Great Vacation

We had a great week of vacation even though we didn't really go anywhere. We got a lot of family time in, which is rare for us. It was nice for Momma, Daddy, and Ryan to all hang out. Ryan was over the moon to have Daddy home all week. Of course now he isn't too happy.... and won't take his pajamas off or get out of the car in the morning at daycare... but that is a small price to pay for a good week.

We saw the Harry Potter movie, went to the Science Center, Hall of Pride, Trainland USA, the wading pool, ate out a few times, and mostly just played. Todd and I also watched movies every night.

Speaking of Trainland USA, it is in Colfax, and is really cool. (I can't believe I spent my vacation in Colfax.) It is a house that has a basement full of model trains. They are set up so you travel from the East Coast to the West Coast. Ryan looooooved it. We bought him some trains and he plays with them all the time. He calls them Doo-Doo's instead of Choo-Choo's. It is very cute. He is absolutely obsessed with doo-doo's now!

The Essence of Ryan

These two pictures perfectly describe my son: wild, crazy, fearless, determined, tempermental!

Weekend Update

I'd like to send a shout out to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Denny. Ryan and I had a marvelous time Friday night hanging out with them in their motel room downtown Friday night. Supper with Ryan was a little stressful, but he was all wound up and entertaining the rest of the night. He enjoyed standing on the air conditioner and looking at the cars on I-235 and also enjoyed climbing up on the king-size bed and jumping off the other side while Denny chased him. It was a nice visit. I had not been looking forward to a quiet, boring weekend at home without Todd, so it was a nice diversion. We didn't get home until 10 pm, so Ryan slept until 9:30 Saturday morning and then took a five hour nap in the afternoon! We spent the rest of the day outside getting wet. We were outside until 9:30 last night watering flowers. We also had another first for Ryan. We got fireflies and put them in a jar. He loved it! He kept saying, 'Bug! Bug! Bug!'

Today Ryan and I baked, played farm, visited the neighbors across the street, and basically hung out. He is just up from a 3-hour nap (I can hear him downstairs with Todd). I am going to go to Wal-Mart tonight to lay in supplies, because we are now officially on vacation! We are going to do stuff in Des Moines every day before nap time, and then hang out in the evenings. I can't wait!

HARRY POTTER MANIA!!

I am ready. I have pre-ordered my book from Amazon.com. It is guaranteed to be delivered on the release date of July 21. Monday Todd and I are going to see the movie. I can't wait. Ryan may be going to be early so I can read!

Oooh...I have so much to catch up on my blog...but no time. Since the last time I blogged I have read several books, survived a nasty stomach virus, hosted my sis overnight, had my parents down for a weekend, painted my living room green, gone wedding shopping with Diane, made signs for the raised bed at the Discovery Garden, put in lots of hours on the #$%ing Plant Book for the Discovery Garden, gardened and of course did my work-at-the DNR/be-a-mom gig. I'm tired.

Ryan is doing well. He is still busy, busy, busy, but is better behaved. He has started talking in sentences - It's stuck, I'm stuck, It's broke, and every 30 seconds points and says What's That? He gets to go to the preschool room at daycare for a little each day, so he is bringing home lots of crafts. He also pretends to play the flute and clarinet (they have music time every day) and knows a little sign language. I am very happy with my daycare provider. He is smart. His new obsession (besides electrical cords and hoses) is trains, or as he says, Doo-doos (aka choo-choos). He also puts his hands on top of his head every time an airplane goes overhead.

Next week we are on vacation here in Des Moines. We are doing the local attractions. Maybe boring, but we get to sleep in our own beds or cribs.