365::290

I Love......

How you call today, "this day"

How today at lunch I was reading a magazine and you had to get one too to "read"

How you Love to do puzzles now by yourself

How following me around the house and helping me with all my "chores" is the highlight of your day (including digging rocks in the backyard)

And How during these chores is when the best conversations happen

How three is hard and easy all at the same time

All the little projects you bring home from school and how excited you are to show them to me when I Pick you up....

Your little smiling face

Your belly laughs

That a pile of leaves is your key to happiness.

That being your Mom is the best ever.

365::289

Love this picture of the three of you:)

Great kids!

365::288

I LOVE......

that you are helping me every night with my December Daily album foundation as part of our "special time"

that you ask me to draw with you at night

that you are reading 400 page books now

How you say "hi Mom"

that you help your brother and sister

that you are a popular kid b/c you are nice to everyone

that you hold Lucas' hand on the couch when you watch movies together

that you are getting better at helping with chores like making your own bed b/c you like to.

that your hands remind me of Jeff's when he was little

you.

365::287

Your sixth Birthday Party....

On a brisk and windy October day yesterday.

Cousins. Friends. Ice cream. Presents. Playing. In the end, you were happy b/c you got ice cream and got to watch a Thomas. Next year, I promise you girl we will have a big bash with ALL your friends from school...... I promise:)

And today....Sunday we have a neighborhood party to celebrate Brain getting well again and beating cancer (and to that beautiful NEW backyard). Another article of interest. Thank God for this post which I so needed today when I'm frustrated to tears with one little three year old.

365::286

Today was the last Dance class of the session and we got to have a sneak peek!

My girl had fun, she was laying on the ground for some of it, off on her own for some of it, and looking at herself stick her tongue out in the mirror for the rest of it. She did manage a few dance moves (btw, the crown lasted for about five minutes). But the best thing about this class (and this set of parents) is that no one is talking about how their kids are going to go on and be professional ballerinas someday. We're just clapping loudly and cheering for all the kids as they attempt one small jump across a tiny "lake" (scarf) in the middle of the room, even if it takes two grownups to help them across. I say, Thank God that we have each other:)

365::285

Random.

Lucas said to me today as we were in the car driving to the store and we passed a school bus, "Mom, In two years I'm going to be taking that bus." Really, already?

We were walking home from the bus stop and Trevor says to me" Mom it was so cool, we made a drawing of an apple in art with oil pastels, and it REALLY looks like an apple" (I love it when you actually tell me the little details about school)

I passed a bumper sticker the other day that said, "Well behaved women rarely make history"

Lucas eats peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast and always wants warm juice

We're dressed for the rain today.

I got a really nice compliment from a friend today.

tomorrow we're having, "real waffles" for breakfast ans we get to watch Breanna's dance class (and take pictures!)

I got more calls from the school this week that I would like...

We're having Breanna's birthday party tomorrow, she's having ice cream instead of cake (she doesn't like cake)......and I don't have a thing planned other than the ice cream.

365::284

Miracles in Every Day (From Daily OM) Joy Always Beholding the joy that surrounds us may seem easy, but for some it can take an effort, an effort worth making. It is the everyday aspects of our lives that bring us the most joy, even if at first it may seem natural to expect our feelings of happiness to come from the larger events in our lives. By noticing how small things can fill our days with delight, we are more likely to experience the wonder of living. Once we take the time to look around and witness the beauty, kindness, and laughter that envelop us, what may seem like the ordinariness of the everyday becomes filled with the extraordinary detail of each individual moment. If we bring this sense of awareness to our lives for even a few minutes each day, we will begin to see how just blessed we truly are. Beholding the joy that surrounds us may initially seem easy, but for some it can take a conscious effort to make it a part of a daily routine. When you awake in the morning and set the intention to notice more joy in the world, watch how your day and, eventually, your life is filled with more joy. The more we do this the more apt we will be to notice the sounds of children laughing or the sparkle of dewdrops on a flower petal. Allow this joy to fill your heart fully, and from there it will naturally expand to your entire body and then spread to others, giving them joy as well. Taking in the small joys of each day expands our feeling of being connected with the world, especially once we become more attuned to them. With each passing day, we will find that these small delights, which bring a deeper level of appreciation for everything the universe has given to our lives, are miracles.

