Sesame Place 2017

Our little buddy turned TWO a few days ago, and we celebrated his big day with a visit to Sesame Place! It is only  20 minutes from our house, and we've been meaning to go since we moved here... you can even see it from the freeway. Andrew's favorite character is Cookie Monster, and just like Cookie, Andrew is crazy about cookies ;) 

Happy Birthday Andy!

Andrew was ok with the rides, but LOVED the parade and show.

This is the best view ever!

 He wasn't scared of the characters and was able to name all of them!

He cheered for his favorite, Cookie!

 After a few hot hours at Sesame Place, we went to his favorite restaurant to have Mexican food...

Queso Dip and Guacamole...YUM!

 And then headed over to get ice cream for our Big Boy!!

Happy early birthday baby boy!! We love you! xo

Lindsay's First Day of 2nd Grade

The first day of second grade arrived too soon for our Lindsay Loo, who wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to summer.  We did find out the week before her best friend, Mackenzie, would be in her 2nd grade class, so that made it a little more exciting to go back. The kids school only goes up to 3rd grade, then they head over to the intermediate school, 4th-5th. So after this year, she'll be the big kid on campus!

She chose a sequined rainbow shirt and shorts the first day... so sporty!

Rainbow unicorn backpack: check!

Our rainbow girl wanted cereal on her first day, and we packed a turkey butter sandwich in her lunch. She felt really big and important because her little sis would be with her this year, and she spent all summer telling her the ropes. Finally it was time to show her turf!

It was amazing we even got her to pause before going inside... "Mom! Don't embarrass me with a picture out front!!" Oh kid, Mama is going to document all the first days of school till you are in college. TeeHee!

My beautiful big second grader!

Here are some facts all about our Lindsay...
Favorite Color: Lots, mainly Turquoise, Pink and Purple. Loves Rainbows.
Favorite Toy: Still can't sleep without her pink blanket ;)
Favorite Book: Magic Rainbow Fairy Series
Favorite Animal: Unicorn
Clothes Size: 7 
Shoe Size: 11 kids
Favorite Foods: Steak, Mashed Potatoes and gravy, most veggies including salad, and any sweets!
Food Dislikes: Cheese. With the exception of it on pizza.
Teeth Lost: 2 Possibly has one wiggly one on the top. She insists on only wiggling at school so she can lose it at school. LOL.
What I want to be when I grow up: "I would like to be a scientist or an architect." 
Favorite subject: Science

We love you our sweet, wonderful Girl! You are growing up so fast, and becoming more beautiful on the inside and out every year! 

Madison's First Day of Kindergarten

Madison's first day of Kindergarten came on Tuesday, September 5th, and boy, was she one excited girl!! She was ready: purple sparkly sneakers, new backpack and a huge smile..check!

Madison Grace,  5 years old

For her breakfast before her first day she chose a gluten-free bagel with strawberry cream cheese. 

In her lunch box she wanted a turkey butter sandwich with home made g/f chocolate chip cookies we made the day before. 

This year was the first that both girls attended the same school! They already planned on if they see each other in the hallway they would do either a fist bump or high five. LOL.

With this being the second time I have sent a child to kindergarten, I was able to keep it together a little bit more, although I do blame the pregnancy hormones last time around...haha. I waited until I got to the car before I need to throw my sunglasses on ;) 

Then my babies walked hand-in-hand into the school where Big Sis Lindsay took her Little Sis to her line in the multipurpose room. It was sad (for me!) and precious at the same time.

At pickup time I was there early, and couldn't wait to hear all about my big kindergartener's first day. She LOVES her teacher, Mrs. Pacuta, and is getting a class pet hermit crab. Oh, and she made a new best friend, Sloane. 

Sweet Sissy's at the pickup line. 

Here is a quick update of all things Madison Grace...
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Toy: Still can't sleep without Molly, her pup ;)
Favorite Book: Breyer Stablemates Early Reader series
Favorite Animal: HORSE
Clothes Size: 5T 
Shoe Size: 9 kids
Favorite Foods: Queso Dip, Apple Pork Chops, Pizza, Fruit, Sweets of any kind. 
Food Dislikes: Cheese. Although I think it has something to do with her older sister disliking it. 
Teeth Lost: 0
When I grow up... "I want to own a ranch and raise and take care of Ponies. Or maybe a Vet." 

