The Magnificent Seven

It was great week in these parts as we celebrated Lily's 7th birthday. It is truly hard to believe that in seven years Lily has grown from this to a dynamic, smart, engaging, funny kid. Where does the time go?

After last week's busy three day weekend we rolled right into the second week of 1st grade. Lily seems to be doing very well and she tries very hard. Homework started tonight so it will be easier to track her progress going forward. Her hope for the year (she made a mini poster for her classroom) was to do well in math this year. On Thursday she had her fifth piano lesson and her play is coming along well. She practices regularly and seems to enjoy playing and showing off for her brother.

Friday was her chance to celebrate her birthday with her classmates. Mini cupcakes were brought in for everyone and she had a lot of fun sharing. She is buying lunch at school one day a week and has been picking Friday as she seems to like the school pizza.

On Saturday it was Lily's actual birthday. Jack woke up bright and early - 6:30 - because he was excited to open presents for Lily. We headed downstairs around 7:30 when Lily woke up and she opened gifts - lots of American Girl accessories and clothes which she loves. Her doll, Julie, is currently in the hospital having her thumb repaired - a dog related injury from a couple of summers ago. Julie is supposed to return from the hospital tomorrow. She also got a new arts and craft kit and some Nintendo games. After presents we made a big homemade breakfast and the Lily headed off to her friend Fisher's rock climbing birthday party. She had a great time and Jack and I used the time to go get his hair cut. He was great at the barber - he was patient since we had to wait about half an hour - and then when it was his turn he climbed right in to the chair. He sat their like a big kid the whole time. After that it was off to the carwash and we picked up Lily's birthday cake.

Saturday evening we went out for dinner and then took the kids to Dave & Busters to play some games. Lily and Jack had a great time and slept really well! Sunday was party day and Lily and her friends had a great gymnastics party complete with a gymnastics cake. Nine friends joined Lily and Jack and they played and ran around like crazy kids! After the party we went home where Lily proceeded to open even more presents. She got lots of great stuff from lots of great friends and from the rest of the family. After wrapping paper craziness we all went out for dinner with Grandpa Maurice, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Gail and Aunty Kelly. Needless to say everyone slept well last night.

Today it was back to school. After her school day, LIly had her seven year appointment. She did great at the appointment - she is 48.5 inches tall and she is in the 67th percentile for height. She keeps growing like a weed! After the doctor she got to hang out with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom again as they came over to babysit while we headed off to back to school night. We got to see Lily's classroom and meet her teacher. He teacher seems great and it looks like she is great hands for the year.

That is all for this week. Happy belated birthday wishes to Cousin Stephanie!




Posing for picture before birthday present mayhem begins.


Working on some new art while sporting her new American Girl matching pjs. The art kit was put together by Lil's cousin Stephanie. She dove right in.


Jack getting a haircut. He was a big boy and when it was his turn he climbed right up into the chair himself.


Working with some dough to pass the time while waiting for dinner. Check out that snazzy C3P0 Lego watch he is sporting.


Riding a motorcycle during a game at Dave & Busters.


Lily hit the 500 ticket jackpot on the big wheel spin game.

With Jack and her friend James at her gymnastics party




Trampoline work.


Party craziness.


Hayley, Casey, Fisher, Lily and Jack in the moon bounce like train thing.


Pausing in the midst of party chaos.


Getting ready for some cake.


The cake.


Jack waiting for a slice.



Singing.


Showing off her reading skills for Grandpa Maurice.


Jack opening up some trains with Grandma Gail's help.


Playing around on the new trampoline from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom. We are going to need a a bigger basement.


After party dinner at our favorite local spot - Nando's Peri Peri. She can be a bit of messy eater!

Baseball Boogie

Another August in the books and summer is officially winding down. A busy week that was to report on.

Monday was the first day of school for Lily. She loves her new class and seems to be very comfortable with her new classmates. She seems to have adjusted well to her new first/second grade split class and she really likes her teacher. The rest of the week went well from the details that we can squeeze out of her.

Jack is enjoying meeting his new classmates at school. The kids had an impromptu fire drill as one of the boys in Jack's class pulled the alarm! All in all it made for an exciting afternoon.

