Happy Birthday

Yes, I am finally getting a chance to post Jonas' birthday pictures!  I can hardly believe it's already been a year since he has been with us.  He is now 13 months and his personality shines through more and more each day.  He loves to laugh and smile, mimicks everybody, climbs on everything and everyone, blows raspberries, uses sign language for "please", "thank you", "more" and "milk", and dances any time he hears music playing.  Lately it has been the cutest thing to watch him run cars on the floor and "fly" his toy helicopter (he even makes the sounds when it is flying...so cute!)  The kids are crazy about this little guy and always want to know what he is up to.  We are so thankful to be Jonas' mom and dad.

Here is a our little guy at 12 months old!  Happy as ever with a car in his hand of course!

Oh that smile! 

On his actual birthday, we just had a simple cake at home with the kids. 

When we celebrated with the family, Auntie Lauren made an awesome monkey cake.  We always call him monkey and he has sleep toy monkey and blanket so it was a perfect little theme for him.  

At first, he didn't want to touch it and wanted to be fed... 

...but he warmed up quickly!!  

Do you think he likes chocolate???? 

He enjoyed every bite he took but once he got too messy, he was absolutely done! 

Not only did we celebrate Jonas' birthday but my mom had a big birthday this year as well.  For her 60th birthday, we took her out for the day into Boston.  We rented a Cadillac Escalade Limo for the day which she was absolutely surprised by.  I don't have a picture that does justice for the look on her face! She thought we were cramming into the 3 mini vans!  It's impossible for our whole family to get in one car these days so this was a fun surprise for her.  When we went into Boston, we went to the Public Gardens to take some Christmas pictures and then took her to Maggiano's for dinner.  She absolutely loved the day.  It included everything she loved: family all together, pictures and a dinner that she didn't have to cook!

Lucky for me she looks so good at 60, right?!?!?!

The kids had no idea either so they were pretty psyched when the limo pulled up!

Jonas working the mini bar...just kiddin'.  That kid was just happy to be out of his seat for a bit when we stopped!  I think he liked the idea of having a car he could move around in.

There she is in full view!  Such a fun birthday celebration...Happy birthday Mom!

Field Trip Time

This year I have am on more of per diem schedule with work so except for a few hours at home and an office day each month, I am off for the months of November and December.  One of the reasons to cut down my hours a bit has been to focus on homeschooling more especially with 2 being home this year.  So during these months, I had a few field trips planned.  Dave even planned one...I will let you figure out which one...

We went to Plimoth Plantation with the 2nd grade class from Mount Hope.  Here are the kids on the Mayflower. 

Hannah and Josiah below deck where they learned that 102 passengers stayed...now I know where the phrase "tight quarters" came from! 

The kids with cousin Isaac on one of the cannons in the meetinghouse. 

The Libbys at the plantation. 

I myself hadn't been to Plimoth Plantation since I was a teenager maybe and Dave had never been.  My favorite part is visiting the houses and talking with the Pilgrims inside.  The kids really learned a lot from all they saw and heard.   

Here's Hannah grinding the corn 

And now she's making yarn from the wool...my little Proverbs 31 girl!!

We took the kids to Patriot Place which is at Gillette Stadium where the Patriots play.  Caleb was so happy to go on this field trip.  We were doing a football unit so it was a perfect idea that Dave had (told you you'd be able to guess which one he planned!).   One of most amazing things about this place is how updated their displays are.  We were there on a Thursday and this ball and the cleats behind it were from Sunday's game in London.  The cleats were worn by Gronkowski and both were in the case because of a record that was set in the game.  Can you tell mommy learned a lot on this field trip?  Caleb has been teaching me quite a bit about the game?!?!

One of the floors had all kinds of interactive things for the kids to do.  This is Caleb and Dave "reviewing the play".

This was the huddle.  Once you stepped into it, you would hear Tom Brady give the plays.  It was cool and the players were actual height and they are tall!!! 

This was an area where you could make the kick just like Adam Venatari.  It was difficult to tear Caleb (and Dave!) away from this one. 

Jonas getting in on the huddle. 

This is my most favorite picture of the bunch.  Absolutely hilarious!  We tried getting a helmet on Jonas but he was not having it!  He wasn't even sure what to think of Dave when he had it on. 

My little Patriots 

Kind of crazy that this little lady will be bringing home her on diamond one day but for now, we will just let her try on the Patriots Superbowl ring. 

When we first got there, you couldn't really see the field but when we were done going through Patriot Place, they took down the gate so the kids could see the field then.  They thought it was pretty cool to see where the Patriots actually play.  Caleb thought it was neat to see the same field that he sees on TV.

Next week we are planning a trip to the Museum of Science to see an exhibit on birds.  We are learning about flying creatures this year in Science so the kids will be able to see a bit more of what we have been studying.  

Until I can post again...which hopefully will be sooner than later!

Tonight the kids went to a Harvest Party at the church where they go to Awana.  Last week they decided what they wanted to dress up as.  Josiah went back and forth between an old man and Clutch Powers.  I was glad he decided to save Clutch Powers until next year.  I already had a challenge on my hands when Hannah decided to be a Hershey Kiss.  I tried to convince her otherwise but that girl knows what she wants!  So a Hershey Kiss she was (she is one of the biggest chocolate fans I know!).  And Caleb...once I mentioned the idea of maybe being a Bible character, Caleb took me up on it.  He decided to be Joseph since the kids just recently saw a movie about him.  So here they are...Joseph, the old man and a Hershey Kiss.

Joseph in his coat of many colors 

It's much better in person but this costume was a labor of love.  I now what my dad did all those years he made our costumes. 

Oh my goodness!  That's all I can say about this one.  For those of you who remember who Dave playing the role of an old man a few years ago at the school, where do you think Siah gets this look from??? 

