Friday, September 23, 2005

And we're off!!

I know that the school year has begun because we're off. We are always off to somewhere.... soccer, dance, horsebackriding, music and when we're not off to those places there are still the necessary trips to the grocery store, the drug store, the dentist, etc. The kids are enjoying their activities although as you will see they don't always enjoy waiting for each other. Hannah really likes horsebackriding although we are regularly dealing with the problem that there are several dogs at the barn (and you all know how much she loves dogs - not). We have started going to a phobia specialist to deal with her fears (and eventually Sophie's as well), so we can go on with our busy lives that inevitably have us encountering dogs of all shapes and sizes. Sophie loves soccer but more for the outfit than anything. She preens around the house before practice saying "Do I look like a soccer kid?" Last year when she did gymnastics it was "Do I look like a gymnast?" followed by a dramatic pose. She is taking jazz dance this fall too which seems to be a good fit for her because jazz dance is all about looking dramatic. She came downstairs yesterday with her black leotard and black jazz pants and sunglasses!(it was 6:30 at night!) When I asked her about the glassees she said it made her look "cooler, like a dancer from New York City." God forbid she look like a six year old dancer from Chelmsford!

Now that the kids are both in school full time I am finding myself with less free time than I thought I would have. The hours seem to slip through my fingers and before you know it they are home again and we are off to some activity.

Yesterday, I went to the mall by myself for some quiet shopping. I went to the Burlington mall which is where I used to frequently go when Hannah and Sophie were little and were tolerant of being in the stroller for hours. I looked at the other moms there with their little ones and felt a pang in my gut for my babies that have grown out of their strollers and have moved on to big kid school leaving me with the ghosts of the people they will never be again. Then I suddenly realized that the pang was actually a sippy cup that some two year old had thrown at me from his stroller andI happily went on with my shopping - alone.

Riding off into the sunset Posted by Picasa

Hannah making sure she has a good hold on those reins! Posted by Picasa

Hannah riding with a nice straight back Posted by Picasa

Hannah poses with her horse Remy after a good ride! Posted by Picasa

It is better to look good than to actually play dahling! Posted by Picasa

Which came first crazy soccer girl or.......... Posted by Picasa

Or crazy soccer dad? (who by the way is Sophie's assistant coach) Posted by Picasa

Harabuji enjoys the game and doesn't even mind when Hannah puts a Red Sox hat on him. Posted by Picasa

Sophie practices her dance moves Posted by Picasa

What are they all doing? Are they crazy? Don't they know they could mess up their outfits playing like that?  Posted by Picasa

This might actually be a very rare photo of Sophie actually engaging in the game. Of course, it could be that the ice-cream man just pulled up! Posted by Picasa

Sophie, our future secret agent, listens to the other teams private pep talk. Mind you the three girls on the other team have spent more time playing "cheerleader" than soccer. The coach is probably telling them they need to actually try to kick the ball - not a bad thing for Sophie to overhear! Posted by Picasa

Sophie feels triumphant. Her team has won and she hasn't even had to break a sweat! Posted by Picasa

Could anything be more boring than watching Sophie play soccer?????? Posted by Picasa

Yes, Watching Hannah Horsebackride! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, September 07, 2005


Today was the first day of school. As usual, I have posted their first days of kindergarten as well for comparison sake Posted by Picasa

Sophie's first day of Kindergarten Posted by Picasa

Sophie's first day of first grade Posted by Picasa

Hannah's first day of Kindergarten Posted by Picasa

Hannah's first day of third grade Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, September 06, 2005


Today on their last official day of summer the kids had a lemonade stand to raise money for Hurricane Katrina. They made about $24. which I think is good for a bunch of 5-8 yr. olds. After a while they realized they should advertise what they were doing more. See picture below. Posted by Picasa

Sign advertising their efforts Posted by Picasa

Last year when we went to Disney we surprised the girls. The girls thought they were going to NYC. Hannah told her whole class that she was going to take a picture of herself on Balto the dog who they had just studied about in 2nd grade. She was very disappointed that she had "lied" to her class when we didn't go to New York. So when we went there last week made sure to get a picture of her on him. However, I think the moment was lost. Posted by Picasa

Sophie rides Balto Posted by Picasa

Hannah and Sophie pretend to be rabbits at the children Posted by Picasa