Theo on the Courts

The kids took tennis lessons this spring, Maddie with three of her friends and Theo with Bijan. He really loved it! The Windsor Club has clay courts which are great I learned. Theo looked forward to each lesson and showed such improvement at the end. The last lesson was held in the rain (and he chose his shoes, not exactly fit for tennis). Having the kids develop interest in the sport, even helped Nathan back onto the court, with a new racquet and shoes! I'd like to take lessons someday. Nathan said he could teach me but I think it might be better to have a neutral party help me out!

Uncle J's Visit

Uncle Johnny came for a visit! It was such a festive atmosphere in our house leading up to his visit. He's like a big kid himself which the kids just love. He got quite a taste of our life on Friday with drop offs, 1st grade class picnics, appointments, soccer games and the like. The boys had fun with him at Maddie's soccer game - running the bases, playing on the playground and of course, watching Maddie play.


We went into Boston for some seafood at the Barking Crab, a Boston institution. While fun, we feel no need to go back. We did see a ginormous lobster and have a nice walk along the water. Johnny and Nathan saw the Red Sox on a drizzly day too.

Jonathan loves the hero worship from the boys.

Our last outing was a Segway ride through Boston, thank you groupon. While Nathan made considerable fun of us, we weren't to be discouraged. We had a complete blast. It was a fantastic tour with just the two of us seeing Boston from a different perspective. We cruised up by the Boston Common and were laughing to think that we might segway by Maddie's class on a field trip! Nathan was chaperoning and we could just picture ourselves, shouting and waving to him. We finished off J's visit with a drive to the Providence airport and a yummy seafood lunch. We hope he comes back soon!

The Angier Golden Sneaker

As the Safe Routes to School chair, I wanted a fun promotion to get kids walking to school in May. Enter The Angier Golden Sneaker contest, four weeks of hidden golden shoes around the neighborhood (and on campus for bus riders), find one and you get a prize, walk, bike or bus to school and you are entered in a raffle. It was wonderfully fun and really created a buzz at school. The classroom with the most participants at the end of the month received a golden sneaker trophy.

Maddie really got into it! She was determined to find a golden sneaker on the walk to school. Looking for one as she felt she'd have better luck on the other side of the street from us!

Ta Da! Golden sneaker found.

We ended the promotion with golden juice (lemonade), music by the school orchestra, more prizes and the trophy award ceremony.

Two of Maddie's friends (Amelia and Taraneh) who found a golden sneaker. Yes, I know it is a very abstract sneaker but this was my month of illness and it was all I could do! The kids didn't seem to mind.

My Funny Theodore

After I signed a petition today, Theo says, "Did you sign it Mama or Mommy?"

He lightly scraped the side of his foot and was distraught. "Am I going to have bad skin on my foot like you?"

Red Sox Field Trip

We really love the fact that our town is so Red Sox crazy. So crazy that in 1st grade, the kids spend a few weeks learning about baseball which includes a field trip to Fenway Park. I was thrilled to chaperone this trip!


We have many parent helpers so I was in charge of Maddie and Avery. Avery is a Yankees fan - gasp. I finally had to whisper to her that it is great to be an enthusiastic fan but that we needed to focus on learning about the Red Sox!

Makes you want to watch a game!

Sitting on the green monster. What a seat! These seats are available only by lottery each year. It'd be a pretty amazing place to take in a game. After the field trip, the unit wrapped up with a baseball afternoon where kids could watch a game and chose which seats to buy, purchase lunch and snacks (with play money), play games and just have fun. It was a very impressive few weeks!

Biking Buddies

Theo was kind enough to give Gabriel a ride on his trike when I needed to push a sick Maddie in the stroller. He was so nice and gentle and Gabriel held on tightly that we were able to make it around the block.

I have the cutest video of the riders but it doesn't seem to want to post. Will try again later.

Marines on the Common

What a fun adventure we had! The Marines set up Marine week on the Boston Common. Kelly and I took the boys in to explore. It was an amazing set up of tanks, helicopters, osprey, little jeeps, tents with their uniforms and gear, and a kitchen truck (which was Theo's favorite, my peaceloving boy).

Davis and Gabriel in the osprey

Gabriel really loved "driving" the trucks.

It was a great experience and made me quite proud at the armed forces that we have. It brings what the men and women who serve overseas do into a very real light - the danger they face to protect our country.