September 30th 2009
Enzo's One Year Check Up
Enzo did very well at his check-up today, showing off his verbal and motor skills. He had a polio vaccine at the end and was a champ for it. He gave a little whimper... after it was over and the band-aid was already on. I'm waiting and will have him go in for a shot only visit in a month or two for two other shots and then at his 15 month check up he'll get the MMR all by itself.
He is in the 75th percentile for height/length at 30 1/4 inches and 25th percentile for weight at 21 pounds 3 ounces. His head circumference is holding strong at the 90th percentile at 18 3/4. We talked about a handful of concerns I had, all of which were dismissed. Dr. Warren did say to keep giving him soft, smooth, easy to gum foods until he has more teeth to chew with since his digestive system doesn't seem to be able to handle anything that isn't completely smooth. He has three teeth plus two more top teeth working on coming through the gums. Dr. Warren said that Enzo is ahead of the curve for motor development for sure and even for his verbal/language abilities. The notes she left in his booklet say "Handsome. Great Development".
He is in the 75th percentile for height/length at 30 1/4 inches and 25th percentile for weight at 21 pounds 3 ounces. His head circumference is holding strong at the 90th percentile at 18 3/4. We talked about a handful of concerns I had, all of which were dismissed. Dr. Warren did say to keep giving him soft, smooth, easy to gum foods until he has more teeth to chew with since his digestive system doesn't seem to be able to handle anything that isn't completely smooth. He has three teeth plus two more top teeth working on coming through the gums. Dr. Warren said that Enzo is ahead of the curve for motor development for sure and even for his verbal/language abilities. The notes she left in his booklet say "Handsome. Great Development".
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 15 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 15 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 6 days
News posted by Laura at 12:06 PM | 
Comment
September 29th 2009
Diving to 10 Feet
Abby and Zoë have been practicing diving from the side of the pool at the YMCA. Just today however Zoë was successful at touching the bottom at the depth of 10 feet. I am working with them to increase their breath holding time. Abby can touch at 7.5 feet, but doesn't seem interested in going deeper. Zoë doesn't want to try the 12 foot depth either although I am confident she could do it.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 days News posted by christopher at 7:34 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
I am so very proud of you both...great job girls!!
Last Babytime Group
Well, it's official. Today we went to babytime for the last time. It's a bittersweet transition. We've been going since Enzo was just over three months old so it's a little sad to leave the group. However, we'll be moving on to toddler time and I'm sure it will be exciting as well as new. We had a good visit with friends and a good topic of conversation from Parky and we were back in the normal room, as all of the renovations have been finished. What a nice way to end the group.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 days News posted by Laura at 6:57 AM | Comment
September 28th 2009
Listeners on Hold
Unfortunately Zoë and Abby have gone back to bed time struggles and misbehaviour and have lost nights in a row of their 'listeners'. It even got to a point where I took back the listener they were in the middle of. I think I was more dissapointed than them that they didn't get to hear how it ended.
We're working on this one... again, so hopefully we'll have some nice nights of listening enjoyment again soon.
We're working on this one... again, so hopefully we'll have some nice nights of listening enjoyment again soon.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 14 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 5 days News posted by Laura at 9:06 PM | Comment
September 27th 2009
Foods with Nonno
You can always count on some eats when Nonno is around! Last night he made an impressive pasta/seafood dinner, then today with the girls they prepped everything for pickled beets and eggs. For a late lunch/early dinner we all tried a new Japanese restaurant in the area called Shio. It was great and the girls even informed us that - gasp - this is now replacing Sake as their favorite restaurant. Nonno Ernie also stocked us with frozen treats and morningstar farms products.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 13 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 13 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 4 days News posted by Laura at 8:46 PM | Comment
September 26th 2009
Lowe's Build and Grow Workshop - Firetruck
Abby and Zoë dragged Nonno off to Lowe's this morning. Today's project was a firetruck to help celebrate and inform us about safety. They had a firetruck and police car on site that we got to explore after completing our projects. Both Abby and Zoë got special one on one time with Nonno Ernie helping each of them to build their toy. They all had a great time hammering and assembling the truck. We got out patches and certificates for finishing the projects and headed over to the real firetruck and police car. Abby and Zoë enjoyed climbing into and around the truck. They hopped into the back of the police car to see what it would be like to be arrested and get sent off to jail. Shortly thereafter we headed home to meet up with Mommy and Enzo for some lunch they prepared. Nonno Ernie was surprised at how prepared and indepth these projects are. He even got a kit as a take home for Ayden.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 days Art posted by christopher at 11:50 AM | Comment
Portsmouth Farmer's Market
Abby and Zoë wanted to show Nonno our market. Mommy went off to a SAMOM sale and we walked over to the market. Everyone around here is always impressed with the Portsmouth Farmer's Market that is held on most Saturday's throughout the summer. They tell us it is one of the larger farmer's markets in the area and people actually drive some distance to get here as it is quite the attraction. Having been to actual farmer's markets in other states and knowing a tiny amount about fresh fruit and vegetables, I have yet to be impressed. There are more packaged goods, prepared goods and foods, and other vendors/items besides the actual produce. When you do find a produce stall mixed in with the furniture, art and band stall, the produce is priced at a premium, mostly because it is local and organic, but the price prohibits us from purchasing much. I can't justify the price premium when the quality doesn't warrant it. Sure some things are picked that morning for the market, but for most on offer, it makes little to no difference. I like the idea of consuming locally grown produce, but only when cost effective. I can remember going to many produce markets while growing up, the Philadelphia Italian market, the markets in New York City and Englishtown. I know those cities are many magnitudes larger than tiny Portsmouth and very hard to compare their markets, it is the produce that I am comparing. I had to show my father the state of our market, the quality of the produce and the prices. I knew he would understand what "Farm Fresh" means having grown up on a farm.
Side Rant: Just recently I was looked at strangely when I refused to pick my own unripened fruit at an orchard. Being advised that a couple days to a week on the counter would produce a perfectly tasting product. I knew otherwise and bought only 3 peaches for $3.06. I inspected probably 100 peach trees, found 3 that were riper than the rocks others had chosen. I opened the first one after two days, and it was still hard and tasteless. I monitored and opened the next one when it softened more, about a day or two later, it too was tasteless but still somewhat crisp. The last peach's skin started to sag the next day, so I cut it and ate it without any joy as it lost all crispness and was mushy. The people here rave about this quality of produce, where I can only choke out a blah. Having had peaches the size of softballs so juicy and ripe that when you take the first bite, your face and whole head is soaked like if you had taken a shower, it is hard to eat and enjoy sub-quality produce. Maybe I am too judgmental, reminiscing on the bygone days of ripe quality produce, ready to eat. Well apparently those don't exist anymore, at least not here.At least the girls enjoyed the half dozen of apple cider sugar and cinnamon donuts Nonno bought them.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 days First Moments posted by christopher at 8:24 AM | Comments ( 2 )
Comments:
I hear your rant loud and clear! There is only one farm in MA that I'll go to, Wilson's Farm. They carry some of the best produce I've ever seen, but yes, they too can be overpriced! This is why I work at Whole Foods Market. At least I can get pretty close to top shelf produce at a discount<3 I'm glad to hear that the girls got to enjoy some donuts though... those are my favorites!
Chris we were spoiled living so close to the Jersy markets...as they say the "Garden State". When traveling to and from Trenton the markets just lined the roads, peaches, watermelons, cantelopes oh so very good!!
