Two in one night. Or, the beginning of May

May came in like a lion, guess it skipped April. But we finally have sunshine today, and it's supposed to be that way all week!!! Hudson has a cold and has been a massive grouch, but we spent the day outside today and that helped a lot. The week is filling up, but not too packed yet. I'm letting housework slide like crazy so that we can take advantage of the weather (also, the more we're outside, the less dirt accumulates inside).

So, Allie brought these from Spain last year. And I just found them at Market Basket so I got her a few. But then I ate one. And then I ate the other. I'll have to buy more next time...

My thrift find for the year. $29, this tub was filled to the brim with Legos. Mostly star wars stuff I'm guessing, and I don't know if any of the sets are complete, but who cares?!?!?! The kids just want to build random stuff anyway.

There were 80+ people alone. I spent 3 hours just sorting the people out of the bin....and then I gave up and the thing is sitting in my living room. Pros: the kids play with them all day, every day. Cons: stepping on them. And there are tiny pieces everywhere. I've already vacuumed some up. 

Our "garden". 6 bean plants are up, and a gazillion carrots. They'll need thinning soon. 

The leaves are all out. 

And my hostas and peonies are doing quite nicely

Steve and the kids celebrated Nurses Day for me :)

And I celebrated by taking the kids to try Amsterdam Falafel where they serve only Dutch-style french fries and (can you guess??) falafels!!! Miiiiiight have to go back this week....

You get your falafel on wheat pita, then you go down the line and add all these awesome fresh toppings (tons of pickled veggie salads, humus, tahini, dill sauce, garlic mayo....all good). And for the fries they have peanut sauce, regular ketchup, curry ketchup (my favorite!), and garlic mayo. 

Attempting to spray paint. How do graffiti artists do it? Mine goes everywhere except where I want it to. Anyway, more Ladies Tea prep. Can't wait for it to be over. 

On Saturday we got a babysitter and went on a real date! Went in to Boston for some Thai curry, Steve got a frozen yogurt, I went to bubble tea spot (whoever thought to put tapioca pearls in an iced beverage was a genius), and then we went to Jordan Hall for a concert

A very intimate and comfortable theater. I'd only been to Symphony Hall before, this one has much better seating.

Steve went for the third act which was Rachmaninoff's Concerto #3, but I most enjoyed the second piece they played. No idea what it was, but the timpani player should get his own show, he was hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing. 

Hudson is always "working" which translates to "pile all the chairs, pillows, bedding, and contents of the recycling bin in the spot most necessary for walking and pitch a fit if anything is moved a centimeter". 

My Mother's Day gift, Yes, really. Hudson was very excited I could cook him eggs again (our old one died a few months ago). I made pancakes for supper instead.

Hen made me a picture frame all by herself.

And that was last week. Not pictured; me finally going across the monkey bars (still can't do a pull up), Hudson climbing out of his crib every morning (guess it's time to convert the crib to a toddler bed), Hudson thinks all smallish furry creatures are foxes and screams out their name every time he sees one...except he pronounces it f**k so I'm getting censorious looks, a gang of preteens we met while out on a walk Sunday wishing me a Happy Mother's Day (awwww, hope for the future!).

Happy 5th!

A bit late here, but on the 29th Henri turned 5. As normal, we celebrated for a solid week with lots of dining out, trips to the beach, having dad around for park trips. She got everything her little heart desired, and seems happy to be five.

A watering can from Gram and Papa (I had to convince her to not use it this week when it was pouring out. She takes her garden seriously)

Thanks, Aunt Payte! We go through a lot of paper around here...

We've survived five years of parenting!!! Only 13 to go.....

Of course, lunch at Mr. Sushi for her miso soup and california roll.

Supper was at our house and was chicken, corn, mashed potato, black beans, and chocolate cake. I didn't get any pictures, but Uncle Nate and Aunt Meg came down to celebrate with us.  

His chopstick skills need some work, but he did decently

We'd watched a little show about April 19th at the Battle Road visitor center the week before so found this sign interesting

Lots of dress up and crowns

And an adoring little brother

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).