Cape Cod Natural History Museum 2014

Grandma wanted to take James to the Cape Cod Natural History Museum, and we thought it would be fun to join them. It's definitely a museum geared to little kids and they even had little step stools set up everywhere so the little ones could see exhibits better.

There's an upper level with reptiles, amphibians and bugs, and below there are birds and fish.

James is tormenting an Eastern Box Turtle

Kevin and Miranda and the shark tank

A honeycomb full of bees- the stuff of nightmares!

(Grandma is pointing out the Queen Bee.)

 

Kevin and Miranda watching the birds in the marsh.

The downstairs stuffed bird section.

James always calls Miranda a turkey. This is our comparison picture.

Looking at fish, sting rays, and other marine life in an open fish tank

Showing Miranda the jelly fish- these have a mild sting.

James loves the turtles.

So cute!

Outside there's a garden, and two walking trails. We did half the John Wing Trail through the marsh to the little "Stonehenge" they officially call the Solar installation.

James in the shark cutout in the garden

Walking with Grandma through the marsh

 

On the John Wing Trail

The Osprey nest

Feeling the vibes in Little Stonehenge

A little rest

A flower for his favorite sister.

WWFTC Reading at Epoch 2014

On Thursday, Kevin did his first reading in Cape Cod where he grew up, and where some of his stories take place. Many of his family friends were in attendance so it was very special for him. His mother even introduced him before he read.

Kathy introducing Kevin at Epoch

Reading Charleston for Breakfast

More reading...

Big audience, ages 0-90+

A lot of people bought his book after the reading, and all of them lined up to have them signed. It was a very successful morning!

 

Buying books and getting them signed

Cape Cod Clou family picture! (We should have grabbed Great-grandma!)

Also, in anticipation of his Minneapolis reading in September, the Star Tribune reviewed the collection! "The finest moments include interactions between Henry and Wyaconda’s local pastor, and their relationship lifts the story to a heartfelt conclusion. In other successful pieces, Clouther focuses on intimacies and difficulties between friends, lovers and siblings."
- Nick Healy for the Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/books/265579181.html

Past events for We Were Flying to Chicago:

• Reading "I Know Who You Are" at BookCourt in Brooklyn
• Reading the title story at KGB in Manhattan
• Bookswap at Astoria Bookshop in Queens
• Reading "The Prophet of Wyaconda"at Stony Brook University in LI

Casey, Laurel, and Oliver Visit 2014

Casey, Laurel, and Oliver spent two days with us on the Cape. It was so fun to watch all the kids interact. I've never spent two days with 3 kids and a baby before- hectic! Plus we picked up Ellen along the way so really had five children for awhile.

Dads of the year with four kids! No sweat!

Laurel holding Miranda!

Laurel drew Kevin. Spot on!

We went to the Pond on Wednesday, where the kids played in the water, reconstructed the beach, and played on the swings. Afterwards, we grilled out for dinner while they ran around the back yard like they were on fire.

James, Ellen, and Laurel at the Pond

Testing out what 5 kids might be like- impossible to photograph!

Casey, Oliver, and Kevin chillin' on the beach

Pushing 4 kids on swings!

Grandma, Miranda, and camouflaged dog Toby

Thursday we took the kids to Kevin's book reading on the Cape and they were so well-behaved. Well, except Miranda who wanted to eat the entire time so I had to excuse myself.

Laurel, Oliver, and James having breakfast together and watching something on the laptop

Mingling with Aunt Mary after the reading

After the reading Great-grandma took us to lunch at the Red Cottage. Yum!

Lunch at the Red Cottage

So cute!

Laurel showing Grandma her drawings

I'd hoped to take the kids to the farm, but the weather wasn't very good, so the dads took the kids for a quick trip to the park. For dinner, we heated a big lasagna Aunt Nesie's left for us (so nice!) and let the kids watch movies until bedtime. I hope they grow up being great friends... like those guys at the bottom there.

James, Oliver, and Laurel watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Besties Kevin and Casey, the summer after 7th grade (1993)

Meeting Aunt Mary and Uncle Dickie 2014

Miranda was able to meet Kevin's Aunt Mary and Uncle Dickie on this trip to the Cape. Sadly, we came on a week that his Aunt Nesie was out of town (and she kindle lent us her house.)

On Wednesday, Aunt Mary came to the Cape early to spend some time with our kids. She babysat and played with James in the morning, then we brought Miranda by for introductions. She also helped a lot with the kids at Kevin's reading on Thursday.

 

James, Mary, and Miranda

 Then Friday, Uncle Dickie came by and we grilled out for dinner at Great-grandma's.

Dickie reading to Miranda and James before bedtime

Meeting Great Nana Catherine 2014

On Tuesday, we drove up to Truro so that Great-nana Catherine could meet Miranda. She seemed to like her, but I think James kind of stole Great-nana's heart now that he's talking and generally more interesting than he was on our last visit.

Cute invasion

Great-nana Catherine

Sadly, Great-nana broke her hip a few days later, so we were lucky to be able to visit while she was feeling well.

Cape Cod- Monday Fun Day! 2014

Monday we had no particular plans so I was excited to go to the pond and have some fried food at Seafood Sam's. But that wasn't enough for us, we thought we could pick up a few things too. Everything took an eternity and I ended up having to feed Miranda in no fewer than 3 parking lots! But here are a bunch of cute pictures.

Cuban Clous at Follins Pond!

Miranda's first dip in the water- not too warm but no complaints!

Check out her seriously awesome bathing suit!

Swinging in the beach swings

So much fried food and we had the nerve to make James eat some broccoli too

Miranda: Whatchu talking about, Willis?

Meeting Great Grandma Ruth 2014

Great-grandma and Miranda meet for the first time!

We left home between 9:30  and 10 pm because Miranda hates the car so much, we figured our best bet was if we drove during her bedtime.  Our plan worked in that Miranda slept for most of the ride, but it was unideal in that James thought traveling in the middle of the night was amazing and wouldn't sleep. We got in at 2:30 which was great, but of course Kevin had to assemble the kids' beds while I fed Miranda, so we got to bed later than that.

Of course, James still got up before 7, so after giving him breakfast, Kevin delivered him to Grandma. They had an awesome morning at the Pond while Kevin went back to sleep and I fed Miranda all morning long.

At last, we took Miranda to meet Great-Grandma! She ran out to the car to see her just like she'd done with James.

James at the pond with Grandma

Trucks in the water! Sure, why not?

Grandma Kathy and Miranda hanging out

James at Great-grandma's