Down The Fire Pole

Matt was thrilled on our recent trip to Pehle Park in Saddle Brook when he realized that the playground has its very own "fire pole". He didn't notice the pole until Emily went down it first while playing with another girl at the park. Once he saw it though, it was over......"fire pole here I come." I'm always amazed by the changes that occur in the kids when it comes to new tasks and accomplishments, I don't think last year Matt would have had the "nerve" to lean out onto that pole all by himself. The "fire pole" kept him occupied for a while, until he realized he could climb the rock wall. Great job, firefighter Matt.

First Day of School

It is hard to believe that the kids have started school. This is the first year our school district has started school prior to the Labor Day holiday. It was little unusual getting ready for school in that we just returned home from our last family vacation in Williamsburg, VA the evening before school started. So, we had no days of "hype" leading up to it. Emily was still a little unsure about the school because of not having been there in 2 years and not having met her teacher (she lnew her name only). Matt was ready to go....what a change in attitude from going to his preschool. Dave was off from work their first day so we both took them to school. Emily met her teacher, Ms. Palummieri, who I must say is absolutely gorgeous - model material. Emily already gave her a Littlest Pet Shop frog on the first day. We went up to Matt's classroom with him but he was ready to go without us. He was picked up at 10:45. He is already charming his teacher, who he knew from Emily at PreK 4. He told her when she said she would put his thermos in his lunch bag, "you are such a good teacher". Emily we picked up at 1:05. She was not so forthcoming on her day. I asked her if she had a good day she said "it was okay" and when I asked if she liked her teacher she said "she's okay". We took the kids to their favorite restaurant, Charlie Browns, for a celebratory lunch. All in all it was a great first 1/2 day of school. Here is to a great school year!

Cooking with the "Best Cooker"

Prior to our trip to Chicago, Matt's interest in cooking was peaking. We were spending a lot of nights baking cookies thanks to the assistance of Betty Crocker. Well, the first night in Chicago, Aunt Lori let Matt help her make dinner. He was in his glory. He was more than willing to help and of course it didn't hurt that broccoli was part of the menu...his favorite veggie. Matt helped Aunt Lori cook several times during our visit (another story to follow) and bake cookies too. When we got home, he was helping me make something and in the middle of our work he said "Aunt Lori is the best cooker". My ego took a small beating but I was happy that he remembered his special cooking time Aunt Lori......I got beat out by great company.....good thing I love her and she is my best friend, otherwise I'd have to have a little corrective talk with my boy. So, here is to you Aunt Lori...the best cooker!

Matt and God

Usually I put Matt's funny sayings in the side listing on the blog but this "conversation" about God earned a post all to itself. It was in the evening and Dave was coming out of Matt's room with Matt in tow and I heard Matt say, "God protects us when we are scared"...Dave asked him what he said and I told Dave what he said and I told Matt that he is right God does protect us. Then in a very matter of fact tone Matt said, " I don't know what God looks like" to which Dave replied "no one does". For a moment, Matt thought about what Dave said and then will a grin on his face and the same "grin" in his tone of voice Matt said, "God has a moosestash" meaning mustache. Matt has a fascination with mustaches all of a sudden..must be the time he spent with Grandpa Don and his mustache. It is amazing how God is in the minds of our little ones and their pure thoughts of who and what He is. Let the little children come......
This picture was taken of Matt on a field trip to Van Saun Park with his preschool and I thought that his "thinking pose" was perfect for the topic at hand.

Central Park Zoo

Last Saturday we made our annual trip to the Central Park Zoo. We didn't tell Emily and Matt where we were going just headed into the city and told them "you'll see". What is so nice about the zoo is that it is totally doable in a few hours without wiping you out for the rest of the day. Emily's favorite part was seeing the penguins and puffins. I think that was the only exhibit the kids actually stayed and watched for longer than a minute. Matt he pretty much liked it all but in the end only wanted to find something to drink. My favorite area is the children's zoo. I love the lily pads over the little "running river" they are kind of spongy and the kids love jumping on them like frogs. Of course there are the turtle shells where the kids look like turtles....it is just a great area of the zoo. The kids sitting in the eagles' wings is the same pose I took of them our last visit. I love revisiting memories through pictures and seeing how the kids have grown. The weather was perfect and the kids walked the whole time - we are stroller free. If you haven't been to this zoo and your local, go and if you aren't local if you visit the city and have kids it is an easier zoo trip than the Bronx zoo. We had a wonderful time.