The longest blog post

Settle yourself down with a nice cup of coffee or tea, this is going to be a long one.

We've returned from our trip to New York and Quebec and between sorting piles of laundry and an NEA grant deadline and preparing for yet another trip this weekend, I've downloaded all 568 pictures from my camera and have narrowed it to a mere 30:

CURLS LOST

The trip started off with a bang(s) when on the very first day at Yiayia's house the girls and their friend Christina wandered off and were found giggling uncontrollably with a pair of baby nail scissors in Christina's hands and Zoe's beautiful golden ringlets all over the floor. The damage was not that bad considering the amount of hair that was lost, just an interesting layer above her right ear where the hair now has a tendency to part (see above).

CELEBRATIONS

Chris and I celebrated our tenth Greek wedding anniversary by going to New York City (without any babies) and spending the day shopping and the night wining and dining. We had a wonderful meal at Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill, and then a few cocktails and champagne toasts. It was really great but we also learned we can't party like the rock stars we used to be and were hurting the next day.

RAIN

It seems to rain alot in New York. Like everyday. Chris and I wandered around the streets of New York City in a total downpour, unable to get a cab. Silly country mouse that I have become only had flip flops on my feet. At one point Chris asked me "How much urine do you think is on your feet right now?" Ick.

MORE CELEBRATIONS

Back in the country, a birthday was commemorated. I'm not saying which one and whose it was, but these guys were there - the black polo back up singers. Mimi and Yiayia threw a fun BBQ birthday party with so many wonderful friends...

and a Slip N' Slide...
Which was super fun although Chris cracked his ribs and
is still in constant pain two weeks after this photo was taken.

and Fairy tattoos...And Unca Stu's girlfriend Jen...
Who we like alot although it took some convincing
for the incredibly possessive little girls in our family.

and this little guy...

Who was passed around alot.
To Jen...

and Mimi...

and Baba...

and even Michael Riley (!?)

PICNIC

The next day we had a picnic on the lawns of an historic mansion and enjoyed a play at the Shakespeare Festival where I work. Part of the trip was me taking the opportunity to reconnect with the theater company as its based in New York and I telecommute from California. Throughout the week, I was able to attend a reception, a couple of meetings and take people out for coffee. It's a lovely Festival and my brief visit reinvigorated my work.

Athena and Zoe came for the picnic, but did not stay for the performance of Pericles, just a little bit too young.

But, they enjoyed racing around the great lawn with Baba,

and "hah-ing" on our favorite family members.
And some frozen popsicles.
Athena finally warmed up to the lovely Jen.

PEDICURE

The next day, Athena got her first pedicure, which she took verrry seriously. Zoe wasn't having any strange lady touching her feet and preferred to watch from Mimi's lap.

QUEBEC

After a fun and productive, albeit damp, week in New York, Chris flew back to California and YiaYia, Mimi and I packed up the kids and drove to Quebec to see our family. The 11-hour drive was awful but spending time with my aunts, uncles and cousins made it well worth the trip. It's a trip we made every year, either summer or Christmas, when Mimi and I were children and it's always wonderful to be surrounded by our crazy French Canadian family.

I can only hope to be as naturally beautiful in my sixties as my Mom and Aunts.

LES GIRLS

Athena and Zoe got to spend quite a bit of time with some of their second cousins. Here are the six girls, the gang, all born within five years of each other. Three spoke only English, two spoke only French with one bilingual translator. But language doesn't really matter when you play with your cousins.

LES DUDES

The little Dude's French Canadian counterpart is Alexis, my cousin Steve's new born babe. Only 2 and half months old and his roles of chub rival John Patrick's.

LA CORVETTE

My Uncle Jean is the original owner of a mint condition 1972 Corvette Stingray. I remember him gently washing it on my Aunt Carole's driveway when I was a kid and it is still exactly the same.

MON BEBE D'AMOUR

My Aunt Carole and the little Dude had a special thing going. He almost didn't return to the States with us as she was plotting to keep him, and I don't think he would have minded one bit.

LES DEUX

My favorite cousin is named Patrick. My father is his godfather and apparently he was named after my father. So his full name is John Patrick, which I never knew before but think its awfully cool. So, here are our two John Patricks.

MES COUSINS

It was truly wonderful to watch my cousins, who I remember so clearly as children, all grown up with kids of their own.

Throughout the whole trip, Athena was in the thick of the action...

While Zoe preferred to hang behind.

And John Patrick was surrounded by adoring fans.

This is my little shark.
And my little fish.

And, this a very brief glimpse of all that we did on our vacation. The girls had an amazing time swimming and playing and fell exhausted into their beds every night. For me, it was magical to watch my children experiencing what is a significant part of my history and childhood, and see everything fresh through their eyes.

Upon our return from Quebec, we packed up and headed for home. The scene at the airport was tragic. Athena clung to her Yiayia and cried for "just one more kiss" all the way to the gate. We miss you everyday, Mom, and love you so much.

John Patrick loves his Yiayia.