first allowance!

Savannah just got her first allowance of one dollar for doing all of her chores for the week -- feed the cats, set the table, make her bed, and clean her room -- every day. She's saving up for something special!

back to school time

This past Monday, the kids started back to school -- yeah!!!  Savannah is going 5 mornings a week, and Gage is going 3 mornings. Savannah happily immersed herself in her class right away and has already made a new friend named Maggie. Gage was very proud to put his backpack on, and happy the first day until Mommy left his classroom, and then the tears started. Forty minutes later he was still sobbing and crying for mama...and when I peaked through the window it was heartbreaking to watch him cry.  He stopped crying and had a good day, but day 2 was also a tear festival at drop-off time. Let's see if the 3rd time is a charm tomorrow..... Their teachers seem wonderful so we are hoping for a great year for both of them. Getting them both to stand in front of the sign that morning proved to be a bit challenging -- it's like herding cats sometimes with those two!

dancing dancing dancing!

Savannah started tap and ballet dance classes at The Dance Centre here in Tuscaloosa.  She LOVES her tap teacher Ms. Morgan and thinks that her ballet teacher Ms. Jennifer makes the silliest faces (she does!). Gage loves to wear Savannah's tap shoes in the hallway while she is doing ballet. This dance school is more technical, so she is learning all of the ballet positions and moves instead of doing just fun silly dances like she did in SC. She seems to LOVE tap.

"It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens" - Cynthia E. Varnado

Zoe never came home, and Smidge seemed lonely, so went decided to get a kitten. There were 2 left in the litter we looked at, and Savannah immediately picked up one and pronounced it "the one".  But...after we all got into the car, some kitten craziness took over and we ended up going back for the other one. So, we came home with 2 kittens -- brother (Stash - who looks like he has a mustache) and sister (Lola). The kids love them, and they are just a ball of fun. Smidge is getting used to them - I caught her licking them today, so I think they are growing on her.  Stash is a trouble maker - always in the plants, always running around halloween-cat style -- Lola is a playful but sweet - she gets that purring motor running as soon someone pets her. If they survive all the "love" from the kids -- it will be amazing!

random fun at grammy's house

We got to spend time with great grandma rooney - who was looking great after having major surgery. When we went to pick out some mums for her at The Garden, we found a fun head to sit with. We used up some extra party hats and wrapping paper to make wings & a crazy beak -- presto -- instant macaws (all Savannah's idea). And let's not forget that we gave Al some love -- he is about the same size as the munchkins!

grammy's front porch

we spent time every afternoon in the shade eating cookies, ice cream, and popsicles

moo cows and tractors -- twice a day

Early in the morning and after dinner (okay, maybe a few more times in between on some days) we go out to visit Grammy's moo-cows.  In the morning we just go say hello to them, but at night we take the wagon out and feed the moos all kids of things they love...bread...squash...corn cobs.  Both kids loved feeding 2 of the calves (Rosie & Buckwheat) as well as Daisy because we would eat gently out of their hands. Any time Grandpa was with us we would make a stop at the barn to sit in the tractor and the digger. We're making progress...last time neither kiddo would get in the digger but this time they were all for it. Gage never wanted to leave, but we always said it was time for the tractors to go to bed and he would nod and wave to them or blow kisses.

keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times...

Quassy may be a bit on the small side as amusement parks go, but it is perfect for a few hours with the little kids. It sits right on Lake Quassapaug and gave us a beautiful sunset while we were there. Quassy has the same rides they did 30 years ago -- the spaceships that make the BZZZZZ sound (which Savannah was scared of), the boats with bells, helicopters, a train (which Gage road and said woo-woo over and over, and which all of us put our hands up and screamed as we went through the tunnel), the merry-go-round,  the big slide, cars, etc. Fun times for the little ones...

A day at the beach!

It has been 20 years since I have been to Hammonassett beach, but it looked exactly the same. Gage first decided he was still afraid to walk in the sand -- you can see the picture of him crying and standing on the blanket -- but got over it quickly this time. Savannah just had a blast. We played in the surf, tried desperately to catch sea gulls, made sandcastles (well, Savannah and I did, and Gage (aka the Smasher) just smashed them as quickly as we could build them), dug holes, searched for shells, and soaked up the sun. One of those amazing, relaxing days. Savannah decided that she wants to live at the beach, and that "whenever we travel..from now on...ONLY home...the beach...and Disneyworld". Not a bad motto, kid.

exploring the science center

Cousins Kristine & Elizabeth tagged along one day and went to the Hartford Science Center.  There was some big big fun. Both kids loved balancing beachballs on the air shooting out of the orange cones.  They touched sea critters, made airplanes, drove cars, helped boat sails to catch wind, danced on the lights, went to outer space, challenged robots to a puzzle race, and more and more. After that we went to Rainforest Cafe thinking they would love it, but Elizabeth was terrified of the gorillas and Gage was exhausted,  afraid of the thunderstorms, and fell asleep before his lunch arrived. Good day, thought!

playing at the hollow

We spent a hot hot morning playing at the hollow. The digger was a big hit and the subject of much sibling fighting because they both wanted to play with it at once.

Could these really be...their FIRST smores?!?!

It is hard to believe that we have never made smores with the kids before this!!  Well, we made them, but neither of them at them "smores style" -- meaning taking a bite of the whole smooshy sticky mess. Instead, they ate the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows separately. Apparently they need more smores lessons...