The four of us were VERY excited to spend some time with Grandpa and Grandma on their home turf in Zeeland, Michigan! Grandma and Grandpa had spent a lot of time preparing (getting out fun toys and books, checking books out of the library, buying our boys' favorite foods, and planning some fun activities). We had a wonderful time together!
One special activity was a "Family Book Night" at their public library. This annual event is really cool -- there were probably 12-15 "stations" that the boys could choose from. Each station/activity corresponded with a specific picture book -- for example, at the "If You Give a Mouse a Cupcake" station, the boys could decorate and eat their own cupcakes.
Other stations included ...
a face-painting station. (The high school volunteer said that her specialty was making kids look like giraffes. Ian looked a little more like he just had yellow dots all over his face, but he seemed to like it ....),
a barbershop quartet,
and a station where kids could pet rabbits
(and HOLD THEM, too!)
Both boys thought this station was one of the best ones!
But Ryan also really, really liked this car racing/Pinewood Derby station. Ryan would run in laps around the race track -- picking out a car, running it to the start line, and running to see it at the finish. He probably raced 4 different cars.
To add to the library excitement, the day after, Ian received a phone call saying that his name was drawn as one of 10 winners to receive his very own book. He was excited to go to the library to pick up his book -- about a 4-year-old who went bowling with his dad for the first time.
Another BIG activity was getting to play in the snow! Ian spent lots and lots of time outdoors the first three days we were there! He loved seeing his footprints in the snow,
sitting in the big pile of snow on Grandpa and Grandma's porch,
rolling around and making snow angels,
and climbing to the top of snow "hills."
Ryan didn't know what he thought of the snow and cold weather.
He was happy for short periods of time outdoors as long as he was playing with some of Grandpa and Grandma's fun outdoor toys (and NOT in the snow!) ...
... or if he was being held. (Momma totally understands, Ryan. Momma realized yet again that she's a big fan of Texas weather! Ha!)
Ian was VERY fascinated with Grandpa's snow blower. Grandpa showed him how it worked ...
... and even scooped snow OFF the piles and back ONTO the driveway so that Ian could see it in motion. (Now THAT'S true Grandpa love! :)) Ian thought this was VERY fun!
One afternoon, Grandpa took Ian on his own special outing. After taking Ian to the car wash, Grandpa took Ian to church so Ian could help put the letters in the sign ...
... and to do a little bit more snow-playing,
including going sledding down a big hill! :)
We spent lots of time relaxing, playing, and spending time together inside, too. Matt and the boys enjoyed throwing a ball to each other.
The boys enjoyed showing their puppies around Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Grandma read lots of stories to both boys.
Daddy and Grandpa some books to the boys as well.
Grandpa spent lots of fun playing with the boys, too -- including showing Ryan some of the special features of the Little People bus ...
... and spending time watching the garbage trucks out the window.
The boys think it's SOO cool that there are multiple garbage trucks that come by at Grandpa and Grandma's house (since home owners have a choice of sanitation companies).
Grandma spent her fair share of time on the floor, laughing and playing with the boys.
One day, it really warmed up, and the boys enjoyed riding/pushing toys down Grandpa and Grandma's driveway.
Ian enjoyed making the snow blue by spraying some colored water on the snow. How fun!
The next day, we woke up to new snow on the driveway. Ian was more than happy to help Matt shovel the driveway.
Even Ryan did some "weed whacking" to help!
Thanks for your gracious hospitality, Grandpa and Grandma. The four of us had a WONDERFUL time with you! We love you!
3 comments:
You know, your eldest looks like he'd really thrive living in a place that gets more snow... Texas isn't really giving him the full winter experience. :) Looks like you had bunches of fun in MI!
Ryan might like snow more next winter (if you are brave enough to travel north in the winter again!) Megan didn't like snow until she was 2 1/2, and she didn't like sledding until she was 3 1/2, and she has seen a lot of snow every winter. But it's nice that you can give them a snow experience without having to live in it (and shovel it and drive in it) every day of the winter. Looks like you had a fun visit!
Glad to see the young one getting into the shoveling spirit! It's important for him to notice early on that while having snow in the front yard is indeed fun, it can also be a bit dangerous. You guys are doing parenting right. Cheers!
Kristina Cobb @ Dennys Lawn
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