Gifts from Nonno
Nonno brought some gifts for Enzo, as well as the rest of us, up with him. Enzo got some shoes, cozy feetsie jammies, food, and a really neat puzzle that he carried around with him all over the house for the rest of the morning. The girls got some clothes, food, and candies as well as some other specials to share with Mommy and Daddy.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 days Special Occasions posted by Laura at 8:20 AM | Comment
First Scrambled Eggs
Enzo had his first pancakes and scrambled eggs breakfast this morning. He was eating his pancake, which he's had before, while I was making the rest of them and putting them in the oven to keep warm. Finally Nonno and the girls were ready to come downstairs and then I started working on the eggs. Enzo had began to be done with sitting in his high chair, but once we moved him to the table with everyone else, he was willing to try some eggs. He ate a couple of pieces, but after that he was trying to scrape it off his tongue and just wanted to play tug-of-war with Nonno for the egg plate. I gave him some water and cleaned him up. A couple of tastes is just fine for something new.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 11 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 days First Moments posted by Laura at 6:51 AM | Comment
September 25th 2009
Nonno Finally Arrives
Abby and Zoë have been anxiously awaiting Nonno Ernies arrival all day. While waiting on the deck, they decided to use my work gloves and start cleaning up some debri from our recent construction. After a long day of work, Nonno finally arrived after dinner. The girls were soon off to bed and Enzo got some alone time with Nonno.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 day News posted by christopher at 7:07 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
So glad to see you girls helping Dad.
Second Pee on the Potty
Enzo amazed us yet again with another pee on the potty. It was about time for him to get a diaper change anyhow so I just took off his dipe and sat him on the potty. I asked him if he needed to go and made some tinkle sounds and he went! I shouted down to Chris to tell him the news right away. I was shocked! Even though he's still at least a few months away from having the physical ability to control his potty needs, we'll just keep sitting him on the potty once or so a day to continue giving him the positive image of the toilet.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 day Milestones posted by Laura at 9:26 AM | Comment
September 24th 2009
Cake Time
Yes, we really are doing a seperate entry for every single event today... that's just how we roll. :)
Here are a few pictures, plus the video of Enzo's first birthday cake celebration tonight. The cake normally would've been $6.00 but we got it free for the first birthday. Despite the photos, we didn't actually let him eat any. It took so many takes to get the video right (i.e. no one picking noses or frowning) that I finally just let him stick his hands in the darn cake. Not only that, but I totally mispronounced a couple of words by the end, however there was no way we were taking another video. Inevitably he did taste a bit of the frosting on his fingers before I wiped it all off, but he actually attempted to spit it out... it was that good. We decided I'd sing the song in Portuguese while doing the cake, as you can see in the video.
Here are the words and translation for the song...
Parabéns pra você
Nesta data querida
Muitas Felicidades
Muitos anos de vida!
Which translates to:
Happy birthday to you,
on this mery date,
lots of happiness
and years to come.
Here are a few pictures, plus the video of Enzo's first birthday cake celebration tonight. The cake normally would've been $6.00 but we got it free for the first birthday. Despite the photos, we didn't actually let him eat any. It took so many takes to get the video right (i.e. no one picking noses or frowning) that I finally just let him stick his hands in the darn cake. Not only that, but I totally mispronounced a couple of words by the end, however there was no way we were taking another video. Inevitably he did taste a bit of the frosting on his fingers before I wiped it all off, but he actually attempted to spit it out... it was that good. We decided I'd sing the song in Portuguese while doing the cake, as you can see in the video.
Here are the words and translation for the song...
Parabéns pra você
Nesta data querida
Muitas Felicidades
Muitos anos de vida!
Which translates to:
Happy birthday to you,
on this mery date,
lots of happiness
and years to come.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 10 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 day Special Occasions posted by Laura at 9:05 PM | Comment
Enzo's First Birthday
We started the day off with blueberry oatmeal at home and then went over to see Auntie Reanna and Cousin Elijah, as Reanna didn't have to go into work until 11:00. We stayed there for a while since the diapers were washing and drying, Enzo took his nap in Elijah's crib and once he was up we headed out to Newick's for a late lunch/early dinner, to take advantage of the birthday discount. On the way home we stopped and picked up Enzo's free first birthday cake at Shaw's, which I ordered a couple of days ago.
While we didn't get the chance to this year, we want to start a tradition of having a Brazilian food every year on Enzo's birthday as a way of celebrating his birth in Brazil and being a Brazilian citizen. This afternoon I did chat a little while with Raissa and she gave me the words for how they sing the happy birthday song in Portuguese, so that will be our Brazilian inclusion this year.
While we didn't get the chance to this year, we want to start a tradition of having a Brazilian food every year on Enzo's birthday as a way of celebrating his birth in Brazil and being a Brazilian citizen. This afternoon I did chat a little while with Raissa and she gave me the words for how they sing the happy birthday song in Portuguese, so that will be our Brazilian inclusion this year.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year Special Occasions posted by Laura at 5:58 PM | Comment
Enzo's first lobster
Enzo got his first lobster today, well kind of. He didn't get to eat any of the lobster, but we used his $10 birthday coupon to get a lobster, well, most of a lobster anyhow. The price for the "caught regionally daily market priced" 1 pound lobster was $15.00, ok $14.99, but I wasn't fooled. Seems really expensive when you think about it. Ok so this included some fries and coleslaw, but still, seems crazy for something that practically catches itself by crawling into the cage just 50 feet away from where I am eating it. The restaurant has their own boats and even catches it themselves, cutting out the middleman, but not eliminating the middleman mark up. How much do you actually get to eat from a lobster that size? On average I have found/researched that a 1 pound (500 g) lobster will contain 3-4 oz. (100-125 g) of meat. So I did some checking for prices. Live Lobsters sold "off the boat" at the Daily Boston Lobster auction are priced $2.75 - $3.25 per pound, September 21, 2009 prices. I saw a historical quote of around $5.50 for 2007. This is the "off the boat price", not the market price. The wholesale price for lobsters bought from the local lobster pound are usually marked up 50%-100+%. So all told, my 100g of meat cost me $14.99, bringing the price for 1 pound of lobster meat to around $75. It is just silly, but you have to enjoy the middleman capitalism at it's finest. I am going to boycott all "market priced" lobster from now on. Going to check the local lobster pounds and wholesaler's first.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year First Moments posted by christopher at 4:59 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Fresh live lobsters were on sale at Walmart today for $4.25 per pound. They only had 1.25 pounders at the time, so we got one. Which they steamed for us on the spot at no extra charge. I took apart the lobster and here are the results. The tail weighed 64g. The claws and knuckles weighed 45g. The total meat portion was 109g. The total cost was $5.10. A huge savings and better deal. This price per pound is just $1 over the off the boat price you could get at the seafood auction in Boston.
Enzo's First Pee in the Potty
After Enzo woke up from nap, while at Reanna's I was ready to change his diaper and decided to sit him on the potty, as I often do after nap (or anytime I think he may be about to go while I'm changing him) just to get him used to it. This time, after just a couple of seconds of sitting and me saying the potty 'trigger words' he began peeing! I called Chris to get the camera and we clapped and said the typical parent things and then he went some more! Good day for a first pee on the potty I guess!
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year Milestones posted by Laura at 2:38 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Great Job. Enzo!!
12 Months Old - Meu menino brasileiro faz um ano hoje
So here it is, the big one. I can't believe I'm writing the 12 month post, it doesn't seem possible. On this day one year ago, our son was born at 8:45 a.m. I've been going back and reading the accounts of that day and all of the updates Daddy wrote and the pictures and everyone's comments, and did I say the pictures? I'm feeling a little nostalgic and a little weepy.
At ONE YEAR(!) old you are doing so much. It just seems that all of your skills have exploded at once. Your walking progress it tremendous for one. Not only are you a very confident walker, you're beginning to try running already! And then there's the climbing, you are definitely a little climber like your sisters were. You're so curious and pick up on new things so quickly these days. You're signing so many words these days and even vocalizing the words along with it. Tree, again, water, and sister are just some of your new signs.
You are so sweet and so happy and really funny too! You make us laugh, and repeat whatever we think is funny, because you know you'll get a response from us. You're very independent but at the same time love to run to us with a huge smile on your face and arms outstretched to give big hugs. Oh, your hugs. It's wonderful when I pick you up after a nap and you lay your head on my shoulder and wrap your arms around my neck and play with my hair, these hugs are the sweetest. You are a big hugger in general. Whenever your sisters are sitting on the floor you just have to go over and give them hugs and you also love to wake them up from their nap. Daddy gets a different style hug, but I think it's because you're avoiding his scruffy face. You'll put your head on his and rub his head with both hands.
