What We Did in September

Ever since Jane got this dress she said she wanted to ride "the painted horses" at the museum while wearing it.

Dream come true.

Adam started his final year of preschool.  He's just so big.

Jane started her first dance class.  Jane and tutus are like pancakes and syrup, they just belong together.  And are usually a tad sticky.

Paige is finally old enough to enjoy the finer points of the museum.

Up next: The Run for Mercy and a Girls-Only-No-Kids-Allowed trip to NYC.  Stay tuned.

Camping Trip 2 of 2: Stony Brook

We picked a good campsite this time.  We were right next to the bathroom, a stream and a bridge.  The kids were in heaven.

Oh, and there was a grate.  Who needs Disney World?

We got smart this time and brought the stroller to contain the mover.

Setting up camp.

The kids were fascinated by the fire.  Aren't all kids?

Blueberry pancakes people!  Over a fire.  You are supposed to be so in awe of my skills that you don't notice my white socks being worn with my Tevas.

We spent the rest of the day hiking.  It was very beautiful.  Jane was very happy to have her very own backpack to cruise in. 

So was Paige.  Believe me, she's happy.

A chair-shaped rock!

After our hikes the kids enjoyed a little water-sliding. 

Paige and I sat on the side, looking cool.

Camping Trip 1 of 2: Ithaca

It took us a while to get there and most of our children fell asleep.  Two out of three ain't bad.

We stopped at Buttermilk Falls for a quick hike before setting up our campsite.  One of our children literally jumped right in.

The other?  Not so much.

This place is gorgeous.

By the time we headed to our campsite everyone was hungry.  And tired.

What to do with a crawling infant while camping?  Improvise.

All set up.  Scott, Adam and Jane on the left.  Paige and me on the right.

I'll leave it to you to imagine how smoothly the night went with a 4, 2 and 11 month-old.  Luckily everyone fell asleep on the way home.

Summary of Summer: Part 2

Scott had his 20-year high school reunion.  These are his friends, otherwise known as his "AP Physics Study Group".  They had a special table in the library.  Enough said.

Future AP Physics Study Group.  Scott will show you guys where to find your table.

Something epic happened this summer.  Scott got a new wallet.  That is scotch tape people.  Scotch tape.   

When the kids go to bed at night I clean up the toys.  Occasionally I find little vignettes and I wonder what scenario was being played out from her imagination.

The summer wouldn't be complete without wrestling.  Paige was a semi-voluntary participant.

We went to Scott's annual employee party at an amusement park.  I don't like amusement parks.  Call it trauma from my hometown, but I always feel a little nauseous, even if I don't ride the rides.  And don't get me started on the kiddie pools.  Okay, I'll start.  Five floating bandaids people!  Five.

I make him hold my hand.  He meets the height requirement, but I'm still afraid.

We participated in a fruit and vegetable CSA this summer.  It was wonderful.

Adam, Jane and their friend figured out how to play a game without Paige's "participation".

We fed the ducks.

They slept.  I am so thankful that happens.  Every. Single. Night.

Summary of Summer: Part 1

We took the kids to a rope swing.

Scott demonstrated safe and responsible behavior.

We participated in swim lessons at a friend's pool.  Paige and her playmate were well contained by this marvel:

Jane and her friend waiting for their turn in the pool.

Paige just asking to be squeezed.

We even broke out the paints a couple of times.  I hate the paints.  They're messy.  Which, I believe, is why the kids love them.

We went on many hikes.  One of them even had a waterfall.

The boys enjoyed prancing at the top of the waterfall while the mothers grimaced and sucked air through their teeth.

And.  And.  And.  There was a zipline.  If you know Scott, you knew it was coming. 

You're thinking, "She wouldn't!"

I would and I did.