Cooperstown Trip - Part I (Thompson's Lake)

After arriving in Albany on the red-eye, we were all ready for the peace and serenity of Thompson's Lake. We spent about 24 hours there before heading to Cooperstown for the weekend of festivities around Anna and Aaron's wedding. This was our first visit to the Lake since most of the renovation to the inside and outside of the cottage was completed. What an improvement! It's always wonderful to return to the Lake: so relaxing, so simple, so many memories.

It was fun to share all of it with Cyanne and Maritt and slowly introduce them to the timeless joys of the place. How strange and wonderful to be standing on the rocks, sitting on the porch, and eating at the picnic table with my daughters. Here they were now walking on the same boulders I had climbed so many thousands of times before, beginning when I was their age, introduced to it all by my father who had also walked the same ground when he was their age. Incredible! Here's to starting a new generation of memories at Thompson's Lake.

Maritt settling in quite nicely soon after we arrive:

The water was seasonably high with spring snow melt and leaves were not yet out in full. Looking over toward the swamp:

New growth emerges...

The newly extended porch facing the pump house. The porch now wraps around three sides of the house.

New stairs on the road side.

Enjoying the view of the lakefront.

Yes, within minutes, Cyanne was throwing rocks into the water: a timeless tradition.

Of course, Maritt also had to join in.

Pausing to take in the view.

Yay, we're not stuck on a plane anymore!

Preparing for Maritt's inaugural row boat excursion...

Safety precautions were not so popular.

Testing the chilly waters the next morning...

Cyanne takes a final look around before heading to Cooperstown.

Whitney's love note to the Lake. Still on the refrigerator, 7(?) years later...

Synonyms

Each night, Cyanne has created this ritual or tradition for herself of late. She brushes her teeth (or, more exactly, she tries and we then finish the job), goes to the bathroom, and then climbs up in her bed to shut off the light.

She then says, "Stand next to each other. Close your eyes!"
So, Tom and I stand next to each other.
"Close your eyes, I said!"
"Okay, okay!" we say.
"Put your head on each other's shoulders...." =)
We stand there, eyes closed, my head on Tom's shoulder.
She then turns out the light and says "Okay, guys. Open your eyes now! Now I do my big jump!"
"First, a little jump, and then a BIG jump."
She does a tiny little hop-like move.
And then prepares for the big jump.

Now, Tom and I being who we are started giving her different words to use for "big."

She now says "Okay, I do a humongous jump! An enormous jump! A Gi-gannn-tic jump!"
She's got them all down - And says each very clearly!
Good job, Cyanne!
=)

We are all about big words and synonyms in our house.

Next, we're bringing out the big guns and pulling out the OED.
Otherwise known as a very big book.

Mother's Day 2011

It was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

We went for a beautiful walk at one of our favorite spots: the Ellwood Bluffs. It was cool, bright blue, clear skies, and a nice ocean breeze.












Cyanne & Maritt had a fantastic time "walking" each other...



Maritt loved being led along and/or pulled by her big sister:



Inspecting fun creatures and bits of woods and plants in the dirt. Dirt... always, always fascinating!



Running...



And more running, "Waiiiittt!!! I'm coming!" Maritt's picking up speed rapidly and is trying hard these days to get her feet moving quickly. She's getting better and better at 'running' after Cyanne.



I have two loving, beautiful, funny, healthy, sweet, smart girls who I adore. I am a very, very lucky mother. I remind myself each day how blessed I am. While I'm so curious to see how they grow and blossom, I'm always wanting the time to slow down a bit - they are growing up so quickly!
Thank you Cyanne & Maritt (with some help from Daddy... =)) for a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.