Vivienne 6 months old

Little Ms. Viv is quite the cutie pie, and a very happy cutie pie at that.  She really is so happy ALL the time. Her little gummy smile could turn any frown upside down.  Her personality is slowly developing and it is so much fun to watch.  

It's been a big month for Viv.

 Vivi has been trying out solids, she is slowly warming up to them.

 She met her first "famous" person, a profession football player.

 She went to the beach for the first time and even dipped her little toes in the freezing cold ocean water.

 She came to work with me for a few hours and smiled at all the residents on the first and second floor.  She gave EACH person a smile that looked at her and let me tell you what, she is still the talk of the town 2 weeks later.  They loved her! (What's not to love?)

 Viv also learned to sit up by herself!  

She is  such a big girl, no really, her adorable little chubby arms, thighs, tummy and cheeks are the cutest!  I cannot help but kiss her over and over again, I love her so!

So happy this happy little lady is a part of our family!

Preschool Graduation

 Berkeley has officially graduated from the Purple Room at EPH Preschool. Having him graduate helped me look back at where he was when he started preschool and see how much being in this setting with wonderful teachers and children has helped him grow.  When Berkeley started at EPH 1 1/2 years ago he was quiet, struggled in large groups, had major problems with sensory issues (hated loud sounds, hated having things on his hands, wouldn't try new food, etc.)  Being in the preschool setting Berkeley had gained tremendous confidence.  He loves to be in a classroom setting and does well in big groups.  He loves to chat and tell stories to all his friends and everyone in his class things he is super funny.  Berkeley is still shy in front of people he doesn't know, but once your his friend, he will not stop talking to you!  

Berkeley has also come so far with his sensory issues, he no longer struggles when his class gets loud, he can deal with it and it doesn't even phase him any longer.  While he doesn't love to paint, he has participated in painting projects and even done some finger painting, work with markers and glue.  

He has also gained a lot of confidence from going to the playground so often that now he will jump off structures and enjoys swinging high.  

Berkeley's fine motor skills have improved as well!  He can know cut with scissors, know how to hold a pencil, write his name and all his letters.  

Berkeley is the star of his classroom when it comes to dealing with strong feelings.  When kids in his class get upset he is good at walking them through the calm down steps.  When he is taught something, he has a gift to learn it and apply it.  He helps kids to smell the flowers and blow out the bubbles (I love it that he uses this technique at home as well) and then think about how to solve the problem. 

He has been good to tell his friend, "Please stop that, I do not like it." He says it like a robot, and its not the most sincere sounding, but he knows when to say it.  

It was nice to recognize all the ways Berkeley has grown, and celebrate at this little graduation.   

During the year college students worked with his class each week reading and teaching the kids different things.  The program was called Jumpstart.  Berke's jumpstart Buddy Jack showed up for his graduation which was ADORABLE!!

 Our little family, we are so proud of this little man.

 Travis and Auntie G came to Berkeley's graduation to show support as well, it was so sweet to have people there to show how proud they were of him.

 Berkeley and his girlfriend Jayda.  He is obsessed with her and tells me all the time how she is his best friend and she is really pretty.  She really is super cute and full of personality.  It is kinda sad that all the kids in his class are going to different schools throughout Somerville.

 Here is Berkeley's pal Julia, they have the same area at nap time.  She teaches Berke about Lala Paloosy dolls and he teaches her about Star Wars and Angry Birds.  They get along really well.

 Berkeley has 3 teachers int he purple room and then the director of the preschool is also very involved.  They are all wonderful with the children and we couldn't ask for better teachers for this little guy!

Mrs. Shelly

 Ms. Sheri (Director)

 Mr. John

Mrs. Yolanda

It is sad to move on from preschool, as he has gone here for the past year 5 days a week all day long.  These people have become such a huge part of his life and it just seems odd to move on.  We are grateful for the time we had at EPH as it was absolutely a wonderful experience.

Girly Getaway on Martha's Vineyard

 I recently went on the most lovely, idealic and fabulous girls weekend getaway.  I am lucky to have a lovely group of 11 women who I have grown with over the last seven years.  We all met at church and while we are all in different places in life at this time, we have all still managed to stay in Somerville/Cambridge for the time being and are a great support to one another.  Nine of the eleven of us were able to get away for a girls weekend to the Vineyard.  Aubrey was sweet enough to invite us to her family home on Martha's Vineyard for the weekend.  We drove down Friday and caught the ferry to the island with two cars.  We stopped and got some clam chowder and sandwiches and enjoyed them on the back porch of her fabulous home. 

