Gone Fishin'

We often walk around the Fellsmere Park/Pond just down the street from our house and we see people fishing all the time.
I think this is where Addi first got the idea that she wanted to go fishing.
So with a decorative candy cane, tape, thread, a paperclip and string cheese we were in business.

Addi waiting for a bite.

We found the "hot spot" by the bridge the fish were really biting!
(please ignore the "frog squat")


We didn't have real hooks so the fish would come and eat the cheese off the end of of the paper clip.
You could feel the fish nibbling the cheese so that was exciting.

Addi brought exam gloves in case we caught one.
They came in handy for re-cheeseing the then slimy "hooks"

We had a great time and now all she wants to do is fish.

Welcome To Boston

Truth be told there are a lot of very nice people here but there is definitely a good sized group that will put a sign such as this one in front of their house...this one is on our street.

Peach Pickin'

There are many farms around that you can go and pick whatever is in season. This is Brooksby Farm in Peabody where we picked a 1/2 peck of perfect peaches (try saying that 5 times fast)

Determined Picker

Proud Picker

Getting out of Dodge!

This is Theo, or the back of him anyway. It is actually the side I see most often as he is sprinting anywhere and everywhere he shouldn't be.

Posing with her prissy lips

Getting an unobstructed view of the pigs.

Prissy lips...take two.

Barnyard Dancing

Addi and Theo, overcome by the spirit of the farm break out in a barnyard dance.

Little Mermaid

Ariel has re-located to Boston's Frog Pond.

Frog Pond

The frog "pond" (made of concrete) is right in downtown Boston it is a pond in the summer and an ice rink in the winter and the perfect depth and temprature for both Addi and Theo. We've been a couple times this summer and they LOVE it!


Strolling in the water

Getting cozy with Mr. Frog (the pond's namesake)

Extreme head tilt-inherited from Grandma Kleinman

Loving the Fountain!

Smile Pretty For the Camera

You beg you bribe you do whatever it takes to get a picture of a darling, serene looking child and this is what you get.


High...or Drunk

Deliberate Picture Sabotage

True Colors

Posessed

Not Tears of Joy

Not Forgotten

These are pictures of Addi that I have that, for one reason or another haven't made it on the blog but I thought they were too cute to overlook.


Addi is REALLY into playing house these days. She is the mom and I am the sister and she will create scenarios for us to act out.
It is a lucky day for me when I get a break and one of her dolls is in need of care.

She thinks she is just hilarious when she walks around inside her tunnel.
It is also very handy for hiding in and scaring unsuspecting (choreographed) passers-by


Addi did not get my "not crazy about chocolate" gene. She will eat it in any form, here she is licking the spoon after helping with a batch of brownies

Addi loves "serious buisiness" in all it's forms. Whether playing office, "having a meeting" (talking very importantly about an important subject aka: what to be for Halloween), cleaning, or fixing (as shown) she is a no nonsense grown-up and should be treated as such.

Hot Mama?

I saw this chic at the park and frankly I was in awe of her.
What mother in her right mind wears corsets and heels to the park!
I am usually found in my ultra-slob crocs...this girl is dedicated to the cause of hot mamas... no matter how trashy.
You go girl!

The Perfect Storm

Life in general is hectic but there are few times when the forces of nature seemingly combine together against you, throwing you into a spiraling vortex of terror as you suddenly find yourself at the mercy of...the perfect storm.....

I was lucky enough to experience one such day this week. It was a case where I agreed to watch my friends kids and last minute there was a day change and I found myself on Wednesday morning with 5 children under the age of 3.

(I would have canceled on people if Randall hadn't been home to help me)



It started out pretty well sweet potato waffles all around and they were out in the back yard playing, but our yard got really small really fast.


So we decided to pack up all 5 little dumplings and put them in the mini-van the Shumway's graciously left for us and head for the park.
(5 car seats in a mini-van you ask?...it can be done)

Everyone had a great time at the park and we were feeling pretty good, aside from one scraped chin. At this point Randall wanted to buy a mini-van and have quadruplets...but not for long.

Lunch then naps right? WRONG! none of the "babies" were going down, they probably didn't want to miss the excitement so we packed up 2 double strollers and headed to the playground just down the street. All was going well until....

Poor Hazel ran to me in distress, she said she needed to go to the bathroom NOW! So I rushed her to the nearest cluster of bushes (when you gotta go you gotta go right?) but we were too late, and I'm not sure it would have helped anyhow.

I blame either the people who fed her and Charlie the day before or their uncle who loaded them down with junk the night before but this girl had diarrhea!

I put her on the standing part of the stroller and was on my way when Randall tracked me down and said that Charlie had to go too. GREAT! I thought.

We got home and I put Hazel in the tub and Charlie on the toilet. I can describe the whole scenario for you in one word
EXPLOSIVE!

Charlie went a few times and Hazel stayed in the tub for about an hour getting out every 10 minutes or so to use the toilet.



Randall came back with the other 3 shortly and Addi took up vigil at the side of the tub.
It was really sweet actually, I tried to get her to leave so that Hazel could suffer in private but Hazel said she wanted Addi to stay and talk to her...moral support

I finally got the "babies" and Charlie to sleep and turned on a movie for Addi and Hazel

Everyone felt much better after naps and we played outside until the Moms and Dads came.

I'm still surprised that everyone (especially me) survived the day.

I definitely couldn't have done it without Randall!!! The human jungle gym.

Odds n' Ends

Addi is so happy to be re-united with her best gal pal Hazel after over a month!
We know she had a great time on vacation but we're so glad to have her back.

Addi has developed a mischevious habit of getting gum from my bag or the car and stuffing as much of it in her mouth as she can before I catch her. And when I do catch her, this is the face I get...STINKER!


Addi loves to play "home" (house) usually she is the mom and I am "burned up" with a fever and she has to nurse me back to health.
On this day we went to the "car park" where she (Mom) drove around picking up and dropping off pretend babies at the hospital or the gas station. She's a busy Mom!

Sweet Tats

Addi's oldest cousin came to visit and brought her Red Sox tatoos.
Of course she had to have them all on at once.
The contrast between the tats and the tutu was so funny...sweet tats.

Signs of Summer

I don't really know how to respond when friends and family ask what we've been doing this summer. Just....summer, backyards, pools, beaches, parks...nothing exotic but we're having a lot of fun!

Cheese at the park

Bubbles in the backyard

Bubbles with Theo

Going up the slide

Going down the slide

Doing Chores

Modeling the latest in rainboots and nighties after a storm

My Asphalt Garden

First fruits!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SUMMER!!!