Once again, we decided to make the most of the beautiful Minnesota weather this weekend and our plan was to test out our new bike trailer that we got for Addi and take a bike ride in the afternoon, stopping at a park for a picnic lunch. When we started getting our bikes out earlier this week, and realized that Michael's bike needed to go into the bike shop due to a bent rim, we went to plan B. Walk/hike instead of Bike. So we broke out the good ol' stroller and headed to St. Paul to an incredible trail (Bruce Vento Regional Trail - I would highly recommend checking it out). After walking for a couple miles, we found an "ok" park (wish it would have been better) where we spread out our blanket and had a picnic lunch.
Of course, given our track record with trying to plan outdoor outings lately, just as we sat down with our picnic lunch, the wind picked up and dark clouds rolled in. We ate quickly and then huffed it back to the car to avoid a potential drenching situation.
But we were determined to not give up! We decided to go check Afton State Park - which is fairly near where we live, and yet neither Michael nor I have ever been to the park! The highlight of this state park was when we hiked down to the "beach". By this time in the afternoon, the sun had come back out again and it was hot! So, naturally, we decided to strip Addi down to her diaper and see what her reaction would be to playing in the river.
Need I say more?? SHE LOVED IT!!! This little girl could not get enough of the sand and the water and the waves that would come up and splash her in the face when a boat would drive by! I had to gear up my "cat-like reflexes" to stop her from diving head first into the water every few seconds! I thought the water was a bit chilly, but it didn't even phase her!
I think we have a future water-lover on our hands (but really, we shouldn't be surprised with how much she LOVES taking baths!). And this is a good thing, considering we spend 80% of our summers here in or surrounded by water!
I think this was one of my favorite "fun days" that we have had with Addi. She shrieked with excitement, laughed, and just loved playing with and in the water. It was so fun to see her so incredibly excited!
Needless to say she was NOT a fan when it was time to get out of the water (her poor little toes were literally shriveled!), nor was she a fan when I attempted to get all the sand out of every crease in her body (not fun!). So, eventually, I said, "Screw it!". I threw a diaper on her, put her in her stroller sans clothes on, and called it a day (until she dried and then the sand came off much easier!...and the bath that night was definitely needed too).
Sometimes, it's the small things in life that bring us the most joy...such as watching your child play on a "beach" for the very first time in her life. Priceless.
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