365::283

I LOVE these boots (they are perfect Goodwill find for preschool and the wet outdoors). I LOVE the time that we have been spending together these last few weeks (walks in the woods, playing football, working in the yard, going to the library, doing puzzles). I'm going to miss you when I go back to work tonight:(

365::282

Today.

An after school game of soccer football with my boy and my girl (while my other boy was at his last soccer practice). We ran, we tackled (Breanna wanted Lucas to tackle her), we laughed, and we did victory dances until our cheeks were red and our noses were runny from the cold. Sweet fall memories.

365::281

Today.....

was about working in the yard. We cut down a tree out front and planted a new one out back. THIS boy, helped all day, digging up rocks, moving sticks, planting bulbs. He was one tired cookie by the end of the night (and so was I!) Manual labor, getting dirty and smelly and not showering until the end of the day, it feels good knowing we did it all ourselves....and hopefully we're passing that on to our kids:)

365::280

10/10/10

My thirty sixth birthday.

Michelle and the kids made me breakfast in bed!

I got to go for a walk in the woods.

I got two beautiful new necklaces which mean soooo much to me, one with the kids names engraved and another pendant with the kids birthstones.

Josh surprised me with a babysitter and a night out at Walter's restaurant downtown....and afterward, we started our Christmas shopping (a little).

Thanks guys, for the presents, facebook messages, calls, breakfast, and dinner it was the best birthday ever!

365::279

The note Trevor left Breanna yesterday. i LOVE this:)

365::278

A birthday pancake with the candle zero on it (b/c that's all I could find!) How is that for extravagant and well planned out!

You had a good day, your friends sang happy birthday to you at school (you had a half day), You have a complete new set of Thomas the Tank toys, books, and movies, and you got to have ice cream, vanilla(you are not a cake person)

And as a good friend told me today, " She is such a blessing in your family life in so many ways."

Love you, Girl!

365::277 Almost six!

For the day you were born:

“The moments we enjoy most as they unfold, and that we treasure long afterward, are the ones we experience most deeply. Depth roots us in the world, gives life substance and wholeness. It enriches our work, our relationships, everything we do. It’s the essential ingredient of a good life and one of the qualities we admire most in others.”

William Powers.

October 2004 (Journal excerpts)

"Nothing about this week is what I had planned on....We cried, the rest was a blur, a very long blur.....You are our special daughter no matter what happens, but I just can't help but think about the challenges that lie ahead for you in your life.....We live in a cruel world......Forgive me for grieving......Forgive me for all the bad thoughts I have had, I think about all the things we may not get to do together, picking out prom dresses, wedding dresses, baby stuff.....I need for you to know that no matter what happens now or in the future, that God picked me to be your mother and that I'm going to do my best......Just never forget how beautiful you are and how special you are to me and our family."

and Today, If it wasn't for you:

I wouldn't know the real value of hard work and patience

I wouldn't know what it was like to cry real tears of joy the first time you rolled over, walked, talked, got on the bus for the first time or said I love you, Mom.

I wouldn't know what hip helpers were or what Oral Motor,IEP, ST, PT, OT and section 24, meant.

I wouldn't know, Heidi, Jen, Barb, Sally, Stacy, Kelledy, Erica, Liz, Ruth, Karyn, Lisa, Missy, Rachel, Michele, Mrs. P, Mrs. Shallow, Alison, Liana, Daphne, Helen, Mark, Beth, Brooke, Dr. Smith, and Sue (and there's probably more!)

I wouldn't know what it was like to have to move on appreciate and love life even when your heart was broken into a million pieces.

I wouldn't know how strong I was.

I wouldn't know how much I could unconditionally love someone.

I wouldn't have noticed the mentally challenged older man in a wheelchair in Goodwill the other day and helped him pick out a toy to play with without a second thought.

I wouldn't be teaching my other kids every day about acceptance.

