At the Park Again -- March 17

Ponca State Park Museum -- March 17

There is a museum in the visitor's center at Ponca, and we ventured out in the cold with Erin, Nana and Grandad.  Erin had grand travel plans in the canoe, and Hazel was happy to go along.  The museum has a lot of hands-on exhibits, and information about the river and Lewis and Clark.

Vivian wanted to try the paddle too!

There were a number of living critters in a children's area in the back, including some toads, fish, and a turtle.

Reading with Nana -- March 16

Playground with Erin -- March 16

We took the path to the park with Abbi and the little girls, and this time we brought a soccer ball with.  Hazel also decided to climb the monkey bars, with some help.

Cousin Erin! -- March 16

Abbi, Mike, and Erin got to Ponca late on Saturday night, so Hazel got to see Erin first thing in the morning.  Erin was super nice to Hazel; she shared her special kangaroo with Hazel and was very generous with toys that they were sharing.  Erin is so big -- she had just turned 3 -- and so imaginative!  

Even Vivi got in on some of the tea party fun!

Ponca Playground -- March 15

Our first day at Ponca, we went to the park with Nana and Grandad (and Emma and Ginger).  We walked there and back on a path through the woods.  

Vivi mostly rode in the baby carrier, and stayed cozy and warm.  Hazel took a few turns in the carrier too, when she got tired on the way home.  She can't ride in the front anymore, though, and she requests a lot of bouncing, running, and jumping!

Hazel started out on the "tiny slide," but soon moved on to the very tall slide, and asked for it "'gain, 'gain, 'gain!"

Andrew had to help her climb all the way up to the top, while the rest of us watched from below.  Hazel went rocketing down this one, and someone had to be there to catch her at the bottom.

Road Trip! --March 14

We left home early in the morning, around 5:30 AM in order to make it to Ponca, NE for supper.  We were setting out to meet Grandpa John, Grandma Lou, Abbi, Mike, and Erin for a long weekend at the Nebraska state park that we have spent Christmas at the past few years.  This year we went for spring break instead.

Last year, we did most of our travelling at night.  This time we thought we'd try to do it during the day.  It worked out fairly well, with planned stops along the way.  It was a beautiful day for driving, and we made reasonable time considering the two-under-two set in the backseat.

Hazel entertained herself with reading much of the time, and we also sang the "A-B-C song" and the Wheels on the Bus a lot.

Poor Vivi is still rear facing of course, so the only person she could see when we were in the car was Hazel.  She did a great job, she played with her toys, laughed with Hazel, and took a lot of naps.

We stopped at Cabela's in Syndey, NE for a bit of run around time and some breakfast.  Hazel had fun sitting on the little tractors.

Andrew tried to find an excuse to have a little tractor.  He's still working on that one.

Vivian joined Hazel in a UTV.

We also wandered around looking at real live ducks and geese outside, and real mounted animals inside.  Hazel's favorites were probably the polar bear and the squirrels.