Moving On

Now that my parents are empty-nesters (although I think in name only because at least of of us is over most of the time, most of the time two or more are over there visiting because Mom and Dad are just that fun to be around. Yes, Dad, too. People don't believe us when we say that Dad is a fun and funny guy, but we are not lying!), they have taken to going on day trips here and there. I'll get a call mid-morning from Mom and she'll end it with something like, "Dad and I are on our way to (some place within an hour home), we're going to (insert a list of things, which usually includes eating, here). We'll be back by such and such a time if you want to stop by with the baby." It's cute, the whole day trip thing. Dad usually iniates it, Mom would just as well stay home, but they both have a good time. All that to say that one of these day trips found them at Old Sturbridge Village in MA a few weeks ago. We've all been there many times, but it's a fun place to revisit once in a while. Especially when they have this visit within 10 days for free admission and 25% off guests deal. Mom wanted all of us to go up for Labor Day, but no one seemed that interested. Then on Thursday, Mom and Dad randomly stopped over in the morning (literally for 2 minutes to say hi to Micah on their way to an errand...) and mentioned they might be going to OSV. I told them to let me know if they were going because I'd be interested in taking Little Man since Mom told me about the cool play area they had for kids, besides the fact that it was a perfectly gorgeous late summer/early fall type of outdoors day! They called not long after and said to be over by a certain time because they were going.

So we all piled in the car and arrived in just under 45 minutes and just as Micah woke up from his morning nap. He was ready and rearing to go and was amused by the play area for a bit, but I think he sensed bigger and better was out there somewhere. We tucked him in this stroller and headed out into the 1830's style town for an afternoon of historical fun. Micah enjoyed all the real life animals...and the dirt roads...and the river that he was throwing rocks into (or at least Dad was trying to make him throw rocks into!). Everything interested him, so it was fun to see things through his eyes. Mom and Dad were having so much fun showing him around. Mom took charge of M a few times while Dad and I went into various homes or businesses to see what they had to offer. Our favorite was the Potter's House. Dad's thinking of getting a wheel and I hope he does because I'd definitely ask to use it. I took Pottery in high school and absolutely loved it. The day was perfect, which made the experience all the more fun. And Micah was very well-behaved, which is nothing new, but who knows when toddlers will decide to melt down.

I made a book of the animals that we saw for Little Man. The one animal that he did pet was a pig. Are pigs even supposed to be pet? Well the thing was near enough to touch, so we both pet the animal. Micah also chased a rooster and waved to some geese. He watched the sheep eat grass and some turkeys stare back at him.

All in all it was a great trip for Micah to experience because he could walk around without getting into too much trouble, see some live animals, and be outdoors on such an awesome day. I'm sure this is just the first of many trips like this and I'm looking forward to the others!

Onward! To the real stuff...

Rooster-chasing...with Grandpa's help