Tag-along

A month or so we purchased a tag-along for the bikes. 
What’s that ?
It’s this:





I knew Erik was putting it together the other day and then I looked out the window Sunday afternoon and saw this. My first thought was ‘how cute” – but instantly it switched to “oh my god- you take him for the inaugural ride without a helmet in the road”. I tried to bite my tongue …I’m not sure it worked. Rest assured that Erik and I may have communicated. After a little communication (my parents would refer to it as bickering) the handle bars were adjusted lower, helmets placed on heads and the first true ride was ready to be taken to the grandparents house down the road.
















Alec loves it.
On Memorial day we decided to take it off road on the Eastern Trail and try the portion of it from Kennebunk to Biddeford. Alec has been very excited to do this portion because you get ride over interstate 95 and all 6 lanes of traffic. Very cool to him.

Come to find out, after riding many miles behind him, Alec loves it because he is about a half inch too short for it. He can pedal but not well ..so he doesn’t. Essentially he’s got a free ride. UGH! But, at the rate he is growing that will end soon.



I am not sure if it is thumbs up because he got a free ride or because he enjoyed the trail. ;)

The 5th Birthday Party

We held Alec’s 5th birthday party on Friday afternoon. I would say it was a smashing success (my own opinion of course!).  We hired a magician to come and entertain the young children.  It was fun for the adults too. I had some major guilt hiring them –being that it might be over the top - too much extravagance for a five year old birthday party. But I gotta tell ya….it was worth every penny. To see the kids faces and hear the laughs. Bless my heart- I got teary several times. Not because Alec was turning 5 but because it was just so gosh darn cute!

 

 

 

 

 

The balloon chandelier was another one of my Pinterest wanna-be ideas. I am not going to bother showing you the original. It was classy and beautiful . Mine took on a life of its own. Symmetry –notsomuch.  I wouldn’t say a complete fail. I would say…I should have started 2 days before so I could get it right. But I will also share that I don’t think anyone cared but me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at that smile. Oh my. Be still my heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep….he even pulled a bunny out. The kids went wild over it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He made balloon animals (swords, flowers, spiderman) too. And they all got to get a tattoo.

 

Cool.

 

 

 

The day was a hit! (ha…get it?!)

Thanks for all who came to share Alec’s special day.

5 Today!

Wolfe’s Neck State Park

Man, Maine has some really great state parks.

In southern Maine alone there are so many nature trails and parks that it is overwhelming to figure out which one to go to.I am trying to branch out little and broaden our horizons.It’s hard because once you visit one- you usually want to go back and see what you didn’t see the first time.  I am really trying to step out of the comfort zone. Join me won’t you?

Wolfe’s Neck State Park in Freeport has been on my radar for a few years but we just have never gone. I don’t know why. I guess when we go to Freeport we usually just hit Bradbury Mountain. Easy peasy – lemon squeesy.  Not this time. I left the comfort zone and dragged Alec, Courtney, Noel, Leo and Hilary with me. Erik? He had things to do. He missed a good time. It has miles of paths that go though the woods and along the ocean. We were lucky to get there at low tide so we could look at the tidal pools and walk along the rocks.

 

 

 

 

It took us a few minutes to locate the Osprey nest. We could see some movement in it but never saw anyone fly out of it. The park ranger did tell us there are/is a baby(ies).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked through a couple miles of trails. We took our time and stopped to let the boys play, have snacks and check out nature because they are “nature rescuers”. The weather was absolutely stunning. Nearly perfect. It was one of those days to make you so happy you you get to live in such beautiful state.

Virginia visits New Hampshire

Saturday we took a little jaunt to Manchester, New Hampshire to watch a little soccer and visit with some family. (Nathan is #21).

I didn’t end up taking too many pictures. I was too busy visiting while I had the chance. I don’t get to see these folks too often!

Martha Stewart

does not live here.

Oh, the wonderful world of Pinterest.

It opens you to a world of ideas.

It all seems so easy.

So simple.

So much ‘why didn’t I think of that?!’.

I wanted to make these…

I googled the directions. Seems easy. It started out so well…

But guess what?

Overfilling?

Big mistake.

Note to self….only fill to the base..stop when the cone gets wider.

The cones disintegrate on the outside if liquid touches it.  Makes you wonder what these cones really are. You pour batter in them and they don’t disintegrate on the inside. You can bake them and they don’t burn. Must be healthy stuff.  :)

I did have a couple that worked out but not enough to serve at Alec’s party.

 

I am going to practice frosting them so I know what to do in future. :)

 

 

 

 

Alec was my helper. He licked the bowl. I think he got as much on him as there was in the bowl. :)

And no, he doesn’t usually wear a nametag around the house.

We had just returned from his Kindergarten screening. It went well. They brought him back out to me and said ‘he’s ready’ (I thought they meant to leave) and I said ‘oh is there anything he needs to work on this summer?’ (they had been telling other people things that other children needed to work on like alphabet/printing etc) and the teacher said ‘No, HE’s READY…he is definitely ready for next year.’ 

Watch out Fairfield School. Alec is READY!. :)

Albany –the remainder of the trip

I have probably dragged this out long enough for a 3 day weekend (we did a lot!)…so here we go:

Crazy kid in hotel room:

 

 

 

 

 

This picture exemplifies the personalities of the boys. One calm…the other a spaz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little mid-day crash:

Waiting for the adults to finish eating:

Playground:

Walking through the park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leo and his ‘3 rock twins’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool kids riding a bus:

The Greek festival (it was CRAZY BIG with some great food)

Exhausted!

Next up: a birthday party recap!