Here are a few pictures from our stay Friday, May 29th at the Holiday Inn in Maumee, Ohio that has a water park at it. Everyone had a great time! Even Mia loved the water. It was a great hotel and awesome water park. www.spalshbayresort.com for anyone looking for a fun weekend getaway within the area. Water activities for all ages, even the big kids like Andy.
Olivia wanted to try her hand as a photographer. I think she managed to snap some good photos with my camera. The above is one Olivia took of Mia and me. I head back to work on Tuesday. I'm sure it will be hard to leave Mia, but I am so confident in Jackie for daycare that I really haven't stressed too much over it. I also know there are only 12 days left of school, and then I have a summer to spend with my girls. On my time off I managed to accomplish most things that I set out too. We did a bit of house keeping. Granted much more needs to be done, but it will be there for me to do this summer as well.
Olivia has been such a great big sister to Mia. She always wants to hold her and try and cheer her up if she is fussy.
After helping me water some flowers out front, Olivia wanted to spray herself down with the hose. I started spraying her in the front yard, then let her go to the backyard and spray herself some more. She sure does love the water. Mia has been taking some baths with me lately too. She seems to adore being in the water as well. Thank goodness we have girls who love to be wet. They will make their daddy proud!
Olivia was so excited to see the butterflies, because when we went to Potawatami Zoo the butterfly exhibit had not yet opened. Of course, this one was open, but all the butterflies were in their chrysalises or cocoons. She handled the news fairly well. Here we are posing for a family photo minus one sleeping away in the stroller.
Olivia loved this chimpanzee. She would press her face and hands against the glass and the chimp would do the same back. The crowd around were making "ooh and awe" sounds at how cute they were being. Then the monkey smacked the glass and Olivia jumped. Everyone burst out laughing at how it startled her. It was quite funny. Olivia thought so as well and says that the silly monkey that scared her was her favorite part.
In the Reptilia house they were showing off a turtle and letting everyone pet it. Another disappointment. You have to be at least 5 to get to pet the turtle! How ridiculous is that? They say it's because they carry salmonella. Well, why let anyone pet it then? Don't these people realize that the youngsters are the ones who want to pet the animals the most? In this photo you can see the disappointment on Olivia's face. She was well passed nap time too, but toughed it out and didn't cry about it.
We watched the Michigan Week Kick Off Parade at Joe and Joyce Haas' house Saturday. Thankfully the rain stopped before the parade began. We showed up a little late to the parade and had to cross the road in the middle of the parade to get there, but thankfully we didn't miss Grandpa McNeil in his Shriner car. Olivia thinks grandpa is "Such a silly goose."
The family posing for a picture after the parade. Jacob Haas had to sneak in the picture too, but Olivia would love to take him home and have him as a big brother. When Andy and I were telling this to Jacob, Olivia said, "I really like that boy!"
Sunday Olivia seemed to be a little jealous of Mia during church, so I decided we needed some time with just the two of us. We went on a walk, (Olivia biked) around the block. After she helped me plant some flowers. She's seeming to be back to her sweet, yet overly talkative self now.
Olivia posing with my Mother's Days present.
Nana and Olivia hanging out in Nana's new hammock that all her kids got her for Mother's Day. Olivia is talking to Uncle Aaron on the phone telling him about how sick she is. She was playing Dr. with Nana. Olivia stated in a raspy sick voice, "I'm so sick, I have a fever, a high temperature, high blood pressure, and my heart stopped bleeping!"
Mia and I were awoken on Mother's Day morning by Olivia and Andy bringing me my Mother's Day gift. They got me an adorable flower pot that says "If I had a flower for every time I thought of my mother, I'd walk in my garden forever." Olivia picked out flowers to plant in it for me too. We then rode our bikes to church together. After church and lunch, I took a wonderful nap with both my girls. When we woke up we headed to my dad and Patty's to visit with Patty's family for a bit. After, we went to Andy's parents to have an enjoyable dinner.
Another quick Olivia story. While out to eat at DaVinci's last week (her favorite restaurant where she's on a first name basis with everyone) Andy was complaining of his back hurting. Olivia blurts out right when the waitress comes by, "Maybe your back hurts daddy because you have to go poop!" We all died laughing.
My wonderful Congress family went overboard with a shower for Mia and me on Monday April 11th. Here is Olivia enjoying some cake with Ms. Roberts whom she can't wait to have as a teacher. I couldn't believe the amount of gifts we received. The love and friendship I've seen since becoming a staff member at Congress has been overwhelming! They truly are a wonderful staff.
Mia lounging in Mrs. Starkey's arms. Lesley (Mrs. Starkey) has a dog named Blue who is going to have a play date with Vada this summer.
Checking out the camels at the zoo.
It was too cool for the real tortoises to be outside in their exhibit yet, but we enjoyed the statue just as well. Other exhibits were also not open until Memorial Day, such as the Butterfly house, which bummed out Olivia, but it just gives us an excuse to need to go back again. We bought a family zoo pass that is good at most area zoos, so those of you wanting some company at the zoos give us a call.
Olivia standing in as the part of the horse's rear!
Andy and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary by going out to eat at Carabas with Mia. Olivia stayed the night with Nana and Papa. It was a nice evening out together.
Mia also had her 1 month Dr. appointment this last week. She weighed in at 9 pounds, 11.5 ounces and was 22 inches long. Both of them put her in the 75th percentile. She has gained almost 3 pounds since her birth! The baby acne just started popping up a bit on her face yesterday, but she's still beautiful.
Olivia just adores Mia and being a big sister. She is getting so smart too. While traveling to Dundee she made an analogy as I was merging onto a highway. She said, "Mom, driving is like coloring. You have to stay in the lines just like when you color!" I responded to her that she was correct, to which she replied, "I know. I'm a smarty pants!"
Cuddling this morning before we head to the Potawotami Zoo for a family day!
