Summer Fun

A week of summer vacation has already flown by!  I know the rest of the summer will do the same, and I hate that.  Sloooooow down, summer!  Last week the weather was not super cooperative, but Jeremiah and I were able to entertain ourselves with a trip to the library, the Dr. to get his ears re-checked (they both look perfect, woohoo!), and the mall to play in the germ-filled play area.  :)

This week's weather has been much more summer-like, which I LOVE.  Give me hot, sunny weather ANY day of the week!  On Sunday evening we took advantage of the nice weather and headed to Jester Park to check out the Natural Playscape and new Bison and Elk Exhibit (the elk and bison are not new, but they have redone the viewing area).  Both were a real hit with Jeremiah!

Coming through the log tunnel...

Building with blocks.

Of course the fountain was his favorite!

A male elk hanging out in the grass.

Following the "horsey" footprints to go see the bison (bisons?  buffalo?  buffaloes?  I have no idea).

On Monday we went over to my co-worker's house-- she organized a little playgroup to meet each Monday this summer.  Jeremiah had tons of fun playing in the kiddie pool, "painting" the sidewalk, doing bubbles, and in general just enjoying someone else's toys!  Today we hit Ankeny's Splash Park for the first time, and Jeremiah does so much better there this year!  Last year I felt like I was just chasing and chasing him, trying to lure him back to the water (when he really just wanted to run in the grass and watch the geese in the pond...).  Today he was all about the fountains and filling/dumping his bucket of water, and getting very wet!  And I can give him a little more freedom to run around in the water, knowing he's not going to take off on me.  It was lots of fun!  We might head back tomorrow. :)

Another fun thing?

This treasure I found on Craigslist!  A cute little wooden tool bench in great shape (complete with hammer, wrench, screwdriver, measuring thingy, saw, nails, screws, nuts, bolts...) all for $15!  If today was any indication, it was definitely money well spent!  Jeremiah loves using the hammer to "donk" the nails, and as he was working away with his tools he said to me, "I'm a fixer guy.  This is my job."  It's going to be an indoor/outdoor toy, I think.  The sound of "donking" the nails is LOUD (hmmmm, maybe that's why someone wanted to get rid of it?), so I would much rather have it echoing throughout the neighborhood and not giving me a headache in the house. :)

Anyway, that's how we have been keeping busy thus far!  Next week I'm taking a class for 2 days, so I guess I'll have to get back into "school mode" for a bit (seemed like a good idea when I signed up for the class.  Now?  Not so much).