Balloon Festival

We went to the Balloon Festival in Howell last Saturday. Alex especially loved it, he's still talking about it. They stayed up a few hours later then their typical bedtime and slept until 8:30 on Sunday and Monday.

Did you know they look even better upside down?

Playdate with the Wolny's

Last Friday we drove to Perrysburg, Ohio to visit with one of my highschool friends that also has two boys.  It was a beautiful day, so we spent the entire visit playing outside.  The boys had a lot of fun playing together.  The youngest was sleeping most of our visit.

Father's Day 2012

Backyard Critters

We had a few new sightings this weekend.  There are also quite a few fawns running around, like every spring.  Last week, I also found a raccoon sitting above the bird feeder, leaning over the branch, picking up the feeder and pouring the seed into his mouth.  It was too dark so I couldn't get a picture.

Strawberry Picking

We picked strawberries yesterday at a local farm right after breakfast before it got too warm.  They tell you it's all you can eat while you are picking.  So, the boys enjoyed themselves eating all the strawberries they could find.  I think they may have ate a pound each.  Luke told me he was full and then felt like we should go home at that point.  They also liked stomping in the puddles and hurdling over the bushes.  I don't think I have ever gone strawberry picking before.  They are by far the best right off the bush.  They weren't even the same eight hours later.  We picked nine pounds and it all went right into the freezer to use for smoothies.  We saved one bowl for breakfast this morning and made strawberries and cream pancakes. 

Zoo Trip

We took our first trip to the zoo this year. I bought a season pass so it looks like we will be going at least one more time. Alex has never been a fan of the zoo. But, Luke really likes animals and he enjoyed it today. Alex was asking to go home after an hour, but we stayed about 3 1/2 hours in the end. One time, Alex was taking awhile to get moving after we were at the gorillas. I asked "what are you waiting for?". He said "to go home". But, when Kris got home, he excitedly told him we went to the zoo and shared of few of his favorites which included the monkeys and putting coins in the "bank" and fountain. I knew that would be a hit so I brought a pocketful of change. Luke had the same favorites.

the favorite monkeys, they were swinging all around their large cage, fighting with the others, eating their snacks, we watched for at least ten minutes

grape please

alex wanted to eat right when we got there, which I postponed for a half hour, it worked out well because we beat the crowd to the shaded eating area, no one was around while we ate

the fish were also a hit, it was very empty in the aquarium, so the boys could go where they pleased

theresa and luke admiring the rhino

this warthog was the second hit, right up there with the monkeys, when you put a coin in it made a noise or said something, the boys found it pretty funny

funny warthog

alex's turn

watching the gorillas

Alex decided to  look a little too, he liked to get the signs read to him, he is not interested enough in just looking at the animals, he wanted every part of the sign, he keep pointing and asking what this part said and this part, I wish I had more time to read them all to him, put it's hard to manage the stroller and luke and do that, perhaps another day, I remember my dad always reading every part of the sign too, it would drive me crazy as a kid, I just wanted to go around quickly and look at everything, maybe we should bring grandpa porter next time to be the designated sign reader, or anyone else that is accepting of the position...

the classic picture on the sculptures

I thought this was fairly entertaining, but it did not make either ones list, they acted like they didn't remember it, but it was the last thing we did

Visiting Neighbor Chickens

Our neighbor has three chickens.  I didn't know this, but chickens love to dig.  These chickens appear to be free range chickens and frequently dig their way under the fence, go across the ravine and pop up in our yard every once in awhile.  The boys enjoy their visits, but are not quite sure what to think about how safe they are.  I thought it was silly at first how scared they were until I got pretty close.  That beak and claws are pretty threatening looking. 

The boys recognize the sound of them rustling through leaves.  Found them.  This is the closest Luke has gotten, notice the foot still on the ground.

"Hey there's another one!" (Not noticing that the black one came out of the woods and is considering hopping up on the bridge).

AHHHHH!  Now what?!?!

RUN! (the chicken is still on the bridge, behind him)

New Bike

Alex got a new bike this weekend. As you can see he pretty much loves it. There has been a bit of a delay since he has limited area to ride it. We wanted to wait until he was old enough to ride it while we walked.  Thanks to daddy we started to ride it without the helmet.  That will be fun to break that idea. 

Just as much fun pushing it around.

A bike for me!

Had a bit of trouble learning to pedal.  A tricycle is easy, but a guess the angle is a bit different here. 

All smiles

Last Day of School

It was Alex's last day of 3/4 year old preschool last Friday.  He will be returning for the three weeks of "summer camp" in June and 4 weeks in August.  It's a little less structured and a lot more time outside.  It should be a good time for him, definitely a lot less of a transition needed in September.

His teacher Ms. Pam.  His favorite Ms. Peggy left one day early for her vacation to Florida.  But, she will be back in a week for the beginning of summer.  Ms. Pam on the hand is retiring.  She mentioned that she will return every once and awhile to help out with special events.

Artwork

Bracelets that were made the last day.  I like the idea of adding jingle bells.  It made them much more interesting.

I like this idea too, of adding a hand print of their friends.