Back to School

Just a quick report that the new school year is off to a GREAT start. Matthew started First Grade on August 31st, and was very happy to get back and see his friends at St. Brigid. He had a good summer at KinderCare, lots of activities, field trips, etc., but by mid-August, it was clear he needed to get back to the structure and challenges of academia. He gets homework every day now (except on Friday), and the expectations of the students are pretty high. We know he's going to have a great year. Thomas, too, had a very good summer at KinderCare. He was quite a hit with the teachers, and provided a steady diet of comic relief. His already charming personality has blossomed even more, lately. As for school, we're changing things up a bit this year. Thomas is enrolled in the full-day program at the Farmington Collaborative Preschool. He just started last week, but already he loves it. It was a very hard decision to change schools. In his new school, though, he is going to get lots of help in special areas to catch up with his friends. The best part is that he is so happy. He gets transportation home, and every day he arrives in the driveway saying "I had an AWESOME day!"Here's Papa and Thomas getting ready to head out in the morning.

Hope all of you reading this have an awesome day, too.

Wiggle Bay

On Saturday, September 5th, we celebrated Thomas' 5th Birthday. We had an awesome party in our backyard -- lots of friends, music, games and goodies. Thomas' favorite music group is The Wiggles, and we cranked up the tunes on the new boom box he got for his birthday.

The kids get ready to find the loot in Captain Feathersword's Treasure Hunt.

One of the littlest party guests, Ashley gets ready to take a swing at the Henry the Octopus pinata (handmade by Miss Julia from KinderCare).

As one neighbor said, it's not a party unless someone gets naked in the pool. As the party neared its end, the guest of honor was found in the "fishing pond", wearing only his Batman underwear.

I'm with the band.

Not sure where the summer went, but tomorrow will be Sept. 1. A few pix from our one getaway to Waterville Valley, NH. We were lucky enough to be there for the Curious George festival!

Work-Life Imbalance

This photo of Boston at night was taken during Mama's recent trip to attend a one-day seminar. Back in the day ... I used to travel quite often for business. This was the first time I had been away over-night, by myself, since Matthew and Thomas joined the family. Actually, they were not very far away, since they rode up with me and had a sleep-over at their cousins' house, about 1/2 hour away.

I'd like to reflect a bit on what went on during my big get-away. I was in the middle of delivering six classes at work, in the course of a week; Papa was out of town on businesss -- again!; Matthew was sick and banned from KinderCare, due to a fever; a tornado ripped through our neighborhood and our power was out for three days; Thomas and Mama got sick, too. And, Michael Jackson died that day.

If I sound like I'm complaining, I am. It's been a rough stretch and Papa is away again. BUT -- I am so thankful to everyone who came to our aid. I put lots of S.O.S. signals out there and nobody said "no". Thank you!!!

M.V.P.

A great big congratulations to Matthew on his Kindergarten graduation this week! He worked very hard this year and did an awesome job. St. Brigid families will all agree that the Kindergarten curriculum is the real deal, and Matthew certainly held his own. Hard to believe that this boy who could barely speak English one year ago, is now reading and writing short sentences. Way to go, Matthew! We are very proud of you.

Here's Matthew at the post-graduation reception with his teacher, Mrs Martinelli (r) and teacher's aide, Ms. Roy (l).

To the St. Brigid School Kindergarten Class of 2009 -- have a great Summer!

Rock Star

He did it! Wednesday was Thomas' last day of Pre-K 3 . There was much anticipation leading up to the ceremony, and Thomas loved being on stage singing and dancing with his friends. When the time came for the diplomas to be handed out, Thomas got overcome with emotion and had a pretty bad meltdown, just off the side of the stage. Mama, Kaitlin and the two teacher's aides talked him down long enough to be able take the walk across the stage and receive his diploma, to thunderous applause. Afterwards, we partied in the cafeteria with the class, and everyone's family and friends. It was a bittersweet day, yet Mama breathed a huge sigh of relief that we got through the school year. Thomas is shown here with his teacher, far right, and her two aides. Thank you, ladies! We love you!

Not wanting to put off getting back into a routine, Thomas started his Summer schedule at KinderCare the day after graduation. He's already making new friends and has enjoyed his first two days. When the teacher introduced him to the class, he greeted everyone by saying "Hello boys and girls. Nice to meet you." That kid ... he's something else!!!!

Matthew will be graduating Kindergarten next Tuesday. He will be joining Thomas at KinderCare, where they have a summer camp for bigger kids. In the meantime, when he's not at school, he's either playing baseball, or talking about it.