The Bronx Zoo

Another terribly creative title, if I do say so myself.

Recently, we took a trip here

The Bronx Zoo
(see Vic, I told you there was a reason I took a picture of this sign)
It was a really fun family adventure.
None of us had been before, and we all left pretty impressed.

We were treated to a lovely fall day,
and there was tons to see and explore.

We even made great friends with this little monkey,

who followed Lexi from window to window as we strolled along the exhibit. 

We never did find the giraffes -

despite walking in circles and following all the signs,

and there wasn't enough time for a camel ride,

but it was a wonderful way to spend the day!

First Day of School

At long last, the preschool year began on Monday.

This year, you are going three days per week.
Miss Sue and Miss Valerie are the teachers for the 3's program,
and they both seem warm and welcoming.
It's a new classroom, but you are familiar with the school
and the playground, and a bunch of your friends are back this year.
You were certainly very excited to get going Monday morning.
Especially once we decided that you would wear a dress from your cousin Cece -
one that she wore on her first day of preschool.

You were eager to help me pack your lunch
(I told you that daddy and I were putting a surprise in).

You were more than happy to pose for a few pictures.

You were anxious to put on your little backpack.

You were so proud to put your little "all about me" bag in the car.
It was your very first "homework assignment",
and the three of us worked on it for a few hours over the weekend.

On the drive over, you asked if I could stay and play.
"For a few minutes," I told you. "Then I need to leave with all the other mommies."
"Well, maybe the other moms are already there. And then you can stay the whole time too"
was your response.
Hmm, I didn't want to lie to you, but I also didn't want to shoot you down.
And just like that, we had arrived.

We found your new cubby.
We put on your name tag.
You marched your little bag over to where your friends had put theirs.
I said a quick hello to your teachers, and when I turned back around,
you and Annie were already "making some breakfast" at the play kitchen.
And that was that.

Oh, except for the great big bear hug I received at pick up time.
Getting any information out of you about your day was a challenge on Monday.
Today, however, was a different story.
You told me that the new boy Lucas showed everyone what was in his bag today,
along with another new boy whose name you didn't know yet.
You said the teachers told everyone to be quiet.
You told me you liked Miss Sue and Miss Valerie, as well as your teachers from last year,
and the teachers of the 4's class.
This was great news since all summer long you reminded me that Miss Debbie
(from your 2's class) was loud and mean.
You told me that you got some sand in your eye.
You told me that you love climbing your castle on the playground.
I asked you what you learned, and that drew silence.
Isn't it funny what an almost three year old remembers about her day?
On our way out, you popped into another classroom to say goodbye to Miss Jackie.
You stopped over to wave to two big brothers.
You chased your new buddy Alyssa up the stairs.
You raced over to someone's puppy waiting in their car.
And, Friday brings a whole new school day.
We hope this is the start of your best year yet, Alexis!

Tiny Dancer

It was a big day around here Monday
(well, at least for your mom).
You had your very first dance class.
Ballet/tap/tumbling to be exact.
I took dance lessons from the age of 3 until about freshman year of high school.
Try as Nanny might to turn me into a ballerina, jazz was always my favorite.
In the end, she was just happy to share her love of dancing and performing with her daughter.
And, I now get to enjoy this same rite of passage.
So it was a very exciting day indeed
when we went to pick out your first pair of dance shoes.

Boy did you love marching around in your little tap shoes
(the smallest size they carried at the store).
Next, it was time to find some leotards, tutus and tights for an almost 3 year old.
This one is by far your favorite.

You were so happy to have it on
that you hugged the sales clerk and squealed, "I'm a ballerina!"
And then you begged to keep it on.
I thought about it long and hard and then figured "why not"?
So, off I went to the grocery store with my tiny dancer in tow.
Lexi, if only you could appreciate the oohhs and aahhs from all the ladies that we passed.
(and all the requests for a tutu like yours from the little girls.)
We met up with your buddies Annie and Olivia for the first class.

You're the youngest one out of the group, but you certainly held your own.
You loved twirling in your tutu.

You loved dancing around in your tap shoes.

You said they taught you to reach your hands over your head in a ball

and how to jump like a frog.
I guess when you have a class of 3 and 4 year olds, you have to start with the basics.
And, of course, you loved the tumbling at the end of class.

As for your mommy, I simply loved watching you through the glass window.
My tiny dancer is growing right before my eyes.

The Cape - Family Photos

We didn't plan matching outfits for the girls,
but Aunt Kate brought along Emma's entire closet,
so we were in luck come picture time.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

Say cheese

Daddy's little lady

And baby makes four

Grandpa and his girls

Grown ups' dinner

Tom gets a picture every year at the restaurant.

It never feels complete without Lu, though.

Cape Cod

Summer #7 of visiting Aunt Terry and Uncle Don up at Cape Cod has come and gone.

We've been part of this family tradition since we were married. 

The timing has shifted from 4th of July weekend to Labor Day.

Lu is no longer here to join us,

and two (almost three) grandchildren are now part of the gang.

And while some things change,

others, thankfully, stay just the same.  

Like the beautiful home in Brewster - 

which is always so warm and welcoming

And the screened-in porch. 

We used to spend hours every night there, 

talking and laughing over (many) bottles of wine.

With kids in tow, our nights now end a little earlier. 

But we all still love relaxing here. 

And the beach.

Sure...we've replaced our trips to the ocean beach with the bay beach - 

since our little lady is still a bit too young for the big waves.

But this way, she gets to go swimming with her Grandpa!

And build sandcastles with him too

And of course there's the daddy-daughter outdoor shower

And trips to the Squire for some chowder

And then there are new adventures too.

Like trips just down the road to the private beach.

Where the cousins can explore the water together

And chase the family around with "seaweed monsters"

And chase the waves with mom

And hunt for minnows and crab legs

And then there are the family photos -

taken in recent years by the patient babysitter 

(who is handed at least four cameras)

and must work with three women who are excited about these pictures

four men who are ready to head out to dinner

one toddler who would much rather be playing in the grass

and one baby who is just trying to figure out what all the commotion is about

I'll post those photos later in the week 

Thank you, Terry and Don, for another wonderful summer getaway!