Picnic...
We have been spending alot of time lately going on picnics at the local park. The kids love packing up a lunch in their spiderman and hello kitty lunch boxes and I love just being outside and enjoying what is left of the summer. Big bro. just finished his 1st week of school. The first day was great but as the week went on he wasn't quite sure about going to school everyday. He was still brave however, and not once did I see tears (hooray!)... Here are just a few pics at the park...

School Days...
Well, the dreaded day has arrived...the day I send my baby boy out into the real world...the first day of kindergarten. Big bro. was very excited about today. We have been talking about this day for weeks now. I wasn't expecting a smooth transition since the last 4 months of preschool he would grab a hold of me with a death grip and I would have to pry him off of me as tears were streaming down his cheeks BUT he was so brave and went to the first day of school without any tears! He was excited up until we got to the door of his classroom and then he stopped and wasn't quite sure about entering. With a gentle tug he went into his classroom and I kissed him and told him I would be back soon to pick him up. His teacher then showed him his cubby (where he keeps his backpack) and that was it. No drama at all. When I went to pick him up he was happy and told me all about his first day including some class rules he had learned. I am so proud of him, I only hope the next few days and weeks go as smoothly as today...

waiting patiently for the time to load up into the car to go to school

my little boy who is growing up way to fast...

showing off how fast he can run...

Pirates...

Before we left New England we went on a pirate adventure that I must say was quite impressive. If any of you are ever in Plymouth and looking for something to do with kids, I highly recommend the pirate adventure ship. Big bro. had the time of his life. The adventure started with some pirate attire...



we then sailed out to an enemy ship where the kids had to fight off the (scary looking) enemy pirate in order to get the treasure chest...


the enemy tried with all his might but the kid pirates managed to get the treasure...

after the treasure hunt the captain of the ship took the kids out to a lobster trap and the kids got to pull the lobster trap onto the ship. He opened the lobster cage and found 3 lobsters and 5 crab. Big bro. was lucky enough to get to put rubber bands on the lobsters claws (I had a great picture of this but I just deleted it ARRRRR...)

what a fun adventure...

TOO CUTE...
Here are a few pictures of my cute, cute niece. It is so fun to get to see her more often now that we live in the same state. She is so much fun and my kids love her. Thanks A and H for letting me take some pictures of her...I hope you like them...

SUNDAY BEST...
Before church today I took some pics of the kids all dressed up. They were both so happy and so cooperative. We have been having quite the time trying to get big bro. to go to primary by himself. For the past 4 weeks either R or I have had to sit right next to him the entire time. Today I was giving the R.S. lesson and R was out of town so he had no choice but to go to primary by himself. There were a few tears but he did it! I was so proud of him and he was so proud of himself. Hopefully next week he will do it again...

this first pic. little sis' face is a bit out of focus but I still like it



I love this one...

and this one...

and this one...

Curls...
I love little sis's curls hanging out the back of her hat so I had to grab my camera. R gave me a new camera lens for my birthday--it has taken some getting use to but I am loving it!