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

Monday, Monday, Can't Trust That Day

Sometimes I wish I could watch clips of my life on video after they happen...not that I think the story of my life would bring in millions at the box office, mostly because I think it would be hysterical to watch replays of my most ridiculous moments as a mom. This afternoon's "video" would definitely be one that I would watch over and over, surely laughing until I cried each time.

Mondays are not always my best days. I don't "work" on Mondays, so they are usually spent trying to prepare the house and kids for the next three days of work and school. If my weekend is too busy to get the laundry and grocery shopping done, then I am left Mondays to figure out how to do those things with a three year old and an infant. Such is how this Monday began...but it all started with a plan. Lexi needed a new hat, and it seems that hats for three year-olds are hard to come by, though I was pretty sure that Old Navy would have some. Usually we do our grocery shopping at Market Basket, but since there is a Stop and Shop next to the Old Navy, I figured that would do for one week. So off we went, Zach in the bjorn, and Lexi on foot, and ultimately in the cart at Stop and Shop. It was almost lunch time by the time we got to the grocery store, so I knew we'd have to be quick before kids and Mama started getting hungry and cranky. However, trying to pick up all the usual groceries in an unfamiliar grocery store with two kids (one of whom is attached to you) can prove to be quite a trick. But, we finally managed to pick up almost everything on our list, and started loading things on the check out belt. Lexi and Zach were both still relatively happy, but I knew my time was short. The cashier ran everything through, told me my total, and I swiped my card. As I turned to put my card away I heard a scream from Lexi. I turned to look and she had blood literally shooting from her nose. oh.no. I quickly grabbed a tissue and jammed it on her face. She continued to scream and pull away while I am trying desperately to reach her without shoving Zachary (still attached to my front in the bjorn) directly in the line of streaming blood. Everyone around us began to flip out. I think they may have thought I punched her in the nose or something. They are all looking at me with great concern, asking if I need tissues, if they can help me in some way, and expressing in horror that there is SO.MUCH.BLOOD! I'm very used to these nose bleeds...they happen quite frequently...just not usually in the grocery store. So, while I continue to contain the situation with the help of the cashier handing me enormous wads of paper towel (which are very quickly soaking with blood) I notice that the bagger is putting my groceries in plastic bags. "NO!" I yell, pointing. "I HAVE BLUE BAGS!!! BLUE BAGS!! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME PLASTIC!!!" The bagger looked at me like I was nuts (maybe she was right!), why was I concerned about the bags when my daughter was bleeding out, screaming at the top of her lungs?? In no time Zachary lost it. He does not like it when his sister cries, so he started in with her. I am now one handedly trying to enter my pin number, keep the bloody tissues under control, assure everyone around me that we are fine, and comfort both of my screaming children (one of whom is, yes...still strapped to me!). As I push the cart out of the checkout row I am met by the manager who asks me what seems to be the problem. I assure him that she is fine, she gets these all the time, and really, we're going to be okay. He offers me cold towels (I'm wondering where he is going to get said towels), when suddenly the women from the bank start waving tissues and disinfectant wipes, and the bagger (now behind me) hands me a plastic bag to put the bloody tissues in. I'm sure she was thrilled when I just tossed the bloody tissues in and left them for her to deal with. I took the tissues and wipes from the bank women and continued to try to navigate my way out the door and to the car while begging Lexi to lean in towards me so that I can reach her nose with the tissue. When I got to the car a man in the car next to me yells out in a thick Italian accent, "Oh dear, blood nose?" "Yes" I smile back and continue to try to figure out what I'm going to do next. A kind woman who had been behind me in the store came over and helped me get my bags in the car. All I needed was to get Zach off my chest so that I could help Lexi out of the cart...but no one was willing to take over bloody tissue holding for me, so there we all stood...Zach crying, Lexi bleeding, and me looking like a total fool trying to keep it all together. Finally her nose bleed stopped long enough for me to get Zach into his seat, and Lexi out of the cart. I thanked the kind woman profusely, quickly buckled both children into their seats and drove out of there half laughing, half crying.

Yes, it's always an adventure. And this is why I always say that the days I go to work and the kids go to daycare/preschool are my easiest days by far. :)

Okaaaay...

This one goes under the category of "thanks for sharing" as I have absolutely no idea what to do with this information.

Lexi: "Mama, sometimes when you talk while I'm eating, it makes my mouth bone feel kinda soft."