Weekending

The uploads were a bit spotty for the past few weeks, so these just show a smattering not at all affected by priority or where the most fun was had. While our weekdays remain unremarkable, we've been whooping it up on the weekends :)

Our resident raccoon. I chase him out of our neighbors garbage cans daily, he looks impudent, then climbs a tree for a bit. 

The garden pre-fence. Everything is growing well except the cilantro which is pretty yellowed. Our little veggie garden got mowed down by a rabbit. I've since put fencing over the top, but I don't think the beans (which were looking fantastic!) are going to make it :(

The kids have been bringing me lots of flowers

Visiting a garden center

We ran our 5K! It was a perfectly cool day and I beat my hoped-for time by 11 minutes. Also, I did not come in last in my age bracket. Haven't run since and am not missing it a bit. Well, I miss being able to eat an extra 300 calories a day....

Went to NY to visit the family this past weekend. All of our breaks now occur where we know there are parks for the kids.

We went to Farmland Animal Park (basically a big petting farm) and they had kittens!!!!! I carried this little guy around for the day.

Porky the pig followed you everywhere, wagging her tail. Hen wasn't too keen on posing for a picture with her.

This is the only time Hudson wasn't directly touching one of us. City boy is petrified of all animals. But he really liked the wagon ride. 

OK, this place. I have no idea how they have liability insurance. I'm going to assume they don't. Because not only are all the animals free-range (horses included) and you're encouraged to play with them all, they have this super fun but not even close to safe zipline. You pull your friend to a 2.5 story drop, then let them go. No harness. All ages (toddler) expected to ride. We had so much fun on it, even Henri loved it!

Baby bunnies and the kittens were in a fenced run. Because the dog likes to kill them......

View of the farm from a look-out tower. There were chickens, turkeys, peacocks, goats, donkeys, horses, geese and ducks, alpacas, cows (and a one day old calf), dog, kittens, rabbits, pig. All of which you could just wander around and feed and play with.

Then the owner took us on a tractor pulled ride around the whole property

And they had a huge sandbox for the kiddos (the pig used it as a litter box as well)

Hudson actually had fun.....as long as his feet were nowhere near the ground and there was a healthy distance between him and the animals

Happy pig! Her tail wagged the whole time 

Saturday we went to Taughannock Falls which was the perfect "hike" for little legs

Awesome cliffs on both sides of the path

2nd highest falls in NY (behind Niagra)

Did I mention how much fun the girls had together? Ava looked out for Hudson and would lift him up so he could participate in everything, and really I don't think there was a single argument between the group the whole time we were there. 

A new Field and Stream went in and Hen was delighted with all the animals in it

Traditional stop at the Dairy Barn (and I wish you could see Hudson using a napkin. Seriously the cutest thing ever!)

And home once more to find all the dandelions in perfect blowing condition :)

This weekend looks to be fairly simple, and then we start our fully packed summer schedule. It's so nice to finally be able to be outdoors and doing things!

Beach bums

For probably the first time in his life, Steve played hooky today and we went to Ogunquit for some serious sand fun. The thing about going to two kids from one, is that there is almost never an outing (or moment) where everyone is completely happy; someone is always melting down. EXCEPT when we go to the beach, You'll see some serious faces in these photos, but you can safely attribute that to the subjects concentrating on their next sand attack or being impatient that mom wanted a picture. It was definitely the way to start the week!

Most red-neck trailer I've ever seen

After years of driving past, we finally took advantage of the kids napping and got a dog. Yum!

Oh he wanted a seagull sooooooo badly!

The tide was heading out as we got there and the water was warm

*whistle*

Before they both went swimming in the ocean and were still somewhat clean

My men :)

Hen had her appointment today and now weighs 31#! She did a really good job at the appointment

She must have run miles today. This girl has always been a beach lover

Making sand castles

(Gleefully) destroying sandcastles...

I realize these are rather repetitive. Sorry. They do show the progression of how bold Henri got in the water.

She finally got chilled hours later so we packed the car and went for a walk down the beach

More selfies

The seaweed was a big hit too

Dancing on the beach

It got pretty windy

Another one of those elusive seagulls that won't let Hudson catch them. Meanies.

He vented his frustration by throwing mud at them. 

It was a perfect day.