Huron City!!!!

I'm not sure what to say about these photos except that I'm grateful for this place, my people, and this girl's wide-eyed happiness. 

Coco, don't jump!

Eliza is encouraging Fiona's self-righting capabilities and ushering her away from poison ivy.

We set a family record: 1.5 miles in 82 minutes with this little vagabond breaking trail.

(The goose egg is from standing up in the red wagon and taking a diving header onto the tennis court.  Oops.)  

This kid's a trooper. 

Half way in we made friends with the help at the Big House.  

He wasn't very talkative.  

Great posture, though. 

We made it home in time for dinner on the eating porch at the Brook Cottage where Grammy had fried up some grouper and drizzled heirloom tomatoes from Empkie's in oil and vinegar.  

While the rest of us socialized Batman finished her book (Thanks to Anna for the recommendation!).

What a crew!

We wound down with a little noodle slaying with the cousins.  

Never fear!  Ainsley recovered in time to walk Fiona along the beach. 

Every noodle knight needs a trusty big cousin and Golden Guardian.  

As I carried Fiona home for tubby and bed I came upon these scheming super heroes plotting tomorrow's exploits.

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.