Who knew miracles came in such small packages. You amaze me every day girl. Happy Birthday tomorrow:)

Love,

Mommy

365::276

Random stuff:

• I'm participating in the looking down shot today (and yes, this tub of rice is as messy as it looks)
• I so want a Dyson vacuum, I just heard that my sister-in-law got one.
• I can't wait until THIS project (and I still haven't totally finished my album from last year), and we're already locking in some of our favorite holiday traditions.
• Speaking of December Daily, they are my favorite albums ever. I looked through my old albums tonight (I started in 2008) and shed a few tears. Each album represents one less year that the kids are going to be little....It's funny how you forget how hard it was, how tired you were or how much of a blur everything was. I just don't want it to end.
• My girl (who hasn't been in many pictures lately)is going to be six on Friday. I'm going to have to give a lot of thought to that post.
• Breanna also had some random hives this week....who knows what causes these things.
• I'll be sooo happy once bathroom issues don't rule our lives.
• Three and a half year olds are rip-your hair our challenging and demanding yet cute and lovable all at the same time.
• Trevor and Lucas fight like...........brothers.
• 10/10/10..... seems kind of anticlimactic (and I've already written the post on that one).
• Josh is baking some chocolate peanut butter cookies tonight.
• It's amazing what a little thing like turning a table can do to the perspective of your whole family room (who needs new furniture).
• We just got a new Blue-Ray DVD player with internet capabilities (b/c our old one died), and I have to say....Pandora Rules!
• I had some great finds at the Goodwill store today and I got Bre a really cute sweater dress (I love sweater dresses on little girls).
• I spent the whole day figuring out outfits for our family photo shoot on the beach with her this Friday. Happy Birthday present to me (I actually get to be in a photo!)
• Jumpy squirrel is living in our attic (seriously...).

365::275

THIS boy......is finding his thing. He scored his first goal tonight in his practice game. Awesome, awesome!

365::274

This week, I'm heading into a long stretch off from work, and it feels tremendously good to slow down for a little while. This boy...... loves to bake. He usually begs to make banana bread (he even brought a special egg home from the preschool chickens to make some.) I think, though, he really just likes to do anything he can do with me, "because I love you Mom, he says" .....Mama's boy, all the way:)

365::273

We're getting some "stuff" done around here. We've finished the fence, cleaned up the inside part of the yard, started a really nice looking lattice on the deck and planted a few new bushes and trees. Today.....Josh ran 19 miles and then came home to start cleaning up the woods (it's a HUGE job, thankfully I received lots of "doing wood" training as a kid!) It's starting to look really good. Every time I'm in my backyard now, I smile:)

365::272

Today.....

a trip to Lowe's

flu shots.

dance class.

a soccer game.

starting the lattice on the deck.

a school fair (mommy volunteered, YOU socialized with your new friends, played the duck game, hit the bounce house and got a rub-on tattoo).

a 50% plant sale and we got 2 forsythia bushes for the yard (which resulted in some unexpected chainsawing when we needed to be starting dinner...)-I can't WAIT to see those pretty yellow flowers in the spring!

a pasta dinner with Kevin (13.1 tomorrow!)

a campfire with s'mores in our new and improved backyard.

Good times.

365::271

Here's to capturing all the extraordinary little ordinary moments of our lives.

Hello October.

365::270

Images of fall from around the neighborhood.......Lucas and I captured them on a stormy, muggy afternoon, in a break from the rain, we watched the leaves falling. Beautiful.

365::269

Afternoons.......after being away from each other all day each with their own, they really do enjoy each others company again.

365::266

Fall in Maine......

brings us indoors more b/c it get's dark earlier. That gives us a new appreciation for home and all the comforts of it. After a long day of school, or hiking in the woods and playing outdoors until our cheeks are red and our noses are runny from the cold, we love coming home and slipping into our cozy pants, and smelling what's for dinner in the crock-pot. We love coming home and making a hot cup of something and sitting on the couch and reading the paper or books to each other. We love coming home.

365::266

10 things.......

• You love everything to do with Thomas the train and are quite obsessed.
• You wash your hands independently when asked:)
• You have friends at school and on the bus (and I love how EVERYONE seems to know you!)
• You take ballet every Saturday and have met several friends there
• You re going to be Thomas the Train for Halloween (because a girl should be who she is, and unfortunately you are not a big fan of being a princess or a ballerina)
• You are almost SIX!
• Cheese sticks and apple juice are your staples, but you eat everything on your plate usually (two or three helpings!)
• I love how you wear barrettes in your hair now.
• You get on the bus ever morning and smile and wave goodbye from your window. That smile makes my whole day:)
• I love how you always smile for pictures now and then want to see the picture on the camera afterward.

