The Cat in the Hat

Our weekends are often spent doing activities with the playgroup that we're part of.  This Saturday morning was no different.

The Borders Books near us will often sponsor an event that revolves around a popular book and character.  This week was the Cat in The Hat.  These events never have the characters visit but they do include a whole bunch of games, prizes, a craft and storytime.  They are a GREAT way to kill an hour or 90 minutes and the kids have such a good time.  Plus, it's free!  Although, I'm a sucker and hate denying my kids books so I never actually walk away without spending money!!

The kids had a great time playing hot potato with the Cat in the Hat and even sat and listened to the entire book!

We're looking forward to October and the Olivia event and a Spooktacular Event!

Addie with her prize

Listening to the story

First Day of School

Nicholas started Kindergarten yesterday!!

He was so excited on Monday night couldn't stop talking about starting his new school and wearing his uniform.  The fact that he didn't seem nervous helped me a lot, but not enough to keep the tears at bay when I dropped him off on Tuesday morning.  I'm pretty sure I was the only parent there who was crying.  Nicholas even patted me on the shoulder and gave me a kiss to let me know it would all be ok!

He really enjoyed his first day although he mentioned to Pat that he had to sit next to a weird girl who was allergic to everything!!

Nicholas and I drive into school together each morning because his new school is just about 5 minutes away from where I teach and hopefully very close to where we'll be moving sooner than later!!  The first two days have been a bit hectic but knowing that he's in an awesome school with an incredible teacher and wonderful kids has made it all worth it!

He was very excited to go back today but is really looking forward to Friday and his first half-day!

All set and ready to go by the front door!

Quite the pose for so early in the morning!

Every year on the first day of school, my mom would take a picture of my sister and I in front of our house.  I'm fairly certain there is a picture somewhere where I am wearing a HIDEOUS green jumper and doing a pose VERY similar to this one!

At the End of His First Day of Kindergarten!!

I have a few other pictures that I posted to Facebook from my phone but they weren't all that great since I could barely see through my tears that morning! 

;)

Labor Day 2010

We celebrated the last official day of Summer with a BBQ!

We invited a bunch of friends over, gathered a ton of food and lots of drinks and had a great time with great weather!!

It was the perfect way to spend the last day before everyone fell back into the routine of early Fall and Back to School!!

We had plenty of chairs...everyone felt like sitting on the grass...

If there's a pool, she's in it!

A Little Bocce Fun

Bocce Spectators

They've Known each other since they were 8 years old!

Imagination Station

The weather has just been so nice here the past few days that we haven't been able to come up with any excuses to stay inside!  :)

This morning, the kids and I had a playdate with the playgroup that we are a part of.  We headed to Roxbury to the Imagination Station playground.  This was our first time there, but definitely NOT our last!  It was a great park that the kids had a ball at and it was all contained so it gave the moms a chance to sit and chat for a bit!

It was a great way to spend a gorgeous Sunday morning!

Can you believe he is starting Kindergarten on Tuesday!??!

The Land of Make Believe

With Summer quickly winding down I've been trying to take off from work a little bit.  With my day off two weeks ago Pat and I decided to take the kids to the Land of Make Believe.  Nicholas had already been there with his class and Pat and I had both been there as kids.  We really had no idea what to expect as a result of all of these "mixed" experiences!

We had a GREAT time!  The kids had so much fun on the rides and then we spent the majority of the day in the water park which was enjoyable parents and kids!  I can't wait to take them back and maybe even get a season pass next year.  It was the perfect place for kids their age and it's got enough going on that it keeps them busy but you don't have to wait on TONS of lines.  PLUS, you can bring in coolers and not spend a dime on food!

It was the perfect outing!

We didn't bring our "good" camera for fear of it getting wet or stolen so all of the pictures are from our disposable camera- we really rocked it old school!!

The Celebration

Now that the Triathlon is over I figured it was time to celebrate!

A group of friends and I went out last night to celebrate the fact that I had completed my first, and NOT my last, tri.  Pat hung out at home with the kids so that I could have a fun night out and it was definitely LOTS of fun!

Here are just a few shots!!

That's my "boss" the head coach on the left and a friend of a friend on the right

Probably the best picture of the night!

Zoo fun

Our last event, or almost last event, of a very busy and fun weekend was a trip to the zoo!

The kids and I headed to Pennsylvania to meet Aunt Heather, Niki and Aunt Heather's niece Cam for a day at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.  And it was WELL worth the drive!

If you have the chance to visit this zoo, I highly suggest you do.  The animals are SO CLOSE and accessible.  There are a few exhibits, the kangaroos and birds namely, that you can actually go into and interact with the animals.  We managed to get there just in time for penguin feeding and then we also were able to see the otters being fed.  On our way out, through a nature preserve, we were able to see Elk and Bison.  It was just an incredible day and the kids had an awesome time- as did I!  We ended it with a visit to grandpa at the restaurant for some yummy food and a long overdue visit!!

August Weekends....

As so much of the rest of the summer has been, our weekend was busy and fun!
Friday night we were able to get together with my best friend from high school.  Kate, her husband Stephen, and their daughter Caroline, live in North Carolina and we don't get to see one another all that often.  They were all up for a visit and we spent Friday afternoon at their hotel enjoying the indoor pool and playground and then heading out for dinner.
The kids had a great time playing together and it was so wonderful to see Kate and catch up in person rather than over email!!  Our next get together is going to be in North Carolina!!

Our Saturday evening was just as fun!  We made plans months ago to get together with good friends of ours and enjoy a night out without kids.  Unfortunately, our sitter canceled on us at the last minute!  We were lucky enough to be able to bring the kids along and everyone had a great time!  We spent the evening at our friend Pat and Bonnie's house for a bbq and enjoyed the perfect weather and great company!