We've been up to a lot of summer activities still : splash pad, water table, giraffe pool, wading pool, walks and playgrounds, etc. It's been an excellent month!
Today we went to the MN State Fair. I was nervous because it was raining hard on our way there, but the rain stopped as we were walking through the gates and didn't start up again until we were pulling into our driveway. It was perfect!
We took Nolan to the Kidway and let him pick some rides to go on. He wanted to go on them all. He's a brave, thrill-seeking little boy! I went on a tame motorcycle ride (the kind that just goes around in a circle) with him. Then we went on the Ferris wheel, which he loved! After that we went on a hot air balloon ride, which Nolan wasn't too impressed with. We told him to choose one more ride, and he chose the roller coaster. Jason went on that with him. Nolan had a huge grin plastered across his face the entire ride. He loved it! We also went down the big yellow slide with him a few times. I love that slide, too!
After getting some food we went to the barns and checked out the animals. Nolan's favorite animals were the pigs. He absolutely loved it when they snorted and oinked at him. He kept cracking up. William loved all the animals, too. He stared at them wide-eyed, filled with wonder. It was fun to see.
Then we got some more food and went to the education building. We had to check out Gustavus and St. John's! Can't go to the fair without doing that. By that point Liam had already napped in the stroller and the rest of us were tired, so we headed out. All in all it was a great day!
William has 4 teeth, with two more almost through. It has affected his sleep, which isn't so fun. But he is getting more interested in walking! He is starting to walk more and more. So far, his longest stretch is 10 steps. It's so cute to see his proud grin when he makes it to where he was aiming to go. Hopefully he'll just keep practicing and really get the hang of it!
Nolan has had some ups and downs lately. Something is going on with him, but I'm not sure what it is. I can't blame teeth anymore since he has all of them, so maybe he is fighting something. He has been acting up a little, similarly to how he got when teething was really bad or when he is sick. He's been screaming/yelling instead of using his words and once in awhile hitting. Nothing major or serious, but it is out of character. Perhaps he is reacting to all the attention William is getting from walking? I think that is part of it, but there's also something else going in because all of a sudden he started waking up an hour or so earlier.
However, despite the outbursts he has been having, he is still our sweet boy. Hopefully this outburst phase will pass quickly. Nolan is still constantly telling us he loves us and will miss us when we're gone (to work, doctor, store, etc). He will give us a huge hug, kiss both our cheeks, and give us a double wave. It's so sweet! He also is so friendly to other kids at the park. He says hi to them or, "Hi! I'm Nolan!" The other day he had a blast playing with four other kids at the park at Lake Calhoun. I love that he is building his social skills.
Next week our sweet baby boy will turn one! How is that possible?! Look for pictures!
Top of the Ferris wheel!
Vroom vroom
Happy babes at Tin Fish at Lake Calhoun
Loving the park
Peekaboo
Peeking and giggling
Goofy guy didn't want to smile
Tim McGraw! He never disappoints.
Thank you, Old Navy, for allowing me to shop uninterrupted (for a good five minutes)!
I swear they were having fun
It was a little chilly
Sprinkler fun
Hey cutie. I love his hazel brown/gray eyes
Liam was thrilled to join Nolan in the car cart at Byerly's! Nolan had fun, too, just was a stinker for the camera.
Don't smile, Nolan, don't you do it! Reverse psychology, haha
I love him!
Liam's new trick -sniffing. It's hilarious.
Don't mind me, I'll just sit in the rice sensory bin.
We dog-sat this pretty girl last weekend.
Walking
Cooling off
Cutie
Fun at Teddy Bear Park with Laurie, Abigail, Anika, and Papa
Such a cute park
Fun at the lake
Nolan absolutely loved the Lily pad!
Poor William. That life jacket looks so uncomfortable.
