Summer relaxation

Sylvie and I are off to Ohio tomorrow, so today was about packing, walking the dogs, and perfect relaxation (according to Sylvie): a new Ninjago book, some Cheez-its, a Polar seltzer, and a Beanie Boo. As she says, this is the life!

Canine Cousins!

Liz, one of the members of my team at work, got a yellow lab maybe a month before we got Bruschi. Afterward we discovered that our breeders use some of the same sires and bitches (what? it's the correct term). So there is at least a chance that Jessie and Bruschi are cousins!

Since we now have a large back yard with a fence, we had Liz, her husband Jake, and Jessie over for a puppy play date and some burgers on the grill.

I think I see a resemblance.

And they share well.

This is  Liz and Jake. They are not cousins. But they also share well.

Sophie started out aggressive and had to be locked away for a while. When she came back and got some love, however, she calmed down.

How is this fun?

There is a Jessie under there.

Syl of course turns everything into a dance party.

Turns out Liz is quite the accomplished pianist. Syl enjoyed comparing notes.

Good times.

Yep, we're keeping an eye on you

One thing about having multiple glass doors is that I keep catching the dogs staring at me, while I'm in and they're out or vice versa. It's...charming?

Dinner

Loving the meals outside thing. 

This is Rose

"Bridging"

We went out to dinner last night to celebrate Syl's last day of second grade, and last day as a Placentino Penguin. It was fun until our little girl turned a bit manic, alternating between giggles and tears. 

I was perplexed/worried/irritated, until Melissa pointed out that Syl has had a pretty emotional week, saying goodbye to all of her Holliston cronies while immersed every day in their plans for a "next year" that she won't be a part of. All-in-all, she has handled the move incredibly well. 

On the ride home, Syl objected strenuously to the notion that she is now a third grader. Since she agrees she is no longer a second grader, she settled on "bridging" to describe her status until such time as she is enrolled in third grade. 

In the serendipity department, on Weds we discovered that right across the street there lives an eight year old girl who is also an only child, and who just moved to Wayland a few weeks before we did. And get this: her name is Rose! She and Syl are fast friends already.  

Last day of school

Let summer begin!

This beast is getting big!

This one, meanwhile, isn't. Because she's a cat.  

With occasional exceptions (holes in the landscaping, munched rugs) the dogs are settling into their new digs nicely. 

Sunday fun

Dan didn't end up getting home from the bike ride until about 8pm last night, but Syl and I didn't let that keep us from some Father's Day fun. We headed to Worcester for an afternoon at the Ecotarium, followed, of course, by a stop for ice cream. 

Syl's favorite indoor activity at the Ecotarium is the wind tunnel. 

 

We also did the tree canopy walk and the zip line. For the zip line, Sylvie chose super fast, while I went for "leisurely stroll" speed. 

Sylvie opted for a mint chocolate chip with sprinkles cone, a particularly messy choice for a hot day...although still not as bad as me with cherry dip. 

When Dan got home, Sylvie had a scavenger hunt ready for him, to lead him to his super-awesome Father's Day presents (a t-shirt and a mug). 

Busy day!

After dropping off Saachi at home, Sylvie and I headed to her piano recital. She did great!  I'll post the video later if I can figure out how to do it. 

Here's the recital gang:

The tall guy on the right is her teacher, Mr. Pete. We will miss him. 

Then we headed to Home Goods for a vanity stool for Sylvie's bathroom and a few other absolutely vital accessories, such as a giant jar of gum balls (I'm so weak). 

After that it was on to C&L Frosty for lunch. 

Now Syl is relaxing in her office for a bit while I use the elliptical the sellers left for us. 

I love that there's zero chance of me hitting my head in the new gym space. 

Up next, sushi for dinner...or maybe just heading to bed. :) 

UPDATE: I bailed on the elliptical in favor of the lounge chair and my kindle on the front porch. Summer...aaahhhh. 

First sleepover with Saachi at the new house

Of course, they were great. They played with the dogs outside, practiced their respective piano recital songs, drew cartoons, and watched a movie. Whew!

 

Saachi will be in India for most of the summertime, so we made plans for when she returns. 

Hanging out

I kept Sylvie home today from school in Holliston because she got to take a tour of her new school and meet her teacher for next year. Syl was a big fan of Mrs. Murphy, and is super excited to start her new school next fall. Best of all, the new school is just a short walk away. 

After a trip to the garden center for some herbs and to Barnes & Nobles for some Sylvie summer reading books, we headed back home to make dinner.

My new indoor herb garden:

I made a pasta that Syl had spotted on the cover of a magazine at her piano lessons. Pretty tasty!

Dan is gone at the Trek Across Maine until Sunday afternoon, so I'm sure Syl and I will do some more exploring of our new town over the weekend.