365::265

a brisk fall day to come out and support the Maine Down Syndrome network Buddy walk.

The buddy walk 2010....smiles, friendship, acceptance and inclusion....not to mention family fun! Thank you everyone who has supported us on this journey!

365::264

Today.

• A soccer game and ballet class.
• Just passing the time on the VERY warm Saturday in September while Mom and Dad put up an new fence in the backyard.
• making small progress on the fence and finally starting to love our previously swampy backyard (It's taken 4 1/2 years!)
• A really fun evening in our last run for ice cream this year and a trip to the very large Memorial park for a walk and to play on the skateboard ramps-I LOVE our town.
• A little more working on the fence in the dark after the kids went to bed.

365::263

10 things......

1. You say, "I love you Mom" spontaneously about 50 times a day (I love that!)
2. You ride your bike down to the bus stop every afternoon to pick up your brother and sister
3. You love juice in a box, and milk in a box....anything in a box.
4. You want to be big and do everything your big brother is doing (including riding your scooter at the skateboard park).
5. You are the first one up every morning and the first one to jump in to bed with us, your feet pitter, pattering down the hallway, into our room, smiling all the way, and giving us GREAT big hugs (love that)
6. You play soccer, take swimming lessons and go to preschool two days a week
7. You don't know all your letters yet, but we're working on it.
8. You melt down quite easily when you don't get enough attention, when you have a runny nose, or when you want to do something for yourself that someone else "accidentally" does for you.
9. You love gum.
10. You are all done with naps, but I love that you are still little:)

365::262

10 things.......

• Every day when you get off the bus, you love to either go over to a friends house :( or ride your scooter or both and you say you are not ready to walk home alone yet (even though you are allowed to) and I'm happy with that.
• You always have seconds (and sometimes thirds) at every meal now
• You are still trying to find your way in remembering everything you need to about going to a new school (homework, papers to turn in, a lost water bottle, speaking up and asking for help).
• size 8 pants are still a little too long and you don't like khaki pants or jeans
• Your best friends are Nick and Niall and you play military every day at recess (and you say the game never ends)
• You like soccer, but might want to try football next year after a seventh grader told you that you have a "good throw"
• You actually like "fishburger" for a school lunch
• I love the way you say, "hi Mom"
• In bright light, your eyes look more olive green than brown
• If I would have known what a caring person you would turn out to be (esp. toward your siblings) I would have rejoiced even louder on the day you were born.

365::261

Evenings.

I cherish the family dinner. I really do, mostly because we don't get it every night b/c I work and the kids have "stuff". BUT, when the sweet, extremely cute three year old has been particularly challenging ALL DAY with no break, the grown up dinner (which kids were required to take at least one bite of) was burnt and then fixed and not ready until 7:30 PM, a bottle of wine needed to be bought, and the lawn needed to be mowed......we ended up with a quiet dinner alone with only an eight year old quietly reading nearby and some Norah Jones playing on the IPod. It's these times too, that I cherish.

365::260

Every once in a while, take the scenic route.

― H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

One of our favorite after school things to do (this year....no backpacks needed!). It brings us all back together after everyone has spent all day going in a million different directions. We breathe, smile, discover, talk and laugh no matter what type of day everyone has had.

365::259

Anatomy of a third grade homework assignment:

• He takes out his OWN orange folder without any reminders:)
• Let's get started, Mom can you come outside with me? (he likes to have someone with him wherever he goes these days)
• finds his tree, sits down and writes a few words, then erases. "Mom I need to go inside and find a better eraser"
• Comes back out and has a broken eraser and a pencil grip. "Mom can we go to Wal-mart and get a better pencil grip?"
• Notices the unique characteristics of the tree (it has acorns and a squirrel lives in a hole in the bottom), this of course is the last question and he is still on the second.
• "Mom, I"m cold, I need to go in and get my sweatshirt" Comes out with sweatshirt.
• writes a few more words, asks for help with spelling (squirrel)
• lays down to look up at the tree, wants to get a photo from that angle., "Mom can you get the little gray camera?"
• "Mom, I want to make a movie....like Narnia with swords and stuff, How do they make that Lion talk.....Can we make our own movie?"

Finally, he finishes the questions, takes a picture (not part of the assignment) and goes inside to finish writing his last paragraph about a tree. It's too bad he had to be restricted to the tree for this homework, I was all about making the movie.......Dream big, boy! I Love eight.

