Special Date with a Special Boy

Last year on my birthday, Theo gave me $5 (50% of his wealth) and his headlamp as I had lost mine. It was truly one of the most touching gifts I have ever received. I treasured that $5 and kept it with me for almost a year. He would periodically ask me what I planned to buy with it. I wanted to do something special with the two of us, his treat so to speak. A sunny Monday afternoon led us to the mini golf course where we had a blast playing and treated ourselves to ice cream afterwards.

PMC Kids Ride

Nathan was suppose to help out with the PMC kids ride (a charity ride for Cancer research, there is a multi-day ride for adults in August). But, he came down with a sinus and double ear infection. So off we went. Maddie and Theo did the teen ride of 8 miles and Gabriel made the loop five times for five miles. It was a fun morning but unfortunately, the crowds weren't as heavy as the year we did it before.

Bag Boys

Letter "A" week at Bowen and the children turned into astronauts (jet packs on their backs)

This inspired Theo to become an alien or robot!

Summer Busy

I really miss blogging. I like that it makes me pause and see the fun and good in the day to day. It also is really nice to have a record of our busy lives that are going by much too quickly. Sniff. 

We have had a wonderful summer though short. The kids didn't get out of school until June 26th! We had a fantastic short vacation up in Bar Harbor (maybe a back post later?!?), the kids did some camps and then we've been filling our days with swimming and adventures. Here's a brief snapshot. 

We became full pool members at the Windsor Club. When I think what we are paying for a large rectangular pool, my hair curls. But, it's pretty fantastic to be able to walk to the pool and hop in whenever we want. How this Arizona girl has changed when she thinks that's the good life! Theo proudly passed the deep end test - swimming two laps and treading water for two minutes!

The lemonade stand was open for business on a very hot day. We even offer drive through service. Maddie made darling magic wands to sell. 

Popsicles in the baby pool. 

In addition to Girl Scout camp, Maddie was old enough to take sailing camp at Community Boating. She loved it. It was a short program but she was on the water for three hours and is now able to take a boat and kayak out alone on the Charles River. Thankfully, Nathan brought her to camp 3 out of 5 days as it was a shlep. 

Flying kites in the backyard - run faster!

Picnic at the Boston Public Garden after sailing camp.

 The baby ducks were swarming the kids!

Visit to the Children's Museum. Sadly, I feel that we are aging out of the museum. Not Gabriel but he, unfortunately, ages up a bit. (Playing Barber in the Black Boston exhibit)

Finally! Theo was chosen to take part in the little production at the Children's Museum. He was a tadpole to frog. It was very cute and he was tickled. 

Blueberry picking

A new adventure to a "big" amusement park - Canobie Lake. We joined up with the Atris and delPortos for a very long fun day of rides, water and terrible food. 

We met up with some preschool friends of Theo's at Morses Pond in Wellesley. I'm a timid pond swimmer but this pond was beautiful - sandy beach, huge roped off area for the littles (though Gabriel is now swimming!), docks and slides for the bigs. It was a great afternoon!

Apres Sledding

Spring Storm

Will it ever end? When you are shoveling in a short sleeve tie-dyed shirt, you know the winter has been long!

Getting to Know Their German Roots

Pretzel making - yummy. Luckily Nathan passed on the lye dip to make the pretzel crust just so.