New York City Favorites

On the train ride home from New York, I asked each of the girls about their favorite part of our trip - Denise and I were simply delighted with their responses.
Elizabeth loved Alice's Tea Cup the best - the fairy dust, the wings, the Alice in Wonderland pictures and the oreo cupcake for dessert made it such a wonderful experience for her.

Fairy wings

Emily loved playing on the giant piano at FAO Schwartz - refreshed from her lunchtime nap, she was really amazed by the colors and music that occurred everytime she stepped on a piano key.

Adventures in the Big City

About a week ago, Aunt Denise and I took Elizabeth and Emily to New York City for a day.  This was Elizabeth's third trip to the City and Emily's first.  We took an early, early morning train from New Haven and, after arriving, walked the more than twenty blocks from Grand Central to Central Park, where we met up with Miss Melissa and Mari.  After spending a few hours exploring the Central Park Zoo, we said goodbye to Mari and Melissa and headed to Alice's Tea Cup for lunch.  Alice's was recommended to me by a high school friend and it was pure genius.  When we entered, the girls were sprinkled with fairy dust and given a pair of wings to wear during their stay (I'm not quite sure what fairies have to do with Alice in Wonderland, but that doesn't matter) - the walls of the restaurant were plastered with paintings and quotations from Alice in Wonderland and there was a cheshire cat on every tea pot we saw.  Lunch we delicious (although Emily slept through it) and dessert was even better.  Refreshed and reguvinated, we headed to FAO Schwartz, where we spent a significant amount of time in the Barbie area and then on to American Girl Place, where the girls got their first in-depth introduction to the American Girl phenomenon (not quite sure what I was thinking as Elizabeth has talked about them non-stop since!).  We headed home on a late afternoon train, thoroughly exhausted.  Elizabeth has the makings of a true New Yorker - while Emily was more than happy to ride in the stroller during our visit, Elizabeth walked as much as Denise and I, several miles by the end of the day!!  It was such a wonderful trip and the girls and I are already discussing making it an annual event.  When I asked Elizabeth if she was glad that she picked a trip to New York over a birthday party, she said "Mama, New York will always be better than a birthday party.  I'm going to make that choice every year!"  (insert huge mommy smile here).

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Chatfield Hollow

On Wednesday, we met up with a bunch of Elizabeth's kindergarten friends and their parents at Chatfield Hollow, a state park about a 1/2 hour from us.  The kids had a great time seeing each other - although the parents do a pretty good job of staying in touch through Facebook, some of the kids hadn't seen each other since the last day of school.  They picked up right where they left off - yelling, running and playing - and never missed a beat.  It was a great way to end the summer and really got the kids excited to start the school year (not to mention the parents!).  Thanks to Bill and Katrina for organizing.

Munchkin?  What munchkin?

Most of the little girls, getting ready to head out on a hike.

We took a hike and soon encountered this....needless to say, the big kids and dads kept going, the little ones and moms took a more unexciting route. 

Colin, seemingly completely unashamed of wearing blue eyeshadow.... 

Erin gives Elizabeth a lift. 

"See Mommy, I brought this for you." 

Meriel and Summer 

Logan and Emily at the water pump. 

Not sure what they were playing with the sticks and pine needles, but it kept them all occupied for quite some time.

More Mari

When we were in New York City last week (more on that in a future post), we had the chance to spend some time with baby Mari.  I was amazed at how much she has grown since we last saw her, over 4th of July weekend.  I didn't really get any good pictures of her, as she spent most of her time with us snuggled up against Miss Meliss in the baby bjorn, but I was able to grab a couple of shots of her itty bitty fingers...

Mari, Melissa and Elizabeth 

Mari and Emily 

Elizabeth and Ethan

Every time we get Elizabeth and Ethan together, Janet and I marvel at their similarities.  Born just ten days apart, they met for the first time when they were less than a month old and have been friends ever since.  Even if they go months without seeing each other, which they often do, the two have no problem picking up right where they last left off.  In the last year or so, we have noticed that Ethan has become more "boyish" - refusing to hold Elizabeth's hand in the ocean, for example - but that doesn't seem to impact their relationship at all.  They talk the same way, say the same silly things, laugh at each other's jokes and have a great time together.  It warms the heart to watch the child of my dearest friend have such a great relationship with my own child!

Great picture of these two buddies. 

Playing in the water. 

These two have absolutely no fear of the waves - none. 

