New York, Cousins, Theater camp

Saturday morning Hilly was in her element with esme playing dress-up. 

The weather was touch and go so we decided to go into the city to the natural history museum.  My kids' first trip into NYC proper. 

These 2 are so adorable. With polar opposite personalities. 

This pic was dinner w the kids and Jenn- a little out of place. 

Ah, back to NYC. Walking up to the museum. 

Griff and Hilly holding hands. Griff and Benny really started to bond as boys too. When Benny fell asleep during the iMax we saw, Griff kept saying to me "I wish Ben was awake." I am not at all jonesing for a 4th child, but I do wish Ben had a brother. Named Thomas. With a little British accent. 

First walked in, in total awe of the t-Rex skeleton. 

Lots of taxidermy, which we love. 

Learning about Crystal, I believe. 

Griffin and Ben. 

This walrus exhibit became super relevant BC we got home and Em actually got Benny a stuffed walrus from Maine, which he loves. So now he wants to see this pic all the time as he holds his own walrus. 

Boy toys! 

The trampoline. Love these action shots. 

Jenn getting in there w them. She is awesome. 

Feeding Ben ice cream? Yogurt? 

Church the next day. The kids went to their Sunday school. This youth minister was awesome. His message was that one of the hardest things you will have to do in your life is say good-bye to people that you love. This made me burst into (silent, thankfully) tears in the pew. I can't believe it's been almost a year since grandpa Shoemaker died. I miss him so much.  

The kids were so cute together up there. Couldn't get enough of Griffin's loafers. 

We got home, played a bit and then hit the road. It was a really wonderful visit, although we did miss Nick and Fin at camp. 

Some evidence of our insane alpha-male bunny cuddling w his natural predator. 

Jack's picture entitled "buns"

My little stud. 

This week Jack had magical storybook camp. I didn't realize this was a theatre camp. There were 6 kids in the camp and she LOVED it. Meanwhile, the littles hit the pool quite a bit. 

One day we went to nearby library where little kids loved this puppet stage. 

More bunny...

Wed AM Jack took a header on the stairs and cut her cheek pretty deeply. It was bloody and dramatic but I captured the moments photographically pretty thoroughly: 

We picked up Ben and H from Grammy and Pops and the kids were ready to get back to playing. 

But Jack was def wiped out. 

After they went to bed, I saw this set up and just knew it was filled w goodies.

Leo making some tea. 

Prince Roland and Kristoff making pizza.

Bunk beds... 

Watching Tv in front of fire place.

Back at pool: Hilly and Hannie. 

Jack reading to her bro and sis. 

We woke up Fri AM and the bunny had escaped. I didn't know what we would find. Remains? 

We found him alive in a corner. Grandma came yesterday but before she got there, Jack and Ben read together. She is good enough at reading now that the story goes smoothly enough to hold the little kids' interest.