Andrew loves jokes and has started trying to make up his own. They rarely make sense which he thinks is super hilarious. For example: Why did the cucumber say goodnight when the blanket showed him how to put the tape on right? Because the Earth!!! Hahahahahahahaha
Andrew is very excited about going to school this fall. Whenever I ask him where he learned something he always responds with a nonchalant, "at school." Andrew, where did you learn to make that face? At school.
Andrew is really in to coloring now and works hard to stay within the lines and make his pictures full of color. He has also started trying to draw things and copy his name.
Andrew has given up his afternoon nap but still doesn't go to bed any earlier so we sometimes end up with a cranky kid. I try to still enforce quiet time but it is a daily struggle.
And now for a recap of our spring and summer thus far. Andrew really got in to dying Easter Eggs this year and was very proud of his work. He wasn't so happy when we told him we were going to eat the eggs!
Andrew quickly found his Easter Basket this year and was most excited about the chocolate coins and play dough.
Andrew liked seeing the Easter bunny from afar but was afraid when he got too close. He refused to pose for a picture and ran away when the bunny came to say hello. He didn't know that inside the bunny was a close family friend! :)
Like most 4 year olds Andrew loves to play and explore. He really enjoyed our trip to the Madison Children's Museum and especially liked playing with the stuffed animal chickens.
Andrew loves helping to take care of our chickens. He feeds them grass through the coop fence and helps to gather the eggs. When the chickens are in the hard he tries to pet them and once in a while he is able to catch one.
Andrew enjoys helping out with chores around the house, his favorites being using the spin mop and vacuuming the couches. He isn't as excited about helping pick up his toys.
Andrew loves trips to the park. His favorite things to do are climb rock walls, go down fireman poles, and ride on tire swings so long as you don't spin him too fast!
Andrew loves helping Grandma and Grandpa with their animals and is even brave enough to ride the donkey!
In June we took our first ever road trip, traveling west through South Dakota. Andrew loved being on vacation and going on so many adventures. He even did great with the long car trips during which he colored with water pens, drew pictures, played with stickers, and took naps.
At Reptile Gardens we watched a snake show, bird show, and alligator show, played at the playground, and saw tons of snakes and other reptiles. Andrew's favorite part was the bird show, he especially liked at the end when he got to hand a dollar donation to a bird. He even got to pet a snake, baby alligator, and giant tortoise.
We stopped by the Dinosaur Park where Andrew had a blast climbing on the giant dinosaur statues. He keeps asking when we can go back.
Andrew wasn't super impressed with Mount Rushmore but he did have fun on the nature hike down by the mountain.
Andrew loved Custer State Park. He did a ton of hiking, swam and splashed in the lakes, and climbed rocks.
Andrew got to tour his first cave at Wind Cave National Park. He made quick friends with our amazing tour guide when she let him borrow one of her flashlights. He stayed by her side leading the group the entire tour. He only got a little nervous when we turned off all the lights and experienced complete darkness.
We spent an afternoon at a nice beach in Hot Springs where Andrew had fun splashing around and collecting rocks.
While on vacation two of the hotels we stayed at had waterslides in their pool area. Andrew at first wanted to go down with mom or dad but once he was convinced he could go on his own there was no stopping him. He absolutely loved the water slides!
The Mammoth site was probably Andrew's least favorite attraction we visited. Admittedly we went late in the day and he was getting worn out so his behavior was a bit disruptive during the tour. Below he is hanging out in a bone house.
Andrew absolutely loved the Sertoma Butterfly House and Marine Cove. He loved the touch pools and looking at the marine life. We didn't get much for pictures in the butterfly room but he loved that as well.
When we returned home from our vacation, the highlights of our trip that Andrew was most excited to share with his friends include seeing half a cat dead on the side of the road, eating baby corns at a restaurant, and staying at hotels.
In June we went on our annual strawberry picking adventure. For some reason now matter how long we were there, Andrew's container was still empty.
We recently went to Little Amerricka and Andrew loved it! In the beginning he was afraid to ride the Tilt a Whirl but jumped right on the rest of the rides and had so much fun. At the end we went back to the Tilt a Whirl and he wanted to ride it again and again!
In July we went on a family camping trip to Pride of America. Andrew loved camping! He had so much fun playing at the park, pool, and beach, staying up late, eating smores, and sleeping in the tent.
Andrew loves playing in the water whether it is making his own water slide at home with the sprinkler, splashing in the kiddie pool and water table, swimming in a pool, or playing at the beach he is loving summer!
