Mimi, cousins and stairs

Here are four videos. The first two were taken when Mimi and Papere were in town last weekend. Video #1 is the only shot I got of Sylvie with one of her grandparents the whole time they were here! Bad Mommy.
Both of Beau's parents flew up to celebrate Beau's uncle turning 70. (Of course, I forgot to bring the camera to the party.) I am kicking, kicking, kicking myself for not taking any pictures--especially of Sylvie with her Papere. The last time he and Sylvie were together was back in April when we went down to NC to visit. I swear to do better when everyone is together again around Christmas!

Here is Mimi, supervising and encouraging the budding artistes.



I think we need to take this show on the road.




This last one was taken today at Barefoot Books in Cambridge, While we were there browsing the great book selection, Sylvie discovered a new skill. Until this time, she has always needed some assistance getting up and down stairs. After going up and down over and over, she decided she was ready to do it on her own.

First, up.



Then down and up again.




We'll be back there on Saturday morning for a Halloween costume party. Hopefully I will remember to take some pictures.

Chicago

Over Columbus Day weekend, we went to Chicago for a trip we had originally scheduled to go on in July. Even though we had to squeeze in all our visits in a shorter period of time, it was great to see everyone and for Sylvie to get some QT in with her cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncle, and great-grandmother.

Our first stop included a stay at Granny's house, where Sylvie enjoyed searching the house for cats, dancing with Daddy and modeling the new tutu Granny got her.

Little ballerina girl

Gotta dance.

The next night, we saw (my sister) Aunt Jenny, Uncle John, Patrick, Lily, as well as Pop (my dad), Gigi, (my stepmother Gerry) and Aunt Carolyn. The kids loved playing together.

A little sampling of the craziness.

I'm kicking myself, though. I got no pictures of Jenny, John, my dad, stepmother, or sister Carolyn the whole time we were there. Duh.

The next day, we visited my grandmother for lunch.

Eating lunch like a big girl.

Sharing a moment.

A girl can only refrain from being silly for so long.

The second attempt was better.

All happy now.

On Saturday night, we went to a party for my dad's cousin Lucy, who was in town promoting her book, "Waking Up in Eden." (Check it out at: http://www.lucindafleeson.com) Again, I'm kicking myself for not having my camera. Regardless, it was a lot of fun and great to visit with family and friends I haven't seen in years, and Sylvie enjoyed charming all of them.

On our last full day before coming back, we stopped by my grandmother's house with the whole crew, hoping to take a dip in the 94 degree pool there. Unfortunately it was closed for the holiday weekend, but while there, Patrick enjoyed using Beau as a human jungle gym.

Here's Sylvie, entertaining herself with the mirror in our hotel room after her bath. Too funny.