Summer Days

I love, love, love hot summer days. Swimming pools, barbecues, ice cream, sidewalk chalk, bubbles....There are so many fun things to do.

This morning, we took advantage of the balmy weather to go to a local spray park/playground with our friends Jake and Kate:









And this afternoon we headed to another park with our friends Alexander and Meredith:




Meredith and Henry figured out the drinking fountain:



And Henry and Alexander embraced their boy-ness and made mud pies:

Friends

This weekend, we took a trip to visit some of our oldest and dearest friends - the Blabeys. Kristen and I have been friends since starting Kindergarten at age 4 - almost 30 years ago. We were in school together all the way through high school graduation and then were roommates in Boston for a while after college. Sadly for us, Kristen and her husband Tom moved back to Santa Barbara a few years ago, and being 3000 miles away is not conducive to frequent visits. In fact, as sad a fact as this is, the last time we saw them was when Henry was only a few months old - THREE YEARS ago. Kristen and Tom now have two little girls - Cyanne and Maritt - that we had never met. So, when we found that they would be in Cooperstown, NY (a mere 4 hours away!) visiting Tom's parents this week, we jumped at the chance for a visit.

We drove up and arrived Saturday afternoon. Henry and Cyanne hit it off right away, and spent a lot of time running through the yard and "hiking" with Tom and Mike:



And of course, after a long afternoon of playing they needed a bath:



On Sunday, Henry discovered his new favorite toy:



And there was a lot more running:




Cyanne worked on her photography skills:



And after a quick snack together:



We took the kids to a local farm museum:


There was a carousel:



Henry met a giant pig:



And Henry and Cyanne we able to meet and feed some lambs and goats:







They also met some oxen (this one is giving Henry the side-eye):



Then we went to a local playground where Henry became obsessed with a spider web/climbing structure:







And Maritt went on cute overload in the swing:





Then there was laughter over dinner:



And there may have been some drinking:




Today, Henry showed his love of all things Cyanne and requested to wear some of her hair bows:



And we took the kids to a local cider mill:









Where various birds were fed:






And everyone was measured:




It was a great trip, and it is so wonderful to be lucky enough to have an almost 30 year old friendship and now having our children play together.



Thank you so much to the Blabeys for letting us crash your family vacation. We can't wait to see you in Santa Barbara in September!

Death Defying Acts at the Playground

New York, New York (part 4 - damn you, chorizo)

SUNDAY

Not many pictures from today. Why, you ask? Well, the yummy dinner we enjoyed last night was, unfortunately, food poisoning inducing. Yes, our fun New York weekend was bracketed by stomach distress. I was OK - mildly nauseous all day. Gina was worse - on the couch for the morning but able to function. Mike was bad. We actually almost had to reschedule our return train for tomorrow because Mike wasn't sure he would be able to make it.

So, while Mike and Gina slept it off as much as possible, Henry and I joined Gina's Mike out for brunch. Then, we rallied our Mike and managed to get him out the door and to Penn Station.

Henry once again loved the train:



Mike went to bed at 7:30. Thus far today he has eaten half a piece of toast and slept for about 18 hours. Hopefully by tomorrow he will feel better.

Thank you so much to Gina for a great weekend and for being a stellar host! We will definitely be making a return trip soon.