Pip's first day of kindergarten

It's cliche, I know ... but it's still true.  My baby seemed a lot more grown up today and I was happy to see him so big and strong and independent, but sad too.  He's not a baby anymore.  Not even a toddler. 

I will have to admit that I think I knew this was coming and that's why I must have let him slip into my bed that last couple of nights.  I can't explain what made him come, because he rarely does.  But I knew once I let him in he'd return the next night.  And the next.  And I enjoyed stealing those hugs from him in the night and getting to listen to his peaceful breathing. 

But the net result was I hadn't slept much and then Meg woke at 6:30 and the day began.  It was wild.  Rush to get ready, then out the door!

We ran into Bridget and Connor leaving as we were and grabbed this quick pic with them.

This one is at school, just before we went in.

And here is Mrs. Ingemi and Pip's class, chanting a little goodbye song to the parents.  Pip, in his style, preferred to listen rather than participate in the first round.  He doesn't like to try unless he knows he has it right.  Then all the parents got to say their quick goodbyes and leave.  I had already gotten my hug and he seemed fine so I didn't want to make it worse.  But as we were slipping out, Vivie said, "I NEED to go and give Pip two hugs!"  So she ducked between some parents, found Pip, and squeezed him good.  She loves that brother of hers.

But the first few days are only 3 hours ... so not too much to even stress over for Pip.  Vivie and I hit the playground briefly where she practiced traversing the outside of this climber.  At first she wanted my help, then my spotting, then she had it down.  Here's the payoff:

http://youtu.be/pdvEWjUi7_Q

And my favorite part of the day?  After getting ice cream at DandiLyons we were sitting at the picnic table.  Pip had finished his and was playing in the rocks.  I was smiling at Meg in the car seat.  Viv was taking her sweet time with her watermelon slush.  And all of a sudden I felt two warm hands slide around my middle.  And a sweaty head leaned into my back.  A hug.  From Pip.  Ohhhh.  It was grand.  This was when I realized how rare they are unless I ask for them these days.  I swooned.  Vivie saw my reaction and came over to give me the same hug too.  Thanks guys.  I love you more than all the world.

Irene

This weekend Phil was visiting Mike so we were solo.  I generally like to have plans ... to get out of the house for at good portion of the day.  But a major hurricane threatened to keep us indoors.  Luckily Saturday was fine enough.  So we headed to our old stomping grounds in Melrose to hang with Utah and Janel.  We even ran in to Colin, a buddy of Pip's from the Y. 

Here they are gassing up in advance of Irene:

And Pip in the sandbox.

Later we stopped at Radio Shack to get a car adapter so if the power went out I could run the sump.  I found these hex bugs.  Katie has them and they are really cool.  I figured that might buy me some time when we'd be cooped up the next day.

Pip got mad at Vivie, not sure why.  Tantrum:

Clearly faking!

Well the storm did hit, but it seemed to be bad in a few pockets and fine in others.  Luckily it was fine where we were.  Didn't even lose power.  Only casualty were our sunflowers.  Actually, I probably didn't even need to clear the deck of all the furniture, but I was in Rambo mode without Phil around and no one could stop me. 

Hanging out at home gave me plenty of time to love on Meg.  She is making great strides rolling over and beginning to babble.  Here are some videos!

http://youtu.be/ludIj0QicT8

http://youtu.be/iVPijhzlOSg

REAL Camping, Day 2

Here we are waking up on Day 2.  Meg wanted to check out Viv and Pip's tent, and they are all warm and cuddled up!

Pip and Meg contemplate their days.  It is very peaceful living the simple life.

We rented some tubes and went up and down the river a few times.  It was nothing wild, just lazy fun.

George showed Pip how to start a fire with camp fuel.  Very impressive.

George is also to blame for intriducing the concept of the "poke stick" which Pip now thinks is the proper thing to do whenever presented with a fire.

Phil got Meg down for a brief nap and enjoyed the good life down by the river.  The rest of us were at the park.

Last day, we all assembled for a group picture.  Until next time!

REAL Camping!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE!!!

I am not sure even I believed I was capable of this.  Phil had wanted to go camping for a while and given the fact that Meg is so young, I figured I'd have to miss out.  I hate missing out. 

Then a friend told us about this campground and said they went and it was clean and fun.  I figured ... familes do this, right.  The whole things is basically for familes.  It has to be feasible with a baby.  I can do anything if Phil is there.  Worst case we bag it and come home early. 

Then George mentioned this was the weekend they were available to visit.  Soon he booked a spot and it was settled.  No wimping out.  George and his crew are on top of this camping stuff.  They know what to bring and how to set it up. 

We had two sites that weren't adjacent so we opted to crash in the one site that was by the river.  It was a lazy river and not dangerous for the kids (relatively speaking).  Here's our site.  The river is just beyond that first line of trees.  It was amazing to hear it bubbling all day and so soothing at night.

Pip, Rhiannon, and Vivie hanging in the river.  This provided hours of fun!  Rocks!  Water!  Sticks!!  Sand!!!

