Labor Day Weekend Fun at the Bordlemays'

This Labor Day weekend Momma, Daddy, Tazz and I packed up our clothes and toys and headed to the Bordlemays' to play.  Daddy was excited for a day full of volleyball. Momma was looking forward to all the yummy food.

Tazz was looking forward to playing tug and fetch with BIG sticks, not to mention chasing all the small animals that live in their back yard.

I was looking forward to playing with the great big box of cars I discovered on my last trip and sharing them with a certain special girl... Ellie!

I'm happy to say that Momma, Daddy Tazz and I realized all of our wishes.  Daddy played many volleyball games, until a yellow jacket sent him to his favorite hospital for a small shot.  Momma ate more brownies and bar-b-que sandwiches than she thought she could fit and I spent a lot of time playing with Ellie.  She showed me how to balance on rocks and jump off them.  A skill I have since honed on my own!

After a great day we headed home.  I have vague recollections of the car ride, as I was pretty sound asleep for most of the trip.  Imagine my surprise the next day when Nanny and Grampy showed up to play.  We had great fun playing in the front and back yards.  I slayed them with my killer smile!

I thought after seeing Daddy's family on Saturday and Momma's family on Sunday night & Monday morning that the excitement was all over.  But I was wrong.  On Tuesday cousin Devon and Uncle Sean showed up to have a sleep over at my house.  Devon and I had fun playing and I really liked helping Uncle Sean with Devon.  Here I am teaching Devon how to play the guitar.  I think there is music in her future!

Here's hoping you were able to spend Labor Day weekend with all of those that you love and that love you!

The Popcorn Zoo

This past weekend Momma, Daddy and I went on an adventure to the Popcorn Zoo. This local NJ zoo is affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and is home to all sorts of animals rescued from less than acceptable situations. There are domestic, wild, exotic and reptilian residents of all shapes and sizes cared for by the staff of Popcorn. Come meet a few of my new friends!

We were first greeted by the turtle pond. I never new a turtle could smile, did you?
Then it was onto Momma's favorite animal. They have two draft horses in residence. Both quite well fed. The gentleman posing in the picture was quite feisty, as he had just been turned out.

Next it was onto the brown bears. Daddy and I had a great time throwing them peanuts. They were very skilled at retrieving all the peanuts that we threw, even those that fell short.

Next it was my favorites, the sheep. I made good friends with this little lady. She loved the popcorn that I had to share.

It wasn't long before the man of the house showed up though. He and I made friends fast! I had a hard time telling if he was shaking my hand or trying to eat it.

But no worries. By the end we were great friends. Do you think it had anything to do with the popcorn I was sharing?

I thought life was pretty good, getting to hang out with the sheep. But then we came upon my backyard friends, the deer! Who knew they had made the trip. My favorite deer was the white one. He and I bonded quickly. He was so gentle sharing my snacks! Definitely a refined gentleman.

Next it was onto the cougars. There were actually 3 in residence. It was at the cougar exhibit that I convinced Momma to take my picture. She was a bit shocked, when I went up to the exhibit, turned around and smiled! When do you think she will stop underestimating me?

After the cougars we met the donkey. Daddy got into the act feeding this little guy. Daddy was showing me just how nice a donkey can be. The donkey had scared me a bit by braying to say hi. It only took me a few minutes before I was sharing popcorn with him too.

Last but not least the tigers came out to play to wrap up our visit to the Popcorn zoo. Dante and I paced back and forth while Momma tried to capture "the shot". I put on my best "fierce" face for this one!

The Popcorn Zoo was a great adventure. Momma, Daddy and I had a great time and were happy to support this worthy organization with our visit. I hope you enjoyed our visit too!

Toddler Agility Equipment

Momma and Daddy surprised me with a BIG box showing up in our drive way. I couldn't wait to open it and see what was inside! Momma said it was my own backyard playground. But I didn't quite understand until Daddy put it all together. I was a big help in the construction, using the rubber mallet, screw driver and slippery soap! In the end it came down to Daddy's brute strength. Thank goodness for it!
I had great fun exploring all the sections. There is a great tunnel to climb through, TWO slides and a fun door to go in and out of.

Momma and Daddy tell me its configurable too. So we can move things around when I get bored.

So if you find yourself in the neighborhood, come on over to my house to play. The yard is ready and I am waiting. See you soon!

More Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Grandma and Aunt Janet! This year we celebrated Grandma and Aunt Janet's birthdays at Aunt Janet and Mary Ann's house. Grandma and I took a long walk to say high to the horse next door. I was much more comfortable saying hi to him than I was at Easter. I'm getting SO brave in my old age!
Next, Aunt Janet used her great coaching skills to introduce me to lacrosse. Its a game with a ball and a stick. Needless to say I thought it was great.

By the end of the training session I successfully executed my first "scoop"! Look out colleges, I see a scholarship in my future... or maybe that is Momma and Daddy seeing that scholarship...

New sports aside, we were all happy to be able to celebrate Grandma and Aunt Janet's birthday. Though Momma missed the cake shot, I can atest to its existence and its yumminess factor. I can't wait to celebrate some more birthdays!

Sunny Skies on Cape Cod

WOW! July was the best party month ever! After the fun fourth of July activities I thought for sure the rest of the month would be quiet. But I didn't realize how much Momma and Daddy had in store for me with our annual summer trip to the Cape. We arrived on Saturday with all the other renters which made for some SLOW bridge traffic. But I soon forgot all about that delay as I visited West Dennis public beach for the first time. I was so engrossed looking at the water from a SAFE distance that I didn't see Momma snap this picture. Do you think I have a J. Crew modeling contract in my future? Ralph Lauren?
Not to be outdone by the Beach this year's Cape Cod trip was full of outings. The toddler set doesn't like to sit still you know... Here is a picture of the DeGennas (Andre, Mel and Lucas) trying out the swing set at the cool playground we found. Side trips this year included the playground, a great trampoline place and some yummy restaurants.Here I am sliding down a slide shaped to look like a crab pot. Lucky for me I could out as easily as I got into it.
But the real fun was Nanny's backyard. Who new one yard could hold so many activities. Nanny and Grampy kindly carted up my bounce-house climber from NJ for us, and had LARGE inflatable pool that fit everyone! The pool was the site of much "Air Jordan" activity with Rachel and Lucas showing us just how much JUMP a toddle can have. But so Nanny doesn't worry about next year, those pictures are in Aunt Sarah's photo album. But the favorite activity of all was the slip 'n slide. Everyone had a great time, even Uncle Steve and Daddy. They tried to convince me it was a not to be missed activity. But I decided I'd rather watch from the sidelines. Maybe next year I will take the plunge!
Even though I was cautious, Megan and Sarah managed to convince Aunt Sarah to give it a go. Those Winigs really loved the Slip 'n Slide.

Would you believe even Devon signed up for the Slip 'n Slide. I thought that was very brave of her... or was it brave of Aunt Jo???Even though Devon showed herself to a be a brave bold girl, she asked that we don't forget how sweet and beautiful she is. So here is her glamour shot, taken by Momma. Those long Foy eyelashes turn us all into models!
Believe it or not, as the weekend wrapped down we kids did manage to towel off and have some quiet time. Megan was a great sport about hanging out with all of us toddlers. She shared her great reading skills, giving all the Mommas a break.A special thanks for Nanny and Grampy for opening their house to us, to Uncle Chris to getting the basement finished so we could all fit and to the DeGennas, Oscar-Foys, and Winigs for making the trip and allowing us to celebrate all the July birthdays! Last but not least, Aunt Sarah thank you for baking those apple pies and chocolate mousse pies. Now I understand what Momma and Daddy were raving about!

4th of July Pre-Fun

A special thanks to PopPop and GiGi for the fun bar-b-que they hosted for the Foys and Oscars. Tazz and I had a great time seeing and playing with everyone! Who knew a house could have TWO sets of stairs. One goes up and the other goes down!

But the backyard was where all the fun was at!

See you next time!

Rain, Rain Come Again

For everyone that played with me at Memorial Day, it should come as no surprise how much I like water. In a pot, in a puddle or coming down from the sky, its all great to play with! Momma and Dad finally have accepted this. So now I have a full outfit of rain gear, down to the puddle stompers.

Needless to say I've had great fun putting it to use. Now there is NO reason we can't go to the park EVERY day.

But for those times when mother nature just won't cooperate, I now have my own water feature installed in the back yard. Running water is the best!

Here's hoping for big puddles to stomp!