It's only been a week-ish

But phew, what a week! Allie came for a few days, followed by my mother-in-law, followed by Steve having the week off. It's been fun to be out and about, but I won't miss the return to our regular schedule either :)

More Henri fashion

Hudson loves Baby Owl and was nursing him.

The kids were trying to salt a bird's tail

We met up with my folks in Northampton while Allie was with us. Went to Webbs, had some amazing burritos, and got a little treat at the candy store. Hudson picked out M+M's, and somehow the last one ended up all over his face. 

We had fantastic weather and I was very circumspect in my purchases (just more needles for a current project as well as a button)

Lots of walks

Papa gave the kids an explorers kit

On Saturday we got up early and went with Sue and David to Chik-fil-A for breakfast, and then  walking at Broadmoor Audobon Center...where it poured on us. Really beautiful spot though, we'll go back another time.

Hard to see, but there was a canada goose sitting on her nest

He fell down and was amused by the needles sticking to his leg

Old mill ponds

It was really really wet

Picked the kids up some helmets at a yard sale. Hudson was very excited about his. 

Monday was running around, Tuesday was lousy weather and house organizing, Wednesday we went to Ogunquit

Got there at lowest tide which was perfect

Naturally it was bitter cold and windy

And naturally, they still went into the water. I brought changes of clothing, I forgot extra shoes. No matter, they had a blast digging and splashing. Ogunquit remains our favorite place ever. 

Except for a few minutes there when we had to take a "time out" break because a certain mister kept knocking down his sisters sand castle....

We brought our new cabana. Totally unnecessary, but at least we know it'll work well come this summer!

Barnacles on shells

He was drenched.And a sand ball. And very blissful.

Walked a little of the Marginal Way and watched some surfers. One guy was pretty good. 

Love sea grass. 

Family selfies

In the car again this morning, headed to Newport, RI

We toured The Breakers, summer home of the Vanderbilts. I guess when you have todays' equivalent of 13 billion dollars, you just spend it to spend it. Opulence beyond belief. 

This doesn't do justice to the scale, it was insane

Loved this lion door knob

There wasn't a single surface that wasn't mosaic, carved wood, or marbled. Ceiling included. 

The music room. Steinway piano, of course.

Gorgeous

They had self guided audio tours. I chased Hud, Steve and Henri got educated (she really enjoyed it). See the floor? Mosaic, of course. 

I got a biography out today about Cornelius Vanderbilt, the patriarch that made the first family fortune. It was his grandson (and namesake) that built the house. 

Wouldn't it be lovely to just push a button for whatever you might desire?

The kitchen. Four huge ovens, so much floor space. I can just picture it full in its heyday

The children's house. During the day the nannies would take the children here to have them out of the house. 

Some slightly terrifying fountains

His expression kills me

I'd like some gates like this for our yard

We walked a few miles of the Cliff Walk

Last time we did this, Hen was little and in a carrier. I remembered that a lot of it was a rock scramble but a certain other person wanted to bring the stroller. Yup. totally still a rock scramble. So I carried a terrified toddler in my arms while negotiating the boulders, and the other un-named person carried the stroller (with all the gear in it as well). Ah, memory-making opportunities haha

Another perfect day

And then we walked 2 miles on the road back to our car. I need to write the manufacturer of our stroller, this thing is a beast and has held up through so much abuse (like daily stairs, cliff walks, being used as a double...) for 5 straight years. They should be proud of their work.

Out of order, but Hen and her daddy

And then tomorrow we culminate our celebratory week on Henri's birthday proper. I asked about her expectations for the day and they pretty much center on food; out for breakfast (nutella stuffed french toast) and lunch (sushi and miso soup), cake (chocolate with cream cheese frosting and chocolate sprinkles), and her dinner choice (rotisserie chicken, black beans from a can, mashed potatoes). I think we can hit all of that without difficulty. She already got one dress up dress from Gram S and it hasn't come off since, so gift-wise she's pretty happy although I think she'll be even happier tomorrow. And Hudson has been practicing for a week to sing her "Happy Birthday" so we'll hear a lot of that (and he holds up 5 fingers when you ask him how old Hen is going to be). Five years sure have flown (cliche, I know. And equally true that the minutes have ddrraaaaggggggeeedddd).