Dinnertime fun

Just a little dinner time humor to get us through to bedtime....

"What? Do I have pasta on my head?"

End of Summer Adventures

August and early September brought us beautiful weather and plenty of chances to spend time outside and enjoy the sunshine and some quality family time! We started off August with a week-long trip to New Hampshire with good friends Scott and Alisa (and Timmy!) Harrison. Alisa was 9 months pregnant and such a trooper for all of our kiddo adventures! We managed to spend some time at the local Mt. Washington children's museum, swim (and sand digging) at the lake by our rental house, a canoe ride, and Pierce's very first hike in The Flume Gorge. He did it all on his own two feet (with minimal whining)--it was 2 miles! We are so proud. Teddy kept me company with early mornings and a chance for coffee overlooking the lake while listening to loons. He mastered the word "duck" on this trip!

Morning Coffee with the Lake...and Teddy!

Breakfast with the boys

Trailside picnic

Our first mini-hike

Boys reading time pre-swim

Family walk to Sabbaday Falls

Checking out the costumes at the museum (Pierce was SO sweaty!)

Musical bat....meet musical giraffe

Who is that handsome bat?

Construction giraffe

On our way to the Flume

Made it!

Nana and Pops came for a visit mid-month and celebrated our August birthdays while they were here. We went into Boston one day to explore the Greenway, and visited the sprinkler park and carousel and watched the seals at the aquarium on our trek. Then Halsey came to meet us for lunch at a restaurant before we headed home for a good long nap!

We had a relatively quiet Labor Day weekend, and took the opportunity to go raspberry picking at our local farm in town. The boys loved donning little buckets around their necks and sneaking as many berries into their mouths as in the buckets! We came home with some delicious morsels.

We are looking forward to our fall adventures which will include our annual trek to the apple orchard, some leaf peeping and a wedding in Stowe, VT, and, of course, the start of school!

First Day(s) of School

The boys were eager and excited to start school this year. Pierce began school at LEAP this year--how is it possible that he's in PRESCHOOL!? He goes to school M-Th, and is in Ms. Annemarie's class with 8 other kiddos. The school is in Lexington, and is adorable, with great playgrounds. Can't wait to see what he does this year!

Teddy is heading back to Fessenden after a summer away. He's moved into the toddler 1 group which means he will not take naps in the mornings. Should be interesting given he always naps with us at home. Hopefully he can tough it out!

Performances

Since seeing bits and pieces of the Olympics during the summer, Pierce has been obsessed with turning our foam letter playmat into a gymnastics mat or a stage for a performance. Though the two look very similar when he is performing, there are apparently subtle differences, so he announces which he is doing before taking the mat. No matter which one he does, it's adorable!

Teddy has turned into quite a dancer--and often performs backup for Pierce's singing or instrument playing. Here's a little video of his own with him moving and grooving.

It's so fun having Teddy up and about and really into playing. He and Pierce screech with excitement when they see each other in the morning, and the fun doesn't stop until tub time at night. Teddy even attempts to say brother--though it comes out as "braaa-braaa". So sweet.

Party Time!

The Party Boy in his "party clothes"

Pierce's 3rd birthday party was on a beautiful sunny morning, and thanks to help from Halsey, Nana and Pops was a huge success! We had a circus in our backyard complete with face painting courtesy of Pierce's preschool teacher. It was so much fun turning the house into the "Big Top", and Pierce loved sharing his birthday with his friends. He sang happy birthday to himself when the cake was brought out, and he dove into the cake and cupcakes. Yum!

A brief 3 year update, since all of the posts of late have focused on fun instead of facts (which is how it should be in the summer!). At his 3 year appointment, Pierce weighed in at 40 lbs. and was 40 in. tall (96% and 98%a respectively). Dr. Joyce is very impressed with his vocabulary and his broad diet. He is the picture of health, and ready to start his 3rd year of life!

Pierce is a love of a boy--singing and hugging his way through his days. He is such a good friend and big brother, and we are lucky to have him in our family!

Being 3, From Piercy's Perspective

Today was the big day that Pierce turned 3 years old! He has been looking forward to his birthday for weeks, and it seems like the countdown has been on forever, but the day finally arrived! It is hard to believe another year has passed with our articulate, funny, silly, sensitive and caring little man.

We decorated Pierce's doorway with streamers and balloons, and after a family rendition of Happy Birthday to wake him up, Pierce marveled at the "celebration curtains" hanging in his door. He was excited to receive his very own Adirondack chair for the porch as his first present of the day. After a family breakfast of waffles, bacon and watermelon and some present opening, we headed to the Discovery Museum in Acton and out for a family lunch. Then back for naptime and a playground date with Claire. Halsey made it home in time for a family dinner and cake celebration before bedtime. It was a great day with our Piercy! We are looking forward to his birthday party on Sunday.

We're starting a new tradition (idea stolen from Megan Bourque--thanks!), of interviewing the kids on their birthday starting at 3 years old. Here are the 20 questions and answers given by Pierce today! Too cute:

1.  What is your favorite color?  Blue
2.  What is your favorite toy?  Play horses
3.  What is your favorite fruit?  Watermelon
4.  What is your favorite TV show?  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (the only one he’s ever seen)
5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  PB and J
6.  What is your favorite outfit?  STRIPES!
7.  What is your favorite game?  Goodnight Moon Game
8.  What is your favorite snack?  Yogurt Melts
9.  What is your favorite animal?  Elephants and horses
10.  What is your favorite song?  ABCs
11.  What is your favorite book?  Clifford 
12.  Who is your best friend?  Claire
13.  What is your favorite cereal?  Cheerios 
14.  What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Run and play with my buddy Claire and Erin and Foster
15.  What is your favorite drink?  Milk
16.  What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
17.  What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Fafe (stuffed elephant)
18.  What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Milk and cheerios
19.  What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Tortellini
20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  "”Three” :) and “A cupcake taster” (can you tell someone’s excited for birthday cake?)

Adventures in Boston

We have had the good fortune of spending time exploring fun spots near and far from home this summer! Last week we ventured into Boston for an adventure with the Bourque ladies. First stop was the Make Way for Ducklings statues. Pierce and Erin each took turns sitting on Mama duck, then finally decided they could share it together. Those two love their hugs!

Next stop was at the swan boats to get a closer look at Mr. and Mrs. Mallard's island home where we spotted swans, ducks and turtles, and we managed to hang on to Nettie and Teddy as they wiggled around on our laps.

We walked across the street to the Common where Pierce and Erin took a ride on the carousel. Pierce chose a horse, and Erin a rooster. They hammed it up for Megan and me and waved to us each time they rode around.

Everyone was ready for some lunch after our adventures, and all kiddos ate up their lunch as we picnic-ed in the park! The boys were wiped from our trip, and we headed home after lunch. We'll have to stay next time for a dip in Frog Pond! What fun.