Meg hung out in her Bumbo for a spell.

George made our first dinner:  dogs, beans, and burgers.  Perfect camp fare.

Ever being cute.

Me breastfeeding ... had to be done.

Pip enjoying a S'More!

Meg slept great the first night.  She was very tired.  I tried to sleep with her but I think my being there kept waking her up.  Finally around 11 I left the tent (to yell at the very lound Munchkin players who were blatently ignoring the 10pm lights out) and went to crash with Pip and Viv.  Phil slept with Meg and reported that she basically slept the rest of the night til about 6:30.

Sprinkler Park

Utah found an awesome Sprinkler park in Topsfield.  Have to get there fast before their quota is met.  Lots of fun.  I think we stayed from 10 til nearly 4!

If you look closely you can see Pip and Viv in there.

Eventually Viv crawled up into the stroller and took a nap!  Pip had found some peas in pods boys and was not interested at all in leaving, so this would have to do. 

Can the MOS cure a fun-hangover?

Coming down from such a fabulous week was hard.  The Saturday when everyone left was sad.  We decided Sunday to head out for one last hurrah before work started back up.  We hit the Museum of Science.  It's expensive, but so awesome!  Every room was a fight to leave because we were having so much fun.  Until we got to the next room, which was even better!

Viv at the butterfly garden.

Meg trying to get Pip's attention!

Pip's favorite, arguably, was the race track o' lights:

http://youtu.be/SXtWdRevIdk

Vivie took this run very seriously!

http://youtu.be/uP3BWc3QkSA

Day 7, Wingaersheek

Can it be true?  No pics of Wingaersheek?  I think we were too busy digging sand and chasing kids for the camera.  Meg was at school so Phil and I were enjoying the opportunity to be with Pip and Viv solo.  I think we stayed until nearly 4, then headed home for one last night with everyone.

It was a great vacation.  We have great friends.  Thanks guys!

SITTERS

One of the best things about staycation was being able to call on trusted sitters and taking a night out with just the adults.  Here Tasha, Rob, and I enjoy a little appertif before heading into Boston. 

At a favorite, Lo Conti's, in the North End.

Post dinner we hit Hennessey's.  The guys enjoyed Scotch.  The girls got their groove on.  Around 1am, innocently, truly innocently, two pints hit the floor and we decided maybe it was time to call cabs and head home.

Day 6, Mom's Day

Day 6 was Mom's Day with the kids, Dad's golf day.  We initally wanted to up the ante and have a grand DUck Boat adventure, but upon further consideration, we opted for a relaxing day at a local park.  I think it was the right choice.  We were in need of some calm.

Vivie loved these colored lenses Tasha brought.

Chase played with some toys too!

Aislinn made sure all the kids had snacks.

Glenna helped Pip and Cade work the trucks.

Elin looked beautiful. 

Connor, Katie, Tasha, and Meg were there too, but apparently I missed them in the photos!  Afterwards we stopped for ice cream and came home to monster 3 hour naps. 

When Pip and Viv woke up, I gently recapped our happy day and asked them to draw Mom's Day for me.  This is what I got!  (Nevermind Vivie insisted on drawing a picture of Daddy.  I can always count on Pip!!!)

Day 5, Canobie Lake Park!

Canobie Lake Park!!  So much fun every time.  Especially for Vivie.  This year she was all about the rides.  I can NOT believe just last year she refused to ride anything, even the littlest of rides.  This year was a new dawn.  She rode everything and anything she could!

Here she is with Pip and Code on the shuttles.

She's got her eyes on Daddy!

Meg was a trouper, all smiles in the stroller!

Seriously cute!

Chase, ever the enthusiast, could barely contain his glee!!

More eyes on Daddy!

Pip rides the cars.  This year he wanted to ride the real ones, but not tall enough yet.

Pip and Chase on the Flower Whip.  Never has a ride looked so lame from the outside yet packed such a punch on the inside.

Viv and Aislinn give it a whirl!

Note Aislinn feeling the gap in her teeth with a vertical tongue!  I remember that when I lost my teeth too!

Pirate ship crazies!  I am, unfortunately, blocking Chase from the camera.  But rest assured, he's behind me screaming with delight!

Next we found the flume splash.  It was just verging on becoming sunny.  I had faith the sun would show it's face.  So I challenged Pip, Chase, and Aislinn to stand in, and stand strong!  Did they tuck tail and run??  Watch and see:

http://youtu.be/helwn7Ws8AU

Here I am soaked after!

Meg's smile warmed me up! 

Come on!  A decent pic of me and Meg's eyes are closed!!!  Seriously unfair!

Here are Rob and I with Aislinn and Vivie on the dragon coaster!  Pip and Viv could have ridden this ALL DAY.  I think by the end Pip was riding it solo if we weren't fast enough to get in line with him!

Coming off the Dragon.  Wooo-hoooo!

Pip also lived the bi-planes.  A lot.

The jungle bounce!

Me and Meg grab a cuddle.

After a long day, Phil reads books to the kids.

Chase just wants to show off his turtle tatoo!