Vacation Part 1

We took a short family vacation at the end of June. The first part of the trip was all about fun and games. We went to Key Lime Cove, which is an indoor water park, and to the Jelly Belly factory. We were hoping to take the factory tour, but Alex was a bit too distracted by the carnival outside. (It's not always there. We had just happened to time our visit with their SummerFest event.) He's been talking about wanting to ride a Ferris Wheel, so this was his chance. Surprisingly, he was able to recognize that he could savor the event by doing the Ferris Wheel last: "I know it will be my favorite, so I want to save it for the end."

We didn't get any pictures inside the water area because we were all having too much fun to worry about keeping track of cameras or phones, but here are a few pictures of the fun outside of the water park, as well as pictures from Jelly Belly and the carnival.

His favorite kind of ice cream -- not cold!

He loved playing Skee Ball at the arcade

Air hockey with Daddy

Giant Jelly Belly!

Jelly Belly car

Ticket to ride

First Ferris Wheel ride

He was having far more fun than this looks like

Belated Last Day of School Post

I was having some photo issues on the computer and finally worked them out, so here are a couple end of the school year photos to commemorate Alex's first year.

June 7 was Alex's last day at school. He had a great first year and can't wait to go back in the fall we are very lucky that he will be continuing with the same teachers then.

The year went by really fast. It's hard to believe it is over.

Dismissal on the last day, showing off his treasure box

In front of Rockefeller Chapel

Alex at Bat

A little Father's Day baseball for Dave and Alex. Here's a clip of the slugger in action.

Happy Father's Day, Dave!

Check out that follow through

Two Chefs

Who could resist breakfast made by these two adorable chefs? (It was yummy.)

The Thinkers

Love this picture of Alex and his cousin Anna! So contemplative.

Handy Boy

The patio swing I bought when I lived in Savoy has swung its last. The rust got the best of it. Alex was less disappointed than I thought he would be, in part because taking apart the swing and building a castle out of the parts was way too much fun. He was so concerned about the castle getting blown down in the wind that when I put him to bed he asked me to check on it and then asked me if I would check on it again in the morning before it was time for him to get up.

He also was very helpful in the assembly department when we brought home a new patio set. It was the first time he used a real wrench, and he was super psyched about that.

Race Day

Today was the Race for the Zoo. Just like last year, the plan was that I would run the 5K and that Dave and Alex would come meet me so Alex could do the kids' run. I did my part (and got a PR in the 5K!), but at the last minute Alex decided not to do the kids' race. We still had a great time roaming the zoo, and, given how crowded it was at the kids' race, it was probably just as well that he didn't run.

Pinning on his race bib