vacation pic

Okay, we got a lot of nice pics from our Cape May vacation, but no awesome ones of the 6 kids together. Partly because they weren't all holding still in the same place at the same time...But here is a pretty good one, only Photoshopped a little bit.

They look like who they are, in full personality if not maximum prettiness...

Still swimming at the shore--with dolphins!

We went to the shore on Sunday, to Island Beach State Park, and it was wonderful. Nobody there, water still warm. Air temp not so warm, maybe 70, but the water was still warm. The best part was we saw a pod of dolphins very close in, maybe 10 feet out from where Jon and Tom were swimming. That was very exciting. The waves were big but not dangerous, with just a bit of pull to the south. There were people with really cool kites there, too, and some cute dogs. When the beach is officially closed to swimming, meaning no lifeguards, people can bring their dogs. The kids loved petting them. No pics--I hate to bring my camera to the shore, as I wrecked my 35 mm one back in 96 when it got sand in the lens mechanism. Maybe when it's finally too cold to swim...though most people here think we were crazy to swim this weekend. We saw this kite and lots more huge, nifty ones. Here is a site with lots of pictures from the state park, which is our favorite place in NJ.

kid pics

Here is Rosie in her ballet get-up. She asks every day how many days till Saturday, when she has it from 9-10 am. She and I and sometimes Bug walk up there for it. The first half of her class is ballet. Then all the little girls come out to change into their tap shoes for the second half. They are so darn cute.



Here is bug in his beach wear, swimsuit and "rash guard" shirt. he wears it every time he finds it, in hope that will make us go to the ocean.



Finally, here are the boys in their element. They are dying for Amazing Island, but make do with their other games...

Tom's first day at CC of Monmouth Co.

Tom got off the van from his first day of school just as Jim and I were turning the corner onto Bayberry walking from HIS school. Vera met the van and we got there momentarily--well, Jim did! He reports he likes everything, especially "Leisure Time" and "Work" (academic work). He says the only part he did not like was waiting after he finished his work before everyone else, because he got bored. Of course, he did not ask anyone what he could do or look around the room or anything. There are 10 boys in his class. His teacher loves him and he is happy to go back tomorrow--can't ask for more!

Jim loved his second day, too, and jumped and ran most of the way home with me. They are tired tonight, though!

Today is our 14th anniversary, but I just remembered it and I am sure Jon didn't. Oh well. Too much going on with the kids.

First day of school!

Tuesday was Jim's first day of school at Peter Muschal. He was so excited he bounced out of bed right at 7 and said, "I gotta get ready for school!" (It doesn't start until 10 to 9!) He was playing outside with Bug the last half hour before we walked up, and every 3 minutes he asked me if it was time to go yet. He got a bit apprehensive when I left him with his class, but at pickup (3:15) he came out like an old pro. He said, "School is great!" He made some friends, had some fun. He said one girl was saying how she didn't like school, didn[t like the class, etc., and he said, "I told her, hey, what's not to like??" That's Jimmy! Rose pushes Bug in a stroller up to the school to pick Jim up; it is just a 10 min. walk.







Tom spent Tuesday like this:

His first day was today, Wednesday. So I'll post later about him.

9/1/04: Happy Birthday, Grandma Vera

The 2nd was Grandma Vera's birthday. We knew she would be out of the house on the 1st taking care of stray kitties; she cleans their cages and such every other Wednesday. I sat down with the boys and told them we were going to surprise her, and asked them what we should do; this was the week before. Tom's first idea was to clean the house for her--I was very impressed he came up with that on his own. We made her an orange cat named Cinnamon at the Build a Bear workshop, and recorded the kids each saying Happy Birthday Grandma Vera, one after the other. When you press his arm, you hear that. We put him on her recliner with another present (The 911 Commission report). Then when she left the house we cleaned and got a cake and put 78 candles on it! We hid and shouted surprise when she came in. The kids were hysterical with excitement; it was very fun. We didn't get all 78 candles lit, as wax was dripping up a storm. Note: If you try this, get at least 3 people to help light all at once!






Uncle Jeff came on Sunday as well. His dogs are always a big hit:
Brewster

and Trevor:

Jeff drives them down from NYC strapped into his convertible. That is a sight to see! The kids like convertible rides, too.

Showing us to Luanne

Here I am right now.

And here are the 3 younges watching tv before dinner: