Terrific and Two

It was my daughter's second birthday this week. It seemed like we celebrated for the whole week. It all started on Wednesday night, her birthday eve, when we decided to let her open the presents from us. Her brother was thrilled to give her the doll he picked out. And she was excited to get her first pair of big-girl undies! Here she is busy at work.

On Thursday, her actual birthday, we went to see Sesame Street Live. It was great. The name of the show was "Elmo's Green Thumb". Both of the kids loved it. We met some friends with kids of similar ages. Chelsea danced like crazy and yelled hello at each muppet. She was so excited.

On Friday evening we had her birthday party. We invited friends and family. The original plan was to have it in the yard with a campfire and marshmallows. Of course...it POURED! So all of these people had to squeeze into our tiny house. We made the best of it and used every square inch of every room and had a great time. She is going to be a stylish little girl this winter with her princess costumes and her outfits. She got a baby doll which she loved. After each present she would say, "I want some more!" She was happy when she was finally able to take the princess figurines off the top of the cake. Thanks to Grandma BJ, Cousin Erica, and Daddy, we have lots of pictures of the party. Everyone had a great time.
At one point there was a crowd on my bed (good thing it is king-sized). They were watching a movie and having fun.
Now it is Saturday. I have done dishes and my husband has dismantled all of the folding tables and chairs. I have searched the house for leftover juiceboxes and plates and cleaned them up. Since we were hanging out at home we decided to let Chelsea have a try with her big-girl undies. The end result was predictable and I had to clean up a little puddle on the floor, but she was very proud of her Elmo undies. Here she is showing them off for the camera! I guess we can check this birthday off as a huge success.

Around the Bend??? Maybe!

Well we may have made it around the bend on this getting-used-to-school situation. I finally made contact with my son's teacher after realizing that my work email was not allowing me to send or receive messages from her. Just knowing that I can now communicate with her has done wonders to ease my mind. We still had a few tears this week. Not nearly as bad as the previous week, though. We got a good note home from his teacher saying he did well on Thursday. He still hates the after-school program, but baby steps... He will get there. We also took care of a sticky situation on the soccer field in a way that hopefully made everyone comfortable. Things are looking up!
Travis is on the Green Dragons. As long as you tell him which way to kick the ball, he does okay. He actually scored a goal during practice this week. He told everyone, adding "and I was even going in the right direction!!"
The best part of going to soccer with my son is seeing how much he has improved since the last season. He is doing a lot better. This season he was able to get jersey #1, just like Thomas the Tank Engine! BONUS!

Meanwhile Chelsea is doing great. She continues to go to Aunties and loves playing with her little friend there. I painted her toenails for the first time. Thursday she turns 2! We have decided to celebrate by going to see "Sesame Street Live" that night with friends.
Here she is with Mimi, posing with their sunglasses on. Mimi is going to see Sweet Caroline this weekend and will hopefully bring back lots of pics!
Chelsea enjoys the chocolate off a cookie and then tries to hide her chocolaty face. We find the cookies with the chocolate licked off scattered throughout our home. Gross!
Chelsea has found a way to occupy herself during her brother's soccer game. She finds some friends to run up and down the hill with. At the end of the game she crawls into her carseat and falls asleep, exhausted from running. Everybody wins!

Walking on the Other Side of the Fence

I thought it would be a walk in the park. I help other parents through the transition to full-day school all the time at my job. But this time I was the parent and I was handing over my first born into the hands of strangers. He was a little apprehensive, as was I. But when we both breezed through the first day, I patted us on the back and thought, "We nailed it! We are in the clear!" I remember the stories of the weepy parents who watched as the kids left for their first day of kindergarten and actually wondered why I didn't feel that myself. Had my job made me cold to this particular experience????

The second day was much like the first. We left happily in the morning and proceeded through our days at school. I was a little frazzled because he also had soccer practice that evening and my husband was at work. But I chalked that up to getting used to the new schedule. I headed to his after-school program to pick him up. When I saw him waving at me, I almost cried. I was so happy to see him. Then it hit me, he was growing independent from me (and the rest of the family). And this was only the beginning of KINDERGARTEN! We had 13 years of this for him alone (never mind that we would have to do it all again with his younger sister). I was a little alarmed to learn that the teacher in charge of his group at after-school didn't know he needed an Epi-pen. For whatever reason, I didn't immediately flip out about this. I just figured it was a bump along the way. It I was going to survive this transition and set the tone for my son, I needed to be level-headed. And so it continued....

