Cape Cod Vacation

This year's vacation started with Alana & Pat's wedding.  The girls were flower girls.

Spent a couple days in Gardner visiting family and of course grabbing some candy from Pracilla's where we saw this cool signage.

Here is Moo hanging out drinking her coffee one morning.

Then we ventured to the Cape for our usual vacation. Time spent hanging out on rainy days, we also caught a movie,

or riding the quarter rides at the kids play place.

 Or playing mini golf.

 Or going on a fairy house hunt.

 Of course we went to the beach.  Part of our vacation was shared with cousins since they were along the same adventures.  Was the first time in a long time we all were up visiting.  We made sure to sweeten up the visit with ice cream at the crab beach.  One day they managed to have 3 ice creams in one day since there just is nothing like the homemade ice cream stores surrounding the cape.

We attempted to see fireworks but unfortunately the fog rolled in so it was only brightly colored clouds so we ditched it to go to ice cream.

When you have 6 adults and 4 kids you gotta get a lot of lobsters for when eating a feast.

 That is pretty much how our trip was, just a lot of different adventures and fun times had by all.

What's up?

What's up which is what Marli will ask often.  Like What's up mom?  So cute to hear from a 3 year old.  But you guys may have been wondering what is up with those guys.  Here is a bit of what we got going on here.

We ended May by going strawberry picking.  Of course it was a hot day so the kids played in the kiddie area drinking strawberry slushies while I picked once they gave up.

Followed by meeting Daddy for dinner.

We have also started a chore chart to help the kids know what types of stuff they HAVE to do daily.  Our system isnt that they earn something specific after so many days or anything.  We just stress that if they help around the house then when things like the ice cream truck comes by or they want to get ice cream we will do it.  So far so good.

 Here is a random picture of Marli busy under the table coloring.

Our new neighborhood is just over a mile away from a little strip mall where there is a D & D.  So I ran there one morning with the girlies.

Then we have hit the pool on a few occasions.  Marli is a little bit more timid this year and Emmi is starting to get more and more confidence.  We may do some swim lessons but will see.

 Reason #2906, not really counting, why we love our neighborhood and neighbors.  Imagine looking across the street to see this in your neighbors back yard.  The grandparents were in town and wanted to celebrate preschool graduation with some extra fun and a cookout......

Since they are our good friends we all got to partake in the festivities.  Jacob coming down the slide.

 Emmi coming down the slide.  She love love loved it.  After all the kids were done she was still going and was the last one on it.  Moo went down once but didnt like that you had to go underwater when you land in the pool at the bottom.  I managed to cut my lip since I thought going on my belly would have been a good idea, but not so much.

 That is what we have been up to.  Kids have soccer camp this week and we are also counting down the days until we head to MA so the girlies can be flower girls in my cousins wedding.  :)

Ballet Recital & end of school

Here is a quick video of the girlies at their ballet recital.

Then after the girlies got flowers and Barbies as well as they went out for ice cream.

The last day of school for Marli was Ice Cream truck with all her classmates and friends. 

 

She then proceeded to lead her friends to the nearest puddle so that they could jump something you will find Moo doing often.  Luckily the parents of her buddies had no problems letting their kids get in on the action.



 The next day we had Emmi's preschool graduation.  I did a little better than I thought since I didnt cry from beginning to end.  But I cant lie there were definitely a few tears shed.

 After we got home Emmi got to eat whatever she wanted so she had ice cream with soda for lunch.

 Here is a random photo of Murph chilling in the yard.

 Here are our toes after our Mother's Day Pedicures.

 

The kids are now at their summer preschool so we are in full summer routine already.  No break for our kids.  The pool is also open so there will be more pictures up soon of our adventures there.

First Lost Tooth

Emmi lost her first tooth.  It had been super wiggly and sure enough out it came.  She was super brave as she kept saying she wanted her Daddy to just pull it out, I stay away as wiggly teeth to me are gross. :)  sure enough she pulled it out one night went I was not home of course.  The tooth fairy left her a note with a few dollars that told her to go to Build-A-Bear to put her tooth it in since this would be the one time she gets to keep her tooth. Here she is after it happened, sorry pic from phone.

Then we have had a fantastic time in our new neighbor hood.  There is a girl down the street that Emmi has made friends with.  They play as often as they can.  Then we have had other imprompt gatherings at neighbors houses or other times just playing.  I cant say enough at how happy we are to have moved to a great neighbor hood.  It is also amazing to have the people in the neighborhood who are empty nesters stopping to say how it is so nice to see the kids playing again.  Here are some pictures that capture different times we have had.
Dance party with the Perry's and Carson's.

 Marli fell asleep while playing with her tablet since it is getting harder and harder to get them to bed by 7:30.

 Biking in the street.

 Here are all the girls in the hood biking, there are 3 5 year olds, 1 3 year old, 1 8 year old and 1 10 I think.

 Playing on the neighbors swing set while letting their dog out.

Easter Festivities

Saturday we had an egg hunt in our neighborhood.  They had pony rides, animals to pet and gerbils that Moo just loved to pick up.  Think she is going to be a vet with the way she always gravitates towards animals.

Then we hosted Easter Dinner with 16 close friends and family.  Everyone seemed to have a blast.  Arleigh took a ton of pictures to capture the day.  Here she is...

 Here are the photos...

 The family.

 Memere and the guys.

 Some of the many desserts.

 Part of the crowd from above.

 And of course we had an egg hunt.  Here is the aftermath.

Settling in...

Well we are experiencing some drama on our old house so the bank is now requesting a second appraisal.  The closing got pushed another week so we still own 2 homes.  The kids have had great times entertaining their friends in our new house.  The playroom is upstairs so they go up there and we dont hear from them for quite some time.  Here is Marli with her buddies.

We finally have had some down time to let them just play outside.  The kids got on their bikes and just rode on down the street towards the cul-de-sac.  Moo also wanted in on the action so rode a bike pedaling for the first time.  So it was a big day for both girls since E was hit or miss before riding her bike.  She even crashed and got back on after getting a bandaid.

 Then the cousins were over since there was no school so Eggs were colored by all.

Slowly we are settling in and getting boxes cleared out.  We still are keeping with our tradition of hosting Easter.  Egg hunt in the neighborhood tomorrow and then clearing out boxes.  

Happy Easter.