Michigan Posting #2

Will and Papa Dave are pretty much besties...they tried to play croquet...

But quickly got distracted, finding the mallets were more fun if they were used as horses....Or weight lifting devices...

They also discovered new uses for Papa's dolly...

And made several trips in the wagon...

The night of our cook out was very chilly, but that didn't bother Will...

Because he knew if he behaved and ate well, we would make SMORES!

We also decided it was time to start a new tradition...Pirate's Cove!  At his age and height, Will can only participate in the putt putt portion of the park, but that was enough!  We had a ton of fun (until Will used his golf club more like a hockey stick and slap shotted his ball into the water...oops!)  No worries though, a couple of good stories from Papa Dave about Blackbeard and Captain Hook cheered him right up!  (For the record, I had 6 holes in one and beat Billy!)

After putt putt we were off to the library where we had a quick picnic before romping around in the 'soft grass'.  At one point, Will struck a pose that I am so glad I caught on camera...because it made me think of 'The Castanza'...(I love Seinfeld).  I have to say though...Will is much cuter :)

After another llooonnnnggg nap, we headed down to Nana and Papa's beach for a nice evening walk where we looked for Petoskeys (Michigan state rock) threw stones into the lake and caught a gorgeous sunset.  I love this place!!!!

We're BACK!

We are back from our wonderful vacation :sigh: and back to work/school.  Thankfully we (I) took millions of pictures to remember our trip.  We had so much fun!  And as usual, because of my inability to relax (other than taking a nap EVERY DAY), we were busy busy busy!  As such, I'm going to publish several postings from Michigan since I can't seem to narrow down my favorite pictures very well :)

Our first stop upon arrival was down to Nana and Papa's beach on Lake Michigan where we were surprised to see such huge waves.  Will really enjoyed them crashing into us!

And since the weather was in the lower 80's (gorgeous), we spent tons of time outside having picnics and hiking.

Will loved spending time outside in the 'soft grass'.  We didn't miss our St. Augustine lawn at ALL.  Will was outside every minute of the day!  He was very helpful shucking corn with Nana that they buy from a local farmer.  He did get carried away one day though and attacked her with a few kisses.

Of course there was lots of beach time to be had...we spent a lot of time at Lake Leelanau (right down the hill from where Billy and I got married - almost NINE years ago).  This is an inland lake and is much calmer and a bit warmer than Michigan.  Will had tons of fun in the water with Nana and Jude as well as making sand castles/crocodiles with Daddy.

Finally it was off to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park (recently voted The Most Beautiful Place in America: http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/best_places_USA/sleeping-bear-dunes-michigan-voted-good-morning-americas/story?id=14319616).  

We slowly climbed up the dunes... 

But quickly raced down!  It was so much fun! 

This year Will made it up the main face much quicker so we decided to head up the next hill (keep in mind, the main trail is almost 4 miles total!)

And of course, we buried Will in the sand...he really got a kick out of this!  Look at his cute little smile!

 

And we practiced writing our name in the sand...I'm tempted to make a flip book of this :)  So cute!

     

Once at the top of the main face, we had a beautiful view of Little and Big Glen Lakes (apparently this inspired Nana and Papa to have a 'moment' haha!  They are so cute...Caught ya!)

...we had so much fun!  Thankfully Will was ready for a THREE hour nap following this escapade, because I was too!

More posts to come!!!

All our bags are packed!

We are all packed up and ready to go on our annual two week vacation to the most beautiful, relaxing place in the world...Northern Michigan!  The land of Lake Michigan, cherries, fudge, sand dunes, sunsets and most importantly, spectacular weather!  We leave early in the morning and are so excited!!!

Shark Weekend at the Houston Aquarium

I've learned to love Houston...I'll admit, it has taken a while, but this midwestern small town girl sure loves the big city!  It has so much to offer - so when we heard Shark Weekend was taking place at the aquarium, we jumped at the chance!  Will is infatuated with all types of animals (living and extinct) including sharks.  So we headed downtown with Nana Rosie and Papa Max for a fun filled day!

Here they are with Great Sharky Shark...

Check out these two eels...they are so cool and Will loved them!

Every time we go to the aquarium, the show stopper is the train ride...because you actually go THROUGH a SHARK TUNNEL!!!

And of course...we always ride the carousel.

Thanks Nana Rosie and Papa Max for coming with us...we had tons of fun!

