Madeline's Sixth Birthday

On the day before her departure for Ohio, last Saturday, Sylvie had the great pleasure of attending Madeline O'Leary's sixth birthday extravaganza.  This year it was a carnival theme - with a bouncy maze, face-painting, and plenty of games.  Of course Syl HAD to have her face painted.  She didn't even mind waiting in a loooong line for the privilege.

Nearly all of Madeline's class from school was there, but that didn't stop the six year old from making her three year old pal (and admirer) feel included and special.  That kid is something else.

Here are just a few photos.  Many more here.

Nicole from school was there helping!

Birthday Girl and her mom

Waiting patiently (?)

Watching 

In the spirit 

Her turn!

In progress....

... Finished product

Same war paint (the Mighty Butterflies)

Hungry Horde

Every Butterfly Loves a Hoodsie

Roughhousing with Amorous Jake

Turnabout = Fair Play

Life-long Friends (true fact)

Memphis Road Kiddie Park

Love technology

I got to see Sylvie "on the 'puter" tonight.  When I asked what she did today, she took a deep breath before replying.  "I went on rides and rides and rides, then I got a treat, then I played and played and had lunch at a restaurant!"  Phew.

The "rides and rides and rides" were at the Memphis Road Kiddie Park, an amusement park geared toward the little ones near Grandma Lynne and Grandpa Steve's house.  Melissa sent me a few photos.

Looks like my girls are having a great time!

First Time Driving the Dog

First thing first: Grammy is doing just fine.  She needs to get her blood anomaly pinned down before she can go ahead with the reschedule of her knee surgery, but all things considered she's doing great.  Thanks for all the concern.

Sylvie and her mom left this morning for Ohio.  As of 8 PM they and Aunt Emma were safely ensconced and bedding down at their waypoint hotel in Syracuse, resting up for the second leg of their trip.  I miss them already.

I got a lot of good photos yesterday at Madeline's 6th birthday party, but some computer issues today prevented me from getting through them.  For now, here are a few of our walk with Pax yesterday morning.  For the first time, Syl asked to take the leash.  Pax had his way with her for a few minutes, but once she figured out how to assert herself Sylvie was in the driver's seat for the rest of the walk.

Proud

Both lifting a leg...

Feel better, Grammy

UPDATE:

Thanks for all the expressions of concern.  While they still have not figured out exactly what is going on, she has seen a hematologist and it looks like it isn't anything serious - it may even be a peculiarity in her blood chemistry that is throwing off the results of the clotting test.  Right now they plan on letting her go home tomorrow.  A huge relief!

___

ORIGINAL POST AUG 7:

Sylvie is thinking about her Grammy Haley, who is in the hospital today after some unexpected news in the blood tests she had on Friday in preparation for her knee replacement surgery (which was supposed to happen this week).  For some mysterious reason her blood isn't clotting - at all.  The ER docs are confounded.  She's going to see a hematologist tomorrow, who hopefully will be able to pinpoint the problem and fix it.  She's in no immediate danger, but obviously they are concerned that she not do anything that might result in a cut or even a bruise, so it looks like they are going to keep her there while they figure it out.

She won't see this until she gets home, but she knows we're thinking of her and we love her.  Get well, Grammy!

"What are we gonna do this day?"

That has become Sylvie's standard question on the weekends.  As soon as she ascertains that she is not going to daycare and both Mom and Dad are staying home too, she knows it's a weekend and out comes the question.

Yesterday when she asked I had no idea how to answer.  No plans.  No birthday parties or guests or visits. Nothing on the docket.  Sylvie seemed perplexed.  She when Melissa went to the gym I asked if Syl felt like a bike ride.  YES!  We ended up going on a pretty long one - about an hour and a quarter (which is a long time to pull that trailer, let me tell you).

When we got home the forecast rain was holding off, so we asked Melissa if she wanted to break out the kayak.  YES!  So we loaded up the boat and headed to the Charles, where we spent nearly two hours paddling up and down the river.  There were lots of animals out, including dozens of turtles (most of which were shy, but one of which calmly stared us down as we floated by a foot away), a whole bunch of ducks and at least two beautiful blue herons.  We got photos of all but the herons.

Under the old bridge

Tough guy

Tuckered out from all that NOT rowing

After the boat ride we were all pretty hungry, so we headed to Bubbling Brook for some ice cream.  Sylvie really enjoyed Mommy's raspberry/vanilla swirl, while Mommy claimed full satisfaction with Sylvie's orange/vanilla.  I tried them both, and think Mommy got the better of the bargain.

Not bad for a day that started off with no plans.  Of course even all that didn't prevent Syl from wanting more - and partly because she was exhausted, we were treated to a pretty funny tantrum before bed...



By real bed time, though, she'd recovered.  As I tucked her in, Sylvie said, "Dad, I had a GREAT day!"  "I did too," I replied."  She paused.  "You want to do that day again some time?"  "Yes," I agreed.  "You want to do that day again TOMORROW?"

And I think I probably would have, if the rains hadn't finally come.

Baby Stevie

Stevie wasn't crazy about my camera (yet).  But I did manage to get a quick few shots on the last night before their departure...