Summer Fun with Grandma & Papa

Lennon's Grandma and Papa came for a visit and we had a great time. Don and Marilyn didn't stay with us, but we still spent most of Lennon's waking hours with them. One of the nights when Don, Marilyn and Beka were heading back to Beka's house, Lennon was busy playing and didn't want to say bye. Five minutes after they left, Lennon looked up and said, "they left?"--"no say buhbye"--"Lennon sad"--"poor Lennon."

The next morning after they left to go home to NY, we were with friends and Lennon was just moping. We asked what was wrong and Lennon said, "Grandma and Papa gone--Lennon sad." We skyped them that night and Lennon was fine after that--he just gets so attached and it's always hard to say goodbye.

Here's some of the fun things we did during their visit....

The Lake
We went to Lyla's first birthday party at Bear Creek Lake Park. Lyla is the little girl that we've been watching every week since the spring. Lennon loves Lyla--he calls her "pretty Lyla!" The park has a big reservoir with a swimming beach and Marilyn and Beka came with us to enjoy the beautiful day. Lennon had a blast!

Lennon's awesome mohawk! He kind of has a natural mohawk anyways (to his dad's great pleasure!) and I think he pulls it off!

Grandma and Lennon:The Park

We love the park and lake that is right across the street from our house--it's just the right distance, it's beautiful and it's a ton of fun!

Lennon's getting braver and braver (and bigger, obviously)--just a couple months ago, he would have never climbed the fish-scale bridge by himself. He's naturally a pretty cautious boy, but it's fun to see the explorer in him emerge!Lennon, Marilyn, Lyla and me:

We always have to go out on the dock before we leave the park.

The Zoo
We have a zoo membership, which is the only way that we could justify going, because Lennon only lasts an hour or two. But it's a perfect way to start out the day with a morning trip to the zoo! Lennon's favorites are the elephants (or elphalants as Lennon says!), monkeys and the lions.

Looking at the monkeys:

Riding the train with Papa. It's about a 5-minute train ride and Lennon was all excited until he realized that I was staying behind the barrier. He started to cry, but thankfully the train started and he great time. This is him just as he is realizing I'm not coming:

Papa "Singing"

Lennon has a Peter Cottontail book that plays the tune and you're supposed to sing along. Much to our dismay, Lennon loves it and wants you to sing it again and again. He wanted Papa to read him a book and, much to Don's surprise, he chose that book! Here's Lennon laughing at his Papa's rendition:Here's Papa singing--you have to play it to the end, Lennon's response is priceless!