A Hanging Train!

We took a ride on the Roosevelt island Tram-
















As you can imagine Simon really liked the hanging train!
















Roosevelt Island has a really interesting park at its southern tip- very bucolic, except for the derelict smallpox hospital.
















A future diplomat?

Owl Pellets and Beach Fun

We were very lucky and got to watch a zoo volunteer disect an owl pellet in the playground. When she was finished she gave out the extra pellets so Simon got to try it himself with Grandma Jean and Papa Don! It was very hard work, but Simon was fascinated with the little mouse skeleton he found.
































Simon now sticks out his tounge when concentrating a lot.
















And totally unrelated to Owls, we had another lovely day at the beach. Simon did cut his foot as we were deciding to go home- but it was a boo-boo that got talked about more than it actually hurt.

Gotcha Day!

3 years and counting for the Garland family!

The Gotcha Day Song
By Grandma Sue

It's Gotcha Day
For Simon J
A very special Gotcha Day

He had a mom
Who loved him so
She made the choice to let him go

To have another mom and dad
Who he made so very glad

He gave them so much love and joy
As Will and Julia's smiley boy.

Going to the CIRCUS!

We were so excited to go to the circus today with Gramndma Jean and Papa Don. While we waited in the playground Simon spun around and around in the swing.


















And here is the highlight of the circus- we are all sitting happily waiting for the show to begin.
















Why is this the highlight? You might wonder why the jugglers, acrobats or tigers were not the highlight. Well- soon after this picture the circus began and an elephant was part of the show. A very big (and apparently terrifying) elephant . Simon paniced and could not be calmed- not even by magic ice cream that the circus sells to make people feel less afraid of elephants. So about ten minutes into the greatest show on earth- we left. Will, Don, and Jean joined us at the interrmission. It was just not meant to be. So in case Simon asks you, the circus (and the occaisional zoo) are where the elephants live and they never, ever, ever leave their homes. We haven't even tried to explain about the elephants that live in Africa and Asia.

However- the true highlight of the day is SImon's super-cool shirt.

Out of Order- Rochester 2

The pictures didn't come through last time I posted this so here's a re-post!
The best part of the museum was the butterfly gareden.
















(This is a Julia Butterfly.)
















We took a neat boat ride on the Erie Canal. Simon really enjoyed going up and down in the locks.

A Good Place For LIttle Boys

We had a great Day at the beach!
















Simon's good friend Eli was there too, they were very industrious.
Digging...
















Pouring...
















And examining shells. (You'll notice that the beach is a good place for big girls too!)

Iva, meet the Carousel!

Iva got to go on her very first carousel ride. She seemed to be pleased with it.
















Her Daddy Jesse- not so much. He's smiling here because he is trying really hard not to feel sick.
















We had a great time with Sarah, Dalia, and her son Elias too.

Ahhh- Summer

We've really started to enjoy summer.
On a recent day in the park Simon got to throw a great glider.























Hang out with his cousin Iva- He was entranced.
















So was she.























Mostly.

Ultimate Goofball

I present you with the ultimate goofball.

Rochester Fun 4

And we had a great time at Seabreeze- Thanks Uncle Alan for taking the family picture.
















































And, what a surprise, it rained. We waited it out and still had fun- then it rained again, we continued to play in the wave pool during that rain and still had fun. Then it rained again- a cold, heavy, windy, long rain. We left.

Rochester Fun 3

We all enjoyed the fireworks- this is Simon saying, "Oooooo!"







































Simon had fun with Uncle Alan.
















And had fun with the silly toy Uncle Alan won him playing Ski-ball.

Rochester visit 2

The best part of the museum was the butterfly garden.
















(This is a Julia Butterfly.)
















We took a neat boat ride on the Erie canal. Simon really enjoyed going up and down in the lock.