Brooke's 4th b'day party

We had Brooke's 4th over the weekend and it was HUGE success. I wish I had more time to write but it's post a long blog or go swimming day so I'm going to put the link to the photos here so that you can check them out yourself.
We lucked out with the weather and everyone had a great time!
http://vallier.shutterfly.com/action/

Lord help me

Here is my conversation last night while getting Brooke out of the bath:

Me, "Do you want to wear the princess pajamas, Brooke?"
Brooke, "I remember I wore those to school one time and Jacob wasn't even there."
Me, "What difference does that make, whether Jacob was there?"
Brooke, "I don't know,... (blushes), you know..."
Me, "I thought Jacob drove you crazy? Is he your friend now?"
Brooke, "I don't know, yes. I have a feeling about him (*giggles*)."
Me, "(while trying to stifle my feelings of panic/giddiness/awe) so you like Jacob, does he know that?"
Brooke, "I don't want him to know. No," runs out of the bathroom giggling.

Oh lord, her first crush on the bad boy of class, of course. My mother is laughing herself silly right now.

p.s. Brooke's b'day photos will be up next week - party this weekend. Brooke is officially 4 as of Monday!!

Big weekend!

Wow did we have a busy weekend. To recap:

- Friday - gymnastics and then into Boston to sleep over at the Marriott Longwharf

- Saturday - Brunch in Boston, Aquarium with kids, home to Marshfield, dinner (at home) with Dad & Karen

- Sunday - Easter, brunch with Valliers & Yia Yia, home to hangout with everyone, in bed at 8am.

The trip to Boston was a good time. Though ridiculously expensive. We didn't think it would be that expensive and we probably won't do that again for a v. long time. The girls and I had a good time but I don't think John enjoyed the screaming two year old antics that Lexi put us through. In fact I'm sure he didn't (I wasn't a huge fan either truth be told). Brooke was great though. She really was curious about everything and just wanted to explore. On Friday night we went from the hotel (which was great, would highly recommend it Boston Marriott Longwharf) to Fanueil Hall which is right across the road. We decided to eat at Durgin Park which is in one of the three main buildings. It used to be very low key but has since changed into white tableclothes, etc. There was noone there at 5:15pm so we weren't too worried about the kids. The food was good, the service excellent (even though they are know for their "rude" waitresses). It took us approximately 15 minutes to eat though because Lexi was hitting her stride with squirming and stuff. We then walked around a little but it was very crowded and cold so we got some Chocolate Chipers at the "Chipyard" which Lexi threw on the ground ($3 for 6 cookies) and then proceeded to chuck herself down as well. We thought of leaving her there but decided we couldn't so we pictured her up and started heading back to the hotel (approx. 6:15pm at this point).

I spotted the horse & carriage rides so we went over to pat them. I talked a reluctant John into going for a ride and it was really cool. We went through the financial district and Brooke kept asking about the buildings and the architecture (no, really!). It was cold but the blanket was strangely insulating. That buoyed everyone's spirits so we headed back to the hotel.

I decided to take the kids to the pool and John came along. There were a lot of people in the pool many of whom had not been taught even one, single manner so it was OK but not great. The pool was also not quite as clean as you'd want it to be, such that we immediately took a shower upon coming back to the hotel. That was OK because the kids played for about 30 minutes and we were able to have a beer (albeit I was in the bathroom and John was in the main area).

Then we watched a little tv and all went to bed (8:30pm). You couldn't really do much else since it was one room. I slept with Brooke we is great to sleep with. Lexi was in a pack and play and went to sleep fairly easily but she wakes up at night and screams for no reason once or twice almost every night (I've read it's common at this age). So Brooke & I would spring up and then console her. John? ZZZzzzzz. Slept right though it. Overall it was an OK night though and John said he hadn't slept so well in a long time. Good for you.

The next day started at 6am as usual. In Boston there isn't much going on at 6am. We tried some tv but not many good shows were on then. We debated on the breakfast options and decided to try the brunch at the hotel. Pricey but free to the kids and open. It was very good but, again, Lexi was a little tantrumish so we had to rush through it. I then took the kids to this fabulous park that was right next to the hotel. John had some time to decompress and then we met up at the aquarium (9am) which was fun. We left there at about 10:30am and headed home.

Everyone took a little rest and we played outside for a little while.

Dad & Karen were in town for the Easter holiday so they came by around 5pm for dinner and drinks. The kids enjoyed visiting with them and John & I stayed up too late as usual enjoying our conversation. Dad & Karen helped us be the Easter bunny so that was fun and promised to come by in the morning to say goodbye to the kids until June.

Sunday morning came around 7am which is a godsend. The kids loved hunting for the eggs (inside only as it was abou 40 degrees out). After that John let me take a much needed nap for an hour and then Dad & Karen came by, Yia Yia showed up and around 11:30 we headed to the restaurant for brunch with the Valliers (sans Dad & Karen who headed up to her sisters house). Brunch was excellent but very crowded though it came off without a hitch thanks in large part to Yia Yia for entertaining Lexi Lou.

Overall a very exciting but tiring weekend. Hope everyone else had a good Easter too!

p.s. thanks to everyone for contributing to the Arthritis Walk - I really appreciate it!

Great weekend!

We had a very nice weekend here in New England. It was mid 50's most of the weekend. We got to go to the park, fly a kite and Brooke and I took our first bike ride together. It wasn't far but it was progress. Note - v. hard to stay on bike without training wheels when barely moving.

On Sat. morning we went to a Jimmy Fund pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny! We were the first little kids to arrive so the bunny was in full "hop". The kids had their picture taken and got some candy and then we did arts & crafts for awhile.
We came home and Poppa John and Jan came to whisk the kids off to the park and kite flying. I got to go for a bike ride, install my shoe racks (3 more in addition to the 2 I already have. Need one more and then I'll be done - I know I have a problem but I'm telling you it looks fabulous. I'll get a pic for ya), do some laundy and clean up a little. What 2 hours can do for you - I tell you. Anyway, then I met up with the clan for lunch at Haddad's (which was REALLY good). Came back home and we played in the yard and had a fire.

Sunday I took the girls grocery shopping which is usually John's thing but I decided to give him a break since he's been working his butt off with the Bio-Cascade stuff. It was actually fun, I just let it roll and wasn't in a rush which, shockingly, made it much better than the usual, "hurry up, let's go, Brooke do this, Lexi stop that" mode. The rest of the day we just chilled out and relaxed.

Overall a good weekend.

This weekend is crazy! Fri - hotel in Boston for our mini-family vacation, Sat. aquarium, Sat. night Dad & Karen for dinner, Sunday Easter with Yia and the Vallier's. Always fun to have things to do though.

Here's one more gratuitous Lexi shot from school that I just got. What a character!