We spent the day at the lake today. I was afraid Cassidy was going to be afraid of the boat, but no, she LOVED it. I thought she wouldn't want to go in the water, but no, she LOVED that too. She sat in the captain's seat and grabbed the wheel and said "drive, drive, drive". She lost her balance a few times and fell on her bum in the water, but she had a super time. Worcester was about 95 degrees but out on the lake it felt like it was a least 15 degrees cooler. We may be back to visit Bob's friend again this weekend.

I know it has been a while since the last post with pictures....with not much new to tell you this will be mostly pictures. The only thing new to say about Cassidy is that she has learned the word "NO". She uses it quite frequently and it can range in tone, from a soft "noo" to a loud emphatic "NNNNOOOO". The pictures were all taken yesterday, playing ball with Brady and the other 3 are all from cousin Samantha's bday party. Oh did she love the cake and bug juice.

So, Leeny has returned safe from China and is making up for lost time with her niece & nephews. Cassidy has been very excited to spend some time with her, saying her name over and over again. It seems as though she is always excited to see her extended family and not just because she repeats their names in her screechy voice. BIBI, RAH-RAH, BIBI, MA, DADOO, NEENY...etc etc. The translation is this, BRADY, BOBBY, BRADY, MEG, BRENDAN, LEENY usually every 3rd name or so is Brady. Cassidy has really started to show more expression in her day today activities. The "oohs" and "uh-ohs" and big gasps are becoming more and more commonplace in her speech. I don't think we are quite ready for potty training yet, but Cassidy has had a few successes on her junior potty. More or less we always try before we get in the tubby and periodically other than that. She has learned how to dump her little pee cup into the big potty and is proficient at flushing. Thanks to a new book from Uncle Jimmy with a flushing sound and her new Dora's Potty book that has a flush button as well.
Last weekend we participated in our 5th Relay for Life. It is a 24 hr team walk-a-thon to benefit the American Cancer Society. The team must have 1 person on the track at all times for the 24hrs and the rest of the team members man the campsite (where there are on site fundraisers) and eat (each member brings some type of food). They have different themed laps and activities for the kids. I raised $600 for the team and the team total is up over $6500, thanks to a $2500 match from one team members place of employment. We really had a great year and I believe the Worcester Relay brought in upwards of $200,000. Aside from the rainy Saturday (the event ended early due to thunder\lightning) it really was a great time.
We are in the process of having new ceilings hung in the living & kitchen areas so things are a little upside down right now. Promise to post some more pictures as soon as things are back in order...maybe Sunday.

Aunty Leeny comes home from a 10 day trip to China tomorrow. I know Cassidy will be thrilled to see her. Leeny went with a family she babysits for on their journey to adopt a little girl, Annie. They have a blog where they have been keeping friends\family updated on their trip so we have been able to show Cass some pictures. We have been trying to explain to her what is going on but I know she doesn't understand. She has been calling for her every time the phone rings or when I pick up the phone to dial out.I think that this is the longest time (by far) that she has ever gone without seeing her. We did get a call from her last Monday morning and Cassidy said HI LEENY on the phone, but then ran away to play with her toys. Cassidy is at that age where she wants what she wants when she wants it. I try to tell her that we are doing something later in the day, visiting Meg, going to the store, whatever it may be and she just starts crying not because she doesn't want to, but because she wants to do it NOW. So I have been trying to tell her that her Leeny is coming home tomorrow and we already left her a welcome home message on her cell phone.