Central Park

On Tuesday, Julie and I took the kids on another city adventure - this time to Central Park.  We had intended to go to the children's zoo in the park, but the line was crazy so we opted for the playground instead.

While we waited for the Eichs to arrive, we did a little staring people watching (like mother like daughter)

While Connor and Leyla ran all over the place and Julie chased them, Claire played crawl/pull-up all over mommy.

We met Andrew for lunch at Brother Jimmy's.  Jason had too many work calls to join us - booooo.  We were so busy managing kid chaos at the restaurant that none of us felt the earthquake.  Julie and Andrew were not amused that the ground shakes in New York as well as in Tokyo.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't feel it. 

Claire could have cared less

BFF

Claire's best friend in Montclair is named Wesley.  They were born a day apart. 

Grubb

Now that Claire has embraced solids after a slight delay, she's making her preferences known when it comes to her favorite flavors.

Likes:

Pretty much all the fruit she's tried so far:  apples, bananas, prunes, pears and raspberries, peaches, and blueberries

In the non-fruit category: Oatmeal, sweet potato, carrots, yogurt.  She freaking LOVES carrots and ate almost the whole jar at one sitting

Dislikes: 

And when I say dislike, I mean she looks at me with a mix of bewilderment and hatred as to WHY ON EARTH I would put something so nasty in her mouth

Spinach and potatoes, rice cereal, peas, puffs

The verdict is still out on zucchini.  We're going to try it mixed with banana this week - apparently it's a yummy combo.  Also in the line-up for new flavors - chicken with sweet potato, avocado, and broccoli. 

Sissy

Courtney came to visit last weekend.  We always regress in maturity a few years when we're together.

What Mom?

Claire is no longer satisfied with us picking out toys for her.  She needs access to the entire basket

Hmmm - what do we have here?

Let me get a closer look

What Mom?  I'm looking for something.

Got it!  The maraca!!!

Rehoboth

We spent the better part of last week - Wednesday to Monday - at the beach in Rehoboth, DE with the Eichs (Andrew, Julie, Connor and Leyla) and the Vincents (Alan, Jackie, and Natalie).  Unfortunately, work got the better of Jason and he could only come down for the weekend.

Jackie's family owns a condo in the Henlopen Condominium building at the northern end of the boardwalk.  It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a fantastic balcony with amazing ocean and boardwalk views.

Claire and I drove down Wednesday morning and arrived at the beach at around 2.  Jackie and Natalie arrived shortly after.

It was just us 4 girls on Thursday as we awaited the arrival of the Eichs and Alan.  Claire and I went for a run on the boardwalk in the morning while Jackie and Natalie took a stroll.  We took the girls down to the beach in between naps in the morning and let them play in the sun tent while Jackie and I tried to do a little sunbathing. 

Claire was happy in the tent for a whole 15 minutes before she wanted to get sand all over herself and everywhere else.  We dipped our toes in the cold ocean water, and took a little stroll along the surf before we called it quits.

Then we went for a quick swim in the rooftop pool in the afternoon before getting ready for a walk down the boardwalk with the Eichs who had just arrived.  The kids needed to run around after such a long car ride, and Connor was anxious for some Skee ball action in the arcades.  He is OBSESSED with skee ball!

Jason was supposed to arrive Friday afternoon, but he got stuck in the Barnes and Noble at Christiana Mall making phone calls for work and sending out e-mails.  Fortunately, he made it in time for dinner.

Claire conquering her dinner one evening: 

The weather turned pretty icky on Saturday and Sunday, but we tried to get outside and enjoy the beach anyways. 

Even when it meant getting stuck in a downpour and seeking shelter under a leaky porch that resulted in soaking wet parents and babies. 

Much of the trip consisted of kid chaos - with toys strewn all over the place.  

Fortunately, everyone played together nicely, and Leyla is still obsessed with Claire's hair.

Boatin'

My Aunt and Uncle have a boat they keep at Lake Hopatcong.  We'd been trying to find a time all summer to go out with them, and we finally did.  Sadly, Jason had to work at the last minute, but
Claire and I enjoyed ourselves.

All snuggled up

Claire was not a big fan of the life jacket.  It also made nursing impossible, so shhhhhh - she didn't wear it most of the time.  

Lovin' it

With Uncle Hal

and Cousin Devon