Gull

The college I went to has a sweet little pond in the middle of some woods that is open(ish) to the public for swimming.  Since my mom worked at Gordon I grew up going there, and I definitely wanted to take Kyalo there again (we went last summer, too).

I like that it is pretty secluded, there's no tide or surf to worry about, and that it is in a beautiful, serene setting.  We went the first day on vacation - before going to California even.  Dexter had high hopes of some serious relaxation time, and packed a lounge chair and a stack of magazines from my parents house.

He forgot we were going with a two year old.

 playing with the seaweed

riding home in style

I tried to stay with Kyalo for most of the time there so Dexter could get some relaxing done, but I'm not sure too much actually happened.  It was a good try, though!

After Dexter came back to NJ for that clinical rotation, I met up with some friends there again. 

ready for sun and sand!

To actually get to the pond requires a bit of a walk (quarter mile?) through the woods, which, when you're traveling with a two-year-old by yourself is kind of a pain.  But I loaded him and our supplies into the wagon, and off we went!

He lasted about 2 minutes in the wagon, then he wanted to help pull it. . .

 the road begins

which lasted another two minutes, because he then wanted to carry his sand toys (in a handy backpack) and walk. . .

which actually lasted the rest of the way there, more or less.  It just required a lot of stopping to look at the lilly pads in the mini ponds along the way, picking up rocks, sticks, etc.  Oh, and digging in the dirt that the college uses for construction...

I think he might have been happy to just stay there all day!  Seriously, it was a bit of a battle to drag him away.  

But I think he was glad I did.  We were the first to arrive, so set up our stuff.  He got right to digging in the sand and having a grand old time.  I love that he just sat at the water's edge for such a long time, and I could sit and chat with the other moms once they showed up.

 This is Emma, Brooke's youngest daughter.  She slept through most of the the time at the beach.

 kids

digging

So a couple of days at the pond with great friends were perfect ways to spend some summer days.  It was easier than going to an over-crowded beach.  Much more my style.

Here are a couple of other random vacation shots.

 It isn't the greatest picture of Kyalo, but I like the light in the photo

Grandma bought him some new sunglasses.  He's still working on getting them on properly.

I miss summer already!  But I'm getting excited for what the future holds.