CycloCross is AWESOME

Today Marty and Thomas added to the list of things they have done that their parents have not. We brought them up to Gloucester Stage Fort Park for the Grand Prix of CycloCross. Thomas was in the second kids race, the 5-6 year olds. Marty was in the third race, 7-8 year olds. They did great, mad competitors, smiling all the way. Way to go boys! Allez!

Take Your Kid Mountain Biking Day

New England Mountain Bike Association hosted a kids ride in the Fells.
In the mud, a whoopee-dee-whoop, mad skills, dual slalom.
Check out Tom's crazy helmet head. And Marty in the deep mud.

Back to School

After the fastest summer on record, Marty and Thomas were geared up
and ready for back to school. Oh yeah, Thomas is off to Kindergarten.
He's in with the "big guys". And yes, Marty wore his spy hat.

Happy Birthday Marty, take 7

Today Martin turned 7 years old. Wowzers. He was up early, ready for some presents. The rest of us were pretty tired, but Tom gave Marty his present first (Pentago). An MP3 player loaded with the Star Wars theme, mechanical pencils, Lego Star Wars for the Wii, and a Lego City Space Shuttle built before school. It was a beautiful May day, warm and sunny. A card and a call from Nana at breakfast. I surprised him with a cake in his lunch box, and a sushi lunch (California rolls, with fake grass and soy sauce included). After school a few more pressies, including the Lego X-Wing! and an Obi Wan figure with battle action. And Kid Pix. For dinner, Marty's choice was to head in to the North End for some pizza, where we met up with Auntie Paula. Pizzaria Regina with the pitcher of root beer. Cafe Paradiso for gelato and a chocolate cannoli with a birthday candle. Wide smiles. A Lego Wampa cave. What a day!

Minute men

Happy Patriot's Day! The boys kicked off April Vacation with a bang! Coming home from lunch with Dada, we happened upon a gathering crowd in Lexington and got a good spot just in time for the parade. Right in front of the "Bands play here" sign. And they did. Lots of bands. Floats, troops, antique cars, fire trucks, even a tank! And Minute Men, lots and lots of Minute Men. The boys had never seen a parade before, and they LOVED it! Of course, tri-cornered hats and pop guns were the order of the day. And just look at them marching for Liberty!

Go Canadiens!?

Is it just me, or are these the cutest hockey players ever? Marty and Thomas got to play on the same team for the end of the season, as Coach Bob brought Thomas up for the end of the season. So, as unnatural as it seems, we are left saying "Go Canadiens!"

Ski Lessons

Marty and Thomas hit the slopes today for their first ever ski lessons. Over to Nashoba Valley for some lessons and rides on the magic carpet. Marty even got to try the tow-line. They both did great, and had a lot of fun. And there's Marty looking like an old pro.

Snow

Fact: That's a lot of snow.
Fact: Sledding to school is fun.

Keep smiling, cos this snow is going to be with us a while.

Tom at the MFA

What a treat! Thomas was invited to a birthday party at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The kids had a great time, doing a scavenger hunt for animals in the museum, including the new American wing. An awesome moment at the party was Tom standing in front of an abstract painting and telling the MFA staff that he had found the duck we were looking for. The staffer looks at the painting and asks "what kind of duck is that?" and Thomas says "It's an angry duck".

Cat update

Tracer likes hockey stank.

Welcome Trace and Thor

The Mont Family welcomes our two new kittens, Tracey and Thor. We adopted them from the Cat Connection. We picked them up on the day after Christmas. At first they just hid under the bureau, then slowly and cautiously, Thor came out to check things out. He reported back to Tracer that everything was okay. Little by little they got brave, and then took over the entire house. That's them on top of the cat condo, a favorite napping spot. Love you kitties!