Follow Me!

Today I took the kids to a class taught by our parks and rec department. I am consistently impressed with the programs that they put together...always a great price and always exceed our expectations. Today's class was all about Monarch Butterflies.

I was a little nervous having both kids since Beckett is sometimes not the most co-operative little guy. Luckily the teacher tried to include him as much as possible and we were outside so he was able to go off and explore.

Grant loved the class and thanked me afterwards for taking him to the "great class." During circle time he gave lots of answers because, as luck would have it, one of his favorite shows has an episode all about Monarchs. Amazing what they pick up when you think that they are just spacing out!

After circle time, there were a few crafts and then the teacher showed us how to hold and tag a monarch. Grant really got into this...listening intently and made sure he was doing it correctly. Then we were all given nets and we marched out into the fields.

Unfortunately we did not catch a Monarch (it's a bad year for them - something is eating them up more than usual). But I am proud to say that we were the only ones to catch a butterfly. It was a Buckeye Butterfly - wings with lots of shades of brown. Grant thought this sounded cool and kept saying it over and over throughout the rest of the day.

 So cute. Beckett ran up and grabbed Grant's hand as we followed the class back to the classroom area. :-)

 Grant answering a question during circle time.

 Craft time. Love the tongue action Grant! That's when you know he's concentrating.

 Grant getting ready for the hike - showing proper form for carrying his net.

 Mmmm, not quite Beck...but close.

Listening to teacher give last minute instructions.

Alligators, Trains and Roasting Marshmallows!

We made a trip up to Ft Wayne this week. Our first stop was the Ft Wayne Children's Zoo again. For a limited time, through the Children's Museum in Indy, we were able to get into the zoo for free. Our last trip felt a bit rushed at the end, so we started at the end of the zoo and worked our way back this time. Another huge difference was that it was about 40 degrees cooler (50 instead of 90) and so all the animals were out and about.

Alligators

I think that this was my favorite part this time. First of all, did you know that alligators can sit on the bottom of rivers (or in this case, pools?) I definitely did not know that and the thought of stepping on one of these in a river really makes you think twice!

This was the largest of the 2 gators in the exhibit and as you can tell, he floated right up to the glass. It was a little creepy to have only 3 inches of glass between you and this HUGE gator. And believe me, his little eye never left us.

Grant wasn't sure what to make of the whole thing.

Train Ride

The train was up and running this time. It was a great ride, especially since we were the only people on it. We went around a very pretty lake in the zoo and saw lots of birds fishing and a few turtles.

The kids are always up for climbing on something.

Grandma and Papa's House

After the zoo we went out to Roger's parents house (Grandma and Papa) for a nice visit. Not only did the kids experience their first roasted marshmallows, but also had their first sleepover at Grandma and Papa's house.

Here the boys are helping Papa with the fire. Throwing sticks into the fire...ahh, brings back memories.

Everyone checking out a medivac helicopter that flew right over the house.

Waiting is always the hardest part.

Are you sure the fire isn't ready?

Finally!

Buddy was ready to catch anything that fell off...he knew to stick close.

Looks like it was worth the wait.

Grant wasn't so sure. He liked them, but not the crispy part on the outside...he only ate about half of each one.

This is a video of the marshmallow roasting.

Soccer Saturday!

After many many weeks of anticipation, today was Grant's first EVER soccer game. He was unbelievably excited this morning and I think that it probably carried all the way through the game. :-) After reviewing the tape, looks like we need to have a few discussions re pushing in soccer. In fact, according my conversation with Grant after the game, he was "pushing kids out of the way because he was so excited to score a goal." Good thing there aren't any red cards at this level. He also falls an inordinate amount...but he does that at home too.

 Grant practicing before the game.

 Coach Simmons with Grant and our wannabe soccer player Beckett. Poor kid, just wanted to play too. 

 

Grant and his friend Emmitt. Emmitt and his family live down the street from us.

 Beckett is obsessed with Baby Asher, Emmitt's little brother (about 5 months old). This is also Emmitt's sister Alina...she is also 2. We have playdates with Emmitt and his family at least once a week.

 Such a cute pic.

 The soccer cluster. I don't think that there was a single pass in the game...at least not on purpose.

 How old are you? I am three. How old are you?

 Grant's biggest cheerleader - Go Grant Go! Go Wind Go!

 Grant and Emmitt during halftime.

Coach Simmons with a few pointers.

