Edie's 9th Birthday Party

With so many people in our area who leave town for some or all of the summer, the "summer birthday kids" all try to cram in birthday parties before school ends.  Edie included.  This school year was shorter than usual because we had NO snow days, so the party frenzy was crazier than ever.  School let out on Friday, and Edie went to a party Friday evening, her own party was Saturday morning, her piano recital was at 1pm on Saturday and she had a pool party to attend at 2pm.  Wow.  Such is the life of an almost 9-year-old.

Edie's party, held three weeks in advance of her actual birthday, was at our community art center where the girls made "secret books," which are actually little boxes for special possessions.  They are a really nice group of girls and I manned almost the entire party solo while Chris and Gemma were at soccer.

Neighborhood Egg Hunt

We spent Easter weekend at home this year, and were lucky to be invited to a BIG egg hunt on the cul de sac where a lot of our school friends live.  Look at these cute kids!

A Special Birthday Visit

My dad turned 75 in March.  He is truly someone who doesn't want or "need" anything and is pretty impossible to shop for.... I was mulling this over last November and thought that perhaps I would fly down to see him for his birthday weekend - or better yet - maybe my brothers would like to come with me?  Did I dare suggest this??  (It's one thing to fly to FL from Boston - a much bigger thing to fly from the West Coast!)  It was as easy as one email - my three wonderful brothers thought it was a great plan and we were quickly able to share the news with Dad - who was over the moon with excitement!

We had a great weekend together!  While it would have been great to have our entire families there, it would have been impossible to schedule and.... dare I say it?.... we all enjoyed our time alone.  As Will said:  "We need to do this more often!"  I completely agree!

The bad news - the only photos we have of the five of us together were taken with an iPhone (poorly) and the only good photo I got from the trip was a giant inflatable lobster flying over the beach in Boca Raton. Thank goodness for the memories, right?

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We went out in the cold, dark night to pick out a tree.

The girls loved decorating the tree, and played around it for hours!

We spent Christmas morning at home, then drove to New York to be with Chris' family.  The kids got matching PJs and cuddled up with Aunt Ginny after Christmas dinner.

On Boxing Day, we traveled to Brooklyn for a wonderful family dinner at Kellie and Alasdair's house.  What a great group!

Edie and Jake got to see Mary Poppins on Broadway - Edie's first Broadway show!

Thanksgiving 2011

Gemma came home the other day from preschool with her pilgrim and Native American costumes. The children make the costumes and take turns acting out various situations relating to early Colonial life and the first Thanksgiving. Edie took one look at the costumes, remembering her own time at preschool, and said to Gemma: "What were you in the play, a Pilgrim or a Native American?" Gemma responded that she was a Native American, and asked Edie what she had been. Edie replied: "A very, very unhappy Pilgrim. I did NOT like being on that Mayflower." The "Mayflower" was a small boat they have at preschool, and apparently Edie remembers to this day that she felt nervous when the boat was rocking as it crossed the Atlantic. It is so funny what they remember!

We celebrated our Thanksgiving on the Cape with Chris' parents and our niece, Tess. It was a wonderful weekend with warm weather and lots of sunshine. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we visited a beach in Chatham which is not far from where the Pilgrims first sighted land after their crossing!

Happy Halloween!

From Top Dog:


To a cranky, worn out poodle:


Fun was had by all....

Halloween Window Decorating

At Newtonville Pet! About 3 hours before it started to snow....

Breakfast in Bed for Edie - She is 8 today!

Chris and I are blessed to have our sweet, sensitive and joyful daughter. The changes we see in Edie as she turns 8 are big ones! She is much more self aware, thoughtful, and inquisitive and she is showing us more concrete examples of who she will be as a young woman. We are proud of her and can't wait to see what lies ahead!

Happy 4th!

It was a picture perfect day in Cotuit for the July 4th parade. Chris' parents, Aunt Kathleen, sister Carrie and cousin Jake were visiting us. It was Jake's first Cotuit parade! Edie and Jake watched the parade from the sidelines so they could collect candy, but Gemma decided to be in the parade so she could throw candy to the crowd.

