Vince's 6th Birthday, Father's Day, and the 4 days in Between...

Our biggest-little guy turned six on June 17!  We always remember he was actually due 1 week later... which would have fallen on our anniversary, and then we smile and are thankful we at least still have that day to ourselves, or theoretically do anyway...("cause every day is kids day, don't you know mommy!?").  Then we take amazement at how much time has passed since this first little person came into our lives.  He's growing into his own little self, and the last 6 years have been such a joy and blessing.

He's growing into his shirt!

He was very excited for this year's birthday as Nonna and Pop-Pop came for the party all the way from New York, and they brought everyone's favorite dog Maxie (I knew she'd help with the clean up).  We had Vince's birthday party on that Saturday 6/14, and woke up early in the morning to start off the first challenge of the day, which was Vince testing for his yellow belt in Karate class!

This Karate class and belt testing event could be a complete blog post in itself.... with the forms, moves, and (?) kempos they have to learn.  Vince isn't the most athletic or coordinated kid in his age group... but WOW, is he good at focusing when he wants to!  He can watch the teacher do a form, and basically has it visually memorized in his head after just one demonstration.  Even Sensei Susan (Vince's teacher), comes over periodically during class to tell me "can I tell you I love your kid?!", or "you won't believe what he can do after 1 demo"..... she literally has told us several times how "he's not like any other 5 year old I've taught"... while then laughing and nodding at herself as if in amazement while walking back to her class of kids.  

Sensei Susan, putting on Vince's newly earned yellow belt, while his white belt gets placed ceremoniously behind him....

Next chapter in the day, his birthday pool party! Vince wanted a Ninja Turtles cake, a talent show, and a piñata.  We managed to get all three of those together.  The talent show was a success, and showcased lots of "karate" and "super hero" moves from different guests, as well as 3 year old renditions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Zoë), and a finale including a 5 year old hitting a pitched ball.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

The piñata event went "ok", but nearly turned into catastrophe.  There was a wasps nest under Luca's baby swing that we didn't know about... until a kid swung his bat and hit the swing instead of the piñata.  That ended up getting the wasps mad, and 2 kids got stung. :(  One was poor Luca, the wasp got him on his belly.  The other boy was a little brother of one of Vince's classmates.  That poor kid got stung right between his eyes on the bridge of his nose!  Luckily that was it though.  Nothing that a little TLC and candy couldn't help remedy.  

Post piñata bashing.

Meanwhile, Zoë and Nonna were busy cuddling and creating their own imaginary farm..

Then came Father's Day the next morning.  Here's Vincent and Pop-Pop sharing an early morning breakfast of cheerios and banana.

Then off to church.  Starting with the welcoming drums before hand,  Mike spoke on what Father's Day meant for him.  A touching and heartfelt speech

Then came Vince's actual birthday.  When any one of us has a birthday, we've been going to a local diner for breakfast.  So, off we went in the early AM of Tue June 17. 

Vince snuck in between Nonna and Pop-Pop for a pic

Trying to get a shot of everyone!  Grandma always refuses to get in pictures, but I managed to at least get this!

And the rest of the day.... was spent making Lego creations

Boat ride in Gloucester!

A few weekends ago one of the RN's I work with had a cookout bbq at his home right on the water in Gloucester, MA.  It was the perfect day to be on the North Shore and buy the water.  We always kid Mark for traveling so far just to get to work, but after we saw the awesome yard and view from his back steps, I can understand why he'd never want to leave!! 

The kids had a fun boat ride to boot.  And yes, my buddy Mark does fit the look perfectly for a sea worthy captain, doesn't he?!  The kids love this guy!!

 Zoë made me take the picture of that rock on our boat ride.  It was her favorite landmark

 Mark remains the gentle guide while these two each try and direct him a different way.....

 I think Zoë must be laughing at my other friend and co-worker Gennine, who was enjoying her kayak ride next to us....

 Hi Gennine!

 Luca got his own boat ride next.  I missed the shot of Mark starting the engine, of which Luca flew straight back from his current sitting position in this picture!  Luckily he was full of padding :)

 Vince was just a bit jealous, staring at them from the dock

Off to NY for Nonna's Birthday.... and for Lady Liberty

After Vince's preschool graduation ceremony, we literally jumped in the already packed van and headed straight to New York for a few days of family fun and to celebrate Mike's mom's birthday!  Lisa and Neal were also visiting from Atlanta with Noelle and Andrew so it made for extra special fun for the kids to have their Georgia cousins around!  Nonna and Pop-Pop's house was full to the brim with kids running(and screaming...) around, complete with barking dog, and toys all over the place.  Add in our ridiculously huge tent that we popped up in their yard to have a 'camp out', it proved to be a fun and chaotic weekend full of activities and eating.  Love that combination! ..... I'm sure Nonna and Pop-Pop breathed a relaxing sigh once they had their house back to themselves

First stop, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children! 

Noelle and Zoë take a break from house construction to say hello

 Noelle, Andrew, and Zoë checking out the giant light bright.... cool!

 Luca having fun with the water play area, love the little raincoats they let them wear!

 Vince watching the water push the toys around

 Vince loved watching the Rube Goldberg Machine(I had to ask Mike the name of that one)

Everyone scream for Walter's Hotdogs! I got my fill of sweet potato puffs

 Time for playground fun with more cousins!

