Visiting with David on Saturday evening

Kenton enjoying the view at Indian Mound Reserve Park on Saturday morning

The park of the day was Dayton's Cox Arboretum, which was hosting a Butterfly Festival. We didn't actually take in many of the festival sights because there were lines and Kenton, like most almost 3 year olds, is not patient. However, the park was huge and absolutely beautiful and we spent a couple of hours exploring there. The day was just perfect for being outside--temps in the 80s, a nice breeze, and lots of sunshine. I tried my best to get a picture of a butterfly, but had no luck. I think the children I was with might have had something to do with that. The best I could do was to get a bug of some sort on a flower, but I think it made for a nice picture. Although we scared all the butterflies away, Kenton did get to see an earthworm and a little frog, and he thought that was very cool.

Edward and the kids went to Clifton Gorge about a week ago and Kenton has been begging to go back ever since. Earlier in the week we told him we would go today, and I was really looking forward to getting to see it, too. We got there and had walked for about 5 minutes before the rain started. We kept walking when it was just drizzling but it picked up pretty fast, so we hightailed it back to the car. To say Kenton was disappointed would be a real understatement.

Since we were already out and about, we decided to go to the mall and take advantage of their free play space. Kenton played and ran and jumped for over an hour. Edward sat with him and Emery and I got to do some shopping. By the time we left Kenton was so tired he asked to be carried to the car. Even thought our original plans got rained out, I'd say it was a good day.

Kenton has started sleeping in the floor. We're not sure why. At first we'd just find him down there with no cover or pillow when we went in to check on him before we retired for the evening, but now he tells us that he wants to sleep in the floor. So we fix his pillow and Thomas blankie and stuffed animals and books and tuck him in down int he floor. At least this house has carpet instead of hardwood floors.

Baby girl tried blueberries for the first time last night and LOVED them! We made blueberry pancakes and she meticulously picked out and ate the blueberries, leaving the pancakes behind. She loves pancakes, so this was really saying something.

Papaw feeding Emy, who ate like she hadn't seen food in about three weeks. We really do feed her at home, but you wouldn't think so from the way she ate. Maybe food tastes better at Nana & Papaw's.

Horsing around with Daddy and Nana

Kenton and Papaw checking out the green beans

Nana & Papaw with our kiddos and cousin Connor

We went to Nana & Papaw's for the 4th of July and had a great time. We didn't tell Kenton we were going until the day before, which was a good thing because he was so excited. He didn't sleep very well the night before and only napped about ten minutes on the way there. He held up pretty well until around 8:00 that night, though. He had a great time playing out in the back yard and learned the fine art of hanging upside down on the swing set rails.

Kenton was loves water fountains, and this outdoor one was particularly fascinating.

Every night before he goes to bed, Kenton has started asking, "What are we going to do tomorrow?" He likes knowing what's coming up next, and he really likes going to bed knowing that there's something fun waiting for him when he gets up in the morning. Last night we promised him we'd check out a new park today, and we decided on Caesar's Creek State Park. Ohio's state parks don't charge any admission or parking fees, which we think is just wonderful! We found a nice stroller-friendly paved path to walk on and enjoyed the absolutely beautiful day. We only explored a tiny bit of the park--it's huge!--so we'll need to make a return trip before long.

On Friday we went to the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton and Kenton had a grand time. We never made it to the second floor, and spent most of our time in the water play area. He loved splashing and playing and floating the little boats down the stream.

Emy enjoyed riding the giant eggplant.

We finally found the battery charger for the camera, so we're taking pictures again and the blog is back in business! Kenton and Emery spent the weekend with Nana & Papaw in Kentucky and had a great time. Kenton is already asking when he can go back again. It might be a while before Nana & Papaw are ready to try this again, however.

Edward and I spent the weekend doing wild and crazy things like sleeping until 9:30 and grocery shopping and vacuuming. Do we know how to party or what?

The river was big and muddy today from all the rains we've had recently but the fountain was still lovely. Kenton was quite impressed with it and he really loved that there was a pedestrian bridge so he could actually walk across the river.

Edward and the kids took a break from their busy schedule of exploring the parks of Greene County today, and we traveled a couple miles down the road to Dayton to check out some of their parks. We'd been to RiverScape a couple of weeks ago for the Memorial Day festival, but we explored the park more today. The fountain here is designed for children to play in, and there were others there who were doing just that, but Kenton was a little hesitant. He liked getting close to it but had no desire to jump in and get wet. If I'd had dry clothes to change into, I would have jumped right in!

Another nature walk at another park today...because it makes the kids happy

Emy, looking super cool in her sun hat

Kenton took an ink pen and scribbled all over his legs today. When Edward asked him why, he said, "I drawed a picture of Nana and Papaw!" Don't you feel loved, Nana and Papaw?

They look so much alike!

After taking a few days off from their busy schedule of park exploration, Kenton, Edward and Emery headed out again today. They went to a wetlands park in Beavercreek this afternoon and had a fabulous time. The weather was just about perfect and there was a long boardwalk which was a great place to push the stroller. I think it's pretty cool how Kenton's shorts match the sky in this pic.

