The Colder, The Better!

We returned last night from spending a marvelous week with Daddy's Mouse's family. We spent Tuesday through Friday out at the lake, and then Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon at a wedding. Some highlights of the week are as follows:

*Pictured is Miss Mouse exploring the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. She loved, loved, loved being in the water. Unfortunately, Mommy Mouse didn't think to bring a swimming diaper, so the regular diaper got super-sogged. She didn't mind, though. She didn't mind the cold, either! We played for several minutes in the water, splashing around with Miss Mouse wading deeper and deeper into the pool. She got up to her armpits before I decided she was getting too cold for her own good. She enjoyed finding smooth rocks on the bottom of the pool and reaching down to get them, even if that meant getting her face wet! What a little Mermaid! Getting out of the water was extremely unpopular, and even after we walked the 600 feet (note: through the woods - it's not like she could look back and actually see the water) back to the van, the poor Mouse pointed and told us she wanted to "go" back to the water.

*First pontoon ride with Mommy and Daddy Mouse and Hubert. The Mouse had had a rough night, so she was solemn for the ride. However, she enjoyed her lifejacket which pictures Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

*"Balls" were very popular. Thank goodness her "cousin", er, "aunt", um, well, Grandma and Grandpa's dog, has lots of them for Miss Mouse to play with. Echoing through the house all week was the little Miss Mouse yelling "ball", "ball".

*Grandpa and Grandma's dog, Maggie, was renamed. Miss Mouse was quite positive that she should be named "Bert", like our very own "Bert" (Hubert). Grandma and Mommy Mouse repeatedly explained that, yes, Maggie looks like, but is not Bert. She would shake her head emphatically, point at Maggie, and say "Bert". Grandma and I lost that battle this week.

*Debute in her princess dress! Auntie Steph found Miss Mouse a princess dress which was debuted this weekend at Miss Mouse's first-cousin-once-removed's wedding. Daddy Mouse performed the ceremony which was held under a gorgeous tent at a golf course. I will put up pictures of that later. Miss Mouse, though she came down with a cold, enjoyed walking around on the plush grass (it seriously felt like cool, green carpet), sniffing all the different varieties of flowers. She colored through the ceremony (what a great idea to have goodie bags for the kids - something different than the regular, old 'toy bag' I always pack), only getting a little bit on her princess dress and the white tablecloth. For dinner, Miss Mouse forewent the prime rib, delicious chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted baby potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, and instead feasted on butter. Yes, that's right, plain, pure butter. Grandma was in charge of slathering it on, and Miss Mouse licked it right off the dinner roll, consuming none of the roll. That's talent. Daddy Mouse looked at her and said "I wish I could eat like that". I seconded it but elaborated that I wish I could eat like that and look like her!

We had a wonderful week playing with this set of grandparents at the lake and then at the wedding. It was great to have Auntie Steph join us for the wedding weekend. It was fun, also, for Miss Mouse to get to spend some time with her Great Grandma Dorothy and Great Grandpa Milt as well as her little second cousins and great aunts and uncles on that side of the family. It is always a good time when that family all gets together. Lots of laughter inevitably ensues.

We'll be off again Wednesday to go up to the farm to spend some time with the other set of grandparents. How much fun can a Mouse take in two weeks??!?!! We shall find out!