Three Cheers for the Graduate!

The graduate and his sister pre-ceramony (of course, he refuses to smile!)

The class performing one of many songs - with props!

"When I Grow Up"

I am pleased to announce that we have a Nursery School Graduate among us! Ben had his 3-year old Nursery School Graduation Ceremony last week and it was too cute. The kids held a performance for the parents where they did some songs (including "This Land Is My Land," "You Are My Sunshine" and "Fuzzy Little Caterpillar" among others) before receiving their diplomas. This last pic is something the kids did before graduation and it served as the artwork outside the classroom on Graduation Day. I (still) can't look at it without crying because it's so sweet and makes me never want to forget "3-year-old-nursery-school-graduate-Ben."

All kidding aside with the "graduation" Ben learned so much this year in school. Besides learning how to operate in a classroom setting (circle time, recess, snack time - all the important stuff!) he really has improved "academically". And he loves school, I think partly because he had such fantastic teachers. Hopefully all of his teachers will be as great as "Mrs. B" and Miss Moira. Ben will be in the 4-year old Pre-K program next year for 3 mornings a week. I look forward to many more years of "graduations"...although I am sad to think that all might not be as adorable!

Sure

(This is Nate) An unparalleled weekend downashore and with the exception of not having Jackie & Rubby there, 'twas a perfect weekend all around. Some pictures:

All dressed up and ready to go:

Katie's Sherpa (and to think, the baby's not even here yet):

"Superman" flavored ice cream, per Yum Yum's:

The Captain and Tennille First Mate:

Senorita:

Visual proof Danny was there:

At the beach - Lil LOVED the water:

(Not pictured: Mark nearly killing me AND Adam with a golf ball; Mark's back-to-back quadruple and quintuple bogies.)

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year!

As a mom, you get a few really great days...first day of school, birthdays, holidays where you can dress the kids in the most over the top outfits ever...However, none even come close to the most wonderful day of the year: MOTHER'S DAY! Mom's (especially of 3 and 1 year olds) have carte blanche to do whatever they want. Breakfast in bed - DONE! Afternoon nap - DONE! No diaper changing - DONE! It's glorious.

This year was a fantastic Mother's Day. I slept in (until 8:15 mind you, but beggers can't be choosers), had a delicious breakfast prepared for me, was showered with gifts, took the kids to swim class, had a lovely lunch with the family, and spent the afternoon laying in bed watching Bravo. It was truly amazing.

The above picture is something Ben did in school. It's hilarious on many levels. The fact that he still loves playing garbage man, the fact that he noted my favorite color as blue (which is HIS favorite color) and the fact that it is IN WRITING that I am the best at cleaning. I got lots of great presents on Mother's Day, but this one will be pretty hard to top next year.

Wait, you wanted pictures of kids?

(This is Nate) Sorry, not this time. This was the pre-dinner spread at the Rossini's for Easter, courtesy of Kristen's Aunt Missy. I was then forced to eat various delicious meats. I recall ham, turkey and some lamb that was out of this world...before the meat sweats started in.

I'll work up some Easter pictures of the kids for the next post, I promise.

Movie Night

(This is Nate) This past Saturday when BOTH kids took loooong naps, Kristen (against my better judgement) thought letting them both stay up "late" to watch a movie would be fun. After Ben nixed "The Hurt Locker" for "Curious George 2: Follow the Monkey", we got their PJs on and the fun ensued. Ben was glued to the movie and watched the entire movie without budging from his 'Ben' chair; Lil was happy to climb up and down from her 'Lilly' chair and generally kept herself entertained. Overall, a good call by Kris.

Swim Swam Swum

(This is Nate) Kristen signed up both Ben and Lil for swim lessons in anticipation of lots of peeing swimming in Katie & David's new pool. Both absolutely love it, and Ben's going to be swimming all over in no time. In the meantime, a nice replacement for going to the gym for Mom and Dad. Some pictures:

Anticipated scene at Katie & David's:

A True Rossini

(This is Nate) In case there was any doubt, someone really enjoyed her lasagna (with a couple goldfish thrown in for good measure):

K is for ?

(This is Nate) So we're in the car, and Ben's looking at his new cup...the conversation begins:

Ben: "Dad, where did you get this cup?"

Nate: "Dunno, Mom got it."

Ben: "I think she got it at KMart" (I'd be willing to wager Kristen's never been to a Kmart)

Nate: "Um, doubt it buddy"

Ben: "I'm pretty sure she did...It has a 'K'...For KMart...Shop Kmart Smart Dad"

Nate (dying laughing): "Where'd you hear that buddy?"

Ben: "The lightbulb guy on TV told me. We should always shop Kmart Smart Dad."