At one year old you have three teeth, two on the bottom and one on top, and a second top tooth is getting ready to come through any day now. We'll know for sure in about a week how tall you are and how much you weigh. You're in 12 or 18 month clothes, even some 24 month things, and you wear a size four shoe, which you actually do need to wear with all of the walking you insist on doing out and about. Your sisters first walking shoes were a size four as well, but they were 15 months old when they were wearing them.
Daddy has been telling me that you're not a baby anymore, you're a toddler, and I know he's right, you are definitely a toddler... but you're still my baby boy.
At ONE YEAR(!) old you are doing so much. It just seems that all of your skills have exploded at once. Your walking progress it tremendous for one. Not only are you a very confident walker, you're beginning to try running already! And then there's the climbing, you are definitely a little climber like your sisters were. You're so curious and pick up on new things so quickly these days. You're signing so many words these days and even vocalizing the words along with it. Tree, again, water, and sister are just some of your new signs.
You are so sweet and so happy and really funny too! You make us laugh, and repeat whatever we think is funny, because you know you'll get a response from us. You're very independent but at the same time love to run to us with a huge smile on your face and arms outstretched to give big hugs. Oh, your hugs. It's wonderful when I pick you up after a nap and you lay your head on my shoulder and wrap your arms around my neck and play with my hair, these hugs are the sweetest. You are a big hugger in general. Whenever your sisters are sitting on the floor you just have to go over and give them hugs and you also love to wake them up from their nap. Daddy gets a different style hug, but I think it's because you're avoiding his scruffy face. You'll put your head on his and rub his head with both hands.
At one year old you have three teeth, two on the bottom and one on top, and a second top tooth is getting ready to come through any day now. We'll know for sure in about a week how tall you are and how much you weigh. You're in 12 or 18 month clothes, even some 24 month things, and you wear a size four shoe, which you actually do need to wear with all of the walking you insist on doing out and about. Your sisters first walking shoes were a size four as well, but they were 15 months old when they were wearing them.
Daddy has been telling me that you're not a baby anymore, you're a toddler, and I know he's right, you are definitely a toddler... but you're still my baby boy.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year Special Occasions posted by Laura at 8:45 AM | Comments ( 3 )
Comments:
Happy Birthday, Enzo!!!!
uauu.. Eu adorei o vídeo, and the singing too, Laura.
I love babies, particulary those I had the chance to hold in my arms for a littlle while, which is enzo´s case. I wrote the birthday message on the right day,
but somehow I had the 26th on my head.
Kisses
Irene
Happy Birthday, Enzo! Love you xxoo
Enzo's Birthday Messages
Specially recorded birthday messages for Enzo. If you would like to leave a special birthday message in our voicemail, we will include it.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 1 year Sounds posted by christopher at 7:45 AM | Comment
September 23rd 2009
Apple pies and FREE coffee at McDonald's
Yeah we are NOT trying to form a habit but it might be happening anyhow. They say it only takes between 18 and 66 instances to form a habit on average and we are taking McDonald's up on what we see as a challenge. They are offering a free any size coffee all day until the 30th (the promotion started on the 21st). We only know this because of our extra visits to fast food places this month, due to home renovations and extra workload. We feel horrible about the extra fast food exposure but delighted by the free coffee offer. Laura especially was hooked from the first one and we aren't even regular coffee drinkers. The coffee has a very pleasant taste. We also read somewhere how they fared better than Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts in consumer reports taste test conducted in 2007, so who knows. We are still perfecting how to order it to the right sweetness we enjoy. I am sad to say that so far four sugars for a large just doesn't cut it although we are starting to enjoy the flavor more without all the added sugar. Now it seems every night after swimming we pull in to the McDonald's drive through to get 2 apple pies and some coffee for our return trip home. Who knows, after this week we might not be able to break the habit and be converted to paying customers. I know Laura is trying to get her seven coffees in, even if it means a morning run and an evening run. The girls are interested in the smell and taste of the coffee too. What trouble are we starting?
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 8 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 8 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 29 days News posted by christopher at 7:45 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Yes, I have to say I am addicted... not to the coffee but to the freebies! I am a sucker for deals and especially for free offers. I do feel a little odd ordering only the free coffee at the drive-thru and nothing else, but hey, it's their promotion right? And as for the girls enjoying the taste, I have no problem not sharing my free coffee with them. Daddy on the other hand...
September 22nd 2009
Enzo's First Coldstone
We recently got the coupon for Enzo's free birthday ice cream from Coldstone and tonight just Enzo and I went to redeem it. I was kind of an impromptu decision, while the girls geared up to play a game with Chris and I pulled curious Enzo away from the power tools time and time again. I had planned on saving the coupon until we all went out to celebrate it together but then tonight I thought, (not only is he not eating the ice cream) it was just he and I when he came into this world, we can have one birthday celebration just the two of us. :) I did actually let him have a taste too, can you believe it? A very small taste of the mint ice cream with a little taster spoon. He loved holding that mini spoon. We did bring some home to share with everyone else, which I thought was nice of us.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 8 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 8 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 29 days Special Occasions posted by Laura at 8:51 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Awe, that is so sweet Laura : )
Walking home alone from the library
I took Abby and Zoë out for some errands, mostly the post office and library. On the way out of the library I asked the girls if they wanted to walk home by themselves. They were up to the challenge and I told them the rules. Staying together. Stopping at the crosswalks and street crossings. Looking both ways before crossing the street. Not stopping or talking with strangers. It was around four in the afternoon and many people were out. There was a little league baseball game going on at the park so it was fairly crowded. I got them walking and kept them in view the whole time while I went to follow up with my car. They did a good job most of the way. At one point or another I had to yell to them to correct something or another. I made sure I was at each intersection before they were so that there was zero chance they could mess that up. I blocked the traffic so they could look both ways and cross the street. They enjoyed having the freedom to be out "by themselves" even if I was following them with my hazards on to make sure they were safe. There were dogs in the park which they were initially worried about, but all went well. They walked right up to the front door and rang the bell. Mommy was surprised to see them at the front door when she heard me round the corner with the car for the driveway. Soon enough they will be going to get and return their own books from the library by themselves. Well not too soon Laura informs me, she wants to get GPS trackers for them first.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 7 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 7 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 28 days First Moments posted by christopher at 4:35 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Christopher.....they are too young to be walking about by themselves.....too many strange and crazy people about!! I agree with Laura!!
September 21st 2009
Gifts for Enzo
The birthday gifts have begun for Enzo. And lucky for him, since it's the first birthday, no one is making him wait to open them! The first thing to arrive was from Nonna and Auntie Elizabeth on Friday afternoon. He got two really cute outfits (he wore the dress clothes to church on Sunday - he was so handsome!) and a nice zip up fleece. Zoë and Abby were so eager to 'help' Enzo open his gifts that I'm not sure he knew they were there until I was checking things for fitting.
Nonna also sent the girls money to get Enzo a birthday gift, $5 each, and we thought we knew just what to get him. When we were at the Children's Orchard (the re-sale shop) we had seen one of those rugs that looks like a little town with the road to drive the cars on. It was in great condition - looked brand new - and was marked for $10. Zoë and Abby concluded that they could put their money together and get it for him since he likes driving his cars around these days. Unfortunately when we went back on Saturday (for their fill-a-bag sale) it was gone.
We stopped back in today to pick up snow boots for Enzo that I'd put on hold and saw outside a Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn home. The girls spotted it before I did actually and ran right over to it to check it out. This item is normally $80 new so I figured it wouldn't be something for us but told the girls that if it was the right price they could go ahead and get it as their gift to Enzo. When I saw the price sticker I was surprised to see it at $13. After I said the price Abby looked at me and pleaded "Could you please put in three dollars?" Even though I would've said yes anyhow, we did a little shopping life lesson. I told them that the boots I'd put on hold were $10 so we would look around the store and see if we could find a pair in the size he'll need for three dollars less, then that would make up the price difference. Sure enough I found a nice pair of Children's Place boots for $7. We tried them on and he was able to walk in them so we made our purchases and left.
