoons she can learn from like:

 "Bob the builder"

"Word Girl. 

Abigail likes to watch the various shows on WETA (PBS).  When I was growing up it was Sesame Street,  Electric Company, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Captain Kangaroo.  I am glad PBS has branch off to new and exciting shows for young children and kids to help stimulate their minds.

Summer is Fun Time At the Pool

It is amazing and a joy to watch Abigail in one of the local swimming pool parks.  It is a good size water park that has a kiddy pool, lap pool, a big (shallow area up to 6 foot) pool and a water play area.

There is a main area that kids (small and big) can shoot water guns or slide down a slide.  There is a large bucket at the top that fills up with water and tips in one direction to pour water on those waiting to get dumped on.  She stands there with me and laughs as the water pours on us along with all the other kids and parents.

There are also water holes that shoot water upward and she will sit down on top with the water squirting out.  The simple things can be so intertaining!

She had a kick board in the lap pool about 2 weeks ago and I let her lay on the board and kick by her self  and she went about 3 feet to the wall, I was quite impressed!

Last week ago, the wife, Abigail and I were in the big pool and teaching her how to open her eyes while swimming underwater.  She enjoys kicking and swimming above the water but now she has figured out that swimming underwater is just as cool.

Now she has her own water goggles and water toys that fill up with water and sink to the pool bottom.  Just yesterday she has figured it out quickly to dive down, but being a lightweight she can't get all the way down without us guiding her down.  She learned by herself to use her feet to move and grab the water sticks, huh was my expression.  Smart girl, just like her mommy.

My little girl is growing up too quickly.  She picks things up quickly and remembers.  Sometimes I wonder as we get older we forget things, uh what was the phone number...what's your name...

Everyday I enjoy spending time with her, loving, teaching and playing a lot.  But I don't mind it, I still am a young boy at heart in a man's body! 

Just remember, wives enjoy there quiet time to read, relax or sleep without interruptions.

Enjoy your summer with the wife and kids.

The Beginning of a Father

My daughter has been in a bundle of cuteness and fun since she was born.  Since July 2009, our lives have changed for the better.  All the pre-preparations were in order:  spare bedroom cleaned, painted and furnished with a bed, clothes, toys, stroller, etc.  Whew, that is a lot of things for one child!

After a few days at the hospital, we arrived home with a bundle of joy and cuteness.  The love and tenderness was overflowing.  We were gentle in words and deeds with our daughter.  The nights seemed longer than the day.

Growing up with three other siblings, two younger than I, it didn't seem to hard to adapt and learn what to do and what not to do.  Well, as a new parent there is a lot to take in.  Both of us live in a city with no family members nearby.  We are about midway between our families and timezones.  So we rely on many friends and their prayers.  The first year was the most challenging year, learning about each other (emotions, communicating and sleep)!

After my vacation time I went back to work and after a few months my wife went back to work also.  For a period of time I was taking our daughter to a daycare in the home.  It worked out well because it was close to my workplace.

After awhile we adapted and changed our lifestyles to accomodate the growth and changes in our daughter.  The roles were inter-changeable in different roles (food shopping, baby shopping, changing diapers, feeding, etc.)  The list is long, but we loved each other and endured through all the changes.

After the first year, we saw wonderful developments in our daughter, she started to roll over, crawl, talk and into everything that was within reach.  We became more interactive with her learning and development by talking to her and playing with her toys.  She enjoyed grabbing and trying to put it into her mouth, but we made sure they were too big for that and kept anything small out of her reach.

Well tomorrow is another day to read about the life of a father and husband.