365::258

SERIOUSLY........

Our neighborhood rocks. We really did have a TV set up outside in the cul-de-sac watching the Pats game. We ordered pizza. We stayed until it was dark. We're already planning next years party. The kids(ranging from two years old to high school ) played like cousins (duck-duck-goose, football, biking and pulling each other around in wagons). I'm so glad they are all going to be growing up together. For Josh's job.....we could move anywhere in the country anytime we wanted. We love our neighbors, church, schools, ocean and woods. We choose here.

365::257

Today......

A second soccer game, he got to play goalie:)

The first day of ballet, making new friends :)

Putting the fence posts in for our new backyard fence (with a lot of help from family) :)

a really yummy family dinner :)

Weekends:)

365::256

Just because.....I love this picture.

365::255

Making my way........

and figuring how to keep track of it all. Three different schools, homework, lunches, two fundraisers, PTA, PTO, special services PTO, volunteering, sports, clubs and activities. We're not too busy, or too over scheduled (we try hard to keep it that way, after all kids need to be kids, not heading for pro football at age three!), but just keeping track of all that is out there and available to us, and what I want to do and help with and make our schools better places, it blows my mind sometimes.

And tonight.....we had Bre's open house. Everyone (kids and teachers) seemed to know Bre already (who didn't have a care in the world except for her plate of food!). The kids in her class, they do have questions like, "Why is she so small?" "how old is she?" and "why doesn't she use her words like we do.?.." But mostly, the teacher said, she is just one of the gang. She's a rock star, and I feel so lucky to be in her life!

365::254

evenings.......

we listen to Nora Jones or ocean sounds.

We do homework and color

We play games and read

We pack our backpacks and lunches

We put on our cozies

We try to organize ourselves

We brush teeth and get tucked in

WE clean up all the messes of the day

WE all go to bed at different times

WE give hugs and sometimes rub feet.

365::253

First day of soccer....you loved it and couldn't wait to wear those shin guards over your pants. Next year you get to be on the BIG team (pre-K), oh my! It's a completely different group of parents than I see at Trevor's events. Most of them, with lots of younger children, trying to manage their two to three year old on a soccer field and one to two other children, babies, carseats, strollers and diaper bags. As for me, I remember those days all two well struggling with two in a stroller in diapers(actually, b/c of the complete exhaustion.... I don't remember clearly most of Lucas first year, but I have pictures!) Now, I'm happy to be able to focus complete attention on my littlest, and savor every last minute of him being at home, hanging around town and going places like I have an only child AND help those other moms out as much as I can because I remember how hard it was.......

365::252

Sunday........

Our wonderful little church had a very nice service down on the beach. I didn't bring my camera, but a friend wonderfully e-mailed everyone out their pictures. A baby was baptized with the sea water. Guitars played and we sang. All the kids played running on the beach and building sand castles. We made our communion circles among the boats and clam diggers. There was a cross made of two sticks. It was a crisp cool, early new England Fall morning, but we left feeling warm and toasty inside:)

365::251

Apple picking at our favorite traditional family spot, Dole's orchard. LUCKILY, they were't hit hard by the late spring frost and they had TONS of apples. We sat by the pumpkins, went for a hay ride, rode in the wagon, picked raspberries and fought over who got to use the stick to pick apples high up in the tree. We picked out a pink Mum for the front porch and devoured THE BEST pumpkin whoopie pies on the way home (I look forward to those all year)....This afternoon we'll be enjoying the first Pats game and filling the house with yummy smells of those baking apples and homemade applesauce. We'll be celebrating our littlest boy's half birthday. It's really my favorite time of year!

365::250

Trevor's First soccer game! We were so proud of our little guy, he hasn't played soccer since Kindergarten and he had some great plays out there on the field. He is on a team with and played against 3rd and FOURTH graders. It was a PERFECT day to be out there, blue skies and cool temperatures (but not too cool). Breanna even tried to run on the field to play with the third grade girls next to us. It was so good to see Ruth from Shooting Stars and all our other friends and neighbors from around town. And tonight to celebrate (because every day one should celebrate), we made chocolate chip cookies and ate them right out of the oven. We all sat around the table, all of us, and dipped them in milk. Nothing like chocolate to bring a family together:) Then three chocolaty faces were bathed and tucked into bed and fell asleep in almost two seconds. I love weekends:)

365::249

First Day of Preschool at Willoughby Woods!

