Dunes and Canoes and Blueberries, Oh My!

Mary had fun on our annual trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Stretching her legs when we stopped for dinner on our way up~
"Cheese" at Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive~

Her first dune climb~

Choosing my battles - Mary loves to take her clothes off~

And she's off~


Checking out Lake Michigan~

She likes it~

"Voyager upon life's sea,

To yourself be true,

And whatever your lot may be,

Paddle your own canoe." ~ Sarah Bolton, 1851
“Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean" ~John Muir

Mary loves camping - we all do! There was a point in the trip, though, when I was reminded of that Twighlight Zone episode, "It's A Good Life" about the little boy, Anthony, who controls the world and all the townfolk are afraid of upsetting him. I must have said some variation of "don't bother her/leave her be" a gajillion times. Mary is a delight, but she can be demanding at times. Then again, being homeschooled, she is advanced, and has entered the "terrible twos" early ;) Although, Mary "terrible", is still some kind of wonderful.

Dancing Queen

Mary getting jiggy with it at Cruise Nights~

Sprinkler Head

Just like her brothers, Mary loves the water. She's having a lot of fun at our new community pool this year. She likes to sit on the edge of the pool and count, "one, oo, ee" and jump in, whether I'm standing there or not!

Body Pillow

For about the first 18 months of Mary's life, she and Noe had a tenuous relationship. Noe was not afraid to bat at Mary, usually scratching her face or hands :( Recently, though, they have formed a sweet friendship - Noe must be getting soft in her old age~

Potty Time

Mary went pee-pee on the potty today! She was very proud of herself :)

Pony Girl

Mary rode a pony for the first time today~
She loved the horses during the jousting, and we realized there were pony rides near the exit, so we let her try it on our way out~

She was very happy, until they stopped to allow a little boy to join the circle late. Something about the waiting scared her. Next year, though, I'm sure she'll want to keep riding :)

My Fair Lady

We all had fun at the Dupage County Fair, today~