"Cleaning"

Today The Dutch Way

Bright and I headed out to Dutch Village today. Yup, that's right...Dutch Village!

If you're from around here, maybe like me you haven't been there since your 2nd grade field trip (or was it 3rd grade?). We basically were tourists in our own town today, and we did the Dutch thing. Why did we do that? Well, we are always looking for fun things to do. I have a good friend who takes her kids there and a graduated student of mine works there too. So this morning when I was trying to figure out what to do, we looked at pics of the place online, and Bright indicated "That" was what we should do today. So this Mama did play time today the Dutch way.

Fun That Fair

Although we'll probably never forget what we saw at last year's fair, we did have a blast last night at the Ottawa County Fair. We went through the barns twice, took in a few rides, ate some fair food, and we even watched the motorcycle racing. Yes we saw a couple crashes, but nothing like last year. If you ask Brighton if he likes something, and he does, he'll say "Fun That" or "Again That." We heard them both from him several times, and I must say outside of a few barn experiences I could avoid, I would whole-heartedly agree.

My Sand Monsters

We have at least one long skinny dead spot in our lawn thanks to the thrills my Grass Monsters have been having lately. Tuesday night we decided to change it up; my Grass Monsters became Sand Monsters. We headed to Holland State Park a vacation spot just a few miles down the road. Following a very brief picnic, we played in the sand and the water for a couple hours. Slip 'n Slides are fun, but we determined we have to do this much more often.

I've Been Edited

I am an English teacher. I edit and grade LOTS of papers. I write a lot, and I read a lot.

I feel it's only fair to report that I've been edited by...

my husband.

He pointed out a repetitive error on this blog.

That's right a REPETITIVE ERROR.

Yes, that was an uncomfortable conversation.

It is in regard to Bright's grandmas; that lucky little stinker has quite a few of them.

I've been writing Oma, but that's not really right. It's not Oma as in the Dutch or German tradition. He calls his grandmas Ah-ma. It's his term, but we're going with it. Jon felt that I should write it differently, and I do agree.

I stand corrected.

So what do you think?

Amma. Ahma. Ama. Aamma.

My Grass Monsters

We decided to try a Slip 'n Slide for the first time over here this weekend. Little did I know that we'd have a huge mess on our hands. They called themselves the "Grass Monsters" because Jon recently cut the lawn. Brighton and Jon had grass stuck everywhere! We weren't short on good times though. We'll be slipping and sliding again tomorrow. Maybe I'll even get brave and give it a try.

Art + Mall + Mansion

Doesn't like that sound like a fun way to spend a few days? Well, good company is an important part of the equation, but I certainly had it.

We did a lot on our weekend away with the ladies, and we had a GREAT time. As usual we did the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Before we headed home, we toured the Dodge Mansion too. We had a blast. I laughed so hard I cried and couldn't catch my breath. We have my grandma and a piece of gum to thank for that one. Can't wait 'til next year!

The Bean Trees

Yes, I know beans don't grow on trees, but my son doesn't know any different. And interestingly enough I am reading (actually listening to) The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. By the way, blueberries grow on trees too according to Brighton. So as you can see, we picked beans this week. Bright's Grandma Walcott has a very impressive garden, and she helps some other people with their gardens too.

It was quite the set-up. Brighton wasn't as impressed. This two year old was interested for about two minutes. That is a forced smile up there if you can't tell. I'll just say I'd choose a different picking partner next time around.

