Can you believe this is the last weekend in August? I sure can't! I cannot believe it's Labor Day weekend, or that football season is here, or the fact that fall is right around the corner.
With the thought of Summer fading away, we decided to soak up all that we could tonight. After dinner, we packed up in the van and took a drive. We drove around neighborhoods, went by Trevor's house, and the empty water park. Our mission tonight was not to drive around Cedar Falls, but rather to find a fun park.
Cedar Falls has many parks. We usually stick to the ones close to home or by Main Street. Tonight we decided to try one new one and visit an old one we've been to before. First stop, Gateway Park. This park is close to Main Street, and over looks the Cedar River. It a cute park with a couple of climbers, and a few slides and swings. Sullivan had a wonderful time testing our all the slides, but wanted nothing to do with the swings. I'm not sure what it is but he never really cared for them. After he played around for a little while, we took a short walk along the Cedar River.
Next stop, was our new park. This park isn't too far away from Gateway Park, but I feel is way overlooked. Island Park is right off Center Street and features many slides, tunnels, climbers and spring riders. The joy on Sullivan's face pulling into the parking lot meant this one was a hit. He was overjoyed with the bright orange slides, particularly the giant slide. There is one slide at this park that sits over 12 feet off the ground. When Sullivan ran to it saying "big slide mommy, big slide" I was worried. I'm not much for heights and the thought of my two year trying to climb up to one made me worried.
Sullivan stomped right up the stairs with Mike right behind him. This fearless kid could care less. He went down that giant slide over and over again. We did get him to try a few others on the playground, like the fast slide, tunnels and spring riders. On our way out we even spots a couple of deer and some geese.
Sullivan, Mike and I had so much fun tonight! It's nights like these that make summer ending a little sad. But on the flip side, I am so ready for football, soups, stews, pumpkins, costumes, leaves and all other things fall. Go Seahawks!!
This past weekend (yes I know tomorrow is already another weekend) Sullivan and I headed up to my parents house. Mike decided to join us after the market in Cedar Rapids on Saturday. While our weekend had nothing planned, we had so much fun! It's not often when we go back home that we don't have plans to be somewhere, a celebration or plans of meeting up with family and friends. This weekend was the type to spend quality time with family.
Friday night after work, we headed north. We got to my parents just in time for a lovely dinner. After dinner, we ventured over to my grandparents to visit and see the birthday boy. My grandpa turned 89 on the 15th.
On Saturday my sister and I loaded up the van and took the boys to LaCrosse, WI for a little shopping. On our way back home we stopped in Decorah at the best little ice cream stand. I have fond memories of The Whippy Dip snowstorms in high school and as a family treat. If you are ever in the area stop for a cookie dough snowstorm. It's the real deal. I'm almost positive is actual homemade raw cookie dough!
Later that evening we went over to my sister's house so that the boys could play and run wild. Sullivan had so much fun running all over their yard, playing in the club house, getting pushed in the jeep and riding in the back of the car up to the cabin.
Sunday morning was a nice breakfast with my parents and then back on the road to home. It was the first time Sullivan saw our house and starting crying because he didn't want to be home. As soon as we were coming up the road he kept saying "No, no mommy, no home." Yes our little boy wanted to be with his grandparents, and to be running around with Asher and Landon. It's time like these I'm sad I'm not just 10 minutes away from my family. But I am also thankful I'm only an hour and twenty minutes away.
Here's to another Friday, and another weekend. Summer's almost done and I couldn't be happier to end the workweek and be with my boys!
It's been a couple of months since we transitioned Sullivan out of his "nursery bedroom" to his now big boy room. To see what Sullivan's room used to look like, click here.
A while ago we decided to put Sullivan into a toddler bed. We never had any issues with him trying to climb out of his crib. We just thought this could teach him to listen better and give him a little independence. Plus he's a big boy! Being over 3 feet tall it's tough hauling that guy in and out of a crib, and his room was getting less and less.
When we first transitioned, our nights were perfect, almost a little too good. Sullivan has always had a pretty routine bedtime and putting him down in his big boy bed was a piece of cake. Until he settled in. We had a couple of weeks where Sullivan had a really difficult time staying in his bed, in his room, and not playing with his toys. Lately he's been doing pretty good. It's tough to stick with a 7:30-8:00 bedtime in the summer when the sun is still going. So for the summer he's been going to bed around 8-8:30 and it usually takes about 30 minutes to get him to fall asleep. He has all his stuffed animals, blankets and his glow light that shines stars on the ceiling. I've often thought about music and we've tried it using the iPad but it hasn't made that big a difference for me to stick with it. Our bedtime consists of watching a little cartoons, reading books, baths every other night, brushing teeth and lots of kisses and hugs.
This past weekend I finally finished his big boy bedroom with adding his name on the wall. These are canvas letters bought at Hobby Lobby. The alligator toy box was from Target, the growth chart was from one of my best friends, the robot photo was carried on from his nursery and is one of kind made by his daddy, and his toddler bed is from Toys R Us.
