The camera is broken and I am on vacation

Seriously, I hate posting without pictures (as I've said about 654 times on here). So the unfortunate situation of the sand in the lens is rough. I am having a great summer, and can't document! Argh! Blackberry shots don't even come close.

I've had 2 weeks off while Steph (our nanny) went to France on a house-share. While I have always been grateful for all the cool stuff there is to do around here, I did not really realize how grateful I was! The kids and I spent the first few days between the pool, the beach, errands and the aquarium. Dragging the bags/cooler/child with me across the Longshore lot. And buying crap for lunch at the Joey's annex. Oh - and then i did get 5 hours at a spa. Yum. I even went into work for one morning and felt like I still had a serious break. That was a sign of good things to come.

Then we went to visit Dave & Lisa in Greenport. Meghan and Miles were great with the kids, and a pool in the backyard was a fantasy land for our kids. We celebrated Rob's birthday swimming all day (after they fished and caught keepers) and then with fresh oysters, clams, bass and cupcakes! Cousins Matt & Tim came over and it was a nice time all around. The Murrays are always great hosts - no matter the state we're in!

We left for a morning on Shelter with Aunt Cora & Uncle Don - ANOTHER POOL!! At a house! wow. The kids swam the whole time we were there and it was lovely.

Then off to the family in Peconic for a boat ride to a secluded beach then bbq with fresh bass, clams, crabs - from the back yard. The Hallocks live in such a beautiful place on a creek - just waking up and looking out the window while eating breakfast is humbling. Add cousins and swans and aunts and we're a happy family.

Home again after that - for a few days of tennis lessons, beach trips, a date with Finn, meeting new friends at the beach and general relaxation.

Today felt like Sunday all day, yet it is only Saturday. I LOVE that feeling. Hopefully work won't suck this euporia out of me by 10 AM on Monday. ButI know it WILL help me forget all the punky behavior and restore my children to angel status by the commute in!

Mom's birthday!

Last night Rob made a birthday feast at Compo. Super yum with lobbies, roasted corn and taters.


It was bloody cold at first, then the wind died down and we had a spectacular evening.Just beach grilling and chilling out. Keelin's friend Violet happened by too - so kids had a ball.

GORGEOUS SUNSET

HOW DID I FORGET THIS!?!?

June also marked the momentous event: LOCHLAN IS POTTY TRAINED!!

We're not accident-free yet, but he's sleeping without a diaper and today while we were on the boat he refused to go in the swimmee I put on him. He said no, because "then I won't be twained". Such an independent little heartbreaker.

And one more thing about that trip to RI. We also saw Rob's Dad Bob twice and Malinda once. They helped us collect a few inches of our wine bottle full of teeny sea glass on the beach in the rain. That's love! I share this because at one point Keelin told Bob he'd done something well and that he should get a gold star. So Bob turned to Finn to ask for one, and Keelin rebuked him:
"Don't ask FINN! Ask Lochie - he's the sweet one!" That girl knows how to read the crowd.

I have been remiss...

Seems like many of my posts have come from a guilty place. I REALLY just need to get back in the groove.

So summer has arrived - by the calendar if not by the weather. We spent a week in Newport at the end of June which was, well, freezing cold and damp. As I've been telling people at work, at least it felt like a LOOONG time off! We rented our friend Cathy's cute cottage in Middletown which is in a super location and the kids know the space. Here is a shot at the circus, which we hit up on Day One because the weather was SO crummy and we figured it couldn't last.


But it did, and it was rainy and cold all week. Luckily on Wednesday we had dinner at the Friedman's which was a nice way to break up the weather! The new house is great and it is super close to the beach. For some unknown reason Betsy and Ted haven't BEEN to the beach yet - but we'll give them so time to get there. After we left Rob discovered that it has super fishing, so Betsy - you supply the beach and we'll bring the pizza from CT! :)


We left Newport early because my brother Tom and his family were in CT. So we left RI and drove to Portland for an afternoon/evening of fun with family. It was so nice to see all of them - especially to watch the cousins whoop it up. Finn literally embraced Kevin for a full minute before he even said a word. "Finn, this is Kevin" - full bear hug that you could feel across the room. Finn was instantly in love with his big (boy) cousin.

Margaret is bordering on too old to enjoy the antics of 5,4,3 year olds - but she wasn't over the line yet. They sucked her in and then Keelin had someone to yak with too.


So June has now passed, but as I reflect on it, I choose to suppress the grief from all the bad news (financial: great recession, home prices in the toilet, neighbors possibly losing their homes, most households seemingly losing a job; and non-financial: the woodpecker who decided to eat my house LOUDLY, this past week's loss of Michael Jackson - which is a circus in and of itself, and how can you logistically live addicted to anesthesia?? - Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden and more) and focus on all the great news (the sun came out! I get to watch Keelin SWIM at the beach after scampering around "making new friends", Finn is finding himself while focusing on fishing like his Daddy, Lochlan's favorite saying these days is "Mommy, you are THE BEST" which he always accompanies with a big wet kiss on the lips, Rob has been catching fish almost every night at our town beach, we HAVE a town beach and we USE it at least 5 nights a week...I saw my brother and his family, my dad, my mom...). In general, June was pretty spectacular between all those rain drops, and I hope our luck will hold out through July and August. I'll try to be back before it is all over :) So far so good for the July 4th weekend - Sue & Riz came, we had two parties and a boat ride, plus plenty of beach time.