The girls are so excited because they remember (from pictures) that they had one of these when they were around a year old. Of course now there's all these additions you can get like the learning kitchen, mailbox, tea set, tool bench, heck they even have a farm! Back when the girls had this Nonno Ernie had bought them the little phone that has a place on the base of the 'home' and we kept it and Enzo's been using it so now it has a space of its own. The girls reasoned that we didn't have anywhere to hide it until Enzo's birthday so they wanted to just give it to him as soon as we got home. He loves it and spent time working all of the little gizmos... his favorite seems to be the light switch. I was cracking up laughing watching (and listening) to him playing with it. Of course the girls love 'helping' Enzo play with it and are having just as much fun with it now as they did when they were toddlers.
Nonna also sent the girls money to get Enzo a birthday gift, $5 each, and we thought we knew just what to get him. When we were at the Children's Orchard (the re-sale shop) we had seen one of those rugs that looks like a little town with the road to drive the cars on. It was in great condition - looked brand new - and was marked for $10. Zoë and Abby concluded that they could put their money together and get it for him since he likes driving his cars around these days. Unfortunately when we went back on Saturday (for their fill-a-bag sale) it was gone.
We stopped back in today to pick up snow boots for Enzo that I'd put on hold and saw outside a Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn home. The girls spotted it before I did actually and ran right over to it to check it out. This item is normally $80 new so I figured it wouldn't be something for us but told the girls that if it was the right price they could go ahead and get it as their gift to Enzo. When I saw the price sticker I was surprised to see it at $13. After I said the price Abby looked at me and pleaded "Could you please put in three dollars?" Even though I would've said yes anyhow, we did a little shopping life lesson. I told them that the boots I'd put on hold were $10 so we would look around the store and see if we could find a pair in the size he'll need for three dollars less, then that would make up the price difference. Sure enough I found a nice pair of Children's Place boots for $7. We tried them on and he was able to walk in them so we made our purchases and left.
The girls are so excited because they remember (from pictures) that they had one of these when they were around a year old. Of course now there's all these additions you can get like the learning kitchen, mailbox, tea set, tool bench, heck they even have a farm! Back when the girls had this Nonno Ernie had bought them the little phone that has a place on the base of the 'home' and we kept it and Enzo's been using it so now it has a space of its own. The girls reasoned that we didn't have anywhere to hide it until Enzo's birthday so they wanted to just give it to him as soon as we got home. He loves it and spent time working all of the little gizmos... his favorite seems to be the light switch. I was cracking up laughing watching (and listening) to him playing with it. Of course the girls love 'helping' Enzo play with it and are having just as much fun with it now as they did when they were toddlers.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 7 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 7 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 28 days Special Occasions posted by Laura at 9:11 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
I love how you parent and use every situation to teach your girls. I never would have came up with that idea about the difference in price from the boots. You rock Laura, you really do.
September 20th 2009
Fairy House Tour
After lunch today I got Enzo settled into the backpack and the kids and I set off four a tour of fairy houses around Portsmouth. We received a family ticket for the event, which we've never done before, from the Families First Center. What was also neat was that the pass let us into the historic properties in the area that normally cost for a guided tour so we spent some time checking out all of the houses too. Zoë and Abby were actually really excited about this part and whenever they saw one of the homes with an open door over at Strawbery Banke they'd say, "Mom, that door is open, can we go inside that house?" We have plans to build our own fairy houses (though the idea turned into American Indian birchbark houses and teepees) this week.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 5 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 5 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 26 days News posted by Laura at 3:50 PM | Comment
Naysayers
I had my first real confrontation with someone not agreeing with my decision to home-school today. I am a very non-confrontational person but this (elderly) woman certainly wasn't.
After asking what grade the girls were in and me casually saying that we're homeschooling she just laid into me. It was awful. I tried twice to just have her drop it. First just saying, "well this is our choice" and after going around a bit with her saying, "let's just stop the conversation because you're obviously set in your opinion and I'm obviously set with my decision to home-school" But NO, this woman was crazy asking me how I socialize them (and telling me that weekly homeschooling groups weren't good enough because "those people are of the same mind" or something like that) and when I told her I was myself college educated in early childhood education she confronted me on WHERE I went to college!
I can't even begin to get into every outrageous thing this woman laid into me with but she had the audacity to come right out and say to me that I was depriving my children and doing wrong by them and that they weren't going to come out ahead and they weren't going to have any skills to be on their own in life!
I'm sorry, but there have been plenty of very well rounded people in history who were home-schooled, as well as those that went through public school so really I feel it's more of a to-each-their-own sort of thing. I understand that people have their opinions on things and specifically the public vs. home-school front, but it's just not right for either side to behave that way. I don't mind people who have honest to goodness questions out of curiosity to ask me. However if you feel the need to tell me that I'm doing a disservice to my children and why... just don't.
After asking what grade the girls were in and me casually saying that we're homeschooling she just laid into me. It was awful. I tried twice to just have her drop it. First just saying, "well this is our choice" and after going around a bit with her saying, "let's just stop the conversation because you're obviously set in your opinion and I'm obviously set with my decision to home-school" But NO, this woman was crazy asking me how I socialize them (and telling me that weekly homeschooling groups weren't good enough because "those people are of the same mind" or something like that) and when I told her I was myself college educated in early childhood education she confronted me on WHERE I went to college!
I can't even begin to get into every outrageous thing this woman laid into me with but she had the audacity to come right out and say to me that I was depriving my children and doing wrong by them and that they weren't going to come out ahead and they weren't going to have any skills to be on their own in life!
I'm sorry, but there have been plenty of very well rounded people in history who were home-schooled, as well as those that went through public school so really I feel it's more of a to-each-their-own sort of thing. I understand that people have their opinions on things and specifically the public vs. home-school front, but it's just not right for either side to behave that way. I don't mind people who have honest to goodness questions out of curiosity to ask me. However if you feel the need to tell me that I'm doing a disservice to my children and why... just don't.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 5 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 5 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 26 days School posted by Laura at 9:00 AM | Comment
September 19th 2009
Day for Kids
The girls and I have been looking forward to this for a little while now. I saw the ad at Panera bread and checked out the website. It stated that there were over 100 activities including pony rides, face painting, kids salon, wii game tent, and lots of other things. It ended up being a bust... and I didn't see a pony ride anywhere. It was a bunch of booths too close together and too many people trying to maneuver through. Chris was done the second we walked in the door. The one good thing was that we saw a booth for an Indian museum and got some information from them (we're studying American Indians right now) in the form of brochures and such, the girls even got to make bear claw necklaces. It certainly wasn't worth the hour drive there and another hour back, but at least we didn't have to spend any money.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 4 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 4 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 25 days News posted by Laura at 2:33 PM | Comment
September 18th 2009
Surprise Valley Visit
We were over at the Valley's today, but didn't expect to see them. Reanna ended up getting home earlier than expected so the cousins all got to play together in the backyard. Then before we knew it Uncle Corey came home too and the girls got to help unload his work truck and then they watched Elijah in the cab while he loaded it up for their camping trip. Zoë and Abby were super excited that they'd been able to see their Auntie and Uncle before they went up camping for the long weekend.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 4 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 4 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 25 days News posted by Laura at 9:38 PM | Comment
September 17th 2009
Home Learners Picnic
I heard about a local homeschooling group meeting at a park in Stratham today so we geared up to go. First we went to parent re-charge though. One of the other ladies there, Timothea, said that she was going to it too, so we ended up meeting up there, which was nice.
Zoë and Abby played a lot with Christian, who is Timothea's son, as well as a little girl named Isabella, who is their age. They had a great time and just ran and played for about two hours. Enzo had a good time too, walking through the grass and asking to eat everything he saw any of us having. I finally pulled all of the kids away to the car, but we'll hopefully see a lot of the people who were there again in town. I found out that they meet at a nearby park every Wednesday so it'll hopefully be a nice outlet.
