More time in Arizona

We took another road trip to Phoenix, Arizona about a week and a half ago now. The minivan worked out great (especially after a new battery!). Graham had a great time in the back seat...

Sleeping

Look at all that stuff we had packed up in the back! And we still managed to forget a few things!

Watching DVDs

Eating

Once we got into Phoenix, there were a few things we wanted to take care of - like the kitchen sink. Somehow, I just did not like the sink and faucet that was installed. Couldn't really get my pots in there! So... here's the before:

And ta da! Here's our new stainless steel sink and faucet. Love it! Love it! Love it! :-)And as usual, more trips to IKEA! By the way, the minivan has worked great during these trips too! Graham has been very helpful unloading: You got to love IKEA when they make you build your own furniture... NOT! And oh, Graham has been very helpful loading up the dishwasher too! Little stinker!

RAInin'

When Graham learned to say the word "raining", he actually started to say it in Chinese first - "xia yu". Well, just a few days ago when it was raining again, he used the English word! It's so funny/cute how he pronounced it. And he started to say "Mornin'!" as well when I would walk into his room in the mornings.

And after the rain was done, I tried to put together the new cozy coupe that Grandma and Pop-pop bought for Graham for Christmas. I really can't remember the last time I gave up on putting something together. But gosh,... I really gave up this time! I might have to resort to looking at the instructions online. In any case, Graham still managed to sit/play with it for a little while:

And oh, by the way, I lost my screwdriver! Graham put it through the hole where the steering wheel is suppose to go. So now, he has a built-in noise-maker in his little cozy coupe!

Anyhow, this is as far as I got:

I put it aside and Graham obviously still wanted to play in it. Looks like he'll just have to wait until Daddy takes over. Although I'm rather nervous about that. Daddy loves using brute strength when it comes to fixing stuff!

Graham's first picture with Santa

Graham finally met Santa Claus for the first time last week, but he was too scared to even get close to Santa! So Mommy ended up taking the pic with Graham and Santa.

The picture was actually taken for free, which was very nice. We had actually bought a few things in the store - including a cute little souvenir plush puppy/stuffed animal. Unfortunately, the puppy disappeared by the time we got home! So, I guess technically the photo cost us $7.99+tax!

Bad hair day / Graham's first "real" hair cut

It's been a little over 4 months now since my hair buzz/donation. And... yikes! Talk about bad hair days! It's especially bad when I wake up in the morning after going to bed with a wet head of hair!

Graham does have bad hair day too sometimes, but I guess he still can't quite beat Mommy in that category yet!

He did finally get a "real" first hair cut. We went to a hairdresser designed for kids today - the seats were these cute little tractors and trucks. But gosh, he did not like it one bit once the hairdresser started snipping his hair! Graham pretty much cried from the very beginning until the very end of his hair cut. So, looks like I may have scarred him for life when it comes to hair-cutting!

He does look so much better now. Our handsome boy! :-)

I was quite surprised when the hairdresser actually put hair product in Graham's hair at the end of the session.

Well, he did have his bath so all that hair product is gone now. And he is down now for his nap with some wet hair. I'll be sure to post a pic once he wakes up! I'm guessing it's going to be "bad hair day" for him too!

2 hours later...

Hah! Almost as bad as Mommy :-)

Getting into the Christmas spirit

I really didn't want to spend too much money on decorations this year, so I managed to put some things together that I had found from our previous decorations and also from the garage! Hopefully it doesn't look too cheesy. Ha Ha!

So here is what I have in the front:

A close-up of the wreath:

And a close-up of those little "Christmas trees".

They are actually tomato cages turned upside-down!

Hmm... might need to use some tape.

But anyhow, there's actually a reason behind those logs.

It's to hold the "trees" down from the strong Oklahoma wind!

And I didn't want to leave our potted Thyme without any decor,

so... some red ribbons to spruce it up a little!

And the acorn fell from the wreath, so it found its place in the pot :-)

We do also have some lights around the back deck. But it was too cold last night to stand out there and take pictures!

And for some more handiwork - Bobby bought a new firewood holder but it didn't come with a mat. So... I managed to find some scrap fabric from last year's family winter pants and ta da...!

And the close-up:

I remembered doing these weaving art projects with paper back in Primary school in Malaysia. I think I was about 10 years old or so. Guess those art classes did come in handy after all! :-D

Graham's recent activities

We made a trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium this past week. We were joined by a play-date there, although Devan and Graham still don't really interact very much with each other!

We arrived early so we headed straight for the main attraction - the sharks!

However, Graham just loves to stare at the turtles.

He cried when we approached the raccoon, but did finally warm up to it a little:

Despite the colder temperature, we have been spending quite a bit of time outside. Graham continues to love to help Mommy sweep:

He also loves to push buttons in our new (used) minivan:

Never too late to teach him how to drive! Maybe he can help us drive it to Phoenix!

He does still love playing on the mower. I just wonder how he got back there in the first place!

And Graham still enjoys playing with his slide. He actually does go down the big slides now in school and also when we go to the parks.

He would say "wheeee!" when he goes down them. Very cute!

"I love you guys!"

Graham has been talking a lot lately. Some of his new words this week are: belly, Elmo, boots, dinosaur, draw, and mouth. He did learn to say "I love you" on the drive home from Phoenix last weekend, but he hasn't said it since. Instead, he would now say "I love you guys". I think he got that from Grandma when we had her on speaker-phone during one of our phone conversations!

And oh, here's another new word that Graham has been trying to say. A...vo...ca...do...!