Harborfest Day One: Family Trip

We decided to check out Harborfest on Saturday and first walked over to East Park for the youth area. It was pretty crowded and as we have been learning the last month, crowds aren't Abbey's favorite and there wasn't a ton for the kids to do anyhow. Adam did pet a snake and we ran into Jackie and Q JUST as we were talking about them. So then we walked across the bridge, on the lookout for kiddie rides and decided to catch the trolley as every time one passed Adam said "TRAIN!". We took it over to Breitbeck, passing the ride area and deciding it wasn't fair to stop as there didn't seem to be more than one ride Abbey could do. Anyhow, when we got to the park, right away knew we had to take some photos of the fancy clean Butler dumpster....Adam went right up to it and he seemed to like that he could see his reflection. A little drunk from the freedom of being allowed to wander free... Abbey however not particularly excited ha! I'm pretty sure Adam thought about running full force down that alley. The park was sparse as compared to years past, it seemed, though. View from the park. We walked around a bit, tried a wine sample and decided to head back to the trolley. Adam was happy when we told him we were headed back to the "train". The trolley was so exciting we couldn't get him interested in meeting the police officers. Abbey with her Daddy on the trolley...tired but wanted to stay with Dad! Adam was hot and VERY focused on being in the trolley, looking around and looking out the window. We skipped the food at the park to go to Cam's....Adam's favorite (OK, maybe ours, too). Abbey was SO tired (this is NOT like her), she fell asleep right away when we put her in the stroller and slept in the busy aisle at Cam's almost the entire time! And our son, who loves "piece of pizza" which is what he says when he sees pizza, is like a little Cam's commercial here! He ate the whole piece! We walked back home from Cam's, Adam walking most of the way actually. We skipped the arts park along the river as the kids seemed pretty hot, but actually it was a nice outing. It was fun to walk around together and check things out. Becoming one of my favorite things to do.... just seeing new things as a family.

So here's Abbey energized; climbing onto the table the minute I let her loose inside. She looks nuts in this picture...it's great! She sees me and realizes she's been caught! Starts to get down, but really, she's in no hurry. sigh.

Mickey D's Playland

On the last Tuesday in July, Bethany and I made plans to take our kids to the Scriba pool. It was a rainy day so we decided to go to the McDonald's playland. As I had written, the week before I had gone with Erin and her kids and they had a little fun, but she had to leave and I ended up leaving not long after because Adam got stuck on top! Adam immediately sat down with Devin, entranced by the video games on the table. Devin always has so much patience with Adam, it's amazing. After nuggets and fries, the kids knew the playground was back there and couldn't wait. Adam went up to the top with Devin and got the courage he needed to go down the slide. You can see here, he LOVED it! Bethany was there waiting for him, but he was so excited he wanted to go right back up. Here he is halfway up with Dev and Bri. Down again...he just couldn't get enough!! Meanwhile, Abbey was having a blast in the toddler area. And Brianna was keeping her company. Some kid kept blocking Abbey on the slide and then I realized he kind of liked her. Adam got his sister though by stealing her toy in the slide climb, so I guess it was even! Devin! Abbey dancing around, so excited. As tall as the slide! Bethany got up there with them because Abbey started to get it in her head she wanted to go down the slide! Abbey loved it and I love Bri's smile here :) Adam went down the slide so many times, I couldn't possibly keep track and Devin went down with him, too sometimes. They loved it here so much I am glad they have a place to go this winter! Even though they are 9 and 13, Brianna and Devin have so much patience and fun with my toddlers. They get it from their mom, who I've called the baby whisperer :). We always have fun together but could they please stop growing up?? Seems like yesterday I held them as newborns!!! And yes, Devin is taller than me!!

