Our Mini Spring Break

     After last week's work-week almost killed me...I had 5 days off in a row to spend with the best little man around! Here are some highlights...

     Friday we hit the Strawberry Festival with Aunt Leslie, Reli and Adi. It surprised me how 'selective' Ryan was about the rides. He rode 2; multiple times. First pick was the train- anyone that knows Ryan knows he loves trains! I wasn't sure if he was tall enough to ride alone, so I pulled out some tickets for the both of us...and he ran ahead of me. He picked a seat next to a small, blonde-headed girl. My heart sank; he didn't want to sit by Mama. It was bittersweet. My angel cakes is growing up. I took a seat behind him and caught this picture...

The next ride choice was...

'TRUCKS!" as Ryan would say. Trains and Trucks. That was it. No school bus, no ferris wheel, no cute spinning strawberries... he was very clear on what he wanted to ride! After the rides, it started to sprinkle so we headed towards the strawberry shortcake tent. (Ryan's been eating strawberry shortcake with Papa [my dad] recently. Dad pours milk over the strawberries and cake; it's a northern thing I believe...and Ryan tears it up!) But Friday, Ryan didn't want strawberries, or whipped cream, or cake. He picked 'corn'...popcorn!
     Today, we went to Holmes Beach at Anna Maria. Traffic was terrible; and finding a parking space was a nightmare. Once in Brandenton, we rolled the windows down and talked about everything we saw! Ryan can say "beach" (beesh) and it brings a smile to his face when he says it! He also learned that "sand" went in his bucket, not "dirt". It's tough to catch his smiling face; especially when he feels like he's "doing something" so my pictures are just him in action! (Mr. Photogenic will say "cheese" but never look up at the camera!) He loved the water; (the puddled spots were his favorite) and the sand! We grabbed lunch at Publix and he had a nice nap on the way home!