Summer has finally arrived in Wauwatosa and we have started exploring Wisconsin a bit more.  Last weekend we visited Kohler-Andrae State Park near Sheboygan.  Among other things this is home to the Lottie Cooper, which I think of as the Vasa of Wisconsin, except that it was a lumber schooner rather than a warship.

But it is interesting and symbolic of the shipbuilding industry that used to thrive here, as well as the number of shipwrecks on the great lakes, which are estimated at over 10,000.  We have also started visiting Veteran’s Park on the Milwaukee lakefront for Sunday afternoon picnics – that’s where the photo at the top was taken.  And we are now in the process of preparing for quite a few visitors over the upcoming weeks which will provide new opportunities for us to be tourists in our hometown.

So far this summer we have learned a few new facts about Everett:

-He does not like to wear anything on his feet.  Any attempts to put shoes, socks or sandals on him will result in screaming.

-Same goes for his head.  During the summer this is only a problem with the bike helmet or sun hat, but the outcome is the same as for footwear.

-He seems amused when we try to teach him things, and usually doesn’t pay much attention.  Yet he continually surprises us with things that he has learned without our intervention.  Recent examples: how to blow his nose or wash his hands.

-He seems ready to start walking.  Over the last couple weeks he has started standing by himself.  Last week Melissa bought him a cart that we hope he will use to help us with yardwork, but in the meantime he discovered that it is handy to hang onto for practice as you can see in the video below.