Sanibel

We just returned from nine days in Sanibel visiting Grandma Joanie and Grandpa Stu. Everything was pretty much excellent, from the lack of sickness to the on-time flights and nearly perfect weather. The daily plan is pretty simple in Sanibel: a combination of bike riding, beach-going, pool swimming, then repeat. Sometimes we threw in some playground action as well.

Day one was travel (Reed with his headphones and Cheez Its) and dinner at the Lazy Flamingo, where Mr Flamingohead made yet another appearance. Theo enjoyed it but Reed was like, dude, my chicken fingers and chips are RIGHT HERE and you are interfering!

Beckett was illustrating me a book the other day and had drawn a number of birds he already knows. Then he asked if I knew any purple birds. I said no, but that we could look at the illustrated birds of north america book together to find some. We had fun looking through the book and then he picked one to color. He comes from strong bird-loving stock so it's pretty fun to watch him developing an interest!

A week ago Wednesday Reed and I had a day to ourselves and the weather was clear so when Reed asked to go to the Museum of Play, we decided to go. On a whim I reached out to Auntie Alexis and she was free so we met up for a short visit-her and Mary Kate from Buffalo and us from Syracuse. MK is so much more interactive and mobile than she was the last time we were together, just a month or so ago! It was not long enough for Reed to play and I still only barely beat Theo and Beckett's school bus back to the house but it was a fun little trip and any amount of time I get to spend with Auntie Alexis is chicken soup for my soul.

Sunday we took a drive to Hamilton College to see my cousin Sam and her Colby Lacrosse team. It was crazy cold but the boys were so happy playing in the huge snow piles next to the field. I was happy to see Sam even for a few minutes after the game before she had to get on the bus for the long trip back to Colby.

Jeff running at the Shamrock Run

This is a favorite game of Theo and Reed lately: getting into Reed's crib (they can do this together). They then have long conversations, negotiations

Zoo

We still had lots of snow from Friday's big snow but the sun was shining and it was a balmy 36 degrees so we went to the zoo. It was some kind of Harry Potter fiesta but we ignored all that crap--fully grown adults in capes and childish eyewear and somewhat burlesque costumes waving wands--and enjoyed the animals, who were out to play!

Our conversation following this photo: (everyone) "Look at those turkeys! Are they climbing on the bison? Why do the bison let them do that?" Theo: "Is that a symbiotic relationship between the turkeys and the bison?" Me: (mouth drops open)

The penguins looked to have had a great time playing with the boys and the boys certainly had a great time naming them and following them around.

The obligatory elephant photo. This is one of my favorites of all time, though. I love Theo's protective arm around Reed and Reed's giant hug around Theo.