Alec and Irene

Daddy and Bree spent some time together in New York at the end of the summer, just the two of them. Since Daddy was on vacation he did not take a camera. However, there were two notable things that happened on the trip, and Daddy captured them with his cell phone:

Bree met Alec Baldwin!

Bree and her first (only?) hurricane - Irene.

First day of school... literally!

August 2, 2011 marked the beginning of Bree's long future as a student! She enjoyed her very first day of preschool at Springs Ranch! She still seems so little to mommy, riding to school in her carseat with her Snoopy toy, and then walking to class with a backpack that is as big as she is. Bree is loving her class and teachers and Mommy enjoys getting to see her at school.

Bree loves Ms. Donna and Ms. Melissa

Bree's first day paper for her teachers.

the lighthouse

yep - tall enough!

lots of twisty stairs!

the view from above

down was a little harder!

summer day in Montauk

a bike ride with friends

such an exciting thing when you're 4!

Bree's imitation of a crab...

a fun idea

sA couple of years ago we were on the beach for the fourth of July, and I was entranced by a floating lantern that elegantly soared out over the water just before dark.This year, I looked them up online with the thought of a July 4th release, but didn't feel right about trying one in our dry hometown.  (Even though they come with 100% biodegradable promises and assurances that they burn out before returning to the earth.)

So it was that this summer, while visiting a beachside toy shop, we found them. 

We waited in vain for a still, dry night to head to the beach and try one out. The night we finally picked was, again, quite windy, but we made a go of it anyhow. And it worked! Dan, Bree and I each made wishes as we released the lantern into the air. It took a few second to rise, but then it soared. (Our pictures are awful - we were too focused on the job at hand to get any good ones.)

Perhaps this is the start of a fun, new family tradition?