Back to School

Avery just started school last week. He is going to a nearby Montessori School founded by our dear friend's parents.  He is in very good hands. 

And he likes to carry his own lunch each day to his classroom door. 

 Here he is on a visiting day before he officially started. His toddler cottage is in the background.

He has been doing very 'big kid' things, like wearing crowns during meals,

reading books to loved ones,

and buttering his own bread at fancy restaurants.

Mimi and Opa came out to take care of Avery the week before school began. 

And other HUGE news: Chris started a new job teaching at Ocean View Elementary in Albany. He has had 3 days of school and loves it.

A little Labor Day play at Muir Beach

Avery hiked up the steep bluff barefoot.

We started down at the beach (through the fog in the background). He was unstoppable!

And other urban garden news: we slaughtered our first two ducks. It was quite a big job. (No ducks shown in the picture; this was the prepped area.) We ate one duck and enjoyed it thoroughly. The other we froze for a later meal. 

Margie Campbell

On August 13, Christine's Great Aunt, Margie Campbell, died at age 91. 

She was a beautiful woman who was mother of six, wife, artist, and storyteller. 

Here she is with her first son and my Great Uncle, Craig, in the 1940s.

She got to meet Avery twice: July 2011 and April 2012.

Avery and Craig (Pops)

Avery and Marmar

Last summer at their house, we visited Mr. Bumps. 

Mr. Bumps has been a character in family stories for over four generations.

This is his front door. We knocked, but he wasn't home.

Here we are on one big Plymouth rock at Margi and Craig's house in Plymouth, MA. 

She died at home with her loved ones and with a smile on her face. 

We love you, Marmar.

Nantucket Shorts

Avery and his latest adventures, each under one minute!

And, of course, some blackmail material. 

Mom and Dad took my direction and did a short skit during a storm.

The Coastest with the Mostest

We visited Katie, Tim, Liam, and Reid in Orono, Maine. We picked blueberries, swam in the Penebscott River, and cooked many delicious meals.

We harvested greens from their garden.

And made blueberry pie with freshly picked Maine blueberries. Tim made a killer crust.

Avery's first water gun fight. He squealed the whole time.

Then we visited the Millers in Antrim, New Hampshire.

They set up a horse swing for Avery in their den.

We enjoyed a day in their beautiful garden.

And first corn shucking with Elvie.

Jane read him an Italian pop-up book about forests. Three times.

Then on to Nantucket, where Mom and Dad looked a bit different. 

(1960s party!)

When they returned from the party, we played Twister.

Rachel and Jeff visited us for a few days.

The lovely Jules Gray, their 3 month old.

Beach picnic at Red Barn Beach

Lauren and Chris serenade us.

The County Fair and Elvie's Here!

We went to the Alameda County Fair for a little summer fun. It seemed that Avery spent a lot of time wondering, 'Where am I?'

We were shocked that the minimum age for pony rides was 9 months. Sign us up!

He got a real photo taken with cowboy hat. 

Father and son with corn dog.

We have been cooking together. Avery is learning how to cut veggies and fruits. And he has his own cheese grater that he can sort of use.

Elvie visits! 

Elvie is a dear friend from Oberlin who now lives in County Clare, Ireland. She and Avery fell in love over the two days she was with us. Here they are counting oranges.

Gardening

And playing music! Avery's first encounter with an accordion.