"It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens" - Cynthia E. Varnado

Zoe never came home, and Smidge seemed lonely, so went decided to get a kitten. There were 2 left in the litter we looked at, and Savannah immediately picked up one and pronounced it "the one".  But...after we all got into the car, some kitten craziness took over and we ended up going back for the other one. So, we came home with 2 kittens -- brother (Stash - who looks like he has a mustache) and sister (Lola). The kids love them, and they are just a ball of fun. Smidge is getting used to them - I caught her licking them today, so I think they are growing on her.  Stash is a trouble maker - always in the plants, always running around halloween-cat style -- Lola is a playful but sweet - she gets that purring motor running as soon someone pets her. If they survive all the "love" from the kids -- it will be amazing!

random fun at grammy's house

We got to spend time with great grandma rooney - who was looking great after having major surgery. When we went to pick out some mums for her at The Garden, we found a fun head to sit with. We used up some extra party hats and wrapping paper to make wings & a crazy beak -- presto -- instant macaws (all Savannah's idea). And let's not forget that we gave Al some love -- he is about the same size as the munchkins!

grammy's front porch

we spent time every afternoon in the shade eating cookies, ice cream, and popsicles

moo cows and tractors -- twice a day

Early in the morning and after dinner (okay, maybe a few more times in between on some days) we go out to visit Grammy's moo-cows.  In the morning we just go say hello to them, but at night we take the wagon out and feed the moos all kids of things they love...bread...squash...corn cobs.  Both kids loved feeding 2 of the calves (Rosie & Buckwheat) as well as Daisy because we would eat gently out of their hands. Any time Grandpa was with us we would make a stop at the barn to sit in the tractor and the digger. We're making progress...last time neither kiddo would get in the digger but this time they were all for it. Gage never wanted to leave, but we always said it was time for the tractors to go to bed and he would nod and wave to them or blow kisses.

keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times...

Quassy may be a bit on the small side as amusement parks go, but it is perfect for a few hours with the little kids. It sits right on Lake Quassapaug and gave us a beautiful sunset while we were there. Quassy has the same rides they did 30 years ago -- the spaceships that make the BZZZZZ sound (which Savannah was scared of), the boats with bells, helicopters, a train (which Gage road and said woo-woo over and over, and which all of us put our hands up and screamed as we went through the tunnel), the merry-go-round,  the big slide, cars, etc. Fun times for the little ones...

A day at the beach!

It has been 20 years since I have been to Hammonassett beach, but it looked exactly the same. Gage first decided he was still afraid to walk in the sand -- you can see the picture of him crying and standing on the blanket -- but got over it quickly this time. Savannah just had a blast. We played in the surf, tried desperately to catch sea gulls, made sandcastles (well, Savannah and I did, and Gage (aka the Smasher) just smashed them as quickly as we could build them), dug holes, searched for shells, and soaked up the sun. One of those amazing, relaxing days. Savannah decided that she wants to live at the beach, and that "whenever we travel..from now on...ONLY home...the beach...and Disneyworld". Not a bad motto, kid.

exploring the science center

Cousins Kristine & Elizabeth tagged along one day and went to the Hartford Science Center.  There was some big big fun. Both kids loved balancing beachballs on the air shooting out of the orange cones.  They touched sea critters, made airplanes, drove cars, helped boat sails to catch wind, danced on the lights, went to outer space, challenged robots to a puzzle race, and more and more. After that we went to Rainforest Cafe thinking they would love it, but Elizabeth was terrified of the gorillas and Gage was exhausted,  afraid of the thunderstorms, and fell asleep before his lunch arrived. Good day, thought!

playing at the hollow

We spent a hot hot morning playing at the hollow. The digger was a big hit and the subject of much sibling fighting because they both wanted to play with it at once.

Could these really be...their FIRST smores?!?!

It is hard to believe that we have never made smores with the kids before this!!  Well, we made them, but neither of them at them "smores style" -- meaning taking a bite of the whole smooshy sticky mess. Instead, they ate the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows separately. Apparently they need more smores lessons...

splashing in the river...

We strolled down to the spot we like on the river behind Grammy's house one day for a little guppy and crayfish catching. Armed with spaghetti strainers and buckets, we were no match for those darn fast guppies. We did catch a crayfish -- neither kid had any interest in holding it -- and Gage just looked at and made pinching motions with his hands. Can't blame them, thinking back to many a crayfish pinch of my younger days! Savannah was nice enough to gather up a bucket full of perfectly good small rocks for Gage to throw into the water, but he was not at all interested in those rocks. Instead, he wanted to wade into the deep water and pick up gigantic rocks he could hardly hold to throw and then make a pumping show of success with his fist. Such a boy....

Happy birthday to Gage...again!

The day after arriving in CT for a summer vacation, we had another party for Gage and cousin Elizabeth, who turned  right after Gage. Not sure how Grammy is going to ship that big digger to us, but where there's a will, there's a way! We got a chance to see some family we don't see very often, and for some quality playtime with some of the kids' cousins. They had a blast punching balloons with cousin Ryan, and of course...no family gathering at Grammy's house is complete without a trip out to visit and feed the cows -- always a favorite of all the kids in the family.