Did you know Detroit is an excellent place to vacation?

No. Really. It's true. I have to admit that we've gotten some odd looks from people when they asked where we were going this summer and we responded, "Detroit." "Oh. Um. Interesting." After a bit, I just started saying, "Michigan." But, you know what? After this vacation, I will defend Detroit as a vacation destination.

A lot of these photos are similar to those that have appeared on John's site, Patio Boat or Malcolm and Henry's site, Pontoon Pirates.

To begin with, my big brother John's neighborhood had one of those magical trucks that deliver ice cream to the small children of the land.

Those magical trucks amaze my children.

Shea and Henry enjoying ice cream on the steps.


I like this one because Greeley looks kind of ice cream drunk to me.

Atlee and her new best friend, Lexi, enjoying their ice cream. Five year olds crack me up. How often have you heard one say something about their "new best friend" only to get the follow up question of "and what was her name again?"

John and Monique treated us all to a Detroit Tigers game.

There was a great view of the Detroit skyline from the baseball field.


Uncle John and Atlee enjoying the game.

Greeley eating the peanuts. She seemed to enjoy them a bit more after we discussed taking them out of the shell instead of eating the whole thing.

A rare photo of Shea that does not involve his hand in front of the lens.

Atlee showing off her new hat. It looks so plain from this angle. But wait-

it's the blingiest baseball cap you ever did see. Pink AND sparkly.

Greeley also received a cap, but this might have been the only time it stayed on her head.

After the game, there were fireworks.

The beagle that inspires all that beagle haiku.

- Beagle sniffs the air.
Is that a rabbit I smell?
Pesky leash holds me.-

Shea and Malcolm go for a canoe ride.


Rich takes the girls out on a rowboat ride.


The standard Shea photo pose. We've moved on to the Detroit Zoo.

Photo-ops of five children rarely work out.

Everyone kept climbing up on the fences to see the animals. I kept having small heart attacks. I could see the headlines in my mind. "Completely irresponsible adults lose five children to hungry tiger at Detroit Zoo."


Thanks again to John and Monique for showing us all the good things Detroit has to offer. Is it too early to make our reservation for next summer?

The Silver Lining of Smashing Your Face Into a Dock.

Well, there were really all sorts of silver linings involved. I didn't break any teeth. I didn't break my nose. I had a rugby playing big brother at my side to help me figure out if I broke my nose or not. And when I got home and called my midwife to let her know (because Rich insisted), she scheduled an ultrasound for today to make sure baby was OK. And the big silver lining? The ultrasound tech did the whole 3D thing.

Some of my Detroit pictures will be up tomorrow. Pinky swear.

Told You So...

I told you I wouldn't be posting, but that my big brother John would be. For Gettysburg Family fun updates, you have to trek over to Patio Boat today. His post even explains why I have Angelina Jolie's lips today.

Another Overdue Post That Tells You I'm Going On Vacation.

***Shea as a caped avenger in Dewey Beach, Delaware. Not related to this post at all. In no way, shape, form or manner. Except we'll be going on vacation again tomorrow. And he'll bring the blanket. ***

The summer- it does indeed fly by. We're getting ready to head out to Michigan in the morning and inspect the Patio Boat at Patio Boater's. We've had a full week, but I don't have any pictures to show for it.

Shea and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie last Friday. He confessed afterwards that he mostly went along due to the prospect of snacks. He decided it was too scary and told me I'm on my own for the next two movies. I tried to bait him. "Come on Shea. Not even for a Scooby Snack, er- Shea Snack?" No such luck.

Saturday, the kids and I went to a friend's birthday party at Cunningham Falls State Park. We swam in the lake and barbecued and had a great afternoon. Atlee certainly stayed in the water long enough for me to get the camera and get a picture of her, but it just didn't happen.

Yesterday, Greeley and Shea both had dental appointments. Shea experienced Nitrous Oxide and Novacaine for the first time. Greeley finally consented to letting the dentist count her teeth after she was assured there would be a prize at the end.