You said....

You got to play in the tree house and walk in the woods

You got to paint red and blue (but the painting belonged to the school)

That you had graham crackers and apple juice for a snack

That you made a friend named Emily and "Nee"

you got to play on the playground

that it was really fun...

365::248

Notes from school.....

Every day we receive a full page written report of Breanna's activities at school. Honestly, we didn't even know a quarter of what Trevor did all day in K. It seems that things are going way better than expected. She's shattered my expectations actually (and I thought they were too high to begin with). I think it helps that I have been in the special education system for almost 6 years now. What I have learned is that it is just wrong to expect perfection, and I don't. I don't know what it is like to be a teacher, I want to be involved, informed, but I will never tell them how to do their jobs and I will leave them alone to do so. I know I will come across so many different people that I will need to work with in our journey in raising Breanna, it is better to have an open mind. Anyway, Breanna is talking, participating, and trying all the really hard stuff (really hard for her) that all the typical Kindergartners are doing. All of the staff so far (especially the bus driver) have been going just above and beyond for Breanna (I think it's partly because she's just tiny, so cute and so lovable, and partly b/c they just love what they do). I couldn't be happier:) I LOVE our school.

365::247

New Routines.

two different buses in the morning (about 45 mins apart), it's more relaxed but it makes for a long drawn out morning, and on Friday we will be adding a preschool drop off after the two buses. We went to Lucas' preschool open house tonight. I LOVE it there as much as we loved Shooting Stars for Bre and Little People's for Trevor. I'm glad each child will have their own unique preschool experience. It's only 5 mins from home. There is a huge outside space, woods path, tree house, gardens, chickens, and huge sand box. Her inside space is very simple and small, with lots of art stuff and caterpillars in a fish tank that they will watch turn into butterflies.. Pretty much what any three year old would ever need.

In the afternoon. Lucas always rides his bike down to the bus stop to wait. He is so proud of himself that he is starting to climb the tree down at the bus stop like all the big kids. Usually he is a little tired from not napping, but happy from spending the whole day alone with me. Usually we read, play games, build things, play playdough or paint,bake banana bread, take walks or bike rides, and have playdates. The buses are soooo late this year. Trevor gets home at 3:30 and Breanna almost 4. Pretty soon, these routines will just be all we ever know.

365::246

My Baby is almost three and a half!

and read this.

Our Summer

This summer We.....

• Celebrated the last day of school with a special dinner out
• Relaxed at Quimby pond TWICE falling in love with the log cabin smell, the quiet, the kayaking and being in the woods.
• Celebrated our anniversary at 555
• visited Watercountry TWICE and went on the Geronimo once for bring a friend day (with Nick) picked strawberries and made jam
• grew the biggest garden ever overflowing with tomatoes, cucumbers, wildflowers (and weeds)
• Learned how to play solitaire and poker
• learned how to do a canon ball off the dock at Gammies lake house
• learned how to swim in deep water without a life jacket
• grew several inches
• ran in the Beach to Beacon
• spent evenings at the shore with picnic dinners and lobster rolls
• slept with sand in our sheets
• begged, bribed and pleaded two small children to use the potty (and they did it!)
• Went to the concert in the park, dressed in matching tie dye shits (that we made) and had a picnic dinner
• Played Capture the Flag
• Went to the sea dogs game and saw fireworks
• built sandcastles and sat in the waves (it was a HOT summer!)
• went out for ice cream lots (vanilla with rainbow jimmies or gummy bears)
• went to aquaboggin
• Perfected our marshmallow roasting skills around MANY campfires
• listened to books on tape (Curious George and Thomas the Train)
• Watched thunderstorms from the front porch
• Played on the swing set and had dance parties (Lucas likes to swing his butt!)
• Completed the library summer reading program
• went in the sprinklers and played with the hose
• Geocached and hiked (once for 5 hours!)
• took swimming lessons
• built a new deck
• entertained good friends
• Made homemade pesto
• waited for our new nephew to arrive
• tried playing the guitar
• had an eighth birthday and party
• celebrated a 36th birthday
• got a new fridge
• went to Cub scout Funpack weekend
• got ready for Kindergarten
• went to summer preschool
• visited with friends and played and traveled with our cousins (party of NINE!)
• held a new baby and soaked up all of of his new baby smells and cuddles
• ate pier fries, Bills' pizza and rode the cheezy rides at OOB
• Got rid of the last of the baby stuff
• ate lobster, corn on the cob and, blueberries and fresh strawberries
• played street hockey, trains, star wars battle, and castle
• Celebrated the wedding of Jess and Jason
• Went to Storyland
• Lived, Laughed and Loved
• Made amazing memories we'll take with us our whole lives......

