Kaposia Park

The weather this October has been a little less than desirable, so when Mother Nature blessed us with a snow-free, rain-free Sunday afternoon we embraced it. We grabbed a little lunch and popped over to Kaposia Park in South Saint Paul for an afternoon stroll.

Owen walking on the trail

The fall colors were really lovely.

It was a great afternoon!

Little Hawks Soccer

This year we decided to have the child participate in a team sport. We joined the Black Hawk Soccer League. It is a popular organization with tons of kids of all ages participating. Owen is a Little Hawk. He gets to play on the same team as one of his best buddies, Owen L. Being one of the youngest players, he isn't quite into it the way some of the other children are. There are a few kids who are really good! I think his skill level and his ability to pay attention will grow with time. For now the most important thing for us was to get him out there, be part of a team, and learn something new. He loves it!

On our way to the first game

There are about 10 different colors of teams. Owen and Owen L. are on the dark green team.

He's lucky #7

Owen and Owen L. numbers 7 & 8. I think they spend more time wrestling around with each other than playing but hey- they are 4 1/2 and just want to have fun!

Preschool Year 2!

First Day of Preschool - year 2

I began writing this blog when my Little Chief started preschool last year. I remember feeling overwhelmed, happy, and sad all at the same time. My baby was growing up and taking his first steps away from home. This year I felt more assured and, to be honest, I was looking forward to my 6 and 3/4 hours of personal time a week. He loves it and he adores his teachers. There are a few boys from his class last year so he is comfortable. It's a win/win.

Last year I experienced the "firsts" of preschool and this year it's the "lasts." Now it's only one more year until my baby goes to kindergarten (oh don't get me started on that!). Soon he will be 5 years old and then it's on to driving and college. OK- I maybe skipped a few years, but I am in constant surprise at the speed of life. Sometimes I want to go backwards. I want to fix the mistakes I have made and relive the triumphs. I want to cuddle my baby and be there again when he takes his first steps and says his first words. I defiantly would have introduced vegetables first. : )

Or, maybe I want to freeze time and keep us here in this stage where we as parents are still the smartest, safest people in his world. Where the child finds complete joy in Batman and a stuffed bunny named Teddy. Sure this means I would be tying shoes and and reading the Magic School Bus over and over and over again, but it also means we would be able to snuggle three deep for bedtime stories forever.

I suppose I should just chalk it up to a good life. We must be doing something right if it means so much. So there he is, taking his first-last preschool steps. Our last year before the big ol' elementary school bus comes down the street and scoops my little baby off to a whole new level of childhood. It's all so dang bittersweet.

Florida- part three

While we were in sunny Florida we went on a 3 hour pontoon ride through the Sebastian Inlet. (I know- "a three hour tour...") It was a beautiful day and we were on the lookout for Manatee. Unfortunately, we missed them while on our tour, but we did catch sight of one as we were returning to dock. I spent most of the ride standing on the front of the boat taking pictures and talking with another boater and the crew. It was very peaceful and lovely.

Sebastian Inlet State Park is on the right in this photo. Apparently you can not only walk through this park, but ride your horse through it as well. Awesome!

Sitting on the pontoon

One afternoon while G.Ma and I were out tooling about Melbourne, Papa Bear and G'Pa took Owen to the Brevard Zoo. From the pictures Troy took it looked like loads of fun. Next time we get down that way I will be sure to check it out.

Owen with the camera taking pictures of Papa and G'Pa

macaw

Owen on the giant turtle. Being Florida, and with all that sunshine, Troy said the turtle was hot! He had to have Owen stand in it instead of sit :)

Florida- part deux!

While we were beginning our vacation, my cousin Jessica and her friends were wrapping theirs up. We had a day overlap and we decided to meet in Cocoa Beach for a little dinner and conversation. Most of the girls were attending OSU and had met because of their fondness for Harry Potter : ) I think the restaurant was called Captain J's. The food was good, the service slow, but I had crab cakes made with real crab. Yum!

Jess and her gal pals having dinner with us in Cocoa Beach

This was the walkway that leads to the beach.

Owen and Mama on the beach

My friend Dawn suggested I take some water wings for the swimming pool. She is a genius! The child turned into a little fish. He was floating and racing and really enjoying the pool. The water was pretty deep so these were perfect. Seriously. I can't say it enough. Perfect! Thanks for the loan of water wings, Dawn! Such a smart mama!

Beautiful sky

Oh, Summer! Miss you already!

Florida! 2009 Vacation!! Whoo hoo!

Well it only took a few years but we finally went on a non-holiday vacation. We were able to go down to to Florida and spend a week on the coast. The Atlantic Ocean was awe inspiring with the waves crashing against the shore and the vastness of the water and sky would humble the biggest giant. It was beautiful!

We were lucky enough to be right on the beach, just a few stories up. It afforded us beautiful views and easy beach access. G'Ma and G'Pa really made the trip happen for us. They organized the housing, the food, the activities, the car, and the I think they may have even ordered the perfect weather! All we had to do was enjoy it : ) I have so many pictures of our trip it will take about 3 or 4 posts to get even a portion of it in!

Troy and I were so excited to have Owen visiting the beach. He was tentative for about a second with the big waves and soon he was running full force into them. Even as he was being tossed and pulled he was thrilled. The rip tide was very strong, so the bunch of us would form a line in the water and catch the little booger when the tide pulled him out. Talk about scary from mom's perspective. I thought my heart would fall out every time the waves pulled and pushed him, but that child just laughed and ran back in.

So you can see that we spent the majority of our time on the beach. At least once or twice a day we were playing in the sand and enjoying the waves. I miss it. I want to go back.