A Conversation

On our way to Rochester Simon and I carried on a conversation through notes and talking. I though it was very impressive both in his content and writing skill.

First he wrote this...

(I want to know how it feels like to be a grownup.)

I wrote this back to him...

Then I asked him out loud, how does it feel to be a kid?

He wrote this...

(Fun, and boring on the car trips.)

To which I responded...

And then he answered me, "Someday I'll be a grown-up and that will good. But now it is good to be a kid."

It is good to be an optimist.

Impromptu Trip To Rochester

Because of the hurricane we decided to visit Rochester again. It seemed like an easy way to avoid the stress and problems of the storm. So instead of sitting around in the house being worried and getting bored we swam in the pool, took a hike, played in the yard, visited the science museum, and went to Seabreeze again.

And this time at Seabreeze- Simon made the 48 inches cut!!!!

Here he is in line for the Jackrabbit- Mama's first coaster. He loved it and we went on 4 times!

Here he is by a ride that he liked but the seat squished him so we only went on it once. It was also pushing it a bit for him.

The hands up gesture is a, "Who knew? Who knew I was 48 inches?"

In the background you can see another roller coaster he rode, Whirl Wind, that while on it he said, "I'm a little scared but I like it!" -Actually he shouted that because we were in the middle of the ride.

Needless to say- we had a great day.

Getting Ready For Kindergarten

Simon got a very nice letter from his Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Brackman.

She asked for him to draw a picture of himself- this is what he drew.

Also- we just had an Earthquake! (Lots of people just had an eatherquake.)

Poor Simon feels pretty scared.

But we're fine and the only things we could find in the house was a crooked painting. It was pretty exciting for the 30 or so seconds it lasted.

Luna Park!

We were off to Luna Park today- a new amusement park at Coney Island-

We had a great time- Simon got to eat his first candy apple.

And ride the Cyclone.

OK- not really. You have to be much taller.

We learned that despite Mama's deepest hopes, Simon is not a true 48" yet, so we have put off our plans for Hershey Park unitl next year.

Simon did ride the slingshot again- this time with Daddy.

And lots of other great rides, including the huge, high swing.

Stuff Happens In August

Like tooth number two falling out!

And going to the zoo- hanging out with a BIG tiger and

Riding the carousel (as always!)

And Simon taking the camera and taking random pictures- which he is not allowed to do.

Sigh.

What Makes Us Happy

Being married for ten years.

(Thanks Simon for taking the photo.)

Being in Camden.

(Can't wait to be back next year!)

More Maine

We went off to hike Mount Battie! Simon did a great job, though he did complain a bit about being tired and sick. We basically ignored him. He made it up the mountain and back down fabulously- we are very proud of him. Then when we got back he promptly tooks nap which convinced us to take his temperature, 101.9. Bad parenting.

The Dread Pirate Simon.

Playing at the Rockland Children's Museum.

Mama played too.

Trying To Explain

It Is Hard To Explain

Then we went somewhere very hard to explain. Simon loved it. And the rest of us were in awe. Not always fully positive or comfortable awe, but awe all the same.

There is this couple out in Thorndike, ME who are collectors. The woman collected dolls and the man made the dolls come alive on rides and in other ways. You walk into a huge room and they flip a swtch and the dolls all just start to go. It is wonderful and the stuff nightmares are made of. several videos will be posted soon.

Rainy Day Slide

Lobster Festival

It was raining. But when you've promised a child that you're going to a fair... you go.

Simon is in the background in a blue raincoat (Thanks Sarah- we really loved the raincoat this trip!)

And thanks for being good sports Grandma Jean and Papa Don!

Yes- That's our child smiling his head off on the tilt-a-whirl in the pouring rain.

The Rockland Lobster Festival features lobster crate races where people try to run across floating crates. It is really fun to wath people try- and we did see one boy make it across two plus times for a toalt of around 135 crates!

And If You Pick Blueberries...

You make pie!

Can you tell I am proud of my pie?

Simon declared it yucky and disgusting.

The adults all agreed he was wrong, and by 11:00 the next morning the pie was gone.

And Then... Maine!

(These first pictures are off of my cell phone- for some reason I kept forgetting to bring the camera with us- could it have been the lack of sleep?)

We walked out the Rockland Breakwater to the light house! We did this last year, but the light was closed to visitors- not this year! The man even turned on the light for us!

Our walk back was very exciting.

It was an unusually high tide and we were walking back just 15 minutes shy of the height of it. It is not normal for the top of the breakwater to be even with the sea! We all got soaked with waves that came up to our ankles- but it was quite an adventure.

The next day we were off to one of our favorite places, Beech Hill.

Once a year they have a one-day blueberry pick. We picked like crazy.

Though Simon and his friends Willa ate lots more than they picked. They also played at being Sal and Little Bear which was too cute for words.

I guess that would make Papa Don Papa bear! Though there isn't actually a Papa in the story.

The Trick In The Pond

Cape Cod Yum

Cape Cod!

We were lucky enough to go to Cape Cod again and stay with wonderful Peter and Erica. Peter and Erica fed us, babysat for us, entertained Simon, and laughed when Simon threw talcum powder all over their guest room. See- we are lucky to have them.

And to top off the luck- jesse and Iva were there when we arrived. Even though our overlap was very short, Simon and Iva had super fun together. Here they are helping get dinner ready.

And dancing together.

We will get a picture of them on the beach together up soon.

Our other big highlight of the trip was swimming. Over a three night visit Simon made it to a beach and water FIVE times! Here we are at Duck Pond.

You can see that Simon's swimming is getting very good. But we think he wears his goggles too tight.