Aug Misc

Rebekah had strep a lot this summer. Because of said illness, my garden got away from me. When she got better I had cucumbers the size of thighs and they were a beautiful orange color. I complained to my mother and she mentioned when it happened to grandma Stirland, she would make boats and have my daddy sail them down the river. Here's to you grandma and daddy!

We don't have a river but we tried sailing them in the lake. Once they made it past the yuck on the edge of the water they did fine.

It was a rough garden year but the boats were fun.

Another random shot: how cute is my little girl?

And how awesome is grammy to make Rebekah's doll clothing?

And last but not least, celebrating dad. Love how Rebekah keeps me guessing every time I say smile.

Huron and Edson

I haven't been able to get out of my mind the total lake of preparation for the beach experience and so I ended up looking up our last two experiences at the Great Lake beaches. I felt a little better. I thought I would link them here. Notice long sleeves, jackets, pants (except for Mr. Dustin of course). I truly had no idea what to expect with lake Huron.

2014 Lake Michigan

2015 Lake Erie

But back to our trip.

After the beach and water park, bellies were rumbling. Don found a Buffalo Wild Wings and was sold. Works out because apparently they make the best onion rings I've ever had. 

And they also supply kids with computer games while you wait. Rebekah chose the game where you get to dress up and color a pretty pony. You can even give the pony wings and hoof decorations! Don was utterly fascinated.

Then we got back into the car and drove. And drove and drove. After much driving we found ourselves in Port Austin looking at the official lake Huron.

Rebekah played at the park for a bit and I got distracted with this awesome monument. The writing suggests it was donated by children of a couple who loved the lake. Very cool. Wish I could have seen it at night.

Speaking of cool: Huron.

They had a fun walkway where you could get out and see the view better. All along the way signs were posted "No swimming, jumping..." etc. Of course we passed two teenagers who couldn't or wouldn't read. Every person who passed them scolded them and told them how dangerous it was. They were undaunted. We decided to let them be.

Rebekah got tired of walking early on and was not in the mood for a picture, but I got one anyway.

Another view:

Then we got on the road and headed back to Bay City. Don finally agreed the gas tank was low enough to fill up and we pulled over. Rebe jumped into the driver seat and was having a great time until she saw I had the camera.

Don had one more stop in mind before we headed back - actually he passed the place and saw something and quickly pulled over and parked. And just like that my husband turned into a little kid as he took Rebekah on a GoKart ride.

There was some concern if she was tall enough for said ride but turns out my 4 year old is a giant. Yay for tall genes!

I, of course, got to sit and watch.

And shoot a video for Don:

Rebekah said it was so fun her stomach hurts! I asked Don about it. He said he took it slow at first because she seemed nervous, but each time he went faster and faster until he couldn't get the kart any faster. She was having so much fun! The last few times she passed me she blew me kisses. Love my little girl.

On the way back to the hotel Rebekah drew this picture of her in a GoKart.

The next day we went to check out a little history for me at the Saginaw Navel Museum. The museum was actually the Edson: named after a WWII commander and saw service in Vietnam. On the way there Rebekah asked how old the boat was. I think she said something like, "is it really really old, like from the 70's?" I laughed and said I thought it was older. Don said probably 60's. She then continued with, "oh, so super DUPER old."

I didn't take any frame of reference that shows how big these actually are but they were huge!

We went down to the lower levels and wow. We saw the bunks, mess hall, sick bay, showers and bathrooms, rec areas, etc. Not a lot of room. And the men lived for months there! Not to mention the ship was locked down and stabilized and yet I could feel it swaying. Crazy. 

Rebekah was feeling a little claustrophobic so we quickly made our way around and headed back up to the bridge. 

Rebekah at the helm:

Look dad!

She was very brave and conquered all the ladders, which was actually very hard for her to overcome but she did it! So proud!

It was worth it. My girl loves a telescope.

And looks at the size of these! And while you are at it, look at the size of Rebekah! Taller than me in no time. (Also my "proves I was here" picture.)

As we were leaving I wanted to get a picture of the Edson. I had no idea how hard that would be. Don got Rebekah in the car ready to go and I was still trying to get back far enough.

One more view of the ship. If you look in the lower left hand corner you will see the captain's boat. Looks so small and yet it was huge when we were up there.