On Friday night Lily had her friend Hayley's birthday party. She had a great time at the Hawaiian themed party and really enjoyed decorating her own flip flops.

On Saturday we ran some errands and did some things around the house. Dinner was out with friends Andy and Jenn. Lily finished up the evening with a super competitive game of checkers with Jenn.

On Sunday we headed out the Washington Nats game. Despite cooler temperatures all week, it was really warm for the game. Fortunately, our seats were in the shade. We got to to the game early since there was a pre-game player autograph session. The kids got to meet one of the Nats - Doug Slaten - who ended up pitching in the game. After the game, the kids got a chance to run the bases and had a great time.

Today we played some baseball in the backyard, visited Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice and then visited Aunt Kelly, Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.

All in all a crazy busy weekend. I am sure next weekend will be just as nuts as we celebrate Lil's SEVENTH birthday. Hard to believe she is seven and that we have been doing weekly updates for that long!

On to the pics and video.


Lily wrapping Jack up as a present.


Lily getting her autograph.


Jack's turn.


Watching the game.


Refreshments.


On the field to run the bases.


Starting the run.


The run.


After the run.


Today working on his hitting.


Lily's turn.


Dressed up as Simba. He is a bit infatuated with Lion King right now.

Stormy Weather

So in one week we survived an Earthquake, a hurricane and the first day of school. All in the span five days. It was quite a week. The last week before school started again Lily was home but had a week full of play dates and school prep. Jack was back for his first week at school and he had a great time being back with his classmates.

On Friday, we headed off to Lily's school to meet her new teacher. It was a successful visit and Lily was all ready to start with her new first/second grade split class. It will be an interesting year and we are sure that she will thrive. Over the weekend we hunkered down during the big storm. The kids spent the afternoon at the movies and then we followed up it later that evening with a second feature. The storm came and went and we woke up to a backyard full of sticks and branches.

We ran some errands during the morning and then spent the afternoon on bike rides and walks checking out the neighborhood damage.

Once again, we were not great photographers this week but we do have a few pictures to share.


Jack being silly.


Ready for the first day of school.


Waiting at the bus stop with Maddie and Marley.


Jack ready to get on the bus too.


Lily explaining a story from the first day of school

Feels Like Home

Well after a two week vacation, the kiddies are back home. They had a great time in Montreal visiting with Great Aunt Donna, Great Uncle Stephen and their Great Grandmother. They visited an amusement park, saw the Lion King musical, visited the BioDome, stayed at a hotel and had a great time. A week later, Jack still can't stop talking about the Lion King. After a fun filled week in Canada, we met the kids in New York City where we got a chance to see Cousins Emilie and Stephanie. We took the train home and had a day at home before the kids were off to Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's.

The kids had another fun filled week away from us with Grandparents. Lily and Jack visited a water park, some awesome caverns and had a great time at the pool. They came home Thursday night and it has taken a couple of days for them to recover from the two weeks of going.

On Saturday we hung around the house and visited with friends Kristen, Mark, Brooke and Anderson who just moved back from Oregon. On Sunday, Marcy had her first triathlon of the season so we were all up early to cheer her on. She did great and the weather cleared for a fun morning. Lily and I visited with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis in the afternoon while Marcy and Jack napped.

Unfortunately, I have not gotten my act together with the collection of pictures passed on by Grandpa Tom from last week. We will do better for our next post ...

Here is one of the family in Central Park.

Windmills

Not much to report, Lily had her last week of swim/arts & crafts camp and is now on to gymnastics camp. Jack continued to go to school and is meeting some new classmates. The week was pretty low key, as was the weekend. The kids watched The Empire Strikes Back on Saturday which was very exciting for Jack. We visited with Great Uncle John and cousin Jenna on Sunday - the kids had a quick swim at the hotel and we had a nice lunch. Sunday we had a crab feast (crabs enjoyed by Dad and Michelle) with Hayley and Cole, and there was lots of outside activity - a little baseball, some drawing with chalk, and hide-n-seek.

Four days of camp and school before the kids head to Montreal...enjoy the few pics we have.


I neglected to include this pic of LIly with her professionally made sushi last week. It was delicious!


Lily reading to Spidey while Ginger and Daisy listen in.


Lily showing off her messy hands from dinner.


Jack playing in the basement.