Being Five!

Where to begin? Your party was last weekend with a Spiderman theme, of course! There were nine of you boys ages 4 and 5 and both Daddy and I were run ragged! And it's not like we haven't both worked with tons of kids throughout our lives. For some reason, though, you guys drove us to drink- me literally- after the wee ones were gone, of course! I think part of the problem is that Dad forgot to come up structured outdoor activities- even though I left that department to him (and reminded him a multitude of times, of course). I'm safe saying this because I know he doesn't read this blog (yet)! Towards the end we had a scavenger hunt for your goody bags, which were hiding in the turtle sandbox. And lastly, the Spiderman pull-string pinata. Although you cried a few times after having been pushed down and unused to the commotion of many energetic kids, the party was a success. And thankfully, we don't have to do it again for a whole year!

As for gifts, I don't think you could get any happier with the present you got this year from us- an AT-Rex Power Wheels. As soon as you saw it you grinned from ear to ear- for hours! And the whole time you were driving your 4-wheeler around the yard. And every day since!

Today, it's Mother's Day. I received a homemade card from you in the mail, thanks to your preschool. On Friday, you had walked with your class to the post office specifically to mail out those cards. What a great surprise! And at daycare, Kate helped you prepare candy flower lollipops, which she put in a plastic coffee cup. The inside liner was colored by you and had a nice photo of you (with your shirt on backwards for Wacky Wednesday) on it. But the gifts didn't stop there! You and Daddy had gone shopping and you'd picked out a hummingbird feeder for me, so we could attract the birds just like at Grandma's house. And Daddy got me a FlipVideo! Expect lots of videos from now on! We also took Grandma out to brunch at Uncle Jeremy's new restaurant- The LongHorn at Lake Vanare. It was delightful and packed! In fact the whole family came out- the Vans, all the Castleton Clan, the CT crew, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Poppy, and Katlin. And Daddy hosted the gig! We wish Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Shannon much success in the future! It's the holidays that bring us together and remind us how important family is. I'm glad for our family. Love, Mom

Spring Has Sprung!

And we've decided to embrace it! Last week- during school vacation, we headed to Merck Forest in Rupert, VT. It has a lot of trails and a small farm onsite. We decided to test our luck and followed the Discovery Trail through the forest to the farm. Within the first 100' you were ready to be carried, but we tempted you with farm animals and challenged you with finding the trail markers. You walked a good deal of the way down and over, but when the going got tough and the trail headed uphill, you requested a lift. Daddy obliged, and luckily the trail wasn't that terribly long, as both Daddy and I discovered...actually, remembered is probably more accurate- that we're horribly out of shape! We rested and checked out the animals and the vista. Then headed the much shorter way back to our car where we happened across this giant, hollow tree. Afterwards, we headed to Manchester for lunch and a quick shopping trip where we ran into Tanya and her family, of all people! We must have a psychic connection...either that or we just don't see enough of each other at work or on our block!

Today we headed to the mighty Hudson for a picnic as it is absolutely gorgeous for the third week of April: 88 and sunny! We picked up some sandwiches (and cookies, of course!) from Washington Square Deli and went to visit Papa and Nana. While there, you decided to give the fishing a try. And you caught something EVERY time you cast! Of course, it helps that your pole has a red, rubber fish attached! You also got to ride in Papa's new VW Beetle...we could barely see the tip of your head in all your unseatbelted glory as you traveled across the lawn, as the seats are so low! Case in point- check out Uncle Jeremy's profile in the picture!

Upcoming plans include your 5th birthday! Your actual day is on Friday, so you'll be bringing in Spiderman themed cupcakes with Spiderman ring decorations and cupcake papers to preschool. Dinner will be at Friendly's followed by your present from Mommy and Daddy- a kid-sized ATV! Luckily, you can't read at this point and don't follow my blog, so I'm not divulging any secrets! Your party will be on Saturday and we've invited 10 little boys from preschool!! I'm not sure what we've gotten ourselves into, but it should be fun, as we're planning an obstacle course and scavenger hunt alongside a Spidey cake and pinata. I'm SURE they'll be good stories to post afterwards. You're very excited about being five- I hope it lives up to your expectations! Recently, you also participated in kindergarten registration Part 1. After meeting in the library, the teachers whisked you off with instructions to pick you up a few hours later- AFTER the much-anticipated bus ride! Of course, your favorite part WAS the BUS! I also wanted to know what else you did, but the only thing you offered up was that you played. When pressed, you said "with broken cars." When I asked if you colored, you said no- you swept things up because it was dusty. Oh dear. And that was all you said- even after my probe! Grandma found out you had to pick out numbers, which were out of order. Some other detective work uncovered that you also sang The Wheels on the Bus, had to provide your address and phone number, and draw a picture. Yours was of Grandma and you- of course, you drew yourself larger! You have another visit coming up, and I'm interested to hear what happens, although we know at least one of the teachers thinks you're 'READY for Kindergarten!' (her son is in Daddy's class, so she emailed him that you were a very polite young man, too)! You are certainly much more adventurous and confident, so we're excited to see what's in store for you! Love, Mom