Local Canoe Trip

In early June, we took advantage of some beautiful summer weather to take the kids on a canoe trip.  Bay Creek Paddling Center is located at the bottom of Irondequiot Bay and will shuttle you and a canoe up to Ellison Park.  Once there, you can put in and float/paddle on the Irondequiot Creek back to the their shop.  We have done this trip before, but not with the kids.  

It took a little over two hours and by the end Graham was a little bored.  They each had their sticks and what kept him engaged was trailing his in the water alongside the canoe.  Next time, we need more snacks...

 

Parker Spring/Summer Skills

Parker played t-ball in the spring.  Goforth Electric was the sponsor again and they were in need of a manager, so I agreed to help.  There was another Dad who was willing to run the practices and games, but the manager need to do logistics and equipment and be back up.

The season started using the tee for all the kids, but after a few weeks the coach and Coach Greg (he ended up getting roped in too) decided to start pitching to the kids and they generally did pretty well.

Parker always says her favorite part is running the bases...the kid loves to run.

 One of Parker's goals for the summer was to learn to ride her bike without training wheels.  We are lucky to live in a quiet part of our neighborhood, with a lot of dead ends so no through traffic.  However, there are some slight hills, which are hard for learning.  One day I took both kids up to the high schoool parking lot to practice.  This was in late spring.  By the end of the summer, she was riding standing up and totally mastered it!

 

Graham - 3 years old

The baby of the family is officially not a baby anymore!  This guy sure does keep us on our toes.  I think the term parenting books would use is "strong-willed". While Graham is still learning that the world does not, in fact, revolve around him and that he won't necessarily get everything he wants, he has the sweetest heart, warmest smile, and gives the best hugs of any kid I have ever known.

Graham also really likes to make people laugh, so we are starting to see a bit of class clown-type moments.  He loves to have a job or task or to help Mommy/Daddy do something (like yard work or making smoothies).  He adores his big sister and still calls her "Sissy" more than he calls her Parker.  They play together really well, with the occasional argument over a toy that they both want to use.  They have really started to get into pretend play and will play house and role play.  It's so cute to eavesdrop on those conversations.  

After our trip, we started on potty training and Graham picked it up pretty well.  We were especially surprised at how great he did at nighttime and really only needed to wear pull-ups at night for a couple months.  

Some things he says often:

• "Hey guys!" 
• "I've got a great idea"
• "I am so drinky" (means thirsty)
• "a little bit much"
• "THAT'S how you do it!"

Graham is still a bit of a picky eater, but some of his favorite things to eat are apples, peanut butter, red bell peppers, chili, and of course chocolate milk.  We think he is going to be a good little athlete, just from watching him run up the stairs with alternating legs or other tough things like that.  It appears he will stay a lefty, since he eats, colors, and throws all with his left hand.  He will try to use his right hand for eating and throwing sometimes, but it usually doesn't go as well.

Crazy hairstyle

Making cookies with Sandy

Pirate ship

Just cuteness

Play ball!  Red Wings game

Just after a haircut

Crashed on the couch after a rough afternoon

Riding his "motorcycle" (it's Harley Davidson)

 

And finally, his birthday questions:

 

 

Florida / Spring Break 2017 - Part 3

Papa G, Sandy, and Pryse arrived on Friday afternoon.  They had a little overlap with the Chalfants, so that was fun for everyone to see each other.  The next day we rented a boat.  It was a little cool, but it was still so much fun to cruise around and make a trip out to Cabbage Key. 

Sunday was Graham's 3rd birthday!  I took the kids to the playground and we hung around the pool.  That evening we cooked one of Graham's favorite meals, steaks, and opened presents.

On Monday we headed up to Tampa.  We got to visit Grandma Rhonda and enjoy her delicious cooking for dinner.  Then we spent the night at a hotel near the airport for our early morning flight home.

Florida / Spring Break 2017 - Part 2

Part 2 of our Florida trip was spent at Papa G's house in Rotonda West.  We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and awaited our first round of guests, the Chalfants from Colorado!  In the meantime, we had a day of fun, followed by dinner at Palm Island.  You have to take a water taxi to get there.  After dinner, we snuck out to the beach (it's private) and took a little walk before heading back on the taxi.



 

Breakfast on the lanai

Cool kids waiting for the water taxi

After dinner beach stroll

 

 

We were so lucky to encounter some dolphins on the ride back!  They came right up behind the boat and the captain took us way past the dock so we could enjoy it longer.  It was amazing!

 

The Chalfants arrived late that night and we started off the visit with a beach day that Thursday.

That evening, we piled in the minivan and drove out to Boca Grande for dinner at Miller's Dockside.

Dan concocted a drink with fresh pineapple and coconut milk.  Oh there may have been some rum in there too...

On Friday, we headed back to the beach.  We had lunch at another good spot, the Sandbar Tiki & Grille.  Then a little more pool time before the Chalfants had to leave that evening...

 

 

We were sad to see them leave, but even that short visit was enough to have so much fun together.  Parker and Fallyn really hit it off and we look forward to our next adventure!  Part 3 of our trip began Friday evening when Papa G, Sandy, and Pryse arrived!