Ecotarium!

Today we went to Worcester, Massachusetts to the Ecotarium!  It was lots of fun, and I was thinking that everything fun to do in Connecticut is in Massachusetts... Okay I'm so funny, I know, but really it amuses me that the two times we've gone to do something out with all the kids we've gone to Massachusetts.  Enough about Mass!  Okay, the Ecotarium is a science museum.  We met Suzanne's friend Kadiz and her kids there.  Kadiz lives in Nashua, New Hampshire where Suzanne used to live.  It was fun to see her and her kids again.  The kids were all over the place and really enjoyed the hands on play and learning.

Suzanne and I might have had words that were slightly angry with each other today during a stressful point in our visit.  We might have been a little not nice to each other... but we forgive, we move on.  I couldn't imagine holding onto anger with anyone really, but to hold on to anger against a family member.  I couldn't imagine my life without my family.  It makes me so sad when people are unable to work out family disagreements.  I'm so thankful for the strong bond that my sister and I have, for the relationship that we have built through hard work.  I'm so thankful that I have a sister.  I hope that my girls grow up to be best friends!

Happy Half Birthday to Alice and Babysitting Day Two and a Half AND Book Day!

Today I wanted to finish the book.  The boys seemed to think that it was done the other day, but I wanted to include Isaac and the book didn't feel finished to me.  I wasn't sure at first, what to do for part two, but I started to flesh out an idea and I think it came together nicely.  I'm excited to turn it into a book!! 

Today was also Alice's half birthday.  Last summer was I think the first time we celebrated a half birthday?  I suppose it might have been the year before that, but either way, it is a silly fun tradition that I will happily continue for as long as my kids want to!  We finished our book stuff with the half birthday celebration - oreo cookie cupcakes, the singing of happy birthday and a Frozen balloon! 

Alice.  I love my sweet Alice.  She is such a good helper.  She loves being a big sister and a little sister.  She's getting better at not having fits, but oh dear, when she spirals, it isn't pretty!  Her language is coming along nicely.  She still struggles a bit with R, N, and V, but she very willingly lets me correct her and help her pronounce things properly.  She loves to be silly.  And she loves her "brother" Jake.  I wonder for how much longer Jake will be "around".  She was so cute today when she posed for me.  Happy half birthday Alice, I'm so glad you're part of our family!

And after all that fun, there was more!  Suzanne and I went out tonight with two of her girl friends.  We went to see a movie called "The Hundred-Foot Journey".  It was a lovely movie about family and food and love.  Afterward we went out for dessert.  YUM!

Forest Park, Massachusetts

Suzanne was off today so it was adventuring we go!  (With many kids in tow!)  Suzanne was watching a friend's two boys and Thomas wanted his neighbour Nate to come too, so off we went, Suzanne with 5 little boys, and me with 4 little girls to Forest Park, Massachusetts.

The drive was about an hour.  When we got there we were all delighted!  Suzanne had never been before, so we drove around a bit at first, then decided to picnic in a field close to the zoo.  The zoo was awesome.  It was relatively small, but for a small zoo, there was so much variety.  Some of the animal areas looked a little small, but overall things were in good shape and well maintained.  The kids did well, the weather was gorgeous and we ended our little trip with a stop at the splash pad.

And for this evening's adventure - grocery shopping with Isaac and Fiona.  Poor Isaac, I teased him lots because he doesn't know his way around in his own town very well!!