Honey Pot

We went to one of our favorite orchards around here yesterday for play group. I am still weirded out by the fact that it's just Charlie and I. It is really cool to be able to focus on him more.

Since moving to New England we have become such apple fans. They are my favorite pregnancy snack. Charlie loves them too. Doesn't he look like such a big kid these days? If we stay in Cambridge, I will be registering him for preschool in January! (he wouldn't start till next fall, but crazy, huh?)

The Cape & Ballet

Josh was asked to speak at a retreat for the Medical School out in Cape Cod last weekend. We decided to pile up the whole family and head out there for a little day trip. We were at the furthest eastern point of the US. Provincetown, MA.

Harvard rented out a whole hotel for the students. Gotta love my Harvard Babe! No clue what Noah's doing! Little stinker.

We walked around and checked out the cute town and the *UNIQUE* culture ;)

We got some gelato. Coconut was divine.

Looked at the homes and scenery,

and just played and enjoyed time away together.

In other news...

Pres started ballet today. She has been dying to get into a class for over a year now. I just couldn't find the right fit. Today was magical. I popped in with her all gussied up and they found a spot for her. The teachers were fabulous and the lesson was just right for what we were looking for. Sooo exciting!!

So it Begins

Today was the day! Presley had a blast. She got better at the monkey bars during recess, she gobbled up her caf lunch, she made some new friends, and she got a shiny new folder. She came home on cloud nine.

It was just me and this little guy. We had such a pleasant day. It's going to be a fun year!

Y'all Ready for This?

Tomorrow is the day Presley has been awaiting for two years! Her chance to start kindergarten just like Noah did. Pres actually is going to be in the exact same classroom Noah was in. New teacher, but same assistant. Presley is so at home in that room. We went in yesterday to fill out paperwork and get acquainted with the school and class. Pres loved that her teacher said she didn't have to lock her bathroom stall if she didn't want to.

Things Pres is going to LOVE tomorrow:

1. It's going to be pizza day in the cafeteria
2. taking her little wheeled back pack to school (she picked out the kind that you can wheel around like luggage! I think those are so funny, but she insisted)
3. She can choose chocolate milk to drink in the caf
4. We met a little girl at the park who will be in her class who is so similar to her
5. After school is going to be her favorite family activity, MOVIE NIGHT!!

It's official when you get your locker!

cute dress: H&M Kids

You best believe I'll have more pics to document how tomorrow goes. Wish us luck!

School's in Session!

...at least for Noah. Pres doesn't start till Friday since she's a kindegartner. Noah had a great first day. He really likes his teacher and I was excited at all the good kids that wound up in his class. WE all walked to school to see him off. When I came to get him he had a million things to tell me about his day. He was so excited to show me that he got to pick out his own locker and put a name label on it. Look how grown up he is (his legs have already gotten too long for his new jeans, dang it!)!!!

I didn't get teary when we dropped him off, but when I came back to pick him up and I saw his beaming face, it hit me hard. I realized how much I missed him. Then I was so thrilled that he had so much fun. He's a little worried about the playground situation. He said kick ball was out and that is his forte. Maybe he can bring it back in style.

The Haps

I have been away for too long! My photo blog has been much less neglected these days so if you want to see where I have been or what I have been up to, head over there.

We have been busy and we have been lazy! It is a good mix! This week we had lots of play dates with Noah's buddies. At lunch one day the boys were all eating and watching a baseball game online. I felt like I was surrounded by mini men. They were on espn.com checking scores and talking about players. I thought it was a crack up.

Other things going on around here...we went to a fun water park the other day in New Hampshire. It was nice not being able to carry a phone or camera around for a change! The kids had a blast. Josh spontaneously took the day off work and we celebrated one of the last days till school starts. Noah went with Josh on this drop ride that almost made me lose my lunch. Pres, Charlie and I watched him go down and it was so freaky! His arms were flailing and he was supposed to have them crossed over his chest. Holy cow! He loved it though! My kids were incredibly brave. We had so much fun.

Also, I have changed some things in my life these days. I started running. No half-hearted once in a while stuff. This is five days a week sometimes twice a day for 2 to 5 miles. I gave up a bunch of my guilty pleasures too: Red meat, white bread and pasta, and mayo. I will eat these things when I'm at someone's house and it is offered, but I have been moderating it a whole lot. Also I cut back on sweets quite a bit. It hasn't been so hard since I feel like it is a lot of work to get up at 6 am to run every morning. I can't imagine throwing that away with a giant cupcake! Josh has been awesome at supporting me and getting Charlie entertained when he wakes up. I feel like a new woman. It has been about six weeks since I started this and I've lost 12 pounds! I didn't think I was a fatty before, but now I feel trimmed up. I was wearing some jeans from last fall and I thought I accidentally put on Josh's pants, they were so baggy! It's a fun feeling. I'm not posting this to be braggy. I just want anyone out there to know that it is doable. It has been 7 stinkin years since I have had a steady workout. The time has now come. Mentally it has been the greatest thing. I do so much thinking on my runs. I have quiet to sort things out. Also, I feel so proud of my accomplishments. My latest thought is this:

"You can't sit around and wait for others to cheer you on and praise you. You have to be the one to root for yourself."

This applies to me in so many areas of life: motherhood, art, photography, running, just being a woman. Maybe not the most profound thought, but it as taken me to the ripe old age of 31 to figure it out.

Here's to more days of running and happiness!