New Babysitter

Recognize this little cutie?

That's Madeline O'Leary, meeting Sylvie (the burrito) on the second day of her little life.

And here's that same pair, last night, when Madeline came over to babysit while Melissa and I had a belated anniversary dinner!

I don't know what would have happened if a disciplinary situation had arisen...

Could it be... Spring??

First hike of the year, at a park near our house that we had not yet checked out.

Mount Misery seems a strange name for the slightly hilly terrain... probably a story I should look up.

While it was nice for us humans to get out in the sunshine, the day really belonged to the mutts, who thought they found heaven.

The best part? Our lab finally found his sea legs!

He was about the clumsiest, splashiest dog-paddler in history, but he got the job done.

Heaven, I tell you. Just look at them.

Really in to the training now. 60 miles on the bike yesterday, mile swim plus a half marathon run today. The good news is, it all felt pretty good. I am grateful to the girls for putting up with it!

A spirited composer presentation

With Stephen Foster drawing. 

As Dan noted, he’s a bit glum. 

Dining out in C-land

Beef jerky from the West Side Market, lunch at Great Lakes brewery, and post-dinner ice cream at Mitchell’s. 

*I think Syl may have had a bit too much sugar...

Cleveland Children’s Museum

We visited the brand-new Cleveland Children’s Museum today, and as Syl said, it was awesome. 

The water room was a highlight. 

Syl’s favorite part, though, was Adventure City. She particularly enjoyed forcing her playmate for the day (ME) to struggle through the climbing structure (*designed for ages 3 and up).  I felt like Alice in Wonderland. 

1. Standing! The last time I’d be doing that for a while 

2. The “squirm” 

 3. The “worm” 

 4. The “chiropractor on speed dial”

Hanging with Boo

Gone to the birds

Yesterday we also visited a bird store owned by my mom’s friend Elaine. Elaine let Sylvie pet and hold the babies, which of course Syl loved. 

Notice a resemblance?

Note: we are not getting a bird. 

Weaving

We’re now in Ohio (whew! I’m not used to all of this traveling.). Grandma Lynne took us to Oberlin yesterday so that Syl and I could try our hands at one of Grandma Lynne’s favorite activities, weaving.  We both loved it! It’s very satisfying to pull the bar down and smoosh the fabric together. 

https://vimeo.com/265550603https://vimeo.com/265550603

weaving!

Beginning of April break

To kick off April break, Syl had her best friend Megumi over for a play date that morphed into a sleepover. 

They started the day off right with some morning exercise—roller blading! 

Bruschi wants to know when Uncle Patrick is going to get around already to inventing dog roller blades. 

Austin!

Syl and I joined Dan in Austin for a few days last week. We escaped the cold weather AND spent time with Dan—score!

We explored the trails and parks along Lady Bird Lake. 








We goofed around in the hotel pool. And yes, that is a bachelor party behind Syl. 

We ate at hipster gourmet hotdog and pretzel joints. 

When it rained, we went to a questionable aquarium. 

No mermaid for Syl’s Triton (only kid problems). 

We visited the Texas State Capitol. 

And we even got a sitter one night so that Dan and I could go hear live music! My favorite was the Elephant Room, a jazz bar. 

Brunch

I missed Easter brunch last week, so after Sylvie's audition this morning for Mary Poppins, we did a take 2.

My girls were looking sharp!

Things that happened in Austin

I had to leave my girls at midday on Easter Sunday a week ago to hop a flight to Austin, TX for a weeklong HR conference. Of course, Easter Sunday this year was also April Fools' Day, which explained this guy waiting in my luggage.

At the event's opening reception, I randomly met this guy. During random chit-chat it came out that he has lived in Holliston for 22 years. On Willow Gate Rise (our old street!).

I also met this guy. Not the short one. I know him already. The tall one. That's Scottie Pippen, former Chicago Bulls great, now relegated by personal bankruptcy to playing one on one at corporate conferences. Was kind of cool/kind of sad.

The event was called Sippin' with Pippen. There were t-shirts.

I am well into my training for Lake Placid, so I found a cool bike shop, rented a bike, and got out for a couple of pretty good rides.

 This is part of my team, crossing a bridge.

For my second ride, I did an "iconic loop" of 44 miles that I am told Lance Armstrong used to train, back in the day.

In Texas, they let you ride on divided highways. Scary. But very Texas.

Of COURSE I got a flat.

When I got home, it was SNOWING. In APRIL.

Partly for that reason, I decided to take the girls with me when I return to Austin this week for a quick trip. It is a fun city - and WARM!