Memorializing a great weekend

Memorial Day weekend this year was our best weekend yet.

It started a day early for us, as I returned early on Friday morning (2:15 a.m.) from a weeklong 'deployment' to Mississippi where I was assisting with the flood fight. I then took off on Friday so I could go with the family (including my mom, who was helping Kate while I was away) to Coney Island and the New York Aquarium. 

On Saturday we just relaxed (and cleaned) and watched Elizabeth improve her scootering skills. 

On Sunday we joined some friends for a four-hour adventure at the Staten Island Children's Museum, which was only interrupted by a soy-, dairy- and gluten-free picnic. 

And on Monday we watched a Memorial Day parade and barbecued with our friends Mike and Amanda (and Ethan and baby #2).

Pictures to follow:

Henry got a little sunburned on his narmbies

Probably from me not holding an umbrella

Three generations of ... oh wait. 

How many shades of blue can you count?

Elizabeth was fascinated by the scuba guy, who played tic-tac-toe with the children

Seesawing with a friend, Elina, at the Staten Island Children's Museum

All fruit popsicles are E's fav!

Preparing for the 2026 Olympics

We made a chick hatching from an egg out of clay (at the children's museum)

Elizabeth looked at this picture and said "oh no. vroom to hit me"

Ethan trying on clothes

Pregnant Amanda with Elizabeth (in Ethan's room)

These pictures are from the week leading up to Memorial Day Weekend

Sprinkler: The toy before the slip-n-slide

Barbara cut the grass with kitchen shears

Dodos eating NY rocks for the last time (he now lives in Maryland)

Elizabeth cleaning herself

Elizabeth changing Oliver ... something she does at least 20 times per day

1/4 Peruvian, 1/4 German, the rest is messy

And here's a video of Elizabeth really enjoying being a fire fighter....