the fountain of youth...

When we woke up Saturday morning, we didn't have anything in particular planned except eating a yummy breakfast and then heading home. I woke up particularly thankful for my husband. He is is such a good daddy and a good husband. When he says he will do something, he does it. When he sees I need something, he makes sure I get it. When CJ wants to play, he is already ready to go. I woke up feeling very blessed to have him.

While we were eating breakfast, we remembered we saw a sign for the Fountain of Youth on the way into town, and we decided to stop on our way out. It was a little hokey, but so peaceful and beautiful during the early morning. When we got into the park, this is what greeted us...

They just roamed about freely. CJ loved when the males would spread their feathers. He would point and talk to it. So funny and cute.

While we were in the park, I also realized how thankful I am that CJ loves people. He has never fussed when we drop him off at church. When he stays with other people, he really only fusses when he is hungry or tired. And most days, he is a really happy guy. We went to a planetarium in the park, and CJ was getting tired. He started to fuss a little, and I headed toward the door so he wouldn't disturb other people. The lady in charge, said she would hold him by the door and see if she could make him happy. He talked to her a little bit and then crashed on her shoulder. It was so sweet to watch her rock my baby. I felt touched because I stranger cared enough to help me and I loved that he has never had a reason not to trust someone. He didn't quite get his nap out and we walked through the rest of the park like this...

But one thing did catch his eye on the way out...

our last afternoon...

I have been most excited to blog about this afternoon. It was my favorite time of our whole trip. After our failed beach trip and fun at the playground, we also went to a living history museum where you can watch leather workers, carpenters and blacksmiths do trade work as they would have in the 1800s. While this is a little interesting for me, it is REALLY interesting for Scott. He was like a kid in a candy store. :) But what was most fun was our evening. I think the best part of our whole time was playing before CJ went to bed in the courtyard of our bed and breakfast.

Here is where we stayed...

CJ's first "treasure" of the evening was the plastic cup I used to rinse him off in the bath tub. You would have thought it cost a million dollars the way he carried it around. I love how easy he is to please at this age, and how he takes joy in the simple things.

He also found some more cedar mulch treasures and was ready to show them to me. He even let me hold onto them for a little bit. He is quite a good share-er (for a little while at least!).

He has perfected the stoop, squat, and pick up...

He also got to practice his new climbing skills as he tried to chase me into our room. There were a few tears, but when mommy came back, she had something that made it all better.

HOT COCOA!

He wasn't sure at first, but then decided it was quite delicious. I love his expressions in these pictures. He is such a cutie!

the beach and playground...

If you couldn't tell from the pictures, the beach was a HUGE hit the first day. This made both Scott and me very happy, because we are definitely beach sort of people. Since CJ had so much fun the first day, we couldn't wait to get the little guy back on the third day. He was feeling a little under the weather Friday morning, but we thought the beach would do the trick to make him feel better. These next two pictures are the only ones we took where he remotely happy. It was a little cool and he just wasn't into it.

Every time we put him down, this happened...

So mom and dad carried him and we took a long walk. As long as he was getting snuggles, he was 100% ok. We stayed for a little while, but decided to do something fun for CJ that afternoon so he could get in some good play time. A local recommended we go to a nearby park. It was a huge hit. CJ got to practice his new climbing skills...

Went down a slide for the first time with his daddy...

And absolutely loved this wobbly walker thing.

Swinging is still not a big hit, but as long as daddy didn't go too high, CJ tolerated it.

And he did lots of exploring. It was a great park. And a GREAT afternoon.

part two...

So, this will be a five part series. :) Be on the lookout for "the beach, day two...," "afternoon fun, day two...," and "the fountain of youth..."

On our first afternoon, we headed into downtown St. Augustine. Our bed and breakfast was in the historic district, right on the inter-coastal waterway. It was a great location because it had beautiful views and we were only a five minute walk from all the things to do and see in the oldest part of the city. We didn't have any set plans, so we were content to wander and see where the afternoon took us. I love days like that!

