I’m starting a new job on 7/25 which means my time at home with the kids is quickly winding down. What an amazing 5 months I’ve had. It’s been a joy and a gift. I expect some shorter blogs once I’m back and no longer spending every day with the kids. I can’t help but document it all when I’m there to experience it, especially with our summer adventures.
On Monday we were lucky to still have Papa here visiting. We took it relatively easy after our week away but still got out for a fun lunch at Bricks, one of our favorite spots. It’s almost always quiet at lunch time and it’s a nice big, open space.
Steven and Sammy were immediately excited about our lunch adventure.
Amaya, not so much. We’d brought some of Charlie’s old crocs home from NY and Amaya was a sad, sad girl because she wanted to wear them in the car. I really wish there was an “eyeroll” emoji for wordpress because it’s entirely appropriate for how I felt about this. But she’s 2.5 and I’m trying to pick and choose my battles. Right now the kids are appropriately trying to exert a level of autonomy and either everything can be a battle or the important things can be battles. Holding hands in a parking lot? Non-negotiable. Wearing Charlie’s crocs? Negotiable.
A happier toddler with her shoes next to her in the car and Charlie’s shoes on her feet.
That’s my girl.
Lately, Amaya has been a little nervous in restaurants. I think it started in NY when some waitstaff pounced to say hello to us. She lost her mind and has been uneasy since. The compromise is that I let Amaya sit on my lap until food comes and then she needs to sit in her own seat.
In this case, a pack of oyster crackers did the trick.
Please take note of Steven’s deranged toddler smile.
Papa also got to enjoy some playtime in the backyard.
Off they go to the grocery store!
Not surprisingly, it was Sammy who gave Papa the best cuddle as our visit was coming to a close.
Thanks for flying home with us, Papa! We can’t wait to see you again soon!
Early Tuesday morning I took Papa to the airport and then we all met my friend Julie and her boys at the zoo. There’s a splash pad right near the entrance and it was a hot, hot day so we decided to wear bathing suits and play in the water. The kids had a great time. It wasn’t crowded – much less so than the local park splash pads – and there were appropriately sized spouts for little kids.
The splash pad is right next to the penguinarium and penguins came right up to the window! It was really cool.
See Steven in the stroller? He tapped out first and decided he wanted to stay in the stroller for a bit while everyone else finished playing. I think he was done with water and ready to explore the rest of the zoo. He specifically asked to see the rhinoceroses as soon as we got going.
It was a great zoo trip! We walked around for a little bit after the splash pad (saw the rhinoceroses) and then had lunch before calling it a day.
On Wednesday we decided to stay home all day long. It was our first lazy day at home in more than a week and a half and I think everyone needed it.
The Wednesday/Thursday fun was a visit from Grandma Sunshine!
What do you do with your snack of cheese? Feed it to baby Jenna, of course.
After Grandma left on Thursday afternoon, we decided to go out for a frozen yogurt treat. I’ve taken SSA to this place before but it was the first time it was with the intent of letting the kids have their own “ice cream”. Everyone got bowls of vanilla fro yo and got to pick their choice of berries on top. Amaya and Sammy went for raspberries and Steven skipped the toppings.
We had mentioned eating the yogurt on a bench outside but nixed the idea when we realized how quickly it would melt. Steven wasn’t having that, though. He insisted on eating outside on the bench. It’s not a surprise, either. He was able to watch car after car after car go by. “Big red truck. ‘Nother big red truck. Black car. Blue car. Silver truck.” And on and on and on. 🙂 The best part was hearing him try to say “convertible.” It sounded something like “bumverbebel”.
Hi Amaya, Sammy and May May!
I tried to get photos of everyone on the bench but Amaya wasn’t having it. It’s definitely a growing challenge to get a photo of all 3 kids smiling.
On Friday, Megan took the kids to Kensington Farm. I had lunch plans in Detroit but joined her for a little bit. The big excitement of this trip was that Steffie joined along with Megan and Stephanie’s mom! Steven was smitten and immediately took Cindy’s hand.
This week I got a few pictures of the kids helping Jason with the Space Basket.
Saturday morning we took a family trip to Maybury Farm. Kensington Farm Center is about 20 minutes away but this farm is practically down the block. They both have their own charm but Maybury also has a play area with some cool wooden vehicles the kids can play on.
Big peacock feathers!
We went in the pen with the sheep. Steven and Amaya were okay as long as the sheep stayed far away. Unfortunately for Sammy, the sheep came right up to him. He practically jumped into Jason’s arms.
Saturday afternoon, Jason took Amaya to the grocery store and the boys and I went for a walk. We’re still working on listening skills which is hit or miss at this age.
The boys took toy airplanes with them. Right now, Steven is in a phase where he loves all vehicles but especially airplanes. He loves to make them fly in the sky, and Sammy is following suit, too. We saw an airplane in the sky and he told me that it was going to New York. <3
“Ohhhhhhh! Airplane is going up high in the sky!”
Steven, pointing to our house while Sammy lags behind.
Sammy. Lagging behind. Again, I need that eye roll emoji. You can’t see it from the photo but the kid did not want to cooperate. At least he wasn’t running in the other direction.
When we got home, the boys were excited to see that they got a package in the mail from Aunt Dale and Uncle Arnie with some really cool t-shirts from Montauk. Love them!
I love summer and I especially love summer nights. The opportunity to go outside with the kids after dinner is awesome. It reminds me of summer nights as a kid. I can lie in the grass and they can run around. On Saturday night, Jason was even able to get in some landscaping.
Steven was using his “dull dozer” to help with the lawn care.
This morning Jason & Steven headed to Mt. Clemens to a ball card show while Amaya, Sammy and I went to the playground at Maybury Park.
These kids hammed it up for the camera.
We went on a nature walk. Amaya kept asking to see nature and I kept explaining that it was all around us in the trees, rocks, birds, etc.
When we got home, Sammy said, “One girl and one boy. And the other boy is with daddy at baseball.”
It was so nice out that I couldn’t bear to go inside so we had a picnic lunch in the wagon.
Meanwhile, Steven had a great time with daddy! Jason reports that the hits of the morning were the pink ambulance and the model cars. I’m not surprised to hear that!
Steven this week!
Sammy this week!
Amaya this week!
Amaya is obsessed with these glasses from the tool kit. I call her my scientist.
Final photo of the week is story time. <3 <3 <3
Have a great week!