July 4th on Cape Ann

So. We think we found the loveliest place to spend the 4th of July weekend.

We went up to Gloucester (say "Glosta"), MA after church on Sunday. We were delighted to have the Cooks join us for the fireworks (which almost got rained out, but the show went on and we made it just in time), and then to stay overnight at a little oceanside inn that night. The kids had a lot of fun running around the balcony and eating treats!

Then, for the 4th, we did a little touring of Cape Ann. We have felt surprisingly homesick on July 4ths of past years, so this year we decided to try something completely different that still felt patriotic. What could be more patriotic than taking full advantage of the beautiful country we live in?

Eastern Point lighthouse in Gloucester (the boys lugging their rocks to throw in the water)

Family picture by Jamie

Jamie and Bryson (I was impressed with their whole family's adorable red, white, and blue ensembles)

Actually, I was the only member of my family not wearing the patriotic trio of colors (my "nursing body" wardrobe is still pretty limited)

Just try to call that scene non-patriotic.

Rockport, MA (sigh). A place that just brims over with beauty. Seriously. Everything about this place was charming and delightful.

This red building is the oft-photographed "Motif #1."

Lovely small beaches here and there. We weren't equipped for a beach day, but it made for a nice dipping of the toes after being out in the heat all day.

Wandering around Bear Skin Neck. This place is a perfect balance of little shops, ice cream and lemonade suppliers, and little alleyways that provided glimpses of gorgeous ocean/sailboat views.

A very conscientious mother allowed her son to eat an "elephant ear" for lunch (basically just pie crust and cinnamon sugar). It was really yummy. And my camera had a big smudge on it.

Reward at the end of the street for the reluctant shopper set.

This seagull posed for us, so I snapped a picture (notice his lunch of fresh lobster. jealous?).

This very nutritious boy topped off his lunch with a patriotic cupcake.

And a blueberry Gatorade. (patriotic tongues - almost competing with Jamie's cute outfits)

The quarry (filled with water) at Halibut Point State Park (see the tower in the background? We wanted to climb to the top for an ocean view, but we were too late).

The boys heroically scaled the slippery rocks to get to where they could throw their little rocks in the ocean (as promised earlier by Mom & Dad).

Posing with Mom so everyone can see how cute Sammy looked in his Red Sox hat and little kangaroo pouch all day. People wanted to talk to him everywhere we went! He loves this position, because he can not only suck on his fingers, but his toes as well (his toes looked like raisins by the end of the day).

And don't miss Henry's new classic - the flamingo pose!

We haven't made any promises, but on the way home, Ben and I couldn't help but make plans for how to make this an even more perfect 4th of July trip for next year. It seems like it would be a perfect tradition, especially if we could have stayed in Rockport for the parade that night.

Would anyone care to join us? If so, reserve your spot now!

A Really Cool Story (with lots of exclamation points)!!!

One amazing Saturday morning, two adorable little boys woke up to find a secret note on their fridge.

They ripped open the note and started on a treasure hunt!

Upon reading each note, they did their morning chores at Lightning speed, racing to find the next note!

The final note instructed them to "eat losers for breakfast." I . . . am . . . SPEED. They raced downstairs and found CARS 2 CEREAL IN THE CUPBOARD! Inside the box were three tickets to the movie Henry has been waiting YEARS to see! Cars 2! It was amazing. They got to go to the movie theater with the coolest dad ever!!!

And their mom got to go swimsuit shopping with only one baby.

And they all lived happily ever after.

THE END.

Joy School Graduation

Ah, Joy School.

The very thought of it, to be honest, just makes me feel very very tired. It's kind of wearing on a mom to plan and carry out 3+ hours of "joy" for six 5-year-olds, three days in a row. I really am feeling slightly lethargic sitting here recalling the late nights of cutting out pictures, making shapes on the floor with masking tape, cutting drinking straws and toothpicks into 1/2-inch segments, and practicing the actions for silly little songs. And then after the late nights, the long days of one joyful activity after another with six little ones each trying to talk louder than the others. And then, when they all go home and you're ready for your nap, you still have to be a mom for the rest of the day (and plan for tomorrow!).

Was it worth it?

To see how much Henry (and Ellis) thoroughly LOVED Joy School, I would have to answer with a resounding "definitely."

Henry never once complained about going to Joy School, and he never asked to stay home (which is saying something because he complains about going ANYWHERE else). I think he loved his friends and his teachers; he loved being in nurturing homes and learning fun and meaningful things.

Ellis loved being an honorary Joy School student every time it was at our house. He loved sitting on his special circle mat and singing the songs with all of the other kids. They all treated Ellis like he belonged at Joy School, which made him feel special.

The picture above is of Henry and Ellis singing their favorite Joy School song (Willie Winkie Went a Walkin') at the graduation ceremony.

Here is Henry with his diploma and report card! Never again will he be able to get good grades for learning about sharing, honesty, and trying new things!

Here is the joyful bunch!

And the silly pirate version . . .

Family photo time!

I will say that (despite my grumpiness at the top of this post) I really loved Joy School too and feel like it was the perfect thing for us. Once everything was prepared and the teaching was actually in motion, it was so much fun to see the kids in learning mode, be part of the action, and sort of act the part of the Super Mom who actually plans fun activities to do with her kids. I will miss lots of things about Joy School as my little boy enters Kindergarten next year. More on that later . . . (trying not to think about it just yet!).

4 Month Sammy

Doesn't this just look like the kind of guy you want to be friends with?

He's 4 months old

He's adorable

He's irresistibly kissable

He's content and happy most of the time

He's starting to laugh (the cutest, tiniest little sighs of laughs)

He makes friends everywhere he goes

He's making me want to rethink the phrase "I'm not a baby person."

Did I mention that I really really love him?