At The National Zoo

We took a trip to the National Zoo with the kids and family. It was the most engaging zoo trip we've taken to date. Most of the animals were really active when we stopped by their pens and many were being fed when we arrived so we got to witness some remarkable behavior.

Elliott liked the colorful animals, especially the marine invertebrates. However, he slept for a good portion of the trip and missed a lot of the really charismatic animals, like the komodo dragon below. We got to see this chap being fed. The keeper basically opened the door a crack and stuck a fish on a stick through the opening. It may not be obvious from this image, but the komodo dragons are huge - about 5 or 6 feet long, and they're really smart. This one clearly was aware that freedom awaited it behind the door, so rather than go for the fish, it crept around the back side of the door (the zookeeper's blindspot) and made a beeline for the opening rather than for the fish on the stick. The caretaker slammed the door shut just in time, leaving the fish behind, where it was swallowed with one nonchalant gulp. The lizard then paced around the viewing window for a good while afterward, sniffing after us with its enormous yellow forked tongue.

Alden had a great time both looking at the animals and in the rest of the zoo environment What's a trip to the zoo if you don't get to climb the aardvark statue?

Alden gravitated toward the stranger animals. He was fascinated by the naked mole rats and also really liked the hissing cockroaches and giant spiders. At the hissing cockroach display, the zoo solicited poems from the viewing public about the cockroaches. Alden came up with this poem on the spot and we loved it so much that we wrote it down and submitted it for him.

The day was cool, but not cold and the sun was bright and cheerful. 

Here are some other animals we liked. 

A lions-eye view of Alden watching from behind the glass. 

One neat thing at the zoo is the zip line that runs from the monkey house to the animal learning center. We were able to watch some Orangutans make the trip from their main house to the "Think Tank" where they get to play puzzles with researchers. 

Elliott and Herb

Here's a really cute little video that my Uncle Sam shot of Elliott meeting my Grandfather.

Passover 2013

With our car situation still in flux when it came time to make our holiday travel plans, we decided to fly to Maryland for Passover this year. Alden's new ear tubes seemed to help with his airsickness. We had a handful of barf bags at the ready, but didn't use a one of them on either flight. We were very proud of Alden but I think he was the most excited of all. The only drama on the way down was a freak snowstorm that blanketed much of the mid Atlantic region. Our flight was delayed by an hour, but we were able to make it down just fine when the weather warmed slightly by midday. There was about 2 inches of snow on the ground in Baltimore when we arrived in mid afternoon and by the next day, it had rained and all the snow was gone. Still, this is the first time in my memory that the seder was marked with a snow storm. Usually the holiday falls when spring is well underway down there.

Alden received some wonderful gifts from Auntie Kay, several of which were wrapped in pokkadot ribbon. Kerstin, quick on his toes, fashioned a tie out of this ribbon for Alden for the seder, since we were unable to find him a proper tie in the kids clothing stores. Alden was really excited about it.

Geoff joined us for the first night of Pesach.

Alden still hasn't learned how to sit still or listen quietly during the seder itself, but he loves to entertain us with funny faces and still can't help banging the silverware together or reducing the tablecloth to moist shreds.

Elliott slept through most of the first seder, but he was awake for the second and sat in his car seat for a good portion of it. He got to meet my grandfather on Monday night and the two of them really hit it off.

The dinner always runs late and by the time we finish all the courses and find the afikomen, it's usually way past bedtime for the kids. Despite being cranky and tired, Alden got to stay up to open the door for Elijah this year.

It was Elliott's first time meeting Rob and Kay and he really took a liking to them. He especially liked the Mayan calendar on the wall of Kay's kitchen. It quickly became our go-to object to avert meltdowns.

Kay made amazing meals, as she always does, with several courses, and decadent desserts. We ate our fill and then some because there were so many tempting options.

Alden wanted to take his own pictures of the seder as well. We forgot to pack his camera so he borrowed ours. He took this picture above, which is a surprisingly well-composed and focused image of his gefilte fish plate. He loves gefilte fish. But most of the pictures he took were nasal numbers like this one of my mom.

