MACTNY

When Erin came back from school one day announcing that she was going to be a flower girl in the wedding of her teacher Jenn, we thought she meant for a mock wedding at the school. No, she meant the real deal, which happened to be held in Connecticut near Dave's parents' house. We love weddings and the timing was perfect as a kickoff to our big summer vacation. This year we linked our trip to DC with a swing through Atlanta/Kentucky. It was a great trip. 

 

 Teacher Jenn and Erin have formed a special bond during Erin's two years in the preK class

 

 Erin's note from Jenn

 

With Tessie safe in Grandma Joan's care, everyone else dressed up for the party



Champagne before the ceremony began - nice!



When her time came, Erin performed her role with a look of determination on her face that we rarely see.



Mission accomplished



The girls were so excited to see a real-live wedding



The two party girls



 

Now they know why there are always coins in fountains



Poor Erin had been up since 6 AM sooo excited. She arrived to the hairdresser at noon and was crashing hard by evening, hence the grim face during the ceremony at 5. She slept through the whole reception like this. 

 



Caroline stayed up



Daddy got a brief dance with his girl

Thanks so much Jenn, and AITC staff!

 



The next day in New York was filled with the usual fishing, swimming, and animal captures. This year Caroline figured out flip reel casting and landed her first solo fish. Dad took the girls on a mission to land a turtle and came back with this little painted one.

 

More Somers wildlife - Erin's remainder of an ice cream cone was irresistible to this guy. Problem was, Erin & Dad were still outside fishing when he showed for his snack. We gave him a wide berth.

 

 

Caroline caught the first bullfrog

 

Mom kept waiting for the frog to make his break. Tessie babbles in agreement.

 

Returning from the hunt

 

Early summer

 Our backyard is the perfect size for an 18-month old

 This girl was spotted on the bike path, probably after laying her eggs



For weeks we passed this car parked in a local gas station and as Erin astutely pointed out, it would be hard to drive that fish car. Turns out Fishcar is an art installation
 



 Erin's pre-K teacher did a year-long unit on famous artists. Does it say something that the 5 year-olds had an easier time replicating Duchamp than Gainsborough or Ghiberti?
 

 Dad and the older girls went on a firefly hunting expedition at the local Audubon sanctuary. The girls did indeed catch their quarry and had a blast. Of greater excitement to the naturalists leading the event was the bear print that we found, the first one that they had seen at this farm.

 Major milestone: Tessie's first trim
 

 Erin's pre-K graduation ceremony
 

 She spent 4 years prostrate to the higher mind, got her paper and now she's free
 

 Erin showing Tessie how to scribble

 

 

 More Harry Potter mania: Caroline got access to black ink and with a feather that she found managed to write an entire "parchment" for her friend.
 

 Now we know where Tessie learned her yoga pose
 

That's right Erin - it's midsummer's eve and time to celebrate with smores on the grill
 



 and a campout in the backyard

 Courtesy of the couch cushions, Erin managed to sleep in the next day. For Dad, the birds chirping at 5:15 were a rude awakening.



Tessie on the prowl
 



 Caroline on the bars

Watch where you point that thing, Erin!

Tessie likes balloons

Caroline & Erin's Wonderful World