Big Apple 2008

We went to New York this weekend. Ali and I to American Girl Doll. Dave and Jason to the Natural History Museum. I'm embarassed to admit how fun the American Girl store was. Jason and Dave saw pretty much everything. We loved it. But as Ali and I were making our way back across Rockefeller Center, moving as one solid mass of people, she looked up at me and said, "I"m glad we live in the country." A fun time way had by all.

Next post - our Gingerbread House debacle.

Successful Sleepover

When you are a twin, you always have a friend around to play with. Ali and Jason have had one long playdate - 7 years and 2 months worth. Every once in awhile they like to have other friends over to play with too. Last night our friends K and M slept over. We decorated cookies, watched a movie and had a dance party! The boys were asleep by 10:30 but the girls were up giggling late into the night. Again I ask, does it get any better than this?

What we do around here

It's busy here. We're finding our seven year old groove. Ice skating has started. Karate continues. But every once in awhile we have a day with no plans - nothing to do. It's such a gift. So these are pictures of what we do around here when there's nothing to do.

Hibernation Festival

Ali and Jason's new school has this long standing tradition - the Hibernation Festival - that takes place the first weekend in November. It's full of live music, incredible food, crafts... It was today and it was amazing. There was a huge collection of people who worked so hard to pull this day off. A and J had so much fun - playing outside with their friends, doing crafts, and most importantly, singing at their first open mike. If you've spent any time with us over the past months, you know of Jason's total obsession with the song This Land is Your Land." They were called up first - and they bravely made their way to the stage - Ali ready to sing harmony to Jason's lead. He started strong and kept going, Ali chiming in at just the right time. He sang all six verses - including the ever popular "I've seen my people" verse. Too cute. Ali sewed a bean bag and made felt beads - showing her crafty side that she obviously did not inherit from her mother.

Jason's Yellow Belt

As you know, Jason hasn't ever been interested in sports. He tolerated t-ball. He'll watch the Red Sox (for an inning.) That's about it. So we've all been so happy watching him take to karate. Thanks to his friend Bennett, who invited him to buddy day at the dojo, he's been going hard at karate for six weeks now. On Saturday he tested for his yellow belt. As you can see, he was so serious about the whole thing. He's already talking about his orange belt test....

Fall Colors and Other Random Thoughts

Next weekend Jason is testing for his yellow belt. But last weekend at the Relay for Life he was part of a karate exhibition. He was amazing.

We've done a lot of hiking and letterboxing this fall. (Thanks Auntie Kate - we loved the bug boxes you planted!) It's been a beautiful fall - I could say that every year - and the kids keep commenting on the colors around every bend of the trail. I'm not sure that the photos do the colors justice.

Aunt Dutz knit us an afghan. We all love it, but Ali is in love with it. She keeps climbing into the chair and wrapping up in it.

It's United Nations Day at school for A and J on Friday. Ali is dressing in her asian princess costume - and Jason is insisting on dressing like a tiger to represent Russia. As he says, "Everyone knows that tigers are from Russia. Well, at least they should." I think it might be a stretch.

Enjoy the photos!

Fall

>
A and J are so lucky to have amazing grandparents who are such a huge part of their lives. Bubbie was here to visit for the birthday weekend - and we're looking forward to her annual Thanksgiving visit. Mimi and Pops are heading down for Ali's soccer game this weekend. Lucky, lucky kids.
Driving home from soccer tonight, Ali noticed a harvest moon resting on the tree tops. She took a sharp breath and said, "Can you believe how perfectly beautiful that is? Look at the colors of the trees and the pink clouds. It's magical." I agree, so agree.
Last weekend we hiked and hiked - Saturday in Northampton we hiked at Mt. Tom and around every corner the kids commented on the beauty, the perfection of the hike, the amazing weather.... you get the idea. Sunday was a loooonnnng hike with Randy and Nat - lots of laughing and singing and bird watching. It's gotten so much fun to hike with them - Everest here we come!
Bring on late fall with its sweaters and mulled cider!

A and J turn 7

It's been another fun week here at camp - after Kate left we had visits from Randy and Nat and Jen P. Jen's one night visit coincided with the Palen Biden debate - so we had a "Palin" party. Good times. Good times. It's so great to have visits from people who remind us just how amazing we have it here at camp. Thanks to Cleo, Kate, and Jen P. for reminding us why we live here!!
It's also been a fun week because of A and J's birthday party, complete with the "Snake Guy." We had 30 kids, lots of parents, two big cakes, and lots of reptiles and amphibians. It was so much fun - including the nature hike led by Jason and playscape fun led by Ali.
Keep watching for photos from our annual apple picking expedition!

Kate is here. (AKA Auntie Kate)

So Kate is here. In Jen language that's like saying "All is right in the world." There has been much laughter and puzzle making and fort making and good food eating and old friend visiting. Today we went to the farmer's market, which is always one of our favorite places. Today it was even better because it was fiber fest - lots of sheep and llamas and spinning wheels and beautiful yarn. Also our favorite drummer, Bob Bloom, had lots of cool drums around to play with. And even more cool - a huge loom that the kids could weave on. And there was a bagpiper. And samples. And the fudge people. And pesto. And of course, the corn maze. (We made it out.) Just writing it all makes me smile. Kate is here.

We missed August... a trend continues

It seems as though I keep starting my blog entries by apologizing for being such an infrequent blogger. We keep missing whole months and then I lament the quick passage of time. It's a parenting theme I'm noticing. Lots and lots of people talk this talk - I can't believe how quickly they are growing, I can't believe they're already walking/running/riding a bike/whatever it is, I can't believe that they are starting kindergarten/first grade/high school. I swore I wouldn't do this - be sad that our kids are growing up. It's what they're supposed to do and they're doing it well. And sadness isn't what I really feel, but I do feel repeatedly, consistently and powerfully amazed at how just how quickly days, weeks and months seem to pass. So August passed in a blur of days at the beach, visits with friends, days at the farmer's markets and an amazing trip to Maine with Randy and Natasha that involved trips in row boats, canoes and sailboats in a 24 hour period. We also spent lots of time preparing for a trip to DisneyWorld - packing, buying new bathing suits, packing some more. And then a hurricane hit Florida for the entire five days we were supposed to be there and so we didn't go. We cancelled our trip on the way to the airport and went to Story*Land in New Hampshire with Mimi and Pops. A and J were fine with it especially since we rescheduled to December. So we're all good here. School has started for all of us. Camp has ended for Dave. And we're busy living September.

Note: Pictures won't upload so I'll be back soon with photos.

Sleepovers

We had our first camping sleepover this weekend for Katie and Matt's birthday. It was a night full of s'mores, fireworks, flashlight reading, campfire songs,fireflies and rocket balloons. We stayed up late and woke up early and enjoyed every minute. It was one of those nights that I hope they'll remember forever. I will.