We've been busy making big batches of pickles and zucchini bread at our house too. I am thinking I would like a small garden of my own next year. A girl can dream :)

Fast Tubing and Slow Tubing

We observe lots of tubing when we're living the cottage life, but I don't tube as you are probably imagining tubing. When one of my swimsuits died when I went skidding across the water, I called it quits. Yes, that was ten years ago already (thanks Dad!), but seriously...finding a great bathing suit is no easy task.
When the water is warm enough though as it has been, we sometimes do what we call "Slow Tubing." And I have to document that at least on this lake, this family invented it and we now have lots of copy-caters. This lake has fast boating stop at 7:30 pm. On these warm nights though we aren't just quite ready to get out of the water, so we tube behind the boat at a crawling pace. This permits us to stand on the tubes, hang off the tubes, trade tubes, and jump off the tubes all while following the no wake rules. It is a blast, and our son certainly thinks so too as of this past weekend. It's the perfect pace and the perfect amount of fun for this two year old.

The Blue Berries

We took Bright blueberry picking last week. He kinda helped, and we didn't have to chase him between rows like we did last year. He loved pouring the picked berries from one bucket to the other. He did eventually eat some off the bush too, but only after trying a green berry and a leaf as well. We had to constantly remind him, "Bright eat the BLUE berries." He's not liking them as much now in his highchair, but I keep trying. He does point to them and tell anyone that will listen that he got them off a tree.

84 Degrees

The water in Upper Silver Lake is 84 degrees! I think that might be some type of record. So suffice it to say we've been swimming quite a bit. Those, "It's too cold!" excuses for sure don't work now. I even plopped my chair in the water last week; that's when you know the temps are heavenly. It's the perfect time to continue working with Brighton on getting acclimated with the water, and we've been mostly successful. He's jumping into the lake off the dock and off the boat, but he won't put his feet on the bottom in just a few inches of water. He's kinda like his mama that way. Sand on my toes is great, anything else is tough for me to handle. To catch him off the dock standing there on top of weeds and crunchy shells was pure sacrifice, and I would only ever do it for my son.

I am shocked to report he hasn't fallen in yet. I am just waiting for that to happen, and (don't worry Oma) I'm ready to scoop him up when he does. In the meantime, 84 degrees is sure fun.

It's Not a Fountain

A fountain in downtown Holland has turned into what appears to be a splash park. Did the creators intend it to be used in this way? Not quite sure on that, but there is clearly no going back. It certainly has been warm enough around here for folks to desire drenching themselves. When I was out with my Calvin College Gal Pals last week, Jon and Brighton joined in on the fun.

And for all you Hollanders that know what I'm talking about, we don't let him swim in the fountain with the small pool. I don't believe they intended for that to be a swimming pool - just our opinion.

Wind in Their Hair

We don't get out to the beach and to Lake Michigan around here as much as we should mostly because we spend that leisurely time Up North. Last night was different. Jon and Bright joined most of the Walcott crew on Uncle Scott's boat for a ride in Lake Macatawa, out the channel, and around the lighthouse for a swim and some fun in the sand. Bright finally decided to wear sunglasses. I missed out on this trip because I have some course work to complete, but the boys had the wind in their hair, and they were loving life.

Tall & Skinny Again

We did the two year doctor visit yesterday. He has that place figured out: loves it when we get there (trains and fish), but then cries when they call his name. He's tall and skinny again, and doing just fine. Doctor says that you can double his height at this age and get an idea of how tall he would be. Just over six foot seems about right don't you think? He's going to be taller than me someday.
It was also the first time two nurses came in to do his two shots; they meant business. He didn't like that one bit, but then said thank you when they were finished.

Weight: 29 pounds
Height: 36.25 inches

Big Kid Table

No more high chair for Brighton at Bapa & Oma Walcott's House. Brighton has graduated to the Big kid Table, and he thinks he is big stuff.

Nigerian Fashion

July 4 Weekend

Walcott Imaging Does It Again

I'm so excited to share Bright's 2 year pics by Walcott Imaging with you.

You can see the entire slideshow HERE.

If you're interested in trying out Walcott Imaging for your child or family, they are offering another free day on July 20. They will offer 20 minute sessions at their house/studio with the option of an outdoor sessions close by at Centennial Park. There are also great deals on prints and digital rights that go with the free day. Space is limited, so contact them soon.