The Best Train Ride

It all started back at the Wisconsin Valley Fair this summer....

On our way in Jack of course spotted this tiny train at Marathon Junction in Marathon Park (http://www.co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/ParksRecreationForestry/MarathonJunction.aspx).  Jack was SO excited to ride- and we were excited for him too. He watched as it circled around with other kids.We raced over to the stand and bought our tickets. Pete and Jack were going to ride together while mommy manned the camera! Here they are ready for the ride- train hat and all!

August 3, 2013

But then tragedy struck- the train would not start. So sadly (and thankfully without too many protests from small children) everyone was forced to get off the train with no indication as to when it would be running again. We heard Jack say many times "Train boke".

Our tickets were not refunded but we were told we could use them until September 2. As the story of summer always goes, school was drawing near and the window of opportunity was getting smaller. The Labor Day weekend was our last chance. 

Pete worked Saturday.

I worked Sunday.

Monday was our day! We showed up ready for the train after a lovely lunch. I decided we would buy one more ticket so we could all ride. And then the lady says- "You can buy a ticket, but we are not running the train again until noon". It was 11:45am. Sigh. What to do with a toddler who desperately wants to ride a train and has no clue of the concept patience? 

Play on the park.

Finally, we were able to ride on the train and I have never heard such joyful "Choo choos!!" from a little boy. He was genuinely delighted! It was a great send off to summer. Best $3 ever spent.

September 2, 2013

Life is good.

Grandma B's Birthday Extravanganza

The last leg of our vacation was a first for our family of 3- camping! Grandma B turned 60 on the 24th. We came up with several ideas of how to celebrate and decided to camp out in Herbster, WI. She owns a piece of and on Lake Superior. After a little bit of weed wacking by Pete, we were ready to set up shop with our tent.

Here are a collection of "tips" I have compiled for camping with small kiddos...

- it's the little things. We had many things on hand just in case, but Jack was fascinated by water, sticks, and rocks. And using strange objects to drink water!

- bring the pack n play- particularly if your kiddo sleeps in one regularly, it was familiar and made bedtime much easier!

- have your uncles present at all times to entertain little ones- they were very patient and very fun

- a weed walker is critical for a piece of land you are trying to turn into a camp site. We would have lost our kiddo in the grass.

- after kiddo is in bed, kick back and enjoy the view

New Favorite Game

This week we are on vacation in Presque Isle, WI. Jack has a new favorite game- Hide and Seek. He only has one hiding place so it's a very predictable game. We will save the strategy lesson for a different trip...

Where's Jack??

Aha!

Gets me every time.

Best Pals

Jack and North have known each other since their moms (and dads) were in birth class together! Jack is about 8 weeksolder than  North who was born in late January of 2012. It has been fun watching them go from babies to toddlers and how they adjust to each phase. I know there is a picture somewhere of the two of them laying next to each other at 1 month (North) and 3 months... I will try to track that down!

We were able to spend a couple of days together and the kids had a blast! They can now say each others names and "attempt" to share. (And by share I mean it was a learning experience for all on what we will need to keep working on...)

Best buds.

My Veggie Loving Kiddo

Morning conversation with Jack...

Mom: Jack, are you hungry?

Jack: (nods his head) mm-hmmm

Mom: What do you want to have have?

Jack: (pause...thinking...) Brocki 

Mom: Broccoli for breakfast? What about eggs or toast or pancakes?

Jack: Brocki.

Mom: Honey, I do not even know if we have any broccoli. How about a banana?

Jack: No. Brocki. Up. (Pointing to a pan. Up= cook it up)

And here's Jacks breakfast. Thank goodness we had some! He ate every bite.