Vineyard Bound

Yes, we're packing up for the last time to head to the Vineyard early tomorrow morning. Morgan is so excited, mostly for the ferry, which she says is her "favorite part of going to Martha's Vineyard because you can have snacks on it." She's excited to see Uncle Bob, Auntie Annie, of course, Gamma and Papa when we arrive, and Uncle Ryan and Auntie Ali on Friday. But, I think mostly she's excited to see Luke!!

A lot of wonderful, amazing memories on that island and I'm so very grateful for the time we've had there....it's something I'll never forget. This weekend I'm sure we'll all be very nostalgic, especially since it's where we were married and where Maddie was baptized. Annie took her first steps in that house. Morgan took her first crawls over the stairs to the porch. Made wonderful friends, first (and best) jobs, golf and tennis, and who could forget the parties.

Here are some picts from at least since Morgan was born (that's as far back as I go with downloaded picts). These are just some, but there are SO MANY more amazing memories. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Mom and Dad for the memories that will last a lifetime.

Goodbye vacation

Well, Daddy's vacation has come to a close. It's sad to see it all over already, but great for everyone to get back on schedule...well, at least until Thursday.

This morning Morgan, Maddie and I went to church with Gamma and Papa. It was a true miracle. Maddie was so exhausted she fell asleep on my lap for about 45 minutes. And she was out. The priest dropped something which made a LOUD noise with his microphone and Maddie did not even budge. Then another miracle occurred when I saw all the kids lining up to have their own readings upstairs. This was our first time at this church, so I asked Morgan if she'd like to go. She was excited to see all the other kids and very hesitantly went in line. She looked back, ran back to us (all in the front row of the church) and I told her she could choose to stay or go. She dropped off her picture Bible (that Uncle Arthur had given to me) and went along with the other kids. I continued to look at the door to see if/when she would return, probably in tears, but I'm pleased to say it never happened. She came up in line with all the other kids. Though she was very sad and said she didn't like it, when we were able to talk about it later, she changed her tune a little bit. She said they read stories and talked about Jesus and that she "never raised her hand and didn't talk the WHOLE time!" [Like I said, a miracle].

It couldn't have been a better church experience which is so great because I'm getting back to taking the girls to Mass again.

This afternoon was running errands and getting organized around the house, once again. Maddie seems to make more of a mess than I ever remember Morgan making...leaving her toys all of the house...watch your step! :)

It's a short week for Morgan at school this week, as we head to the Vineyard [house] for the final time. Daddy will have the shortest visit of all, arriving Friday night and leaving Sunday afternoon/evening. The family will gather once more at the Kennedy house to see what kind of damage we can do before the new owners arrive. All the years of Gamma telling us where not to put our feet, and taking shoes off are thrown out the window this weekend. It's the only thing I can think of to make myself feel better about the situation. So, let's go build a sand castle in the living room kids!!!

Morganisms

This past week, these are a few things we have written down...

"When you go to the library, you need to use your voice inside and be respectable."

"Here's the deal, Dad. Do you want to watch a Phineas and Ferb?"

"What were your favorite songs when you were four?"

Singing Lady Gaga..."it goes, dam, dam, dam, dam....no it's ram ram, dam, dam..."

I said, "Morgan, dam is not a nice word...that's not how the song goes...it's ram, ram, cam, cam"

(knowing that's really not how it goes).

Morgan says, "No Mom. That's not how it goes. It goes ram, ram, lam, lam!"

Looking back....they were much funnier in person!

Double Trouble

Children's Museum

Part II. We are officially now members and can bring up to 6 people at a time. Morgan had a ball climbing mostly. Maddie had a great time crawling, but was tuckered out after about an hour or so. We had lunch there, went back for more climbing and left to come home for naps. Maddie conked out in the car and Morgan had her nap at home to rest up for Irish Step Dancing. Here are some picts from the day.

Girls Just Having Fun!

After Daddy and Morgan time together, Mommy needed some special time with Morgan before vacation was over. So, in true "girls afternoon fun" we went and got our nails painted. It was great fun, and dirt cheap, so we had a ball. Morgan was beaming once she got comfy in her chair. And very chatty. Imagine that!

"Play Splace"

That would be Morgan talk for "play space." It was a rainy Tuesday yesterday, so we took the girls for the first time all year to the play space down the street. Morgan made a friend and played for hours while Maddie took her first steps with the help of a walker (see next post to see video!).

I left early for a hair cut (chopped it off!) so Kevin stayed and they had a ball. Picked up some lunch on the way home, and the girls had great naps...well, actually...just Morgan did. Maddie's top two teeth (next to the front teeth) are almost through - so she's been a little off for sleeps.

Kevin's vacation is coming to a close. We've had some great moments together as a fam. He's taken M, W, F of this week to go to school and try to plan for the rest of the school year - only 2 more months. So, Maddie and I are having a quiet day which I think we both could use!

Maddie's first steps

Castle Island

Castle Island, for those not around Boston is in South Boston and is home to many a forts - with quite a history. It also happens to hold great sidewalks/bikepaths/views and a pretty goodplay ground. We explored it today, probably for my first time that I can remember anyway (shame on me!) and had a ball. It was almost about 70 degrees today, though quite cold/windy on Castle Island.

