Vacation! Part 1.

Daddy came home from Aspen and preparations began apace for our departure for points North.  But first, we had to stop in at the St. Augustine's Church Festival in Ossining.  

Zeppole!

Balloons!

And Luke and Harper rode their first kids-only ride.  She was just a little bit excited.

She waved through the WHOLE RIDE.

And then, FINALLY, we got in the car and drove to Boston for a pit stop with the Leary Infantines.  Or, to Harper, "AUNT FWAN'S house."

Shortly after our arrival, Harper and Carmen announced that Harper would be bunking with Carmen that night.  We all nodded as if to say "oh sure, that will last 10 minutes," but...

Trouble 1 (Carmen) + Trouble 2 (Harper) = FWIENDS.

They slept like little angels.

We were as surprised as you.

 There were pancakes.

 And Luke showed off his knights (and Ninjago jammies).

 Dr. Harper gave everyone a check-up.

 Magnatiles built a "kitty adoption store" and many other structures.

Lucia showed us the playground at her school.  Harper wore CUPCAKE SHIRRRRT!

Photobooth is a HOOT.

 There was a festive dance party. 

Lucia is up all night to get down

???

AUNT FWAN!

More Magnatiles.

 And a good time was had by ALL.

 We tearfully bid the Leary Infantines adieu and continued Northward to Portsmouth (more on that later).  The first morning was dreary, so we decided to journey even FURTHER "Up Maine" and dropped in on some familiar stomping grounds for Mama...

We had sold them on this adventure with big talk of POLAR BEARS in both stuffed and statue form.  Thankfully, we could make good on our promise and got all the requisite shots.

After learning the current tuition rate:

Stuffed, too!

The Art Museum lion.

Harper does her best "Thinker."

Not exactly how Mama spent her time at Jack McGee's Pub...

That's a bit more like it.

Tired from studying, of course.

We dropped by the Bookstore.

And did NOT buy these.

But there were hats!  Luke picked red (natch).

And Harper picked pink.  And insists on wearing it backwards, or "the way I like it. It's not broken." (?)

Then Luke figured "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

 Coming up: The Beach! Kid Nachos! Ice Cream! SkeeBall! Salt Water Taffy! and more!!

Park Life

It's the countdown to our annual vacation, people, and we are READY.  Once Daddy gets home from Aspen, it's packing and sorting and loading the car and driving North!

But it's not time yet.  Harper is snuggling Lion to get through.  (trying to capture her bliss with Lion.  And only sort of succeeding)

 

Luke built some sort of cult compound out of Daddy's old Legos.

 Complete with a pizza loving cowboy?

 They suited up for a "safari walk" in Daddy's old dress-up hats (and Daddy's FORTUNE conference badge)

"Wion and Giraffe need to watch my SOCCER MOVES!"

 The heatwave broke and Superheroes reported to the BIG PARRRRRRRRRRK.

They went down the big slide.

Luke helped Harper get down. (Awww)

Undaunted by the rope ladder.

"I AM SO STWONG!  I AM STWONG LIKE BATMAN!  

NA NA NA NA BATMAAAAAN!"

 They had a great time "cleaning" the log cabin.

 "I AM DRIVING TO THE BEEEACH!"

They spent a good 30 minutes over in the cabin/sandbox. 

Friday Foto Fun

 Last week at Camp All Aboard, everyone had to bring in their favorite book.  Harper, of course, brought in Dragons Love Tacos.  Luke brought in his library book du jour, Ducktales, featuring Scrooge McDuck.  We began calling him that as he counted up his savings for our trip to LEGOLAND last month.  

Below, his book report.  What is best?  The crude beak?  The money being thrown about?  Or Uncle Scrooge's glee in his riches?

ERMAGAAAD!  THERE IS A REAL BABY IN THE DOLLY STROLLER!

 I am compelled to assure you that this was the baby's father's idea.  Or he at least signed off on this in placing his son, his firstborn, in this stroller.  

No babies or strollers were harmed in the execution of this task.

 After dinner on Sunday we went to the Blue Pig for ice cream.  And a modeling shoot?

Call My Girlfriend

The other night while Mama was doing dishes, Luke and Harper worked out a song. "Mama, we were practicing," said Luke.  Harper, once again shirtless after a very messy dinner of one kind or another.



I enjoy that Harper is making (Lennon and Maisy's cover of Robyn's) "Call Your Girlfriend" (aka Yogurt Song - she thinks the cups look like yogurt containers) her own, and Luke is incorporating some of Lennon and Maisy's percussion from "Telescope."
We have watched A LOT of the Stella Sisters on YouTube.  A lot.

And so, Hollywood, all offers for co-starring gigs with Connie Britton will be entertained.