Como Zoo

What a beautiful day yesterday was. we went to the Como Zoo with my brother's family. we all had a great time and only a few meltdowns. The kids loved the animals. It was so much fun watching Devin's face light up as he has the animals. we are working on their names, but to him all of the animals are "puppy."

This photo was right before his major meltdown. He wanted everything that he couldn't have. It was pass lunch time and going onto naptime. But it was short-lived and we were onto the next animal.

The three of them riding the big turtle. Devin did not want to sit on it, but Uncle Patrick made him. He kept saying "hot, hot" which yes it was hot, but that is his new word and everything is hot.

These are just a few photos from our day, there are more on my Shutterfly webpage (if you would like to see more of what we did). To get to the page there is a link on the side you just have to click on.

Devin is at such a fun age where everything is new. He is seeing things for the first time and it is really exciting to watch him explore.

When we got home last night (which we had been gone for 12 hours) Devin was so excited to see Jordan. He just wanted to carry her around everywhere he went. he just kept saying puppy, puppy over and over. It wasn't until 10:00 that he finally settled down to go to sleep. But he slept good, so that is a bonus.

Last night of the Fair

On Saturday night we made one last trip to the fair. But this time we brought along a few extras. And no I am not talking about the goat that Devin likes.

Patrick, Robin, Alexis, And Austin came over to go to the fair. They arrived a little before noon so Devin got plenty of time to play with his cousins. But after lunch playtime came to a stop and the little boys needed a NAP.
The daddy's took the kids down the big slide. When Devin reached the bottom he had a huge smile on his face and wanted to go again. He would point and use his sign language for more.

These are not the best pictures but I think he will remember the slide.

The three of them went on a few more rides and then it was time for supper. It was a nice night at the fair and I think if the boys were a little older they would have been asking to go to the demo derby. They were both looking around to see what was making all that noise and yelling yeah!!!

Day 2 at the fair

Tonight Devin went on his first fair ride. We started with the Merry-Go-Round and he loved it!!!!!! He was all smiles and wanted to go again.

We found a couple of friends that were more than happy to go on a few rides with Devin. He was never scared and sat for the ride. What a great boy he was tonight.

Photo of the day from the fair

The night at the fair. Devin and I went with my mom to the fair for a little evening entertainment since Ben is gone. We enjoyed supper and a nice evening to walk around the fair. Devin played the pick a duck game and won this hammer. Which he loved. In this photo I couldn't get him to look at me at all, he was too interested in all of the rides.

New bike

Yesterday morning Ben and Devin went to Mankato. This is Devin's new bike that they got. He can sit on the seat and touch the ground, but he needs a few more inches to be able to pedal the bike.

Girls night out

On Saturday a group of 10 of us girls went out for the night. We headed to Spirit Lake for night with no kids and no men!! We stayed in a condo right by Arnolds Park, with a beautiful view of the lake. That night we went to the REO Speedwagon concert and then out dancing for a little while. We had a wonderful time and no drama.
This is before we got ready to go out.

All dressed up and having a great time at the concert.
I love this photo. REO Speedwagon and the sun almost completely set in the background, making the sky a beautiful color.

Green Giant Days

Saturday was Green Giant Days in town. Devin and I went uptown to see what was going on. we meet Chloe and Sean at the kiddie activity area on Main Street. They had pick a duck, ring toss, tattoos, crafts. Devin really liked the pick a duck pond. So much that he almost fell in a few times. He is one busy little boy. Both Devin and Chloe got their hair colored. They gave Devin a mohawk with red, yellow, and blue coloring. He sat really still for the lady and I think he liked it.

They also had a petting oo uptown. I love this photo even though it is a little blurry. But it shows how much he really liked the goat and was trying to talk to it.

I think it was his favorite because it was his size.

Before we headed home, Devin sat still long enough to get a sun painted on his face. He didn't even try to pick at it.

It was a long and busy day by the time the parade started. Devin had only taken a half hour nap; which he is usually 2 to 3 hours. He was sooooo excited for the parade. He was really getting into it. He would wave and even throw candy back at the people. After the parade we had supper at our house with some friends and family. It was a great time.

I love this photo because it shows hoe excited he was. When he gets really excited he will put his hands in fist and scream. It is so funny to watch him.

Green Giant Celebration and Fireworks

On Friday night we went out to the Green Giant park to enjoy a great night with friends. They had music, dancing and games. It was nice to just relax and have fun. There were a lot of kids running around; which was great. Devin was very content just sitting and watching everyone. He is my little people watcher!!

Devin is afraid of the Green Giant and will start to freak out whenever we get close to him. In this photo he wants to go back where Ben is and that is not by the Green Giant. Before the end of the night he was getting use to the Green Giant and his size.
Around 9:30 we went over to the high school parking lot to watch the fireworks. Devin and Leah Becker had fun throwing their glow sticks and running after them. This was one of the ways that they stayed busy till the fireworks started.
This is how Devin sat for the fireworks. He would just sit there very content watching them.
Devin almost made it through all of the fireworks. He fell asleep and stayed asleep, even through the loud finally.

The 4th of July

This summer we are in parade mode. On Friday we just bummed around the house, Devin got his hair cut and the we went to Albert Lea for the parade. We went over with Mandy, Sean, and Chloe (they are in parade mode also). It was a good 2 hour parade and Devin lost interest, unless there was candy or a big truck that drove by. It was a little rainy off and on, but the big rain stayed awhile till the parade was done and we were eating.

For the 4th, Mandy and I went to Albert Lea in the morning for a girls day and then meet the boys plus Chloe in Bricelyn for their parade. Devin had a lot of fun at that parade and was waving at all of the firetrucks!! He is getting the parade thing down. Afterwards we went and watched alittle of the mud bogging and then headed home. After the rain shower we decided to have a fire, well Devin took a bath and I enjoyed the fire and then after he was in bed Ben and I went out.

As for today, who knows what we will do. But I think swimming sound like a good time!

The pool

So far this summer we have not been to the pool that much. Mainly because it has been to cold or rainy, but we are starting to get there now that it is warming up. The first few times Devin would cry and cling to me or Ben. It would take him awhile to warm up to the pool. But now, he loves the water. He likes to walk around in the water and stop and squat down so that his shoulders are under the water.

Some times he slips and goes under the water. But he doesn't cry about it and doesn't seem scared. Just not too sure what happen (surprised).
We have been working on having him float on his back and kick in the water. Doesn't really care to float on his back, but will do it for a minute sometimes. We are hoping to do swimming lesson at the end of the month with him. They have a toddler class at the pool. We will see how that will go.

Devin enjoys it when daddy plays with him. Either he is throwing him in the air or catching him as he jumps off the edge. we also have a fun time at the pool when we go.