Monthly Archives: June 2009

While we were on vacation, we told the kids that we were going to rent a canoe and take a ride on the Saco River. We also told them that along the way, we were going to find a nice sandy spot to have our lunch and a little swim. While we were driving to the canoe rental place, Sean kept asking if we could just go swimming without the canoe. So that's what we ended up doing. Both kids did great, but I especially loved Sean's goggles - doesn't he look hilarious? Those were his idea. I also love the photo of Sean trying to carry about five rocks at once. I was cringing the whole time, expecting one of them to end up on his toes. But he didn't drop them. Now as to why those particular rocks were so important - especially considering that the entire beach was covered in rocks - I really couldn't say. :)

We went to Storyland while we were up north. The last time we were there, Sean was still pretty small, and Carter was still in the womb. It's amazing the difference a couple of years can make. Sean tried -everything-. He was happy and enthusiastic the whole time, which was a very welcome surprise. Sean even went on the flume ride and the roller coaster. We've got a picture from the flume ride that I will scan and post soon. It's a hilarious shot - Sean is happy, Lori is happy, Carter is indifferent - but Daddy's eyes are shut tight, and his knuckles are white as he grips the rails.

While we were up north, we spent a lot of time at the pool. The first day, Sean was too nervous to go in, even though he really wanted to - so this led to the kind of breakdown we've come to expect whenever we try something new. It makes us sad though, because we know he'd have a blast if he could just get over his initial anxiety and go in. But the second day (and every day after that), he did just fine. By the time we finished our vacation, he was swimming all over the pool in his lifejacket - including the deep end. He tried some swimming in the shallow end without his lifejacket, too. Carter played on the pool stairs, and was more than happy to just climb in and out of the pool for hours at a time.

We were up north on vacation earlier this month. It's nearly a three-hour drive for us, so once we got there we took the kids right over to the playground to burn off the pent-up energy they had after the drive. Last year, Sean was afraid to go more than a couple of feet up the climbing wall. But this year, he shot straight up the wall with no hesitation. Unfortunately, Carter had a harder time. She was incredibly concerned about all the bugs - she couldn't have any fun, because every time a bug came anywhere near her, she would freak out. So Daddy pulled her into his coat, which seemed to cheer her up.

Read all about it! Twice in the last couple of months, Lori and the kids have shown up in the newspaper. Once (in the left-hand photo) while Lori and Carter were at the library for story time (Carter is the left-most child in the photo), and another time while Lori, the kids, her Dad, and her little brother were all at the beach.

School photo time has rolled around again at Sean's school, and this time Lori brought Carter along for some of the action as well. The woman who shoots the photos must be a natural with kids - just check out how cooperative they were! It boggles my mind.

Now that the weather is getting so nice, the kids are spending a lot of time outside. Have you ever seen three happier kids?