Zoë and Abby played a lot with Christian, who is Timothea's son, as well as a little girl named Isabella, who is their age. They had a great time and just ran and played for about two hours. Enzo had a good time too, walking through the grass and asking to eat everything he saw any of us having. I finally pulled all of the kids away to the car, but we'll hopefully see a lot of the people who were there again in town. I found out that they meet at a nearby park every Wednesday so it'll hopefully be a nice outlet.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 2 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 2 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 23 days School posted by Laura at 3:41 PM | Comment
September 16th 2009
Enzo's First Ferrari
Well, his first photo with one anyway. Pastor Vivan called this afternoon, saying that he had an odd proposition for us. He's watching his brother-in-law's ferrari for a couple of days and wanted to know if I'd like to get a picture of Enzo beside it. Now, before I had Enzo I would've been clueless as to why he was offering this, but I've had enough "Oh, did you name him after Enzo Ferrari?", questions to get it now.
Unfortunately Chris couldn't make it, but I took the kids over and got some shots of Enzo and the car. Pastor Vivan started it up, which startled Enzo a little bit - he'd been pretty interested in the breeze moving through the trees - so when I tried to pass him to Pastor Vivan to get a picture of Enzo sitting in the car with him, Enzo began to cry so we didn't get that shot. It was a neat photo-op though.
Unfortunately Chris couldn't make it, but I took the kids over and got some shots of Enzo and the car. Pastor Vivan started it up, which startled Enzo a little bit - he'd been pretty interested in the breeze moving through the trees - so when I tried to pass him to Pastor Vivan to get a picture of Enzo sitting in the car with him, Enzo began to cry so we didn't get that shot. It was a neat photo-op though.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 1 day
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 1 day
Enzo @ 11 months, 22 days First Moments posted by Laura at 3:32 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Don't we wish...Enzo owed the Ferrari Corp!!
September 15th 2009
Last Warm Day?
I'm wondering if today is going to be our last real summer like day this year. It turned out to be near 80 and quite sunny. As the girls kept telling me, it would've been a nice beach day. However we just couldn't seem to keep ahead of ourselves today. After our group at Families First we went to Wal-Mart. Enzo fell asleep just as we pulled into the parking lot so I put him in the jogging stroller, which I luckily still had in the car, so that he could recline and sleep and then just pushed him and dragged a cart around the store... luckily we were just there for a few items.
The forecast for the next few days doesn't look too promising, but hopefully the weather will hold out for some fun fall festivities we hope to attend.
The forecast for the next few days doesn't look too promising, but hopefully the weather will hold out for some fun fall festivities we hope to attend.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months, 1 day
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months, 1 day
Enzo @ 11 months, 22 days News posted by Laura at 9:39 PM | Comment
Hot Hand Zoë
Apparently I've been focusing on teaching the wrong child 'hot' and 'hands off' in relation to the stove. While I thought it was Enzo I needed to be working on this with, I guess I should've been reviewing this with Zoë.
This evening I turned on the rear burner (happens to be the only working one) and then took a pot to the sink to fill with water. As the pot was filling I was doing some thing or another with Enzo on the floor by the sink. All of the sudden Zoë jumped off the stool, where she'd been sitting beside the stove, crying and screaming. I thought maybe a bee had gotten in the house and she'd been stung. Then she informed me that she burned her fingers. Sure enough, she'd, for some reason I won't ever understand, grabbed onto the burner with her first and second fingers. The first finger didn't look so bad, but the second was blistered up. We had her soak her hand in cool water for a while, until Enzo wanted to share it with her and stick his hands (and arms) into the pitcher too. I wrapped it in guaze just to keep it loosely covered.
At first she didn't want to go into the pool, but then was fine and said it wasn't bothering her at all in the cool water. She wanted to keep her bandage on to sleep, so we'll just check it out in the morning and see how the finger is looking.
This evening I turned on the rear burner (happens to be the only working one) and then took a pot to the sink to fill with water. As the pot was filling I was doing some thing or another with Enzo on the floor by the sink. All of the sudden Zoë jumped off the stool, where she'd been sitting beside the stove, crying and screaming. I thought maybe a bee had gotten in the house and she'd been stung. Then she informed me that she burned her fingers. Sure enough, she'd, for some reason I won't ever understand, grabbed onto the burner with her first and second fingers. The first finger didn't look so bad, but the second was blistered up. We had her soak her hand in cool water for a while, until Enzo wanted to share it with her and stick his hands (and arms) into the pitcher too. I wrapped it in guaze just to keep it loosely covered.
At first she didn't want to go into the pool, but then was fine and said it wasn't bothering her at all in the cool water. She wanted to keep her bandage on to sleep, so we'll just check it out in the morning and see how the finger is looking.
Abby @ 5 years, 9 months
Zoë @ 5 years, 9 months
Enzo @ 11 months, 21 days News posted by Laura at 7:21 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Poor Zoe.. /hope all is better now!!
September 14th 2009
Bead Party
I dropped Zoë and Abby off at Anna Claire's house this afternoon for a bead party. (You read that right, I dropped them off. As in I took them there and then left.) We brought along some of our own beads and Anna Claire had plenty. Andrea had also brought up the polly pockets collection. After chatting for a few minutes, I went ahead and left. Enzo and I ran some errands, including getting a few books at the library, and then went back for them. Of course the girls felt as if they hadn't had enough time, but I dragged them away so that we could get some dinner before going swimming.
The girls told me that they had nectarines and apples with cinnamon peanut butter for a snack, which they loved. Abby finished a necklace, but Zoë had to bring her stuff home since she chose to play with the polly pockets the whole time.
The girls told me that they had nectarines and apples with cinnamon peanut butter for a snack, which they loved. Abby finished a necklace, but Zoë had to bring her stuff home since she chose to play with the polly pockets the whole time.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 30 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 30 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 20 days Special Occasions posted by Laura at 4:57 PM | Comment
Books and Readers
I realize that I've slacked for quite a while on our 'books this week' posts I was doing. I'd like to start back up and keep a log for the girls of all they've read. Here are the books and books on cd we've had out for the past couple of weeks during our ocean unit study. (Some are for the unit and some are just to read)
Little house on the prairie [paperback]
A drop in the ocean : the story of water / Jacqui Bailey ; [illustrated by] Matthew Lilly.
A good night for ghosts / by Mary Pope Osborne ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca.
A little princess [compact disc] / by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
About the ocean / by Sindy McKay.
Across the wide dark sea : the Mayflower journey / Jean Van Leeuwen ; pictures by Thomas B. Allen.
Atlas of the poles and oceans / by Karen Foster.
Big blue ocean / [Bill Nye], with additional writing by Ian G. Saunders ; illustrated by John S. Dyk
Down to the sea with Mr. Magee / by Chris Van Dusen.
Dragonsdale [compact disc] / by Salamanda Drake.
Flipper [DVD] / Universal Pictures and the Bubble Factory present An American Film/Perry Katz Produc
Flying high / by Nick Eliopulos ; illustrated by Loston Wallace and David Tanguay.
Hello, Ocean! / Pam Muñoz Ryan ; illustrated by Mark Astrella.
Mary Cassatt [DVD] / created by Mike Venezia.
Ocean day / written by Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler ; photographs by Shelley Rotner.
Oceans / Beverly McMillan and John A. Musick.
Oceans : a visual guide / Stephen Hutchinson, Lawrence E. Hawkins.
On the Mayflower : voyage of the ship's apprentice and a passenger girl / by Kate Waters ; photograp
Pajama Day / by Jane O'Connor ; cover illustration by Robin Preiss Glasser ; interior pencils by Ted
Sacajawea : her true story [paperback]
Scholastic atlas of oceans.
Sea critters / by Sylvia A. Earle ; with photographs by Wolcott Henry.
Sharkpedia / Nancy Ellwood and Margaret Parrish, writers.
