Summer Lovin' -- Week Eight

Sweet Lorelai --

How quickly the weeks go! I can't believe it's already week eight. But we are certainly having some fun.

This week, we had time to return to baby playtime. You are still in this funny not-really-a-baby but not-totally-a-toddler stage, and this summer will be the last time we can still go to baby playtime. So it's fun to take you again.

This week, you had great fun figuring out a handbell...

...stared in wonder at the bubbles...

...enjoyed bouncing on a parachute...

...and entered into an odd relationship with a large stuffed tiger:

I think you two are friends now :)

We also had time this week for walks to a park in our big red wagon. You got a little silly, feet propped up on the sides of the wagon, a proudly goofy grin pointed up at me.

Funny kid of mine.

And, as always, you love your swing.

This was also our second (& final, for now) week of swim. On Friday, Daddy got to go with us, and after an uncertain start, you showed off some of your new skills.

You don't seem so sure about being held by the swim coaches:

But, you practiced your kick-kicks...

...and floated to the ABC song...

...glided from the coach to Mommy...

...glided to steps to claim dive sticks...

...splashed the sticks...

...and waved hi to Daddy!

Then, we headed off to the beach, to celebrate cousin Ryan's birthday. He's a big 2 years old now -- kind of amazing.

Ryan's really into Thomas the Train these days -- so guess who showed up at his party?

But a party at the beach needs a beach theme, too -- so we had a Hawaiian Thomas shindig, complete with hula skirts. Your GiGi made you a super cute dress and Ryan a shirt and shorts with material from Hawaii, which you two wore for the party. You snacked at Ryan's new Thomas table for two...

...sipped from pineapple cups, and wore your hula skirts :)

A sweet party for a sweet nephew. He's winning you over to Thomas; you can muster the most plaintive "Choo Choo!" I think I've ever heard.

Seeing you together is fun, and celebrating important days with our family is a great thing. Snuggling with two sweet kiddos makes my heart full.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Summer Lovin' -- Week Seven

My thoughtful little Lorelai --

Our week started out quietly and sweetly. On Monday, you turned 18 months old, and I tried to record the moment while you played with your baby doll.

Then, a fall. We tried out swim lessons this week, and it's been an emotional ride. You shed some big tears that first day -- and also made some good steps toward gliding and kicking and floating. But as we were leaving, you slipped before I could react, and you got your first goose egg.

I felt so sad for you!

But soon, with the help of a lovey, you calmed down.

Later -- total bribery -- I decided to take you out for a cookie treat. We stopped at a fancy little bakery and had a snack, like big girls, at a table fit for tea.

I think you liked our mommy-daughter date :-)

Sweet, injured girl.

Later in the week, we tried a big trip downtown to a book store to join in a Tiny Tails petting zoo. You were a little confused, but you sat down with the other kids for a quick storytime...

And soon it was time to meet the animals. First, the Tiny Tails helpers sang a unique version of "Old McDonald" (who apparently had a tortoise and a chinchilla)

...and then they started letting groups of kiddos in to meet their little animal buddies. Besides petting the tortoise, the chinchilla, a lizard, and the cutest tiny hedgehog, you got to spend some sweet time with a bunny.

And Mommy had fun taking pics of your little friend :)

A fun outing!

Then, one of your cousins, Maya, turned 4, and we got to go to her house to play. On your daddy's side of the family, you have six girl cousins, and I laughed at how quickly a couple of these girls accessorized you:

You also made me laugh as you explored Maya's big girl stuff. You got lost in her ginormous bean bag chair...

...and got a little, um, possessive with her bouncy horse.

(Sorry, sweetie, but I love this pic!)

Finally, at week's end, we visited Daddy at work. I hope you'll always remember how much your daddy loves you. There's a bit a theme in his wall decor:

You, you, you, you (and me and Daddy). 

Sweet man, your daddy -- and a bit of a ham. You seem to have this in common:

We had a nice lunch out together as a family.

By Friday, you seemed to be over your pool tumble. Actual swim lessons are still tough, but you seem to enjoy heading out together with me. I love you, little buddy.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai 

Summer Lovin' -- Week Six

Sweet & Sassy Lolabug --

I can't believe it's already week six. "They" always say it goes so quickly, and it's true -- whether the "it" is summer or time with you or baby days. A little sad, I guess, but you do so many fun things these days, even in a week touched by some teething time.

This week, we returned to a baby playtime group. After a little encounter with a toddler who pushed you down in a tussle over a play horse (grr), you settled in to watch and play.

This time, you decided the toy container was better than most of the toys...

You make me laugh, little one.

Another day, we made a quick stop at a playground on our way to the library. You explored the music notes and enjoyed shaking the chained parts of the playscape.

So, then, the library. Momma thought we were going to toddler storytime, but apparently we wandered in to a mixed-age music show with Mr. Leebot. I had no idea what that meant. Apparently, this is Mr. Leebot:

Part man, part robot with funny sunglasses -- lots of silly songs. The little people seem to like him :)

I guess we had a music week, because we also tried a music "class" with songs and puppets with Ms. Angie. You liked her froggy friend:

We had some fun time with the new songs and instrument explorations. You found your toes on cue...

...and played with music sticks and shakers.

I thought Ms. Angie was really sweet.

We had a great time.

After a playdate on Thursday, your daddy decided to take a long weekend with his girls to visit family. Yay! We went to San Antonio, stopping first at a snake farm with cousin Ryan, Aunt Lindsay, Gigi, and Maw. Icky, icky snakes -- but the boys liked it. Well, Ryan liked it until Daddy nearly fed him to a python:

(Just teasin'!)

They had other animals, too, and Mommy liked them much better.

A fun time.

We returned to Maw's house for some play. Your cousin Ryan is a sweet little boy. He brought you a drink and showed you how to play with Maw's baby buggy...

...and her tent.

The next day -- Sea World! We hoped for a few hours before naptime, and we got them. We stopped for a quick family pic:

And then we met up with family. 

First, you and Daddy played...

...and then you and Ryan decided sticking wood chips through the playscape holes was better fun than the playscape itself:

We decided the little ones would like the Pets Ahoy show -- no sea animals, but lots of dogs and cats and birds doing crazy trained tricks.  I think you liked it :)

And you had time for secrets and hugs with Ryan -- so sweet!

Then on to see the show with sea lions and a walrus. I think you were a bit confused -- but still entertained.

Finally, the coral reef (and hel-LO, air conditioning)! You watched, wide-eyed, and Daddy kept you company.

Your energy meter ran low after the fish, but it was a great first trip. So glad we got to explore with Daddy, too. Another fine week :)

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai