What a Summer!

 ...not that the summer is over, but it has been a lot of fun!  I've been very remiss in noting all our fun adventures here, but I'll try to give a quick sample so that I can catch myself up for regular updates this fall. 

We've done lots of visits with relatives.  We've had a couple big get togethers, including Liam's second birthday, cousin Lillie's first birthday (yay, Lil!), and a combo birthday party for Pop-pop P and Happy (Great Grandma P).  Back in May, Liam met Great-Aunt Lois (Grandma P's sister) for the first time & was re-acquainted with Great-Uncle Al & Great-Aunt Corinne (Grandma P's brother and sister-in-law).  Shortly after, Grandma and Grandpa W came for a visit, and then Grandma W came back for an extended visit.  We went out and stayed overnight with Aunt Kate and Uncle Andy.  The highlight of that visit was a trip to The Butterfly Place with Aunt Kate.  Liam was up close and personal with the winged creatures!   We're headed to Potsdam for a visit with Grandma & Grandpa W in a week, too.

Liam LOVES trains and our gift to him for his birthday was a trip out to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum.  They run sightseeing trains on the weekends, so we went out for a 90 minute round trip.  The coach we rode in was 100 years old and beautiful.  The train was staffed by a volunteer crew from NY that comes in in full historic railroad uniform, from the engineer to the conductors, and they provided a great experience.   Did I mention he loves trains?

We also did the Portsmouth Boston Regional Airshow with Andy's friend Tim.  Anyway, Liam was a bit afraid of the planes and copters, but the soldier at the right of this shot took of his sunglasses, shot Liam a HUGE grin, and asked him if he wanted to get on the copter... and that was the end of the fear, other than when we got close to one of those huge cargo planes that the nose opens up on.  That one was a little TOO big for Liam's taste.  He loved the aerial acrobatics and the jumpers. 




We've also done some of the usual stuff this summer.  The library programs are almost always a hit with Liam, and they add kids' outdoor programs during the summer too, with sprinkler days, bubble days, etc.  Here's a picture of Liam with his faerie house.

 

We've also spent a lot of sunny days at the local park.  Liam decided to tackle the big kid equipment on his birthday.   My heart was in my throat with some of the climbing and slides, not because he wasn't ready for them but because they look so much bigger than the little kid equipment.  He took it all on like a champ, though, and even showed an older boy (maybe 5?) how to go down the dark, scary tube slide.  

More later... I have to catch some sleep for another busy summer day tomorrow!