Little Man at the Big Theatre!

The Dove Family Film Festival is something that I've been aware of for years, but never took advantage of since we didn't have kids. They are movies shown at local theatres that children under 12 get into for free and accompanying adults pay just $2.50 (a dutch dream)! Generally these movies are not new releases, but hey for the cheap admission, what do you expect?!?! Now that Joshua is nearing 3 I've wanted to take him to a movie at the theatre just to see what he thinks of the experience, but being financially frugal didn't want to pay admission for a child and an adult to just see how he likes it or if he could handle it. The Dove Family Film Festival is the perfect time to test his movie going skills out! I figured for $2.50 I wouldn't be too upset if we had to walk out half way through. Joshua was excited today when I told him I was taking him to a BIG movie. He had a few questions about what it would be like. He thought the screen would be more the size of our TV and he wondered if he was going to see Disney's Cars movie. He still didn't know what to expect once we arrived so the arcade games caught his attention and he really didn't want to go find a seat in the theatre. However, once he was settled in with his popcorn and the movie started the little guy went into what I call "frozen head" state (it's my not-so-nice way of describing what happens to children when they have "screen time" of any sort - their brains seem to freeze, which is why we limit his "screen time"). He was mesmerized by the HUGE screen and LARGE animated characters! We saw The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie. Not exactly my first choice since I'm not a fan of animated vegetables. It was not a good movie (like why in the world did they have to throw in animated cheese puffs? STRANGE), but Joshua watched the entire thing with hardly a peep. Even though the movie wasn't so great Joshua enjoyed the experience of this special treat!

One Hoppin' Place!

Thanks to the suggestion of a friend who was going to be at the park with a few friends we spent a couple hours over at Frog Hollow Park enjoying the BEAUTIFUL weather we have been having! It was a busy little spot! Joshua loved the freedom of running around! He did some climbing, but being the wimp that he is, didn't want anything to do with the slides. (Here's hoping I didn't traumatize him by making him try the big slide at Great Wolf.) We even ate lunch at the park, which Joshua thought was a special treat. He had a blast burning off energy while I followed him around soaking up the sun! This is our kind of weather!

Vacation at Great Wolf Lodge

On Thursday afternoon we traveled up to Traverse City to Great Wolf Lodge. It's something we have been wanting to do with Joshua, but finding the time was not easy. We went during the week for the lower rates and in hopes that it wouldn't be so busy. It worked out very well! We also took Papa along to take part in the fun! We spent most of our time in the water park, but did manage to do a few other things. Some of the highlights of our trip included story time Thursday night after which Joshua got to hug Wiley the wolf, the water park of course, playing in the arcade, making a special wolf stuffed animal as a memento of our trip, picking out special colored rocks in the gift store with Papa (thanks Papa), seeing the buffalo, and doing a little shopping. It was jam-packed fun for three days! When asked what his favorite things in the water park were Joshua reports, "I like the warm water with bubbles (the hot tub)! I like the big bucket dumps on people! I like the basketball." He also adds, "I don't like the slide in darkness, I get wet." Obviously he isn't a kid who likes slides yet. He went down one on a tube with Cory and me and then again with Papa and me that you go under a waterfall type effect and then through a pitch black tunnel. However, all of us adults had a great time trying out the water slides. What a fun trip, we will definitely go back!

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Love Craigslist!

If you've never been on http://www.craigslist.com/ you really should take a look at it sometime. It's like eBay, but local with no fees to post. I listed the double stroller pictured. This stroller has been sitting in our garage taking up space for 2 years. I used it last year when watching Owen, but quickly realized that it was heavy and cumbersome and invested in a double umbrella stroller (much better purchase). With spring finally arriving we figured it would be a good time to list the stroller on craigslist. I posted it last Sunday and got only one response which didn't pan out. However, I re-posted it on Friday and had 5 people respond within 24 hours. Last night the first lady to respond came and picked it up and we are now $75 richer and have more room in the garage!

A Spring Break Visit to the Farm!

