Project 52 - Water Park - Week 27

27/52

I've taken far too many pictures this past week (day in the life, 4th of July, bathroom remodel, etc). So many that I haven't posted all of them yet (or edited all of them) and completely forgot about this post.

We had a beautiful 4th of July weekend and I was determined to get some outdoors fun in. We live near a great aquatic park that we haven't been to in years since it didn't go over well with Riley that last time we took her. However, now that she is more water confident and has had a chance to go there with her school a couple times, I wanted to go back as a family.

We got there early to get a good pick of  the spots and I'm glad we did. Riley referred to our chairs as "home base" like they do when she goes with her school and I may have to use that in the future since she grasps the concept so well.

"Are those goggles too tight kiddo?"
"No, I'm good"

It may have been a little chillier at 11:00 am, but by the time we left at 1:30, the place was pretty packed. Riley spent some time in the shallower part of the pool, but I took her out to the deeper end where she practiced her swimming skills. She even went down the tube slide multiple times with Jesse like a pro. Boy, this kid has changed over the years. Looks like we just needed to wait for her to grow into this.

I even made great strides and went down the tube slide myself. I've mentioned before how I greatly dislike slides (even smaller playground ones). I just don't like that feeling I get in my tummy going down something so fast so I usually avoid them. They had tubes for 3 people so I offered to go with. Somehow I got seated in the front and for the first few seconds I had huge regrets. As we entered the dark and covered slide, I took a deep breath and tried to let everything go. I still felt like we were going far too fast, but I actually had fun and was able to relax. I only did it the one time, but who knows, maybe I'll get up there again next time.

If Riley can conquer her fears, I surely can too... (maybe).

Summer Shenanigans

Last weekend started with one commitment and then grew to two... and then to three and that's when the weekend started to sound less fun. I love summer, especially the weekends, but all the activities can add up fast. I felt bad that we cancelled the one thing that I initially thought we really should have gone to - a 50th anniversary party for Jesse's aunt and uncle, but we'll be seeing that same family at a large picnic this upcoming weekend so I guess we can pass on our congratulations then. What we did do, is have a play date with some of Riley's school friends, go to a party to see my nephew and his wife who were in town, and on Sunday we just had fun as a family.

A couple weeks ago Riley and a few of her friends at school all wore dresses on the same day. This somehow led to them to determine that they needed to have a play date. They mentioned it to Jesse when he came to pick Riley up and Riley proceeded to mention it over and over for the next week. Jesse finally put together an invite and we had our first official play date with a few of her friends.

I felt bad that we didn't invite more of her friends, but this was really the perfect amount of girls: Riley, three of her friends from school, and a sister. We told parents they could stay or drop their girls off - one left, but the others stayed. One happened to be a woman who used to work at my company and rode my bus (and later at my nephew's party I would see another former co-worker - either it's a small world or my company is bigger than I think it is). Jesse was a little bummed there weren't any dad's that came over and I sort of was too, but it all worked out.

I will say, though, that since Jesse and I are introverts having to host a number of strangers can be slightly painful. We aren't small talk people so initial conversations often feel awkward and exhausting. My close friends can tell you that I have no problem carrying on a conversation, but it's these introductory conversations that are just darn hard for me. And because I was the mom and only other moms showed up most of the conversing fell on me.

Luckily, one of the women was a talker and really helped keep the conversation going. I felt a little lost at times because as one of the hosts I often had to get up and attend to snacks or kids stuff, but for the most part this was one of the least painful small talk conversations I've had so I'll call that a win for the adult side of this party.

As for the girls? They had a blast. There was a lot of excited screeching that I'm sure my neighbors were just loving, and there were no tears - which to me is a huge win when you get 5 overly excited girls together. They seemed a little bummed when the party ended, but with promises of another play date on the horizon their thoughts seemed to leap to what they would do when then next gathered as a group. Even the adults agreed that we should get the girls together and even talked dates. 

Later that day we went to my sister's house for a family gathering. Her son, Michael, is in the Navy and stationed in San Diego and he and his wife were in town visiting.

My chalice for the evening

Riley takes a 'rest' every afternoon even if she doesn't nap, but this day she was so wound up that I think she was still bouncing off the walls during rest time. So it didn't surprise me that she complained of being tired while at Michael's party. She got a little crabby, but we sent her outside to play with her cousins (who are actually her second cousins) and a little game of bags and she was back to her happy self.

Her cousin, Jackson, was just her speed. She usually loves getting a little wild with some of her other cousins, but she needed a mellower friend this night. We don't get to see this guy too often, but we should make it a priority to do so.