Today, the kids and I went and registered Atlee for kindergarten this fall. We were talking about it in the car the other day and Atlee was talking about how excited she was to start school. Shea looked at her with utter disbelief and said, "Atlee! You have to go EVERY DAY but Saturday and Sunday!"

So, if you're wondering what we're up to for the next few days, click on over to Patio Boat. He might post over the weekend (and he uses his camera more than I do!). I'm most likely not going to.

The Tree House Watch

When the kids and I came back from Delaware, we discovered Rich had been up to something. While he may not have loaded the dishwasher, he did start a treehouse in the back yard for the kids. However, we seem to be at some sort of stopping point. My friends, Pete and Amy, are considering starting a pool on when the tree house will be completed.


Any interested participants should know Amy has already dibbed mid-July, 2012.

Introducing Cro-Magnon Man.

Are you familiar with Murphy's Law? The one that says that if ALL three kids want the new baby to be a girl and if all of the hand me downs are pink- the baby will definitely be a boy?

Rich thinks he looks sort of like a caveman with his jutting jaw.


Speedy Mac- you may commence the shipping of all of the blue items. Thank you!

Another Apt Title: Delaware Shore 2009

Perhaps you heard we got to go out of town again? Rich's brother and sister-in-law invited us to join them and Rich's other brothers and sister at the Delaware Shore this last week. Rich had to stay and work (because someone's got to pay for our gas), but the kids and I headed out last Thursday. When we arrived at the rental we found out Darkstar Orchestra was playing at the bar across the street that night. Here's their tour bus. Such a close brush with fame!


However, as the girls and I sat on the front porch enjoying the music, my mind sort of wandered. The conversation with self went something like this, "Hmmmm. When was my last dead show? I'm pretty sure it was 1992. Wait. What's this year? 2009? Really!!!???? 17 fricking years???!!" Anywho.

Shall we look at the pictures of the kids?

Would anyone be surprised to hear Atlee loved the ocean?

She really, really loved the ocean. Even when a big wave knocked her down and under, it didn't diminish her love of the ocean.

Here's she's telling Rich on the phone that this is the best vacation ever! And that was after just one day at the beach.


The next day, Uncle John buried Shea in the sand.

He left his head out.

Greeley thought the whole thing was rather odd.

And then she did a little surfing on her big brother.

And we'll finish out with a picture of Greeley enjoying all the sand.


I suppose I should go do some dishes now. My husband apparently didn't know how to operate the dishwasher while I was gone.

Maine, 2009. Creative title, don't you think?

We're back from Maine. It was wonderful, as expected. OK, it was cold and rainy, but other than that it was wonderful. These pictures might be out of order, but I don't have to time to think about Blogger's backwards photo loading today. I have to get these pictures up, because the kids and I leave for the Delaware Shore tomorrow.

The rain did stop long enough to get the required sunset picture.


Grandpa added a water trampoline to the list of activities this year. Atlee and Rich tested it out.


The water trampoline is in addition to the ever so much loved paddle boat.

Besides water trampolines and paddle boats, there is a magical thing at the Camp in Maine. There is a truck that drives around the neighborhood, playing loud cheerful music and delivering ice cream to all of the children in the land. Oh, sure, Mom and Dad have to sell an organ or two to pay their exorbitant prices, but look at the happiness! [I'm really thankful we don't have an ice cream truck in our neighborhood at home. That would get expensive, fast.]

Moving on, Grandma and Grandpa made s'mores with the kids. Chocolate and marshmallow love.

Greeley might even think the s'mores are better than the ice cream truck.

And one last picture of the kids playing in the lake.

Now, excuse me while I go take all of Rich's clothes out of already packed suitcase and find the sunscreen for tomorrow.

Rock Star

So, we're in Maine with my parents. Forgive the lack of posting. However, I did want to pass along this amusing on dit. We brought along some fireworks to celebrate the 4th. After a nice pyrotechnical display, Atlee came running down to Rich with a sheet of paper. "Dad, Dad, can I have your signature?" Rich looked sort of confused, but said, "Uh, sure. Why?" "Because Shea and I are your number one fans!" Fireworks impress kids.