Sarasota, Florida

We are back from Florida as of today. While it's nice to be home after a week away, we'd like to go back immediately. We had such a wonderful time.  First off, we stayed at the super swank Ritz-Carlton for three nights thanks to Stacey, Chris' friend who works there. It was totally incredible.

Then we stayed with Stacey, Dan and Madison at their place. Perfect hosts.

Madison was so sweet with Creston and Ivy.  We basically took over her toys, her house, her dog, and all of her personal space.  But she just kept on sharing. Here she's giving Ivy some fruit served out of an easter egg.  Despite being a tiny girl, Ivy is the most enormous eater. She will eat anything at all, and lots of it.  She particularly likes fruit and gets frantic (ie screams bloody murder) when you try to tell her that she's had enough for the moment.

Stacey and Ivy at the farmers' market.

One day we went to a city park that had terrific water features. Creston, in particular, was psyched. He loves water and, if he sees it, he has to get in.

Madison in her finest suit.

Creston, Ivy and Madison. Pals.

It turns out that Creston is super social. His approach is to place a hand on the object of his affection. We caught it on camera this once, but it happens a lot. And it seems to work for him.

Easter! Stacey's parents invited us to their Club for Easter.  We don't get cleaned up for much, but we got cleaned up for this! We have some photos of the Egg Hunt that we'll try to post later on.

 
After Easter lunch we went to Stacey's parents' house and Creston swam ...

 ...while Ivy napped.

On our last day, we headed inland to a farm where we could feed animals. Creston and Ivy had their first encounters with goats, pigs, a peacock, chickens, freakish emus, a llama, and a donkey.

Here's some of that Baby Creston kissing we've been telling you about. Birthday kiss for Mama.

Party favor for Papa.

 And then we came home to Brooklyn to 80 degree weather. Amazing.

The out of doors

Here in Brooklyn the weather is warming up.  And it's almost vacation time - we go to Florida next week! Creston and Ivy are ready, whether they know it or not.

The next two pictures are typical - Ivy is way out in front of her brother.  She is ridiculously quick. We are busily buying baby gates online that we thought we could wait on for awhile.  Creston could take her in a wrestling match though, for sure. And a kissing contest, too. He gives amazing hugs and kisses.

What does the second year bring?

It brings us so much cow's milk that there is really no room in the refrigerator for anything else. Gallons!

 It brings us the arrival of baseball season. Fanatics in enemy territory!

 It also brings us Grandpa Syd and a visit to the aquarium in Coney Island. Walrus!

It also brings us a certain stomach illness that will not be shared in photographs. Instead, we bring you this photo of a cute girl in a cute hat given to us by Alexandra. Cute!