Skating with Ann & Lee

Nothing says Christmas vacation like public skating. This year we got to go with Aunt Ann and Uncle Lee at the Daly rink in Brighton. Fun time, even if Ann can't skate backwards ;)
The boys had fun showing off their mad hockey skills.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Blueberry pancakes from the North Pole? A Lego city with a movie theater, car wash and city bus? Wow! The boys woke with the sun (which is much later than I had expected honestly). And the fun begins. Presents piled to the ceiling at Granma's. Cake for Dada. Happy times everyone. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Tree Decorating

Marty has more height this year, is much more sturdy on a step ladder, and has a 5 year old sense of aesthetics -- and I must say, he did outstanding work decorating our Christmas tree this year.

Tom picked the tree out just as it started to rain, and it's a beaut -- tall and wide and pungent. Wagon Wheel in Lexington has come through for us again.

Holiday concert

Marty's big Holiday Concert was today at Stanley School. His class sang a "Hello" song and then Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with a surprise at the end for Principal Le Fort. Marty got a big kick out of that. He looked so handsome in his Christmas tie and grey sweater. He made the reindeer antlers all by himself. He also learned to sing Feliz Navidad, which his class did not perform. There's still a chance to sing it at Uncle Steve's party!

Here Comes Santa Claus

Marty and Tom got to see Santa Claus on Friday night at City Hall. The big man arrived at the city tree lighting and carol sing. He came in on a fire truck, a ladder truck no less. The boys were impressed. Tom asked for "two pancakes and a Lego car". Marty asked for Lego town stuff. He asked Santa what his favorite cookies are, and we'll be making him some chocolate chip this year. Good call, Santa.

Thomas in Preschool

Today was Tom's big day -- he started preschool at Drumlin Farm this morning. He was so excited! He knew just what to do. He greeted Ms. Paula and went to play on the grass. When it was time, he went inside, found his cubby, put his backpack right inside, took off his coat and went to do some more playing. And what's more, after 3 hours, he still loved it.

Both my boys are in school. It's a little crazy.

First Day of Kindergarten

Marty woke up at 5:30 am to tell me that he was "too excited to sleep!" Today is his first day of kindergarten. Do you like the shirt? He picked it out all by himself. And the lunchbox, too. The blue bag is a small present for his new teacher, Mrs. Levenson. We met her yesterday at the school's last summer playdate. It was a perfect morning for walking to school. Sunny and 60 degrees. We made great time and Marty was the first in line when the teachers came out. He knew right where to line up. His friend Gordon Pratt lined up right behind him, so he wasn't alone. Marty is psyched to know people in his class already and promised me this morning he would tell me all about his first day when he gets home this afternoon.

That's soon. I better go wake up Thomas ;)

In a related story, Tom is also very excited to go to school. So we snuck out to Drumlin Farm for a quick tractor ride. Tom starts on Tuesday. Check back for those pictures, too.