Erin and Owen were going to visit Erin's dad's farm and invited Joshua and I to come along. As soon as the boys' feet hit the dirt they ran into the barn in search of tractors to sit on. Besides two large tractors they climbed in the combine and the huge truck. Joel got the vintage John Deere pedal tractor down for the boys to ride - it was so cute! Then it was off to see the cows and the horses. Owen didn't want to get too close to the animals even though he had been talking about seeing them for days. Joshua on the other hand loved getting up close and personal, even feeding the horses carrots! Back at the barn Erin took Joshua for a ride on the little tractor (otherwise knows as the lawn mower). Joshua loved trying to steer! The boys also noticed some lovely mud puddles by the barn. I told Joshua he could walk through the puddle with his new frog boots. He looked at me in dismay not really believing he wouldn't get wet. Not more than a few moments after this new discovery he said, "Can I jump?!" Much to every one's surprise I gave him the go ahead. It's not everyday you get a chance to jump in a mud puddle! Joshua LOVED jumping and splashing in the mud (he didn't really notice how dirty he was)! Owen decided it was better to stand back and observe his crazy cousin. Soon Joshua realized that being wet on a cold day isn't exactly fun so it was time for a quick change. We were off after this stopping by a Family Farm and Home store. The field trip continued as the boys got to see chicks, ducklings baby turkeys and rabbits. Oh what a dream day for a couple of farm-loving boys!

Spring!

Yesterday, we decided to have our first open house - basically because we noticed there was going to be one a couple streets away and figured we would try to draw from their traffic (sadly only one couple stopped by). With Cory left at home to do the open house Joshua and I packed up the car with some outdoor toys went over to my dad's. Joshua drove his car all around, getting a better idea of how to steer. Then he played tee ball with Papa and Uncle Phil which he loved! Papa also tried to help Joshua with his golf swing. We even went on a walk around the condo development and Joshua sat in a big machine and tried to chase some geese on the pond with little success. Once back home and after a short nap we enjoyed the outdoors again by having Shawn, Erin and Owen over for dinner and some play time. Owen brought his BMW so they drove around in each other's cars instead of racing like we thought they would. They also had a little batting practice. We are thankful we could enjoy this beautiful day God blessed us with!

Just plain funny!

Saturday morning Cory gave Joshua a hug and a kiss and explained that he was going to get a hair cut. Joshua asks, "Daddy, are you getting more hair?" There was no prompting from me on that one, it was all Joshua! TOO FUNNY! Joshua asked the same question again when Cory got home! I guess the kid already knows how to push his dad's buttons, just reference his balding!

Joshua's New Ride!

We were at Walmart last night and Cory just happened to walk down the aisle where they have the motorized kids vehicles like the Mustangs and Gators. He quickly called me over after looking at the price tag on this race car hanging up - it said $64! WHAT?!?!?! Those things are over $200 (we checked the Power Wheels website when we got home and they are $220)! He was going to double check the price with a salesperson because we figured it was mis-marked. Nope, the tag was right, $64! Even the salesperson was saying we were getting a great deal. So, even though I don't like Nascar or Dale Earnhardt (whose name and number are all over this little car) I couldn't really pass that bargain up (if my kid didn't like it I figured Icould sell it)! They hauled it down from display and Joshua hopped right in and pushed the gas pedal, immediately taking off. So, it's already assembled, the battery was charged and Joshua has an early birthday present! Last night he had to drive it inside in his pajamas and I had to read him his bedtime stories while he sat in the car. Today he has been walking around saying, "I love my race car!" He has also been singing, "Happy birthday to Joshua, happy birthday dear Joshua, happy birthday I got a race car!" He has driven it several times (inside and outside) and has already figured out the forward and reverse gears, now we are just working on learning how to steer. Glad he is enjoying his early birthday present!

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen turned 2 today! Because there was a special present for the birthday boy from his parents we went over to his house for birthday dinner and cake! After dinner Owen got to open his new BMW Z4 Shawn and Erin had found for him for a steal of a deal! Owen certainly loved his car! We took it outside and the boys took turns driving it around. It was too cute! More partying and fun to follow for Owen when we celebrate with everyone on Saturday night!

A Great Way to Enjoy a Beautiful Day!

Do I dare say that perhaps spring is finally here? Maybe I better not say it out loud quite yet, we do live in Michigan! Once again today we went to Frederik Meijer Gardens to enjoy the butterflies, the Children's Garden and the sculptures outside. I think Joshua is getting to the point where is is over the excitement of the butterflies now. He likes seeing them, but is ready to move on to other things instead of take his time in the butterfly exhibit. He really wanted to go outside so we went back to get our coats and ran into Cory's cousin Missy and his cousin Lori and their kids, Eli, Lexi and Tori who were ready to see the butterflies. We went outside and this time I thought it would be fun to take Joshua on the sculpture walk (1/2 mile walk). We had a blast finding different sculptures, running under some and touching some. Joshua's favorite sculpture was a new one they are installing of three people made out of metal letters - Joshua just stood there saying, "I see a Q. I see a B." and on and on. We also played for a bit in the Children's Garden and once again bumped into Missy and Lori so Joshua played with their kids while we ladies chatted. What a beautiful spring day!