Dan had been talking about wanting to take us to the Water Mine for a while, as it’s a water park he passes on the way to and from work every day. We decided to go this past Sunday, and it was a whole lot of fun for the whole family! Mio had never been to a water park before, so it was a new and exciting experience for her! She really enjoyed the park, but I think she was also at the same time kind of overwhelmed by all the things to do and all the people there, so she was half in a state of shock… as you’ll see in the pictures.
Arriving at the water park! Oh the excitement!
The water park had inner pool areas with lots of slides and fun play objects, and had a lazy river stream going around the perimeter where people could float on inner tubes.
So much to do! Where to start?!
First things first, is to get your foot in the water…
Dan figured the best way to get Mio used to the water was to drench her.
Me with my baby bump! I’m in my second trimester and it’s definitely starting to show…
Mio going on the slide with Daddy
Mio loved riding the horse in the pool. She kept whinnying “neighhh!”
Face to face with a sea serpent!
I joined Mio on the slides, too!
She loved all the animals in the water!
Mio loved going on the lazy river with the inner tubes! She would say “whee!” while we floated along.
Mio was all at once enthralled…
…and a little bit scared and uncomfortable by the water that would get dumped or sprayed at us along the way…
Dan even got some video with our point-and-shoot camera (we have an underwater casing for it, and that’s how we took photos and video in the water). Excuse my frowns in the beginning — I was distressed that we were getting sprayed. lol
Mio with Daddy on the floatie.
“Turtle! Turtle!”
Mio apparently loved the lazy river, and kept saying “more!” and pointing to the tubes, so Daddy took her on it again.
Taking a break from the pool for a little snack. Love how Mio looks walking around in the little lifevest!
We had some pepperoni pizza and chili cheese fries from the concession stands for lunch.
Happy Mio! After she ate, she wanted “more!” time in the pool.
We ended up spending almost four hours at the water park because Mio couldn’t have enough, and Dan and I were having fun too. The Water Mine is such a fun family activity for the summertime. We’ll definitely be back againbefore summer’s over!
Mio’s definitely picking up words more quickly. I love listening to her talk while she’s playing with her toys — she used to just babble what sounded like nonsense, but now we can make out relevant words. If you watch this recent video of her playing with a seesaw toy and figurines, you can hear her saying, “dinosaur,” “bird,””seesaw,” snf “ice cream”… along with some “oh no”s sprinkled in. And then ending in “off!”
Dan and I have always wanted to start our children early on swimming lessons, as swimming is such a valuable survival skill and the earlier kids learn, the better! I think I got my first swimming lesson at 7 or so, which is pretty late, and my swimming skills are still mediocre at best… My siblings are kind of in the same boat, although some are slightly better than me. Dan is a really good swimmer, and is much more comfortable in the water. We want to make sure Mio takes after Daddy and not after me!
As soon as summer registration opened for programs at the local rec center, I signed Mio up for Toddler & Me swimming classes. I quickly came to learn that these are much-coveted spots by parents and they fill up super fast! The June classes were already full by the first hour on the first day of registration, so I had put Mio on a waiting list just in case a spot opened up and also signed her up for July classes. June passed and no spots opened, so we just waited until this month’s classes. The Saturday Toddler & Me classes are for half an hour every Saturday for four weeks, and requires an adult to accompany the child. During the class, the kids get used to the water, and practice basic swimming poses and strokes while being held by their parent. It’s a great start to introduce your child to the water, get past any fears and make them comfortable and ready to swim. There were definitely one or two kids who were terrified and screaming their head off in the water, but most kids seemed to do just fine. Mio was a little scared and apprehensive at moments when she had to lie flat against the water, as she doesn’t like getting water in her ears, but overall she did great and seemed to really enjoy the swimming lessons!
Starting off in the shallow area.
Mio splish splashing around enthusiastically.
Moving over to the deeper side of the pool.