Hi Michael! I barely got to say more than a couple sentences to you, but it was good to see you!

Around 6:30 Riley announced that she wanted to home to bed. She was done and wouldn't even say goodbye to anyone. Basically, walked out the door and wouldn't come back. It's been awhile since she was so adamant about going to sleep.

The next day was when we were supposed to go to the 50th wedding anniversary. Instead, Riley announced on Saturday night that she wanted to go to the "rainbow park" in the morning so I suggested we also check out the splash pad which is nearby and then have a picnic. She was quite excited, but I think Jesse had plans of hanging out at home doing stuff around the house. I kind of 'sad faced' him into joining us and was grateful I did because hauling a 4 year old, towels, a change of clothes, and a cooler in a wagon might have been too much for me... plus we enjoyed his company.

Looks like a sad selection of food, but was actually really good

She had to check out if the tree trunk had a carving like the "Giving Tree" book.

We went back home and enjoyed the rest of our wonderful, lazy Sunday.

Just the three of us

Raspberries, Swimming and Haircut adventures

I really wanted to go strawberry picking this year, but it just never worked out and the season passed. So instead, we headed out for raspberries. To be honest I grew up with raspberry plants and have a love/hate relationship with them. For years, I wanted nothing to do with them since I associated them with standing in our garden getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, and poked by the plants while birds fought me for the goods. In the height of the raspberry picking season I was expected to get a gallon ice cream bucket full each day and if I didn't I was likely sent back out because I obviously didn't do my job. 

As time went on (read: years after I moved out and didn't have to pick berries anymore) I learned to appreciate this fine fruit. I could do without the seeds and sometimes find them a little bitter, but my favorite jam is raspberry and I even have a few plants of my own now. 

On Saturday, we decided to check out a raspberry picking farm.It seemed little silly going to a farm to pay for raspberries since I can still go to my dad's to get eaten alive pick them there, but this was more about the experience.

I searched for raspberry farms here and found one I wanted to go to. They had pick your own raspberries, but other fun things like goats, chickens, eggs, mushrooms, and motocross. Yup, motocross. Anyhoo, I'm glad I called before we left because they had to unexpectedly close that day so we went to Berry Hill Farm instead. Berry Hill was actually a little closer, but it didn't have any of the extra fun things that the other place did (apparently Berry Hill has pony rides and the such around pumpkin picking time, though). It was incredibly peaceful here and would be the perfect place for a wedding. It was very calming and I didn't get attacked by bugs or birds. If there was one thing I would change it would be to make sure the porta potty was on leveled ground - let's just say it's a struggle to go to the bathroom at that angle. TMI? Perhaps.

On Sunday, we planned on two things to accomplish: go swimming with Riley and get her haircut. We belong to a gym that has a pool so it seemed to make sense to take advantage of that. We called our local gym, but their hours were limited. So we called another location not to far away and found out they opened at 10 am. They have an indoor and outdoor pool with zero entry and it's just better all around. 

Our kid hasn't been very confident around water and is more likely to freak out than enjoy it. A couple weeks prior, my husband took her to the pool and after about 20 minutes of hanging out he was able to get her in the water and "swimming" around while he held her. She loved it. He had some challenges with finding the pool hours at both of the above gyms online and when he called they told him one thing only to show up and find he wasn't given the correct times (after already changing into bathing suits).

So again this time we called, got the hours, and headed out to the gym... only to find out they gave me the wrong time. Grrr. Nothing like having to really work your kid up to be ready for something to have to turn around and say it wasn't going to happen. We weren't ready to totally give up so we ran some errands and got Riley's hair cut before heading back to the pool.

I was going to cut Riley's hair myself this time, but we have family pictures next week and I didn't want to be responsible for screwing up her hair (although, now that I paid a stupid amount to get her hair cut I am sure it is crooked - whatever). I have too many horror stories of when my dad cut my hair as a kid. You'll probably never see me with bangs since I had to live few years with severely crooked bangs as a child and am scarred by it. Thanks dad.

This was Riley's third haircut and the only one she seemed a little nervous about. I had to hold her hand pretty much the entire time. She didn't cry, but certainly seemed to need some assurance.

You can't see it here, but along with the braid she got glitter in her hair. She looooved that. I was a little scared to chop off her hair so short, but I love it even though it makes her look so much older. Seriously, when did she stop being my baby?

