Pond Hill Farm

I've always read about places like Pond Hill Farm but never visited.  Until today!  Pond Hill Farm is a working farm just outside of Harbor Springs, Michigan.  This morning my mom and I took the boys to check it out.   She and I are here alone with the boys this week until the rest of the family comes on Friday, so we're exploring the area more than usual.  So at the farm today we fed pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, and a pretty white goose.  The goose happened to be molting so Cole got to bring home one of it's feathers!  We visited the trout pond and the farm store, too.  I can't wait to go back when Chris gets here and try out the squash rocket!    

Little Boy Heaven

I think Northern Michigan should be officially named Little Boy Heaven.  Cole is having a blast up here so far!  The other day we made waffles for breakfast and put the leftovers in the crab trap in the lake.   We caught 2 crabs, but then we set them free after we watched them for a little while.   And today we took a short trip down Crooked River.  Cole is a brave boat rider.  He likes to sit in his own seat and watch whoever is water skiing or the scenery as we pass by.  On our trip today he shared his pretzels with Max (Max didn't eat them...) and they sat still long enough for a photo!  

The Thorn

As I type both of our little boys are napping soundly...ahhhh.  I'm so thankful for this time so far on vacation, because I've been able to take a nap in the sun a couple of times; something I have not done in I think years.  Yes, years.  

The thorn in my side, though, so far this vacation, is Max's night time sleeping habits.  He just won't sleep.  Folks, he's almost 7 months.  This is not February when frequent night time waking was expected.  I just don't know what to do!  This has been happening at home, too, for about 2 weeks, so it's not a "we're on vacation" funk and something he needs to get used to.   The last couple of nights Max has been up at least three times, not often hungry but more to be comforted.  Last night I finally brought him to bed with me at 3 a.m. and we slept until 7:30 a.m.  Ug. 

I welcome any ideas and tips from those of you who have some to spare!  I need some more sleep! 

Swinging

One of our favorite Michigan activities is swinging on the front porch.   It overlooks the lake and is a very peaceful spot.  I've noticed, too, that while Cole is super energetic and therefore swings for only a minute at a time, Max is definitely a more relaxed swinger!  We have a porch swing at home, too, and whenever he is fussy the swing calms him down every time!  This morning Max and I read some books on the swing while Cole and Grandbob went to The Crooked Lake Grill for pancakes.  It's a small local joint where you sit up on the swivel stools at the counter.  Cole had a Mickey Mouse pancake.  Lucky!  

The Lick

Michigan!

We are in Northern Michigan for the next couple of weeks.  Yay for vacation!  My family has been coming to this same cottage on Crooked Lake since 1945.  It's a wonderful place to relax and have a lot of fun.  

So, since we've been here, Cole's tee ball skills have improved!  We've taken boat rides and water skiied.  We're baking chocolate chip cookies right now, and Max has been thoroughly licked by my brother's dog, Yogi.  

Stay tuned for more adventures! 

Drip, Drip

We ventured out to Jiffy Treet after dinner tonight.  We all really enjoyed our ice cream, and Cole was definitely the drippiest!  

Campus Adventure

Today we took a running adventure to campus and visited the Arboretum and the Music Building fountains.   Cole climbed trees, stomped in the creek, and waded in the fountain while Max watched happily and chewed on various toys and cars.  I tried to get a shot of the boys together under the famous weeping willow tree but Cole's snack was much too entertaining and Max helped himself to some tasty dirt.  So my opportunity went awry.  Photo or no photo, though, we had a fun morning!  

Flying

Raspberries

Max has surprised us with raspberry sounds in the past day or two. It's hilarious!  I've noticed that he uses this sound to communicate a few different things.  One, he does it when he wants Cole's attention.  Two, when he's enjoying a meal.  Three, when he wakes up from the night or a nap happy.  I think he just loves to hear his voice!  

Scribble Cookies

Cole and I peeled all the papers off of our old crayon pieces today and baked them in the oven! Voila...scribble cookies.  Cole thought that the process was way more fun than the product, so he wasn't so interested in coloring in his Thomas the Tank Engine coloring book when we were finished.  He was way more in to breaking the scribble cookies with his hammer...ug.   Boys.  We'll try again tomorrow.  

Summertime

A few of my favorite things about this summer are Cole and Max playing together and our basil plant.   Strange, I know.   Since Max learned to sit up,  I have caught the boys playing together several times, often with Legos or cars.  I look forward to when they can chase each other...I think!   Also, since Max is so easily entertained while sitting up with a few toys and a cracker, I have more time to cook.  Goodbye, lame meals of the past.  Hello basil!  The basil plant is my newest favorite summer thing.  I bought it at our local farmer's market when it was tiny and now it's ready to use.  Last night I clipped off a few leaves and we ate it with our sun-dried tomato chicken off the grill.  YUM-O!  I loved it so much that tonight we put it on hamburgers, also off the grill, with cheese, avocado, and tomato.  MM MM GOOD.   Long live basil!   Did I mention that this is the first spring we've had our own yard to plant anything?  We love it! We're anxiously awaiting tomatoes, orange and green bell peppers, and yellow summer squash. Only a little while longer!   

Oh, and one more favorite thing about summertime...wagon rides with popsicles!  

Funny Boys

This is what we did tonight while Daddy studied for the GMAT.  Funny!  

Zwieback Toast

Max's bottom 2 middle teeth are halfway up!  He's showing us that EVERYTHING tastes good these days.  Toys, our fingers, spoons, his hands, blankets, and the list goes on.  So yesterday I bought some zwieback toast and gave Max one while I was making dinner.  He gobbled it up all by himself!  This definitely made making dinner a quieter process.  I think I'll stick these in my bag whenever I go out.  Instant Max entertainment!