Squishy sponges / by Natalie Lunis.
The Berenstain Bears : no girls allowed [paperback]
The Berenstain bears and the slumber party [paperback]
The day Ocean came to visit / by Diane Wolkstein ; paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
The magic school bus : on the ocean floor [paperback] / by Joanna Cole ; illustrated by Bruce Degen.
The Mayflower people : triumphs & tragedies / by Anna W. Hale ; illustrations by Maria Hazen-Voris.
Through the looking glass and what Alice found there [compact disc] / Lewis Carroll ; produced by Th
What makes an ocean wave? : questions and answers about oceans
Little house on the prairie [paperback]
A drop in the ocean : the story of water / Jacqui Bailey ; [illustrated by] Matthew Lilly.
A good night for ghosts / by Mary Pope Osborne ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca.
A little princess [compact disc] / by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
About the ocean / by Sindy McKay.
Across the wide dark sea : the Mayflower journey / Jean Van Leeuwen ; pictures by Thomas B. Allen.
Atlas of the poles and oceans / by Karen Foster.
Big blue ocean / [Bill Nye], with additional writing by Ian G. Saunders ; illustrated by John S. Dyk
Down to the sea with Mr. Magee / by Chris Van Dusen.
Dragonsdale [compact disc] / by Salamanda Drake.
Flipper [DVD] / Universal Pictures and the Bubble Factory present An American Film/Perry Katz Produc
Flying high / by Nick Eliopulos ; illustrated by Loston Wallace and David Tanguay.
Hello, Ocean! / Pam Muñoz Ryan ; illustrated by Mark Astrella.
Mary Cassatt [DVD] / created by Mike Venezia.
Ocean day / written by Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler ; photographs by Shelley Rotner.
Oceans / Beverly McMillan and John A. Musick.
Oceans : a visual guide / Stephen Hutchinson, Lawrence E. Hawkins.
On the Mayflower : voyage of the ship's apprentice and a passenger girl / by Kate Waters ; photograp
Pajama Day / by Jane O'Connor ; cover illustration by Robin Preiss Glasser ; interior pencils by Ted
Sacajawea : her true story [paperback]
Scholastic atlas of oceans.
Sea critters / by Sylvia A. Earle ; with photographs by Wolcott Henry.
Sharkpedia / Nancy Ellwood and Margaret Parrish, writers.
Squishy sponges / by Natalie Lunis.
The Berenstain Bears : no girls allowed [paperback]
The Berenstain bears and the slumber party [paperback]
The day Ocean came to visit / by Diane Wolkstein ; paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
The magic school bus : on the ocean floor [paperback] / by Joanna Cole ; illustrated by Bruce Degen.
The Mayflower people : triumphs & tragedies / by Anna W. Hale ; illustrations by Maria Hazen-Voris.
Through the looking glass and what Alice found there [compact disc] / Lewis Carroll ; produced by Th
What makes an ocean wave? : questions and answers about oceans
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 30 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 30 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 20 days Books posted by Laura at 3:36 PM | Comment
September 13th 2009
Cider Hill Farm 2009
We had our (mostly) annual trip to Cider Hill Farm today. I remember last year, while we were in Brazil, looking at photos of Reanna and Corey and my Mom going to the orchard and being sad that we weren't able to be there as well.
After some cool days, today ended up being quite warm. I seem to always dress too warmly and end up getting hot on these trips. We had a big group this time... Kate followed us there and Reanna,Corey, and Elijah met us there as well as Pete,Alicia and Aurora. While we waited for Reanna and Corey to get there we got a bit of feed and the girls fed the goats. Once everyone was together we headed off. At the apple rows we ended up splitting up. Corey and Elijah came with Chris,Zoë, Enzo and I up to the peaches/plums/nectarines area while everyone else began with the apples. Abby was excited that she got to stay with Auntie and Zoë didn't fuss at all at coming with us.
Unfortunately the peaches were pretty much rocks, same with the nectarines, and the plum trees were picked through. What was there, way up high, was bright pink and hard. Not even close to the nice dark purple we were looking forward to. We ended up meeting back up with the other group down on the main trail. It was so funny, once Zoë and Abby spotted each other they began running towards one another... as if they'd been apart for days. Even though we were bummed that the fruit wasn't ripe for the picking, we happily watched some cider donuts being made, watched bees working their honeycombs, and walked away with a half dozen cider donuts and two raspberry elephant ears. We don't normally pick fruit for ourselves on these trips anyway, we just go for the fun of being at the orchard.
We did buy three peaches, though we were still dissapointed that our 'farm fresh' peaches will still have to ripen on the counter just like when we buy them from the grocery store. We paid $3.06, which works out to $1.02 per peach. We weighed the peaches individually at home on our food scale and the per pound price is somewhere over $2/pound.
After some cool days, today ended up being quite warm. I seem to always dress too warmly and end up getting hot on these trips. We had a big group this time... Kate followed us there and Reanna,Corey, and Elijah met us there as well as Pete,Alicia and Aurora. While we waited for Reanna and Corey to get there we got a bit of feed and the girls fed the goats. Once everyone was together we headed off. At the apple rows we ended up splitting up. Corey and Elijah came with Chris,Zoë, Enzo and I up to the peaches/plums/nectarines area while everyone else began with the apples. Abby was excited that she got to stay with Auntie and Zoë didn't fuss at all at coming with us.
Unfortunately the peaches were pretty much rocks, same with the nectarines, and the plum trees were picked through. What was there, way up high, was bright pink and hard. Not even close to the nice dark purple we were looking forward to. We ended up meeting back up with the other group down on the main trail. It was so funny, once Zoë and Abby spotted each other they began running towards one another... as if they'd been apart for days. Even though we were bummed that the fruit wasn't ripe for the picking, we happily watched some cider donuts being made, watched bees working their honeycombs, and walked away with a half dozen cider donuts and two raspberry elephant ears. We don't normally pick fruit for ourselves on these trips anyway, we just go for the fun of being at the orchard.
We did buy three peaches, though we were still dissapointed that our 'farm fresh' peaches will still have to ripen on the counter just like when we buy them from the grocery store. We paid $3.06, which works out to $1.02 per peach. We weighed the peaches individually at home on our food scale and the per pound price is somewhere over $2/pound.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 29 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 29 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 19 days News posted by Laura at 5:20 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Looks like you all had a wonderful time and had a very nice day for walking in the orchard.
September 12th 2009
Rainy Day Plans Change
We had some plans to go to the farmer's market this morning as well as some other things. We'd also had on the agenda to go to Cider Hill Farm. Unfortunately it rained over night and continued all day long. We ended up staying in, having some soup and just chilling out at home.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 29 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 29 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 19 days News posted by Laura at 9:55 PM | Comment
September 11th 2009
Rye Beach Waiting
Everyone came along again while I got my braces worked on today. Enzo fell asleep in the car so Chris drove down the road a little ways where he could park and let the girls play on the beach while he stayed by the car with Enzo. Zoë and Abby enjoyed some beach running and they also got to watch some kite surfers setting up.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 27 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 27 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 17 days News posted by Laura at 2:52 PM | Comment
September 10th 2009
Homeschool Celebration at Short Sands Beach
Today we went to Short Sands Beach in Maine to a 'not going back-to-school' celebration I heard about through a homeschooling newsletter. It worked out as a unit related field trip too, since we're still studying the ocean this week.
Chris played with the girls on the playground while I introduced myself to some of the homeschooling parents that were there. Then Enzo and I joined the others on the playground, where Zoë and Abby were playing with Maya. If you remember, we first met Maya and her mom Anya at a playground in Portsmouth. I think the girls were happy to have seen someone there that they know. Enzo was having a great time scooting his entire body through the soft sand and even going down a slide or two.