Listening to the teacher instruct what strokes to practice.
Here’s a compilation of video clips that I took on my phone during Mio’s first swimming lesson!
Afterwards, we got together with our friends Pat and Theo and their adorable girls at Fairfax Corner for lunch and an afternoon of fun in the fountain and pottery painting!
Splashing around at the fountain at Fairfax Corner
Painting pottery at Color Me Mine. Pat made a plate with handprints and footprints of Anna and Cara.
Great husband and wife teamwork to get baby Cara’s footprints!
Success!
Me painting my bowl.
When I asked Dan what I should paint, he immediately answered “cherry blossoms” as if there were no question about it. I guess that’s my default go-to motif…
Mio and Anna before saying our goodbyes. Parting is such sweet sorrow…
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re expecting our second child, due to arrive in January! Our little family of three is growing into a family of four in the new year.
Mio expresses our feelings exactly about this upcoming big change in our lives…
A lot of times, we’re full of excitement and anticipation…
…but we are not without those moments of fear and uncertainty.
“What have we gotten ourselves into?! Can we handle this?!”
But yes, for the most part… we’re just super excited.
And while Mio may not exactly understand yet how her life is about to drastically change…
…we can be sure she’s going to be an awesome big sister!
It’s been hard keeping it a secret, and while we were trying to keep it to ourselves just a little longer, it’s proved impossible by the fact that my belly’s been getting noticeable a lot earlier this time around (I swear I already look like I’m 5 months along), it’s been difficult to explain my seemingly constant state of nausea and the frequent dashes to the bathroom, and the fact that my mother in her unbridled excitement spilled the news to half the people she talked to at my brother’s wedding this past weekend (“Please be understanding if my oldest daughter pukes during the ceremony… she’s PREGNANT!” Thanks, mom.) Baby #2 certainly hasn’t made it easy for me so far, as I believe my morning sickness is actually worse this time around (while I was nauseous all 9 months while pregnant with Mio, I mostly suffered from gagging and dry heaving, and only actually threw up a handful of times — this time I’ve been losing my dinner almost every night), and being pregnant while taking care of a toddler seems to triple the first trimester exhaustion… but we’re very thankful for this opportunity to be creating a nurturing yet another human life.
We’re very touched and grateful for the support and enthusiasm of everyone as we’ve announced this happy news. I know I say this often, but I feel like I can never stress enough how lucky we are to have all of your in our lives — it’s thanks to you that our family’s lives are so enriched.
While I was in Philadelphia last weekend, Dan’s company had their annual family picnic on Saturday. He took Mio along and she had a blast! I’m so glad he took all these pictures so that I could see all the fun and share a little in the experience!
Scitor Company Picnic
Mio loved all the toys and goodies they gave her.
She was munching away at some watermelon when…
…someone special in the distance caught her eye!
Elmo!!! She immediately ran over. (She’s been obsessed with Elmo latley.)
Getting a hug from her favorite character.
Abby Cadabby was there, too!
Giving Abby a high five!
Mio was mesmerized.
She kept going back to Elmo for hugs. 🙂
There was even a petting farm set up at the picnic!
Mio planting a kiss on the pony.
Petting a Peking duck… yes, that kind. Who knew something so delicious is also this cute?
Mio also got to see a python!
She even touched the tail! Definitely braver than her mama.
Mio received a balloon animal in the shape of Elmo!
Such a treat! She was thrilled.
Mio also had a blast in the moonbounce! It was her first time in one!
She also found Big Bird and Cookie Monster!
Giving Big Bird a huge hug!
She kept photobombing other kids’ pictures.
“Ice cream!” 😀
It was a hot day, and she loved cooling off in the mist.
Mio had so much fun that afternoon that she conked out immediately once they got back in the car to go home. I’m glad she could have such a fun time with Daddy even while I was away! The picnic looked like so much fun and I hope that I can go with them next year! 🙂
