Letters to Lorelai

Little Lolabug,

This week, we started with a visit to see Auntie Lindsay and cousin Ryan at their home. So fun! Your auntie had a big birthday, and we got to celebrate with cake and not-so-baby play.

The next day, we returned to one of Ryan's favorite parks. You had a good time exploring side by side...

...and your Momma had fun watching a little girl try to adopt you. She took care of you on a dinosaur...

...and then led you to one of the slides.

So very cute :)

Then, we took a trip to the children's museum. Before finding your cousin to play, you did your best to start a tea party with a new friend.

Then you and Ryan played cars...

...and explored the outside deck. This was your best play together.

And you sure had fun with that popper.

Back inside, you made your Momma chuckle. Sometimes you seem like such a thoughtful big kid...

...and then you do something baby-like.

(And let's face it, a little inappropriate :-)

Back at Ryan's house, you became a little obsessed with Ryan's big dog, Bonnie. (Or, as you yelled to her, "BAH!")

Bonnie even became part of your cousin Thomas train watching time:

Whoa :)

We also spent time among Ryan's books, and I laughed at the difference a boy's house makes:

After a few days of play, we came home to spend July 4th with Daddy. We tried out a new park, with a kiddie train and a slide and ice cream. Oh my.

You tried your hand at bean bags (minus the "toss")...

...and pointed out sights.

We came home for some fruit fun...

...and some rest.

A sweet week with some of our favorite people.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

My Lolabug --

Another week, another chance to explore. Not such a bad life, hmm?

This week, a friend let us know about a park playscape with a canopy, and since this is Texas, and this week saw 3-digit temps, that sounded like a necessity!

So off we went to Trailhead Park. Um, it's totally cool -- a castle of play.

I mean, someone really fun came up with that, for sure.

And since it has lots of railings and side walls, you largely puttered around on your own -- up stairs, across bridges, and down slides.

For some reason, you get the concept of "on your bottom" on a traditional slide but insist on face-first, on-your-belly army crawl in the tube slides. I find this endearing.

You also do your best to climb the slides instead of going to the steps, but you're not quite able to do this. Soon, I bet.

Then, a big adventure. A small group of moms from our church planned a visit to Crowe's Nest Farm. We were lucky enough to go with our neighbors, Mrs. Beth and Taylor, and it looked fun from the start.

I have to admit your mommy wasn't too keen on the first part of the tour -- the snake room. (Blech.) But we hung around while the nice farmer took out 2 snakes, Show-n-Tell style, and then invited kids to touch one. Um, no.

And anyone who knows me well should understand why I felt a little proud that I not only stayed still for the snakes but also the wasp flying in and out of the rafters above our heads. (Your momma's a wuss, sweetie.)

But then on to see Bella, the cow, and learn about milking. Better :)

And then a group hayride to see buffalo and ostriches.

Fun -- but honestly, you liked the hay best.

Then the farmers turned us loose to meet the animals. House rules: any animal that comes to the fence can be petted, don't pretend to feed them, and watch for llamas with their ears back, because they're about to spit. (I heard that last one as "Avoid the llamas at all costs.")

So we met donkeys...

A bellowing cow...

Ponies...

Pigs...

A headbutting goat (eek!)...

And various birds. You weren't sure what to make of that turkey.

So many animals. So many memories.

Then, some fun at home as we tried to keep from melting in afternoon heat. You still love your books -- even though you don't always take them so seriously: