carousels

Three different carousels in two weeks = summer fun:

good list

From one of the many, many blogs that I read: This dad who is doing great things for his kid - and worked to get this fun album together.  It is seriously perfect for everyone to listen to together or without kids even - except maybe that Potty song is just for kids ;)  I think Morton the Caterpillar is my favorite. Go buy it and support research to help these families cope.

In this month full of not much sleep and a quick stint as a single mom (phew!): Aiden's current youtube favorite - Hakuna Matata (No worries!)

Lizzie pulled the golden ring at the carousel - free ride!

This funny book which Aiden calls Grandma's bag he found at a neighbor's garage sale:

This fun magic trick book where the bunny page disappear when you page through backwards -Aiden can show it off himself, but breaks the magician's rule and shows you how he did it ;)

I could hardly believe that there is a children's company, Familytree, making prints of obscure monsters - including a Kracken! A Daddy and Aiden favorite!

welcome home daddy

A huge big welcome home DADDY who cruised in to town around 10:30pm Saturday night after a 38 hour Saturday! We missed him so much. I especially missed him when I wanted a snuggle, when I wanted to gush about my new pesto, when bed time wasn't going smoothly, when I was stuck in the house for four rainy days with a bouncy boy, when Aiden said funny things I wanted him to hear, when I was scooping the cat litter, when I needed a no-time-limit shower, when my feet were screaming for a rub, when I wanted someone to celebrate and smile with...when...when...when. There were so many whens.

Aiden found the perfect welcome home present - A parrot hat! He said that daddy might miss the parrots in Australia so he'll pretend to be one ;)

Aiden helped finger paint on these welcome home letters under the shady tree on our first beautiful sunny day in the whole week.  Daddy spoiled us with tons of surprises.  Aiden's new favorite armful of animals: kangaroo, platypus, and koala.   He was excited to see the Australian coins and the boomerang (which Aiden reminds me is not for throwing).  There was a batch of cute tshirts, and awesome bag for mom, and even a cool magnet for Aiden to add to his art zone on the fridge.  We are so glad to have daddy back home!  Especially because I can smell the second birthday cake he's baking for me right now ;)

children's museum

The Providence Children's Museum had some new fun stuff along with some of Aiden's old favorites.  The new outdoor climbing structure is taaall and the platforms sway a little bit, so Aiden made his way about half way and then I encouraged him to head back down (which luckily he agreed to since I was worried about him getting stuck at the top where I couldn't see him).  He loved the new bunny in the underworld area.  

edaville

Part of the Gran and Pop Extravaganza included a Summer Nights visit to Edaville featuring PBS Kids character Super Why.  Aiden told me he wants to be Super Why for Halloween, so he was excited to meet him.  It's been almost a year since we were at Edaville and I was surprised that Aiden was already too tall for the kiddie turtle ride (and Gran was too short for the scrambler ride).  We ran into Aiden's buddy Tyler which was a nice treat.  Then we enjoyed some free ice cream (rrreally surprisingly good) for the first 100 that entered.

Edaville Summer Night from LB on Vimeo.

swan boats

We cruised over to Roger Williams Park to ride the swan boats and burn off some cheeseburger lunch.  Aiden, Mr. Safety, tried to insist that everyone wear a lifejacket.  It was a workout ride pedaling that boat with only one scolding from the dockmaster when they headed under a bridge that was off limits - oops!

Swans and Beavertail from LB on Vimeo.

animal topiary garden

Green Animals Topiary Garden from LB on Vimeo.

running hug!

Thanks Gran Gran and Pop Pop for everything while you were here!  

We wish you were here for more running hugs!  Love you!

There are so many fun more photos from all our adventures while you were here coming soon... yay!