Courthouse Falls

Just as we managed to get our pints of blueberries into the fridge our friend Heather called to see if we were up for a hike...so here we are at the beautifully serene Courthouse Falls. We're glad we went instead of cleaning or packing...

We live in a gorgeous place...this has been one of those golden days that I want to remember forever. I'm glad we got to go out and spend our day with good friends.

Tomorrow we sit.
And sit.
And sit.
And sit some more.
We'll be baaaack (say it like the Terminator).

Blueberry galore!

My friend Berne and I ventured to a U-pick farm this morning to harvest a few pints of blueberries. The babies cooperated and we had a peaceful & productive couple of hours and hopefully some baked goodies with self-picked berries in them down the line.

For you, Daddy!

This is for Daddy, but everyone else is welcome to watch, too (of course). Gus is walking with more confidence each day, here, he is showing a subtle change in direction, which I take to mean he has reached a new skill level. It's all so fascinating to me. Enjoy!

Packing up

If you know me, you aren't surprised to know that I carefully plot and plan my packing (our trip to Switzerland is coming up Monday). No matter what the destination and length of trip, I gear up for the journey armed with Post-it notes about a week in advance.That's right. I write a list and then I check each item off as I add it to the suitcase...I also carry another Post-it pad in my purse, so I can jot down any additions that I might have forgotten at home, those I add to the original note whenever I pass the suitcase.

I rarely overpack or underpack, I pride myself in packing a mean suitcase.



But - big but - since Gus has started to hog space in my suitcase (just literally, don't worry he won't travel to Switzerland inside BIG RED (that's my mother-in-law's BIG suitcase...and it is big) the challenge of packing has doubled - I'm up to the pressure, but still (another big but) it gives me brief spasms of anxiety. I don't want to forget anything life-sustaining and by the same token I don't want to pack the ball gown (unless there is a ball).

So for the past couple of days, Gus and I have been sitting around Big Red with my lists adding and subtracting things, editing our travel wardrobe, rearranging gifts in the most space-dynamic way. I believe we're going to make it to Switzerland for 2 1/2 weeks in one suitcase (Groma is already buying Gus outfits, so I won't worry about ball gowns for him)

The piece of luggage that gives me fits in the middle of the night is my carry-on. I'm determined to travel light (well, except for the 22 lbs. boy and a jogging stroller. I want to make the 10 1/2 hour trip with my usual diaper bag, so that I can keep it close (overhead compartments spell OUT-OF-REACH to me)

Here is my list so far:

Geraldine:
- Wallet/ticket/passports
-water bottle
- book (that's a maybe)
- cell phone
- 2 energy bars
- camera
- Delta earphones
- Jacket

Gus:
- 5 diapers/small travel thingy of wipes
- blanket
- change of clothes, socks
- selection of small noise-less toys (new to Gus)
-snacks (string cheese, cheerios, raisins)
- Benadryl (yep - and I'm not afraid to use it)
- Jacket

All into this.

Yep, I'm going to try. Do you think I can do it? We'll see. We're off Monday. Wish us luck or whatever I need to survive a cross-Atlantic flight with an 11-month-old on my lap (Awwww what was I thinking!)

Girls (and one little boy) just want to have fun!

Scenes from a successful potluck, girls-night-out party at my house. The pictures say it all...the food was delicious, the company delightful and a good time was had by all - especially one little boy...

Small but mighty

I remember my blog-blubbering about the untimely demise of my tomato plants, so I feel obligated to share this handful of goodness with everyone.

As the sole survivor of the backyard blight my cherry tomato plant seems to want to make up for harvest deficit left behind by its not-as-resistant comrades.

I have not fertilized it and it only recives my daily dish water for nourishment - but it is putting out big time.

This is about an average daily take for the past week - rarely do these tasty mini-tomatos make it into a dish, instead I snack on them until there is none. Still it makes me grateful enough that I now venture out there at dusk with my slopping dishpan and stop to say thanks to my little plant, drooping heavy with fruit, before I shower it with the days gray water.

Maybe there is still hope for me as a gardener?

Catching up

He can catch a mean-Momma pitch at 11 months!

I delight in this child - all the time. He makes it so easy.

Next up: We're working on blowing kisses...