Special Date with Grammy

How did I get too busy to blog this week. I was too busy to mow also but I was having lots of fun most of the time so I guess that's the tradeoff. A week ago tonight I picked Lincoln up and the two of us headed out. The day before he had asked me for a "special date" and I told him that I would come get him the next day. He didn't tell his mommy or me where he wanted to go. I thought he might be uncertain about what he wanted but that was not the case. As soon as we were buckled in the car and backing out of the driveway Lincoln said, "I want sand, rocks, water, bridge and woods!" I knew exactly where to go so we headed to Big Woods Lake for our special date. I have more photos to edit but my week as been so social that I am posting this quickly and will post my favorites when I get a chance.

Dale's Family Gathering

Sunday afternoon I got to spend time with Dale and his family. It was so nice to see everyone all together. Dale's dad usually gets to town once a year and this was the weekend. His son happened to be in town also so I got to see everyone and get a chance to play with Felix as well.

 

 

Overnight in Mason City

 It's been a busy and fun weekend that started with an overnight trip to Mason City to spend a day with Jill. I had offered to come up to help after her surgery last week but she was feeling so well that it ended up being a very fun day to play and just spend time together. We really should do this more often. Staying all night gives me a bonus of coffee and breakfast with Dan and Jill. Dan makes the best breakfasts and I love the time to just sit and talk with them.

 Jill and I accomplished lots while we were having fun. It had been a long time since we had organized closets together but we always have fun and do well with that project. We laughed and talked the entire time; didn't even feel like work! After the closets we settled in and each started a new knitting project together, a hitchhiker shawl. I love knitting with Jill and am enjoying having a knitting project on the needles again. It was a great overnight visit for me!

Blooming Lilies

 It's a short season but I love it when the lilies bloom in my yard. Most of these were passed on to me by my friend, James when he moved a couple of years ago. I relocated them last summer and think I have found the best home for them now. They really are so impressive and so very unique. After just two years its like watching familiar friends return. I especially love the ruffled edges.

July Weekend

Another fun weekend with no special plans. Jay had offered the kayaks before and this weekend I decided to take him up on it. Dale and I went over to pick them up on Saturday morning and Jay helped us out by loading them and assisting with the launch.

I didn't realize that Dale had never kayaked but he was agreeable and we had a great time. I just love being out on the water and enjoying the mild summer day. I think we will do it again before summer ends.

 

 Saturday evening we joined Jay, Ashley, Travis and the boys at Peppers for dinner. It's always fun for me to see Jay with his nephews and Lincoln loves seeing Jay. Dale and I did pretty well with walking for the weekend even taking a three mile walk before kayaking. Saturday night we walked with Kirby and Jay then Sunday morning we walked almost five miles with Mowgli. Before the long Sunday morning walk we relaxed on the patio and I pulled weeds and photographed lilies in my jammies. Who cares if the neighbors see me? Not me. I bet everyone is excited to see the lily photos soon!

Dale and I started the weekend at the ballpark watching the Waterloo Bucks on Friday evening. It was a fun but very lopsided game which we enjoyed very much. It was perfect baseball weather. I know I have been commenting on the gorgeous weather lots but the humidity and heat are back tomorrow so that will change.

Patio Truck Wash

 

 Although it's been very mild July weather the temperatures are starting to climb again making it a perfect time for a truck wash on the patio. There is plenty of patio shade in the morning so Walker came out to watch too.

 Because Lincoln didn't have lots of extra clothes we took most of them off so he could wash the trucks in his batman underwear. It worked perfectly and now my trucks are shiny clean. I just love it when the boys are at my house and love the opportunity to enjoy my patio with them and their mommy too.

 

Stroller Baby

 Yesterday I put Walking in my little red umbrella stroller for the first time. He likes to be upright so it was very comfortable for him. It also made him very mobile while Lincoln and I moved around the yard to do different things. Lincoln still rides in it often but it still brought back memories of Baby Lincoln sitting in the stroller during his first spring and summer for walks and garden time.

 When Walker drops his toy or makes a little noise, Lincoln announces, "I'll help" and comes to the rescue to retrieve the toy and give a quick kiss. It's so sweet to see them together and Walker lights up when he sees his big brother!

A Boy and His Dog

 On Thursday afternoon I got to go kayaking with Jay on Big Woods Lake again. I love watching Jay and Kirby together. That boy loves his dog and Kirby loves Jay too. They maneuver the lake well on the kayak and Kirby only slipped in one time. Other people on the lake always notice the little dog on the front of the camouflage kayak

 I love being out on the water especially in perfect temperatures and low humidity. It's great to have time with Jay and Kirby too. I'm so glad that Jay and Briana got kayaks and grateful that they let me tag along too.

Look, My Hands Work

Walker is changing so quickly! He has been sucking on his hands for quite a while but now he seems to be able to grab toys and fingers deliberately and he seems pretty happy about it. He's so content to sit and play but he isn't a fan of reclining back much. He wants to sit up like the big boys!

Donut Walk

 Look at that donut and that very happy Lincoln! One of my favorite things about having Lincoln over night is the morning jammie time. We did take time to have an apple and read lots of books so it wasn't too hard to get us both dressed and out of the house. A donut walk seemed like a very good idea. I wanted a chance to get my morning walk but wanted to do it in a way that would be fun for Lincoln too. When I suggested taking the stroller and going for a donut he was more than willing.

 He really wanted a pink donut and this amazing Hy-Vee employee made it happen. They didn't have any pink, just white or chocolate frosting. When I asked if they might have a pink one, the employee offered to get out some pink frosting. I was so impressed at the great service and said, "Thanks, you really made his day." They reply was, "He made my day!" How sweet is that? Lincoln was grateful too and said, "Thank you very much." He happily and methodically ate his donut while I got to walk a couple of miles. He ate all around the edge exposing the pink cherry cake donut inside. It was a great morning activity which will likely be requested again.

Senior Discount at Bucks

Waterloo Bucks Baseball offered a senior discount on Sunday, just one dollar admission for everyone 55 and older! I was excited at the possibility of getting my very first senior discount so I invited Lincoln to come to the game with me. I brought my ID but they didn't ask for it!

Lincoln and I both enjoyed the game, about three innings which brought ten runs. We also enjoyed the popcorn and free sand buckets for kids.

Since we were at the game until after five I invited Lincoln to spend the night with me. We had a very simple dinner after all the baseball popcorn then a walk to Grammy's Park which gave us both some exercise on a gorgeous evening before bath and story time.

Smiley One

 Walker has the most precious smiles and he shares them so freely. It's a joy to see his face light up with just a simple glance. He is such a happy baby.

 While Lincoln ran and played Walker was with one of us seeking shade from the bright sun. I couldn't help but think about how it would be in a year or even two years from now when they are both running and playing. I am not wishing that time away. I know it will go quickly.

And We Were Swinging

 Lincoln so loves to swing. I had my camera when we met them at the park on Sunday after church. Dale pushed and I snapped lots of photos. I couldn't choose just one, so I am posting several. I love his joy.

Evening Skies

 On the way home from Mason City on Saturday evening I was aware that it was supposed to be a "super moon" and was watching for a clearing sky after a cloudy day. I didn't get to see the moon rise but saw this vivid rainbow just before the sunset. It was a great evening for watching the sky.