We went back to the pool (where I didn't get any pictures because I was in the water, you know) and hung out for awhile. About 10 minutes after we got there the life guards took a break. There were about six 16 year old life guards hanging out playing jump rope while we sat on the sidelines trying to explain why we had to stay out of the water to Riley. I understand they get breaks, but since there were only two posts and 6 lifeguards you think they could rotate. I don't know. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I found it strange.

And I thought the jump roping seemed unprofessional. Or maybe I've just become an old curmudgeon. Yeah, that's probably it, isn't it?

All in all, another great summer weekend. If only summer could last forever...

Staycation days 6 - 9

This week is going by so fast that I am already starting to forget the details from just a couple days ago. Let's see, what did we do Thursday?...


Thursday

Riley was a little off and on this week so it's been all about keeping her busy when needed, and down for a nap when needed. We started off the day with a walk and a stop at the park.

After a nice big nap Riley woke up just in time for Jesse to walk in the door... and for me to leave for a massage. This was my little treat this week and so worth every minute of it.

After the massage we walked over to Oak Hill park where Jesse's company was having their annual picnic. Oak Hill park has a lot of green areas with pavilions and benches, but it also has a large playground, a separate toddler playground, and a splash pad. We hoped to play at the splash pad, but that didn't work out as it just got too late. Riley seemed to have an extra load of energy Thursday afternoon which was especially challenging after having such a relaxing massage. Jesse took her over to the playground to burn off some of that energy and the first thing she headed towards was this monstrous slide.

I wasn't sure how she would take to being so high up, but she loved it and insisted on going down it several times.

I then hopped on a swing with Riley and swang and swang and swang. It seemed a lot easier than running around the park after her and she seemed really content. While we were swinging Jesse was eating. I figured I would keep swinging with Riley until Jesse was done eating and then he could help feed her while I ate. Unbeknownst to me Jesse loaded his plate with enough food for all of us and kept eating and eating and eating... waiting for us to return.

I grabbed a hot dog to eat which I almost never do (except if it was an all beef, natural casing hot dog). I took one bite and remembered why I don't like regular ol' hot dogs. Riley has never had one at home, but I'm pretty sure she eats a fair amount of hot dogs and corn dogs at her daycare. Apparently she was starving because she couldn't eat my hot dog and watermelon fast enough. She would have a mouthful and still point to the hot dog and say "puppy". Ugh, I hope not kid, but cute that you think that's what a hot dog is called.


Friday

I work at an online University and we were holding commencement for our graduates this weekend. I had an opportunity to volunteer while learners checked in so I jumped at it. A normal day at work may entail helping learners navigate through challenging issues so it is nice to see them delighted to be at the end of their academic journey. I even got a hug from one of my learners that I have worked with extensively. I'm glad I went in for this experience on my week off.

After that Jesse, Riley and I headed over to see grandma Suzie and grandpa Michael for a little bit and then came home and watched a movie (Love and Other Drugs). It was a pretty low key day.


Saturday

A old friend of mine was having a garage sale so it seemed like a good excuse to go see her. Life has kept us busy so we haven't hung out in forever. It was nice to see her (even if it was only for 15 minutes) and we got a few goodies for Riley. Thanks Stephanie!

Nothing else too exciting this day. Went to Target. Went on a walk. Played at the park. Grilled burgers and ate on the deck. Played with the water table. Took some pictures of Riley. Watched the Viking's preseason game once Riley went to bed. And that's about it.

Before Riley went to bed we spent some time in the spare bedroom. Riley likes to turn on the radio and the light and, if I'm in the room, get up on the bed (she needs my assistance). Unfortunately, you can't see in these pictures how she was rockin' out to the music (Love Shack, for one). She was banging her head up and down - that's my little rock star.

What button should I push next?

Sunday

It took a little push on both our parts, but Jesse and I took Riley out for a bike ride in the morning. Strapped in her Burley she enjoyed her ride from our house, down the parkway, around Lake Calhoun, and back. It was about a 7 mile ride and impressively she kept her sunglasses on the whole time.

We stopped at the toddler playground near the lake where she was able to swing right next to the lake.

After her midday nap we went to the Rec Center Water Park. At first she seemed to really enjoy it, but after about an hour she had enough. I really didn't take any good pictures there so these will have to suffice.

Our brave little child headed right for the stairs for this water slide. Maybe in a few years sweetie!

You may be asking "where is the water?". Yeah, I said the picture weren't any good.  And, besides, when not taking the above pictures with my phone we were in the water enjoying it.


Monday

Back at work. Enough said. : (