Keeping up with Drew and Emma!: Dan Nicholas Park

We took Drew and Emma to Dan Nicholas Park this morning and we had a great time! We had taken Drew there a year ago and were amazed at all this place has to offer. Here we are at the Train Station where we bought our tickets for the different attractions.

First we went to see the animals. I looked through older pictures, and here's Drew in July 2009 looking at the black bear.

And here's Drew today, July 2010, looking at the black bear! First of all, look at how he has stretched out!! And second of all, I wonder if that's the same bear?!

The other bear started walking back and forth in front of us, and Chad told Drew that he was looking for Drew. So, Drew is telling the bear, "I'm right here!"

Close up of Mr. Bear! He's huge. We read that they can be as heavy as 880 pounds - I think this one is close to that!

There were other animals that we looked at (not nearly as exciting as the bears) and then we went to a petting zoo. We were a little frustrated with Drew because he was "so afraid!" of everything and wouldn't pet the animals - it's a phase he's going through. He tells us he's "afraid" of lots of things. Hopefully it will be a fast phase!! After that, we got a personal ride on the train. Last year when we came to this park it was packed - today we almost felt like we had the place to ourselves! It could have been the heat (nearly 100 degrees), but there's tons of shade, so it wasn't so bad. We have a little fan attached to Emma's carseat, so she was cool enough in the stroller. I think she liked the train!

Then Chad and Drew got to ride the carousel all by themselves.

Emma was making silly faces in the stroller while they were on the carousel!

Then it was lunchtime! We brought sandwiches, strawberries, chips, and Starbursts for dessert. Drew loves Starbursts! But they are used as special treats (when he goes potty, cleans up, or is an extra good listener).

Lastly, we played a round of putt-putt. Drew did a great job! We didn't keep score and we were laid back about where he set the ball down. He understood the goal was to hit it in the hole and he had some really good shots!

Here's a video of Drew playing putt-putt. Hopefully he'll be able to play at the fancy courses on our beach trip next week! If they are really busy with lines between the holes, then I'm not sure we can keep him entertained while waiting for his turn! We'll see!

After playing putt-putt, he took his hat off and he was soaked with sweat! So, we called it a day and got in the air conditioned car. Here he is snacking on some chips (another favorite treat of his, which he very rarely gets to have).

Emma did a great job at the park. I held her for part of the time while we were walking around and when we ate lunch. But most of the time she was content in her stroller with her fan on her. She slept for part of the time too. Emma hasn't been the best napper lately, but she has been a wonerful sleeper at night. We get both kids in bed by 9 or 9:30pm. Then Emma will stir a little around 2 or 3am, and I'll put her pacifier back in a couple times (which I can pretty much do w/o waking up all the way!). She won't wake to eat until 5ish. Then she'll sleep again until 7 or 8am. She still likes to turn her head mostly to the left, and it's starting to rub her hair off. We thought she might keep her hair, but this past week it was been rubbing off a whole bunch! She has rubbed it off the sides into a mohawk!