By Friday (the 4th day of school for him) I had gotten my first call from the school nurse. His eye had swollen up and he had stepped in what everyone kept calling "goo". We still have no idea what the goo was, and due to the nurse's limited English vocabulary, it took me a while to understand the connection between the goo on his foot and the swollen eye. My son told me the goo was "oobleck", the make-believe stuff that fell from the sky in one of Dr. Seuss's books. The nurse said that maybe it was gum, and then decided that it wasn't gum after all. Toxic waste, maybe? Cat puke? Could be! I just know that he allegedly rubbed whatever it was into his eye and it almost swelled shut. And the school nurse didn't give him Benedryl, even though I filled out a form saying to do so.

By the time I pick him up on that Friday, I was discouraged and emotional. I feel like I have set my son up to be looked after by people who aren't taking his medical needs seriously. And they are not even complicated issues. Just have his medicine ready, just in case he comes into contact with an allegen. I don't think I was expecting too much. I filled out a ream of paperwork on the kid to make sure everyone could treat whatever ails him without contacting me first. So treat him! Keep on top of things!

After a good night sleep I begin to see that I didn't escape the stress that parents feel when they send their children off to school. Not by a long shot! I am a teacher who deals with this on a professional level each day, But it is a whole different game when your child is the student. The anxious reaction to watching my son take his first steps into the "real world" weren't avoided. Just delayed a little. I'm hoping things smooth out considerably, but I guess we will have to wait and see. I count my blessings that I think his teacher is great. She is vigilant about keeping an eye on him and keeping him safe. In fact it was his teacher that noticed that his eye was swollen. I just remind myself that, just like I watch over my students and make sure their best interests are served, my son's teacher is doing the same thing for him (and me!).

My boy takes his first steps towards independence in the fall of 2003 at Mimi's house.

Let The Fun Begin!

Well Travis and family all survived the first day of kindergarten. It started with tears. As of 9:00 last night my son was going to be a drop-out before school even started (looks great for a teacher's kid to put up a fit about going to school)! But he pulled himself together and did well. Here are the highlights...

My son is ready to go on his first day of kindergarten. I don't feel that it is a coincidence that it also happened to fall on the day when my grandmother would have turned 90 years old. Maybe she was watching over him...

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to be in the spotlight, my daughter joined my son in showing off their new backpacks.

Travis tried to bend down to take a picture with Chelsea. But Chelsea wanted to do just what her big brother did.

It was a big relief when we found out that our former neighbor was going to be in the same class.

We walked in with Travis and chatted a little with the teacher. She is very nice and it turns out that she and I have a mutual friend.

The report from Travis when he got home was that the day went well. He had two recesses, a popsicle, a snack and lunch. He had to rest for a little while, but didn't seem to mind. When I pushed to hard for information he said, Mom, it is just my first day!" I took the hint. He did have to sit at the "food allergy table" at lunch. Better to be safe than sorry, but a little geeky, too. Oh well. If he doesn't complain, neither will I. Let's hope the rest of the year follows suit!

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time there was a family of four who thought it would be fun to take a relaxing and peaceful vacation up north in the White Mountains of New Hampshire... Ha! What a joke! It wasn't relaxing. We were constantly on the go. It wasn't peaceful! Chelsea made sure of THAT! But we had a great time nonetheless. Here are some hightlights!
Day 1
We head to Story Land in Glen, NH. Chelsea hadn't napped and was in rare form. Travis was fixated on finding the trainride first thing. The weather cooperated, which was a definite plus.
Here is our boy waiting in line for the first ride. He is so excited he can barely contain himself.

Chelsea enjoys the view from the train. It was one of the more tame moments of her day. She had napped for an hour and was a little refreshed.

We went on the Bamboo Chutes. Travis loved it. Chelsea... not so much! She was a little shocked by the sudden drop. The splash at the end left her a little angry, too.

Daddy took the kids on the teacups. Mom sat this one out and took pictures. Spinning is not for me!

Day 2

First we stopped at the Covered Bridge Shoppe, right near our condo. It was an actual bridge with a country store inside. It was so cute. The bridge lost some points with Travis because it was an old car bridge, not a train bridge. But his disappointment didn't last long. Especially once he and Chelsea realized how much fun it is to race in and out of the long entryway.

Then we were heading north to Jefferson, NH to go to Santa's Village. Once again we had decent weather. It was not as crowded and Chelsea managed to sleep most of the way up. We were in much better shape to start our day. Another flume ride. Another train. And all the Christmas Carols I could sing along with! This was my kind of place!

We stopped at the enterance of Santa's Village to snap a picture of the kids in Santa's sleigh.

