I had a great birthday. I felt like we celebrated for a week. Matt and Natalie decorated the house for me, one of my good friends gave me canning supplies (now I just have to learn and I'm so excited), we went to a Long Island Duck's baseball game with friends and saw surprisingly good fireworks that night. Matt surprised me by putting up a bday message for me on the game board. My cousin Holly came out to us from Manhattan and we went to the Children's Museum. We also took the girls to Old Bethpage Village Restoration on the 4th of July and then to a pool party pig roast. Lots of fun. We also read the Declaration of Independence as a family. Matt's idea for a new family tradition every 4th of July. I'm grateful for our country, our ancestors, our soldiers, and our freedom.
Amelia's yogart face.
I still feel like a princess. I forgot my dress ups though.
We love this place.
I love cousin Holly. She cracks me up and gets me thinking deeply as well. Nice how the 18 month old is the only one looking at the camera. At least we're still smiling.
Long Island Duck's baseball game. For those who can't or do not wish to pay for a Yankee or Met's game. Here we are with some of our friends- Sarah, Tom and Clint. The girls did well considering it was a 4 hour game. Very well. The fireworks were awesome. Nice and long, bright and loud. Amelia was jumping out of my lap to the lights in the sky. Natalie was hiding in Matt's chest crying. I love that they're their own little selves.
Matt with candy stick in Old Bethpage Village. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade. Or in this case I guess the wrong century.
For example, I think I might like wearing dresses, hats, and umbrellas like this. Carrying a basket or little purse. It definately looks more ladylike then my jean capri's and red tshirt. At one of the restored loom stores, they demonstrated how the women kept cool in these dresses; little secrets of the clothing to keep them from sweating too much. Fashionably clever.
Cautious Natalie held on to Matt's pocket for safety around some of the animals, namely wandering chickens. A stranger smiled at Natalie and said, "Oh- I love your costume!" I didn't realize I had dressed her in one.
Old Bethpage has lots of grounds to walk around on and many restored homes and shops and farm. We also briefly saw a baseball game played with old timer's rules and no gloves. I was very tempted to join in another family's rousing game of Red Rover as we walked around past their reunion picnic party.
Amelia swimming on 4th of July. Is there anything cuter? Well maybe my husband with out his shirt on of coarse.
Birthday party fun with Jake Miller. Notice where Amelia's hand is. Warning- child will tap your head and say "duck" if your head is with in arm's distance of her. She is obsessed with Duck Duck Goose. It's the funniest thing.
Brian, Lisa and Jake Miller. Some of our best friends here. We're hoping if we play our cards right we can negotiate an arranged marriage between Jake and Amelia. He's 6 months younger, but age makes no difference to us Walsman girls. He has the most distinct laugh and is just an adorable boy.
Amelia just hanging out being her cute self. I love pajamas. Snuggly pajama baby. Makes me want to have more.
Natalie's first day of dance class. Look at those jazz hands, and this is before the class. I think we could probably find a picture of me doing this exact pose as a kid. How does a girl with this much pizazz have such a shy/cautious side to her as well? I'm fascinated by the dichotomy of my daughter. She loved her class. Matt thought it ridiculous that we had to buy her ballet and tap shoes. They don't mess around here. Luckily, a friend referred us to a kid's consignment store for the shoes. I couldn't believe how many hand-me-down dance shoes the place had. So fellow Long Islanders, call me if you ever need cheap dance shoes. Natalie looked so professional with hair up and backpack on (that held her dance shoes.) Have I mentioned I love having daughters?