Then there was our day trip down to NY City to visit the Statue of Liberty, and attempt to have at least some of us climb up into her crown.  Mike's sister and mom elected not to go, which was the perfect set up to pawn off Luca for the morning.... as he wouldn't remember the trip anyway ;).  Lisa has super cute pictures on her blog of the fun they had at home.  We drowsily made our way into the van at 6am Saturday..... dragging Neal, Noelle, and Andrew with us for the adventure.  Mike stayed with Andrew, Vince, and Zoë and explored the base of the Statue, as you have to be 4 feet tall to climb up.  After lots of reassuring that yes we'll come back when they are all over 4 feet tall, Neal and Noelle and I headed for the stairs that would spiral us up to the crown.  It was amazing reaching the top!! 

early ferry ride over

getting a little antsy on the ferry.....

ready for our climb up!

the double helix spiral stair case taking us up to the crown

 stop for a pic before going up

 obligatory photo at the crown windows

 her nose and lips from the inside, that was super cool!!

 Yes, I was that tourist that stuck my head out the crown windows to get some close ups of her arm

 and of the tablet in her left hand....

 Meanwhile, down around the base, all the 'under 4 footers' were apparently getting tired and cranky..... that is until they were coaxed around to the front, and Mike told them "hey guys! look up!"..... then they all screamed with excitement at seeing her so close!

All in all, the kids were pretty good for such a big day trip.  Their crankiness was nothing that a trip to the snack bar and gift shop couldn't remedy.  Well, all except Vince, who immediately spotted the $50.00 Lego version of the Statue of Liberty and wanted nothing but that.  He automatically acted as if he was a tortured and deprived child when we said that wasn't happening, then reluctantly settled for the consolation prize of a suggested Statue of Liberty snow globe.  He spent the rest of the way home grumbling about how his snow globe feigned in comparison to what everyone else got.  That made me feel less bad when later that night I dropped the globe and scattered little bits of globe glitter, water, and plastic all over the floor.  All we have left is the quacking Statue of Liberty Duck that Zoë picked out for her souvenir, and I have a feeling that thing is going to go missing soon. ;)

Vince Graduated....from Preschool!!

Talk about an example of over-inflated praise.  I don't remember getting a diploma coming out of preschool.  I've seen lots of articles lately on how we tend to over praise our kids these days.... 

That being said, I was SUPER EXCITED and VERY emotional at watching our firstborn little guy Vincent graduate from his preschool on Wed May 12th! I fed right into the over-praising with complete and total submission, telling Vince what a great job he did in his preschool career.

Their graduation show consisted of singing a group of songs that they had learned through the year, and each child having a 'solo' of reciting part of the alphabet to, and then recite a limerick associated with that letter.  N-Nurse Nancy nibbles nachos, and O-"Olly Octopus opens ovens"

 

 Lil sis congratulating Vince on his day

Brittany and Haley,  Vince's beloved sister pair that nanny for us on Wednesdays.  They came to Vince's graduation as well to help celebrate his big day!

 Vince with and his awesome teacher Mrs. Luciani from his last year, Brown Bear class!

Zoë's First Dance Class and Recital

On the day before Mother's Day, Zoë had her first dance recital.  We had been bringing her to "Tip Toes Ballet" every Saturday morning since September, and during the course of the year we could see and hear snippets of what they would perform, as they practiced for their year end recital. 

About two thirds the way through the year, the teachers started rolling down the shades so we parents couldn't watch them practice their routine.  It would be the same thing every Saturday morning: get into the dance room, stuff Zoë's ever growing feet into her dainty little pink ballet slippers, hear her state how she'd rather go play in the toddler room that has fun toys, and then watch her run off into the dance room once she found her friends Chloe, and Emma.  (As a side note, the Chloe, Zoë, and Emma trio have become known not only at our dance studio, but are also a favorite among their teachers at our preschool). 

Anyway, where was I.  Oh, I stuff Zoë's feet into her ballet slippers, hoping they'll fit through the year, and determined not to have to buy two pairs for one year.  The girls all prance off into the dance gym, and we the parents settle down, and start watching the chaos that unravels as the teachers try to warm them up for dance.  We get the occasional child that waves fervently to one of us... continuing to do so until whichever parent the kid belongs to acknowledges and waves back.  Once in a while we'll get the whole group of them back in the wait room area, because when one of them has to pee.... well, they all suddenly have to pee.  Mostly though, it's like watching a group of lovely, patient, elegant dancers, while they try and herd cats into formation.  I've seen more order happen from molecules under a microscope when I was studying random diffusion than I would typically see in this dance class.  Girls spinning around in circles, wandering off on their own.... some just sitting on the floor picking their ballet shoes.  When they started pulling the shades down so we couldn't see them anymore, most of the parents instantly went into "oh good, I'm off duty" sort of mode. 

That being said, it was actually fun not knowing what their planned dance routine was for the recital, and when Zoë got her costume a few weeks prior, it made me excited to see her in action.  We got to our seats in plenty of time, I was armed with lollipops for Vince and Luca.... as bribes, to keep them in their seats, or at least to lure them back when they escaped.  Well that didn't work.  All my bribe food was totally depleted before the show even began.  Luca was running around in circles, pushing his way through all the other girls and dancers.  Vince was complaining he wanted to go home.  It was a tough crowd.  Between my mom and her purse of never ending new gadgets for Luca to play with, we were able to keep him entertained until Zoë went on.  As soon as she did, both Luca and Vince stopped and just pushed their way over to watch.  It was so cute!  Mike got the whole movie, and it still was reminiscent of cats... or maybe more like deer in headlights, but it was their show, and it was adorable.  We brought flowers to give to Zoë, and Vince went over and gave them to her after her performance, and they hugged!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that. 

Zoë's costume for the recital

 the class waiting for their debut

getting warmed up, my little princess!

 just getting her flowers from her brother....

 Luca and Vince paying no attention whatsoever.... until she went on, then I do have to say they watched with huge interest.

Next year we'll see how her combination dance and tap class goes... I can already imagine the tap shoes and how we'll get to probably hear them a lot at home! haha....