Chris played with the girls on the playground while I introduced myself to some of the homeschooling parents that were there. Then Enzo and I joined the others on the playground, where Zoë and Abby were playing with Maya. If you remember, we first met Maya and her mom Anya at a playground in Portsmouth. I think the girls were happy to have seen someone there that they know. Enzo was having a great time scooting his entire body through the soft sand and even going down a slide or two.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 26 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 26 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 16 days School posted by Laura at 1:31 PM | Comment
September 9th 2009
Enzo's first hair cut
While mommy was trimming my hair she thought it was a good idea for Enzo to get his hair trimmed too. Just a little bit above the ears. The first side went well, but the second side was disasterous. Enzo got his first mullet cut.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 25 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 25 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 15 days First Moments posted by christopher at 2:49 PM | Comments ( 3 )
Comments:
I don't know if I classify this as his first hair cut, as it was just a trim. Chris kept telling me how I need to cut the hair around Enzo's ears... this area on Chris bothers him immensly... so while I was trimming up Chris' hair I decided to go ahead and humor Chris and give Enzo a little trim. I wish I'd never gone near my poor little boy with the scissors. Like Chris said, he held still for the first side, but on the second side he turned just as I was snipping. We're going to need to find a nice hat that will cover this area until the hair grows back. :(
Oh no! Don't worry Mom it'll grow out soon enough. But for now you should check the resale shops for a faded, 18 mth Def Leppard tee shirt!
Poor baby.....thank goodness hair does grow!!
September 8th 2009
Making Thin Mints
Chris and the girls made some thin mints this evening that turned out to be pretty tasty.
First you melt a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips over a double boiler (we used one of our glass dishes over a pot with water) then once the chocolate is melted, stir in a couple of drops (about 1/2 tsp.) of peppermint extract. Have a cookie sheet or two lined with wax paper and ritz style crackers. Then cover the ritz in the chocolate with whatever method you so choose. After they're covered put them in the freezer to set. It doesn't take long. After they're set you can leave them out at room temperature in a covered container. If it's hot you can store them in the fridge, but we enjoyed them best left out.
Chris used this method for coating the crackers: He 'painted' one side with the chocolate with the back of the wooden spoon then set them on the lined cookie sheet. Once one cookie sheet was full we put it in the freezer. By the time we had the second cookie sheet worth of crackers done, the first batch had set and we put the second batch into the freezer. Chris then took the first batch and painted the other side of the cracker, took out the set batch from the freezer and placed this batch in. It didn't take long for all of the crackers to have the chocolate set on both sides and they really did come out well. Enzo had been having some graham crackers with his dinner so Chris tried out a couple of those in the chocolate too... equally yummy.
Abby took the first four photos in this set and Zoë took the last three. Both girls are getting pretty good with their photo taking.
First you melt a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips over a double boiler (we used one of our glass dishes over a pot with water) then once the chocolate is melted, stir in a couple of drops (about 1/2 tsp.) of peppermint extract. Have a cookie sheet or two lined with wax paper and ritz style crackers. Then cover the ritz in the chocolate with whatever method you so choose. After they're covered put them in the freezer to set. It doesn't take long. After they're set you can leave them out at room temperature in a covered container. If it's hot you can store them in the fridge, but we enjoyed them best left out.
Chris used this method for coating the crackers: He 'painted' one side with the chocolate with the back of the wooden spoon then set them on the lined cookie sheet. Once one cookie sheet was full we put it in the freezer. By the time we had the second cookie sheet worth of crackers done, the first batch had set and we put the second batch into the freezer. Chris then took the first batch and painted the other side of the cracker, took out the set batch from the freezer and placed this batch in. It didn't take long for all of the crackers to have the chocolate set on both sides and they really did come out well. Enzo had been having some graham crackers with his dinner so Chris tried out a couple of those in the chocolate too... equally yummy.
Abby took the first four photos in this set and Zoë took the last three. Both girls are getting pretty good with their photo taking.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 14 days Recipes posted by Laura at 5:16 PM | Comment
Enzo the Little Cleaner
Enzo just loves the cleaning trolley. Anytime we're in the playroom he goes right for it. Sometimes he'll plee to get upstairs just to go play with it. He uses the trolley part itself to hold onto and he pushes it around the room. Then he'll take out the broom or mop, he prefers the broom, and just stand there 'sweeping' for the longest time. He likes to take the vacuum for a spin around the room as well. He really does enjoy every part of that toy and sometimes he'll sit down and take it all apart, cart and all, and just sit amidst all of the pieces.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 14 days Photos posted by Laura at 2:53 PM | Comment
September 7th 2009
Kate's Bridal Shower
Enzo and I headed over to Four Tree Island thismorning, along with Alicia and Reanna and kiddos, for Kate's bridal shower. It was chilly this morning but ended up being quite sunny and warm during the shower. I was surprised at how much walking Enzo was doing, as I thought maybe in the grass he'd choose more crawling. I got to see some faces I haven't seen in a while and introduce Enzo to some who haven't met him. Krissy, whom I used to work with and who we hung out with when the girls were babies, was there. She has two kids now, a 3.5 year old boy and a 10 month old girl (they were with Dad over at the park) so that was neat.
Enzo got to try some different bread and also some pancake that Auntie had brought along, after sharing some of his cheerio's with Elijah. He was in the stroller sitting near Amber, eating while I participated in a 'wifely duties' relay race, but he got quite tired of sitting there. Krissy picked him up and held him, which contented him some, but he was happy when I was done my diaper change duty in the game and was able to hold him... and do a real diaper change.
It was fun to celebrate with Kate and see her excitement at her gifts (even the three identical waffle makers and two george foreman grills) and for her to pick the winner of the toilet paper wedding dress design game. I figured I had a leg up since I was actually there when she picked hers out... just not the same with tp. By the time things were wrapping up with the party, Enzo was finished and ready to nurse and have a nap so we headed on home. Congrats Kate.
Enzo got to try some different bread and also some pancake that Auntie had brought along, after sharing some of his cheerio's with Elijah. He was in the stroller sitting near Amber, eating while I participated in a 'wifely duties' relay race, but he got quite tired of sitting there. Krissy picked him up and held him, which contented him some, but he was happy when I was done my diaper change duty in the game and was able to hold him... and do a real diaper change.
It was fun to celebrate with Kate and see her excitement at her gifts (even the three identical waffle makers and two george foreman grills) and for her to pick the winner of the toilet paper wedding dress design game. I figured I had a leg up since I was actually there when she picked hers out... just not the same with tp. By the time things were wrapping up with the party, Enzo was finished and ready to nurse and have a nap so we headed on home. Congrats Kate.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 23 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 23 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 13 days Special Occasions posted by Laura at 1:39 PM | Comment
September 6th 2009
The End of the Pacifiers
We think... Enzo's never really been super reliant on the paci, not nearly as much as the girls were. It even took him a long time before he fully accepted one. It has been a big help when he's upset in the car, and also to get him to sleep. But even then, he'd always spit it out once he was slumbering soundly.
It's been a while since he's actually accepted the paci, lately it seems to be just making him more upset. Like when Chris had him the other night and tried offering an upset Enzo the paci, Enzo got even more upset. So, today I gathered up all of the paci's (you know there's one for the playpen, bedroom, on the go, extra here, extra there) and put them away in the closet. We'll keep them around for another month, just in case, but it does look like this may be the end of the paci for Enzo.
It's interesting because the girls were three months over 2 years old when we got rid of theirs, and then it was a big process. Also, they had put theirs in baggies and 'recycled' them. I remember that then they'd had an interest in the recycling process and I'd told them when they put them in the recycling bin that they'd be recycling them for a new baby. (Of course I went back and took them out when the girls weren't looking) It took a few years, but they really did get recycled for a new baby - their own baby brother. Little did I know, right?
It's been a while since he's actually accepted the paci, lately it seems to be just making him more upset. Like when Chris had him the other night and tried offering an upset Enzo the paci, Enzo got even more upset. So, today I gathered up all of the paci's (you know there's one for the playpen, bedroom, on the go, extra here, extra there) and put them away in the closet. We'll keep them around for another month, just in case, but it does look like this may be the end of the paci for Enzo.
