Grania visits!

Grania came to see our family this weekend. Our plan was to attend a Scottish festival in New Hampshire, but weather and work schedules led to Plan B.

On Saturday we decided to go to Cape Cod. It was my first time there, and S's too. We drove all the way to the Atlantic Ocean (and checked out some places for Nana and Tapa to visit next month)




Daddy carried S to the water's edge. She was saying, "I spy with my little eye something blue."

 

Daddy held the camera while S and I tiptoed into the water.

 

 

Then we headed over to Nauset Lighthouse. S was very disappointed that the door was locked.

 

She slept like a log the whole way home. Sea air will do that to you.

 

Sunday started off rainy, so we thought a visit to the Higgins Armory was in store. We had been there before without Grania, but it was her first time. She and S made shields

 

 

While J and I played chess. He won. Of course

S also enjoyed the horse

 Not bad for a Plan B, huh?

Zoo time!

I promised myself that S and I would explore more of Boston this summer. Instead we seem to have gone everywhere BUT Boston!

Today it was the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. Yep, we crossed state lines to visit the zoo. But it was worth it.

 

We probably should have mapped out a plan, but we totally winged it. First stop was the African area, which included crowned cranes. S thought they were the bomb.

 

After seeing zebras, giraffes, and elephants (including an elephant shower), we headed off to the tropics. We saw all of these flamingos taking a nap.

 

We got to see some other cool birds, including this very friendly penguin.

 

The Marco Polo section had some of the neatest animal collection, including this red panda! I'm amazed we got a picture, since this little guy/gal was on the move.

 

There was also a large play area, including lots, and lots, of water. S was soaked by the time she was done!

 

Speaking of water, I guess I should be happy S loves to wash her hands. She took advantage of the porta-sinks after visiting a mini farm within the zoo.

 

We're not sure where we're heading next, but we hope it's going to be as fun as today was!

 

Back from vacation

As has been our tradition the last couple of years, J goes to Pennsic (woot! They made Wikipedia!) and we head to CA to see my family. A good time was had by all. And these pictures are in no particular order.

Fishies at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A nice employee came by and asked S to help him find all the fish on his checklist. She was happy to oblige.

 

We had a good day for the beach. S didn't care that the water was cold. She was just happy to build sand castles with her cousins.

 

I visited the San Carlos Cathedral for the first time. Isn't it pretty? Mom and I went for a cool Bach Festival concert. S played with Tapa

This is the inside, complete with harpsichord (not usually included)

 

Dad was rewarded with beer ;)

 

We saw a lot of cool things on Nana and Tapa's porch. This day it was a family of deer across the street

 

S was fascinated by the sand eels at the aquarium

 

Our walk to the aquarium included the Ergo. 3 years old and still loving her pocket

 

The girls went out for drinks our last night there. My sister in law finally got to experience the Monterey Plaza Hotel. I think she enjoyed it

 

Sensing a theme with the drinks? Mom with her Tropical Itch at Hula's.

 

No kayaking for us this year, but the sight of them on the beach sure was pretty

 

Mom and I, gussied up for the Bach Festival. We clean up nice

 

S went to the MY Museum and loved the boat. It didn't hurt that it was at the bottom of the slide (her favorite)

 

See? She loved the cold California water

 

A curious otter checking us out at the aquarium

 

S checking out the fish display, and showing off her summer outfit, thanks to Nana and her aunt

 

Pancakes were a requirement almost every morning. Until she rediscovered oatmeal

 

How can you get a bad picture with scenery like this???

 

Right?

 

S was nice enough to pose at the wharf. We bribed her with taffy ;)

 

You know, taffy

 

 

She loved the wave tunnel at the aquarium

 

 

She wasn't so sure about the touch tank at first. But she warmed up to it

 

She loved posing in the wave tunnel, though she was always on the lookout for a new wave

 

She even got Tapa in on the act

 

We had a lovely evening at the wharf. We got a bonus when we got home. The Feast of Lanterns was ending that night, and they set off fireworks less than a half mile from my parents' place. We sat on the deck and watched the (amazing) show.

 

Two days later we watched whales breaching off the coast as we stood on the same deck. We also witnessed 2 weddings and a quincinera

 

It was a good vacation



How was your 4th?

Ours was filled with food. And beer. Lots of beer

All dressed up and ready to go to Lake George!

 

Beer sampler in Glens Falls. The Belgian Abbey Ale was divine ;)

 

Waiting for a glimpse of fireworks

 

Beer. And fries. What could be better?

 

Happy ketchup

 

Gazing out at Lake George

 

Ravioli!!!

Vermont in the summertime

Why we love summer

Trike riding time! (balloon hat optional)

 

 

Food on the grill tastes so much better

 

Pool!

 

Pigtails are so in style

 

Outside time with Mommy

 

Dry sandboxes!

What a difference a year makes

I've been watching S do her thing lately, and almost daily she's doing things that would have been impossible a year ago. It just floors me what she's capable of.

A year ago, we were still picking out her outfits and dressing her. Now she picks out her own stuff (she has an eye for style) and puts on all by herself

A year ago, she was still pushing her tricycle Flintstone-style. Now she can pedal like a speed demon

A year ago, she was still in diapers. Now she's fully potty trained and has a vast collection of underpants

A year ago, she had never seen the inside of a preschool. Now she goes 3 mornings a week and starts 5 days/week this fall

A year ago, her vocabulary was pretty big, but sentences were short. Now she tells full stories, complete with idioms and inflections

Well, you can see how much her hair exploded

We can't wait to see what the next year brings