The Hat

Grace found her winter hat in her closet. I couldn't get her to wear it when it was cold outside, but now that she found it, I couldn't get it off of her. She liked trying to fasten the straps together. What a goofy girl.

Petting Zoo and Touch Tank

We had "Youth Fest" here on the base we live on. It was sponsored by the military and area businesses. There was games, bounce houses, face painting, tons of candy, an aquarium touch tank as well as the Sheriff petting zoo. Grace is still too small for the bounce house and wouldn't sit still long enough to get her face painted. However, she did like the candy and animals. She got to touch a starfish as well as a sea urchin. Mommy was glad to be the photographer at that point in time. We also petted the pony and rabbit and touched the turtle. Grace wasn't too interested in the two toed sloth, hedgehog, rooster or the baby alligator. She kept going back to the pony though. I can see that being on a future Christmas or Birthday wish list.

The Ocean

Now that the weather is getting nicer, the water is warming up. My neighbor Tonya asked if Grace and I wanted to join her and her daughter, Sophia at the beach. We loaded up the girls and headed down to the beach on the military base that Brandon works on. The girls had a blast playing in the waves and with the sand. They even dunked in the water a few times without tears. I can't wait to go back.

I shouldn't encourage it because I know the terrible twos and tantrum threes will be filled with the word "no." However, she looks so adorable with her little lips pursed and a cute little baby "no" coming from her mouth. I'll enjoy how cute it is now and deal with the consequences later.

IT Support

After tonights bath, I let Grace run around with just a shirt and socks on because she has such a bad diaper rash. After a few laps around the loop (through the kitchen and around through the living room), she made herself comfortable at Carrera's desk. Grace decided she was going to be on the computer for a while, without a diaper or pants. Thankfully nothing happened.

Air Show

We had a family day and went to enjoy the Air Show at the Boca Chica military base. We didn't get to see it all, but we did get to enjoy some old biplanes and stunts. Grace loved the planes, she is Brandon's daughter. The main attraction of the event was however, the Blue Angels. This may have been a main attraction for everyone else, but for Grace it was a nightmare. Ear plugs and headphones were worthless and me trying to cover her ears was a joke. Poor thing, the noise from the jets frightened her and no matter what I did, she would scream. There was no place to escape so finally she screamed herself to sleep during their performance. Next year we will leave before the Blue Angels perform.

Water Ball

Summer heat and humidity is here. We got a reminder of it today. Now that Grace is older I want her to enjoy the water and being outdoors. I found a giant ball that hooks up to the hose and sprays water. She LOVED it. She ran around it, drank from it and played with it until her lips turned blue.

Grace & Mandi

My friend Rachel, her husband Kirk and their dog Mandi are traveling around the US in a 32 foot motorhome. They have been doing this for quite a while now. They finally made it down to Key West. After only a day here in Key West Rachel got news that her Grandfather has passed away in his sleep. Travel arrangements were made and I agreed to watch Mandi. Mandi is a mix of Chow, Newfoundland and Border Collie/Australian Shepard. Grace absolutly loves Mandi. She chases her around the house until Mandi just gives up and hides.

Mandi is a sweet four year old black dog with a long thick coat. In most parts of the US the dark, long thick coat is no problem, here in Key West we are beginning to see temperatures in the mid 80's with 90% humidity. Two days after Rachel and Kirk entrusted me with Mandi's care I noticed she was getting some hot spots. I followed vet recommended advice and had her groomed and sheared. Mandi now looks like a lab. Grace is still having a great time playing with her and Mandi has been so kind to Grace and even tried to comfort Grace after she had to have blood drawn and was being a drama queen.

Below are pictures of Grace and Mandi playing together.