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..."

Happy (Belated) Mother's Day!

Fellow moms, I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I'm sorry I wasn't there to spend mother's day with my mom, but I was thinking of you!  I'm glad I'm learning from the best ;).  And all my mom friends, thank you for your support!

Being a mom isn't always easy, but it is, by far, the most rewarding, amazing, fulfilling thing I have ever done.  

I am so proud to be the mom of such a beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed, funny little girl.  Who, by the way, gave me the best Mother's Day present of all yesterday when she looked up at me, gave me a hug and said, "I love you!"

At the playground on Mother's Day

playing in a water bucket....

swimming in the water bucket.

needing more "riding horsey" even after 3 carousel rides

she wanted a snack.  this is the bowl she chose for 10 cheddar bunnies.

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...And Much Needed Rain

Playgrounds:

Planting:

hugs for the shrub

and kisses for the tulips

Cherry blossom play date:

And much needed rain:

The First May Weekend

Last weekend the weather was gorgeous! My parents, aunt and uncle and cousin (who's expecting in August!) came to visit and we had a backyard BBQ.

just chilling with Grumpy

Sunday we spent most of the day downtown.  It was the first weekend the carousel was open and MiniM.E. was ecstatic (as she'd been waiting patiently for the horses to be "done sleeping" for the winter since mid-November).  We arrived just a bit early for riding the carousel, so we had to entertain ourselves in the park.

sizing up the ducks

calling the ducks

petting the dog statue

hugging the dog statue

kissing the dog statue

riding the dog statue

just chilling with Gram

When it was finally time to get on, MiniM.E. (though she didn't look it) was thrilled and we had to pull her off after each ride.  She went three times before we bribed her to leave with ice cream.

with Daddy

with Gram

alone!! (just kidding, Daddy's just hiding)

with a Daddy and H. and her daddy

Our playgroup families thought it was a great Sunday for riding the carousel and eating ice cream too!

Daddies and daughters