Snowtober

We were hit with a Nor'Easter the evening of October 29. A few days before we were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow. Quickly it changed to 6-10 inches! We ended up with about 6 inches of heavy sticky snow. The kids hadn't had snow like this in a few years since we were living in the Netherlands so they were so excited to get out sledding.

I took this picture from our bedroom window with the longer lens. Couldnt go play in the snow since I am technically on bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy.

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Daddy got in on the fun.

Milestone Birthday

Ned celebrated a milestone birthday last week. He had the chance to celebrate it three times!

First, a family getaway to a great hotel with themed suites. We stayed in the Tree House Room. It was pretty cool. The suite was designed to make you feel like when you walked into the "room" you were stepping into the backyard with a huge tree house. The bedrooms were lofted like you were in the tree and there was a jacuzzi tub on the porch, a porch swing and a play area in the trunk of the tree. It was complete with 3 TV's and a Sony Playstation.

We stayed one night and then in the morning we went to an indoor water park. Fun times!

Second, Ned's parents, sister and brother in law came over to New Hampshire from New York and we went to a fabulous brunch followed by cake and presents.

The Galka Clan

Third, Ned had a surprise getaway to his Alma Mater, Notre Dame. I pre-arranged for him to fly out on Friday afternoon and meet his good buddy, Joe. Coincidentily, two of his other good friends were there as well. They had tickets to the USC vs. Notre Dame game and hung out and toured campus. Really that is all the details I have. I am assuming there were several bars on the tour.

Happy Birthday Ned!

Soccer

We have just about completed a season of fall soccer.

This was Andrew's first team sport and he loved it. All summer he could not wait for soccer to start. Technically he was supposed to be four to be in the league so I had to do a little smooth talking, but it all worked out. He was very focused and interested and actually not that bad. He sticks to the ball like glue and runs his heart out! He was, by far, the shortest child on the team but he didn't know it. He never wanted to sit on the sidelines. He just wanted to play!

This was Katie's second team sport, her first being Tee Ball. This sport certainly went better. She tends to be shy in new group situations, but was very comfortable witih soccer. Probably because her brother was there, but nonetheless, she did a great job. She had a few assists and a couple good blocks. And, she is a very fast runner - must be those skinny legs! That said, they really didnt keep score and often the players scored in the wrong goal! Not exactly a competetive league! But fun!

Andrew at the back of the line, Katie at the front in the blue shorts

What form!

Pow!

A hop kick?

Cute little soccer girl

Labor Day weekend in NY

Labor Day weekend we went to New York to visit Ned's parents and sister, brother in law and a few friends. We were supposed to go the previous weekend, but hurricane Irene ruined that.

Saratoga is always fun. The summer horse races were still going on and the kids loved them. They loved watching the horses, running around like horses and of course eating all the yummy treats there were to offer. And, it was a gorgeous day with lots of people-watching to be had!

Monday it was rainy so we went bowling. Katie had been once years ago and Andrew had never been. We had a lot of laughs. Mostly at our scores and techniques!

Scores:

Andrew 88

Katie 76

Ellen 83

Ned 119

Grumps 117

Grammy 55

Yes, it does appear that Andrew beat me, but I would like to add that he and Katie had bumpers. Even still - it was embarrassing to be beaten by a 3.5 year old! And, Chis technically came in last, but she did have an elbow injury a few months ago. She had a handicap.

The walk...

The roll...

Watching the ball go. Totally professional bowling etiquette I believe.

Grumps and Andrew. Grammy and Katie.

For some uncanny reason, Andrew could get most of the pins down with his technique. It was ridiculously amazing. Watch here. He gets a spare.

Katie didnt have quite a lot of umpf but had strategy.

Kindergarten

Katie is now in her 4th week of Kindergarten and so far so good. When we lived in the Netherlands she completed Junior Kindergarten and almost an entire year of Senior Kindergarten. Both were full day programs. I would equate Junior Kindergarten to a Pre-K US program and Senior Kindergarten to a US Kindergarten program. So, she sort of had a leg up entering in. Which due to her shyness, I was happy about.

She loves her teacher and is making friends easily. We have already have had one playdate outside of school. Almost every day she comes home with something exciting to tell me and all about what she did on the school yard. She likes to look for bugs and worms with a couple first graders. She loves Music class and Art. She does not care for Spanish.