Ready for Halloween

I don't think anyone 'got' our costumes, but we knew and we had fun at the downtown Gardiner Trick or Treat event today.

Wallace and Gromit if you didn't get it by now!

Precious family moments

Elliott really likes the light fixture in the living room ceiling. That's what he's talking to in this video and also what he's smiling at.

We tried to get a family picture on the couch the other day. Everything was family bliss until Kerstin went for the camera. Elliott started to cry because he was startled by his own flatulence and Alden subsequently buried his head in the couch. Kerstin managed to catch this magic moment.

Corn Maze Sunday

Today we went to Ricker Hill Orchard in Turner Maine to romp in a corn maze. On top of a corn maze there was apple picking and a bunch of kid activities that were perfect for Alden.

In the center of the corn maze we found a viewing platform. There may have been other areas to discover as well, but we didn't explore the maze extensively. Instead we spent a lot of time with the  horses, donkeys, and baby goats who were very friendly and sweet. There were also two snooty cows that would not let us pet them. There was a giant pile of hay bales with a long irrigation-tube-slide down one side and an irrigation tube tunnel through the middle. 

There was also old farm equipment to climb on, low-tech mini golf, frisbee golf, several inflatable jumpy castles, an obstacle course, picnic area, and a farm store that made fresh apple doughnuts from a (say) 50 year old doughnut machine.

It was our first whole family outing, although Elliott did not participate fully.

Mimi visits

My mother came out from California for a few weeks to help out around the house and see the new baby. It was a great help to have her here and the timing of her arrival was just as Joseph and Sandy were leaving.

We tried to give mom as much time as we could with Elliott, however that was difficult to do since he needs his sleep and needs his food.  His dance card is pretty well filled with mommy time, so my mom helped by taking Alden on some trips, which took pressure off Kerstin and me. They went swimming a couple times and various lakes and the ocean.

They also went to the aquarium, the botanical gardens, the Portland Children's Museum, the Children's Museum in Augusta, on shopping trips, to the airport, LL Bean, the Gardiner park/playground, and also played games at the house, read stories and watched movies. 

My mom introduced Alden to Wallace and Gromit which is his newest most favorite thing in the world.

She was also a super helper around the house, picking up the slack that a new baby creates. She was also, of course, really keen on Elliott and it was great to see them together.

Hurray For Alden

Alden has been doing GREAT since Elliott came on the scene. He was very excited to meet the new family member and that enthusiasm has only increased over time. He is still not sure about the best way to engage baby E, but likes to pat him on the head like he were a cat. Alden is not fond of Elliott crying and will usually leave the room if it is sustained for more than 20 seconds. But even with that Alden wears his big brother status with pride and we cannot complete a diaper change without him rushing in to ask if it was a pee or poo. Here is a picture Alden drew of Ilana and Elliott.

The birth of Elliott happened during the last week of Alden's summer school, and since Joseph and Sandy had just arrived for their visit we took Alden out of class (turning a 2 week school break into a three week break). I think Alden has started to miss the school structure and all of his friends, but he has been having a terrific couple of weeks with the family and grandparents. 

Going to and from the airport is always a treat for Alden due to his love of elevators and escalators... so he has been doing that when guests come and go.

Alden has been playing sports like bocci with folks and going swimming in the lakes of Maine when the weather gets hot.

Another great hot weather cure is the slip n' slide that Grandma Barbara brought from California. Despite the terrible water pressure of our house we managed to make it work using two hoses.

 

 We also managed a few trips to the Portland Children's Museum, which is still on top of the list of great places to visit.

When Scott came up for a visit, he brought Alden a new bike and helmet. Before this, Alden would use his trike and we didn't have a helmet... so this is better in many ways.

We also did a backyard camp out for a night in our tent and Alden has been getting so many sweet treats it is a wonder he is able to sleep at all.

Alden is also fascinated by Elliott's check-ups and seeing the doctors examine someone else for a change.  He has been super attentive to Ilana and frequently asks if he can bring her food or water. Both Ilana and I are very proud of Alden and his helpfulness with the new baby. Hurrah for Alden!