Happy Halloween!

Mt. Buck

We had a great little hike up Mt. Buck in Waltham this Sunday.  The weather wasn't the best, but it was clear enough for the hike, then started sprinkling just as we got back to the car.  The kids all did great on the hike (I say hike, but it was pretty flat/rolling until the final descent).  We were lucky to have Gogo join us!  

Fall update

We are all doing well, but very busy, and therefore very tired!  Cooper is doing great at kindergarten.  He really likes school and comes home with new sounds and words that he can read everyday.  We're still getting used to the schedule and trying to build up his endurance.

Isabel is doing great.  She LOVES school and comes home singing almost a new song everyday.  Her teachers tell me how much more she's talking and exerting herself in class.  She's gaining a lot of confidence every day.  Even last night in the car she was talking so much that Cooper had to interrupt her...that was a first!

Emma is...well...Emma!  She is quite something.  She's so stinking cute, but so stinking stubborn too!  She WILL NOT repeat any words that we try to get her to say.  She's finally saying some animal sounds, but just doesn't want to talk.   I'm not concerned though, as her comprehension is very good.  She understands and will follow directions (well, most of the time)!  Even though she isn't speaking words, she sure can get her point across, as well as her frustration when things don't go her way!  She's already starting to randomly "bop" her siblings on the head, so trying to teach her some boundaries!  

Dance parties are still the almost daily activity of choice in our house.  Watch the video below!  And yes, "Dynamite" is still the song of choice!

Cooper's first field trip to the apple orchard

Cooper's class (plus Isabel and her friend/our neighbor Nate on the end)

Isabel and her friend Opreya

Buddies

Cooper hiked up Snake Mountain on Sunday with his good buddy, Angus and his family.  It's quite a hike, so I'm just glad he made it!

Bell and Ballet

Isabel had her first ballet class this past Saturday.  Needless to say she had a blast.  And was utterly adorable!  Her friend Sarah was in the class so she was also very  happy about that.  

Great Wednesday

I think this was August 22nd, this was one of the last Wednesdays this summer before Cooper started Kindergarten.  I've been so lucky to always have my Wednesdays with my kids (though I must be honest, after some Wednesdays, I was more than happy to get back to work)!  This particular Wednesday, Kristi was in town with cousin Janet, so we ventured out with Gumma to the Farmer's Market, Junebug (kids clothing store) and then finished it off with lunch at The Middlebury Inn.  It was really a great day.  It's hard to believe that I just have the girls now on Wednesdays.  It makes the day a little quieter which is nice, and Isabel gets to get a little more attention and actually make some decisions during the day!  Cooper's done great at school.  I think it's been really tiring for him without naps as he has napped up until now (at least every other day), so it's a transition, but he's doing pretty well.  So far so good! 

(sorry, these pictures are kind of out of order...)

The kids sitting at the Farmer's Market

Yummy lunch!  All of the kids were VERY well behaved!

The toy room at the clothing store Junebug.  Such a fun place.  We spent a lot of time (and a little bit of money!) here.  

Love this picture

Hard to get this little girl to sit still!

The toy room at Junebug (not sure what Isabel is doing here...?)

Cooper the Kindergartener!

Well, he made it!  And I survived!  Cooper had a great morning heading off to Kindergarten for the first time today.  He refused to wear the nice outfit I picked out for him and opted instead for full hokie gear, but other than that, it was smooth!  Can't believe he's in school!  

This was last Tuesday on his final day at preschool!

This is the goodbye I get every morning when leaving preschool.  It's the best, I'm really going to miss this!  It was always so comforting knowing that Cooper and Isabel were together all day.  I guess they're both growing up!  

The night before the big day.  We did convince him to let us cut his hair!  

Nice job Daddy! 

New gear! 

The family!  

Big boy with a big funny look on his face! 

Another funny look! 

The very short ride to the bus stop (right around the corner).  We had the car so that Josh and I could follow the bus to school!  We were not the only ones who had that plan! 

We got to the bus stop so early, we decided to run and see Net to say hi.  

Cooper and his new friend, our neighbor, Lila.  They are in the same class which is so fun!  Her little brother will be in Isabel's class at preschool. 

There they go! 

Cooper met up with his good buddies at school!

Already settled into the classroom.  

It's been very weird today, being the first Wednesday with just the girls.  While I've missed Cooper, I must say, it's been a nice quiet change and I haven't had to play referee once today!  Going to pick him up at 3 with the girls!