Silly Faces

After 24 hours away, Mommy and Daddy returned to find that The Critter hadn't missed them at all. He'd had a great time with Nanna and Papa, which is what we call a win/win!

He was happy enough to see us, however, to suggest a game of jokes and funny faces.

Nanna Coaster

While Mommy and Daddy departed for a night away, Nanna and Papa took Chase to the Windsor Fair. This included a mini-roller coaster ride which he said was so, so, so awesome!

And we so, so, so appreciate his amazing grandparents!

Web Slinger

As a reward for good progress on potty training, Ace earned a trip to Toys-R-Us, where he picked out a Spider-Man web shooter. This Transformer was quickly subdued.

Bridge to Learning

We attended a popsicle party this evening at Breakwater School, where The Little Engineer begins preschool next week. He enjoyed their new play structures, including this Indiana Jones-like bridge.

Angry Bird

Auntie Amanda sent a special package to The Critter today to celebrate two of the summer's big accomplishments: learning to swim and to ride a bike. For the bike, she gave him a nifty bell. For swimming, he received a Star Wars Angry Birds beach towel, which clearly was a hit!

In the Swing of Things with New Friends

Ace had another great day under Shayla's care. He particularly enjoyed getting into mischief with Shayla's youngest sister, Kendra.

A Moment of Rest

We were up and on the road by 5:30am today, as Mommy and Daddy both had to get to work and Chase had his first day under the care of his second cousin, Shayla, who is watching him this week. After a busy day, Mommy and Daddy scooped him back up and dragged him along as we looked at potential houses to buy. He managed to catch a minute of needed quiet time on the porch of one of them.

Rails-To-Trails

Ace biked nearly 3 miles along the Kennebec River Rail Trail today. This would have made his Great-Grandmother Koehl very happy, since she was a big advocate of the rails to trails movement from the beginning.

All Smiles

As we approach the start of another school year, we'd like to point out yet another fantastic by-product of our American public system: playgrounds!

No matter where we traveled this summer, we always happened upon playgrounds, open and available for our use. Thank you, taxpayers!

Attack of the Clones

With James and Estelle gone, Ace was forced to get creative and reproduce himself in order to have enough play partners this evening.

And Then There Was One

Nanna and Papa drove cousins James and Estelle back to New York today, leaving Ace to eat his evening popsicle all by his lonesome.

Call It a Night

Nanna was fully in charge of the crew all day long, as Mommy & Daddy were both at work. She kept the activities flowing, including trips to multiple stores, lunch out, and a 4-mile bike ride! They also each got new night lights, which will be put to good use when they all collapse into bed tonight.

Swan Island

Ace, JPA, and Estelle (who said she doesn't want a nickname) took the ferry out to Swan Island in the Kennebeck River and rode their bikes and scooters on the trail roads. Nanna and Mommy (Auntie Jo) tagged along too.

Leapin' Lizards!

We enjoyed an overnight visit from Chase's second cousins, Maddie & Arabella. The crew enjoyed taking multiple jumps off this wall - likely fueled by an ice-cream sugar high, courtesy of Nanna and Auntie Grandma.

The Training Wheels Come Off!

Actually, The Critter never had training wheels, but he also didn't have pedals, since we took them off so he could just push around on this as a make-shift balance bike.

Yesterday he declared he wanted the pedals back on and by today he was confident enough to peddle all the way around Fort William's Park (and past what is said to be America's most photographed lighthouse, Portland Head Light). He was very proud of his new skill!

20/20 Hydration

Mommy carted these amazing glasses-straws all the way from Denver, waiting for a fun moment to bring them out. They were a hit today!

These three kids consumed a record amount of milk at lunch, because it was just too fun to stop drinking!

Kelly and her Kids

Estelle and Ace said goodbye to Kelly, who watched after both of them for much of the summer. Thanks, Kelly, for all your loving care!

(Note: we both swear we posted this picture yesterday, but it seems to have disappeared, so this counts for 8/15.)

Biker Buddies

Cousins share some giggles while biking around the driveway.

Growth Spurt

Estelle is less than a year older than Chase. Perhaps we should start spiking his ice cream with growth hormones...

Teamwork

"Let's do teamwork to get my bike up the stairs," Chase said to Estelle.

Nanna's Party

No sooner had Ace and Mommy returned from Connecticut than Mommy and Daddy took off on a day and evening of house-hunting.

He was in good hands with Nanna, however, who organized this picnic dinner and took care of all bedtime routines. Thanks, Nanna!

Stuck Together

Grandpa and Grandma sport bad-guy stickers while Ace gets to wear a good-guy one during breakfast out.

Mommy and Chase said bye-bye to G-Pa & G-Ma after another wonderful week in Stamford. Hope to see you again soon!

Fly

Those who jump, learn to fly. Wings out, Ace.

Thank You SYC

Camp Counselors Carter, Erin and Sam gave Chase a wonderfully fun and engaging summer. We are so grateful to them and their hard work!

Andiamo!

Chase and Grandpa scream for joy while out for a spin on the good ship Andiamo.

Icy Spidey

Chase enjoys a Spider Man popsicle after camp today. Mommy did not let him eat those gumball eyes.

When in Doubt, Backfloat

Chase has become an expert at turning over to float on his back when he's tired of swimming.

Long and Short of It

Chase gives two thumbs up after showing Mommy how he can swim both the long and short lengths of the pool.

In Jail

After a night in the Residence Inn, Chase decided to lock himself in jail so he wouldn't need to leave.

A Different Kind of Tubby Time

As cousins Sara & Johnny were baptized, Ace wondered why their bath wasn't a bit more thorough.

In spite of his confusions about proper hygiene, Chase and the rest of his family greatly enjoyed the baptism and subsequent party, where he had a fun time playing with a bunch of new friends (and ate multiple desserts).

Glowing

After arriving in Massachusetts for a weekend with his younger cousins, Ace showed Auntie Amanda his Angry Bird skills.