We have a lot of photos to share from Memorial Day weekend at the Lake! We had an awesome time and even played in the water despite some chilly water temperatures. Us boys don't mind the cold! We just get out and warm up when we need to. We spent the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa and Debbie. Luke is enjoying many of the fun camp activities that I used to enjoy as tiny toddler, and I love exploring some more big kid activities. Daddy went fishing and caught 4 fish (although we are pretty sure he just caught the same two fish on two different days). He even fixed up an ancient fishing rod (with the help of google) in order to catch some fish. The real hero of our fishing adventures, though, is Mommy. She was the one who dug up ALL of the worms. She knew exactly where to find them - under logs.
We took a few canoe rides, one of which lead to a hike to the BIG rocks. I ascended the tricky big rock for the first time! Yeah to being 4! We also spent some time with Stella. It's fun to play with her.
Here are some photos and you can see the full album HERE:
I LOVE my Grandpa. But it makes completely sense, because he is the funnest grown-up that I have ever met. He taught me how to through rocks in to the lake, make a SPLASH, and then CLAP for my accomplishments. It's the best game ever. In fact, ever since I have been practicing my throwing skills with everything I can find.
I got my second hair cut while we were at the lake. Haircuts for both Preston and me always start out pretty well but end with horribly with crying and hair in mouths and flailing arms. This haircut was no different. But I do look cute now that it is all done!
I also learned about wagon rides, and it didn't take me long to find all of the toys in the shed and start digging in the sand. I loved the dump trucks!
I also enjoyed swinging in the hammock, chasing birds around the lawn, reaching for the fishies that we kept alive in the bucket, and playing ball with Debbie and Grandma.
I did not enjoy napping. There were way too many other things to be doing. But as a result I was pretty tantrummy in the afternoon. Mom says I'm getting the terrible two's early.
From Mom and Dad:
The other night John was making up some songs while playing along to a small plastic guitar. Preston was playing along for a little bit and then it was bed time. The next morning John was spying on Preston as he played and sang a song about his new favorite brio engine - an orange and black diesel that he adorably refers to as "the ABC Pumpkin Train." John was bummed that he didn't get the song on video, but we'll try if we ever catch him in the mood again.
Super Secret Surprises!
John asked Preston to feed the cats. Preston did not agree. So John said "Alright, well, whoever feeds the cats gets a super secret surprise!" and headed for the pantry to get the din-din. Preston raced over to the pantry and beat John. He hurriedly fed the cats and the asked what the Super Secret Surprise was. John said "For your Super Secret Surprise YOU get to mop the floor!!!" Preston was SO excited. He got the mop out of the laundry room and cleaned the whole floor. He even made sure that his little brother didn't leave any footprints!
You know you are awesome parents when you get your kid to do 2 chores for the price of nothing!
Luke Stories
We let Luke have a pacifier in the evenings as he gets ready for bed. He needs it for a few minutes especially as he starts to really cut back on nursing. Tonight he had his pacifier and Preston was poking at it. Luke took it out of his mouth long enough to yell "Stop" and swat at his pesty big brother before putting it back in his mouth. That's a good first word for a 1 year old, right? I'm going to be in trouble with this one.
He also likes to be outside with me when I check on my gardens and we get some fresh air together in the evening. He saw me planting a basil plant and got really excited about the dirt. For the rest of the night he kept picking up handfuls of dirt and handing them to me like a good helper. I also mentioned that he loves to chase birds around the yard. One day one of my boys will actually catch one.
This past weekend (the weekend after Memorial Day) John was sick at home and I took the boys to Mom and Dads house for the day. We went to my old Elementary school for a fundraising fair and rode some live steamers! Preston and Grandpa were instantly enthralled with the rolling stock, so the rest of us, Me, Luke, Mom, and Debbie, walked through the little cluster of vendors and then went inside to see the school. It looks SO much smaller than it did when I went there. Luke was a little nervous about his first live steamer ride. There's not much holding you in, but the train goes slowly. He also doesn't like car washes, so I suppose it all in the environment. He's uncomfortable with the unfamiliar. Mommy was a hero again that day. We didn't head home until after dinner, so it was late, and I still managed to stop at the grocery store with two tired little boys to buy bland foods and fluids for my sick husband at home. It was a long, but fun day.