We All Scream for Ice Cream - Sept 2008

Captain Sundae is a staple in Holland if you don't know this already or not from here. It's annoyingly busy and cars love to honk as they drive by on the way (or from) the beach. Greta has been there before but not when she was walking. Tonight was perfect! Jason laughed at her walking around with her bib on...but be serious....who's gonna be the one trying to get choc ice cream out of her shirt (hair and face) that night?! Things were a little hectic at first but once we sat down (I ordered Jason the wrong thing...oops) we all enjoyed our ice cream (some more then others). From the looks of things - Greta enjoyed hers the most!

Day at Grandma's House - Sept 11, 2008

Today after lunch we hopped in the car and headed to Fennville to visit Grandma. After we took our short 25min ride Greta couldn't wait to get out of the car and start exploring. We don't get to Grandma's as much as we should, usually Grandma comes to us. First Neiko (the dog) greeted us outside...Greta loved this. We went inside and sat down to chat a bit. Grandma brought out some toys but Greta had more fun playing with some stones by the fireplace. After a few hours we sat on the front porch hoping Greta would nap. She did and it was a great nap - laying on my chest in a soft breeze while we rock on the glider. My mom and I were able to spend this time talking and catching up - the talking didn't bother Greta. After about an hour Greta woke and we decided to walk around outside. Greta found the log pile and had fun climbing and lifting small pieces of wood. She played on the swings and ran around in the grass and stones- we had fun watching her! It was getting to be that time but we needed to have dinner before we left for the day. While I prepared her food Greta peeked out the window to watch Neiko, wishing she could feed her treats and pet her (and pull on her tail and ears!). We relaxed we played and we ate - and now it was time to go home.

Allegan Fair - Sept 10, 2008

Today was a perfect fair day! We met in Allegan around 11:30am to all ride in together - Rebecca, Liberty, Nadia, my mom and I. We had planned this day for sometime and were hoping the weather would be nice. Sun was out and no rain - what more could you ask for?! Liberty and Nadia had wristbands for the rides so if they wanted to go on the tilt'a'whirl 99 times, that's what they were going to do. Lets just say we where there for close to 9 hours - we ate everything we wanted and there was no stone unturned by the time we left. One highlight of the day or should I change that to episode of the day was the "screamer". I can't remember the actual name of the ride but that's what I'll call it for now. It reminded me of the "demon drop" from cedar point but on a smaller scale. We bribed the kids to go on it - the first time we asked they didn't want anything to do with it. Of course when there is money involved thoughts change. My mom was unamused by this but Rebecca and I wanted them to do this so badly. After a few hours of contemplating, they mustered up the courage to get in line. This ride brings you up slowwwwwly and drops you to what you think is a near death experience.

















Liberty did fine but Nadia's life will forever be changed. As soon as they fell and we saw Nadia she could barley breath because the tears were coming and I mean coming FAST! The poor girl cried for probably 20 minuets. I don't regret talking her into it - she will never forget that day. Also, she'll have a great story for her friends but I'm sure she'll leave out the "terrified out of her mind" part. All in all we ate what we could, rode to your hearts content and left our mark in Allegan. I wonder what next year will bring?!

Last pool day before fall... Sept 2008

Today we went to Christie's to play outside with her two girls Emma and Katelyn. We planned to eat lunch first - Emma and Katelyn had finished by the time we got there so it was Greta's turn. I put her in the highchair and that's when lunch went downhill. She's not a great eater and today was no better. She cried at her food and there was so much going on she wouldn't eat anything but some treats. So...we changed and headed outside. The kids all had a great time! Christie always has it set up cute...with the pool, toys, sand/water table and all our chairs out. Time flew by...it always does and now it was time to head home. Greta was tired from the sun so she snugged into her crib (sand, sunscreen and all) and we called it an afternoon.

Labor Day = Straight Jacket? Sept 1st 2008

Another great summer day! It was early afternoon on Labor Day and Greta just finished eating lunch. We made a quick call over to Nonna and Poppy's to see if they were home - They were! We loaded in the car and headed a few miles to their house. It was time for Greta's FIRST boat ride! I wasn't as worried about her reaction to the boat as I was to the life jacket. She freaked out for a few moments and I don't blame her - it was hard for her to get around. Greta could barely move her head and body - this type of jacket has a head cushion in back so they can't flip, holds the head up, etc. She was snugged in that jacket with her head popping out the top. I carried her down to the boat to do the hand off to Poppy...then we all jumped in. Off we went - She seemed to enjoy the ride, she didn't cry - we were out on the lake for about an hour. I suggested we speed up a little - I had a feeling she would enjoy more wind in her face. Little Greta was such a trooper in her life jacket on this warm day. We may have one more chance to get out on the lake before the weather turns colder. I wonder what reaction she will have when she sees the "straight jacket" again?!

Dinner, Fun and Sand at Tunnel Park - Aug 28th 2008

The weather was so nice out and we've been wanting to have dinner at the beach. First we packed plates, drinks, utensils, etc and headed to KFC for a bucket of chicken. Now we are set for dinner and fun! We found a perfect picnic table in the shade not far from the play area. Greta sat in her stroller and ate pretzels (she ate prior - she's not a good eater so chicken would have NEVER gone over with her). After dinner we set her free to wander - we were in a huge open area so she was at liberty to just let us follow her. Of course she spied the slide and headed right over. The play area is above her (age) but she managed just fine. She climbed the big steps and sat on the top waiting for us to help her down - this happened over and over and OVER. Jason went down with her and I went down with her - I actually took her down the BIG spiral slide...she loved that! After sliding she walked around and found other toys to play on - she went in the swings for about 2 minuets. She thinks she likes it at first but quickly decides there are better things to do.

It was warm out and she would take her sticky sand hands and wipe her face off - this kept me busy trying to keep the sand out of eyes. Greta entertained us for over and hour, she was just having a ball! Once we got home (leaving didn't go so well - she was having separation anxiety with the park) we poured the sand out of her shoes, scrubbed her down and off to dream land she went. We can't wait for more trips to the beach for dinner - maybe next time Greta will be more into FOOD - but that's a whole other story.