Great trip to Boston to see friends from Duke. 17 adults and 11 kiddies. Eric got to play golf and I got to hang out with girlfriends and hold some babies. Harry got to sleep in the big bed and make new friends. 

I was pretty nervous about Harry behaving his little 2yr old self – both on the trip and with friends. But he was great! At least no one has told me any stories of him breaking anything or stealing a toy from anyone. He was flexible and happy and independent. He made friends. He did decide to pour sand all over himself over and over again at the park, but that’s okay. We will wash it out in a few days. 😬 He slept the whole way there and has been a champ on the way home. Two more hours to go so knock on wood. The car is an iPad judgement free zone, right?

Colleen and Hadley had great 2yr old toys: Two whole grocery carts and a swing set and gated drainage hole down which Bud could spend days throwing sticks. The Dorans also have a handy watering hose, so that was the source of much entertainment. Clearly, Harry preferred watering flowers to the water table or the kiddie pool. That would be too obvious and intentional.

Kids do a lot of parallel play at this age. Nonetheless, he took a shine to Stella. Somehow, they’re kinda on the same page about things. See pics below for the evidence. 

All the way there, he was talking about Miss Sarah and Aunt Sarah, and the reunion didn’t disappoint. I mean, I was wondering if it would be like doggies: he talks about them incessantly but shies away when faced with the real thing. Not so with Sarah, he gave better hugs and smiles than he gives me and Eric half the time! 

This marks the end of summer mania for us. We have a few weeks to prep for college football and enjoy weekends at home. We are heading to the beach in Sep and down South in Oct and Nov. But for Aug, maybe we will get to go to the pool or just enjoy relaxing on our patio. As evidence of recent madness: Eric is taking a vaca day tomorrow to get his hair cut and do yard work. 

Okay, okay, here are the pics from the trip. Other than this pic of the guys, I don’t have any of adults. Typical…

   
11 kiddies, 3 itty bitty babies, 1 propped up by a very subtle John. I love Hads and the cell phone. If a popsicle won’t do the trick, the iPhone will surely work to appease. Oh, how I identify. Ollie and Libby in the Adirondack are also pretty awesome. Harry and Stella are ready to rock. Waves and cheeses all around. 

    
 
Water entertainment was a big hit! Believe it or not: this pic conveys a scene that’s a smidge more conservative than what was actually happening much of the afternoon. 

   
Makes having more kids look like a cinch….