Snuggled in Sheets

Daddy was folding laundry last night and Maddie got a hold of the sheets....as she is getting a hold of everything. Watch out Lucas and Luke - here is your competition!!! Sorry about the picts - the camera was acting up and so it's a bit blurry.

Everything else is fine, just a bit hectic. Kevin and I have been trading off days to get into our classrooms and get things organized. Also, still while we attempt to get things organized at home and recover from 3 weeks on the Cape.

Morgan is doing well, though I think definitely feeling anxious about starting at Southfield. She hasn't spoken about how nervous she is, but she has told us she is having dreams about it, and her behavior is definitely showing her anxiety.

Maddie is really into everything. It used to be that toys around the house were Morgan's left everywhere. Now, Maddie is into cabinets, drawers, opening ziploc bags of Morgan's hair-ties...and this is funny - she follows Morgan around with a hair brush, trying to brush her hair. It's particularly hilarious because Morgan hates brushing her hair and it's seems to always be a battle.

Monday begins Maddie's day care experience. I think she'll do great - once she gets over the whole separation thing. Morgan still has a week and a half before she begins. Camp Gamma will begin on Wednesday!!

Last week of GG

The last week of Gray Gables was a Kennedy Family reunion with all the Kennedy's from near and far, including the Chilsons and Kennedy's of West Roxbury. Some might know the Kennedy's of WR as "Festivus losers" or "The Fartin' Family."

It was a whole lot of fun and constant chaos. All in all, it was a great vacation. Lots of wonderful time with cousins, aunts and uncles. And now it's back to reality. And a whole other adventure (new job, new school for Maddie...) awaits.

Sunset on our last night.
Trying to get the three musketeers together for a photo.
Morgan's favorite babysitters!
TROUBLE!!!
A not so happy Luke takes on the beach.
The grown-up table.
Morgan and her "best friend," "Funcle [friend and uncle], and "Captain Superman"
Aunt Maurabeth and Morgan
"Cheeseburger!"
The aunt and uncle are outnumbered!
Bob and Morgan swimming together
Speechless!

A New Sport...

It's called, "Grass Snorkeling" created by Morgan K. McLean.

Luke, Morgan and the Pool

Kennedy Family Reunion - Part 1

Once upon a time in the land of Cape Cod, Massachusetts lived 11 family members in one house. There were pool and beach parties, ping pong tournaments, ice cream trucks, balloons, and LOTS of time together...

Uncle Bob helping Morgan choose which ice cream to get from the ice cream truck!

Maddie checks out the pool...and LOVES it.
Morgan entertains Maddie with her jumps and dives into the pool.
Luke is loving Uncle Bob's (and all August birthdays) birthday balloons.
Luke actually stopped moving for 2 seconds to take a couple of pictures with Morgan. "Cheeseburger!!!"

Maddie explores "corn hole" and finds Daddy!
Uncle Brian reads to Luke while he eats.
Maddie finds the perfect seat to watch all the action.
Maddie does rocketship with Daddy!

"No Pants" Luke watches his balloons fly away.
Maddie waits for someone to leave the front door open so she can make her escape!

Night-night Luke!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Uncle Brian sings the Itsy Bitsy Spider with the kids.

15 months!!!

Yesterday we took a day off from the Cape and went up to Maddie's 15 month check-up. Here are her latest stats:

weight - 27 1/4 lbs. -- 94%ile (no wonder why my back is breaking!!!)

height - 33.5 inches -- 99.6%ile

head circumference - 19 " -- 96%ile

So, needless to say, at least she's proportionate!! She had a great check-up. The nurse took a look in her mouth when I was telling her that her teeth were causing LOTS of problems, and found a mouthful of swollen, red gums! Poor baby!! And she has 3/4 molars coming in along with the rest of her teeth. Needless to say, we haven't had much sleep and have had lots of fussiness. 2 shots later and there was a bit more fussiness.

Luckily we picked up Uncle Bob and he joined us for our trip back. She actually slept in this morning and woke up happy for the first time in about a week!!

Hoping these teeth can move a little faster now. Probably wishful thinking but nonetheless. Hoping the weather clears today for a fun day with Uncle Bobby!!

A weekend in the eyes of Maddie

We traveled around Bourne looking for THE playground. It is only 10 minutes away, but took Mommy 45 minutes to find. Oops!!! Here is Maddie discovering one of the smallest playgrounds I've ever seen!

Working the stairs on her own...she's become quite capable on stairs (for the most part)...

And off to the beach! (Can you believe she's actually walking on grass??!!)
But refuses to put her feet or body on the sand. So, the chair was a safe option!
She didn't like the water much, either....so back to the grass we went!
Going for a ride in the wagon, pulled by Papa...

And then we discovered Gamma and Papa's chair...

And she takes a bow....

Morgan's Busy Day

We started the day at the beach around 10am. We built sand castles, wrote MORGAN's name with rocks and shells (making a pattern), and then made a handprint (left) and footprint (right) with the wet sand.

Swimming with Daddy to the raft....

Morgan learns to skip rocks with Brendan.She also ate dinner, played volleyball and took a walk on the beach with Uncle Brian. While walking on the beach, Morgan shares that she loves going on his boat, but not when it goes too fast.
Morgan builds sand castles and goes swimming with Aunt Gail.

And saved some cuddle time with Maddie...

And, as most four year olds do, caused a little trouble with poor Maddie.