Hopeville Pond

We had all sorts of plans on where we'd spend our Tuesday.  Then, of course, we were lazy and barely moving that day.  Even when we got into the car we had no idea where exactly we'd end up, we did have a few ideas, but we did know that Mr. No needed to get in at least a 30 minute nap.  We started heading to Stony Brook and then turned around and decide to go to the little beach in Niantic.  About halfway there, H decided he didn't feel like driving that far that close to dinner time.  He spotted the Hopeville Pond sign and made a last minute decision to go there.

Of course, for the first time ever, the car was cleaned out and the ball, giant frisbee and any other outdoor toys were comfortably in the house.  We did have a little balloon helicopter though.  So we went to the big field first so Mr. No could wake up a little from his nap.  H sent the first one up into the trees. Luckily, it didn't get stuck.  Then Mr. no wanted to try to blow one up himself.

That didn't work so well but he tried.  Then H had to show off and burst the balloon. One down.  Luckily there was a 2nd balloon for H to blow up. Mr. No got to launch the 2nd one.

closing his eyes in case it flew in his face

and let go...

Somehow that balloon burst, too, but he was awake enough to decide that running was fun.  We met a very nice lady and her dog, Jamal.  The woman let Mr. No play with her bubble stuff while she was busy with her dog.  Jamal was in a fresh mood and Mr. No was sad when our time with them was cut short.

blowing bubbles...you can see the lady in background

when Jamal took off and refused to come back

After the woman and her dog left for a woods walk, Mr. No decided that he wanted to go to the water but insisted on walking. Since it is a little hike from the field to the beach, H drove the car there.  Mr. No wanted to hunt for  mushrooms the entire way and there were plenty to find.  We did hop in the car about halfway there because we were taking too long for H.

Mr. No shocked me and H by running right into the water.  After the screaming fit he had at the beach the last time, we figured he'd play in the sand and maybe toss a rock or 2.  Nope.  He ran right in almost up to his thigh (with me right behind him).  Thank goodness I had the camera because no one would believe us otherwise!

We found out from Mr. No that he likes the water without the waves and that's where he wants to swim.  But he does like going to water with the waves if it's the one with the snails (Crane Beach).  Good to know Mr. No!

Favorite Shot from June

This is currently my favorite shot from June.  It's of my favorite people at my favorite place, the ocean, the day after the intense storms that brought tornadoes to MA 

Shutter Love Just For Kids and Mr. No's Photos

Trendy's Treehouse Shutter Love theme for this week is Just for Kids.  Mr. No loves to take photos so I'm going to add a few of his photos, some of my favorites, to this post as well since this is a blog about Mr. No.  Mr. No is 3 1/2 and he took this photo of his friend Noodle using my camera when we were on a nature adventure at Garden in the Woods.  She did help him out a lot by crouching into the camera but that's what friends are for!  He does have his own cameras but the cameras for kids take horrible quality photos and certainly are not worth $50!

Shutter Love Entry taken by Mr. No

Here is Noodle's Photo of Mr. No with my camera:

Noodle's photo of Mr. No

Other Mr. No photos using my camera:

Mr. No's photo of H telling him to hold on to the lens too

one of our kitties, Braden

another of Braden

Mr. No photos with his terrible kid's cameras

sneaky shot in the car

reflection

bridge at Wickham Park

Gillette Castle

snow mountain from this winter

Miss Piper and Uncle J

We really need to find him a durable decent quality camera.  We think he's pretty good for a 3 year old!

Mr. No's First Fireworks

Until yesterday, Mr. No had never seen fireworks besides maybe a passing glance out the window while driving.  I just thought the noise would be too much for a little one's ears.  It's too much for my ears sometimes.  The country club near Nana's house has fireworks every year and, since the trees were all chopped down due to beetles, they now have a perfect view of them from their driveway.  So Nana invited us over for dinner and fireworks.  Mr. No adores his Nana and Papa and from the time he woke up (about 7 a.m.) until 4:30 when we finally left for Nana and Papa's all I heard was Are we going to Nana's house now? Are we going to Nana's house now?  Thank goodness he took an hour nap!

Apparently, he had been squishing mushrooms with Papa the day before and that's all he wanted to do outside at first. He thought it was the best game.  He was even in a good enough mood to pause for a few photos!

one of the hunted mushrooms

looking for mushrooms

an almost smile

While he was mushroom hunting, I had the opportunity to snap a few photos of Nana's flowers.

Once he got tired of mushroom squishing, Mr. No then followed the path of grandchildren-made stepping stones into Nana's garden.  He decided that it was a jungle and he was lion.  He crouched behind the plants and began roaring.

ROAR!

just looking super cute

While the crouching lion was occupied again, I snapped a few more flower photos.  Until he got himself kicked out of the garden for stomping on plants. 

he looks so innocent but we know better...

Mr. No decided that being kicked out of the jungle would not stop him from being a lion.  He started chasing a wiffle ball around the yard.  He'd throw it to me, attack me for it and then run after it when I threw it across the yard.  Apparently that is how lions play, at least according to Mr. No.

kicking his feet in the air and pawing at the ball

attack of the lion!

 

getting ready to pounce

This game continued until it was time for dinner.  For once, Mr. No actually wanted to eat dinner and did a good job eating!  3 preschool games (may have been more if he didn't horribly cheat at hungry hippos so I refused to play any more), 4 books and a bath later, it was time for the fireworks.  Well, almost time.  Papa put some reggae music on is Nana's car and we sat in the driveway to wait.  Mr. No kept us entertained by dancing, breakdancing and rolling down the little hill.

sitting in his chair waiting

he kept running to spit because he wanted all the spit out of his mouth...good luck with that Mr. No!

showing off his breakdancing moves

dancing

Finally the fireworks began.  I wasn't sure how Mr. No would react.  He loved them!  He did get a little fidgety and want to go inside right near the end but it was getting late.  He switched from Nana's lap to mine just in time for the finale.  He's been talking about them ever since.  Not sure how he'd do closer to them but maybe it's worth a try.

finale

the end...love how it looks like a big heart