Ash's Barn Party VI 2016

We had a lot of fun with old friends and new friends at Ash's sometimes annual Barn Party. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then here's 20,000 words about the party:

Aneira, Dr. P, Ash

Dr. P (on right) and his buddy.

Our group: Bob, Miranda, me, Kevin, James, mom (Ana)

Christina, Dan, Hudson and Aria

Ash having lunch with Aria and James

Chilling with Ash

Hudson and Carter playing upstairs

Miranda and Aria fighting over Kevin?

GW Girls: Christina, Ash, me (See also James with Frisbee head)

Hannah and her parents, Jennifer and Mark

Soccer friends

More friends whose names I don't know

Nana decided Miranda (age 2) needed some lipstick

Pool time!

Jack, James, and Carter having fun together

Kate getting a massage. Miranda trying to figure out how to sign up.

Miranda showing off her hat to Jack

Miranda charming Ash's parents

More new friends whose names I can't remember and Stevie in the middle

We had fun!

Christina and Aria Visit 2016

Christina and Aria visited here on Thursday. Aria and Miranda are pretty close in age so we figured they'd either play together or possibly attack each other. The latter was a little true at the beginning, but by the end of the visit all three kids were besties. Miranda was so sad that Aria had to go home! So sad! "I want the baby back!" Good thing we can visit again soon!

Aria, James, and Miranda

Aria and Miranda playing nicely

James filling the pool while the girls relax

Deck selfie with Christina and kids

Swimming and watering can fun

A little Sofia the Princess break

Miranda: ... and this is where I hide all the books to drive Mama crazy...

Guest bed fun!

Farewell, sweet James...

Bye bye, Aria.

NYC for Aria's 1st Birthday- July 2015

Aria is 1!

James and I went on a mom-son adventure into the city to go to Aria's 1st Birthday party. It's so fun that he's old enough to do this stuff now. I am not the kind of mom that likes lugging a diaper bag and stroller on trains and subways, but now he's an independent little walker. Still, we left at 11 am, and got there at 12:40 pm, so it was a long ride for the little guy. There were a lot of are-we-there-yets. The good part is that he's also funny now-- on purpose, like adults-- so he entertained both of us on the way there and cracked me up. I love him like crazy.

Excited about the LIRR; conductor punched a smiley face; Brooklyn subway love.

At last, we got to Washington Market Park, site of Aria's birthday party. First of all, this park is beautiful. The party's home base was the gazebo and Christina's pink-gold-and-white decorations were so pretty. They also had a ton of food and drinks with big and little eaters in mind. Yum.

Gazebo in the city.

Christina and her 1-year-old girl, Aria.

The park also had a very fun playground complete with a splash area. Could James have happily lived out the rest of his childhood there? Definitely would have prefered it.

James and Hudson queuing up for the slide.


Wee!

Splash!!

Stomping joy!

There were two types of cupcakes, and a baby cake smash. Your parents threw you the best birthday party, Aria. Learn to say, "thank you." Haha.

Cake time!

I wish for another party.

Gentle cake smash with grandma

Triple the cute. Aria scored some cupcake right after this.

James and Hudson are very pleased.

Visiting Hudson and Aria- March 2015

I hadn't visited with Hudson and Aria since August, and it's been a time of big changes for them. So when we decided to meet up with our college girlfriends in the city- near Christina's place- Ash and I got there early to spend quality time with the kiddos.

Me and my buddy Aria

Even though Aria is 7 months she's up to the same trouble as Miranda. I think the two of them would really enjoy each other's company and I'm looking forward to their first tackle-fest. I mean playdate.

Ash and Aria

When we got there, Hudson was napping but when he woke up he quickly warmed to the camera-holding monster that is me. As it happens, Hudson really enjoys taking photos and kept letting us know he wanted more.

It's because he's so cute- and he knows it.

Ash reading books to Hudson, but he appreciates my contribution more.

Baby-tossing! The next Olympic sport.

Ash, Aria, Ericka- happy family.