Three Rivers Regatta Fun for Koen & Daddy

Koen's been having a lot of fun with Doug since Penn was born.  Doug has been doing an awesome job keeping our biggest brother entertained while I settle into Penn's routine.  It was a great week to take advantage of all that Pittsburgh has to offer and Doug was totally into exposing Koen to some family-friendly free events.


On the 3rd, Doug had Koen take an early nap (Koen's amazing the way we can just tell him to sleep and he will, especially when he knows there is a good reason for it and an adventure with Daddy is just that).  Around 3pm, Doug woke up Koen and they headed out to the North Side with the intent to watch the motor boat races.  At the same time a major thunderstorm rolled in.  Doug made the most of it and took our Carnegie Science Center membership and he and Koen killed the rainy time easily exploring the museum and seeing a planetarium show.  Once the weather cleared, Doug and Koen had a great view of the races and Koen loved the sport and the time with Daddy.

Then, yesterday, on the 4th, Doug had another great morning with the boys at the gym pool and we told Koen to nap again and he did because Doug told him they were going to the fireworks downtown!!  Now, I was thinking it was quite ambitious as the fireworks didn't even start until 9:35pm, but Koen actually managed quite well.  On their way down to the North Side to grab a good viewing spot, Doug and Koen stopped at a friend's house for a little cookout.  Thanks to Dennis and Julia for feeding my boys!!  Dennis and Julia decided not to come down for the fireworks, so Koen and Doug headed out to stake out a spot for themselves.  They got a fantastic place just feet from the rivers' edge and in full view of the barge where they set off the fireworks.

When I downloaded the pictures they took from my camera I noticed that they must have had some time to kill as they waited...

Doug caught some great pictures of Koen's reaction to and awe of the fireworks.  I was really proud to hear he was very brave despite the new experience,  noise and late hour.

Koen and Doug didn't get home until about 11pm.  Whew!  Doug was thrilled though.  They had a fantastic time.  I was very happy for them.  Well, Koen's been a little intense today due to the overtiredness, but I'm happy for Doug that they had a special time together.  Good job, babe.  Now, I deserve a little ode for caring for a disobedient, tired 5 year old today. =)