We took some time to greet our friend the snowman, or as Chelsea called him "Da Man". He looked familiar to me...now I know why... Flash back thirty-three years. A young Amy with her own mom (Mimi) pose with "Da Man".


Day 3

All aboard for Hartmann's Model Railroad Museum. We took a brief stop to check things out. It was cool. Lots of interactive exhibits. And if you bought a shirt you got to ride on the large model train for free. This was our third trip on a train in as many days. Travis claims that this one was his favorite.

Travis poses with the owner of the museum and the engineer of the train.

Travis, Chelsea, and Daddy wave to Mom as they go past.

Then we headed to the Kancamagus Highway and off to Clarke's Trading Post in Lincoln where we promptly forgot the camera in the car. The hightlights for this trip include another train ride (number four on our trip) on the White Mountain Railroad. We headed over the bridge into the territory of the Wolfman. He chased our train until we told him to "Scram, you old goat!" Travis thought this was great! Travis actually got to hop inside this train and take a look at the firebox. His favorite part of the ride was when the train blew steam all over the Wolfman.

He and daddy also rode the bumper boats. They came off that ride drenched. Since it started to rain we headed out. We stopped to look at the bears, but decided against watching the show. It was actually kind of sad to see such beautiful would-be-wild animals cooped up like that. We headed home after that. Chelsea serenaded us by chanting, "I want Mimi! I want Auntie!" for a good half hour. Then mercifully she fell asleep. Travis still loves hotel living and wants to go back next year.

He started IT!

It all started with a Christmas Tree....actually it started under a Christmas Tree. As many of you know when my son was 1 1/2 my husband started a two-year nursing program. This led me to find new and inventive ways to get Travis out of the house so my husband could study. It was time for finals and my mother-in-law called to tell us that they had put up their tree. So I packed up my toddler and headed over. We arrived and the minute my son saw that tree, he was hooked...for underneath the tree was a train circling through a small village. He was enthralled with that train. And my husband's grandfather Ernie, the owner of said train, was happy that this little guy took such an interest. He has always been a train enthusiast. Watching Travis and his Great Grandfather was like watching two little boys...the four generations that separated these two people melted away. My son got down on his belly and watched the wheels roll on the tracks and the pistons pump. He peered into the tunnel as the train went in and ran to the other side to see it come out. And at 1 1/2 he didn't even try to touch it. At that point it was enough to just look.

This experience was the trigger for many train adventures with Travis and Grandpa Ernie. We have been to Essex Steam Train, Edaville Railroad, and Forest Park in Springfield to see the Christmas Trains. Each Christmas has been a new adventure for Travis, as he has been asked to actually help Grandpa Ernie set up the train under the tree. This is an honor that has never been bestowed on a grandchild before! We have bought Grandpa presents to include in his village, including a light up Home Depot, which no village should be without. And Grandpa Ernie has even taken Travis to meet his friend who is the engineer on the commuter train into Boston. My son was three years old and he drove the train while Grandpa Ernie got to ask lots of questions and even blow the horn a few times. And when Grandpa Ernie flies (drives) south for the winter, his daughter, Grandma BJ, has stepped in and taken our boy to the Train Show at the Big E.

So when anyone ask how Travis got started with his obsession with trains, I tell them Grandpa Ernie started it. It is fun to watch two "boys" (separated by 74 years in age) come together. It is also wonderful to know that it is creating special memories that will always be cherished by the participants and the observers.

Christmas is only a little over 4 months away. My son started asking to put up the Christmas Train in February. This year they may have to make room for one more, as our daughter Chelsea loves to play trains with her brother! Move over boys! There is a new Engineer in town.

A young Grandpa Ernie plays with a train in Springfield Massachusetts. The trains have since gotten bigger and more complex, but the love of trains and the enamored look on his face when he sees them today remains the same!

Travis's sees the Christmas Tree Train for the first time... It was love at first sight.

Travis poses in front of the T right before he hops on and drives. It was a dream come true! Whenever we see the commuter train he says "There is the train I drove!"

Grandpa Ernie and Chelsea last Christmas. Something tells me he won't mind welcoming her aboard his engineering team! Travis, on the other hand, is a different story!

Travis in a recent pose with trains. He has taken it to a new level and occasionally will dress the part as well. It is very common to hear "choo choo!" during a visit to our house. And for this we say a big thanks to Grandpa Ernie, whose love of trains has been passed down to his little great-grandson and provided him with hours upon hours of entertainment and fascination. We love Grandpa Ernie!

