Canoes and Alligators

Free canoe day was last weekend at the local wildlife refuge. It just so happens that there are also alligators in the lake. Landon was scared but decided to brave the canoe. 

I love Craig's genuine smile in this picture, so happy to be out canoeing with the boys.

The lake is more like a cypress swamp, it's not more than 2 feet deep in the places we ventured to. Most of it was only 6 inches deep. Every time we hit a cypress knee, Landon gasped, "What was that?" hoping it wasn't an alligator that just rammed the canoe.

It was a beautiful day, thanks to Tropical Storm Lee, overcast skies, breezy and not higher than 75. Perfect canoe weather! Also the perfect scenario for a nap, gentle rocking of the boat and comfortable cool air.

The egrets and heron were plentiful. Tree tops were dotted with white birds.

The lillies were beautiful and huge!

We did have a visitor in the canoe but it wasn't as large as Landon had been concerned about.

The fish jumped into the back of the canoe.

 We weren't sure how long it had hitched a ride for but it did swim away. Phew!

We never did see an alligator

Preschool

Today was Landon's first day of preschool.

Not only was it his first day of preschool, but it was also the first time someone other than us or a well-known to us person was with our son since I became a stay at home Mom some short 2 1/2 years ago. 

I was forcing the pregnancy hormones to the back of my mind to keep control and not freak Landon out that I was sad to leave him. School is supposed to be a fun thing to go to, not something Mom cries about! He was very poised and not even reluctant to say goodbye!

I forgot the camera in the car when I dropped him off. I'll take pictures at the next drop off.

Verbatim

Yesterday going potty
Landon "Bye, bye poo. See you later"
Craig "I hope not!"

Landon had just spilled his bowl of oats on the couch (he's part horse and likes to eat plain, non-cooked oats for a snack)
"I don't understand why I just did that"

A conversation with me a few days ago.
Landon "You're belly sure is getting big. Ollie's getting big too."
Me "They both are. You're getting big too and Ollie's catching up to you."
Landon "I have a machine at my office that can make Ollie smaller. I think we should go tomorrow and do that. It will just make him smaller this way [insert hand gestures] but it won't kill him or make him dead."