Butterflies and Moths

Each Spring, Gigi, Lexi and Zachary collect caterpillars of different varieties so that they can watch them transform into beautiful butterflies.  This spring they had more varieties than ever before, and really had an opportunity to explore and enjoy each one.  Here is a small video that Gigi put together of their time with some of the butterflies - Butterfly Video. 

 

One of the most exquisite variety they had this year was a Lunar Moth.  It took quite some time to hatch, and we actually worried that  it might not ever emerge, but when it finally did it was so exciting!

This is such a wonderful activity that the kids (and everyone else!) really adore doing with Gigi.  Throughout the few weeks that they spend waiting for the butterflies (or moths) to emerge, and the time they get to spend with the butterflies once they hatch, they learn so much about nature, the different species of butterflies and moths, and the circle of life. 

The most amazing thing that happened this spring is that once the painted lady butterfly had hatched, and the kids had a few days to spend with her on the sun porch, it was time to let her go.  They went outside with her to set her free, but rather than flying away, she stayed with the kids for a very long time, sitting on their fingers, and letting them feed her from flowers in their hands.  She had really grown to trust them, and they knew just how to take care of her.  It was very special.

4th of July

We moved into our new house on June 28th, so what better thing to do a week later than to host a 4th of July party in the new house, right??  People thought we were crazy to do it, but we really love hosting our 4th of July party, so we went with it.  It was actually awesome.  Almost nothing was unpacked, but it motivated us to get the house to a point where we could show it off a bit.  But at the same time, everyone knew we had just moved, and didn't expect much from us.  It was great. 

We bought an enormous blow up water slide, which was a big hit with the kids.  It turns out we have an excellent party house, and everyone had a blast.  What a fun way to break in the new digs! 

Mama was kind enough to take some pictures for us.

Josh (Gwen's husband), with new baby Clara, came for a visit.

Cindy, Nicole and I tour the house.

I love my Annie!!

Cindy, Jennifer and Uncle Joseph escape the heat in the air conditioned living room!

Anthony and Lauren do the same!

DJ, Nicole, Matt, Aaron and Dad check out the deck

Lexi on the awesome slide!

Mollie Bedard loves it!

Riley and Jack - old, great friends!

Andrea, Nicole, Maria, Christi and Me!

Awesome cake by Nicole!

What a great day.  We felt really lucky to have all of our friends and family come and celebrate with us in our new home. 

Last Day As a Rockin' Robot and Thomson Tiger!!

Today was Lexi's last day of school.  Normally this is a totally happy day, but today was bittersweet.  Because today is moving day, it also marks Lexi's last day as a Thomson Tiger.  She had an amazing year in 1st grade.  She had a wonderful teacher, and a fantastic class.  I really watched her come alive this year, and truly enjoy everything she was learning about!  She loved being a Rockin' Robot, and even though I know she will meet lots of new friends, and be very happy as a Franklin Dragon, I think we will both always miss our fantastic Thomson community.

Because it was moving day, Lexi slept at Gigi and Poppy's, and I didn't get my traditional last day of school picture.  So, for the comparative we will use a picture from the first day of summer camp (which was taken on July 1st...two days after the writing of this post...creepy).

1st day of 1st Grade

1st Day of 1st Grade with Zach

End of 1st Grade with Zach

Mrs. Radulski's Rockin' Robots!  A great group of kids!

It's Time To Move On

Things got a little quiet on the blog (although I am now filling in events, so ultimately this will go unnoticed in printed volumes) because life got rather wild this spring.  After quite a bit of discussion, Ahren finally convinced me to leave our adorable little white house on Harold street and move out to the boonies of North Andover!  The date of this post is June 28th because that was our moving date, but I'm writing it in the new house on September 11th.  I will say that living "out town" is not as terrible as I thought it would be, and our neighbors (those that we have met) are very nice.  It's an adjustment, but I know that we will be happy in this house.  However, we will never forget our little white house where so much of our lives were lived.

Sadly, I don't even have any pictures of the new house yet!  That will come...promise!

Peonies

Each year, Gigi takes a picture of Lexi with the peonies in her yard.  Here is a small collage of each year from age 2 through age 7.

Zachary's Last Day of Preschool!

Today was Zachary's last day of Preschool.  My favorite part about the last day of preschool is the End of Year Performance that the kids do for the parents and grandparents.  Zachary was really excited about this, and did a great job!  Here are some pictures and videos of his big performance.

I'm a Little Star

Moving On Song 

Next year Zachary will be back at NEMS for one more year with Miss Melissa and Miss Marcia in the "Older Learner's Classroom".  He is really going to miss his teachers this year, especially Miss Karissa who will not be returning because she is having a baby.  But I know he'll love Older Learner's in the fall.