First Day of School

It's 6am and the news begins broadcasting into my dream.  I am pretty sure I set my alarm wrong, because it feels like I just crawled back into bed after moving my squirming 2 year old back to his bed.  I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes.  'Did I even sleep?' I wonder as I  slip out of bed to turn off the alarm.  My thoughts quickly shift to survival mode and it's like there is a neon light flashing the word 'Coffee' in front of me, guiding me down the hall and into the kitchen.  I savor 10 whole minutes alone with my steaming cup of Joe, before setting into motion.

Lunches.  I open the refrigerator.  It's packed full, so full that you have to unload half of the shelves before you find what you are looking for.  Fruit. Check.  Sandwich fixings. Yup.  PB&J for Olivia, no crusts. Check.  Turkey and cheese for the twins, cheddar for Paige, swiss for Claire. Check.   Goldfish, granola bars, juice, water bottles.  Check, check.  Music begins playing down the hall.  Must be 6:30.  I hear shuffling.  It must be all of 5 minutes before all three of them stand before me.  Olivia, 9 now, is bright and all smiles.  She's my morning person. All summer she would be the first one up.  It was her who would get the boys their cereal, and take them downstairs to play.  Those days are gone for now.  Behind her stand her twin sisters, Claire and Paige.  They are 7.  They are up and dressed but it looks like they are still sleeping.  Paige is rubbing her eyes, and leaning against the counter.  "Okay girls, hot wash cloth on the face!  It will help you feel more awake!"  I promised.  Olivia leads the way and they begin chatting about their expectations for the day.

 I am left with my thoughts.  I can hear Paige at two years old, 'hey, gwanma, gwanma?  Are you happy?'  I see Claire standing by her.  Claire always right by Paige content to let her have the lead.  Then there is Olivia busy coloring page after page in her color books, ripping them out and handing them to everyone.  'I made it for you!'  she would say.  Little doll faces.  The girls return from the bathroom chatting high pitched and excited, breaking me out of my thoughts.

There they stand looking so big, and I stare at them.  My heart is so full, I am so proud, and it's true what they say...  It really does go by all too quickly.  "Who wants waffles?"  I say.  "Meeeee!"  they all answer in unison.   It's going to be a great year.

V.P. Mr. Granger giving VIP treatment

Olivia and Aiden Grace BFF's

Olivia with her teacher Mrs. Hilgartner 

Claire and Paige with their Teachers Assistant Mrs. Mitchell

Seems just like yesterday...

Part 2 Massachusetts to Maine

Tips for getting the most out of your lake vacation

1. When choosing the location one must make sure there is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the view.

check

2.  If there be sand, then one must build a castle.

Check, check.

3.  If there be "early risers" then one must be designated to evacuate them to preserve everything that is holy.

Check check!

4. If there is a fire, one must have smores.

Check!

5.  If there is water, one must put a boat on it.

Check!

6. If there be fish, then one must catch them.

Checkity, check, check!

7.  If there be a flotation devise, one must float on it.

Check!

8. If one feels sleepy, then close thy eyes.

Check!

9.  If there be sticks, then build.  The possibilities are many.

Check!

10.  And Finally if you be in Maine, one must have a Lobsta' night.  And yes, it must be said that way.

Cheers and happy vacationing!

Road Trip part 1

This summer we planned a vacation up to Maine with our good friends the Masse's.  Meet Tyler Jaime, Shae, and Kal.

They are from Boston and here in Charlottesville while Tyler goes to Law School. We met them at the 1L BBQ in 2010 and have been friends since.  Being as this was our last Summer before graduation we decided to join up with them after the boys finished up their Summer Associate positions.  Tyler worked in Boston for the summer and that is where our vacation began.  A few sights along the way...

This is the Delaware Memorial Bridge is the 10th longest suspension bridge in the U.S.  Wouldn't you know that while we were crossing it they had two lanes closed due to the man sitting on the edge trying to commit suicide!  I was thankful to read later that night that after 6 hours they were able to talk him down. 

This is a pretty sad picture taken through a dirty window while crossing the George Washington Bridge pictured below(the 4th largest suspension bridge in the U.S) sorry, you get what you get!

It was a long day of driving through 7 states and we arrived in Palmer Massachusetts where we stayed with Jaime's family.  The kids would have been content to spend our week here.  There was so much for them to do from swimming, atv riding, frog catching, club houses, kickball, oh and tractor rides!

They were busy from sun up to sundown!  It was so relaxing and wonderful, and I am so grateful for the generosity and warm welcome that Jaime and Tyler's parents gave to us.  They even joined efforts to watch all 7 kids so that we could escape into Boston for a day of seeing the sights.

There is so much history and so many things to see!  I loved every minute of it.  Next Tyler and Jaime took us to have the quintessential Boston experience a pint of Sam Adams and Raw Oysters!

My husband was kind enough to take a video of my very first oyster.

We ended the day having an amazing dinner overlooking the Boston Harbor.  Such a great start to our vacation...