We're back from vacation, well rested and bug-bitten. It was a great long week away from the city, and we are, as usual, grateful to the Martins for providing us with really excellent food and a river to throw stones at. Even better, this time more cousins were at the house, and Graham loved hanging out in the playroom ruining all the girls' game (which they were very graceful about). The girls are Mia (6), Cammie (4), and the boy is Graham (20 months).

Weezer + the Muppets = True Love

Country Mouse VS. City Mouse

We're in Vermont for a whole week, which requires some serious downshifting. The first day we kept coming up with reasons for leaving the house (supermarket for bananas? Does Graham need slippers in the chilly morning? Where can I find a yoga studio?). At one point we googled around frantically in search of a playground in Montpelier. Half a day later we realized, oh right, in Vermont you wander down to the river and throw stones. Day's activity accomplished. 

So, now we're settled into a good, restful, vacation. I'll take lots of pictures. 

Jen reminded me that I had forgotten to post the beer pictures. It wasn't that; I was just unsure how more conservative members of our reading audience would react- not just the Mormon ones. Anyway, Graham likes beer, or at least beer bottles. On our last visit to Vermont (two weeks ago), he spent a lot of time mimicking his Grandad as he drank. Then they would both laugh hilariously. It was damn cute, and I can reassure you that only a tiny bit of actual beer was consumed. But the actual amount was hard to tell. 

We're headed to Vermont again for the whole week on Sunday- I'm just praying that the rain that has been drenching us for the past, oh, month, is now truly gone. 

I learned something about expectations today. Early this summer, I had decided to sign G up for a toddler clay class, fantasizing about making pinch pots together, I guess. We went last week, I gung-ho, he unsuspecting. But as soon as the class started I realized it was just exactly the wrong things:

sitting

focusing on one object for a long time

ignoring the brooms/buckets/chairs all over the room

touching slimey clay

resisting the many doors, leading to stairs, porches, driveways, utility closets

I was a little heartened by the fact that G was not alone in his disinterest and decided to go back for more today. This time, he took one look at the clay (as well as the cluster of well-focused, chatty toddler girls) and turned around for the more present joys of the parking lot, where a guy was hitching a trailer to a Suburban. I read the "That's Better" expression on his face and packed it in. We left, went out for iced tea and a scone (for me) and spent another 30 minutes in the train station, riding the elevator and watching the trains.

A couple of lessons learned: Graham is not going to like everything I like (or want him to like). Free shows, like the parking lot and train station, are sometimes (often) the best route. And, lastly,  it's my job to be open to navigating it all. And the guy with the trailer and the Suburban? Turned to us and said, "I'd rather watch this, too, buddy."

A post for Amber, Sarah, Katie, and possibly Catherine. To be ignored by non-foodie vampire haters. 

Today, we are discussing the teenage vampire novel, Twilight, in bookgroup. I, clearly possessed by the spirit of my mother, decided a themed treat was in order. I give you:

Red Velvet Cupcakes. 

These turned out well, and I am proud of their realistic bloodiness. We baked them with our friend Jessie and her daughter Flora, but I frosted them today alone, while Graham napped, fearing the results of the sugar rush that would follow his "participation." Note: reddening up a cake takes A LOT of food color.