Hooray for Jumping!

Have I said how much we love the trampoline? Look at this kid catch air!

Trot Trot To Boston

Pops had court last week. Little Chief didn't have preschool so we decided that instead of driving into town to pick up Pops and drop off Mom, we would take the train!

Trouble is, Mom had trouble interpreting the train schedule so we arrived 30 minutes early. We decided to kill time by strolling down to Dunkin's for some donuts. Might have been her plan all along...

The happy passengers! Actually, the concern in Jaws expression was the real deal. He just sat close and kept his eyes wide the whole trip.

Sucky fingers helped.

Pops was delayed so we visited some of Mom's colleagues and with even more time on our hands left some art on the giant white board walls. They are on every floor of the building. Left there so when genius strikes you can scribble your thoughts down. Here's hoping that the Littles don't get the genius idea that writing on all walls is okay ;)

Boots

These boots are made for walking!

...and so are every other pair of shoes that I own. They all seem to make this same march out of the closet into every recess of the house.

I wonder if one day I will be sad that my shoes are always in the closet?

The Happiest Day of Pops' Life

Preschool is back in session! 

This means Jaws will of course take a nap and Pops will get 2.5 hours everyday to put a thought together. Or just veg out. Either way, it is a recipe for happiness.

Little Chief was pretty pumped to be back with his buddies. He has the same teacher and the same kids as last year. He's pleased as punch.

 And here he is after a successful first day. That night when he said his prayers he said, "Thank-you for preschool. Preschool makes Joe Joe so happy!"

So it turns out to be a happy day for everyone!

Back to School

Pops had court on the first day of school which means I got to do the first day of school send off. Please pardon the over abundance of pictures in this post. I can't be expected to choose a favorite picture, so why not post them all?! 

Superkid! Starting 5th Grade!

He's biking to school now. How cool is that?!

Abizella! Starting 4th grade!

Even though she has spent the last 4 years begging to ride her bike to school every day, she chose to ride her scooter. Why? Because she wanted to take care of Tadpole, who is not quite ready to ride his bike to school. She said she would help him fold up his scooter and walk him to his classroom.

Tadpole! Starting 2nd Grade!

Looking cool on his new wheels!

This is the crazy crowd, plus one wild baby, that I escorted to the first day of school.

The scooter brigade.

And they're off. Superkid pointed out that I was cramping his style by being the  mother chasing him with the camera and asked that I kindly not take a picture of him riding his bike to school. I obliged his request.

One more pic before I sent them down the final path to their new adventure. Of course Little Chief and Jaws were ready to head home but I made them stand there until the kids were safely in the school. 

Here comes another year. Make them stop growing up.

I'm Sleeping!

It's Jaws' new favorite game. Could be because I ask the question anytime we take a car ride of any substantial length. He's caught on and he is always trying to fake me out. 

"Is Jaws sleeping?"

Yes. Yes he is.

And when I go to take him out of the car he is always "sleeping". Just to make sure that I've bought his performance, he'll crack one eye and conceal his smile (for as long as he can stand it)...

Pops is pretty fun to fake out too. 

It is as if Jaws can sense how important it is that he stay awake until after the afternoon preschool drop off of Little Chief. Jaws knows if he gets the 5 minute car nap he doesn't have to take the 2.5 hr. crib nap. Pops snapped the above pic. He's an attorney. Jaws is no match for him. You're busted kid. Nap time.

Saturday Morning Bike Club

This has been such a fun, busy summer filled with home improvements and excursions. So many rewarding things to do and so little time. I can't believe we are only now starting up our Saturday morning bike rides again. 

Abz and I kicked off Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend. We had a great time and even had to make a pick-up call to Pops when my tire suddenly popped. We decided to make a second go of it Labor Day Monday. Abizella insisted on a breakfast picnic. This idea alone was enough to spur Superkid out of his slumber at 6:00 a.m. On Saturday I nearly jumped out of my skin when Abz loomed over me at 6:00 for my wake-up call. I paid her back the following weekend when I bent over her to softly wake her from her dreams. She flipped out and screamed, "Stop hissing at me!" turns out she was dreaming of  Mine Craft spiders.

Hssssssssssss...

Our breakfast picnic stop.

Goofy Selfie.

Crazy Selfie.

Happy Selfie.

One of our favorite rides, Wompatuck Park.

Superkid is fun to have along because he never misses an opportunity to bound on good rocks.

And really, what's the point of stopping before you reach the top?

I played the, "I'll stay down here and take some pictures" card. 

Really, it had nothing to do with old lady knees.

This is really one of my favorite things. 

Now I just need to get the other 3 up on 2 wheels and the club will be complete.

Let There Be Light

This picture was received Friday morning of Labor day weekend. I was at work.

Pops sent it. He observed the days were getting shorter and decided to throw off the New England tradition of huddling in the corner next to a lamp all 9 months of winter. He was going to install lights *FROM THE CEILING* -Pretty much unheard of in these parts.

This involved cutting a hole into the ceiling because there was no access to the attic. Little Chief proved to be a skillful apprentice.

After hearing about all the fun discoveries Pops was making up there I decided to don a breathing mask and join an expedition.

First discovery: The second ceiling in our bedroom. Can you believe those crazy previous owners actually lowered the ceiling about 18 inches. Still scratching our heads over this one.

Second discovery: The pile of randomness. This includes 2 and 1/2 pairs of ice skates, a stuffed duckling, old trunk, high school basketball certificate, and a possible Picasso.

Third Discovery: The two bathroom vents pipe into the attic, not the sky. 

Not cool.

Fourth Discovery: Major pile of hay. This is the closest Pops has gotten to it, possibly emboldened by my presence. He usually creeps  past it slowly and quietly so that the dead body that is likely underneath it will not reach out and grab him.

So far Pops has expertly placed two ceiling fixtures. 

The first in our bedroom and the second in the family room. 

The second involved a couple of access holes in the wall. 

I am happy to report that you can't even tell a scratch was made in the wall.

Pops also made himself a handsome access door for his future exploits in the attic. 

Two more lights to go in this part of the house. 

For now we are basking in the glory of the bright lights Pops installed. 

Such a happy Labor Day weekend!

No More Excuses. Period.

Our new laundry rack arrived in the mail!

 We made a serious investment so I hope that it also doubles as a beefcake sweat machine! So far so good.

Pops set it up and got right into action. We all immediately stood up and applauded his efforts to be a lean mean fitness machine.

 Plus he's got some booty shaking music blasting!

When you've got moves like this, why hold back?

 We're doing it. For real. No more excuses. Go Team Toad.

It's Happening

Pops lined up the kiddos and took a trial run walk up to the school.

 The kids got to tour their classrooms and figure out the lay of the land. It was of critical importance to Abz that she know the location of the lady's room!

Last year was the final year that all of the kiddos were all in the same school. Little Chief will remain at the old school for another year of preschool. 

The big kids have re-located to the school in our neighborhood.

 I guess it is happening, summer is over. Here comes school!