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up to four & 1/4 years this quarter - fun trips - swimming size - 41 inches - 40 pounds activities - trip to California - 4th of July parade - trip to Rhode Island - festivals interests - dinosaurs - trains |
| maddie diary summer 2001 |
| DINOSAURS! |
| Dinosaurs rule Maddie's world now. She still likes trains, but let's be serious: how can trains compete with the adrenaline rush that gigantic reptiles provide? She discovered her love when we switched channels past Jurassic Park one night. She was transfixed, and the violence was not sufficient to scare her off (of course, we switched channels when it got too bad). The next week, there were hours of dinosaur simulation shows on TV, and we watched them all. The next trip to the library required all dinosaur books. |
| California In June, we all went to California on the front end of a business trip. We stayed in Santa Monica, going to the Pier for a few rides and looking around the downtown pedestrian mall. We drove to Malibu and hiked over Pt. Dume, where we saw: sea lions, lizards, rabbits, foxes, huge starfish, crabs, and other fun things. We drove through Hollywood and noted that Maddie's 4-year-old feet are bigger than those of Olivia DeHavilland. We went to Disneyland, where... well, you know. Maddie rode a grown-up ride. |
| With starfish. |
| 4th of July Parade Maddie decorated her shirt and bike and rode in the neighborhood 4th of July parade. We had friends over that evening, and it poured, so we were unable to go see fireworks. However, the bedroom window actually provided a view of the higher fireworks, so we crowded onto the bed to watch. |
| Swimming After last year's frustration, this year Maddie was rarin' to go. Strap on the waterwings and let me at it. The water was warmer this year, so everything came together. Maddie took group lessons in which the lifeguard struggled with 2 insane boys while Maddie grew bored. Not much in the way of instruction, but just seeing other kids unafraid of swimming did the trick. She's dogpaddling like a champ now, and not nearly so concerned about not getting her face wet. Her final victory was in the last couple of weeks. She would put her head down and kick straight ahead for up to 10 feet. She also "dove" (basically reached way down) to pick up plastic rings from the bottom of the pool. A great summer of amazing accomplishments. |
| Road Trip!! We took a trip to RI in late August, and instead of flying, we wanted to take an old-fashioned road trip complete with roadside attractions. We chose the twin themes of hot dogs and amusement parks. We went to 6 or so hot dog joints (see http://www.megargee.com/hotdogtour) and 3 amusement parks. |
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