Chickens, wicker, and sand

We've only been out to eat a handful of times since we've moved to Ithaca but we're lucky that Northstar is an easy walk of an evening.  

 The Seneca County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual small business awards ceremony (Congratulatrions, Muranda Cheese!) at Knapp Winery in Romulus (near Ovid).  The owner, Gene, handed Fiona one of these chickens to hold and encouraged her to pick the flowers.  

We found a bunch of old friends, some with new kids!, at Carter's 1st birthday party on Saturday.

And I really love the Ithaca Children's Garden.

"Hello, comb phone here."

Just snackin' in the wicker tunnels.

Getting some work done with the Thompson boys.

Holy cow, they're cute. 

Roadtrips and weaning

First of all, a thank you to Ithaca Beer.  May going out to dinner with 7 children always be this easy!

This past weekend Elliott and Fiona went to Philly and lived on the street.

No, wait a sec, they stayed with Alice and Aran.  Alice took Fiona to the park where she (Fiona) was recognized by my friends Kay and Rebecca from med school (in Boston) whom I haven't seen since 2009, whose son Jacob is the same age and is also the star of his own blog.   So cool. 

Here are some pics (thanks, Aran!) from their weekend.

Meanwhile I was hanging out with 6 Princeton rugby friends half way between here and the City appreciating the beauty of this awesome woman and catching up on the lives of dear old friends.  

I didn't see Fiona for 3 nights and that is that, folks; we are weaned at 14 months.

It's a really sad process even when it feels right.  

From colostrum supplementation to picking my nose for fun, we had a beautiful journey together.

xo

Sprinklers, fire fighters, giggles, and art.

Happy pre-birthday, girls!

They'll be 9 on Thursday, Fiona's 14-month birthday.  

Wow. To all of that. 

Large shoes.

Egg-splosion.

Sciencenter crafts with Grammy. 

Post-dinner Stewart Park fun.

What better way to wind down before bed than testing the absorbancy of a G-diaper?

I think these two have fun together. 

(Notice the cool little finger birds from the Dryden library story time.)

While I was off tearing my calf in a soccer game (I can walk, I'll be able to run soon, no biggie.) Grammy and Fiona explored the Ithaca Children's Garden.  

Gotta go back soon!  

Our neighbor, Isaac, had his 5th birthday at the Cayga Heights Fire Department where I used to live and volunteer.  It was really fun to be back.  

Awesome t-shirt courtesy of Chief George.  

Awesome truck courtesy of his son, Jake.

Laurel's book!  Good reading for all ages. 

Today was rainy so we had art time on the porch. 

The ensuing bath water was really thick.

Using all four limbs.

Can you find Fiona?

Before our bedtime nurse she wanted to say goodnight to the neighbor kids playing down in the street.  

This coming weekend's a big one.  

Elliott and Fiona are going to Philadelphia to catch Zach in some all-star baseball and eat a lot of Piggery meat with him and Aran, Alice, and Josh.  

I'm going to the Berkshires with my Princeton rugby friends for a no-partner-no-kids close-to-annual reunion. 

Weaning is looking imminent (3 nights apart) and I'm hoping this isn't too painful for any of us.  

So many great friends and family for the fourth (and first and fifth and beyond!!!)

Besides putzing around on the block riding tricycles...

...we've been super busy with new experiences.

First ice cream -- not as mind-blowing as I expected it to be (she only wanted like 4 licks which meant I got to eat most of it) but she did have a seemingly sugar-related meltdown about 20 minutes later.

Walking neighbor dogs. 

Swinging with Ray and Becca.

Getting pushed by awesome big kid Haven.

Getting dressed up for the World Cup. 

Screaming, "Gooooaaaallll!!!" with her hands up at seemingly prescient moments. 

Walking her painting pole...

Swimmin with friends at the Sandersons' pool.  

Is she naked if she's wearing a hat?

Sitting on big kid chairs with Emma. 

Straight face crew. 

Dude, can I have a sip when you're done?

And hanging with the cousins!!!

Awesome.  

I felt like Fiona really took them in for the first time this visit.  She studied them, asked them to do things with her, practiced her body part identification with them, obviously knew Ainsley from Eliza, and studied them some more. 

Phew, a dog back in her life. 

Pre-BBQ keep-away.

...by whatever means necessary.

And good-ol' Aurora porch hanging. 

Only a few weeks until Huron City!