What a week it has been! We have filled the time by doing lots of new things with Jackson and his aunt and grandma. Mostly, all of our adventures have taken place in and around Southport, but we have taken a few road trips out of town when the weather was nice.
On Sunday, we went to Hesketh Park in Southport and the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown. It was a great way to spend the day because Jackson got to play on the swings and see-saw and we all got to admire the well-manicured park grounds when he took a nap in his stroller.
Monday was the day for Little Treasures, as usual. It was fun to take my mom and sister along to show them a British baby playgroup. In the afternoon, we ate at an American Steakhouse--which wore us all out--and so we came back home and played games and took naps. It was a very relaxing day!
Usually every year on the 12th of July in Southport, the locals avoid the town centre because it gets really rowdy for the Orange Lodge celebrations. We did avoid Southport because we had the chance to feed the ducks along the Coastal Path and to visit Jackson's nursery again and show my family where he will be spending the majority of his time come September. Also on Tuesday, Jackson went to his last ever Rhyme Time in Ainsdale. It was very bittersweet to see that part of his baby life come to an end--especially when we all joined in with the last round of We Are the Baby Band. In the afternoon, we decided to play putt-putt golf by the marina and surprisingly, the Orange Lodge goers were well-behaved and quite quiet compared to previous years. At the end of the game, on the 19th hole, Lee hit a bell with his golfball so he won a free game of putt-putt! When we got back home, we took Jackson to the park in Ainsdale and he rode his bike there and back for the first time.
A couple of weeks ago, we scoped-out Chester and we knew that we wanted to take my mom and sister to see the sights there when they visited. Wednesday was a really sunny day so we made sure to set-off early to make the most of the day. We got to go in the Chester Cathedrals and we visited the park where Jackson got to play and he tried to make a baby friend by 'talking' to another child on the swings.
Thursday was very sunny and somewhat warm, so we went to the beach! Jackson really loved his first time in the sand and somehow avoided trying to eat the sand--like many babies do. He pushed his toes and fingers into the ground and giggled at the new sensation. I think he liked the fact that it was also a little messy and no one was stopping him from getting dirty.
Yesterday was our fifth wedding anniversary and we had two very willing babysitters, so we got to celebrate by bowling, playing arcade games, and eating at Dolce Vita in Ainsdale. But before that, all of us spent the morning and afternoon at Farmer Ted's in Ormskirk. We weren't sure initially what it was going to be like because its website was a little lacklustre; but, we were pleasantly surprised when we walked in the door! It was well-themed and great attention was paid to every little detail from the tractor ride to the guinea pig village. (I would highly recommend the farm for anyone who has children 12 and under.)
And finally, today we went to Penny's first birthday party in Ainsdale--she is one of Jackson's best friends. At the party, we found out that Jackson can stand quite steadily while holding onto an activity table so he may be getting one of his own soon to practise his standing skills at home. After the birthday party, we travelled down to Neston to visit Jackson's great-grandparents. It was quite the journey since we found out that the motorway (highway) was closed for construction only after we got caught in the thick of a huge traffic jam. We managed to find a diversion (detour), but it added on about an hour to our travel time. Jackson was our trusty star baby and handled being in the car for a long time with great maturity. While Lee drove, we entertained him with songs from The Sound of Music, so that may have helped make the time go quicker.
All in all, it has been a really fun week with our Ohio family and they are really enjoying every minute they get to spend with Jackson. And Jackson is very happy to be surrounded with all of the extra love and attention from his aunt and grandma.
Jackson's first trip to the beach
Feeding the ducks
First ride on his bike to the park
We made it all the way there and back! He did cry when we took him off of the bike and went inside for the day. Poor Jackson!
Crawling backwards
Walking around Chester
Dressed as Dumbo for his trip to the farm
Investigating the chicks
Getting ready to watch the milking demonstration at Farmer Ted's with Aunt Paige
Standing tall and proud on his own at Penny's birthday party
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
