Sweet Summertime

Ollie, Piccadilly and I have headed South for the beginning of our summer. And it has been sweet so far!  It has been exciting to introduce some summertime fun to Ollie.  Starting with the all-American road trip! Of course, this is isn't his first road trip (he wouldn't be a true 'Oliver' if it was). But it is the first one with a picnic stop for lunch and an attempted and failed pull off to a dairy. 

We arrived safely at our destination of Alabama, just in time for record highs to roll in.  Now, I can't be too bitter since the record highs are hitting our hometown in VA as well.  But I am very grateful to have some extra helping hands around to manage taking a dog out in the crazy heat and leaving the baby inside where it's cool. 

And speaking of cool, some of the tastes of summer Ollie has been trying are just the thing for these hot days! Ollie has tried some watermelon and a popscicle.  He loved both!  We have even gone as far as to give him some frozen watermelon and the little man was in heaven.  Ollie has also been trying some grilled veggies and loves that as well.  There is no doubting that his appetite in in tact.

Watermelon is delicious!

He cried when it was all gone. 

In addition to some taste of summer, we have been enjoying some summer activities.  Like riding in our new red wagon!  We left the little red car behind and were concerned about what 'ride' Ollie would have.  But a quick trip to Walmart lifted our concerns and Grandma and Grandpa are now proud owners of a new Radio Flyer wagon!  Ollie helped Grandpa put it together and we enjoyed an early morning walk today. 

Wheels look like fun.

So that's how that works!

I want them down, Grandpa!

Early morning stroll and it was still HOT!
Thank goodness my wagon comes with a cup holder for my water.

And what kind of people would we be if we left out water in the summer play!  Before we left VA we had some fun with water in bowls on our deck.  We also got to play with bowls of water at our friends C and Davids place on the way down.  It's been a little too hot to even go outside with water here in AL, but I'm sure the water table will make another debut soon.  Since we haven't played with water outside, we have played with bubbles inside. 

We are really getting into splashing now.

Helping himself to a drink.

Catching bubbles in Grandmas kitchen.

Bubbles feel funny on my face!

And we have been keeping in almost daily contact with Ryan.  Ollie recognizes his voice instantly and his face lights up when he gets to see Daddy.  Here is a great picture of us talking to Daddy on the iPad.  We miss him so much and wish he was with us.  But it is a small comfort knowing he can share it all through videos, FaceTime and iMessages!  We really are lucky to be able to 'see' him so much.  Some military family's don't have that luxury. 

So happy to see Daddy!