Max and Esme

Little Helper While adept at getting into things and making messes, Esme is also quite willing to help pick up. All kids seem to learn the "clean up, clean up, everybody clean up" song from somewhere. (I actually don't have any idea where it comes from and have never learned it myself.) Max and Esme will both sing it and bustle around putting their toys away when asked. But Esme's particular activity in terms of helping around the house is the dishwasher. Often before I'm ready, she's right there trying to get the soap out from under the sink or pushing in the racks and closing the door on my hand. And of course, pushing the start button is especially rewarding. I can only hope her enthusiasm for the dishwasher lasts through her teenage years...

These are a few of my favorite things... Grandma Sissy and Grandpere stopped by on Saturday while in the area for Brian's 50th high school reunion. They brought with them a trio of birthday balloons for Esme featuring (you guessed it) puppies! We've been turning off ceiling fans ahead of Esme's travels around the house in hopes that she'll be able to enjoy them for a several days before they inevitably pop. Only two more days until my baby turns two...

Grandpa's muse As part of a Can Am Festival last weekend in Sackett's Harbor, NY, the artists' guild held a plein air exhibition. Dad took second place with a quickly completed oil painting, and also took some time to sketch passers-by. Esme did her part to make the day more lovely (and more challenging) by sharing lots of hugs with Grandpa. The second picture shows the amazing view we had at our dinner out. The food was good too! Thanks for babysitting mom and dad!

Old friends and new friends Last weekend I had a chance to see my friend Mary Beth again. She and her family were visiting family in NY from Texas, and I went to visit mine as well. Needless to say with so many miles between us we haven't seen each other in about 7 years. MB and I became friends in the third grade - exactly the same age her son Kevin is now. It was really nice to introduce our children to each other and to talk to Mary Beth again in person. Her daughter, Megan, by the way, looks just like I remember her mom.

My favorite nephew Rob, Carey, Greta and Lincoln visited last week. I figure I can claim favorite aunt status for at least a couple more weeks, or until Lincoln is introduced to Carey's two sisters!

I went to the woods to live deliberately...

Friends One of the best things about kids is how quickly they make friends. We visited Colleen & Jim, Liam & Molly last weekend for the first time in well over a year. From the moment we drove up and they greeted us from their new front porch, Max and Liam were fast friends. They played together, bathed together and stayed up talking late into the night. Esme and Molly played around each other (to be expected at that age.) And the grown-ups even found time for a lovely adult dinner. Here are some pictures of our visit to the house in the woods, including a short hike to see an amazing waterfall, and a ride on the carousel at the park in Saratoga. Max is watching me as I type, and reminds me to tell you of the frogs, toads, plants, caterpillers, water striders, centipedes and moss that he examined during his walks in the woods.