Grandma Lisa & Aunt Kelsey Visit

We were very excited to have Grandma Lisa and Kelsey here to visit for a long weekend two weeks ago. Alex wasted no time taking advantage of two more people to boss around. He was throwing balls for Kelsey to fetch in no time! We kept very busy – so busy that Alex took a 3.5 hour nap the day after they left! What a lucky Mommy!

Alex loved showing Grandma Lisa his cage (which he created by himself – I promise Grandma Lisa did not put him in the cage!) … and loved keeping Kovu out of it!!

I love the mischievous grin on his face.

No, Kovu, this is MY cage!

The first night, Tim had to work late, so Alex and I took Grandma Lisa and Kelsey to picnic on the beach and watch the fireworks. Carolina Beach does a great 10 minute fireworks show every Thursday during tourist season!

Kelsey and Alex having a discussion about the ocean.

 

The next day, Tim took a much needed day off from work and we ventured over the river to Southport via ferry for lunch. Alex loves riding the ferry because we let him sit in the front seats of the car with us. He has a great view of the sea gulls chasing the ferry and the other boats on the Cape Fear River that way. Daddy loves riding the ferry too, because the sound of the engine and the great breeze through the open windows always lulls him to sleep. Here are a few pictures from before he passed out!

 

Alex and Daddy watching the other ferry pass by.

 

We went to the beach the next afternoon. It was really nice visiting the beach in the late afternoon after the sun has started slipping behind some of the beach houses. We spent some time in the waves, which were crazy big! Alex is never interested in getting anything past his ankles in the ocean, so since we had additional people with us, Tim and I finally got to jump some waves. Afterwards, we spent some time burying Alex in the sand. I guess it makes sense. We buried Kelsey the first time she came to the beach and we buried Tim the next time. Maybe I won’t go to the beach next time Kelsey is here.

 

 

We hope they come visit again soon!

Old McFaye’s Farm

Alex and I went on a MOMS Club field trip to Old McFaye’s Farm today. As soon as we got out of the car, Alex took off running towards the ponies. He was talking a mile a minute and was so excited! I was barely able to take pictures while I was running all over the farm trying to keep his hands away from the animals’ mouths. Alex is so used to big Kovu that he had NO FEAR of any farm animal!

Watching his friends feed the chickens.	He loved the horse.
Look, Mom! More chickens!	Following a rogue chicken.
Alex wasn’t too interested in feeding the goat, but he loved watching him.	I don’t think he realized Daisy was a dog.

After letting the kids run around feeding corn to the animals, Farmer Faye took us for a quick little hay ride and to the back pasture to feed the sheep.

Alex loved sitting in the wagon, until everyone else crammed in and it started moving!	Deep in thought.
All the kids loved playing with the corn.	Umm, Alex? You’re supposed to be feeding that sheep!

 

Next, it was time for the pony ride! While the kids were taking turns on the pony, we brushed another pony’s hair and checked on all the chickens and goats again. Then we washed up and attempted lunch. Alex was way too interested in the animals to eat much. Good thing we picked up Daddy for some Chick-Fil-A on our way home! What a busy day!

 

Showing the pony his comb.	I love the expression on his face.
Alex was not so excited about the pony ride at first.	He was holding on like a pro once she started moving.
Hey, that wasn’t too bad!	We couldn’t get him to smile, but at least he didn’t scream!

 

Our Newest Toy

Alex is spoiled. There, I admit it! I can’t help it! The way I see it, it’s an investment for the rest of our family – for future siblings and to be passed on to future nieces & nephews. For now, Alex just gets to play with all of it! Since I knew I was hosting a “Sandbox & Water Play” party for the my MOMS Club today, I knew I needed to find a sprinkler and stock up on some bubbles and side walk chalk. I’m glad I did, because the party was a hit!

I just love this water ring we found yesterday. It’s much less intimidating than a sprinkler and it creates a pool of water a couple of inches deep in the middle. The kids had tons of fun!

	Cooling off!

Wagons & Hess Trucks

Alex had an epiphany the other day – he realized his red wagon from Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Strunck was more than just a pull toy or a place for storage! For months, Alex has tried to pull the wagon around or has thrown all his balls in, then pulled up on his cute tippy-toes to pull them back out, but he’s never asked to go for a ride. Then, it was like a light bulb turned on, because all of the sudden he was pointing in and trying to climb over the side. Of course, there’s a heat index of over 100 degrees most days and he wants to be pulled around the cul-de-sac! Here are two pictures of one of his first rides. He was cracking me up because I put the foam block on his head and he just left it there. I bet people watching out their windows thought we were crazy!

Where’s Alex?

Say Cheese!

 

I sent Tim to our storage unit the other day in search of my old classroom craft box and he came home with a few of his favorite Hess trucks from his childhood (he did bring the craft box, too). It’s fun watching Alex enjoy the same toys his Daddy played with as a kid!

 

Oh, Great-Grandma Workman – you were right! His hair is getting darker!!

 

Alex loved all the blinking lights.

Parking the police car.

Introducing – the Art Room!

Alex and I probably venture out to Fit For Fun at least once a month. I love that they have so many things for Alex to explore and climb on, that it’s cheap, and that it’s all enclosed and feels so safe. Now I have one more thing to add – they have a great art room! I’ve tried to get Alex interested in the art room before, but he was always more intent on playing with the cars or trying to get outside. I guess this time around he realized it was too hot to be outside and was ready to give the art room another try. Thankfully, he was mostly interested in the markers this time – and not the finger paint. Alex likes to dive into the painting before I get his apron on, then quits in the middle and runs back out into the play room with the apron still on!

 

I took these picture for Tim. When I told him the cars at Fit For Fun have a little “gas station,” he said he used to have one for his car growing up. Alex discovered the gas and invented a new concept – a gas station that bring you the gas!

 

 

Fireworks on the Beach

Carolina Beach just put on the best fireworks show! Nothing like sitting on a blanket with your little family while watching 25 minutes of fireworks and listening to the waves crashing. We went out early so Alex could run around and get some energy out. Good thing we did – it was super high tide and Alex was in love with the ocean. Thank goodness! Last weekend, Alex shook his head, “no” every time a wave came in! Alex sat down to eat a sandwich just before the first of the fireworks started. He immediately looked up and was entranced. I was very impressed with him – he only got up a few times to wander around, but he always came back and kept 1 eye on the sky.

Happy 4th of July!

Watching the waves come in.	Exploring!
Preparing to throw a shell into the waves.	Look at our cute family of foot prints!
The rising moon was gorgeous!	There was just enough light to see his look of awe!

Our First Art Project

Last week, Alex and I did a little painting at Fit For Fun, and for the first time, he seemed really interested in it. So, while he was napping that day, I started looking on various other blogs for art ideas for toddlers. I found some really neat ideas that I’m really excited to try! Well, we tried our first project yesterday afternoon.  I made liquid sidewalk chalk from water, corn starch, and food coloring. I brought the paint and our “paint brushes” downstairs first, then brought Alex down. He sat right down and started dipping his fingers, Q-tips and cotton balls in the paint like he had been painting for years. The fun lasted long enough for me to take some pictures, then he started playing with the broom. Oh well, at least he went back and played with the paint a few more times! Here’s a peek at the fun!

Alex’s masterpiece!