Training Wheels Begone!

I almost forgot.....Saturday was a BIG day.

In the morning, we went to Coe since Eric had 6 racquets to string.  I chose to be on the tennis court, and hit forehands for almost 2 hours.  Then, I gave my bike a try on the indoor track.  Rode without training wheels for the FIRST TIME (without my Mom's assistance).  Video coming soon.  :)

In the afternoon, I got to kayak in Palo at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.  We dropped in on one side, and kayaked over to the Beach to swim.  Eric and Mom got in trouble with the Ranger for not having a life jacket in the vessel(s) for themselves.  Mom had to wear my tiny life jacket en route back to the car (wish I had a picture for you), and then pick us up at the Beach.  Mom said it was a good lesson for all of us, and she should have known better given the fact that she is her father's daughter.

PIG!

Spent the better part of my week playing PIG in the driveway with Mom, Eric and Shaylee....

.....even when it was raining.

Bubble Machine!  Swam with Aiden, Abby & Sam after.

Helped puppy sit Rudy for 4 days.

He was dog-tired by evening, which allowed us to watch Tour de France in the office. 

I was inspired by the polka-dot jersey!

Lunch with Grandma & Grandpa on Sunday.  Followed by Atti's Birthday Party at Synergy Gymnastics!

Lemonade Stand

Drinking the inventory.

I opened up business at 5 pm on Tuesday evening. Despite my wanting to
give up, because of all the speed racers rushing to go home, I had 8
customers! I learned what a tip is. :)

Reopened up shop near 11 today.  Added strawberries to differentiate myself, and learned about the extension of credit.

4th of July Weekend!

Upon arriving in WI on Thursday, I went to Summerfest in Milwaukee to see my favorite band, ZAC BROWN BAND!  After enjoying some great food, riding the sky glider (the ride that goes from the North to the South end of Summerfest along the treetops), I was able to sing some of my favorite songs - Down in the Islands and Toes in the Water (I like the a$$ in the sand part....snicker).  Dad had to hold me most of the time so that I could see.  Coupled with dancing, we were both tired.  Perfect timing on the return sky glider gave us a birds eye view of the fireworks.

Friday the 4th was spent with Mason and Makayla at their house, playing with their doberman, Dolce, and catching bugs.  Then, it was off to their Grandma's house for swimming and BBQ.  We made chocolate covered everything!  Strawberries, pretzels, potato chips, broccoli, carrots, and even hot dogs.  It was all delicious!

Tug of War

I didn't really want to take a nap that afternoon, but once I fell asleep, I didn't want to wake up.  My Daddy told me I slept for almost 3 hours!  After we woke up, we went back to Mason and Makayla's house and went for a walk with Dolce, and then it was off to the fireworks again.  From the side of the road and back of Daddy's car, we were able to see fireworks all around us.

Saturday, my Grannie came to visit and Daddy took us to a Farmers' Market right down by Lake Michigan in Kenosha.  I told him that I had just camped on Lake Michigan with Mommy.  We spent the morning there, I got a bracelet, necklace and a hula dancer toy (I can dance just like her).  That afternoon, we went to a carnival and I went on the teacups so many times that I am still dizzy!  

That night, I went to see How to Train a Dragon 2 with Daddy; I loved it.

When we were driving back to meet Mommy, we drove by a place with big roller coasters and a water park.  Daddy told me we could go there sometime.  I couldn't remember the name and called it North America and Great Florida; Daddy corrected me.....Great America, I'm so silly sometimes :-)

Hennepin Canal

Watermelon Wednesday!

Enjoying watermelon at the 4th of July Adventure Camp Picnic.  Firefighters grilled for us.

Prior to soccer practice, I asked Eric if they could drop me off at soccer  by myself so that "I can focus, instead of always looking at you guys."

Mom & Eric took me to Tomaso's for pizza after.  I love Canadian Bacon!

MI Trip

Eric, Mom and I left EARLY Friday morning....4 AM early.  We were smack dab in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore by afternoon.  We set up camp in the Platte River Campground (#139)....

.....and then found a trail to hike...it was 1.2 miles from the campground to Lake Michigan.  Part way, we found a dune, made our way to the top and followed the sand to the water (it was like walking in the desert). 

Resting in the shade.

The water was cold as ice, but I swam nonetheless.

We departed Saturday morning for a full day of adventure.  I wore my safari outfit:

Drove North and secured a spot in the D.H. Day Campground for Saturday night (#80).  We then found more sand....a 284 rise in elevation Dune Climb.  Marched (sort of) to the top of that.

After that, we went to the old Historic Village of Glen Haven.  Being the first and only customer, the Blacksmith made me a coat hook to take home.  Mom asked that I hang my coat up on it; instead of on the floor next to the coat hooks we have now.

Eric found a "one horse open sleigh".

Drove up to the Homestead Resort next to catch a glimpse of clay tennis courts cut into Lake Michigan that Eric had played a tournament on years earlier (I was bored).  Stopped in Glen Arbor after that; hit the grocery store and got ice cream.  Mom made us go to a winery next - Bel Lago (Eric and I were bored).  FINALLY, we got to swim again....at the North Bar Lake.  I caught tadpoles for two hours, but had to release them when we left.  Drove back to Glen Arbor for a soda pop before heading back to camp for dinner.

The plan was to spend another day in Sleeping Bear Dunes before going home on Monday, but weather changed that.  Eric and Mom decided to drive home through the Upper Peninsula.  Upon leaving the campground, I was sworn in as a Junior Ranger.  To earn this, along with exploring the area, I completed several activities in the Junior Ranger book, attended a Ranger lead discussion on the stars Saturday night, disposed of our recyclables properly and reported all to the Park Ranger:

For Matt (he's #1)....we detoured to the East side of Torch Lake and made a necessary stop:

Continued North, and crossed the Mackinac Bridge.  Lake Michigan on the Left; Lake Huron on the Right.

Prettiest part of the drive, as Grandpa would say, was driving West along the North side of Lake Michigan in the U.P.

Landed ourselves a pretty cool Cedar River Pathway campsite (#14) - just North of Wells State Park - that was ON Lake Michigan.  Spent 2-3 hours in the water, on the sand, collecting firewood, etc.  Mom & Eric enjoyed the beer that had been purchased at Short's earlier in the day.

 

Monday Sunrise

 Up early and headed for home.

Wildflower Cafe in Menominee.  Great bagels!

As promised by Eric, we found ice cream daily.  My favorite was the Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Chip en route on Friday.  With much time in the car, we are half way through the first Harry Potter book also.  

In other news, Matt & Diana had a baby boy on Wednesday, June 25th - Connor Matthew.

Jenna & Derek got engaged also!  Derek surprised her with a trip to France - where they had their first date 6 1/2 years ago.

We welcome Connor and Derek to the family!