Backyard Fun

Thanks Grandma, for sending this splash pad home with us this summer.  We've gotten plenty of use, especially post-stomach bug when we're not supposed to go to the pool!  As you know, it's important to have protective eyewear while playing in the yard.

 Somehow I get the feeling taking a Christmas picture will be a little easier this year.

Splash Pad from Kristin York on Vimeo.

Maine Summer Part 1

I had grand plans on how to organize posts about our visit to Maine this summer that obviously didn't come through.  We had a great time.  Here is some of it:

Grandma treated us right.  She bought my kids expensive waffle cones and didn't even complain when most of them got tossed into the woods.

We got to see some of our Maine best boys, from left Brett, Lucy, Dayton, and Dawson.  They played in the freezing pool, jumped on the trampoline, and examined all kids of dirt or bugs or boy stuff.  Jamie loved it, though admittedly he loves princesses, tutus, make-up, and dolls.

We had a lot of fun at camp again this year.  The kids are still young enough that they love being there, climbing on the rocks, and exploring the woods.  Plus they love Grandpa's boat.

Maine Summer 2013 from Kristin York on Vimeo.

Lucy's 5

So exciting to turn 5 this year, though she thought it meant once she had her birthday she'd be going directly to kindergarten.  That was a tough one to explain.

 We started the day with opening the box Grandma sent.  Lucy was so so so excited to get presents that I made the box sit unopened in the living room.  She would have been over the moon to see the actual wrapped gifts.

 Hooray for dress up clothes from Grandma!  Hooray for presents!

Grandma skyped through the opening of her box.  It was almost as good as being here, right?

 Later we met some friends at the pool for toddler time swim with snacks and cupcakes.  From Lucy counterclockwise are Luci and Bowen (preschool friends), Howie and Gus (more preschool friends), Quinn, Jamie, Karrie, and Deacon.  Bowen, Luci, and Deacon belong to Karrie and Howie and Gus belong to Jenny who jumped out of the way as soon as I took out the camera.  Jenny told me she was keeping an eye on Gus as he has "kind of a thing" for Lucy.  She'll be homeschooling them through elementary school and apparently he's afraid about not being able to meet a girl if he doesn't go to school.  I think that is positively hysterical, but I don't have to raise him. 

 We had a great time swimming all afternoon.

 Lucy picked out the most birthday-ish cake our grocery store had.

 And Jamie was confused by his inability to eat an entire piece in one forkful.

 Presents from mom and dad!  We bought Jamie a chainsaw.  He loves it, and spends time every day sawing something around the house.  It was super funny how both with Grandma's box and the gifts we had he immediately recognized the wrapping paper that was his.  I think when we opened Grandma's box he even said "Oooh, cars for Jamie!" 

 Lucy was so excited about everything she got.  This is a purse pet.  Lucy wears it proudly to stores and announces to everyone that although they might think it's a real purse, have no fear, it's just the purse pet.  Not real.

It's so easy to buy her gifts right now.  Someone remind me of this in 10 years, ok?  When she wants a coach purse or a cell phone or something that hasn't been invented that I can't imagine that cost thousands of dollars.

And a video of cake and some gifts:


Lucy's 5th Birthday from Kristin York on Vimeo.