Week 2 - Swimming and the Library

Dear Kate,
What another great week!  We started the week off with visiting our pool (the Franklin Y) on Monday. It's our first time this year, but we had been last summer so we knew what to expect.  FUN - that's what we expected and that's what it was.  We love the zero entry pool and the water fountain thing that sprays water all over us.  You love to swim and loved sharing your toys, too.  Eventually they opened the baby pool which was a HUGE hit.  You didn't even have to wear your floaters and loved 'jumping' in the water.  We enjoyed a snack break as well and decided to come home to eat lunch, since we live so close.

 That afternoon consisted of sleep!  Then a little playtime outside then dinner then sleep again!
On Tuesday, we had a bit of a surprise.  Aunt Steph was off work, so she asked if we wanted to hang out with them.  We decided to take them to the 'waterpark' (the Maryland Farms Y) to show them what it's all about.  And they LOVED it.  Or, well, Ellie and Aunt Steph did.  Kipper's still a little hesitant on that whole water thing.  You saw sister jumping in all by herself and insisted on doing it yourself.  And you even tried the slide again, but bumped that head again, too.  You were fine and we enjoyed the warm sun and the cool water.  THEN, on Wednesday, we met Anna and Jacob and Miss Kristin at the same pool! That's right, 3 days in a row of pool!  They, too, had never been and were equally as impressed as the rest of us.  Anna and Jacob both loved all the water sprayers and the slide, too!  You must not have been feeling up to par this day (maybe it was the whole 3 days in a row of swimming!) because you wanted to stay close to Mommy pretty much the whole time.  You'd venture a little, but if water sprayed you in the face or slashed you, it was a meltdown.  We think maybe you were hungry because after you gobbled your lunch down, you seemed happier, or at least a little happier.  Nonetheless, this was not our most successful day at the pool, but it was still fun.  You made it home in time to take a nice long nap, which seemed to make you happier, too :)  After nap time, we enjoyed the playground in our own backyard!

 

 And Sister decided to show you a new trick... yeah, doesn't seem right does it.

On Thursday, we decided to change up the pace and head to story time at the library in Franklin.  It was a success, for sure!   

After the library, we ate lunch at Dumplings in downtown Franklin and walked to Sister's school (and your school in the fall!!) and picked up her friend Chloe, who was coming over to play for the afternoon.  After we picked her up, there was nothing to but head to Sweet Cece's!!   

 After ice cream, we headed home where Sister and Chloe played and you napped.  I had to again wake you up at 4:30 in order to take Chloe home.  It ended up being a little later getting home (and then supper) because Mommy is a little chatter box with Chloe's mommy, not to mention you love playing at their house (along with your sister) so dragging both of you out of there is a chore in itself!  When we got home, Daddy was already home from work, so the 2 of you played on the playground while Mommy made some dinner.  A little off schedule, but the day ended well!
Friday was another first for all of us.  We headed downtown to the public library for the puppet show and man alive was it awesome!  They have such a great theatre there and they put on such a great show.  At first you were wild as could be giggling and falling in Mommy's lap, but once the show started you sat perfectly still in Mommy's lap!  You loved it!  Afterwards, we had plans to go to SATCO for lunch, but we discovered a little restaurant in the library that was perfect, and delicious!  It even had lots of choices for desserts, which you and sister settled for chocolate cake - shocker!  A fun Friday morning with more adventures coming in the afternoon!

PS - did I mention Jacob and Anna met us again?!  We love hanging out with the Porters!! 

After the Library, we headed home to rest for a bit and then headed to the zoo for Member Night!  Again, another first for us - I love doing all these firsts with the fam!  We got to the zoo around 5:30ish and got to take Daddy around to all our favorite parts.  The train was free to ride, but you had to get a ticket and there were a limited number of said tickets, so we headed that direction first, spotting a few meerkats along the way!  

 You loved watching the crane walk in circles...

 And I loved watching you and Sister run in circles!

 You wanted to be the big girl and ride on the back part of the stroller and did a good job of sitting still!

 We finally made it to the train and Mommy decided to just watch and capture the fun on film.  You loved it (although I have to say, Daddy was not impressed.)

 After the train ride, we decided to head to the carousel, which was free rides all night!  We had to wait in line for a few minutes, but the weather was fantastic and with the carousel, time passes quickly.  Of course, neither you or your sis wanted to pose for a picture...

The good part about the free carousel is everyone gets to ride!!  Mommy and Daddy both got to ride and we got to ride several times.  By the end of the night, you were a pro on the carousel! 

 Mommy grabbed us some dinner while you and Daddy and Sister jumped on the bouncy houses and then one more carousel ride to top the night off.  We were all exhausted by the time we got home but it was a fun night with perfect weather.  Not sure how many of those we will get this summer!

On Saturday, Daddy and Uncle Jaybee took Ellie and Abby on an overnight camping trip, while Mommy got to spend the night in a house with you and Kipper!  Aunt Steph was working all weekend, so she couldn't enjoy any of the fun :(  I think you and Kipper were a little sad you didn't get to go camping with the girls...

 No worries though, we had tons of fun on our own.  You both went down for a nap shortly after everyone left so Mommy as able to pack for her big trip (more on that later!).  After naps, we enjoyed a snack...

 And then off to the playroom!  You two played so well together.  I had set up the water table to play with after naps, but you both were enjoying the play room too much to take you away from it!

 Yes, Kipper has a barrette and is sipping tea.  You found the barrette and asked to put it in his hair.  He  didn't say no, but I'm going to guess one day he will :)

 You decided to have a tea party yourself with your baby twins...

 You poured one of them tea...

 Then the other...

 Then Kipper stole the cakes while you passed out the tea!

 

 

 We had a good ole time just laying in the floor giggling.  Kipper would do whatever you did and you were being quite the funny girl!

 We even had a little petting zoo.

 And decided to go on a little walk around the neighborhood where we saw a puppy that Mommy wants to get.  You found a drain that stole both of yours attention for quite some time!

 After  a little drive through the house, we had dinner and then off to bed we went!

 Another great week of summer Sweet Kate!  Mommy had so much fun with you this week.  Next week is going to be a bit different though.  Mommy is headed to Germany on Wednesday for a little girl's trip with Sarah and you get to stay with Mimi for 12 whole days!!  Mommy is going to miss you like crazy, but I know you will have so much fun.  Mimi already has so many activities planned, not to mention Aunt G's house and Ash-ash's house.  I love you - always and always!!   Enjoy your time at Mimi's sweet girl!