Thursday, September 25, 2014

September

Back to school, new classrooms, new schedules, darker mornings, cooler nights...September is here!  In fact, it's almost gone!  We have been busy with all that is going on, so let's catch up...

Ben has begun his last year of pre-school in a 4/5 classroom.  He LOVES his new space, new teachers and new friends.  In the last 3 weeks he has learned to write his name and successfully identify many letters of the alphabet.  He has learned new songs, new social rules, read a lot of new books, painted many pictures and just grown a ton.  It's amazing what a new classroom can do.  I have seen more growth from him in the last 3 weeks than I did the entire summer.  Simply amazing.

Tommy also started a new class - toddler 5.  That is the oldest toddler room in the day care before they go upstairs to pre-school.  He is with many of his friends from last year, but some new friends as well.  He is growing up so quickly.  He talks non-stop.  In fact, sometimes he stutters because he wants to say so much but doesn't quite have the vocabulary to support it!  He only runs (walking is for wimps...), he has 2 new molars coming in, and he loves pasta.  He's still a little guy, but totally healthy and cheerful.

Chris and I are back to our normal schedules as well - work, work, work during the week and play, play, play (with the kids) on the weekends.  My mom once told me something that someone had told her - the days are long, but the years are fast.  SO true.  Our heads are busy and our hearts are full!


Checkin out the bunnies on the farm after apple picking

New classroom decorations for mom!

Painting his frog

Daddy and Ben painting the Superman logo

Ben's first real attempt at writing his name

Sunday Fun day outfit : )

Bros learning how to spell

Bros playing basketball

Everyone on the tractor riding up to the top of the apple orchard!



Sunday, August 31, 2014

The Last Days of Summer

This month has been busy for us as the summer winds down and we head back into our "normal" school schedule.  The boys will start in new classrooms next week, and I will return to work to start another school year.  We have been trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer in the meantime. Here is what we have been up to...



Playing superheroes in the back yard with our "Jet packs"

Lookin' good for the ladies on a playdate

Pre-viewing our Halloween costumes!

Riding the bus with friends on a field trip!

Touching crabs at the beach

Mommy and Ben on the bus

Dinosaur State Park

Real footprints!

Tommy is *almost* as tall as a dinosaur...

Bros having lunch

Bros watching TV

Tommy and the big fish at the aquarium

T on his tricycle

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Nature Center

This morning was beautiful here in CT.  So we got out of the house and did some errands before heading up to the Nature Center in town (http://www.stamfordmuseum.org/).  They have a great farm, museum, gift shop, walking trails, playground, observatory, festivals, camps, etc.  It's a wonderful place to spend time.
Today we did the farm and the playground.  There were a lot of new animals since the last time we were there a few months ago.  The baby pigs and goats were our favorites.  Ben loved the big, old cow with the HUGE horns!
Aside from the geese who tried to eat our stroller and steal our snacks - we had a great time on the farm!

The playground was a huge hit as well.  It's built into a rocky ledge, but it's all safe.  Lots of ramps and small steps.  Tons of fun slides and lookouts.  There is also a HUGE sandbox and a very cool pirate ship that the boys both loved.

We finished our morning with a burger and hotdog lunch at the local hotdog/burger joint.  Very cool for the boys to sit up on the diner stools and watch the chefs cooking.  : )

Baby goats and Tommy

Big cow!

Those horns!

Bros

Climbing the tower

in the "birds nest"

exploring

Hiding in the pirate ship

peek-a-boo Ben

Pirate Ship

walking the plank

Cheeeeeese!!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Summer

We are in the dog days of summer.  I would love to say that it has been restful and we are lazing around the pool all day long.  But, with two active boys at home most days- that just doesn't happen.  They don't know the meaning of "relax".  Thankfully I have the wonderful world of Pinterest to give me some great ideas for the days that can feel endless when one activity only takes up about 5 minutes of their attention before they are ready to move on.
However, it's relaxing in another way.  There is no rush out the door at 7:15am.  The boys can stay in PJ's a little longer.  We can have a bath anytime of day.  We aren't stressed about what to pack for lunch.  There are no forms to fill out.  Our biggest concern is putting on sunscreen and deciding which playground we should go to - and that is fine by me!

So for us right now, summer means...

snack outside
Superhero capes all day long

Bubble machine!

4th of July desserts

Picnics in the park

Movies and snacks in the playroom

sidewalk chalk race car tracks

Front porch selfies

watercolor paining

creative ways to stay entertained - no mess finger painting!


First Fro-Yo experience!
Soooo excited to take it home to show daddy!





Friday, July 18, 2014