The Baby Ducks are Out!

I think I'm much more excited than MiniM.E. about the appearance of ducklings at Congress Park, but she likes to go and play in the fountain and ride the sidewalk curb like a pony and seems generally happy while walking through the park, so I don't feel too bad indulging in my duckling-addiction.

Yay! Baby Ducks!! Aren't they cute??!?!?

In actuality, MiniM.E. isn't really into the baby ducks at all.  They don't eat cheerios and they're really skittish.  So this is what she's been up to at Congress Park instead.

jumping on the curb....

sitting on the curb... 

and sticking her head in the fountain.  (Who thought this fountain in a park was a good idea?  Obviously not a parent with a young child!)

In other news, it was a rainy couple days at the end of last week and then a rainy weekend.  Here's what we did inside:

indoor train at the Aviation Mall 

painting.  everything.  

Fortunately the weather cleared up for a Memorial Day BBQ on Monday.

MiniM.E. as the welcoming committee

examining the lawn

don't even ask

minutes later the bowl was tipped over and she was on the floor

all the babies loved the beer bottles.  who needs toys??

We've been to the Spa State Park a lot recently because I'm trying to run again in an effort to walk without jiggling everywhere.  MiniM.E. isn't really a fan of the jogging stroller, but I've been adding in activities at the park she really likes.

walking to the playground

playing in the spring

more spring 

watching the geyser

In the photos above with MiniM.E. playing in the spring (which, if you didn't know, produces fantastic water which you can bottle for FREE!) she seems content to wash her hands and a few rocks, wonderfully listening to her mother's request to be careful and not step IN the running water.

Then today this happened.

And we had to walk back to the car in just a diaper.  Note to self: bring a change of clothes.

Toddler Quotes

While watching the cat pull at his claws:

"Yellow cat eating her toes"

Singing the alphabet:

"A, B, C, D, D, D, F"

After being given a lemon:

"Lemon tastes SPICY!"

After we bought her a chocolate graham cracker at Starbucks (the whole way home):

"Where'd you buy that? At the coffee store!"

At Victoria's Secret:

"Daddy go away, Molly shopping!"

First Swim of the Season

Of all things, MiniM.E. is not timid.  She's usually up for just about anything, be it a giant slide, a climbing wall, or a big-kid toy.  Evidence here and here.

So it wasn't surprising that she was more than willing (in fact, insistent) upon jumping into a freezing cold lake.

What began as an innocent hike at Moreau State Park turned into the first (skinny-dipping) swim of the season! (Though as soon as MiniM.E. saw the lake when we arrived she immediately said "get in!" so I shouldn't have been surprised that we did, indeed, end up in the lake.)

contemplating how to get into the lake without Mommy noticing

testing the water, toes first

making herself comfortable

wading (which led to a full on up-to-the-neck sit-down)

 And after swimming in the lake, she'd caught the bug and we had friends over to swim in the kiddie pools.

Waiting for the Carousel

MiniM.E. is in love with the carousel.  I'm not talking something she just likes a lot, or a good distraction when we're not sure what to do.  She LOVES it.  She talks about it all day.  She mumbles about it when she's falling asleep.  She demands to go to it whenever we get in the car.

So though we've only been four times so far this summer, I've already spent enough on the carousel to buy a nice pair of jeans... the things you sacrifice for your children.

Today is Monday.  And just like last Monday, MiniM.E. was spoiled from a weekend of extra excitement with Daddy (did I mention we're building a swingset??) and carousel rides, so of course, when I give her a rundown of our day, she looks as though she's pondering our activities and then responds firmly, "go carousel."

And I had to explain, just like last week, that the carousel isn't open until Friday after nap, but as soon as Friday after nap comes, we'll go.  And I'm going to assume, following last week's pattern, that every day this week she will resolutely state that we must "go carousel."

Luckily for us (though not so fortunate for my wallet), at the end of next month the carousel is open daily.  I guess I'll enjoy a few more weeks of being able to get an afternoon coffee before I feed my coffee money to the horses every day...

It's worth it.

Buying tokens

Contemplating the fact that she doesn't have money for tokens (fortunately, Mommy does)

 

Second to riding is getting a sticker every time.  Prime placement...

In other news...

There is a new playground at the Spa Park.  Not very toddler appropriate.  We still like the old one better.

Daddy ran the Workforce Challenge in Albany and we went out to watch.

And MiniM.E. got to pet her first python.  Cool!  She did not want to wear it as a necklace though...

"really, touch it?"

"...okay..."

"wait... did you know that the snake is MOVING?!"

"you want me to WHAT?!!" 

"okay... one kiss..."