Got milk?

I made the mistake of laughing during dinner tonight when Lincoln downed his beverage and declared, "More milk, please!" He had the most perfect milk mustache above his lip! Of course, when I ran to grab the camera, Greta wanted some of the attention, too. And then Linc wanted to show off and tried to make a milk beard. I don't think they will get their own ad campaign, but I'm glad I got to capture their silliness.

Tea party

Because we're busy and because contractors have owned our house all summer, our fridge has recently been pretty bare. No eggs last week when Greta wanted to bake during Lincoln's nap. So Carey consulted The Four Ingredient Cookbook for something without chicken embryos. Turns out 1 package coconut, 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup Rice Krispies, baked for 14 minutes at 300 degrees in a convection oven (325 for you old-school oven lovers), would probably let humanity survive the apocalypse.

After Lincoln woke up, they shared their treat with the Baileys. All the kids are getting really good at toasting, which they call "cheers."

Hair raising

Not my kid

But I really like the photos and Lincoln really likes Charlotte, who celebrated her second birthday on Sunday at the South Orange pool.

He also really liked Charlotte's cake.

So! Many! Forks!

While in Syracuse, we enjoyed lunch with Great Grandma Manguno at her senior independent living community. Greta loved the chandeliers in the dining room, and could not believe how fancy her place setting was. "I have too many forks!" she declared. While we waited for our meals, Greta entertained herself, and us, with her artistic masterpiece.

Cousins

Greta and Lincoln concluded their vacation with the Mathews side of the family, enjoying time with my grandma, mom, sisters, nieces, and nephews. I will get a slide show together soon, but for now here is one of my favorite shots of Greta and Lincoln with Matthew, Allison, Emily, and me at the zoo.

Summer vacay

Just got back from our summer vacation at the Merrill family "camp" on South Lake. I'm working the rest of the week while Carey and the kids visit more family in central and northern New York. My mom says we got the best weather of the summer -- three straight days of temps in the 80's, no bugs, no humidity and the water a balmy 75+. The kids had a blast and I thought often of my childhood on the same body of water. Of course, a few things have changed since then:

• You don't have to leave the building to take a crap, although the outhouse still works and nothing beats pissing on a tree.
• Eighty percent of the camp's power comes from the sun.
• There's XM radio, DirecTV and an analog phone (but for a touch of class, I'd like to replace the wall-mounted keypad unit with a rotary dial).
• The shower works and is quaintly stocked with shampoo bottles swiped from hotels.
• Mom made a beach. (It's getting bigger every year and the kids can spend hours dumping water on the rocks or relocating sand.)
• The Merrills own a barge. It seats 9 (or 1,420 lbs., but we don't weigh you before you board), has a horn, an iPod jack, and a depth finder.

Still, as the French (and Canadian prog-rockers Rush) say, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose:

• Aunt Judy's Endicott slate still paves the main walkways.
• There are always canned nuts and individually wrapped chocolates (Planter's cashews and Hershey's nuggets this visit).
• Every breakfast can have bacon, but it's not a requirement.
• Smores. Every. Night.
• There are no rules and you don't have to work, unless your mother continually reminds you that your father needs help. (We fell and recycled two trees between the camp and the lake. Shhh, don't tell my nephew Max, who fancies himself the Lorax.)
• Dad is still painting wildlife on rocks. (Adding to his "Welcome to North Lake" and "Welcome to South Lake" scenes, this weekend he conjured a moose on a boulder outside our neighbor's garage.)

Next year we hope to either share South Lake with some of our friends or coordinate our visit with other family -- Sara, Ryan, Karin, Chris, Colleen -- you listening?

Enjoy the slideshow. It took a hell of a long time to upload, so humor me and read the captions.

Adirondacks, ahoy

We're off for what passes for a summer vacation when you only have 10 vacation days per year. Leaving for South Lake tomorrow, I'll be back Wednesday night with photos, while Carey and the kids spend a few extra days in Syracuse and rejoin me on the weekend. A couple photos to tide you over until we get back.

Children of the corn

Eating habits

I'm very pleased to report that Lincoln David Merrill takes after his father and his great grandfather when it comes to food. He loves a moderately cooked piece of bacon, just chewy enough to firm up the fat but not too crispy to take away the flavor.

And I hope to get pictures of this soon ... he asked for mustard the other day when eating a hot dog. AND when the meat was gone, he dipped his fingers directly in the yellow nectar and licked 'em clean! That's m'boy!

Happy birthday, Jack!

I was under-the-weather all weekend (cough, body aches, general lethargy), but from the photos it looks like Carey and the kids had a lot of fun at Jack Bailey's birthday party. Jack's the little boy fighting leukemia who lives down the street. After four consecutive days of chemo, he was obviously ready for a party! Carey got some great shots -- enjoy the slideshow here.

You say gär-bij, but we say gär-bäzh!

When Greta accompanied Rob to the dump yesterday to recycle bottles, cans, and cardboard, she wanted to wear "fancy" clothes. She insisted we find her pink silky shirt ("from my first day at school, mom!"), a silky skirt, and of course, a pink and purple silky hair ribbon. They were going to the playground after, and she HAD to look nice. But honestly, with a face like that, she could be wearing a trash bag and still look like a princess!

Family resemblance

My Dad e-mailed me this photo the other day, asking if it was a picture of him or Lincoln. You decide. (Click the image to enlarge it.)

Sprinkler pool portraits, Part II

Rob noticed that I neglected to use the "portrait setting" on the camera when I took pictures the other day. So I tried to correct that error yesterday when good friends Emma, Charlotte, Sasha, and Roman, took a break from their normal afternoon at the town pool to splish splash around in our backyard. Hard to believe three 4-year-olds and three 2-year-olds could get along so splendidly for nearly two hours. Thanks, Grandma Vickie!!!

Tree hugger

Sprinkler pool portraits

Greta and Lincoln thoroughly enjoy the splish splash sprinkler pool Grandma Vickie gave Lincoln for his birthday. Yesterday Emma, Duncan, and Jack joined in the fun. The water was pretty cold (as you can tell from Jack's expression!), but for the most part, it was a great way to beat the heat!

Summer fun with family

We had a fantastic weekend in Syracuse, Adams, and Rodman. Greta and Lincoln were excellent travelers, good eaters (did someone say dessert with breakfast?!), patient shoppers, and great playmates. We can't wait to see everyone again in two weeks! Click here for some pictures of their fun visit with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and dogs (oh my!).

Salad days

Carey and the kids are asleep in Syracuse, so this is the last post until Sunday. We leave you with a bowl of salad culled from the Merrill family garden. Full disclosure: The lettuce is bitter. The radishes, carrots and cukes, however, are excellent.

Silly in B&W

Shorn

To celebrate the breaking of Lincoln's fever, Carey took him to the salon today. Poor boy -- home with Mom every day, so he hasn't experienced a barber yet. I'm told he sat patiently for almost 20 minutes and was rewarded with not one, but two, "lollies." He's a "handsome devil," as my grandfather likes to say.