The we headed back home. So glad we got another lake checked off. Next up: Superior. Or Ontario. Either way it will be quite a drive for little Rebe. 

Bay City

I'm totally in love with the Great Lakes. A few years ago we saw lake Michigan and last year for my birthday celebration we visited lake Erie. It was officially time to see Huron. 

The plan was to drive up Friday morn and head back Saturday night (on account of our needing to be at church for our various reasons) but a few days before Don decided to leave Thursday night so we could have all Friday to explore. Yay!

The drive was long but thanks to the Berenstein Bears and Doc McStuffins we made it in one shot! Our hotel looked pretty sketchy at first but it turned out to be better on the inside than out. 

That morning we played around in the hotel pool, Rebekah showing off all her swim skills, then we headed out to explore. Don found a wonderful state park (*if we were Michigan residence we could have payed $11 for the entire year, but as it was it cost $9 for the day. Pays to be a resident!)

First stop, the beach! This is actually Saginaw Bay - attached to Lake Huron. So beautiful!

I came totally unprepared. Guess I was expecting an experience like our last ones which were May and September. Mid August is entirely different. And here we had no suit, no beach blanket... but we had a good time in spite of that.

I did bring Rebekah's sand toys, but she was more fascinated with feeling the sand and picking out rocks than building anything.

In honor of a book I recently read, Don tried to build a dam and cause a mini flood.

I realize I'm not in any pictures so to prove I was there, here are my feet:

Don was also very sentimental and did this:

That's my shadow too in case the feet weren't enough for you.

Now for the view:

On our way back we found some telescopes. Rebekah was fascinated. (I told her she had to close or cover one eye to really see through it.)

Daddy helped with the bigger one.

More of the scenery:

We had much to do so we headed back out.

And landed ourselves at the water park! Just a few years ago Rebekah would have nothing to do with a splash pad but this year was different. She was very brave - as long as we were very close to her. Love how she is holding her breath in this picture.

At one point Don decided to sit down. He cleaned off the brown chair and Rebekah came over just in time to sit down when his back was turned. But, she looked so comfortable and Don is a patient dad so he cleaned off another chair.

She didn't stay down for long though!

Pretty soon she came back for her dad and they wandered the park together. Such a good dad! 

Then we changed in the car and played at the playground. Rebekah is getting too big for some of these toys....

My little monkey:

We explored some more (turns out Michigan has more than its fair share of spiders - very sad). We also found this really pretty butterfly!

But It was time to move on again. So much lake to see so little time!

Going Pro

With Rebekah starting preschool soon, I changed her lesson time accordingly. We had one lesson in this time slot (filled with "stinky boys"). The next time we came she was the only student. Kind of fun to see her in a private class setting. Since it was a private class I got to watch some (and therefore video some).

But I'm skipping ahead. About mid lesson I see the teacher talk to the deck manager. Then the deck manager goes to get a certificate and Rebekah looks very happy. I see Rebekah mouth the words, "I'm moving up!" which I do not believe because I feel like we just started this class. 

But sure enough, she moved up. She is officially a "Goldfish Pro."

Here are some clips from the last bit of her lesson I got to see:

Loved seeing the lesson in action. (She had seen the butterfly stroke while watching the olympics and begged the teacher to start her on it even though it's officially in the pro class.)

Several of her teachers, a manager, and the deck manager have complemented Rebekah's swim skills. They have told me her back stroke is really fast and well done. They also tell me her dolphin kick is the best they have seen in someone so young. I'll believe anything because she is my snuggly girl, and although I do know they want my continued business, I am inclined to take them at their word.

They tell me that she has progressed through the program faster than anyone they have seen. To put this in perspective, they have only been open for a couple of years and Rebekah started just over a year ago. About this time last year she decided to put her face in. (The first 3 or 4 months were mostly crying and being very fearful.) I knew Rebekah loved the water but I was almost ready to take her out when something clicked. Since then it's been little leaps. She was still wearing her puddle jumper in September. She started jumping in around 4 months ago and just last month she jumped in from the deck. Now she is diving down for her sticks (an inspired motivational gift Don got her).

I didn't have the best camera with me but still I had to try and get a good shot. Here are a couple.

Wow! Look at her go! Couldn't be more proud.