Janet had a great idea for a picture of the two of them letting the water rush over them but we just couldn't seem to pull it off - this was the best I could get!

Twenty Five Years!

Last week, our friends and neighbors Peter and Lisa celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and yesterday, Lisa's mom threw a small party for them and we were honored to attend.  We are so happy for Peter and Lisa on this great milestone and wish them many more wonderful years together!

  

Cell phone photos - I joked that my gift to them was leaving my camera at home.

Stop with the pictures!!

Wonderful Wells

For the last couple of years, Janet and her family have invited us to join them for a visit during their vacation in Wells, Maine.  This year, we were once again lucky to have gorgeous weather (although a bit windy) and the kids had a fabulous time playing in the sand and water.  The waves were absolutely enormous, but it didn't seem to bother them at all.  I love the beach at Wells and every time we visit, it makes me think that we should spend our summer vacation just a little further north.

 Emily watches Elizabeth and Ethan from the safety of shallow water.

I love this shot of her pure happiness, even though both hands didn't quite make it into the picture. 

I forgot Elizabeth's bathing suit bottom (how, I do not know!) but she was a good sport and wore one of Ethan's bathing suits.  Good thing that they are just about the same size!

Playing in the sand. 

Happy little Owen. 

All four kids playing together.

Ethan on his boogie board. 

My girls. 

Building an ecosystem - their words, not mine.  When did almost-1st graders get so smart?! 

Emily lounging in a tide pool. 

  

Elizabeth tries out Ethan's boogie board.

Soccer

Elizabeth decided that she wanted to play soccer this fall, so in late spring, we registered her and purchased her soccer uniform.  Over the summer, she has become increasingly excited about playing and two weeks ago, when I took her to buy shin guards, socks and cleats, she was over the moon with excitement.  Last Saturday morning, the high school girls' soccer team had a soccer clinic for girls ages 6-12 and Elizabeth participated.  It was touch and go in the beginning, but she stuck it out and ended up having a good time, despite taking a ball to the fact (The reaction from her sympathetic father?  "You're not at dance class anymore."  Nice one).  She was definitely the youngest kid there and we rewarded her bravery with a milkshake from McDonalds, of course!  We think that once the season starts, she will have a great time, especially because all of the kids will be her age.

Smiling and ready to go - she was super excited! 

Engaged in some 2 on 2 with older kids. 

Sometimes I forget how tiny she is... 

After three hours in the sun, she was wiped out and slept for a good hour.

The Napper: Part II

Although she goes down for a few hours a couple of days during the week, Emily is still strongly resisting naps on the weekend - she simply doesn't want to miss out on any fun with Elizabeth and she certainly doesn't want to be away from Mommy.  The result?  She continues to fall asleep at the drop of a hat and pretty much without fail in the car.

In the car on the way home from picking blueberries.

At the Dudleys, after an afternoon of swimming and playing.

In the car on the way to the bookstore.

On the way home from the beach (despite how uncomfortable this must be).

Dudley Days

Over the last few months, we have enjoyed many summer afternoons swimming at the Dudley's pool.  Elizabeth is a true water bug and just loves having a pool to swim in and great friends to play with - the perfect combination.  Emily loves hanging with the big kids and every once in a while, we can actually get her in the water without screaming!  Thanks to Apryl, Woody, Madison and Victoria for helping us create so many great summer memories!!

Victoria gets some serious hang time from Lee. 

Madison's turn! 

 

One of the few days that Emily actually ventured into the pool. 

Victoria. 

Madison is silly!

Emily is more comfortable on land the twins are only too happy to hose her down!

Alliance Against Cancer

The third annual Alliance Against Cancer 5K will be held one month from today, on Sunday, September 12th.  This road race was created by David and Cheryl's former running club, the Athletic Alliance, in honor of David's love for running and his ongoing battle.  This year's event will include a 5K walk and run, as well as a little kids' race (400 meters).  I am running the 5K again this year and Elizabeth is excited to run the kids race.  We invite you to join us - running, walking, kids race and/or cheering - on Sunday, September 12th at 9am at Milly's Tavern in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Click here to register for the 5K.
The race organizers have against challenged participants to raise money for patient services and cancer research at Dartmouth Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center, located at CMC in Manchester.  If you would like to contribute, please click here - no amount is too small or too big.  Thanks to those of you who have already donated and who will donate in the coming month and to all of our friends and family who will be joining us on September 12th!

Ethan and Elizabeth show off their ribbons after the 2009 kids race.