Kindermusik at the Library

Luke, Kim, Grace and I enjoyed a very entertaining 45 minutes at the library this morning enjoying our first Kindermusik session.
You can read here about why Kindermusik classes can enhance any young child's devopment and education.

The kids were so eager to join in, it was great to see their enjoyment.

Here they are, using their "listening ears". This was quite a feat for this active bunch!

By far, the favorite activity was making the "popcorn" pop on the parachute.

All three kids also had so much fun with the playsilks that I need to make some of our own.

Here you can see Gracie dusting,

Luke scrubbing,

and Kimberly sweeping. All these activities are done along with music.

We can't wait until next week!

Free Movie Schedule

We love free summer movies--and the schedule for the New Hartford, New York Marquee theater's free summer movie program can be found here!
Enjoy the show!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Kim

Kimmy's Godmother, Auntie Kim, had a birthday today.

Kimmy wants Auntie Kim to know that we love her very much and hope she has a wonderful day!
The kids spent a lot of time getting Aunt Kim's present ready. First they decorated the paper with Do-A-Dot markers,

and then we taped the papers together
to make special wrapping paper.

"Happy Birthday To You!!"

A Little Sewing

I will be a sad day around here when the little girls won't wear handmade dresses....
but thankfully, that day is very far away.....

A Berry Fine Strawberry Day-Makes my Monday!

The strawberry season is in full swing up here in central New York.

We have been enjoying our "berry" books, especially the youngest kids.
These are some of our favorites.

This morning the sun was shining so Becky and I set out to give Kim and Luke the experience of picking their own berries.

Kimberly was very proud when I carried her into the middle of the field and plopped her down.

Luke was so excited whenever he would spot a berry! It seemed like they took him by surprise, even though he was surrounded by thousands of berries.

Even Becky appears to be quite proud, or maybe that is a camera pose!

After about a quart of berries, Kim and Luke both noticed that the grass really tickled their legs, and it was kind of hot, and they were kind of done.....

but, it was a beautiful morning.

Hiding in the strawberry plants

Becky and I managed to quickly pick 6 quarts before there was a real meltdown---but all in all, both "littles" enjoyed this. We visited Grandpa after picking--he lives, literally, one minute from the berry patch--and when we left and passed by the strawberry farm again, Kimberly wanted to go back and pick more--Luke DID NOT, and he told us so.

Looking at the sky

A Father's Day sky over Lake Ontario

Luke under a beautiful sky

the crescent moon

windmills at dusk

The Giant Playpen---a necessity in a large family

Complete with guard!

Now, that's a cake!

Becky's been hard at work.

This is definitely one of my all-time favorites!!

A Happy 16th Birthday

to our new 16 year old nephew Andrew!!

We were very happy to get to spend time with him--it has been way toooo long since we had seem him, and as you can see, he is looking great!!
Luke all ready to party.Annie and Johnny

Gracie and Martha

Luke and Mark--there seemed to be a piggy back "thing" going on at the party.

Maria, Aunt Mary and Gracie

We were so happy to see the Pennsylvania cousins.

Amy and Kimberly

Say cheese, girls.Johnny had an unusual technique for enjoying birthday cake.

Oh! No! It's even in his ear! But don't worry, Uncle Pat got him cleaned up-good as new.

What a bunch of boy cousins do during a family birthday party.
Mark, Vinnie and Tommy

That looks good enough to eat!

Thanks for a wonderful evening, Aunt Joanne!