We went to the fair yesterday to celebrate Rosy’s birthday. Unfortunately we couldn’t go with Rosy because we were about six hours apart, but we were thinking of her! I was anyway, the kids were just thinking “rides, rides, sugar, rides!” We went yesterday afternoon for bracelet day, which basically means you pay a small fortune upfront and the kids can ride all the rides they want for four whole hours! A pretty great deal really. Especially for those little, crappy, over-before-they-even-start rides that cost three tickets each. I hate spending tickets on those things, but with the bracelets the kids just went over and over and over. They loved it! They were also quite brave this year! The rode the Tilt-A-Whirl (with me because that’s my favorite!) and the Scrambler and this ride called Cliff Hanger, plus all the kiddie rides. Eve had a sudden fear of the Ferris Wheel, so Lex and I did that one together. We were there with a friend, don’t worry, I didn’t leave Eve unattended! :)

We started small with the kiddie rides.

This was a game you’re supposed to pay $3 to play, but Lex was unaware of that and the carnie was nowhere to be found, so Lex grabbed the mallet and tried until he rang the bell. Then happily walked away feeling proud and accomplished. I was happy to not spend $3 and not have to carry around a prize. :)

They did the slide about a hundred times!

While we were there Eve kept making friends with random little girls. One was there with just her mom and she decided to join us instead. She kept following along, her and Eve were holding hands and making plans, and I kept reminding her that she had to stay with her mom. I chatted with her mom a bit and they had been there for many hours longer than we had and mom was bored! I think she was happy to have her daughter tagging along with a different family for awhile.

I was surprised that Lex wanted to go on this and even more surprised when Eve agreed to go with him. They sure are growing up! The little girl in the middle is one of the girls Eve made friends with at the fair. They got off the ride and immediately did it again two more times! Then three more times later.

Flying high!

Lex was excited to see the ferris wheel is wheel powered! :)

Me and Lex at the top of the world! (at the top of the fair anyway)

Lex, waving to Eve down below. Eve was hanging out with Elizabeth and Alistair.

This is a blurry picture but I love Eve’s face. Once again I was surprised that they both wanted to do this, and do it multiple times! This was post ice cream and cotton candy, so I only let them do it twice before moving on to something a little less scrambling!

Lex’s hair got all blown back on the Scrambler. They started the ride with their hats on, but fortunately grabbed them fast before they blew away. :)

We took a break part-way through to watch The Jump Rope Warrior! This guy has been on national TV and he’s a Guiness Book world record holder for the most number of jumps while laying down! Pretty amazing. The description in the flyer sounded just awesome so we were psyched to take a break from the rides and go see him perform. Unfortunately he spent the first 40 minutes inviting kids from the audience up to do little jump rope tricks with him. They were neat, but we had much higher expectations! For the final five minutes of the show he did a few tricks of his own, including a few laying down jumps, which he calls “Rump Jumps.” (Here is a video someone else made of his whole performance. It’s pretty amazing!)

We left the fair at 6pm when the ride bracelets were no longer good. We were full of french fries, cotton candy, and ice cream. What more is there to do?! Lex dragged his feet all the way back to the car and Eve almost fell asleep in the bathtub at home. We all had a blast. They wanted to go back today and tomorrow. I told them they had to pay this time! We went to a friend’s (free) picnic today instead. :)

Eve got lots of great big muscle activity at the picnic today. They had a really great tree with high branches and cool ropes and swings hanging from it.

The goal was to swing on the rope and land in the hula hoop. Or climb the rope. Whatever.

She has a plan here. She got this far, thought for awhile, and decided her plan maybe wasn’t such a good one. :)

The extended family gathered last weekend to say a final farewell to Grandma’s ashes as we scattered them into the lake. It was a sweet, low-key event that gathered much of the family together.

Friday night Greg, Kathy, and Heather got into town. They brought Grandpa and came over for dinner. They were kind enough to eat lots of squash and zucchini from our CSA surplus! They brought some turkey and salad and we had a great evening!

Eve got stories from everyone she could!

Saturday Mema and Grandpa Tom arrived. We drove around to a few parks, location scouting, then ended up at the farmer’s market. A Vermont tradition we rarely partake in.

Saturday afternoon Rosy came and then the party started! :)

The black raspberries are ripe for the picking!

Berry boy

Lex and Alan, fashionably dressed in matching attire.

The next day we all gathered on the rail trail for a short walk to a bridge over a river feeding into the lake. Grandpa and each of his kids got to scatter ashes and say their own privates goodbyes. Some fond reminiscing, a family photo, and then off to breakfast at Grandma’s favorite diner.

Pretty ladies

Pretty girls

Lex the camera man

Lex takes the camera and starts with a group shot.

Then a shot of the other photographer. :)

Saying goodbye to Grandma.

Pretty river. The lake is just around the bend.

Grandpa and his kids.

The family (missing a few)

Eve, happily tucked between two aunties. :)

Lex took my pen apart, again!

Kathy and Heather playing clapping games. Gotta keep busy while waiting for breakfast.

I don’t know what’s going on here, but Eve looks pretty happy about it!

After breakfast (brunch, really) Rosy suggested a hike on the rail trail. The kids agreed (they are the ultimate decision makers, right?) and off we went!

Happy hikers

A lovely day for a walk on the rail trail.

Eve, sitting quietly. I had to snap the picture quickly!

Pretty family. :)

Eve was doing a dance pose in these pictures. Silly girl.

We found a sweet little beach belonging to a totally run-down lake house. Anyone want to go in on an investment with me and Rose?! :)

After our walk we went home for rest. We were all pretty hot and tired. After rest and snack we packed up and head back to the party at Grandpa’s. Actually, the grownups were all napping over there, so I think we brought the party to them!

Back at Grandpa’s house we busted out the slip-n-slide.

A short (very short!) while later we literally busted the slip-n-slide! High quality item it was not.

When the slip-n-slide broke we moved on to a water balloon fight.

Eve gathered her balloons and hid behind a tree.

Greg brought a squeezy water bottle to the water balloon fight!

Eve switched teams to defend Greg. She’s a crafty little bugger! :)

The “water balloon fight” included squeezy bottles, cups, the water balloon filler pump, and the hose! Half the family got wet and the other just enjoyed the entertainment. :) When everyone was sufficiently hungry we headed down the hill for dinner at The Baited Hook.

While waiting for dinner Eve decided to put that bathing suit to use and take a dip in the lake.

After dinner Daniel took the kids down to the water to feed their leftovers to the ducks.

This photo needs no captioning. :)

After dinner at The Baited Hook.

Everyone headed home the next day. It was great to see so much family again. I think Grandma would have enjoyed it.

I installed iMovie on the new iPad because all the 5th graders use it at school and I figured as a teacher I should at least know as much as the kids do!  Here is my first iMovie movie, made on a beautiful sunny day.

I need to work on volume control and figure out why it’s square and not widescreen, but it’s a start. :)

Lex came across an empty cereal box this morning and decided to make a basketball hoop. He went right to work and in no time was playing ball!

He shoots… he scores!

Homemade hoops

I decided to put the camera away and teach him some basics about basketball.

This afternoon we got a Disney package from Uncle B that had a Mickey ball in it. It took a few trips through the hoop too! :)