First day at her desk

Ocean City, NJ

We had a great time in Ocean City once again. We go every year. An,d I have been going every year since I was a baby.

The weather couldn't have been better. Every day was a great "beach day." The water was warm and jellyfish-free. Both Katie and Andrew are waterbugs and spend about 80% of their time in the water. The both love to look for sandcrabs, hermit crabs, baby clams, shells and so forth and this year was the first year they were really interested in surfing (really boogie-boarding). At first they needed help getting on to their boards to catch waves and then, just after one day, they were able to hop a wave and ride it in! I was very impressed, but not surprised. Once they set their mind to something, they aim to master it.

Andrew riding a wave in

Katie riding a wave in

Diggin' in the sand

Neither have ever had a fear of the water. They love it!

Andrew, Charlie and Katie

Of course we made a few trips to Gillians Wonderland Pier and Playland amusement rides. This year was the first year Andrew was tall enough to ride the kiddie rides along (have to be 36 inches) and Katie could ride some of the big kid rides with an adult (have to be 42 inches). Both were very excited! Mom and Dad were excited too that we didnt need to go on as many kiddie rides with them!

Charlie and Andrew braving the boats.

Katie and Daddy on the pirate ship - a big kid ride!

Katie (front) with Andrew, Aunt Carolyn and Charlie (2nd row)
Roller Coaster!

Andrew absolutely loves to mini golf. Katie loves it too, but he really has a passion for it. We went 3 times in 2 weeks. He was in his glory.

Kid pictures on the beach. They love each other, right???

Andrew (3 yr 6 mo), Katie (5 yr 8 mo), James (14 months), and Charlie (3yrs 10months)

Andrew and Katie piggies!

Happy Half Birthday

Andrew turned 3 and a half July 24th. We started a tradition of getting a cake and small present for half birthday. (I am sure I will kick myself for that one someday...) We got him a bubble rocket toy and when he opened it, he said "oh, what is it?" Quickly followed by "this is exactly what I wanted for my half birthday." He cracks us up on a daily basis.

New Additon to the Family

Meet Mo.

My in laws adopted him about two months ago and he is fitting right in with the rest of the dogs - Tucker (ours), Scooby and Fritz (Jeanne and Dino's).

The kids love him. It is very novel to them to have a small dog to play with. (Our dog is 70 lbs). And, Mo is really starting to enjoy the kids. When they are watching TV, he jumps right up on the couch in between them. Against the rules in our house for the dog to be on the couch, but somehow Mo gets away with it....

Andrew 3 1/2 years old

Mo 4 years old

Katie - 5 1/2 years old

More on our "new addition" to the family coming soon.

We are due in November!

Happy 4th of July

We had a fabulous 4th of July. We haven't been here for the last two, so it was nice to be able to celebrate the good ol' USA with great friends. We went up to a lake in Maine for one night. Boating, beach, fireworks on the lake, smores. What more could you ask for in a perfect 4th of July?

Tee Ball

As a parent, this was my first experience with pee wee sports. The first of many I am sure. And, I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Both Ned and I did.

Katie had a game every Saturday for about 8 weeks at either 9am or 11am. No practices during the week. Easy and convenient. I know it wont be like this for most sports to come. It was a non-competetive league for 4-5 year olds. And, much to Andrew's dismay, he was too young this year to play. He did, however, love to watch and cheer Katie on. He had his friend Alaina there to play with as well so that helped.

Most of the kids had never played a team sport. It showed, trust me. It was pretty comical when the entire infield and outfield ran to get the same ball. By the end of the 8 weeks, the kids were much better at staying in their position and waiting for the ball to come to them. Katie, like most things, was apprehensive for the first few games. She stuck to her friend, Jillian, like glue in the outfield. And by the last game it was adorable to see them sharing the balls they "caught" (more like rolled to them). They literally took turns letting each other throw it to the coach.

Next year it will be Tee Ball for Andrew and Instructional Baseball for Katie. Should be fun.

The whole teach rushing the ball

Katie stuck to Jillian in the infield. Hip to hip.

Katie up to bat

Running like the wind. She is actually pretty quick. Maybe track will be her sport?

The Dunkin Donuts Team. Three girls on the team.

Getting her trophe