FOUR!!!!

Heads up everyone! you have been warned!

We have a grandfather who couldn’t wait to pass on his love for the game of golf……birthday presents to the kids…their own set of clubs.

They are completely hooked….cooper would of slept with his if i let him!!!

So we headed up to the driving range after dinner.

ommy you would be proud of Cooper’s determination!!!

all went well until Caroline burst into tears at the end……obviously not able to handle imperfection….a couple of bad hits and she was crying…  “i need lessons!!!”

summer love

   lots and lots of fresh fruit!!!! snacking on it all the time!!!

i caught these two the other morning……Caroline loves reading to Cooper!!!!  

 

lots of time at the lake….Caroline not only has learned how to swim underwater and can do tricks like flips and handstands….she loves to snorkel!!!!

Norman Rockwell Museum

Last Friday we headed over to the Norman Rockwell Museum…Cartoon Network was sponsoring a family fun day…we couldn’t resist!!!

and the kiddos didn’t seem to mind the crazy heat!!!

Crayola had a booth where the kids could try out all their side walk chalk…and free chalk too!

Caroline loved the crazy hopscotch they drew and even got her picture in the local paper!! She was very focused!

 

played a little basketball

some soccer

Then we headed into the museum to cool off.  The kids loved looking at all the artwork and spending time in the kid’s art room.

  

Cooper’s self portrait…love the hair!!!

a party and an uninvited guest

Caroline’s party this year was a mix of hula, princess, flip flops and rainbow…..fit for a 6 year old girly girl!!!

thank goodness the sun decided to stay out  for us!!! a chance of afternoon thunderstorms we weren’t taking any chances and set up in the garage….

the kids got right to work decorating their goody bags.

the birthday pair!!!! yes, Caroline was 5 days late….born on Rob’s Birthday 6 years ago.

sack races!!!!

flip flop making!!!

inspired by Meg over at Whatever….i had to give her rainbow cake a try…..with a gazillion kiddos, family and friends coming over I decided to go big!!!!

3 cake mixes, 6 layers, 4 cans of frosting and a huge bag of skittles….3 hours later…a cake that was devoured in minutes!!!

i can’t get enough of the pure happiness i see in her face while everyone sings to her…..i want to save it forever!!!

and this little boy is just plain goofy!!!

at the end of the day….dinner with family…and Rob’s whooper pie!

  

funny scary story: an hour before the party i was out in the yard watering the plants, rob was at the store (getting the 4th can of frosting!) and the kiddos were at the store picking out the balloons…..when along comes a bear!!! and our little dog Bella….who is all of 15 pounds decided to chase the bear!!! oh my word!!!! I have never screamed so loud in my life!!! and because Bella is 13 years old and can’t hear a darn thing I had to chase her!!! I was shaking like a leaf and the bear ran off through the neighborhood and now i can NEVER let my kids play in the yard alone.

kiddos fell fast asleep tonight and i am right behind them!!!

lulu turns 6 today!!

  

    

lets take a look back…shall we!!!

age1

    

age 2

age 3

   

age 4

age 5

5 has been great!!

Caroline you have learned so much!!!! Going to Kindergarten…you learned how to read and write!!! you took swim lessons and learned how to swim under water!!! you took ballet, Irish step and tap! this year while skiing you road the chair lift!! you played soccer, tennis and basketball!! You are a girly girly girl who loves everything pink, especially shoes and purses!!! You bravely want to try everything….from riding a mechanical bull to eating garlic hommus!!! I am amazed by you on a daily basis!!! You have grown into an amazing little girl who is compassionate, thoughtful and funny!!! Your smile lights up my day and your giggle is contagious!!! You work hard at being a big sis and your little brother adores you!!!

can’t wait to see what 6 brings!!!

Happy Birthday My Lulu!!!!

and lets not forget……who had this day first, and who now graciously shares his birthday….Happy Birthday Rob!!!!!!! Your smile also lights up my day…love you.

Sweet Baby James

the summer is not complete without catching James Taylor at Tanglewood.

and we just happened to catch him on my birthday which made it extra special this year!

gates open up at 4pm for the 7pm show and thousands of people go through the gate with coolers, chairs, and picnics galore! Tanglewood fans are known to picnic in style…bringing their best china, candelabras, and flower center pieces.

this was Rob enjoying his first beverage as we settled in for the night!

our spot under the trees…we enjoyed the beautiful sunny day!

great food! time with family and friends! and great people watching!

the concert was great….didn’t want it to end….

   

can’t wait for next year!

too hot to blog

today is the 3rd day of 90 degree weather

heat wave hot around here

something we are not use to…..

still recovering from a GREAT weekend!!!

we celebrated the 4th with picnics, parade and lots of time at the lake.

  

i have hundreds of pictures from the weekend but zero time to go through them….we are trying to stay cool

and getting the house ready for Caroline and Rob’s birthday party this weekend!

stay cool everyone!!!!

Happy 4th of July

signing off for a few days…..

with 90 degree weather in the forecast we will be heading to the lake!

my favorite weekend……i turn 35 tomorrow! tickets to see James Taylor at Tanglewood (i really won’t be too embarrassed if  Mr. Taylor wanted to sing happy Birthday to me!!! just sayin…in case someone wanted to mention it to him), picnics, fireworks and parade! 

 

sneaking in a little bit of culture

The Clark Art Institute had a Family Day on Sunday….a little bit of a drive for us…..but so much fun!!!

The day was filled with dance and music performances, endless creative crafts for the kids, free admission to the museum and so much more!!!!  The whole day was inspired by Picasso and Degas.

We recognized Caroline’s irish step teacher who dances for the Albany Ballet.

the swing was a big hit….suspended from 2 trees… they harnessed the kids up and gave them a big push.

face painting…or arm painting for my 2 kiddos….and hair wrapping for Caroline.

 

we painted….

and sculpted….

and created

after watching her older cousin ride the bull…Caroline had to try…a testament to her strong willed personality she held on so tight, determined not to let go!!! After hanging off the side for what seemed like forever…i finally had to tell her it was ok to let go!!!

 

we watched in awe as the Castellers de Boston Circus Guild created a human tower!!!

I was amazed how fast 5 hours went by…..in the crazy heat…not one whine from the kiddos….we were on the go the whole time except for a lunch and ice cream break…..can’t wait till next year!!!