4th of July Weekend

My poor, neglected blog. We've continued to have an extremely busy spring/summer (not to mention exceptionally rainy!!) and while it's been fun, I've missed recording a lot of fun events. I wrote my "Zachary's 7 Month Birthday" post in my head about 10 times, but never got to write it down. Important to report in that post was that he is now a pro at sitting (since about 6 1/2 months) and now prefers to sit on his mat and play with his toys. He's also begun playing peek-a-boo (video to post later), imitating sounds like BaaBaa and DaDa, and his favorite game...coughing. Seriously, he thinks it's funny if you make a coughing sound and will cough to try to make others cough. It's hysterical...especially the way he cracks up laughing about it. Of course, he's never happier than he is when he's playing with his sister, and they both continue to play beautifully together.

This past weekend was full of excitement for the whole family! On Thursday we went to the circus with Daddy, Gigi and Poppy, and Lexi's best friend Riley and Riley's family. We all had a blast, and even Zachary seemed to enjoy the show, with the exception of the portion that he slept through.

On Friday evening we went to the common to set-up for the road race, and enjoy the little concert. Lexi had a blast dancing around, and even found some of her friends there to play with. Saturday was the 4th of July. This was such a big day for Lexi!! It began with her running her very first road race!! She did great, with the small exception of the fact that she tried to dive across the finish line, and landed on her knees. It upset her, but after we all joked with her for awhile about how you shouldn't try to dive across the finish line, she thought it was pretty funny...and I bet it won't deter her from doing another race soon. After the race we had a quick wardrobe change and she participated in the doll carriage parade. We didn't realize that this would be geared more towards really little kids (it was VERY short) so we decided that next year we'll do the bike parade instead. After all that work we had a yummy lunch on the common, and then it was off to the pony rides. Just a few weeks ago Lexi did not want anything to do with the pony's at her friend's pony party because they were too tall. Last week she agreed to go on the pony, but had to go on the smallest pony they had. Suddenly on Saturday she because Lexi Courageous because she waited in a long line specifically so that she could ride the biggest pony they had!! I walked with her, but she held on by herself and had a HUGE smile the whole way! We topped of the day with some fantastic fireworks in the evening. Again we were worried that Lexi might be too scared of them, but she surprised us again by absolutely loving them, and even picking out which ones were her favorite. Zachary also loved the fireworks, and sat in my lap watching the whole show. Every few minutes he would look up at me with awe, as though he couldn't believe we had brought him to see something so spectacular!!

It was just a fantastic weekend all around. The beautiful weather is finally here, and we plan to enjoy every minute of it. As soon as Zachy wakes up from his nap, we're off to the pond for the afternoon. We LOVE summer!!

Her First Joke!

Last night at dinner...

Lexi: "Hey Mama, how do teeth count?"

Me: "I don't know, how?"

Lexi: "One, tooth, three, four..."

Me: "That was very cute Lexi! Where did you hear that?"

Lexi: "On 'Sid the Science Kid'"

Me: "I think you just told your first joke!"

Lexi: "No I didn't!"

Me: "Yes, that was a joke you just told!"

Lexi: "No Mama, it wasn't!!"

Me: "Okay. Well, I want to teach you another joke. Do you know how sometimes we call a dance a 'boogie'?"

Lexi (doing "disco fingers"): "Like if we do a boogie dance?"

Me: "Um, yea... So, my joke goes: How do you make a tissue dance?"

Lexi: "How?"

Me (laughing): "You put a little boogie in it."

Lexi (half smiling and half looking confused): "Can you show me??"

Me: "I think you're still a little too young for that one."

Lexi's End of Year Performance

Today Lexi had her end of year performance at New England Montessori School. She's just been there since April, but she's done very well and we've all been very happy. She has been singing her little songs every where we go, but I honestly thought she would clam up when she got up on stage. Another mom and I actually chatted about it before the show. But she walked right into the room, sat where she was supposed to, smiled at me, and patiently waited for her class's turn to go up. When it was their turn she walked nicely onto stage, sang the whole song (three actually) and walked nicely back to her seat. It was beautiful. I was so impressed with all of the children and how well they sang their songs and also followed directions in such an overwhelming situation. Here are some pictures and video of two of the songs.

The words to this song are:

If you see a piece of litter pick it up
Pick it up!
If you see a piece of litter pick it up
Pick it up!
If you see a piece of litter, you can make the world look better
If you see a pirce of litter pick it up
Pick it up!


The words to this song are:

We used to be so young and tiny
now we're growing big and strong

ABCs and 123s, colors shapes
we've learned them all

We've made new friends at Montessori
Now we're ready to move on

Thank you all for teaching us
remember us when we are gone. (and then all the moms cry) :)

Lexi with her teachers, Miss Kim and Miss Melissa.

While most kids will have the summer off, Lexi will be back in class on Tuesday as she will be attending NEMS for summer camp as well. She's really looking forward to it, although a little nervous about meeting new friends again.

Heather and Tim's Wedding

This past weekend was fantastic...it was an occasion that I have thought about probably a million times in my life...my best friend's wedding. Heather and I have been friends since we were three and four...Lexi's age, and it was so great for me to have the opportunity to stand up next to her when she finally married the guy we've all known for ages was for her. The wedding was gorgeous - the kind from movies where you think, "yea, but that would never happen in real life.." The weather was phenomenal, the setting (their back yard) was perfect, and absolutely everything was top notch. And most importantly, Heather was happy, and therefore, we were happy. :)

Ahren, Lexi and Zach were all amazingly patient with my busy schedule as one of the two bridesmaids. The third, Julie, had little Tommy Joseph just a few weeks too early, and couldn't make it, so Ali and I had to hold down the fort. We were also very lucky that the wedding was just 20 minutes from my sister's house, so Lexi spent most of the weekend there with her cousins, and also Gigi and Poppy. She had a blast, and it made our lives easier.

