Tristen's Good Day.....................

Yesterday we went grocery shopping at Sam's club. Tristen asked if he could look at toys. We did but there really wasn't anything there that was not expensive and so it was a no vote. Tristen not happy and so he was told that we don't buy things just to get them, that sometimes we say no and that he has to learn to deal with that without having a fit. His lip was jutting out but he sucked it up and I bought him a slushy. He was disappointed but dealt with it. So today (I had considered it yesterday but decided against) we took him to Toys R Us. I had wanted to get him some Pet Shop toys as he had regained an interest in them. He also got an army set. So then he was told that it was a reward for good behaviour the previous day and that sometimes rewards take a bit longer.
Yesterday he tried to put up his pool but it was no good so one thing I got was a sprinkler toy.

He was rather excited upon getting home and didnt know what to do first. After hooking up the sprinkler he decided against it. Grrrrrr.
Well the second thing, we had told him we were taking him to the park to ride his bike. He has been inside for two days because of the heat and humidity. So it was time to stretch those legs. Off we went with Tristen telling us Toys R Us is his most favourite store.


Well, first thing he noticed was that the fire engine was outside and so it was "Daaaadddd can we go see the fire engines"
A very nice young man showed him around and told him how he became a fire fighter and that his goals were to be a police man. Tristen was quiet, in awe, but shy. He is not usually shy but is usually around people he admires like that.




He put on the whole gear. He learned how heavy the oxygen tanks are


Checking things out

We agreed he better start eating his meals so he is strong enough to weild the axe and the heavy stuff. Its very heavy said Tristen.

We said goodbye after they had tested out the horns and lights and explained how texting and loud music in the car makes it difficult to see the fire engine coming and that may hinder them getting to their accident or fire.

We continued to the play ground.

It was too hot really and Tristen wanted to go in the woods. So Gerry went to bring the van over close to where we were from where we parked it on the trail. We went to the shade of the woods.


I dare not let him go to far on the trail as it was quite hilly and he unused to that sort of trail. Come on Nanny come and look.

Lots of pretties


I will post about the pretties in another blog.
Tristen enjoyed the whole afternoon, the lecture on eating his food apparently fell on deaf ears. It's hard to get him to eat much of anything. Still as long as I get a variety of foods in him I feel it was a success. Sigh.
Hoping now he is tired enough to get to sleep early. he was still awake when I went to bed early for me, at 10pm last night.So he should sleep well tonight.

South Beach..................

I have posted out of order because we did this yesterday. June 20th. Laura had a couple of days off work so Monday we took the kids to Leland. We went to South Beach to look for blue stones.


The beach was a little cool, Tristen was cold. I was just right. He used the towels as blankets.

He brought toys to play with and settled in one spot while I walked up the beach. There were no stones until I got quite a way up the beach towards the Whaleback.

There were Seagulls fishing. They were catching too.




We stayed awhile until we got hungry and were by then getting a little sun. Then we went back to the car and ate our lunch. We were too hungry to wait for a picnic place. Laura wanted to go back to Otter Creek, so that was our next stop. It was perfect weather for sitting in the water. The kids found other kids, well Tristen did and took off to play with them



I walked down the beach away from everyone. There were not too many people, Laura had been there in Sunday and the beach was filled with Umberellas and Tents. Not so this day thank goodness. I saw this guy wandering in the surf edge

The sky was so blue and the water beautiful


This is a perfect place for the kids to play. We will have to go back and explore North Bar one day soon, its been a very long time since we were there. Its a more popular place. Not so far out. We also want to go to Point Betsy.There were pretty flowers up on the Dunes.

Tristen loves being in the water

This is looking towards the Bluffs.

So this was Monday and today Tuesday we went to Leland. The next two days we will be at home. Laura has to work. So lucky me I have to watch kids. So what shall we do....................hmmmm what to do.

Whaleback............

Today we tackled the Whaleback. We go to the beach all the time and look up at it. The hill looks like a whale. It really does. Just like Aligator hill looks like, well, an Aligator. So today we went back to the Whaleback Natural area to check out the view from the top. One problem. There was a "field trip" going on. A whole bunch of noisy kids. Took up the whole parking lot. We parked on the side of the road and figured we would get a head start. No such luck, after busting butt to try to get ahead of them we decided to retreat. Sit it out and wait for then to pass.


The noise past us, good grief, if there was anything alive in those woods it was long gone, all but a few Chipmunks who were very vocal in their protests.

We got back on the trail and hiked it to the top. It was not difficult but the initial fast pace left me winded. Phew!!!It sort of caught up with yesterdays walks on the beach. My body needs a day to recover. Soon enough we were at the top


Not bad, but have seen better. The woods were nice though, the troop of kids seemed less than enthused and disappeared as quick as they came. The woods were back to quiet. Our kids seemed quiet after that. You could hear birds singing and the wind blowing in the tops of the trees. I love that sound. Next picture is looking down the road to Lake Leelanau.

We went to get some lunch next. We like the little cafe in Leland Trishes Dishes. Great sandwiches and baked goodies.The bread is to die for.

Is there onion in my sammie?

I was trying to get Tristen to eat something substantial as opposed to what he ate yesterday. He ate a little of his sandwich and a little melon. Orange juice to drink, so I guess that was not too bad for him.
Next we headed to Fishtown, its in Leland but is an old shanty type place by the dam. All the old shacks converted to shops. There is carlsons Fisheries where you can buy great smoked fish. Other places to get great cheese and bread. We resisted, no money to spend this time out. We went down there because I wanted to show Laura some Blue stones in one of the shops. They are selling from 20 to 50 dollars just for the rocks. You see how many we find. We just have to figure out how to use them. We may have to take a class. I want to learn to wire wrap.

There are some nice shops in Leland that cater to the tourists. Fun to look at but we didn't need anything and no money either. We live here we don't need to shop. It's so much fun to look though.




We could not face the beach today, Laura is sunburned and sore. I had enough sun yesterday and know when to back off. I don't use sunscreen.
Down in the town/village of Leland are some great art galleries. One day when we don't have kids we will explore the shops again and go in the art galleries.
The newer shops have wonderful window boxes and flowers. Must have cost a fortune.


So today was a short day for us. We got back around 2.30. Enough time to do dishes, vacuum and wash the floor. Then I was really pooped. I am not sure but I think I dozed off. Tristen was out in the sand box. I was downloading pictures and it sort of faded away for a few moments, I wont say I napped but.......................