Boston's First Day of School!

Monday was Boston's first day of Montessori! I wish I could say that I sobbed and was devastated to drop him off, but I wasn't... My Mom called to check on me and to see if I was having a hard time, she asks..."Did you even cry?" My reply.... "Not one tear!"He has been so envious of his big sister over the past year as we would drop off and pick her up daily! At drop off time the kids go straight out to the playground for about 15 minutes, followed by a couple hours of "jobs & practical life skills" and then the last 15 minutes of the day they are playing in the school yard when parents pick up... Which means outside playing activities is all the Boss has seen take place at this so called "Big Boy School." Poor kid has been thinking I am depriving him of 4 straight hours of sandboxes, swings, slides, water tables and monkey bars, not realizing there actually is some schoolwork involved... His first week went great, his favorite activity....Snack Time! He informed me after I picked him up on his 2nd day that "they only give me fruits and vegetables, NO MEAT!" In case you didn't know, Boston is 100% carnivore, what more could a mother ask for! This past week was only for the newbies or 1st year Montessori students, so they can get the hang of it before the older kids trample over them... So Tuesday when Brooklyn, my "upperclassman preschooler" tags along there will be more pictures to follow! Here are a couple of Boss on his very first day!

Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Cozumel

Finally an update!

We just returned from an AMAZING week aboard the "Big Boat" (as my kids have been calling it for the past 8 months, they were beginning to question whether this so called Big Boat actually existed). The ship had 3 port stops (Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel....) all of which were amazing! We had such a great time hanging with our little Cousin Maddux, playing in the ocean, riding the giant water slide, amazing food, endless soft serve ice cream cones, chicken nuggets and french fries, swimming with the Sting Rays and late night family fun! Thanks for all the memories guys, it was a great way to end our summer! We miss you already! a
Most of the family Snorkeling in Grand Cayman

Yes, those are giant sting rays swimming around my feet...It's a sensitive subject!

My three fish!

My mom and her girls

Between our boat and another in Cozumel

The Carlson Cru

Sisters!

Best Buddies

Snorkeling in Grand Cayman with our little "sharks"

Ty and I on the top deck

Bop Bop and Boss

Mom and her kiddos after dinner

Boston making his "Skip Face"

Boston on the ship slide! You did it!

Proud Mama!

Brooklyn after I basically threw her down the slide..

Mama and her buddy!

Bryn feeling a little unsure!

The crystal clear beach in Jamaica

Looking for Sharks out our cabin window...

Brooklyn on top of her big girl bunk bed!

Montego Bay, Jamaica!

*** More pictures to follow of Grand Cayman, we had a small domestic dispute involving the batteries in our camera, so I am waiting for a CD to arrive with pictures of us swimming with the Sting Rays... Family, stop laughing!!

Familiar Face?

I think this is too funny... So, a couple nights ago we were watching the Olympics and Aaron Pirisol walked out to swim the 100 meter backstroke... I immediately say aloud, "wow, he's cute!" (followed by a slug in the arm and a "of course you would say that..") So the next day both Ty and I have MULTIPLE people call and mention how much Ty and Aaron look alike! No wonder I thought he was so cute... What do you think? Do they look alike? A

Stroller Strides!

For the last 8 months I have been going to a a Cardio and Strength Class here at Central Park called "Stroller Strides..." It's such a fun way to start my morning, it makes me feel so much better throughout the day and my kids actually enjoy it!! Yeah! Erin, my Stroller Strides instructor was on the news yesterday and I have to brag about her and my fellow stroller strider's... She did an amazing job, didn't seem nervous at all! Way to go Erin! Here is the link to the news segment...

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=97103&catid=403

(once you open the article, off to the right hand side there is a small box that is titled " MORE LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES" below there is a link for "Moms finding ways to exercise with their babies", click on the little video camera and the segment will begin!...

Also, if anyone is interested in coming with me or any other stroller strides classes throughout the US the website is www.strollerstrides.com

Thanks Aunt Nicole!

Thanks for my new "Fancy Nancy" aunt Nicole! I love it and have been reading it to my new baby all afternoon! You're the best! Much love...XOXO...Brooklyn!

Ring Update!

Duh! Of course, wouldn't you have thought to look in the q-tip jar? Regardless, I was quite happy to see this little shiny piece of joy in there after sifting through Boston's sandbox 4 times in the 102 degree weather, dumping every toy bucket in the playroom, picking though days old trash and waiting on hold 47 minutes with Ameriprise Insurance... Wow! a

Lost AGAIN!

Okay, I know what you are all thinking...."AGAIN???" I know, I know.. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I have a HORRIBLE habit of taking off my wedding ring wherever and setting it down and walking away... the pool, the store, the gym, the sink, friends houses ... opps! Hey, it's not my fault that last time my very adorable little brother in law, not to mention names (Chase) dropped my ring down the garbage disposal and then let it run for 5 minutes... Anyway, my ring has now been missing for 3 days, I have searched every square inch of this house looking for the blessed thing, (including the garbage disposal..!) Where could it possibly be?? Suspect A (Boston) tells me it's buried in his sandbox... Suspect B (Brooklyn) tells me she put it away for me in my car??? So far, neither is a winner... I'm praying to find it, I'm pretty sure the insurance company is thinking I'm a fraud at this point.. I'll keep you posted! a

(PS.. The picture above is not my ring, although I wish it was.. just kidding Ty!)