Memorial Day Weekend 2012

We had a lovely three day weekend.  We enjoyed attempting to fly a kite at Wehle State Park, getting together with friends, watching the sailboats begin to return to the harbor and attending the Henderson parade.  I went on a couple jogs and Mat went on some bike rides. He cooled off by diving into the lake.  I wasn't quite at that point yet as the lake is only about 59 degrees.  Maybe in another month. 

Fun with a baby stroller and a dog

I love her laugh!

Summer Time!!

Oh, what a wonderful week it has been!  We've been busy as little bees here in our neck of the woods and are loving every moment of it.  The weather has been just amazing this past week and we've been able to spend so much time out in it. 

I've planted a veggie garden with a friend who has the garden space at her place.  It was perfect while planting because Brie was able to play with her kids and LOVES going over there.  Her response when I ask her to do something is usually "no" but when I ask if she wants to go to Zachary's it is always "yes".  Our husband's were awesome and put up a fence this weekend so the rabbits won't come in and eat all the nice lettuce leaves.  :-)

Our weekend started with a boat ride in the harbor with Liz.  Brie liked being on the boat, but didn't love the life jacket.  By the end of the summer, either she'll hate the life jacket or will be completely okay with it and will want to put it on herself.  I really hope that is the scenario that happens because right now I kind of feel like I'm torturing her.  But there's no way around it, because I don't want her near the water without the life jacket!

Haoli and Brie

Mat and Ruby

Haoli and Neil

Mary enjoying the view

Our friends from the Finger Lakes area came and camped at Southwick Beach State Park, so we visited and had dinner with them on Friday and Saturday evening.  So much fun! 

Stevie and Ruby paddling around the harbor

Ruby and Brie having some fun

Then to finish the weekend off, we went for a boat ride with friends to Sackets Harbor to get ice cream.  What a weekend!  So excited for summer time and being outside!

potty time...

Ever since Brie was able to follow me, she'd follow me into the bathroom.  (No peace and quiet for me in there!)  The last few months she's been very interested in what was happening and the last couple of weeks she's been taking toilet paper and wiping herself over her clothes.  I've been looking for a potty for awhile now to get her started on the potty training because she seemed so interested.  But we haven't found one that would work and someone gave us, awhile ago, a thing you put on top of the toilet. 

So last week, because Brie has been so very interested, we set her on it and she loved sitting there so much that now anytime I go to the bathroom she pushes at me to get me off so she can get on.  She loves getting the toilet paper and wiping.

Today, she sat on the toilet after we got back from a friend's house and she tinkled in the toilet.  She was so happy when I cheered her by clapping my hands and saying congratulations and high five-ing her.  It was awesome.  Now, hopefully, she'll continue to be interested in using the toilet!

(I do have to remind myself that she is only 19 months old, so she's not necessarily going to be trained completely for awhile.)

Birthday Camping in the Adirondacks

We had a fantastic time camping in the Adirondacks. Our campground wasn't anything spectacular, but it provided us a with a place to put up our tent and it had water and flush toilet bathrooms.  Such luxury!

We arrived on Friday and dropped Mat off for his meeting in Keene Valley.  Then Gabriella, Maddy and I headed over to set up our camp at the only open state campground in the Adirondacks. 

On Saturday, we took the long way up Mt. Jo, adding a walk around Heart Lake and up to a ski slope who was dedicated to someone.  Brie hiked a good portion of it.  Our little 19-month-old makes us so proud.  :-)  Then when she got tired, Mat put her back in the backpack and we made it to the top of Mt. Jo which had some beautiful views of Mt. Marcy and some other big mountains.  Brie wasn't a happy camper on the way back down, luckily it was just short and sweet.  Mat was the lucky recipient of Brie screaming/crying in his ear all the way down.  She fell asleep with about 15 minutes left of the hike.   We just hung out in the woods at the parking lot in our crazy creeks letting Brie sleep just enjoying the scenery. 

Then we went on a walk near our campground at the Wilmingon Flume which got Mat super stoked because he saw that there is some mountain biking trails there.  We'll be back to ride them.  :-)

We had a great time and I think Mat enjoyed his birthday weekend!  (More pictures on Flickr.)

auntie Ra ra's origami bird mobile

This morning when I went to get Gabriella out of bed, she was just laying down talking and when I said hello, Brie, good morning she said "phst, phsst" wanting me to blow on the origami birds* that hang above her crib.  So I did.  I've done it for her several mornings in the past and it was cute that she asked for it this morning.  Then we each hugged the sleep sheep and she was ready to begin her day.  :-)

*Mat's sister Sara made a beautiful mobile out of origami birds that she individually made.  One of these days I'll get a picture included. 

Happy days

Gabriella and I had a lovely, lovely day together.  We walked to storytime and enjoyed seeing everyone at the library.  Then towards the end of the day, because it was still so beautiful, we went on another walk together over to the local playground where we met up with some neighbors. 

As soon as Brie was out of the stroller, she walked over to the slide and walked right up it!  First time doing it on her own.  It was crazy to see.  Then when she got to the top, she sat down and turned around so she was on her belly and went down the slide!  Of course, I did not take my camera along for the fun.

When we got back Brie had an apple for a snack and I still find it amusing to see her eat it!

Brie figuring out the painting thing...

Gabriella is having fun painting her little flower that we'll put out in one of our plant pots outside.