Sunday, June 01, 2008

Back in Bennington

Earlier this afternoon, Emma, Daddy, and Mommy worked on a craft project she picked out.

Concentrating hard on color-coded painting.

Jager joined in, showing support.

Being silly, goofing off while Dad gives some pointers.

Then it was time for some moving. With everything so lush and green here in Vermont, our yard has been a magnet for us in those free moments. So, just before dinner, we all played a bit of soccer and ran through the lawn.

Emma getting tickled by Mommy while Daddy tells her to check for boogers in his nose, snapping away photos from above. Emma's showing off what can officially be deemed a clean set of chompers. A dentist visit earlier this week proved somewhat traumatic, but produced no concerns or cavities. With Emma's sweet-tooth (we know, shocking), it was certainly good news.

Words like "boogers," "diapers," and oddly, "poopy bird" are pure comedic gold these days for our little one. Like mother like daughter, or like father like daughter?

This past week, an exhibit of statues made by J. Seward Johnson popped up around Bennington. The bronzed and painted people dotted downtown to promote tourism. So, Emma and her daycare friends went on a walking tour to check them out.

Part of the tour included a special lunch stop at Camden's dad's restaurant, Madison's Brewing Co. The kids all got to snack in privacy as the restaurant was closed to the public, but open to the kiddos that day. A stop for ice cream at Friendly's was a necessity too.

Emma has also found a new talent in lacrosse. She does a good job scooping the ball, catching it if luck is on her side, and flinging it back to Mom and Dad. Problem is, Daddy's not so adept at aiming any more, and put the ball across the road into the swamp. Guess who's buying a new one?

Mommy and Emma also decided to make chocolate-covered strawberries. Emma had to taste-test, and get a bit nutty at the same time.

The chocolate's safe to eat too.

On Sunday morning, the Hoover family went for a breakfast visit to the Capella residence. There, Eva and her parents greeted Emma with good grub and fun around the house.

And best of all, Meridy and Karl just got guinea hen chicks. They stay in a saw-dust lined hut, complete with heating lamp, food, and water. Here's Meridy talking to Emma about how they raise the chicks.

Emma also got to pet and hold a couple.

After breakfast, the Hoover-Capella families headed out to Mile Around Woods for the Hoover's first taste at Geo-Cacheing. We used a GPS unit to take us to some of these hidden spots where log books and other markers are hidden. Problem was, as Meridy said, the "fun police" had stolen the markers. Emma asked who the "fun police" were for the rest of the afternoon. Still, the hike with an objective at the end was just what Emma needs to keep her legs from aching.