Now some parting shots...

Rob sending the boys (Loch and a new friend at Compo) away so he can cast for the next striper!


Finn hamming it up on the kids picnic table


And finally - the arrival of "Super Friends". My heart be still...

THIS is why I love seasons...

Today was a spectacular Spring Sunday. Cool in the morning, but once those rays hit your face you KNOW it isn't Winter any more. We spent lots of outside time today. We were having so much fun that the neighbor's dog had to run away to join us! Then the OTHER neighbors donated yet another Barbie Jeep to our plastic farm. Michael asked gently over the stone wall "so, I noticed the kids driving around in the Jeep. Do they ever fight over it?" Me: "Uh , just about every day" Michael: "Would you be interested in a second?". So we are proud owners of another pile of plastic that goes about 7 mph around our backyard. The kids are in heaven. But still fight. The new Jeep is a newer edition and has what Finn considers "Police lights" on the hood. Now everyone wants that one and last week's favorite Jeep is like a scooter with a broken wheel.

After some backyard fun, we took another hike at Earthplace - which I seem to document frequently here, but it really is a nice, safe kids to let the kids run free and explore. Especially when Rob is away. This weekend he was in Detroit to watch UCONN win the National Championship. But. Um. Except. Well, you know. He actually arrived back at home while we were on the playground after the hike. So we spent a great family afternoon at home that we weren't expecting.

On another note, I'm so happy to be done with the kitchen renovation. I have to blame my lack of photos for posts on the kitchen. I have taken LOTS of shots of it, but I refuse to post them until I get a good percentage of local friends to come see it in person. I love to see the reactions on people's faces, so no pictures here. COME VISIT instead! :)

QuickTrip to Rhode Island

We had to do something for February break. The kitchen was going to be demolished (remember that flood I mentioned earlier?) and we decided to knock down a wall so most of our first floor would be taped off. Not to mention we were already a week in and eating takeout was getting old.

We couldn't go far - in case anything "happened" at the house - but we had to get out of dodge. Our first option was Boston, but we decided to go to Newport when our friend Cathy offered us her house. It made perfect sense - 40 minutes from the 'rents (Bob and Malinda)...

and 40 minutes from the Friedmans - some of our favorite people to visit... We only had a brief afternoon and a super yum dinner (thanks Bets!) but the kids had a great time. Caroline has assumed the role as primary caregiver to her little sis, which is incredibly cute to watch but I'm sure it drives Ted & Betsy nuts. Nonetheless, Addison will be living in Caroline's dreamworld for years to come!

Even Marley came! Off we went to RI from Wed-Sunday and it was great. FREEZING but great. We subjected our children to beach walks every day. Some were lovely, some were BITING cold.

I haven't been too Newport that often in the past decades.

Some of my first - and most vivid - Newport memories are with my friend Jill and her family on their boat. I have no idea what we were doing there, but I think it was only a short stay. I remember lots of white aka "not yet matured into evil stingers" jelly fish that had been pushed up on shore - or into the slips anyway. We scooped them up and played with the little gooey guys. That's when I learned you could torment the clear ones - but should stay away from the red ones. We also ate at what I think might have been The Spaghetti Factory (that's what I recall the name being, but not sure if it was related to the one that sprung up next to our Thomson office in Boston?). That was a fun dinner - and I distinctly recall Jill's mom eating a big portion of pasta. You ordered by the pound and she got a big amount and we were shocked. Jill's mom had a great figure - so it was funny that SHE ate the pasta. (Jill - keep me honest. Maybe it was your dad! :))

The other memory was in high school - or college - when Sue F and I went for the day with Martha. We thought it was reasonable to drive 3 hours each way for a lark. And a lark it was. I will plead the fifth on the most memorable part of that day, but it involves "renting" a movie.

So Newport was great. It was nice to be back. We won't wait so long for the next trip.

Paris - encore une fois

I realized yesterday - as I schlepped around Paris - that my Paris is still the Paris of a poor student. That's not necessarily a BAD thing, but it's not a glam city. It is a functioning real city. No Champs-Elysees pour moi. This is how it went...

Since our office is out at La Defense, my taxi brought be there by noon. I quickly bathed and freshened up, then packed up to get on the metro towards gay paree. That's when I realized that my camera was gone. I literally shouted "MERDE!". Guess that means I was feeling comfy!

Luckily I had my driver's number for my return and he was very gracious about meeting me in the city with my camera. So... I... took the metro to Ecole Militaire, walked to my old school, walked back through the Champs de Mars to my apartment.

