The Adventures of Haley & Blake: Grampy's Visit

Grandpa Rinaldi (also known as Grampy) drove all the way down from Connecticut to Arkansas on his motorcycle to come visit for the week. The following are pictures and videos of the activities we did. I'll post the complete photo albums on my facebook page soon.

We decided one morning to visit the library to see the Mad Scientists Show. Haley didn't care for the show though so we were out of there within ten minutes. After leaving the show, Haley had Grampy read her some books, help her construct buildings out of blocks, and perform a puppet show. It turned out to be a great morning at the library despite not being able to see the Mad Scientists.

Haley and I at the start of the Mad Scientist show.

Haley sitting with Grampy and almost ready to leave

They're both so proud of their buildings

Hard at work

Grampy puts on the best puppet show...ever!

Grampy also had the chance to see the Firefly Festival held at the Ozark Botanical Gardens. It's a great event where kids get to dress up and do fun activities throughout the gardens. At the end of the night there's a puppet show for the kids to watch.

We were caught off guard last year when we didn't realize that the kids dress up. Not this year. Haley is ready to rock & roll.

Haley and I making rafts out of bamboo and twine. We would totally survive out in the wilderness.

Grampy helping Haley find sea shells in the sand.

Collecting sea shells 500 miles from the nearest shoreline.

I figured I had to add a picture of some flowers since we were at the Ozark Botanical Gardens

'Interesting' Firefly Fairy checking out Haley's art work on her wind chime

Haley making a wind chime that will be used in a future art exhibit at the Botanical Gardens

Haley's wind chime hung up with others

Haley rockin' it out on the drums

My new favorite picture of us

Interesting twist on roasting marshmallows...they're cooking bread dough instead...it was yummy

Haley making a mask that she will later use to hold charms that she can collect at all the different gardens

Haley meeting a Fairy and getting Fairy dust in her hair

Dancing before the show

It's been hot, very hot, and so we decided to go to the Springdale Aquatic Park to cool off. Grampy didn't pack his swim trunks. Let's be real, he doesn't own anything other than jeans so it was a hot time for him. But he still had fun.

Visit to the Oklahoma Aquarium. Click on the link for more information.

This is an Alligator Snapping Turtle. They are one of the largest freshwater turtles in the word. They can weigh up to 250 pounds. This one weighed 122 pounds. They gain about one pound a year which makes it possible to estimate their age. This one was born in the 1880's