Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

On the way home from Three Oaks, we decided to stop at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary.  It was a beautiful day and you can buy feed from the nature center to feed all of the geese, swans, and ducks.  Noah LOVED this place.  They even gave him a small bucket so he could carry his own bird food around and feel like a big boy.  He loved feeding the ducks, running around and feeding more geese and swans.  He was in heaven!  The only low point came when a kid was running around with a large stick chasing a goose that was obviously distressed.   As you can imagine, I put an end to his behavior.  He stayed far away from us after that.
One of the black swans didn't really seem to want to eat the food, rather, he would bite your clothes, which kind of freaked Noah out.  Noah also seemed to think the bird food was his to eat as well.  I can't get him to eat corn at home to save my life, but he'll eat bird food, go figure.

on our way down to feed the ducks

feeding the ducks

Dad and Noah throwing corn down to the surly swans

excited

excited to feed the swan

very, very excited

he desperately wanted to throw the food over the railing instead of through

deep in concentration

trying to feed the black swan who kept nipping his leg

my handsome little man

best two guys  :)

using the last of his food

Three Oaks Elementary

Once we got to Three Oaks, we took Noah to the elementary school that has a really great playground now (thanks to the casino in New Buffalo).  Noah loves the playground and has a ton of fun running around, playing on the train, swinging, and just being a boy.

Grandma Tammy and Nubbins walking around the playground

Noah and Daddy in the "dining car"

all smiles :)

Grandma and Noah playing with the puzzles

Sarett Nature Center

   We headed down to Three Oaks this past weekend and stopped at Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor to let Noah see the big African Spur Thigh Tortoise.  Alas, they relocated the big tortoise to Florida, but there were LOTS of other animals that Noah found pretty intriguing.  He particuarly enjoyed the rabbit, and bird watching.  The red-eared slider that was massive really kind of scared Noah and he wouldn't go near it.   The nature center also had another room full of puzzles, books, and animal puppets complete with a wetland puppet stage.  He wasn't too sure about the puppets and petting them, so he'd make me pet them first with my free hand, but he LOVED the Snowy Owl.   He wanted to take it home.  The snake and grasshopper freaked him out though.

   After playing in the center we took a walk to their new bridge, it's about 50 feet off the ground and overlooks the swamp, it's pretty cool. Noah loved running around the bridge, until he stuck his foot between the slats and then his shoe went 50 feet below to the swamp. Daddy got to go swamp hopping for the missing shoe.

checking out all the birds

Noah's new rabbit friend

the Snowy Owl puppet he was in love with

Ryan and Noah on their walk

the bridge Noah decided to kick his shoe off of into the swampy area below

onto the bridge!

running around

yes, he was enjoying himself.

Noah putting his foot through, his shoe was lost about 1 second later.

looking for the shoe!

walking around the bridge waiting for his shoe to come back.

Halloween 2011

Noah and Owen went Trick-or-Treating together on Halloween.  They met up at Owen's grandparents house before starting the candy grabbing.  We did only a brief stretch of road, Noah was kind of wary of walking up to people's houses and knocking, but once the door was open, he tried to go in.  This was especially true if the homeowner had a dog.  After they filled their baskets they headed back to Owen's to play.  They were so cute running around in their costumes playing.  Then Owen's other grandparents showed up, and his Grandpa had a messy wig on.  Noah did not like that AT ALL.  He kept looking at him and shaking his head and saying "Nooooo.".   He would go near him after that with or without the wig.

Owen at the Darrows

Noah and Owen at the Darrows

:)

going trick-or-treating

The boys out for candy

Kermit, aka...Owen

Noah thinks he's had about enough of the stroller

so he decides to take himself for a walk

playing with Owen's toys

Dumbo pushing Kermit on the tractor

creating havoc in the kitchen

"CHEESE!"

I loved the big belly this costume gave Noah

Owen eating the football

Noah eating wildlife

Noah being awfully smug