There were so many beautiful buildings, but these were two of our favorites. They are both churches. We were able to tour the second church and it was BEAUTIFUL. The stained glass and original tile floors date back to the 1700. Absolutely amazing.

Then we to the Castillo de San Marcos. I wish I could get an picture from above because the construction of it is very appealing to the Geometry teacher in me. :) Again, the craftmanship really stood out to Scott and me. How many things built today will still be standing, in almost original condition, in 300 years? Truly amazing. While we were there, we found out the next day there would be a cannon demonstration. We made it back for it, and it was neat to watch the volunteers recreate how the Spanish did bi-weekly drills. CJ fell asleep before it, and I was shocked when he slept through the cannon fire! This little guy will wake up from a nap when the garbage man comes, but he sleeps through cannon fire? Still a little confused about that one! Little stinker.

After lots of fun, we headed back to our bead and breakfast. I'll include pictures of it tomorrow, but suffice it to say, their courtyard was a hit with CJ. He continued his treasure hunting and found lots of big pieces of cedar mulch. It was so funny to watch him discover; his expressions were priceless.

Here he is seeking out his first treasure...

And off to show it to mommy...

I thought he would look cute in this chair, but he had other things in mind as you can tell by the expression on his face. I totally interrupted his fun.

Seconds later, he discovered a new treasure that was fun to bang on. Just the right height!

And then he was off again...

But CJ's newest trick came when he was determined to get my glass of water. He learned to climb steps! Getting down them is still a little rocky, but he is a pro at getting up them. I am still in awe at how fast he learns things and of his adventurous spirit. I love it.

st augustine...part one

Blessed. That is the only word I can think of to describe our lives in general, but especially the last few months. Since December Scott has only had to be at "work" a few days, and we have had great time together. Some days we play at home and other days we get out. With Scott having to leave soon, we decided we needed a little getaway, so we packed up and headed to St. Augustine.

We stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast, played on the beach, lolly-gagged through the historic downtown, and played, played, played! When I looked back through our pictures, I realized in 2.5 days, we took over 500 pictures. I thought I could pick "the best ones," and do just one post, but I think it will take quite a few. This first post is our first morning at the beach. We had so much fun. The moment CJ's feet hit the sand, he SMILED and was off running. He is such a little explorer and he loved everything new he found...with the exception of the cold water on his feet. He is his mama's boy in that respect.

Scott ran to the water while I was getting out the camera. CJ was back with me, but I was moving too slow, and he took off to see what daddy was up to. He found lots of "treasures" throughout the weekend, and as soon as he saw the shells at the tide line, he was entranced.

He stared, pointed and talked to them...

and then squatted down for a closer look.

He took a little taste, realized it was gross, and didn't put any more sand or shells in his mouth the whole time we were on the beach. Smart man...

The wind really picked up and I love how his hair is blowing in the wind. It is getting so long. He looks like a little beach baby bum. :)

After the (slightly chilly) breeze died down, it was back to gathering treasures.

And then it was time to run around like a wild man and have fun exploring!

But not before a hug from mommy. Love this little guy!!!

When he found a particularly special treasure, he would hold it up and tell us about it.

And sometimes he would let mommy hold it for a little bit.

He also started doing this wide open mouth yell. He hasn't done it since, but it was soooo cute.

And then CJ found the best treasure of the day. He found a black mollusk shell and wouldn't let it go.

We are having FUN!

The only thing that made the morning better was a visit from a friendly dog. (notice the shell in his left hand...even petting a dog he wouldn't let it go.)

Then mommy got a few quiet moments to herself while her sweet boys went for a walk down the beach. Scott is convinced he could pick up a lot of girls with our handsome little man if I wasn't around. Fortunately, he didn't try out his theory, but CJ did have a good time running around.

Aren't these sweet little feet?

We knew it was getting time for our little guy to crash when he started to get super cuddly. He has always loved on us, but this last week, he became a cuddle monster. Neither Scott or I minded one bit...

I was a fun morning, followed by a fun evening and a fun few more days. More to come...