Holly Turns 35

Todd's niece Holly turned 35 the same day Jackie got married. We usually take her out on her birthday but between the kids having the plague and the wedding, we couldn't do it that weekend. We ended up taking her out weeks late on July 21 to Delmonico's because Holly said she wanted to go to my favorite restaurant :). Holly rode up with us and we met her fiance Ron there. We were in a front corner table in the sun room and I kind of was playing with the light while taking photos. Love this look on my hubby's face...the look he gets when he's looking up from his desk or his computer, too. He looks like a principal and a kid getting into trouble at the same time! Notice the murals...they are all over the walls in the restaurant and they are of famous Italian Americans...for some reason I'm not up there yet ;). Holly all dressed up...the night before I took her shopping at Maurice's for some clothes as a gift...we had to exchange what I had given her on her birthday. She actually is smiling, something it's hard to get from her when the camera is out!! This picture makes me laugh because they so look like father and son here. Smiley pretty girl. We got a bowl of pasta and a minipizza for them to share. They both wanted the penne! Daddy wanted a kiss... Love how you can tell Adam gave in with a "pity kiss". Holly is pretty picky eater but she got the chicken parmesan, which she liked. The restaurant was kind of empty in this section and at the end the kids started to roam and Holly followed them around...she kept thinking they'd take off too far because she's not used to them as "big kids". Oh, the mileage the McDonald's toys get when we are out... And they came and sang Happy Birthday to Holly while she was chasing Abbey...clearly she was thrilled hahaha but she needed it! No one goes out of their way for this girl!! We also brought her a cake and balloons and pizza and wings when it was her actual birthday to work. Holly is a great niece, secretary and friend to Todd. She cares about him so much and so it really endears her to me. The Friday before we got married, she wanted him to have a bachelor party so she bought him margarita stuff and sat our kitchen table and drank herself to the floor because she wanted him to have fun. She would do just about anything for him and for that, I am grateful. Glad she's in our lives!

Beating the Heat Oswego Style

To say I'm behind on these entries is kind of an understatement, but I'm of the belief living life is more important than documenting it and get it in when you can (OK, sounds good, doesn't it? :). It was the the very end of June and it was VERY hot. My neighbor Erin suggested we go to a sprinkler in town. There are two, but Oak Hill wasn't running so we decided to head over to Franklin park. I wasn't sure as I was still pretty cautious about handling the two kids in public (wow, saying that I realized how far we've come this summer!). Erin convinced me that with her and her four kids, we'd be fine. Little Abbey was ready to try it, but understandably cautious...look at her face. I assumed Adam would be very cautious since he hates showers, but he thought it looked fun right away! He was so funny, running in and out. Big Abby is behind them. The rare photo of both of my kids :) Erin was swinging Daniel around, who is 2 months older than Adam and found it hilarious. Adam flat turned down the offer to do the same :) Daniel was funny as he was wearing a swimsuit he borrowed from us, his diaper got soaked and she had to take it off and tie the shorts together to keep them up. He didn't let it slow him down. My kids getting into the action with Big Abby and her two friends. Abbey and Daniel have a little thing...it's kind of cute. Love how he's touching her arm as she looks into things. Abbey really got into it! My favorite pictures of the day ..Big Abby and Little Abbey...she really was trusting her and if you've had Abbey refuse to be held by you like everyone else you know how special this is. They ran around the playground there for a bit, which is always stressful because they can disappear so quickly haha. They had such a good time. They loved the water and they love being with the neighbors. Erin's house is the one place (besides Daddy's office) where he'll tell me to leave :) On the way home, I stopped and got them red white and blue sprinkle cookies at Dunkin' Donuts. Picky Adam decided he didn't want to eat it and fed it to Rexy... ...while Abbey enjoyed EVERY bite!!

Bobby Turns 30

On July 18, my baby brother Bobby turned 30 (same day as Pam's birthday by the way). We asked where he wanted to go and we took him to Canale's. (In an odd twist, none of my family knows this blog exists because then I'd have to censor myself. Actually, I wanted to have Bobby read it but it wouldn't be fair to expect him to keep it a secret from my mom!) I wish he could read when I say that I feel lucky to have such a great brother who is just as big hearted and generous as our father and who adores my children. He is the best babysitter and having him watch our kids is giving me the confidence to leave them to finsih my degree.

Anyhow, here's the handsome guy. Wish he'd find the right girl soon!!! He deserves it. This picture has blur, but I LOVE it anyhow! Adam looking at the camera...kind of. Just love this picture. This is sweet, too. The thing since we had two kids, Canale's always puts us in the bar area ha! Adam and Abbey INHALED their plates of penne...it's almost funny to watch and Bobby flirted with the cute little waitress, even when he had them re-do his steak :0 Love this guy.