C & H in Saratoga in July

Last weekend C & H drove over from NH to spend a long weekend with us.  Unfortunately, C. is working this summer (summer school...) and didn't have a whole week to spare, but at least we squeezed in a weekend so they could do some of the things they just missed when they came in the spring.

Seems like every time we get together I take fewer and fewer pictures... I suppose it's because every time we are together are kids are running faster and faster... and are hardly ever in the same location-- even when they are, they are rarely still enough for photos...

We spent a lot of naked time in the yard:

And enjoyed time wearing clothes too:

We treated ourselves to a special treat at Stewart's:

We drove to Moreau Lake (no photos from the lake though... two kids + water was too much for a camera!)

The kids were happy just sitting around:

Or going grocery shopping:

We went to the playground at the Spa Park (and the pool, but again, my hands were busy keeping our kids from drowning):

We had to make a visit to Congress Park:

And you can't come to Saratoga in Racing Season without going to the track, so we did our first Race Track Breakfast of the year!

The Second Week In June

Clever title.  I know... But seriously, remember when I wrote about having less blogging time because now I have chores to do?  I obviously hadn't anticipated the time commitment that is vacuuming the "outside" my toddler brings inside EVERY TIME we go out, or the hanging of the bathing suits and towels or the refilling and cleaning of the kiddie pools (yes, that's poolS- 3 of them) or the lack of time due to decreasing or non-existent napping.  So the chores aren't getting done either.  DO NOT go into the master bathroom...

The above paragraph is the most I anticipate writing for a while.  Maybe in the fall things will slow down.  Until then, more of our summer fun in photographs:

A bike ride in the Burley:

to a playground:

A carousel ride at the park:

An afternoon at the beach:

A play date at Gavin Park:

An afternoon at Congress Park:

And a new playground in Luther Forest:

**Saturday Bob and I went to the Saratoga Brewfest, which was amazing.  Sunday, of course, was Father's Day.  Happy Father's Day to my dad and MiniM.E.'s dad.  You are both wonderful fathers!

Waiting for the Carousel

MiniM.E. is in love with the carousel.  I'm not talking something she just likes a lot, or a good distraction when we're not sure what to do.  She LOVES it.  She talks about it all day.  She mumbles about it when she's falling asleep.  She demands to go to it whenever we get in the car.

So though we've only been four times so far this summer, I've already spent enough on the carousel to buy a nice pair of jeans... the things you sacrifice for your children.

Today is Monday.  And just like last Monday, MiniM.E. was spoiled from a weekend of extra excitement with Daddy (did I mention we're building a swingset??) and carousel rides, so of course, when I give her a rundown of our day, she looks as though she's pondering our activities and then responds firmly, "go carousel."

And I had to explain, just like last week, that the carousel isn't open until Friday after nap, but as soon as Friday after nap comes, we'll go.  And I'm going to assume, following last week's pattern, that every day this week she will resolutely state that we must "go carousel."

Luckily for us (though not so fortunate for my wallet), at the end of next month the carousel is open daily.  I guess I'll enjoy a few more weeks of being able to get an afternoon coffee before I feed my coffee money to the horses every day...

It's worth it.

Buying tokens

Contemplating the fact that she doesn't have money for tokens (fortunately, Mommy does)

 

Second to riding is getting a sticker every time.  Prime placement...

In other news...

There is a new playground at the Spa Park.  Not very toddler appropriate.  We still like the old one better.

Daddy ran the Workforce Challenge in Albany and we went out to watch.

And MiniM.E. got to pet her first python.  Cool!  She did not want to wear it as a necklace though...

"really, touch it?"

"...okay..."

"wait... did you know that the snake is MOVING?!"

"you want me to WHAT?!!" 

"okay... one kiss..."