Five years old!

It's so hard to believe they are five years old. They were chatting up the nurse and doctor like crazy at their checkup. I wish I would have videotaped it-pure gold.

The year of the Nutcracker

Nora & Brenna started a creative expression dance class with Ms. Helena this fall. Brenna loves to wear her dance clothes & often asks how many days until dance class. Nora enjoys it as well, but still isn't interested in wearing dance clothes which I don't mind & am grateful their teacher is so relaxed.

We saw a local local production of the Nutcracker this year & got to meet the dancers after the show which was quite exciting. Then Nora & Brenna performed in their own Nutcracker performance with Ms. Helena having only two practices each! They took turns getting sick & ended up going to school & dance class separate. This was a big milestone as they haven't spent much time apart.

They had a big family crowd in the audience as the Kelly & Mubaiwa clans were here to celebrate holidays as well as the local Kwartlers.

New Holiday Tradition

I didn't finish the summer posts, but it's almost 2017 so I decided to just get on with it. 😉

This year (and last) we made food bags for the kids that come to the local food pantry. It's a great activity & this year I think the concept clicked a bit more with my 4 year olds. I overheard them in their pretend play talking about giving toys to kids that don't have many. For me it helped set a very grateful mood in early December which persisted through the busyness that followed/is following. Trish was a huge help with the shopping & prep. It would have been very challenging without her. Plus I couldn't ask for a better local tribe-such authentic, inspiring & funny mommas. We packed 50 bags -5 per kid. I also loved all the simple math that was involved with planning. Those of you who know me well are not at all surprised.

Good Times at the Lake-Part Two

The Kelly & Mubaiwa clans joined us to celebrate July 4th week in NH.  

Happy Birthday to Nanna!

Making paper boats with Backa

Good Times at the Lake-Part One

We spent lots of time at the NH lake cottage this summer.  The girls and I got to stay for almost two whole weeks at the beginning of the season.  They didn't even want to come home at the end although I felt like I needed another vacation 😜.  The first half of our visit we spent with the Kwartler/Mazzeo clan.  It's nice to see Nora & Brenna play with their cousin Hazel.  Plus Molly the dog was there👍🏼

Summer is over?????

We obviously had lots of fun this summer hence no blog posts.  Ted had half day Fridays so the girls and I went into the city to do fun city-like things with him.  

We enjoyed the aquarium especially the seal (sea lion?) that swims back and forth over and over again. I felt a bit sad for some of the creatures since I've been lucky enough to see them in the wild when I've scuba dived.  

The Swan boat ride was such a treat and of course Make Way for Ducklings statue.

Nora and Brenna didn't want to pose with me.

Strawberry picking

They filled up those cartons in no time at all.  Plentiful crop at nearby Verrill Farm.