Family Fun Before Shift Change! (8/21/10)

As many of you know, Sean is a police officer. Since he started his job back in April he's had almost every weekend off, so we've been able to enjoy Saturdays and Sundays together as a family. Well, he recently got switched to graveyards (night shift) and will be working over the weekends, for pretty much the rest of the year. So we decided to make our last Saturday as a family really fun...well, really fun for Owen. :) We decided to just spend the day at the Nut Tree family park. It used to be an actual mini amusement park, but now it's just a little area for little kids.

(This is a shot of the sign)

Owen was pretty excited when we got there. First we had lunch together and we ate outside so that Owen could watch the trains. Also so that if Owen got loud it wouldn't bother anyone. After lunch, we were stuffed! But it was time to have fun. We walked right across the street to the train for a train ride!! Owen was so happy. It was so cute just to see the joy in his face. I love when he's happy.

Once we were on the train, Owen was anxiously waiting for it to move. I have never seen a bigger smile than when it started to go. Owen was a happy boy. And, we even got a free lap because the conductor had to stop the train ride and move something off the track. You usually go around 2 times, but we got to go 3 times. It was fun.

(The train!)

(mommy and Owen on the train)

(daddy on the train)

After the train we headed over to the carousel. Owen was again, extremely excited. I took him on first. We only had tickets for two rides, but we also had another surprise...since Owen was under 2, he rode free for his first ride! So I took him on first, then Sean, then me again. He had fun looking for which ever parent wasn't on with him. He was giggling the whole time. It was fun for me to see him so excited. It was really funny after his ride with Sean, he did not want to get off, so it was a good thing we got that free ride so we were able to take him on again!

(the carousel)

(mommy and owen before it started)

(mommy and owen again, waiting)(and one more time, mommy and owen after the ride)(Owen on the carousel!)(daddy getting owen buckled in) (daddy and owen)(daddy and owen after the ride...owen did not want to get off)

After the carousel, we just played in the park area for a little. Owen had fun poking his head though all the animals paintings, opening and closing doors, and even playing a giant chess game! He seemed to enjoy himself a lot. There was even a live band so he would dance at some points too.

(peek-a-boo bunny owen)

(elephant owen...distracted as usual)
(owen opened the door and said "hi mama!")(owen playing chess...trying to figure out his next move)(owen moving the piece)(and again, owen moving another piece)

After Owen played for a little bit, we were ready for ice cream. We went Fenton's Creamery! They are known for their extremely large scoops. The ice cream bowls are so full that they have to give you plates as well because it overflows! MmmMmm! This was one of my favorite parts of the day. We all ordered smalls because they give you so much.

(These were pictures from a different visit to Fenton's

but this is what his ice cream looked like! And that's

the "petite" size!!) (Owen loves ice cream)

After ice cream, we went to the PetSmart to look at the animals before going home. This way Owen could get the sugar he inhaled out of his system. :) He sure loved looking at the fishes and the birds. It was exciting for him. Especially now that he knows all the sounds they make and how to say what they are, AND what color they are. My boy is just so smart.

This last Saturday with Sean was absolutely wonderful. I was so happy that we all had a great time. Owen was an angle all day and didn't complain about anything. He fell asleep on our way home and woke up in a good mood too. I am sad that Sean won't be able have full days with us for a while, but we'll just have to make our evenings together extra fun. I love my family so much and am so glad we are able to have moments like this one.