Bledsoe and LaGuardo

This week Noah participated in a Jr. Ranger Day Camp 

at Bledsoe Creek State Park and had a really great time!

At first he only knew a couple kiddos from his Union Elementary days, one of whom was Faith.  He made me promise he wouldn't have to go back if he didn't like it on Monday.

As luck would have it, he loved it and was eager to return each morning, making new buddies every day he was there.  (Yes, that's my hooligan in the front not even looking at the camera.)

Among the week's activities were stream studies, crawfish catching, creek play, fishing, hiking, meeting many different rangers, insect and bird studies, and also a skeleton and skulls talk.

On the last day, Noah was awarded a certificate at the family cookout/graduation that Josh left work to attend. 

After that, Noah returned to work with Josh for the afternoon, and Anna and I stuck around the park to stroll on one of the trails, check out the stream, and relax on the pier at the water animal habitat.

It's too bad she was too young to participate.  This whole week would have been right up her alley.

Lucky for the both of us, spending time with just me and her is ALSO right up her alley.

The rest of the week, the girl and I kept busy with playdates while we waited for Noah.  One day, we hit up LaGuardo beachfront at the lake where Anna did the sand thing,

the swim and sunning thing,

 

and even a smidge of a symphony thing.  This was the creative little xylophone and drumset she fashioned and played.

Another day, she painted rocks that she brought home from the bottom of the lake.

Beyond that, the kiddos spent the rest of the the hottest week of the year so far in the pool. 

And Noah has two ears full of swimmer's ear to prove it. Poor thing!