 We enjoyed chatting, girl talk, laughing and eating lots of yummy food.  We also enjoyed the beach Saturday and Sunday, a farmers market, a strawberry festival, Chilmark Chocolates, Edgartown for shopping and dinner, backdoor donuts, shopping in Oak Bluffs and talking in all the beauty the island had to offer.

It was an AMAZING trip.  Everyone was so kind and uplifting to one another and it was just what we all needed amidst our busy and hectic lives.

Mystic

We had our first family of 4 mini vacation last weekend.  We went on a weekend getaway to Mystic CT with our buddies Travis and Lauren.

We drove up Saturday morning and visited the Old Mystic Seaport.  It was great fun.  Berke and his dad built a pirate ship out of wood which was a highlight for the little guy.

Mystic is an absolutely beautiful place surrounded by the water.

Berkeley impersonating a pirate; he was a bit upset that none of the ships had a plank.  Did you know that there are no recorded instances in history of a boat actually having a plank?  This is just something they made up for the movies. 

Our little family.  This was moments before Berke "accidentally" bit the babies finger.  I have a feeling getting a good family picture may not happen for many many years to come.

chuckle.....hehe

We enjoyed dinner at Mystic Pizza, home to Julia Roberts first film.  

Sunday we visited the Mystic Aquarium where we swooned over these amazing beluga whales!

It was a fun trip and both the kids slept well in the hotel and had a fun time.

A Utah Man am I

I joined the University of Utah New England Chapter Alumni Board this year; had nothing better to do.

I was in charge of planning the Alumni BBQ this year.  We were lucky to have such nice weather for the event!  My family looks so good in their Ute Red!

 We had about 50 people turn out for the event, which was pretty good.  It was a lot of fun to meet new people and connect over our roots in good ole Utah.

 All three players on the New England Patriots that played for the U of U also showed up, which was an added bonus.  I'm not really a football fan, but I thought it was cool.  Vivienne really took to Mr. Reggie Dunn, she loved pulling on his beard!  He was tots cool with it since he has a 3 month old dtr himself and seems to like babies.  He asked to hold her, so hey why not?  A famous football player wants to hold my baby, I'm down with that!

 GO UTES!

ZOOventures

 We recently took a trip to the Southwick Zoo with Auntie G and Aunt Stefie.  Stacie, Thom and Baby Prudence also joined.  We got to feed the giraffes which was the highlight of the day for me.  They had 4 new baby giraffes and they were so super cute.

 We all enjoyed the petting zoo where some of us decided a baby goat was a necessity at home, I was not one of them.

 Have you ever seen anything that you could watch for hours?  That was me and this mommy Limur with her two babies.

 Oh look!  The little babes have matching hats!  Auntie love for these cute girls!

 They had one of these drinking fountains at the Hogle Zoo when I was growing up.  They must have them at all the zoos!  

Having a picture with the Lion water fountain is a right of passage as far as I'm concerned.

Memorial Day Musket Shooting

We attended the Somerville Memorial Day parade again this year, it was Viv's first parade, she liked the music and kicked her feet around with glee, but not sure she realized the excitement of the parade.

Every year we go, every year they add more shooting muskets, every year my son is almost in tears from the fear of the sound of the muskets, but yet I just keep taking him to this thing.  Why?  Because I tend to remember the excitement of getting the flags, fire engine hats and tons of candy.  

He's smiling in most of the photos, so I tend to forget the tears in his eyes due to the deafening musket shooting.  Every year I have been able to help him cover his ears to drown out the sound, but this year I had to cover the babe's ears.  Christian was out of town so Berke was left to his own wee little hands covering his ears, it just wasn't enough.  I felt pretty sad that I couldn't help him out, like really sad.  

Anyhow, it was a good time, minus the EIGHT groups of men that shot muskets numerous times!!!

We did gather a lot of candy, and ended the parade with a smile. m  We played and played outside with Isabel and her family after which was also fun.  Isabel has a new baby sister too, she is just one month older than Viv, so it's pretty great to have friends that have children the same age and distance as yours.  

Memorial Day picture with the flags.  After the parade we headed to the park where Berkeley played parade with shooting muskets, so perhaps he isn't too traumatized?