365::245

Soaking up the last few rays of summer....school is back in FULL swing next week. I'm committed to doing this, every day....because they grow up WAY too fast, and nothing else really matters anyway.

365::244

Home sweet home.......and as fun as summer was (especially the last few weeks) we're happy to being staying put right here for a while so we can get used to the new routines of the school year. Especially since one Eight year old boy has big plans to build his dream tree house (maybe next summer). We are just in the design stages he says.....

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Storyland....the absolute best time that we have had traveling with these kids in the past three and a half years. It was the perfect park for our family, we could all go on EVERY ride together. We rode the bamboo Chutes (Trevor's favorite) three times, and the Polar coaster (Lucas' favorite) six times! Even though I miss baby days (and am not wishing it away by any means) there were no naps, no diapers, and no baby food, snacks or nursing to worry about, unlike the last time we were there. There was no one parent sitting aside with a smaller child while the bigger child rode the rides with another parent. There were no lines, and it was a sunny, cool, early fall day in New England. So, except for forgetting the memory card for my good camera (AT HOME!) , trying to shop in a few outlet stores (these kids weren't a big fan...), the fact that the GPS doesn't work up there for some reason, and getting a couch for a table at our favorite pizza place, the weekend was fantastic! I'll be sad when they outgrow this place......

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My new favorite snack indulgence-salty sweet!

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I have been thinking about this day since she was born (seriously). I've been waiting, worrying preparing and worrying, and having meetings, and getting resources and preparing more and worrying more. Now......I can let all of it go. Today she surprised all of us. She has been saying that she will not ride the bus for a while now. She wouldn't even go to the bus stop last year when Trevor was getting on. This year, she just walked to the bus stop, put her backpack on got in line with the other kids and hopped right on. There was nothing different about her, and a little boy even sat with her on the bus! She looked a little nervous, but then smiled and waved as the bus drove away. I held back the tears of absolute joy, my prayers have have been answered. I'm not even sure how the rest of her day will go....and I know school will be far from perfect for her. But she did it (and on the mainstream bus!!). Look for an update about the rest of her day later......We're soooooooo proud of you and we love you Bre!

Update: I spent the whole afternoon at the shore with my littlest. It was so HOT, we just sat in the water, and let the waves run over us. As the waves crashed over our legs, we made mudpies on our legs. It seemed like hours we did this. We took a walk, collected shells and rocks and chased seagulls with our loud roars. For the first time in a very long time, we had found the stillness. I can't remember the last day when I felt like I was walking on top of the clouds.

All day I couldn't believe that Bre was actually gone at Kindergarten. It seemed so wierd thinking that she was going to come home and play with all the three year old stuff with Lucas. She just seems so much bigger all of a sudden.

We got a call from the lead special ed teacher after school, and we also received a full page journal entry in Bre's communication book. I don't think the day could have gone any better. Bre was the model bus rider and was smiling as she headed in the front door. Bre was a little stubborn at first , but then by the end of the day was following all the rules of the class. She was attentive during story time and a short movie that they watched. No recess today due to poor air quality and 95 degree temperatures (and no air conditioning in the school!). Bre loved gym class and used the bathroom regularly. There were no issues in the crowded lunchroom and she ate her whole snack and lunch.

Well, so far so good. Now she has the next 4 days off and has to go back on Tuesday. We will see how it is when the newness wears off and she realizes that she is going to school every day. When I asked her if she loved school when she got home, she said...."Love school". (and I think school loves you too Bre:))

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I try to remember to put a note in your lunch box every day (because I miss you already!) I love Lunchbox Love. And the on the back, I put these 8 important things that every third grader should know (love this.)

and tomorrow is the big day, my little Kindergartener gets on that bus for the very first time. I'll post about it as soon as I breathe out.......