Little Izzy Lou and Mae Beth Too: Izzy visits Jack's Reef

Izzy and I joined Grandma Patty Lou, Uncle Ben and Aunt Amy on a visit to Great Grandpa and Aunt Jeanne at Jack's Reef this past week. Izzy was cranky from Albany to Memphis but was fine once we got there. We stayed in the family room so that her access to stairs was limited. Of course that didn't stop her from going everywhere and getting into everything. Izzy had a lot of fun playing the piano and playing ball outside. The lawn was deemed the safest place for her.

Monday we took an unintentional road trip up to Oswego since Izzy had fallen asleep in the car and hadn't slept well her first night in the pack-n-play. We found an awesome fort, Fort Ontario, on the lake where the Patriots whupped some British butt. It was wicked windy and the lake sounded like the ocean. It even looked like the seaside with a lighthouse and break wall off shore. afterwards we searched for lunch and had paninis at a local deli. While I was in the bathroom, I could hear Izzy talking and then screaming. She had wiggled the chair and pitched herself, the booster, and the chair over onto the floor. She got a lovely bruise on her brow and her forehead but no blood and she was fine once we got her some ice to suck on and some Motrin in her. It was creepy how no one came to help or even ask if she was ok. Everyone just kept their heads down and tried to ignore us.

Tuesday, after a frantic search for my keys which had fallen on the lawn outside, Amy joined us ona trip to Beaver Lake Nature Center. Izzy had a bit of a nap while we walked the trails. She was particularly fond of the turtles and fishes in the tanks. Izzy did not want to leave so I had to just grab and dash out the door before she could figure out what was going on. That night we visited Cousins Barton and Kristy at their new house in Camillus. They've had a lot of work done and Izzy had fun toddling through the house and meeting the cat. She got to swing on the their hammock while we waited to go get dinner. We ate at a nice Italian place where Kristy helped entertain her while waiting for the food. Turns out Izzy loves her Ice Age McDonald's toys. Especially the sabertooth tiger. Roar! Izzy had bread with extra garlic butter courtesy of Grandma and some pasta. But dessert was where it was at. Izzy managed to scam Grandma out of a fair amount of her PB brownie before diving into our creme brulee. Next time I need to remember to pack a baby spoon. I think she ate more than I did!

Wednesday, Grandma took us to Skaneatles for breakfast and to visit the shops. Izzy scored a new stuffed tiger that roars, of course! The kid's really into her predators :) Then we had to go home to pack for the long ride home to Worcester. Fortunately, Amy came with us so I had someone to turn around to look at Izzy and help her get snacks and any dropped books or toys. What a big help! Izzy was so excited to see Daddy and the puppies. She got to stay up past her bedtime to have some snuggle time with Daddy and Spongebob.

Grandma takes a sleepy Izzy for a ride