Austen Famous Rodey

Austen is extremely affectionate now. She's always giving hugs and kisses, especially when Mama isn't feeling great. Before naps and at bedtime and even when being dropped off for classes, Austen insist on getting a hug and kiss goodbye.

The swingset was installed and waiting for us to return home. Mama and Dada told Austen about a big surprise waiting for her as we approached the house. Austen's animated guesses included a big lollipop and a "videor" but she wasn't expecting what she saw as she exclaimed, "a tree house!?" Within 10 minutes, Austen had climbed, swang, scaled and played with almost all of the features.

Dada still needs to add sand for the sandbox and the cushioned surface - mulch, wood-chips or pea-gravel...TBD but doesn't see what all the big deal is with installing one of these sets.

Abby, Daisy and Auntie Janet joined Grandpa Earl and Dolly for our little crab fest. A bushel of small crabs goes a long way.






Following the food and play, we went for a quick dip in Uncle James' pool since you can never get enough pool time.


Obligatory cow picture.

Everyone enjoyed Kristine's slamin' 30th birthday pool party at her parents home. Lots of food, fun in the pool, swingset, kitties, toys and all the kids. It's amazing how practically all the farm kids are great swimmers, diving in and swimming under the water.

Vacation photos.

Austen always makes an impression when attending birthday parties:

Birthday party #1: Austen is handed a piece of cake and screams (for all the hear), "No! I want a big piece!" (She doesn't even manage to finish her "small" piece.)

#2: Austen sees the birthday boy sitting with his piece of cake and tries to get into his chair, yelling, "No, that's my birthday cake!"

#3: Austen sees an unwrapped present she likes, grabs it, and tussles with birthday girl over it. Both fall down, knocking over a pile of presents. Everyone gasps loudly! Mama is mortified: "Naptime! Time to say 'Bye bye.'"

For the most party, Austen is fun, playful, social and enthusiastic at birthday parties (she loves to sing "Happy Birthday" and say "Happy Birthday!" and hand her gift to the birthday child) but she never gets through a whole party without at least one "incident" that makes Mama blush. Mama was such a shy, reserved child who never made a splash. Austen, on the other hand, never goes unnoticed.

Austen & Dada went on a spontaneous bowling outing. With very little direction, Austen was on her way pushing the ball down the lane. With a little help from Dada, Austen scored 48 and despite help from Austen, Dada scored 155.







After about the 7th frame, Austen decided she had enough and moved onto to the arcade machines.

One of Dada's coworkers gave him special Japanese cookies just for Austen. Austen's response: "This is not a Japanese cookie. It's a chocolate cookie!"

We went on a short vacation to visit some of our old neighborhoods in NYC. Staying at a hotel blocks away from our previous apt. on the Upper West Side, everything felt comfortable. Austen enjoyed a lot of new activities from the Ferry ride, row boating in Central Park, visiting doggie parks, riding taxis, buses and the subway, shopping and all the "fine" dining.

Not having lived in the city with a toddler, Mama and Dada surprisingly appreciated many benefits of NJ life such as friendlier attitudes, easier-going people and an overall less-rushed attitude, not to mention very few incongruous matching full time nannies (who aren't necessarily the nicest people!).

Ferry ride into downtown Manhattan.


Avoiding the papparazzi.


Scoping out her room, after we got a 3 bedroom suite (for one night) due to hotel overbooking.


At a puppet show in Madison Park.


Splashing the water fountain at Central Park, near the boathouse.


Watching the local 1 train arrive.


Ferry ride fun.

Of course we had to stop at FAO's where Austen played with lots of toys, bicycles, blocks, strollers, rocks, animals and anything else along the way.

Austen really enjoyed visiting CMOM. In addition to below activities, Austen made a craft at the collage table (although Mama and Dada left it in the drying rack) and sang along during circle time (animated book reading).

Dubious readings on the jump-ometer doo-hickey thingamabob said Austen jumped 7" high and Dada jumped 18" high.


Austen captured Dada's spirit while petting some stuffed sheep.


Building Zeus' temple (Mama also enjoyed this game).




Firetruck & MTA bus rides.




Ball play.

Need I say more?

Playing ball with a hotdog.

Enjoying some special dessert at
Serendipity.

How could we resist The Boathouse in Central Park? Dada did most of the rowing while Mama shouted steering directions. Despite this team approach, we still managed to crash into another boat, full of Sikhs!! We also found a tree stump full of turtles who weren't too shy... until we bumped up against them.

Mama and Dada reminisced during a stroll through the campus, stopping at Philosophy Hall, the Library steps, Butler library, St. Paul's Chapel followed by dinner at a local hangout spot for students, The Heights.

Austen did her first drop-off class yesterday at Gymboree. Mama was soooo proud of her. She didn’t complain when Mama had to leave, just waved, and, according to Miss Liz, she was amazing during class, cooperating and working well on her art project making Rain Forrest Birds.

Both Mama and Dada were very nervous but Austen did great. Hopefully, drop-off preschool in the fall will goes as well, although with art class Austen knows the teacher very well.

L.L.F.R.

Pretend sleeping

Video

Austen