Monday, June 30, 2014

Floater




Interestingly, swim lessons and free swim time have been Ace's least favorite part of day camp. However, over the last couple of sessions, the counselors and we have worked together to encourage him, and now he's enthusiastically participating.

As a celebration of that, today Mommy and Daddy took him swimming again after camp, and he showed off his back floating skills.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Fire Artist




Mommy helped Ace create an action scene using emergency response stickers and his "fire bomb" imagination. We believe everyone was rescued successfully.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Love of Bugs




We took a nature hike today and The Critter got to show off the fact that he has no fear of creepy crawly creatures. Seriously - he'll pick up anything!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Happy Camper




The first week of day camp concluded successfully, and The Critter even chose to spend a little more time on the play structures when Daddy came to pick him up.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Boys & Bubbles




With Mommy off to Maine for an unexpected interview and Grandma working in New York today, Ace was stuck with Daddy and Grandpa for the afternoon. This turned out to be pretty fun, as these two ruffians toyed with a new gadget - the Spider-Man giant bubble blower!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Dog-Eared Books




We visited the nearest branch of the Stamford library system this afternoon. In addition to a bunch of books and The Muppet Movie, we checked out this cool literary pup.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Hypnotized




Chase watches his dirty laundry become clean again after a long, fun day at the SYC Day Camp.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Fun and Games







Ace had his first day of the Stamford Yacht Club Day Camp today, courtesy of Grandpa & Grandma. He was pretty beat after a day of swimming, playing, and even tennis with a bunch of new friends!

We had dinner then played a family game of Spot It before an early bedtime. Need to rest up for day two of camp tomorrow.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Another Day at Sea




Grandpa took us out on his boat again, this time for a lunchtime trip to a nearby island. Fun times were had by all.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Aye, Aye, Captain




The Critter served as first mate of Andiamo on a ride around the harbor today with Grandpa. He loved the boat and is eager for his next trip to sea!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Good Kids






We spent much of the day at West Beach in Stamford. In addition to swimming and building sand castles, Ace also played on the new playground, which is one of many dedicated to children who died at Sandy Hook. Chase, of course, didn't understand this, but he had fun being a kid, which is what every child should have the eternal right to do.


Thursday, June 19, 2014

Bowling and Bouncy Houses




A rainy day led to a request for bowling, which sounded like a good idea to us. The search for a bowling alley led us to discover Nutmeg Bowl & Our Back Yard Play Place. We bowled and then spent the afternoon at this fun kids play center, where Ace burned energy bouncing, climbing, and running.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Stamford Sprinkle




After an eventful day playing at the Yacht Club, Chase enjoys an evening run through the sprinkler at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Eating it Up




After nine days on the road, we reached Connecticut. Yeah!

Grandma and Grandpa were well prepared for us and we are excited to finally be here. Dinner tastes better when you're with G-ma!


Monday, June 16, 2014

Diggerland USA




What are the chances that North America's only construction-themed amusement park would celebrate its grand opening less than an hour from Chris and Juliane's home the day before we arrive on our cross-country journey?!? Call it good Karma.

We spent the day at Diggerland, which was clearly constructed with the Little Engineer specifically in mind. We dove a skid steer and front-loading dump truck, rode a battle truck, and operated mini-, medium, and giant excavators. Ace was particularly interested in excavating, and became quite skilled at handling this machine. (Daddy's only role was to satisfy the safety height requirement.)

He's pretty hopeful we will return tomorrow, given that he is now a skilled operator. Someone needs to open Diggerland II in Maine, fast.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

So Happy to Be Here!




After saying goodbye to Grandpa Fred, we continued northward this morning. Ace repeatedly predicted he was "going to be shy" when we got to Juliane and Chris's house, since he didn't really remember them very well.

But Chris broke out the Legos and Juliane's charm worked its magic, and the Critter was butter in their hands within minutes. How great to be back at their house after so many years!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Tinkering with Grandpa




We visited D.C. today and took in the National Building Museum. Ace engaged in some creative construction with the space-age blocks, under Grandpa Fred's direction. Riding the Metro was also a highlight, of course!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Stir Crazy




After another long day of driving, Ace was literally doing flips once we hit Grandpa Fred and Grandpa Laurent's home. Unfortunately, G-pa Laurent had to go away for the weekend, but we are looking forward to 36 hours in the Nation's capital with Grandpa Fred.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

That Hits the Spot




After ten hours on the road, direct jets of water to the nether regions was just what the Critter needed to unwind. We had a great time in the hotel's splash pad and then moved on to the actual pool. West Virginia is fun, after all!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Uh Oh, It's Magic!




Is it irony, coincidence, or serendipity? After living in Pierson's house for ten days, we drove half-way across the country to St. Louis, and met up with him for six hours of fun at the fabulous Magic House, the Gateway City's fantastic children's museum.

Ace couldn't have had a better time with his friend (and we also managed to squeeze in a trip to the top of the arch!) - another typically packed day in the life of the Dyer-Paynes.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Rock Chalk Island







We had a long drive today, going across the rest of Kansas and the length of Missouri to reach St. Louis. Along the way, we learned about Kansas rock chalk (limestone) at a rest stop, which Ace dubbed his personal island.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Travelin' Man




Our journey begins! We departed a Denver right on time, at noon today, and made it part-way through Kansas. Along the way, we found a wonderful playground at a rest stop -- perfect for stretching our legs and burning off some pre-schooler energy.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Many Goodbyes




We spent our last day in Denver saying farewell to friends. Ace had time with Parker & Lyla, Erinn & Morgan, Sean & Sam, and Sam & Caleb. We ended the day with an hour of train fun with Jamey, who was Chase's first real friend, and always one of the best. We'll miss you all!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Swing of Things




Even during a highly productive day full of preparations for our journey, Ace took time for high jinks on the porch swing. (If you search back a few years in Chase-a-Day, you may find another pic of him in this same spot.)

Friday, June 6, 2014

You Light Up My Life




As our time in Denver winds down, Chase, Mommy and Daddy enjoy one more visit to the new Discovery Zone at the Science Museum.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Discovery Zone, Take Two




Today Parker and Chase explored the new Discovery Zone at the Science Museum. Splashes were made!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Jet Stream




Mommy and Chase live it up at the Jet Stream pool today.

Leggo My Lego




Chase enjoys playing with friend Pierson's Legos. Thank goodness Mommy's friend Katie came through with letting us stay at her home while they travel this week. It has made our transition out of our house smooth, except for the fact that yesterday Daddy learned he has shingles! He will live.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Pool Power




Chase and Erinn display their super powers at the Puddle Jumper Pool today.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Cheesy Pic




With our house sold, we're spending our last week in a Denver house-sitting for friends. After an afternoon swim (the pool is half a block away), Ace enjoyed a snack in their backyard.