If you would like to see a longer clip of the game (about 7 minutes or so), choose the first video. My favorite part is Grant falling into the goal and getting his arm stuck in the netting. Classic.

If you just want to see Grant score his goal, choose the 2nd video.

Mounds State Park

A few days ago we visited Mounds State Park in Anderson, IN - about 30 minutes from here. The park contains 10 mounds built around 150 B.C. by the Adena and Hopewell cultures primarily for religious ceremonies. It is believed that these mounds were used to keep track of the seasons, the positions of over 100 of the brighter stars, as well as the moon and visible planets. We had a great time exploring and walking around - although Grant kept asking where the playground was. :-)

The park had a great trail system, including extensive boardwalks, that went through the woods and down to the White River. There was also a very nice visitor center with animals and other artifacts from the area.

Both the boys were huge troopers for the hike - Beckett especially. A large portion of the beginning of the hike was stairs and big stairs at that. Beck walked the whole way...stopping to pick up nuts and sticks and only occasionally veering off the beaten path.

 The kids exploring one of the canoes. 

 Grant telling Beckett how to paddle the canoe.

 Beckett paddling the canoe - it was a chilly day, so he had his hood up for awhile. :-)

 Roger and Grant are at the end of this path. This is the Great Mound. Almost 1/4 mile in diameter - very beautiful.

 The mounds all had what looked like a moat in the middle of them. Not sure what the purpose was of the hollowed out area...can't imagine how long it took to accomplish!

 Another artifact down by the river - there wasn't a sign on this one, so we aren't sure what it was. Very cool though.

 The highlight of the trip for the kids - throwing rocks in the river.

 Grant really needs to learn to throw overhand! If I remember correctly, this throw was severely off course!

 Roger helping the kids with their rocks...and trying to keep them from falling into the river.

 This was a tree that had fallen over at some point, but was still alive and growing over the river. Grant thought it was a very cool tree tunnel. This was one of the many mysteries that Grant found on our hike..."why did this tree fall over?" Some of the other mysteries - "what animal made these tracks?" "Why are there bricks here by the river?" "Where does that path go?" Yes, as always, our day was filled with questions from Grant.

 Grant really wanted to go out on the limbs of the tree.

This time...will your leaf make it under the bridge? :-)

New Bedding!

Roger recently made the trek to Washington, DC to pick up some bunk beds from my Uncle David. My Grandpa, Andy Farrell, made the beds for my cousins. Well, now those cousins are in college and so we are lucky enough to be the next in line. I can't wait to get them set up in Grant's room. Beckett is still enjoying his crib, so for now Grant will have them all to himself. Once Beckett has gotten used to sleeping in a big boy bed, we plan to bunk the boys in the same room.

In preparation for the bunk beds, I found this bedding at Target. The boys were so excited to get it that they were playing "nigh-night" with it as soon as we got home. They were also jumping on it like it was some kind of pad - Grant didn't understand why his butt kept hurting... :-)

A Week in Review

Thought I would post a few random pictures and quotes from the past week or so.

The weather had cooled down, so we have been able to get out and about and enjoy some really nice weather. Parks, bike rides, and a few trips to the pool have been our regular routine. Roger is in the middle of a job transition, so we have been enjoying lots of time together.

Grant started soccer again. He is playing with one of his friends on his first soccer team. Roger is the assistant coach. Grant is so excited and as he told me, "mom, did you know that there is only one ball in soccer?" Yes Grant... He has new cleats and a new "uniform." So far there has only been practice, but games start up next weekend.

A new park opened up not too far from us with some great climbing equipment. Both the kids were very proud of how high up they got for these pictures.

Beckett is quite the cuddlebug when he first wakes up. He especially likes to curl up into Roger's side and wake up with a little TV.

Today we went to the Monon Center in Carmel. It's an amazing community center with a fabulous outdoor water park. I was hoping to get some better pictures, but even with Roger there, we were running after the kids. There are 5 different pool areas. We stayed mostly in the pool with a climbing apparatus and slide. Beckett loved climbing up the rope ladder and then going down the tube slide. Grant's favorite part of the park was the lazy river. As he told me, "Mom, stop paddling and just relax!" :-) Roger and I tried out the bigger water slides - Grant is going to love those next year...he's just a bit too small this year.

This is a video of Grant climbing one of the many "rock walls" at one of the parks and then he recently figured out how to use the "zip line" at the park - he's very proud of being such a big boy.