Our Sunshine Girl

Happy First Day of Kindergarten to our bright, sunny Big Girl! We love you and are so proud of you!!

Summer Round Up

I am finally getting a chance to get caught up blogging! School has started and the leaves are beginning to change colors, and I am just not ready to say farewell to summer yet! This summer was so sweet, and as school got ready to begin, I kept thinking to myself, "How can it be?!" I am/was not ready for BOTH my kids to be in school full time. Andrew and I miss those girls. We had our share of bickering and grumpiness, but overall, the kids grew stronger in their bonds with each other. 

Tea parties with our friends

I had the great privilege to do a mommy-and-me bible study with the girls this summer during Andrew's nap time. We enjoyed some treats and tea/lemonade/hot cocoa and had some fun digging into God's word and praying. It was precious seeing them taking ownership of their faith and truly seeking to know Jesus more.

Bible Study time

During rainy days they had picnics in the garage...

And on sunny days we played outside in the back yard!

Hooray for Rita's!

In June the girls went to Vacation Bible School...

We had tons of Pajama Dance Parties...

Just about every week we went to the library and checked out as many books that could fit into our bag... those days were the quietest days because these book worms were on the couch reading all afternoon.

We love library day

We ate our weight in ice cream this summer...

And right before we headed back to school we visited the farm. We picked apples and blackberries to put in the kids school lunches.

This was the friendliest goat ever

We love apples

Did I mention we ate ice cream?! LOL.

Thankfully, it's still warm around here, and we are grilling and wearing out tank tops and shorts as long as possible before it becomes sweater and boots weather! Farewell Summer, Happy Fall!

Boston 2017

While Daddy's away... We will PLAY!! Poor Daddy had a conference at Harvard, so the kiddies and I took full advantage of the hotel room and played in our favorite city in the US... Boston! The kids and I set out for two fun-filled days of riding the subway, visiting the park and checking out museums. Here are some of our adventures...

We ate, boy did we eat! Ice cream and all the fun special gluten-free places you would find in a big city.  

Baby Cone for a Baby Boy

Since going gluten-free, Maddie has REALLY been missing Dunkin Doughnuts, or really doughnuts of any kind. We found an amazing gluten-free specialty doughnut place in Boston for her to eat at...

Happy Girl 

Yum!!

Oh Boy. Wishing I hadn't have worn white pants. LOL

We took a taxi to the Boston Commons and walked around the park.

Kids in front of the State House

We have "Here Comes the Ducklings" in our home libary and have read it many times, so the thought of visiting a real place from one of their books was super exciting!

Swans, Ducks and Sassy Girls. I am not sure if it was walking around the city or exploring, but these sassy girls were posing up a storm for pictures. Haha!

Strike a pose

Vogue

Of course, no visit to Boston Commons is complete without a trip on the carousel...

We happen to be hanging out near Frog Pond and we noticed everyone was in their bathing suits? All the kids camps were out and lifeguards were posted in the pond so we said, "Why not?" We pulled up our capris and went wading in the pond!

Splish splash!!

After playing and splashing at the park we worked up a hunger and took a walk down Commonwealth Avenue to eat amazing gluten-free Mac n' Cheese.

One happy girl. Andrew ate my g-free mac and cheese :(

We rode the subway back to Harvard Square and the girls thought it was super cool!

The kids were great hoofing it all over the city and using taxis, subway and walking.

Waiting for the T

Near our hotel in Harvard Square, was the Curious George Store. Andrew likes to watch George, and couldn't wait to get his own monkey.

We also visited Harvard's Natural History Museum on their campus. The kids had fun checking out all the exotic animals and especially loved the rocks and mineral exhibit.

Our swanky hotel had a giant soaking tub that the kids had fun "swimming" in!

And we ended our day all snuggled up in the cozy, super fluffy bed at the hotel. We had two double beds, but this Mama enjoyed loving on her babies until Daddy got back to the hotel and we moved a couple over to the other bed ;)

The kids and I had a blast, and I felt bad for J because he was in Boston, but not really IN Boston doing all these fun things with us. I think we better just take another trip just he can enjoy the city (and us!) again too ;)