Fourth of July

Sometimes you meet people that change your lives for good and although you may  not talk to them as much as you want, you are still able to stay close.  You consider them family and then make it a priority to see them, cause that is what you do for family after all.

Nicole and RyRy moved away two years ago now, it wasn't a move anyone was happy about.  We all met up at RyRy's parent's home this weekend, all of us minus RyRy (he was working).  Rue and Bonnie, they feel like family too you see.  They love my kids and we love them.  They have a wonderful home and  claim to love it when it is "kid messy."  This totally works for us.

Berke was excited to play with Eloise, who is now three years old and has grown so much since we last saw her a year and a half ago!  Nicole wanted to meet Baby Viv, and clearly she needed to, cause she is all sorts of adorable!

We had a blast swimming, it was Viv's first time and she loves to kick and splash in the water.

Berkeley is so brave in the water this year.  He loves to splash around and will even  put his head under the water.  We all loved swimming together.  

I gave Christian some diving lessons as well, it was somewhat humorous at times, but he was brave, kept trying and was able to get off one successful dive after a few successful belly flops.

 Rue and Bonnie pull out all the bells and whistles, they don't lack in fun swimming pool toys!

 Happy 4th of July!

 What is more american than ice cream?  

 We also did some "hiking" around Lake George.  What a beautiful place!  These kids, and I mean all four of them, loved climbing rocks and having fun!

 The while gang!  What a funny and crazy fun crew.

 I love me some Nicole!  She is one of my soul sisters, no questions asked.  I love her so!  It is so great to watch our families grow together!  It was especially fun to see how wonderfully our kids played together.  They are 2 1/2 years apart but played together fabulously!  

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.