Happy Halloween!

As most of you know, I have been sick for two weeks with pneumonia, including a brief hospitalization on my birthday. I wasn't involved in any Halloween preparations, trick or treating, or anything remotely festive this year. Okay, enough of the self-pity! Fortunately, a lot of wonderful friends have been taking care of our girls and got them involved in some Halloween fun. I just love these photos of Gemma - a big thank you to my friends, Jen and Krista, who were watching Gemma this particular afternoon.



I was particularly disappointed to miss out on trick or treating this year since my intrepid husband decided to dress up as Tinky Winky. Chris loves this particular Teletubby because Jerry Falwell denounced Tinky Winky years ago (remember this?) as a gay role model for children, as if toddlers could interpret any symbolism that may or may not have existed. Chris proudly carried his pink purse for trick or treating, and our children's moral character seems to be intact. Phew. I hope to get some more trick or treating photos to post, but here is a quick pre-Halloween photo. Chris has no fear of embarrassing himself, none....

Anniversary Flowers

Edie's 7th Birthday - Cape Cod Celebration!

We were on the Cape for Edie's actual 7th birthday on July 8, so we celebrated with dinner out at her favorite local restaurant (Asia in Mashpee Commons). Mimi and Grandpa were here with us for the week, so we were all happy that they could join in the festivities. She had another birthday cake and more presents ... nothing could please a little girl (and her sister) more.


It is hard to believe that Edie is already 7 years old. She is entering second grade in the fall and the changes are coming fast and furious. Edie is still the sweet, sensitive, inquisitive, and sometimes melodramatic (!) little girl she has always been, but a much more independent and self-confident version. She goes through most transitions so easily and so bravely. I admire her ability to make new friends in any situation and the fact that she likes to try new things. Over the past year, she has continued with her gymnastics class, Chinese school and swimming, and she started tennis and piano. Edie is starting to pay attention to popular music, and loves to try new dance moves. She loves to draw and make things. Recently, she fashioned a little handbag out of some white paper and cardboard - it was so cute! I love Edie's sense of style - she is a very confident dresser. Sometimes I am confused by what she pulls out of her closet to wear but then once it's on, it makes sense to me in a wacky and wonderful way. She has the most beautiful long hair; I love to hold it in my hands and brush it, and I realize that there will be a time when she won't let me do that! Right now, I am fortunate to be the center of Edie's universe. She showers me with affection and love notes and pictures. Again, I realize that this stage won't last forever so I try to appreciate each "I love you" and each kiss and hug.

Edie is a good big sister to Gemma, of course, even though Gemma thrills in finding new ways to torment her. She helps Gemma get dressed in the morning, she reads to her, brushes her teeth, and finds her missing toys. Here in Cotuit, they sleep in side-by-side beds and I think they comfort each other during the night. I love that Edie has Gemma in her life and vice versa.


So that's an update on our amazing big girl - all 7 years of her!

Red, White, Blue and Heat - Happy 4th!

Our spring in New England was unusually warm and we all loved it. The month of June was the hottest on record and we sort of loved it. The month of July started out sizzling hot, and let's just say we are tiring of the heat just a bit. Nonetheless, the season in Cotuit really opens with the July 4th parade, and the heat couldn't keep our kids from marching in the town parade.


The Cotuit parade is a bit of a free for all. There are some organized groups who march, but at least 50% of the parade participants are kids and families who dress up and march, cycle, scooter, ride in cars, or on boats, or on unicycles, or in wagons and throw candy to the smaller number of people on the sidelines. Our kids love it! Edie and Gemma paraded this year with their friends, Olivia, Audrey and Henry. Gemma and Henry rode in the wagon, "managing" the candy supply.


Olivia, Audrey and Edie paraded with their Razors proudly decorated.


It was hot, hot, hot. The girls both needed to cool off once the festivities were over. Hope everyone had a very happy 4th!