What a Doll

We're still a week or so shy of Charlotte's birthday, but that did not stop Cynthia, my Godmum, from presenting her with a gift, her very first baby doll. What a hit. In between naps she's been snuggling and nibbling and playing with her little baby. She's mostly interested in taking off the doll's hat and trying to put it back on, plopping it on her head as if it would magically stick. Totally precious. Thank You Aunty Skippy.

Cereal Thieves

If you're going to sneak food.....always have an accomplice to share the blame.

Parking

Monday night we thought to bring our camera to the park and got some pictures in great evening light. A special thank you to Lisa for insisting we take a group shot. Who needs professional photographers when you have mommy friends.

Beach Memories

We had such a terrific trip to Hatteras, traveling with the grandparents, some assorted girlfriends (Annie and Julie) and the Wilson family of five, who are friends of Paul's from his days at Westtown School. It feels like a distant memory now, with the fall and preschool upon us, but I can't let the trip go by without mention, seeing as how it was the highlight of our summer.

Even with five kids in tow, the roaring ocean, the beach and the pool were more than enough to entertain the lot of 'em. And the rest of us. It was not, in any way, restful. I worried constantly that Harry would escape one of the million doors in our monster house (they're all monster houses) and find his way to the pool, the hot tub, the road or, ugh, the waves. But somehow neither Harry, nor his buddy Tote, 3, escaped without supervision. No near misses, no scary moments. Just happy kids and pooped parents.

In the meantime, we enjoyed super dinners (everyone rotated a shift in the kitchen...Jim's curry was awesome, second only to the crab feast one night), lots of time trying to remain onboard inflatable pool toys, and dodging the waves (I left this to dad, seeing Harry in the surf, even with a life jacket on, made me green).

There was lots of sunblock, afternoon naps for Charlie on the beach, many many holes that required digging in the sand (more like enormous trenches) and a good many trips by Harry running full-steam down the wooden boardwalk that connected our rental to the beach. To him, it looked a lot like a train track. Need I say more?

Perhaps our perfect moment was one of our last nights when we had a bonfire on the beach. The moon was full, the weather was just right and the marshmallows were toasty. It seemed like everyone was having a fire on the sand that night and before we went back inside, fireworks rang into the sky, courtesy one of our neighbors. You can rent beach houses, but you can't buy memories like that.

'Ahoy Matey!'

It makes sense that my job editing two sailing magazines would score us some time about the executive editor's boat. This afternoon we had the pleasure of spending a few hours aboard the Anonymous Source, 40-foot Mainship trawler. It was super, super fun for Harry who has been begging to get on a "sail-a-boat."

He spent most of the trip on the bow, pretending to steer and dodge the wake of other vessels. whenver we ventured up the fly bridge he begged "more bow!" We learned about cleats and portholes and how to wave, friendly-like, at other boats. The added bonus was the tweety-bird lifevest we got to borrow for a few hours.

A Gold Star

Harry was so excited about the start of preschool. But the day before launch, we got a cold. All of us. Harry's was maybe the worst. I read and re-read the school manual and indeed, runny noses are a no-no. So, we sat it out. All talk of preschool was nixed. So long perfect attendance record.

So this morning, one week late, we began school. Harry was super enthused to go, explaining that he was wearing his "fast shoes" for the occasion. The question that lingered was how he'd actually do in class. Having watched some close mommy friends struggle deeply with the start of school -- heartbreaking tears from the kids, pleading to go home or just not at all, I was genuinely nervous. There's a reason the schools start the kids slow with shortened hours the first month. It can be a very difficult adjustment.

Good or bad for mom, Harry was one of those kids who barely looked back when I dropped him off at 9 a.m. When I picked him up at 11:30, I went from relief to wonder if we'd be faced with a crying fit because he didn't want to leave. I asked his teacher if everything was smooth and she waved me off "it's like he's been doing it his whole life," she said. Harry smiled, put his toys away (AND the toys of the other kids) then he took my hand and off we went. We made one pit stop in the Thomas the Tank Engine adorned potty to check out the posters...his idea, not mine, and then home we went for a celebratory snack.

As I've tried to assure my friends who are having a rough go of it this week, it won't be long before all the kids are enjoying their preschool freedoms. Nevertheless, I'm hoping they'll be there to hold my hand if Charlotte decides her first week of preschool is not so hot.

School House Rocks

We returned from our awesome Hatteras, NC vacation (pictures tomorrow) just in time to attend this morning's preschool orientation. Harry is one of the Sea Green Twos in Ms. Donna and Ms. Julie's class. Eight students in all, including Harry's playmates Jack and Luke. How great is that?

There were tears (not Harry's) and lots of nervous parents. The kids? Let's just say it was second nature. Harry took it upon himself to sit down and make a crayon drawing (scribble) and test out all the toys -- these ladies are not dummies...they put out a Thomas track with trains. Harry informed us that Rheneas was among the toy engines. Even Charlotte got to check out her one-day Alma mater.

As we drove home Harry was miffed. "More preschool!" he demanded. I think he's going to enjoy this.