Our Crazy Crew

There was a donut eating contest and of course Caleb wanted in on that.  But look at the younger brother holding the donut.  It looks like he is loving every minute of this.  Usually Caleb is in control! 

All those donuts Nonna gets for the kids really pays off, huh?!?!

He didn't do any dressing up but he sure loved the leaves this week! 

Look at the face on Jonas...he was so excited to play in the leaves with the big kids! 

LOVE.... 

The love of fall...after Hurricane Sandy. 

Happy Birthday Princess

Tomorrow is Hannah's 4th birthday and we celebrated this past weekend.  She had a couple of her friends over for a princess party.  And then later that night we had family over to celebrate as well.  It was a fun weekend for everyone.  Tomorrow we are taking the kids to The Butterfly Place to celebrate Hannah's birthday.  It also works out too because the boys are studying flying creatures in science this year so this will be a good field trip for them as well.  In addition to celebrating sweet Hannah's birthday, we recently went on a hike and I took the boys "apple picking."

Why is "apple picking" in quotes?  Because we get to go at my Uncle's house!  He has 2 apple trees that have a good crop every other year so he invites us to go picking there.  He even provides us with a bag for pickin'!  The boys like it no matter where we go picking. 

Jonas' first time apple picking.  He's doing what he does best...smiling and laughing. 

Yes, a random apple on the ground next to some dead leaves...what's so great about that picture?  Josiah took it!  That's what so great about it.  I just thought he took a really good picture.  He does things like this and does lots of drawings that are really creative and detailed.  I am just more and more seeing a creative side to him and I love watching those things come out in our kids.   

Hiking at Benson Park with our friends Stephanie and Bobby.  It was a great day for a hike and the kids are getting better at it as they get older.  They even brought our science scavenger hunt and bird field guide book with us.  Although, it was quiet on the animal front as we hiked so we didn't get too many items checked off our scavenger hunt list.

Jonas' first hike with our family.  He didn't make a peep while riding on mommy's back...except when he would let out a laugh as he watched the kids hike up in front of him.  He has the cutest and hardiest laugh...reminds me of Josiah's great laugh. 

Auntie Lauren does it again.  On the phone she told me she didn't do anything fancy for the cake...then she showed up with this...she is good! 

Princess Hannah 

Such a precious picture.  Hannah's first flowers...and given to her by her daddy.  My dad gave me flowers on birthday each year when I was young and my dad may not know it, but that meant the world to me.  So it was special to see Hannah take this picture with her daddy.  I hope this becomes a birthday tradition for her too.

And we are getting ready to celebrate this little monkey's birthday on Nov. 7th...I can't believe it!

Falling Into Fall...

Yes, with the title you would think that these would be pictures of apple picking and pumpkin pies...well, we haven't gotten that far yet but we have fallen back into the routine of fall...sort of.  I'm sure it's going to take a couple more weeks for us to get into the groove of things but we are getting there a little more each day.  There is a lot going on this year with all 3 involved with activities now.  Caleb and Josiah are both playing soccer and Hannah is taking gymnastics.  Josiah is now homeschooling and he is loving it.  He enjoys taking part in school each day and I think that Caleb really enjoys having another "classmate".  So far it is going well.  It's a bit more planning and I think I am the one that is going to be doing most of the adjusting but I know I will get there and it is awesome to watch them learn together.  Hannah takes part now and then but she is going to preschool 3 days a week and she is enjoying it.  It's a big change from last year when she really didn't want to go and cried for Dave or I some days.  It may help that her and Bella are in class together one day a week....  

 First day of homeschool!  

I had tears in my eyes at Hannah's first gymnastics class.  She has been asking to take gymnastics since about Christmas time so to see her face light up while she took her class absolutely melted my heart.  I know it may sound silly but it was like watching your child's first dream come true.  It was a special day for that little girl.  She was so happy to put on that little leotard and reminded me several times that she needed to have her hair up.  Maybe we have a little Olympian on our hands...  

Little Miss Hannah learning how to do a split.  And yes, you can see that she is the only student in the class.  I wasn't sure about that at first but what parent wouldn't want private lessons each week!  It's awesome and she gets to do so much more since it's just her.  

She was so happy to go on the balance beam.  I especially loved when she pointed her little toes like her instructor taught her. 

The first week of school we pulled the back to school heist.  We sent the kids upstairs to read for a few minutes before bed and after 10 minutes or so we told the kids it was time for dessert and took them to Dairy Queen to get ice cream.  Needless to say, they loved it! 

And this little guy is just going with the flow of it all.  I cannot believe he is 10 months old now.  He is crawling and cruising and pulling up on everything.  He is climbing in the dishwasher, trying to get into the toilet, turning on the mad faces if you tell him no, climbing the stairs, getting into the pantry and wanting everything on your plate.  This little boy puts a smile on your face like nobody's business!

Josiah is enjoying playing soccer this year and he plays really well.  It's hard to believe it's only his first year. 

This year Caleb has practice each week as well as a game and those practices are certainly paying off because he is playing really well.  This was him taking his goalie kick and the other day he scored 2 goals during his game. 

Hannah on her first day of school.   

I think she will be just fine this year...don't you???? 

You have a little time in the morning to read the comics when you homeschool.  This picture is just too much for me...he is turning into such a little man!

Caleb entered the Lego contest at church.  They had to re-create a scene from the life of Joshua.  With daddy's help, Caleb created the scene of the people crossing the water and then marching around the city.  They built the arc of the covenant and Caleb even remembered that the arc had to be covered because that's what the people did as they marched around the wall.  The hard work and detail paid off because Caleb won first place.  100 Bible bucks was his prize!  The best part...he split the prize with his brother!