Cody and Emma Could Be Siblings

I've been struck lately by how alike Cody and Emma look -- she is like a mini-me of Cody, but feminine. Same big grin, same happy, crinkly eyes. So I went back and pulled some pictures of Cody from around this age, and boy...it's pretty amazing. 

He has always been so cute, no? : )

  

  

 

Check out these of Emma, from the past couple of days....

 

I Can't Think of a Good Caption...It's Just Funny

Two purses. One hard hat, one dress. One completely bizarre facial expression. Multiple bruises. Discuss. 

Homeward Bound

Last weekend, we made our first party-of-five trek to NJ to introduce Emma to her northern loved ones and to celebrate Aunt Kelly's baby shower (the kids seemed to think this involved a tremendous amount of water, and packed their bathing suits for the shower). The ride was...well. As JVL hopefully pointed out, Emma only screamed from Maryland on. She was a gem in Virginia! Somewhere in Delaware I hollered that I would never, ever, ever drive during daylight hours again. I meant it -- we didn't leave til late Sunday night and it went much better. :) 

But once we got there, we had a wonderful, adventurous weekend. While we were ooohing and aaahing at onesies, the kids had an adventure with Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bob at Rainbow Lake. Swinging, fishing, and canoeing -- just like my childhood. It was incredibly special to see them doing all the things we did as children. Amazingly, Bob and Cheryl are the only ones who seem not to have gotten older. They were as game -- and fun -- as ever. 

Cody caught his first fish! 

He wasn't so sure about going near it. 

 Neither was Cordy.

 Then came my favorite part: Aidan came over! And he is WALKING! Look at this miracle baby. Is he amazing or what?

 Emma and Aidan meet! 

 They were both a little shy. 

 Ems wasn't shy with her Pop-Pop, though -- she was full of joy!

 She liked Aunt Katie and Uncle Brian, too.

 Cody and Cordelia finally got to give Aidan the bear (Paddy) they built in December. He liked the box a lot. 

 

 I love these -- the little ones in front, and C&C jumping in the pool in the background. 

 Here's Cody on his first-ever canoe ride -- Aunt Cheryl let him paddle!

 I hope these are the first of many magical memories at Rainbow. Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful visit!

Detroit. Rock. City.

For the Fourth of July, we invited ourselves to visited the wonderful Wenzels, whom we have dearly missed. It was a long journey...especially for Mommy, sitting in the third row...but also for Daddy, the best-tempered (and most efficient) driver imaginable. 

It turns out that Cordelia really, really likes carousels. Here's the amazing one by the Detroit waterfront -- where the kids marveled at being able to see Canada just across the river!

On the Fourth, we went to the amazing, amazing, AMAZING Greenfield Village. Where we hope to go every time we visit. Here's Cody on the village green, taking batting practice with an old-fashioned bat and ball, and a gentleman fascinatingly dressed in old-timey garb.

He got a couple hits!

Then: an old-fashioned carousel! Yay!


We rode an awesome, working steam train all around. It was the highlight of a day full of highlights for Cordelia. (Video to come)



The night of the Fourth, the kids did sparklers for the first time! I mostly hid inside, convinced any moment I'd hear screams and see Cora's hair on fire.





The next day, we went to an awesome sprayground, that had these fire hose thingies the kids LOVED...




Emma liked sightseeing and all, but mostly, she was content to practice trying to sit up and crawl on Grandma Robbie's rug. And flirt with Grandpa Tom, of course. 

Despite the kids not being on their most charming behavior, and learning that "Go to your room, please" can in fact extend to guest rooms in other people's houses, we had a great time. And when the kids went to bed, the grown-ups played Euchre (we are totes midwesterners now!) and drank wine and ate amazing grilled goodies. And possibly some of the kids' fudge. And before we left for the great trek home, Cody reminded GR of their tradition -- out came the protein powder and vitamix, so he could make an amazing smoothie, and then not drink it. But man, can he work a vitamix! : )

We love and miss you, GT and GR! Thank you for a wonderful time! We can't wait to see you again. If you're willing to see US again. 

Cue Gob Bluth: "Does anyone have a forget-me-now?"

: )