This is how Edward found Kenton today when he went to wake him up from his nap. We're not sure why he decided to sleep behind the door in the floor. You may notice that his legs are covered in little bruises. We're also not sure how that happened. He plays fairly rough and tends to run into things and fall down a lot, but I can't imagine what he's done to end up like this.

We visited the Cincinnati Zoo today with our friend David and his son Noah. Despite the hot weather, we all had a good time. Kenton didn't get as excited about the animals as I thought he might but he did seem impressed by the polar bears.

Em was so sleepy by the time we left, she could barely hold her eyes open.

Em hasn't tried the pool out yet. While brother splashes and plays, she sits on a blanket in the yard and looks cute. She's pretty good at looking cute.

We bought a little inflatible pool for the kids to enjoy in the backyard. It's finally gotten warm here, so Kenton has done a little splashing around the last couple of days. He refuses to go shirtless or actually sit in the pool, though.

My little reader!

Popsicles--good to the last drop!

Kenton absolutely loved feeding the goats and, at one point, he even refused to leave them to go get some ice cream. Edward eventually talked him into it, though.

We spent a great morning at Young's Daiy Farm just up the road in Yellow Springs. After having a great breakfast at the restaurant there, Kenton and Emery took the tractor for a spin around the farm. Thenwe looked at the cows, fed the goats, and had some ice cream. We spent about three hours there and Kenton was not ready to go. We promised to make a return trip soon.

What's better than playing with a stick? Playing with a stick while you're jumping, that's what!

Emy enjoys the great outdoors just as much as her big brother.

Little boy in the big woods

One of the reasons we decided to look at moving to this area was the abundance of parks and outdoor recreation. There seems to be a park around every corner and we've visited several of them. Kenton is absolutely loving it, and is also quite fond of our backyard. He loves going out there in the evenings and taking his shoes off so he can run in the grass "nudie-footed" as he calls it.

This place started feeling a lot more like home once we got the cats unpacked.

Greetings from the frozen north! Okay, okay...so a high of 60 degrees isn't really freezing, but it kinda feels like it when you've been used to temps up around 90!!! We're living in a house stuffed with boxes (I'm still not convinced all of this stuff is really ours), but overall things are going well. I've been taking some pictures and will upload them as soon as I can find the USB cord for the camera. I'm sure it's in one of the 3,000 boxes sitting around here...

Good bye to all our Thomasville friends. It's been a wonderful three years. We'll miss you!!!

All that our poor children have left to play with is boxes. I think Kenton was making a real fashion statement tonight with his giraffe pj shirt, Thomas swimming trunks, and black knee socks. The pink paci was just icing on the cake.

The packing is making us all a little crazy!

Today was the end of the year program at Kenton's preschool. We got there ten minutes before it started, but still had to stand in the back so my pictures aren't very good. I like my camera, but I wish it had greater zoom. The program lasted almost an hour and Kenton was pretty well-behaved. We were proud. It was a little sad to think that this was the last time he'll get to see most of his school friends. We've talked with him about it, but we're just not sure how much he understands.

Sitting in the swing, as only Emery can do it. She thinks she needs to be able to grab her feet and chew on them at all times.

I'm getting a little sentimental about leaving Thomasville. I really believe the move is going to be great for our family, but this is where both of our children were born so we've made a lot of memories here. When we go to the playground up the street, this is the view we have while we're pushing Kenton on the swings. There are lots of great parks in and around Xenia , but I'm going to miss this gorgeous old school building and the live oaks draped with Spanish moss.

Kenton had a playdate with his buddy Parker this morning. We talked beforehand about the fact that this is probably the last time he'll see Parker because we're moving. He didn't seem to be too upset by it, although he did act a little strange when we first got to the park, not wanting to go over to Parker and play where he was. He got over that and they had a great time, playing for a couple of hours. I think emotionally it was harder on Edward and me than on Kenton, because we were so concerned about how he might respond. He's definitely a little stressed by the upcoming move, but I think he's going to deal with it pretty well.

The temperatures were up in the 90s again today, so we decided to let Kenton experience the joy of playing in the sprinkler.

We should know by now to never, ever leave a toddler alone with anything that can be dumped out. Apparently mixed nuts are almost as much fun to play with as rocks. Given a few more minutes, he probably would have gone to get his dump trucks.

Kenton would probably have a hard time picking his favorite thing about going to Nana & Papaw's house. I think it would be a tie between playing in the basement and going to the creek. He got to do plenty of both on this visit.

We got to be in town for Uncle Ken's 30th birthday. As you can see from the picture, he celebrated the occasion by partying like a rock star. Or maybe he just stood out on the carport in the rain and blew bubbles with his nephew.

We had a good, but exhausting, trip to see Nana & Papaw and to find a place to live in Xenia. The kids really enjoyed the time with their grandparents. Edward and I really enjoy knowing that we will have a place to live to once we leave here. Here's Emy being spoiled by Papaw.