Bath Time and The Toddler Straight Jacket

One of the things that makes Billy the best dad in the universe is bath time.  While we usually alternate nights of who gets to put Will to bed, every night since Will was born, Billy has given him a bath.  This has given me time to make Christmas stockings, shower, scrapbook, blog and more (sleep).  In fact, the only times he has not is when he was out of town or sick!

To date, I estimate Billy has given Will somewhere around 1,180 baths (accounting for 2 travel weeks a year and an estimated 5 sick days).  They really have the best time together and sometimes give the whole bathroom a 'bath' in the process.  

But bath time is becoming more and more interesting and I find myself participating (watching) much more often :)  For example, the cute little light blinking fish, squishy toys and bubble baths have gone by the wayside.  Now is the time for colored water (thank you Crayola Color Bath Dropz), sting rays and sharks.  Will's little imagination goes into over drive as he pretends the sharks are racing, or looking for prey.  

 

But nowadays, the fun doesn't end with the bath.  Now Billy and Will engage in what Billy has coined The Straight Jacket.  

He wraps Will up in his towel as tight as he can and Will proceeds to waddle in to his room.

Will then attempts to escape the straight jacket by using every unorthodox means possible of bending (in this case backwards)...writhing...rolling...flailing...and of course frustrated giggles here and there...

Until finally he is free and it is time for pajamas and a story.   

I wonder what the two of them will think of next!

The Movie Matinee That Almost Wasn't

Saturday was movie matinee day...Will and I were going to meet his BFF Dylan and Dylan's mom Stephanie at the movies to see Cars II.  Will and I arrived first, bought our tickets (and Junior Mints) and waited for Dylan and Steph to show...when they arrived, the movie was (gasp) sold out!  (Sold out...really?  This movie has been out for over a month!)  The boys were devastated...they both knew within seconds that they would not be able to see the movie together.  

As we parted ways, Steph tried to talk Dylan into seeing another movie while I carried Will (sobbing at this point) into the theater.  We finally got settled in our seat (yes, singular 'seat'...Will tried to sit in the seat by himself and was folded up in seconds like an accordian...he's just too light!).  I managed to calm him down after a few moments with some snacks I snuck in :).  We watched a few trailers and just as the movie was about to start, guess who showed up?!?!  Dylan and Steph!  And there were two seats next to us!  

As the movie started, I leaned over to ask Steph how they were able to get in to the sold out showing...her (casual) response:  "Oh, I just bought tickets to Winnie the Pooh and snuck in".  

HAHAHA!  I officially nominate her for coolest mom of the month!

I think the boys really liked the movie...although Will said his "favorite part of the day was running up and down the stairs with Dylan after the movie was over". 

Meet Dylan...

Dylan is Will's best friend.  

At school, they are so inseparable, we have been told they are purposely separated by the staff during snacks/meals and nap time.  The funny thing is, they couldn't be more different!  Will is quiet and mellow while Dylan is about as rambunctious as one could get at three years old.  

Their differences aside, they absolutely adore each other.  

Will talks about Dylan incessantly after school, telling detailed tales about their 'super friend' escapades on the playground and Dylan never lets Will leave before getting a hug (and sometimes a kiss haha!)

This weekend, we headed out to the (beautiful) country north of our house to have a play date with Dylan.  They had a blast together!

Whether it was chilling out in Dylan's room...

 Off roading or swimming...

 
Painting...

Or just relaxing after a long day of playing...

Next month - we'll meet up at our house!  We can't wait!

Our Little Patriot

Well, there were no fireworks to be had in north Houston this year.

Having only two rainy days since October of 2010, the city officially declared any fireworks to be a hazard to all and a full burn ban was placed into effect.  

But that didn't deter us from having a great weekend!  Our weekend started out with a bang (yes, pun intended) with a parade at Will's school.  Not much for fanfare, Will, as usual, quietly proceeded through the parade, singing the song just loud enough not to get too much attention from all the family members. 

We then logged roughly 15 hours at the pool over our three day weekend.  Will is an absolute fish!  He loves the water, and is working very hard on his swimming and diving for rings.  

Then this afternoon, Will fizzled out (again, pun intended) with a low grade fever...but not before I was able to get some 4th of July pictures of our "Captain America" and a little tribute (see video below) to our brave founding father's for allowing us to have the freedoms we hold so dear.  

God Bless the Troops and God Bless America!