Beach Bums

Well the family was off and running once more. We were having some R&R at Hampton Beach. The main reason why we chose this beach is that it gave us a chance to spend time with old friends. My husband has known his best friend since third grade. He was our best man at our wedding (looking pretty smashing in his kilt). He and his wife have 4 children. They debated whether or not to have that third one only to discover they were having identical twins. We got a room at a hotel that I wouldn't really recommend and hung out with his extended family and other close friends. One particular family lives 5 minutes away, but because we all have families and they keep us running, we rarely have seen them. This was a great opportunity for some face time...the margueritas were flowing (as was the wine) and the lobsters were steaming. Here were a few highlights from our kids:
Our son tried boogie boarding. We were shocked that he loved it. Absolutely shocked! He hates splashing and playing rough with water. He throws a fit if he gets water in his eyes. But here he is riding the perfect wave. He stayed in the water for hours at a time... and the waves were pretty big. And to think I almost didn't buy the boogie board!

Our daughter took great pleasure in helping her buddy find beach treasures. Our friend's daughter is almost 4 and was so patient with her. Then our daughter threw a handful of sand on top of the other girl's shells and stones..."I think I have had enough help now!" I think this was a very diplomatic way for a three and a half year old to tell our girl to cut it out!

The "T" kids... all four of them. It was such a pleasure to get to know them. And the parents make raising them look like a breeze. It made me want another for .002 of a second.

My husband with his best friend. Each one transporting a sleeping daughter off to bed. It is a very different picture from some of their Hampton Beach trips in the 80s and 90s.

Our son had a blast playing with our friend's son. The start of a second generation of buddies!

We had a surprise visit from our neighbors! They were so excited. Unfortunatly it had to be cut short because their little boy got sick. But in the meantime my daughter was thrilled to see her best bud. She dotes on our girl and loves to be her mini-mom. She also got some boogie boarding in with our son.

Part of this vacation was spent celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. Here we are on the BIG (and HOT) day. We were a lot thinner, more well rested, and just thrilled to be with all of the people we love most in the world! Seems like yesterday.
I spent our anniversary watching my husband hang out with a younger girl jumping in the waves and playing in the surf. Good thing it was our daughter or there would have been trouble. She is having the time of her life and so was he! Truth be told... I couldn't have been happier watching them play. Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Moose!!!!

My High Spirited Daughter

My daughter never ceases to amaze me. She is not quite two years old and the stuff she comes up with! Just watching her walk across the room is entertaining! She shakes her little bum as she saunters across the room. It looks exagerated, as if she is doing it on purpose. But she has no idea. She just finds it more fun to walk this way. She is moody and impatient (like her mother), yet kind of laid back and fearless, too (like her dad). While my son was cautious and studied everything first, she flings herself into everything head first. While he is rather naive about people, she has figured out how to push buttons and get the maximum reaction out of all of us. She keeps us guessing and is always ready to entertain... unless that is what is expected of her. Then forget about it! She performs only for herself. I often compare her to a cat... everything is on her time-table.
We woke up this morning and our girl was in rare form! We told her to sit on the couch and she stood. We told her to stay downstairs and she ran up. We told her to be quiet and she screamed. Finally my husband came upstairs and told me that she had decorated herself with "Dora" stickers and pink marker. And all before 10 a.m.











Here are some other shots of her mugging for the camera. She loves to try hats on and play dress up (and eat chapstick, but that is another story). I will tell you this... I am half dreading and half looking forward to her teen years. I wait with anticipation to see what she makes of herself at each stage of her life. She seems to grasp that the world is HER stage. It should be a wild ride. Hang on to your hats... As my son would say..."She is on the loose!" My parents and all who knew me in those awful adolescent years think I am getting what I deserve. Bring it on! I wouldn't have it any other way!

Happy Camper

My son just finished up at the camp at Davis Farmland this week. He had a blast. He went last year also. It is such a huge difference seeing how much more he understood this year. He loved it. I was nervous because he didn't know anyone else who was going, but he made a friend right off the bat. We went to see his "Junior Farmer Graduation" today. They sang songs and had refreshments. He was very proud to show us all he learned. It was so much fun to watch.

OUr son gets his certificate and his cowboy hat from Moo Moo the Cow. He made his own farmer t-shirt at camp.

Our daughter was so happy to see her big brother that she ran up to hug him during the ceremony. Normal parents would stop her... I snapped a picture!






The campers sing a rousing redition of "Take Me Out to the Barnyard" complete with puppets. Most of you know this song as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".

Our son and friends enjoyed ice cream when the ceremony was over.

We headed over to the splash park to cool down before heading home. I guess the day was a success because three-fifths of the kids fell asleep on the ride home! It was a fun way to finish up camp at Davis Farmland and Camp Godma, as well.