I passed my favorite spot to buy a crepe au chocolat on the street (so I did) and then I cruised the old 'hood. That's when I realized my Paris is the poor student Paris! Then I took the metro to attempt to get into Musee D'Orsay - even though I knew it was free Sunday and the queue would be outrageous. The queue was OUTRAGEOUS. So I took a picture and kept on. I walked along the Seine all the way to St Michel. Did I mention it was FREEZING???? So I did another poor student move and bought a sandwich greque (greek sandwich) with fries and took it to Notre Dame. My friend Jim and I used to do this often - soI reminisced as I sat watching tourists. Then I realized I couldn't FEEL MY HANDS anymore - so I went on.

Then I walked to Centre Pompidou to see if PERHAPS the queue would be shorter. No luck. Another museum shot from the outside. Notice the line of tiny bodies trying to get in for free. No thanks!

Then I went back to my hotel to get ready for dinner, which is EXACTLY what I need to do now. The big question is - do I go French and wear the same skirt I had on today or do I ruin a pair of perfectly drycleaned pants to go out in the rain (oh yeah, today it SNOWED - more on that later) and slush for a dinner. Methinks I'll ruin the pants. Gotta look good :)

A bientot!

One week embargo

Not sure why I seem to post at least a week late now, but hey, better than never.

Last Sunday we had a little shindig. Sledding, football, food and fun. Ann & Pat came with the boys, Johnny with the kids and Sharon, Scott and Sophia, Matt M, and D&G. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Yeah, She was miserable.

Friends for life - Claire was 4 months old when she came to the hospital to meet Keelin. They still love to be together.

Finn was really happy to hang with the big boys. They stayed out for soo long - sledding off the ledge, they were getting some major air and speed!

Sophia and Matt did a little duet. She continues to be beyond adorable.

This weekend we hung in more than usual because Loch was pretty sick Sunday night. A birthday party - with MR BUNGLES!!, some sledding, some errands and lots of house time.

Saying Goodbyes...

I would be remiss if I didn't note the loss of two important people this month.

Sue's dad Frankie said goodbye to his girls (and grandgirls) almost two weeks ago. I hope he is spending THIS Sunday cruising the greatest flea market in the sky for the perfect treasure. He took great care for his family in life and I know he is watching them now. Probably with a snicker on his face, maybe shaking his head a little bit, but definitely smiling inside.

My great-uncle Eddie McCrudden passed away just yesterday in Belfast. A fine musician who needed a car that could transport instruments, uncle Eddie kept his family calm time and time again when the gunmen came to "borrow" their large-for-Belfast car. He endured his wife's Alzheimer's and then moved to Dublin to play his music after he lost her. His daughter - my mother's cousin Yvette - is one of the most loving and selfless people on this planet. She got the call yesterday while at the Giant's Causeway, so I hope Uncle Eddie passed over those giant stones to make his way to a better place. And to his wife - my dear Aunt Lily. Many prayers for Yvette and her brother Barry today. XOXOX.

Nice winter walk... to nowhere

I just downloaded these shots - and still haven't figured out how to embed the video - but I thought this would give all of you who AREN'T living in the artic like us a taste of what CT is looking like right now.

This was two weeks ago I think - on a "warm" day that begged for a nice little jaunt. Ann gave me the idea to walk along the Mill Pond beach - which supposedly connects to the state park, but instead we were faced with a big fence as we stood in someone's back yard.

So we left and just cruised the jetty and skipped rocks. Then collected shells and walked the full stretch of the beach. It was beautiful on the water - super calm, no wind and very peaceful.

The swans were out in full force - accompanied by a few duckies. I took so many pictures of them, but I'll spare you. Then we went home for hot chocolate and naps. All in all, a very nice winter day.

Happy New Year

After a long recovery from New Year's Eve, I am finally beginning to enjoy 2009! Be it old, or sick, I definitely did something I shouldn't on Wednesday night. Probably glass 156 of champagne. Or 157 - not sure exactly where to draw that line...

Today I got out with the kids (granted only to Costco - but with all three that IS an adventure) and then Rob met us for lunch.

Then we hit the (backyard) slopes! It was gorgeous out - Keelin doesn't even have a sweater on and she fought me to get the hat on her.

We were making tracks in the same ole spot - outside the kitchen window while Rob burned the rest of Keelin's old dresser (santa brought a new one). I hope the fumes from whatever that was covered in don't come back to bite us later in life. Thank God that is gone... Then Finn got a glimmer in his icy blue eyes and spied the patch along the back wall. Perfect! Fresh Powder (ok, two inches, but it was fresh!) and a good grade.

Add a few rocks to the mix and things get interesting... Here are Keelin and Loch after one of many spills on the ledge. My fave part about this one is that Loch is actually saying "SMILE!" as he is laying under his sister, half-off the sled in the snow. That kid deserves a medal for what he puts up with everyday - with a big ole smile on his face.

I also got some video clips of this adventure, but haven't figured out how to add them into this post. Robin - I'll need your AV cart for that one :)

For someone who really dislikes snow and cold weather - this WAS a nice way to kick off the winter. Tomorrow, we find a nice snowy hike. Hope it's just as warm and the kids have as much fun.

Happy New Year to All. I'm debating a few different lists, but I think for now I'll just promise to do less better in 2009. (Blogging qualifies)

And I did get on the treadmill today - so that too.

Go Huskies.