At the reception, Lexi was completely taken with "The Bride" Anytime Heather came within ten feet of us Lexi would say, "Mama, look!! THE BRIDE!!!" I tried to point out that "the bride" was Auntie Heather (who I believe she usually gives her famous "stink eye" to) but it was like I was speaking a foreign language...she was THE BRIDE and THE BRIDE danced with her and actually TALKED to her, and even...at one point...she serenaded her. Sigh, Lexi could die happy because she got special attention from the bride. I'm thinking if I just walk around in a white dress and fancy hair I could probably get her to do anything! Hmm...I'll have to pull out my wedding dress and give this a try.

The wedding was fantastic, and I'm still smiling. I couldn't imagine a better day for a better friend, and I hope she is forever as happy as she was that evening. :) She married a great guy, who has a wonderful family and fantastic friends, and they have a beautiful life ahead of them.

And speaking of beautiful, I will post just a few of the 250 shots that Ahren took that day...

And for those of you who, like me, can't get enough of wedding pictures...here are some links to my mom's photos, and 161 of Ahren's best.

Zachary Is 6 Months Old!

It's awful when our life gets so busy that I don't even have time to write about what we're doing. The month of May has been non-stop for us, and while it's been a blast, we are all looking forward to this coming weekend where we have *nothing* planned! I feel bad about not getting a chance to blog about some of the fun we've had, but I would be here all night if I tried to catch up, and morning comes very early in this house... But there are a few important updates that I must share, and then some pictures.

First, Zachary is 6 months old! I am very proud to say that we exclusively breastfed for 6 full months, quite happily. Breastfeeding continues, but Zachary has now started to eat the ever tasty rice cereal. We thought starting with a banana might be more fun, but Zachy did not agree and spit it right out. He seemed happier with the cereal - maybe because it was mixed with Mama milk... Lexi LOVES this new phase, because there is nothing more fun to a three year old that having a real life doll whose mouth she can shove a spoon into! She is in her glory. Today we went to see Dr. Martin and she is still quite pleased with Zachary's development. She was impressed to hear that he is already saying "dada", "blah blah", "ala", etc., and was happy with how well he is learning to sit and roll around. Surprisingly, he did not gain as much weight as expected, and has actually dropped to the 20th percentile for weight. We're not at all concerned about this, but she did say that he is not as big as everyone keeps telling me he is. Here are his stats from today:
Height - 27.25 inches - 75th percentile
Weight - 15lbs 12.5 ozs - 20th percentile
Head - 44.4 cm
He continues to be the happiest baby alive, and actually giggled when he got his shots today. Well, he giggled after the first one, and then screamed hysterically after the second. Poor thing.

Lexi is still as happy as ever. She loves being in preschool, and has quickly made a best friend, Riley. Her teacher told me today that they are inseparable and hug each other all day long. She is a wonderful helper at home, and just a joy every minute of the day. The other night she came into the kitchen and asked me if she could have some yogurt. I told her it was fine and as she opened the refrigerator to get it out she said, "You are the sweetest Mama in the whole world." :) Of course, Ahren won't let me get away with not telling the other story... One Wednesday evening we were eating dinner after I had done my track workout. After dinner she hopped down and came over to give me a big hug. I said, "Awe, Lexi you are so sweet" to which she replied, "You STINK!" That's my kid. :)

And now, some pictures of the adorable angels.

Mother's Day

Dear Lexi and Zachary,

Today is Mother's Day, a day when we are supposed to stop and remember to thank our moms for everything they do for us throughout the year. But today as your mommy, I want to stop and thank you. You each have your own ways of making me feel like the luckiest mom alive each day.

Lexi, when you say things to me like, "You're the sweetest Mama in the whole world." or "Mama, in my eyes you are fancy" (when I forget to dress up for the Mother Tea at your school) or when I tell you I'm tired and you come over and give me the most loving and gentle hugs, it absolutely melts my heart. Sometimes I wonder if you're really three years old, or an adult stuck in a little girl's body. In the last three and a half years you have become my best friend and I truly enjoy every moment we spend together. When you call me back in the room for one more hug and kiss, or when we go through our bedtime routine each night - one minute, then one half a minute, then good night, sweet dreams, I'll see you in the morning - it reminds me that I am simply the luckiest Mommy in the world.

Zachary, for a five month old you sure can melt a Mama's heart yourself! The hugs you give me in the morning, or after a long day at Yaya's, or even after we've been apart for only five minutes make me feel like you're the one protecting me. You hold on and squeeze so tight, so lovingly. And this morning, after I had been away all night, your greeting made my week. Your face lit up like a Christmas tree, and your arms started waving, and within just moments you were actually crying with joy that I was home. There could be no greater homecoming, and once I had you in my arms, I cried with joy a bit too. It's nice to have a night away, but there is nothing like coming home to my baby.

Flowers and cards and fancy lunches are wonderful, but there is no better way for me to celebrate Mother's Day than to have my angels, my sweet, sweet babies in my arms. Thank you both for being the best gifts on earth.

Love,
Mama