It's interesting because the girls were three months over 2 years old when we got rid of theirs, and then it was a big process. Also, they had put theirs in baggies and 'recycled' them. I remember that then they'd had an interest in the recycling process and I'd told them when they put them in the recycling bin that they'd be recycling them for a new baby. (Of course I went back and took them out when the girls weren't looking) It took a few years, but they really did get recycled for a new baby - their own baby brother. Little did I know, right?
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 22 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 22 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 12 days Milestones posted by Laura at 1:49 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
Good going Enzo....
September 5th 2009
Enzo's Third Tooth
Enzo's third tooth has just broken through the gums. It's his left (looking at him it's on the right) top front tooth - central incisor. It's been much easier to watch the progress of this one, as I can see it any time I lie him down for a diaper change. Though the entire tooth isn't fully down, you can plainly see the bottom of the tooth all the way through the gums now.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 21 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 21 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 11 days Baby Teeth posted by Laura at 3:15 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
How cute you are!! A little "sweetie" xxoo
Home Depot Kid's Workshop - Bean Bag Toss
Today we arrived at Home Depot just after 9:30. Mommy and Enzo stayed home so Zoë and Abby took turns building and photographing the event. Zoë took so many photos in the beginning I had to slow her down or we would have run out of batteries. At one point the camera's lens cover was stuck, Abby took photos anyhow. It was interesting to see what they were focusing on. Both Zoë and Abby took great photos and had a fun time building the bean bag toss.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 21 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 21 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 11 days Art posted by christopher at 10:52 AM | Comment
September 4th 2009
First Week of School
So we've finished our first week of school and the girls have been loving it. Their favorite subject? Math. Yes, math! They just love math time, which we have everyday. They also do 10 minutes of reading aloud each, daily, as well as journals.
Zoë's not a big fan of journaling, but I think the more writing practice we have (we do that three times a week) the more she'll get comfortable with it. She does really like her time to sit with me and read-aloud though. This is great since she tends to be timid and feels that Abby's a better reader than her. She does well sounding out the words and really has the timing of the reading down. As in, pausing at commas and stopping at periods.
Abby also enjoys reading aloud and zooms through the words and figures pretty much all of them out. Though the zooming is what we're working on. Having her slow down and pause and stop where she should. While I was out today I left Chris the instructions of what we were doing for math so that he could do it with them and both girls were so excited to tell me about using the counting cubes and everything else they did with Dad.
I'm still trying to fine tune the schedule, what with outside activities not always being at the same time or day each week, but things are starting to come together. The portfolio's are all put together, with subject dividers (thanks Grandma Cindy) and weekly work logs (for all of the things we do that don't have something to physically go in the portfolio). I have my weekly planners printed and a timed schedule to fill in - once I get it all worked out. Things are coming together and next week we have our first homeschool group get together.
Zoë's not a big fan of journaling, but I think the more writing practice we have (we do that three times a week) the more she'll get comfortable with it. She does really like her time to sit with me and read-aloud though. This is great since she tends to be timid and feels that Abby's a better reader than her. She does well sounding out the words and really has the timing of the reading down. As in, pausing at commas and stopping at periods.
Abby also enjoys reading aloud and zooms through the words and figures pretty much all of them out. Though the zooming is what we're working on. Having her slow down and pause and stop where she should. While I was out today I left Chris the instructions of what we were doing for math so that he could do it with them and both girls were so excited to tell me about using the counting cubes and everything else they did with Dad.
I'm still trying to fine tune the schedule, what with outside activities not always being at the same time or day each week, but things are starting to come together. The portfolio's are all put together, with subject dividers (thanks Grandma Cindy) and weekly work logs (for all of the things we do that don't have something to physically go in the portfolio). I have my weekly planners printed and a timed schedule to fill in - once I get it all worked out. Things are coming together and next week we have our first homeschool group get together.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 20 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 20 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 10 days School posted by Laura at 6:11 PM | Comment
Enzo's Gymboree Class
I'd signed Enzo up for a free music and play class at gymboree for 10-16 month olds and today was our day to go. The equiptment was pretty cool and Enzo had a great time exploring. There was another little boy there, a bit older than Enzo, who was pretty timid of things... not Enzo. And he was walking all over the place!
The class was a mix of free time for the babies/toddlers to explore and some 'circle' type activities. Enzo really liked the parachute time when he got to sit in the middle of everyone waving it around. Some of the other kids hurried off of the parachute when the parents started waving it around but Enzo, who was sitting with me on the outskirts of it, crawled right into it just loving it. He's so adventurous and not afraid of anything! He had a fun time being able to climb things and go through tunnels (he just loves to go through those things!).
The class was a mix of free time for the babies/toddlers to explore and some 'circle' type activities. Enzo really liked the parachute time when he got to sit in the middle of everyone waving it around. Some of the other kids hurried off of the parachute when the parents started waving it around but Enzo, who was sitting with me on the outskirts of it, crawled right into it just loving it. He's so adventurous and not afraid of anything! He had a fun time being able to climb things and go through tunnels (he just loves to go through those things!).
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 20 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 20 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 10 days News posted by Laura at 12:06 PM | Comment
September 3rd 2009
Family Playground
We all got out for some nice family time this morning. Originally Zoë had stayed home while I took the other two to community campus, only to find out that there was no Parent Re-charge today so we trekked back home (after Parky took Abby to the staff lounge to give her four pistachio muffins for us) and decided we'd go to the playground instead.
Daddy came with us and after some playtime at the playground we walked to the post office and then home through the park.
Daddy came with us and after some playtime at the playground we walked to the post office and then home through the park.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 9 days News posted by Laura at 11:03 AM | Comment
September 2nd 2009
Flow Yoga
Tonight we tried another yoga class. This one was more about the stretching and flexibility and calm side of yoga and was a very small class. There were three other people plus the instructor, so we essentially doubled the class. Even I was by far the youngest in the crowd, but the other attendees were very nice and loved having the girls in the class.
Unfortunately it didn't go as well at home tonight as yesterday morning. I think a combination of too much banana for Enzo this morning (he ate almost a whole large banana and I think it bound him up a bit) and his third tooth coming in, as well as it being so close to bed time were a bad combination of things and after the first half hour of playing Enzo apparently got upset and wouldn't be soothed... I wasn't home for another hour after that so it was a stressfull time at home. Poor boys.
Unfortunately it didn't go as well at home tonight as yesterday morning. I think a combination of too much banana for Enzo this morning (he ate almost a whole large banana and I think it bound him up a bit) and his third tooth coming in, as well as it being so close to bed time were a bad combination of things and after the first half hour of playing Enzo apparently got upset and wouldn't be soothed... I wasn't home for another hour after that so it was a stressfull time at home. Poor boys.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 19 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 9 days Sports posted by Laura at 9:08 PM | Comment
September 1st 2009
Family Swim Returns
Tonight was the first night that we all went back to the Y for family swim. Enzo only lasted about 15 or 20 minutes before he was ready to get out, but he had a great time while we hung out in the shallow end. I think I did see some hesitation on the diving board at first from the girls but only for the first jump and after that Daddy had to pull them away just to get them to swim back to the shallow end.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 7 days Sports posted by Laura at 7:03 PM | Comment
Daddy is the babysitter again
Mommy left Enzo with me this morning so the girls could enjoy some alone time at Yoga with mommy. Enzo and I played with toys and then enjoyed a nice nap. It wasn't as stressfull as I thought it would be, my second solo with Enzo, about an hour and a half in total. I am sure mommy was more nervous than I was. I managed to get some work done while Enzo slept on my back in the snuglee.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 7 days News posted by christopher at 11:20 AM | Comment
PiYo with Mommy
Zoë and Abby attended a pilates yoga mix class with me this morning at the Y. The pilates part of the class was a little different for the girls, but they did well for the most part. Abby especially barely needed any instruction from me. Afterwards we hurried through the shower and got home to Daddy and Enzo, who it turns out did just fine without us.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 17 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 7 days Sports posted by Laura at 9:30 AM | Comment
