Rainy Day Baking

Ugh. It's 40 degrees and raining cats and dogs. So, we bake. Aunt Ashley sent us her recipe for the "best scones in the world." They're not as good as when she makes them, but the kids seem happy (if slightly blurry).

Cat as Pillow

We missed Sophie an awful lot while we were gone.

Another Beautiful Day

Two awesome things happened today.  (Three if you count Ellie returning to school and dance class...Hooray for a return to our routine!)

First, one of the "older" girls on the block (she's all of 11) rang our doorbell and asked if Ellie wanted to come out to play.  I thought Ellie was going to faint she was so excited.  The big kids and the littles raced their scooters in the street and the bigs kept letting the littles win.  It was so darn cute.  Second, when I lost track of the kids momentarily I found them down the street at Farmer Joe's helping to plant potatoes.  Man, I love our neighborhood.

Happy Distractions

We're home, finally, and thrilled to be here.  Even better, today was Baby Betty's Birthday Party!  It's a relief to have a happy thing to focus on.  And today's party in Riverside Park (welcome back, Spring!) was just what the doctor ordered.

Giggles

A typo at the top of my father's obituary marks his official date of passing as 2214. 271 years old... Not too shabby, dad. Not too shabby.

Missing Grandpa

Ellie and sweet Willow...missing Grandpa.

Smiley Folks on a Sad Day

My dad passed away this morning, so we are in Vermont helping with arrangements and just being together. His death wasn't unexpected, but it was certainly sooner than we all would have liked. But even among the tears, you can't keep a silly girl down. This picture from lunch today makes me smile. A lot.

Last Vacation Pics

We're home now, after a bouncy flight that made Gabe throw up and me burst into tears upon landing.  Oy.  Two feet on the ground for a while, please.

It's cold and rainy in New York, but in a (brilliant?) quirk of scheduling we go on vacation again in 6 weeks.  I think we're going to be okay. 

In Their Natural Habitat

Little Fish

Look what Daddy taught Ellie to do this week!

Date Night

We left the kids with Mommom and Poppop to sneak away for a couple child-free hours. Of course we went back to our favorite waterfront restaurant for more grilled artichokes, followed by "The Grand Budapest Hotel."  Dinner and a movie and still home by 9:30. We are rock stars.  

Meanwhile, at home

Our neighbor sent this picture from our garden. Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

Another Beach Day

You'd think we'd be sick of this already.  You'd be wrong. 

Out of the Pool!

See, mom?  Sometimes we get dressed and leave the pool!

Then we go right back.

Pool Buddies

Curmudgeon

This kid. He just kills me.

Birthday Selfie

On our way to the pool, again, because we have absolutely nothing else we need to do. I love vacation.

Curls!

There's been some mild concern around the household this winter that Ellie's hair may have turned straight. Let's just say Florida has alleviated some of that concern. 

Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas

Mommom, you may have created a monster.

Mmmm...Houston's

Someone just got to enjoy a two-hour lunch on the verandah at Houston's.    Grilled artichokes, you complete me.  The kids loved watching boats pass through the drawbridge, and Gabe devoured some fried grouper.  'Atta boy.   It was such a civilized, lovely lunch.  Who are these kids and what have they done with my children?

Beach!

We have found the cure for this endless winter -- getting the heck out of  Dodge. 

Me and My Girl