"The Force is strong with this one"

I finally uploaded our pictures from our fantastic day on the backside of Sandy Point with our good friends Brigid, Matt and Carragh - while there were some adorable pictures of Oliver and his "girlfriend," (note the matching life jackets),

there were also some surprises -- yikes! What is that in the left hand side of the picture? A young Jedi?

Okay, okay - not a young Jedi, but a young Oliver in my sweatshirt. The sun was strong and I thought - hey, I'm not that tall, my sweatshirt would be a great cover-up for my little monster - hmmm - not so much.
Within seconds of me wrestling the sweatshirt on him he dove into the water. Suddenly a 24 pound little man was trying to run around the beach wearing a water soaked sweatshirt that most likely weighed around 30 pounds. It was the thought that counts?

Using "The Force," (repeatedly falling over, tripping on, and repeatedly getting trapped, unable to move, in the sweatshirt) Oliver managed to free himself (Daddy came to the rescue) and happily returned to playing with his girlfriend.

And, after knocking down a few towers and splashing about in the water, Oliver and Carragh challenged Matt and Davis to a game of soccer...



I believe the little ones won - Jedi mind tricks?

Bittersweet

Recently, we headed to Virginia to celebrate my dad Rickey's life. Oliver got to look a charcoal drawing of his grandfather, and even he was surprised how similar they look.


He also got to meet his new cousin Caitlin and to spend time with his cousin Alice.


I think Oliver's favorite part of the trip was spending time in his grandmother Margot's pool!



He did also enjoying socializing after pool time.


Everybody is interested in the new baby!


Oliver also thoroughly enjoyed putting on a piano recital with his Auntie Caren -- they played a duet that would have made Chopin green.


Oliver had a wonderful time with his grandmother Margot, and boy is that pool nice!

Reunion

The first week of August I had my high school reunion. Although I was excited to see old friends, many of whom I had not seen since graduation, I think my parents and Ellen and Larry (parents of Lindsay, one of oldest and dearest friends) were even more excited about the big event -- the reunion meant that they would have Addie and Oliver to themselves.

Here are pictures that were taken of the big event...

The Good Old Days

Aunt Elizabeth is a list maker. The other day she left her list out on the table and Davis looked at it and commented - "It seems like there is a lot if bring stuff here. I am guessing that here is Elizabeth's house and that the there - where the stuff is coming from - is our house." I looked at the list- he was right. Hmmm. No wondering she is always popping in and out. (We asked Elizabeth about the list and she replied that she is a hunter and gatherer.)

Thankfully last week Elizabeth was able to pop in and stay for a couple days. Jessica was on vacation, Oliver was sick, and I had to work. Oliver, who is usually very sad when Elizabeth just pops in and out, was very happy to have two whole days of Elizabeth and Pippa (he calls her Ditda).

Elizabeth and Oliver began their day on Wednesday with a good dose of Motrin and an ice cream sundae (I administered the Motrin and happened upon the sundae for breakfast bit). And then headed to the lake. As it turns out this combination was a perfect antidote. They did much the same on Thursday. Over the course of the two days Davis and I received a lot of "Picture Mail." Here are some of our favorite shots:

Boston Light Swim: More Pictures