MOOoooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Dear Sir Moo's-A-Lot,
We had a much needed trip out of town when Daddy needed to go to Northern Indiana for work.  We kept busy at the mall riding a double decker carousel and eating popcorn.  We went for morning and evening swims and you charmed a group of students visiting colleges in the area.  On the way home we stopped at Fair Oak Farms.  It was a fun time.  The cows are gently cared for and thought about, if you're going to live the life of a milk cow.  They use the massive mounds of poop to actually power the entire farm and up to 700 homes!  There are play areas for kids and an area to see the calves being born!  Yes!  We watched a baby cow being born, you took it in stride and cheered on the mama.  You asked questions about your birth and what was hanging out of the cow.  It was amazing to experience.  

Then we went on a tour of the farms on a little bus, getting off to watch the cows being milked.

After the tour went to see a 4D movie about the farm.  It was, not well done.  One other family was in the theater with us.  You kept yelling, "Mine isn't 3D?! My glasses aren't working!"  

Neither were mine but at the end there is an animated cow saying good bye and it turns to the screen and poops and air and water shoots out at you from a little nozzle in front of the chair.  A little off and a little weird and it sends you into screams.  You are grossed out and your shirt is seriously wet on the side.  A little girl comes to you as the lights go out to reassure you that it wasn't real.  I think you knew it wasn't real it was all just so inappropriately gross.  After the poop good bye,  we finished off the afternoon before a long ride home with the creamiest ice cream ever.  You wanted to steal ours.  We did not allow this!  We love watching you learn and take in the world, and you just make us laugh, what could be better?
Love, Moooooma

Pool!

Dear Lil' Thompson, 
Summer is here and you've been gettin' your swim on.  You love to jump in with splayed out arms and a blinding smile across your baby face with a pop of giggles when your head resurfaces.  You work hard on your arm strokes and leg paddles.  We are so proud of our big boy.  You really loved it when Daddy joined us and the two of you moved a raft around the pool with good speed.  We love watching you splish splash!

Love, Mama

Hi ho a Camping We Will Go!

Dear Marty McFly, 
Finally! Last weekend we went on an impromptu great adventure!  Saturday morning we decided to kick in June with a Hoosier National Forest camping trip.  This was to be your first tent camping experience.  The minute we told you your pint size body never ceased being in motion.  You eagerly helped me get all the gear together.  All day, all afternoon you asked, "Can we go camping now?  Can we go camping NOW?"  On the way to the park you got anxious, impatient and suggested random places to just stop already and set up our tent and start our fire.  Pulling in to the camp we drove around a minute to choose our spot.  We are a little picky about this and you were going nuts, "OH! Yes this one is perfect, yes this one."  
We get our site and unload the van.  Again you helped me carry stuff down and set up.  Full of excitement and anticipation you went ballistic.  Daddy and I had to really work at getting the fire started due to the rain the night before and the light mist that was falling.  You couldn't have life any better.  You were breaking into the snacks and jumping all over and falling all over and moving all over.  Tensions were high over by the fire pit and when your energy was shooting out of your body at a rate beyond this earth we had to sit you in your car seat so we could get that dang fire lit already!  Fire going we set up the tent and aired up the mattress.  

I found a gold medal left over from a pre-Henry summer camping party and made a big deal of putting it around your neck.  I said, "You are officially a gold medal camper!"  Your mouth grew agape and you threw your arms in the air and said, "I've got the golden medal!"  

Excited for s'mores

We ate some hot dogs and potato chips and headed over to the amphitheater for a herpetologist's presentation.  They had a slide show and a talk about snakes, lizards and turtles native to Indiana.  A couple of months ago we found a turtle on the road and we had discussed snapping turtles so when a little girl asked how big they get you answered out loud gaining a nod from the herpetologist.  You were so engaged in what he was telling us but toward the end you were ready for the tent.  

Back at the camp site you asked for jammies and you easily slid into your sleeping bag and passed out in seconds (with your side of the tent door open so you could see us).  Daddy and I spent some time together by the fire then joined you in the tent.  It was a chilly night but oh so nice to cuddle up.  

In the morning we got ready for breakfast by getting the fire going.  This time was golden on the first attempt.  You cheered me on.  You roasted a marshmallow and said, "I made this one for you because you made such a beautiful fire."  Awe!  Then you started exploring the woods around you.  Soon you were mumbling something with your hands gesturing out from you body.   Your Back to the Future obsession kicked in and you said, "Plutonium!"  Daddy and I said, "What?!"  You said, "Doc! Where's the plutonium?"  Thus the rest of our camping day involved eggs and bacon on the fire and LOTS of Back to the Future role playing.  

Thumbs up for campfire bacon and eggs!

We packed up and headed home and you were very tired.  You wanted to go back to camping immediately but for the next two days you couldn't stay awake.  Daddy and I were left with the happiest feelings, warm and fuzzies all around with your excitement and natural camping abilities.  We can't wait to take you again!  This is the kind of parenting excitement we'd imagined.
Love, Mama