The Top 10 of Summer 2012

It had to happen sooner or later.  The real world is calling my name again.  It is time once again for morning alarms, packed lunches, professional clothes (sort of), early morning/late evening preparations and long work days for mom.  Vinnie will be returning to daycare one week from today.  While I know he has enjoyed his time at home with me, I am sure he will happily transition back to daycare and enjoy time with his little friends! He is blessed to be spending this week with his Grandma Keimig who graciously drove all the way from Minnesota to spend her days playing with Vinnie while Jon works, and I begin the long and difficult process of creating the new PrairieWood.  While I am excited about the possiblities that our brand new facility will provide, and all the adventures the new school year will bring, I am finding it very difficult to let go of my days of laying on the floor driving cars, tossing balls, reading books and acting as a human jungle gym.

So...as we bid farewell to a wonderful summer, I give you Vinnie and Mom's Summer 2012 Top Ten (I think mom had a little more pull than Vinnie...but enjoy!)

10. Walks
As much as weather would allow, Vinnie and I tried to get out for a walk every day.  I enjoyed the chance to get out and get moving and Vinnie enjoyed the constantly changing scenery, legs bouncing in delight as we explored new areas of our neighborhood and beyond.

9. Books
We have a budding little bookworm on our hands. Trips to the library became a regular part of our regular routines as Vinnie could not get enough of all the different pictures to look at and pages to flip.  He would often be happiest sitting in his play area, piles of books surrounding him as he went from page to page, book to book, reading and babbling to himself!

8. On the Move
Since being home with mom, Vinnie has started crawling, learned to pull himself up and inch along furniture, and is now even climbing stairs.  He still appears to be a good ways from walking...fine by me... but has really enjoyed the freedom that this new ability to move has given him.  I have been so happy to have the opportunity to be a part of these milestones!

7. The ball pit
Vinnie is such a fan of playing with balls and has become quite the little athelete, playing catch with anyone who is willing to play.  In an effort to find a way to contain him for short periods of time, we created a little "ball pit" in Vinnie's pack and play at home.  He is perfectly content sitting, rolling, and now pulling himself up and throwing the balls out of the "pit."  This may be mom's number one for the summer, as it gave me a chance to use the restroom or sit down for more than a minute! :)

6. Pool Time
Vinnie had the opportunity to try out many different pools this summer.  He spent time swimming in his Grandma and Grandpa Keimig's pool in Minnesota, at the Okoboji resort (both inside AND outside), at the Hotel in South Dakota, and at several different city pools in Cedar Rapids.  Out of all of those, I would say he especially enjoyed his time in Grandma and Grandpa's pool, but give this little guy some water and a few squirting toys and he is a happy camper!

5. Birthdays
Summer is full of Birthday celebrations and Vinnie made sure to enjoy them all!  Starting with Jon's in June, then to his cousin Olivia, and finally to his own just a week ago, he's sure to be singing "happy birthday" from memory VERY soon!

4. Swimming Lessons
We successfully accomplished the Puddle Jumper level through our city pool!  While Vinnie was the youngest and only non-walker in his class, we were happy for the opportunity to get him more comfortable in the water, as we know he will always be around it.  I know Jon enjoyed the two weeks of swimming time too!

3. Cousins!
Vinnie is very fortunate to have two cousins very close in age, and despite not being very close in proximity to them, several vacations, visits, and celebrations made it possible for him to spend quality time with Olivia and Ella this summer.  He even got to spend time playing with some second cousins!

2. Jeremy and Laura'sWedding

While the getting there wasn't his favorite, Vinnie absolutely loved all the family time that accompanied Jeremy and Laura's wedding celebration in South Dakota. Vinnie happily played the role of ring bearer, riding down the aisle in an antique buggy, trying to figure out all the faces and people along his way!  The party afterwards gave him to dance and make friends with all his second cousins.  It was a wonderful few days!

1. Ice Cream!
A discovery that we almost wish we had never realized...Vinnie, much like his mother, LOVES ice cream.  Begging for bite after bite he devoured his first kiddie ice cream cone at Cup and Cone in White Bear Lake just days after his first birthday, and he has not slowed down since! :)  Lets hope he got his daddy's teeth!!!!!

Well there you have it folks!  As you can see, it has been a wonderful summer, filled with family, celebration, and even a little bit of relaxation.  We are officially closing our summer with a trip to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair this weekend.  Stay tuned for pictures and updates from that trip! :)