Happy 5th Birthday, Lexi!!

Dear Lexi,

Yesterday was your 5th birthday. In one way it doesn't seem possible that you could be five. I remember every moment of your arrival like it was yesterday - you changed our world in so many ways I couldn't even begin to count. But in another sense I feel like you've always been here. Sometimes I try to remember what life was like before you came along, and it seems like when I think back to those memories it's almost like you're somehow now a part of them. It's true what they say - having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body. You are so much a part of me, that I truly feel emptiness when you're not right next to me.

You are a beautiful five year old, both inside and out. All of your teachers, camp counselors, friend's parents, etc. tell me how much of a pleasure you are to have around. You have a beautiful disposition, and I believe you have an old soul. You will often point out how beautiful the scenery is, or a "lovely flower" you spotted on the side of the road. Today you grabbed me to show me the beautiful spider web on your jungle gym (despite your immense fear of the spider web, you can still appreciate it's beauty). You are friendly, empathetic, helpful and appreciative....very unusual characteristics of a five year old. And of course, being your mother's daughter, you are dramatic! Darling, there are famous actresses who cannot carry on the way you can, and I'm convinced this talent will take you far. But as you've grown, you've found a way to take the dramatics to another room, get control of yourself, and come back a happy little girl when you're feeling more calm. This has made both of our lives easier, so I thank you for figuring that one out.

You've learned so much in the past year, and I'm really excited to see where this next year will take us. In a few short weeks you'll begin your last year of preschool in the "Older Learners" room. You'll be going to school five days a week, and I'll be getting my first taste of "real" school. I know you're ready, and I'm so excited for you.

Lexi, I love you so much I couldn't possibly put it into words. You are simply the best daughter any mother could hope for, and I feel so lucky and blessed that you are mine. Happy, happy birthday, angel. I hope that every day of your life is filled with as much happiness as you've given me.

Love always,
Mama

Portraits

As a surprise for my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary, Amy and I took the kids for a super-secret portrait session at Picture People a few weeks ago. We got a lot of great shots, but here are the best of the best.

Enjoy...

Early August Fun!

We've really been enjoying our summer! After all the time we spent working on the deck during the spring (and part of the summer), Ahren and I have made it a point to get out and have fun just about every single day this summer. Being out all the time does not lend itself well to blogging, so I'm trying to remember to pop in here and there to record our fun activities.

One thing we've done a lot of this summer is hiking through Weir Hill. If there is a day without any plans, we head right out after breakfast to take a hike. Lexi typically leads the way, and over time we've ditched the stroller for Zach, who either walks or rides piggy back the whole way. We all love the fresh air, cool shade, and abundance of nature in the woods. Our hikes have been the perfect addition to many weekends.
Last weekend we got to visit Grammy and Grampy in Rhode Island. There we had a great bbq, and celebrated Lexi's 5th Birthday. As a special surprise, Grampy took us for a slow putt around the river on his motor boat. Lexi loved the adventure, and had an ear to ear grin the whole way. Zach wasn't as impressed - I assume he found it boring since we took enough precaution to be sure that no one could get hurt. What fun is it if it isn't dangerous, right Danger Boy?

News came a few days after our visit that Uncle Devan and Auntie Jen welcomed the newest Lippman into the world. Little Eva Linn was born on Wednesday, August 11th - tiny and perfect. Lexi and Zach (and Ahren and I) cannot wait to meet our newest family member.
This past week and weekend, Amy, Ben, Cassie and Sophie came to visit. The kids have endless amounts of fun playing together, and with Gigi and Poppy, so it's always a joy to have them here. On Friday, Gigi, Poppy and Ahren took over kid duty while Amy and I took Gram to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the North Shore Music Theater. The play was great, and the three of us had a wonderful time together. Amy and I don't often get to spend time talking without the kids around, so poor Gram barely got a word in edgewise, but we're pretty sure she had fun anyway - one of the cute actors danced with her at the end of the play and she seemed pretty pleased about that. :)
On Saturday we celebrated Gigi and Poppy's 40th Wedding Anniversary, where we were finally able to spill the beans about the photos we had taken of the kids (those are coming up). We had a great dinner, and Mom and Dad LOVED the photos.
Just about every Sunday this summer, Ahren and I have been taking the kids to the free concerts on the common. We eat dinner there, and then let the kids run around and play. It's been the perfect ending to every weekend, and we've really enjoyed doing it. Last night was the last one for us, as we'll be heading off to the beach next week. We can't WAIT!

It's been a busy, though fun couple of weeks. We're looking forward to more family time together before the summer winds down.

Zachary's First Haircut

On Saturday, Ahren brought Zachary over to see Kelly while I was there having my hair done. We decided that it was time to resolve the mullet issue that had become his hair. Kelly did a great job, which was no surprise at all. I was sitting under the dryer letting my color process while I watched her snip off all of that baby hair, and turn my baby into a little boy.
I realize now that I don't have a great "after" picture, so I'll have to get on that as soon as possible. Zach did very well. He sat still through the entire cut, and while he gave Kelly a continuous "stink eye" through the entire thing, in the end he seemed very proud of his new 'do!

Boom!

That's the sound of the language explosion that Zach has had over the past couple of months. I've actually heard a lot about a phenomenon where kids suddenly begin to excel at a new skill right after having a fever. I would say Zach's new language skills definitely took off right after his reaction to his MMR vaccine a few months back, which is very interesting. It seems as though it suddenly dawned on him that everything in his world has a label, and that if he wants something, or just wants to talk about something, he's going to have to figure out it's label. It's one of my most favorite stages of development because he comes out with the cutest little words. My favorite by far is that he calls Lexi "Tachi". As if their little bond weren't cute enough before, now they really have conversations with each other, and Zach can easily keep up. He starts off almost every day saying, "I ant (want) Tachi." "Tachi?" "Tachi?" If she's crying he'll say, "Otay, Tachi?"
Another favorite of mine is "bah-lloooon". I'd give that kid a million balloons just to hear him say the word. This is a good arrangement for both of us, because balloons are pretty much his favorite thing right behind his sister. We've actually had to "put a balloon down for a nap", blankets and all, just to get him to nap! (Don't worry, they got separate beds.)
The words are coming fast and furious. To give you an idea of how fast, just this week we were looking through a picture book and came to a picture of a flower. I said, "Zach, this is a flower. Can you say flower?" He tried but what came out sounded nothing like flower, so we moved on. About an hour later we were in the car and stopped by an enormous sun flower. Lexi and I were exclaiming about how big and beautiful it was and Zach said, "Mama, flowah!!"
Having Zach talking is so much fun. He's become so much a part of the gang now, and he's a really fun buddy to have around.
Speaking of fun...this was a gem from Lexi last night that I had to share:
Me: "Lexi, you've been doing a great job brushing your teeth, honey!"
Lexi: "Do you think I'm ready to be a Mommy yet?
Me: "Um, not quite, but you're doing a great job being a big sister!"
Lexi: "Yea, I still need to learn how to take care of children, and buckle my own car seat."
Me: "Yes, those are important skills to have in order to be a Mommy."
:)