Weekend With Lizzy

Finally!...get ready...this is going to be long, but definitely worth reading in my opinion. :)

Ryan and I left for Aunt Lizzy's Friday evening about a quarter 'til 6. Upon our arrival in Lawton we were greeted by Bradford's (Lizzy's friend) cats. He has 2 cute little kittens with somewhat "original" names...Orange Cat and Grey Cat.
The plans for the evening included going to the park for "Movie Night". For the summer the City of Lawton is hosting movie nights on the weekends...free for any and all who come. Concessions available for $$. By the time we made it to the park Ryan was already pretty tired, and I was hoping that he would go to sleep in the stroller during the movie. No such luck...he got his second wind when we went outside and especially when he saw all the people. We stayed for about 30 minutes or so and then decided it would just be best to leave and get some sleep so the following day could be better enjoyed.

Saturday we got up and made some chocolate chip muffins. Mmmm...yummy! The forecast for the day was "HOT", and sure enough it turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. We decided to limit our outdoor fun to the cooler morning hours. We went swimming right after breakfast. The water was perfect...not too cool, but oh so refreshing.
Ryan was a little apprehensive at first. This was only his second time to be in a big pool this year. His fear was short lived and within moments he was thoroughly enjoying the water.
Many of you know that we I have been looking for a new puppy for our family. I noticed one of interest on petfinder.com and had mentioned it to Lizzy the evening before. The location...Duncan. Lizzy took no time in suggesting we go look at it since Duncan was only 30 minutes away. I had no idea Duncan was so close to Lawton. So after our refreshing morning swim we changed clothes and headed to Duncan. Of course, now, just the thought of seeing this little beauty made me love her even more. I had no intentions of bringing home a puppy last weekend, but I also knew myself well enough that as soon as I saw her, all caged up in the pound, I'd be bringing home our newest addition.
Isn't she just the cutest! She's an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix less than 12 weeks old. Everything about her fits within my list of requirements/wants. Well...I'm VERY sad to say that we don't have a new member in the Stanfill family. The attendant at the pound explained that she was at the vet that weekend for shots and a check-up, but would be back at the pound on Monday.

(I'm so sad. I've even dropped several VERY LARGE hints to family members that if anyone wanted to go on a road trip I had a great idea. Since I work 8-5 M-F and the phones have been busy, busy, busy, it wouldn't be all that wise for me to go without someone to help me either drive or answer the phone. Not for a 2-hour drive.)

We had lunch while in Duncan. Duncan seems to be one of those "cute" little backwards, hometown places that I could feel quite comfortable in. After our excursions in Duncan we went to the mall in Lawton. Lizzy and I took advantage of an awesome sale at Bath and Body Works. (I'll smell good for awhile now). Before leaving the mall we stopped at the Play Area to let Ryan run off some energy. Run he did! Of all the *many* moms/dads/caregivers watching their precious little children play, I was the only one who had to chase their kid down the mall because he kept escaping. Escape attempts: 4!
I don't get mad. I'm so excited about his energy. I just love his little personality, and escape artistry has become a game between the two of us. I must say, though, that everyone, in and out of the play area, was laughing at me.

After the mall...Wal-Mart. No story there. It was uneventful.

Since the thermometer was climbing on up towards 110 degrees we decided it was time to spend some time indoors. We rented a couple of movies, Marley and Me and The Pink Panther 2, and headed back to Lizzy's apartment. I put Ryan down for a nap and Lizzy and I stretched out in front of the air conditioner to watch a movie.

Did I mention that Saturday was the hottest day on record for the year! After the movie Lizzy fixed taco salad (great for a hot day). Since it was still soooo hot after dinner we decided the best thing to do was to jump in the pool again!
Yeah...that's a camera...and...yeah...someone's going to be laughing hysterically when they see what was recorded. Ryan was fascinated by it, so he did everything to it but touch it! He would have if it had not been for the glass protecting it from his nosey little hands.
Here is Ryan noticing water dripping from his shorts. Yes...he tried to catch it! He's too funny.
This time in the pool Ryan had no reservations at all. This is what he thought of the new game we created where I would toss him in the air and catch him as he entered the water.

I just love this boy!

After our evening swim we went back to the apartment. Lizzy now has new appreciation for Dr. Seuss. She also understands how I have so many children's books memorized. We read them over, and over, and over, and again, and again, and over, and over...

Lizzy and I watched the other movie and Ryan went to sleep.

Sunday! Wow...Sunday had some interesting events. Lizzy wanted to take us to breakfast that morning at Atlanta Bread Company. We loaded in the car, and...nothing! My car wouldn't start. It did finally start, but after several attempts where it almost didn't, we stopped at Wal-Mart for what we determined to be a failing battery. Wal-Mart didn't have the battery I needed! Don't worry though Sam's, next door, did! Car fixed. No other problems. Whew.

Breakfast was great and after our scrumptious muffins and coffee we went to the park.

Feeding ducks/geese.

What better things to do at a park than to feed ducks and explore.
I bet you didn't notice the slick sludge at the bottom of those drainage pipes. Sure enough! Ryan found it!

Walking around with Aunt Lizzy. She's the greatest!

We did a little rock climbing too. Unfortunately...
...the rock didn't play nicely. Not really. Ryan woke up sleepy on Sunday, so while at the park we had quite a number of falls (indication that he's sleepy).
Swinging makes everything better, so that's what we did.
Before leaving the park Ryan said good-bye to the geese and signed his name in the sand so everyone would know he was there.
And proof that the weekend was wonderful, amazing, and exhausting for a little two-year-old.

He took a short little nap at Lizzy's while I loaded the car to leave. Of course he woke up right as I was loading the last bag, and he didn't sleep one wink the entire drive back home.

We had a great time, and we can't wait to do it again. We love you Lizzy!!!