Playground Bound

I wanted to try to get some more photos of Grace so I took her outside. She saw the playground behind our house and wouldn't sit still. She was determined to get there. So I had to snap photos on the way.

Pretties

On a whim I decided to take Grace to the Butterfly Conservatory here in Key West. Keep in mind, you take your life in your own hands when you drive downtown Key West right now due to the increase in people and traffic from Fantasy Fest, not to mention the three cruise ships that were in town too. I took that risk anyways. I managed to find a free parking space two blocks away and made the trek in the 96 degree heat holding Grace and the camera backpack.

Once in the wonderfully air conditioned building Grace was enamored with all the sparkly, shiny things in the gift shop. We paid the cashier and she reminded me to not let Grace touch any of the butterflies, birds or flowers. I would try my best. We went through the double doors in to the first part of the tour and proceeded through two more double doors, making sure the first ones shut before entering the second ones. I didn't want any butterflies to escape.

We entered the garden butterfly oasis and I immediately put Grace on the butterfly chair and started snapping photos. I knew once she realized what was flying around she'd either want to chase them or be scared of them. She let me get in a few before she started pointing and saying "dat?" (whats that?) I started telling her they were pretty butterflies. I'd point to the different ones feeding on the sweet fruits left for them and repeated pretty butterflies. Well Grace got the pretty part right, she neglects to call them butterflies. So for the rest of the exhibit she would point and go "pre-e". That is her word for pretty. That also included the birds in the exhibit.

After about two hours in the exhibit and many failed attempts by Grace to get in to the mini waterfall, it was time to leave. I noticed the signs of sleepy baby eye rubs, and I was exhausted from chasing her. Besides, the little white birds she was chasing got tired and flew up in the trees. I put the camera away, gathered up my resisting child and headed for the van. She was asleep before I even crossed the street.

(Pointing and asking "dat?)

(The bird that Grace chased)

Captain Grace

Brandon finally got his boat back from having some warranty work done on it. He brought it to the house today to clean it off and check it over. I put Grace in the boat and let her roam around. She loved it. Her favorite thing to do was to walk back and forth across the foot cush. She also liked trying to reach all the buttons. She loves buttons! Brandon got in the boat with her and showed her how to operate the boat. She was more interested in shiny steering wheel and the buttons. She still looked adorable.

(Running back and forth across the foot cush)

(With dad's help she'll be driving this before we know it)

(She just has to push the buttons)

Streamers

I have been after my family to keep the toilet lids down and to keep the bathroom doors shut. There are good reasons for that. The first reason is safety. I don't want Grace to drown in the toilet. I know it's probably unlikely, but I'm paranoid. Another reason is that I don't want Grace to play in the toilet or flush anything down the toilet. Eww gross! Well I discovered a new reason to keep the bathroom doors shut Grace has discovered the toilet paper.

I have learned that she can unroll and shred toilet paper in tosmall confetti size bits in a matter of seconds. That girl is quick. That has to be a record. I didn't realize what all of the confetti on the floor all over the house was until I saw her batting the roll and shredding it furiously. She's worse than a cat! I did manage to get some photos before I laughingly scolded her and escorted her out of the bathroom while I shut the door TIGHTLY!

Just Like Mommy

I love Oreo cookies. I also love and look forward to Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. They are worth more than gold at our house. When I was at the store I ran across Mint Fudge covered Oreo cookies. Could life get any better? Well I had some this morning and decided to give Grace one. SHE LOVES THEM. She didn't even share any with Gabbie.

Halloween, Key West Style

We are both blessed and cursed to be living on a military base. Cursed because our house is super small and old. I'm forever battling ants, bees and a variety of other Florida critters that require the exterminators help. We live with leaky jalousie windows, doors that don't quite shut right and an AC unit that can't keep the entire small house cold, only part of it. We are blessed because our rent is $1275 which is already super cheap for Key West, but that also includes all of our utilities. You can't find anyplace to rent for that cheap on the island of Key West. Another blessing is that the miltary base is secure, has it's own police, and is very family and community friendly.

An example of this was the Children's Halloween Festival and Wolf Walk. It was an event that invited families from all the military communites on Key West to meet and decorate pumpkins, get candy, have dinner and show off their dogs and kids costumes. It was fun. Grace, Carrera, Gabbie and I all went to this and enjoyed the pumpkin decorating. They provided the paint, brushes, and accessories for the pumpkin. All we had to do was provide the pumpkin. They had carnival style games for the kids, food and other entertainment all afternoon. They even got goody bags with candy, coloring books, crayons, and an assortment of safety devices to make trick or treating safer (flashlights, reflectors etc.) Once it got cooler outside they had a Wolf Walk. That was a 1 kilometer walk for the dogs. Dogs in costumes were entered in a contest for $100 gift card for a pet store. We weren't able to stay for the judging since I had class, but I did get a really nice doggy gift bag full of food, treats and toys for her. Along the walk they handed out candy to all the kids. Grace had a bag full and had her cheeks pinched by lots of little old ladies. Thankfully she was a good sport about it.

Carrera painting pumpkins

Grace in costume playing with another little girl.

Can you guess what she is? She's a watch dog!

Morning Cutie

Just a short video from this morning. Grace is getting more and more vocal and mobile every day! She was chasing Gabbie this morning. Poor little dog can't escape Grace.

Theater Of The Sea

Today we decided to make it a family day. We needed to take the boat up to Islamorada to have some warranty work done on it. Since we were there we decided to go check out Theater of the Sea. I was hesitant since it was $26 per person to get in and the reviews online were only mediocre. We decided to go for it anyways. I'm glad we did.

It's a small marine animal park that has a lot crammed in to it. I was worried since it is so hot outside and I knew we'd be walking outside the entire time. I was very surprised when I saw how much shade there was and how beautifullly landscaped it was. We walked by small pools and lagoons filled with all sorts of tropical fish. We watched them feed sharks and learned all about the sharks in the Florida Keys. Next we were off to the bird show. Grace wasn't too amused with the birds. After that we headed off to the dolphin show. At first Grace could care less, after she saw them leap out of the water and make noise she was hooked! We watched them leap out of the water, play with toys, wave, roll over, and even propel the handler out of the water. We especially liked when Carrera got volunteered (thank you Brandon) to go get a kiss from the dolpins. It was a great show. After about 20 minutes of that we headed over to the sea lion show and learned all about them and their special skills. We learned the differences between sea lions and seals. It was very entertaining.

We didn't get to to some of the exhibits or shows because Grace had enough fun for one day and was telling us it was time to go home. That is okay though, we all have a year long pass! We will be back!