Rain...what rain

Four days of rain doesn't deter Scout, we are outside anyway. We dress for the weather and out we go...she insists!

Mackenzie gave Scout her outgrown kitchen. We put it out in the sandbox, what a hit! "COOK, COOK" is what we hear when she is inside. She wants to go out and play in her kitchen. She is spending a lot of time in the big sandbox we have been constructing (all from found materials).

Stennis is testing the new dock just put in for the tug boat.

making cookies

We made cookies together for the first time, peanutbutter chocolate chip. I always make from scratch but we bought that dough in a tube stuff from the dairy counter. I thought it would be perfect to practice "cutting" with her play knives. Then she pressed the lumps down with a sugar covered fork. Finally she had a bowl of chocolate chips to place intp each of the cookies (of course many went into her mouth!!) Lots of fun.

We have read a lot about how your tastes develop in your first two years of life. Therefore, she rarely is given sweets. I can only think of once before that we gave her a cookie. After the cookies were done she took one, licked the chips and then handed the cookie back. Daddy and Zach loved them though!!

Hidden Hollow

Scout and I rode our bike (20 miles round trip) to Heritage Museums and Gardens here in Sandwich. Last week was the opening of the new Hidden Hollow play area for children. Each week is a different educational theme, this week was insects. There is a water area, sand area, blocks, music, gardens, climbing, building, story/gathering area, stage and amphitheatre complete with costumes. Everything is made with natural materials. It is fabulous and we highly recommend it! There are also organized activities and events and classes held there. Scout spent some time in each area, exploring and then moving on to another area. We had a great time and can't wait to go back with Daddy. We used a pass from the library to get in for half price.

Compost tumbler

Scout saw this waterfall from the trail above..."OOOOHH" and wanted to go down to see it.

Swallowtail butterfly

Scout got these great hiking boots for her birthday and finally fits into them!

Stopping for a drink before heading down into Hidden Hollow

Beautiful carved toad"stools"

As always she is attracted to the water area. Carved wooden bowl.

Watering the strawberries.

Why not just lie down in the pool of water?!

Cool block area!

Checking out the bugs.

Scout climbed the steep hill to the play with the BIG kid. Scarves hanging in the trees allow the kids to make hammocks and forts and what ever their imagination can dream up,

Naturally a sand box.

This dragonfly was very friendly.

This wooden walkway connected each of the play areas.

Scout spots the dragonfly.

Stopping for a snack.

Getting ready to head back home.

Taking time

Take time to let her do it herself. The pride she feels is priceless.

Getting big again

Scout has been riding bareback, which I have all the kids do when they first start. Today we tried the saddle. She rode for 15 minutes, through the woods and then out to the neighborhood next door and back. he sits up that straight the whole time.

As soon as she finished her ride on Tonto we went for a ride together on Tink. She has been riding a couple times a week. She helps with everything, leading Tonto, brushing, putting pad and helmet and brush away.

This cute tiny tush doesn't wear diapers anymore!! This was the only pair of pants that fit her, I had to unpack her baby clothes to find some that will stay up. Yesterday she wore a 2T shirt and size 3-6 months capri's (that fit perfectly!).

Anniversary at Roger Williams Zoo

We had a wonderful day celebrating our 2nd anniversary. The only thing that could have made it better would be if Zach could have joined us. We visited Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence RI, visited Murphs good friend at the Providence Police Mounted Unit, we stopped in Mystic Ct for dinner outside at Seaswirl (Scout and I did some yoga on the grass, by the water, while we waited for fish and chips and clam fritters). It was a nice relaxing day. Tonight we are having a date! Our first one since Scout was born. Zach and Scout will hang out together tonight so we can have an anniversary celebration together.

African Wild dog

Our big girl used the rest rooms all day.

One month only baby giraffe and mommy

A snake neck turtle...coooool

What's this?

I will say that I was disappointed in the quality of the zoo. The habitat's were too small and mostly just a dirt plot with very little natural landscaping or enrichment. Many animals were napping in the open because there were not sufficient private places for them. The grounds had more weeds growing all over then plants and I don't remember seeing any flowers. I expected that zoo to be much more progressive for the animals. I do believe it is important to have zoo's so people can be educated and made aware of the animals. To fall in love with them and be concerned with protecting them. So children can develop a love of them. However, I don't support a zoo that doesn't provide a natural and enriching life for the animals in it's care. There was a lot of construction, I hope this zoo will be improving.