Sylvie by the pool

Here is the last of the Florida videos - Sylvie in Gram and Gramp's pool. She was a bit hesitant at first, but overcame that quickly and had a blast in the "waaaaa-tur." She figured out the whole kicking thing pretty quick, and had no hesitation at all about jumping in the water - repeatedly. She even "held it" until she was safely out of the pool - and promptly voided all over the deck! Nothing a hose couldn't handle.

First time behind the wheel

I think sometimes about all of the nice little experiences that I and pretty much everyone of my generation or older had, that Sylvie will not have because of how ultra-sensitive the world has become. She'll never ride with a bunch of friends in the back of a station wagon (or a pick up!). She'll probably never feel the wind whip through her hair as she barrels down a hill on her bike, blissfully un-helmeted. And she'll certainly never get to sit on Dad's lap and steer the car as we drive through town. These days, the childhood rite of passage that inspired Springsteen's "My Hometown" could land Dad in jail and Sylvie in state custody.

So it was nice to see her get a little taste of that in Florida last week, sitting on Grampy's lap and steering the golf cart. So far as we know, that's still "legal."

Nostalgia aside, I'm in no hurry to see my daughter behind the wheel for real. That day will come sooner than I think, I'm quite sure.

Sylvie's First Dip in the Ocean

This is the first of several video clips from our trip earlier this month to Florida. This one features Sylvie's first ocean swim, at Laudermilk Park in Naples - about 10 minutes from Grammy and Grampy Haley's house.

Syl was a little nervous at first. Those waves were pretty big! Less than a minute in the ocean, though, convinced her that all was well. She loved licking the salt spray off her lips, and barely minded at all when the occasional wave tossed a bunch of water in her face. Grammy is convinced that she's been steeled to the whole water in the face thing by the way we wash her hair - by dumping water over her hear. She's probably right.

Digging on the beach was a bonus for Sylvie, as were the ugly ducks that gathered 'round as she changed into dry clothes after her swim.

The beautiful beach, jungle gym, proximity to Gram and Gramp, and snack bar all suggest that Laudermilk Park is a place that Sylvie is likely to visit again and again.

An additional highlight of Syl's first dip in the ocean was a little impromptu bird-chasing marathon she pressured Grammy into engaging in. As noted somewhat inaudibly in this clip, it's a good thing Grammy has been working out!

Told you

Loving her "cake"

Sylvie has decided that anything sweet is "cake." And she LOVES her "cake."

Here, she is enjoying a cup of chocolate pudding "cake" last night.

Fun visit by Uncle Matt

Sylvie's "Uncle" Matt Hamilton was in town this weekend to treat Dad to a U2 concert. Sylvie enjoyed having the big lug around.

On Friday night we were joined by the O'Leary gang for a wonderful Octoberfest-themed meal cooked up by Sylvie's talented mom.

Sylvie's Dad is still a kid at heart

In case anyone was wondering...

Sylvie's Dad acted regressed to his teenage years for a while yesterday, standing in line most of the day to get right up front at the U2 concert at Gillette Stadium. Snapped these photos with my Blackberry. What a show. There were a number of families crammed up there with my friend Matt and me - I wonder if I can get Sylvie into U2 before they are too old to tour any more...

Some more photos from Florida

We've settled back in at home now, in the chilly New England autumn. Quite a change! Aside from the lingering effects of Daddy's sunburn, we can barely recall how warm we were just a day ago.

Here is a slide show of some of the best shots from our Florida trip. Many more in the now-bloated September Gallery.

I'll have some video up eventually, but it will take a little while. What with all the beaching, pooling and what-not, I took quite a lot of video. Go figure.

Thank you!

See you soon Gram and Gramp!

Heading home today

Heading home today - this afternoon, to be exact - after a really fun vacation in Florida with Grammy and Grampy Haley. Sylvie discovered that she is a little water bug. Ocean or pool, no matter. She loves to be in the water. She also wants everyone else in earshot to be in the water with her. We'll probably manage one more dip in the pool this morning, before we head for an early lunch and then to the airport.

Anyhow, we're hoping to bring a little bit of the Florida weather home with us.

Thank you Grammy and Grampy!