Whoa Jumpin'

Late this morning Declan and Mommy set out on a long walk for some fresh air and views on the world. Destination...Wal-Mart plaza and home again which would be just over 2 hours walk.  Going out in the stroller is much more interesting for Declan who has a wider perspective on his surroundings now that we don't use the car-seat part of his stroller any more.  He can stretch out and kick his legs and he can see easily 180 degrees and where we're going rather than where we've been.  The little guy only slept about 10 minutes just before we reached the Wal-Mart plaza.  What woke the little prince up?  That would be the lawn sprinkler that got Mommy and Declan just as we turned into the plaza.  Mommy appreciated the refresher as it was very warm out and Declan didn't mind, it simply woke him from his slumber.

Once inside the store Mommy pulled back Declan's stroller canopy so that he could see around the place which elicited grins from the muffin.  "Just the baby section and we're out of here" Mommy assured Declan and the hunt began.  The goal: Jolly Jumper.  What we found in the baby section were a mat that makes funny sounds when you step on it - perfect under jumper mat AND a Jolly Jumper.  Declan seemed to approved of the selection so we grabbed some batteries for the mat and....that's when I noticed.  Declan was smiling at me and then looking up to his right...then looking back at me with a smile, then back again up to his right. What did he see? What was he trying to tell me?  Declan was telling me that he had a new discovery.  We had a hitchhiker.  A moth.  A decrepit beige moth was hanging out in Declan's stroller, going for a ride.  Declan was amused as was Mommy that Declan was both aware of its presence but also that he was able to bring attention to it. (Look carefully in the picture and you'll see it.)

Then we headed over to Declan's bank to deposit his latest monthly cheques into his account.  Declan charmed the ladies at the bank with his grin and long, loud sighs.  Then Mommy told him he was rich which he was thrilled to hear.

Then it was time to make the trek back home but Daddy was done work for the day and he was in Milton in the car so we made a little request for him to rescue us from making the long walk back home.  Daddy obliged and we set up a blanket on a grassy spot for a bum change while we waited the few minutes for our pick up.

When we returned home we were met with a visit from Declan's Grandma and Grandpa Gale as well as Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Mike.  The little guy hung out with them for a short visit before the sleepy took over and he needed to head in for an afternoon nap.

Later in the afternoon it was time.  Time to try the Jolly Jumper.  Set it up, adjusted the height, strapped Declan in, batteries in the musical mat and it was go time!
DECLAN LOVED IT!  He bounced around in the Jumper for 40 minutes and he squealed the entire time.  It was great to watch him holding his head up so well and using his legs for momentum.  He was kicking non-stop, so much energy.  Mommy and Daddy were laughing their butts off because we've never seen the kid go crazy like this for so long.  It really tired him out.  We finally took him down for his dinner and he fell asleep before he finished his last bites.  Too tired even to drink any of his bottle.  Down for a quick 20 minute nap to recover and then he was up for that bottle his belly knew he'd been missing.  7:20pm and he was out for the night. 

I wish there was a Jolly Jumper in my size.