Morgan and Maddie had an absolute blast. We arrived first to have a little picnic - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a yougurt for Maddie. We took Morgan's bike, so she got in some great exercise...biking, swinging and playing on the playground. She and Daddy went in a fort to explore just "a little bit" as Morgan said.

Mommy met up with her South Boston Mommy Crew - Lynne and her son Billy, and Liz and her daughter, Amelia. It was a bit chilly for the wee ones, but the air was great and they looked so cute all bundled.

We headed home after about 2 1/2 hours so Morgan could have a little rest before Irish Step Dancing, and of course, a little basketball. Needless to say, we'll all sleep well tonight!!

Vacation

Daddy's on vacation. It's been pretty uneventful, though Morgan is LOVING her special time with Daddy. He finally got his birthday present (and dream wish) of a basketball hoop outside. He spent most of yesterday putting it together so it could be finished when Morgan needed to get picked up. He got it done in plenty of time, picked Morgan up, went out for ice cream, and came home to shoot hoops. Morgan scored 6 baskets in a row! So very proud of herself! And Daddy is quite excited!!!

We've cleaned out the basement which has been overdue for quite some time. Still have a bit more to do, but the majority of it is done and that's so much more exciting than I can really put into words. Feeling very lucky that we didn't have more than a little puddle in the garage after all the rain we've had. Three of our neighbors were pumping out their basements and they thought we had water when we were cleaning. Felt a little guilty, but very grateful!

Today it's supposed to be 67 degrees, so we're planning a picnic at the playground...hopefully to make up for the one we did in freezing temperatures a few weeks ago. They say that Saturday is going to be 70 degrees...LOVING THIS! I'm sure they'll be some more basketball outside today. I know our neighbors are thrilled about this. :)

Here are some picts from the past few weeks. Hopefully we'll get some more outdoor picts this week. Mommy is headed to the Vineyard with Auntie Annie, Gamma and Papa tomorrow for 1 night, 2 days to help clean out the house. So very depressing, but necessary. Someone might want to check in with Kevin to make sure he survives with the girls!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

A beautiful day here in Boston! Loving the weather...windows are open, sun is shining, and the Irish are in the bar drinking!! Well, all Irishmen and women except for us (for now)! We're enjoying the beautiful day!!

Money

So while at Gamma and Papa's the other day, Gamma told Morgan that she was going to give her $1 for being such a good girl since she's going to Southfield next year. So Gamma handed Morgan the $1 bill, and Morgan said, "This is not good. I need another number. Can I have another number?"

Smart girl!

Maddie's playdate

Maddie and I had a great day! We went to pick up Liz, Amelia and Billy (all 3 kids in our car!) and went to the Children's Museum. They had an area for the "crawlers" and they babies loved it. Amelia is an old pro there, but this was Billy and Maddie's first time and they were all smiles! When we got the kids in the car, about 5 minutes later, they were all conked out. All 3! Yeah for Mommies! It was a beautiful day and so great to get out! Thanks, Liz! :)

A bubble day

That's what Morgan named yesterday. It was another beauty of a day and Morgan went outside and blew bubbles most of it. She even "earned" big girl status when I let her go outside by herself (with fence gates closed and she had to stay right in front of the window)...It was scary for me, but she was so excited!

Gamma came by, had lunch, and we all walked to the playground where Morgan blew more bubbles. Hence, bubble day.

Maddie and Morgan went down the slide together which was so cute, but unfortunately the batteries on the camera died before we could get in a pict. Another day, hopefully!

Dreams

While climbing into bed tonight, Morgan said,

"I'm going to wake up sadly tomorrow."

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm NOT going to have good dreams tonight. I'm going to dream about sharks. I don't like sharks. They are scary."

Well, sweet dreams, Deary! You're still going to bed! Nighty-night!!

Story Time

Morgan set up the foyer as a classroom, and used Daddy's sneakers to block the doorway, so Maddie couldn't leave. Then, they had story time. Morgan read The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss and one of the Madeline series. Maddie loved it! So cute!

Maddie's first few moves

Maddie's first crawling (forward)...on video!

Picnic at the Playground

Daddy had a great, quiet and quick birthday last night. Maddie lasted only about 30 minutes after he came home. Mommy had dinner waiting for him. And Morgan and I made brownies...wait until I post this picture....a funny story there! Next post! :)

It's getting very tiresome...sitting around the house all the time because it's too cold or wet to go outside...similar to the Dr. Suess' Cat in the Hat. So, today I decided no more...it was sunny and around 40 degrees, so I bundled up the girls and packed a lunch for Morgan and I and we went to the playground....yup. Maddie needed a diaper change right when we got there, in the back of the car. As soon as we stepped outside at the playground, I realized why we were staying inside...cold and VERY windy. Chilly, needless to say.

But, we stayed to get some fresh air and let out some energy. Too bad I left the camera in the car. We played...Maddie went in the swing and decided she was definitely not a fan...oh the tears. Morgan and I ate quickly, then I pushed her on the tire swing and on this other weird (but fun) playground equipment. Then Maddie became super fussy, so we packed up, headed for a quick stop at the store and home again we are.

And luckily for Mommy....naps for everyone. Morgan was EXHAUSTED! Maddie was too, so I got some studying done while they slept. Tonight, I might try sleeping with the study book underneath my pillow to really put this osmosis theory to a test. Can't hurt, hey?!

So, while it probably was not my most ingenious idea to have a picnic in the midst of winter in Boston, it did provide some entertainment and excitement for the day.