Best 2nd Birthday Party Ever

I wanted to send Lucy off in grand style, to have the kind of party that she'd really remember (if she was going to remember anything from this young) and to say goodbye to all her little "friends" we've had over the past couple of years. So, I rented a bounce house. This was not just any old bounce house, either. It was the best toddler bounce house I could ever imagine, and one that I knew Lucy was going to love having here in her backyard, mostly because we had already played on it and loved it at the riverfest in downtown Old Town.

The Big Top.

For the 2nd year running, Grandma did most of the food and Grandpa played host, delivering watermelon and drinks to our numerous guests. Not sure what kind of party we'll end up having when we don't have the grandparents around to do the work, but hopefully I'll manage.

The kids had a FANTASTIC time (if I may say) with the bounce house, bubble machine, and other various toys we have in the yard. Having such a wonderfully large fenced-in backyard was great. Plenty of freedom to run around and play.

The bounce house was inflated on Saturday evening and packed up on Monday afternoon and we got our money's worth in the meantime. There was a loop to run with a slide on one side that Lucy must have done 200 times. We bounced until it was dark two nights in a row. Here she is being chased by her cousin Lennon.

Even Shorty had a go.

And what could make a party better than a bounce house? A cake with a mermaid. Right after she blew out the candles Lucy leaned in for a bite off the side. The frosting was just a little TOO tempting.

Could anyone love a kid more?

And to end a long and tiring day, there's nothing like a good cuddle with your favorite mutt.

Just don't know how we're going to top this one.

Camp (Lucy Style)

Once again, we were lucky enough to spend (almost) one fabulous week at camp this year. Last year when we were there, Lucy was barely walking and terrified of the water. Amazing how a year can change everything.

Over the 4th weekend Sara & Tim, Ryan & Grace came with us, giving us a full camp. The more the merrier, I say. We had a fabulous time swimming and kayaking, preparing and eating food, hanging out while warding off the neighbor's overly excited golden puppy. One of our favorite activities was standing in the water up to our ankles and playing with the "han" - translation: sand. Aunt Sara was always up for some good splashing.

We played in the woods, spent time on the dock, and swam to the rocks.

We discovered the beauty in being able to lap up lake water. This expands our drinking possibilities beyond just the dog dish and bath tub.

Had a chance to enjoy a short ride in Daddy's "boop" - translation: boat. Boy, was this one a hit. Lucy probably would have let Eric take her to the end of the lake and back, but instead all we did was float around the dock while I held on tight.

Remember that foolish singing trout? It is oh so much better to dance to while wearing Baba's noise-blocking earmuffs. Preferably nude.

And as the norm at camp, days are filled with a lot of lazy. Spending an hour to get ready to go down to the water, and an hour thinking about coming back up. For me, there is amazing beauty in the ability to just be here without thinking about your there. As a child, camp was a world filled with wonder. As an adult, it's a world filled with peace. I think about Ree and Putt being able to spend entire summers here, surrounded by the natural beauty and peace of the Maine woods. What a life.

May Lucy be lucky enough to always have this.

Friends

Two years ago I was lucky enough to be pregnant with my best friend, Crystal. Our kids are a little over 6 weeks apart (which seemed a lifetime at 6 weeks) but now are growing and playing together, though Lucy is showing a definitive preference for Dayton, the older of Crystal's two boys right now. Lucy and Dayton and Dawson will hopefully remember the kind of friendship that I remember with the Smiths or the Scotts, friends of my parents that we spent a lot of time with growing up that I feel a shared history with. The kind of friends that aren't really family, but might as well be.

Last week we had the chance to spend the day with Crystal and the boys, along with Becky, Crystal's neighbor and co-worker with a son who splits the difference between Dayton and Dawson. Lucy was thrilled about her friends and that Dayton had a park (Crystal's yard is FULL of fun stuff to do). Not a day has gone by without a mention of Dayton's park since our visit.

One of the most wonderful parts of Dayton's park is the full-sized trampoline. This trampoline means business. There are no safety features whatsoever, and we put all four kids up there for a free-for-all. It was amazing.

We took the kids on a wagon ride, also a treat for Lucy as we don't own a wagon. All four fit very nicely in our two deluxe models.

Future engineers.

After the walk it was back to Becky's park where there was a whole new set of fun stuff to play with and do. The older kids enjoyed the pool and the freezing sprinkler.

And per usual, Lucy got no closer than arm's length to the water. Why go in a freeze your tail off when you can stand on the sidelines and eat chips?

We topped this beautiful day off with a picnic of easy-mac and sunny D. It's so great to have friends.