Goodbye to Summer.....

Yup --- school is back in session today! I can hardly believe it. T started 8th grade, and J started 3d. B has another two weeks off, since he was in summer session all summer.

I put the younger two on the bus this morning. T wouldn't let me take pictures at the bus stop (he told me he was too old, and I should just be thankful for the first-day-of-school pictures I have up through 7th grade....) Got a picture of him in the house before he left, though ---- and some cute ones of J and her friend M as they waited for the bus.....

Last Gasp of Summer -- Canobie Lake

I had been promising this trip for a year. We finally made it to Can*bie Lake this week. Ben and Julia came --- Tim opted out because he doesn't really like the rides (he wanted to go to Wa*er Coun*ry instead...) It was CROWDED -- more crowded than I have ever seen -- but we had fun anyway. The last big event of the summer!

Happy Birthday Bupka!

Notice the unusual "melon cake"..........
Julia was helping to blow out the candles --- very thoughtful........
Julia and Bupka don't look anything alike, do they? LOL

We made the trip down to RI to celebrate my mother's (aka "Bupka") birthday on Monday. It was a long trip for a work day, but we had a good time. The cakes were interesting --- regular cake for most of us, and a very creative "melon" cake for my mom and her friend Sarah, who are on a special diet.

Growing Up

Ben Boarding the Plane for Atlanta
Dinner on the Way Home from Atlanta -- sushi-- yum!!!
Ben with his brand new friend at campe
Saying goodbye to mom (at music camp)
With his buddy at music camp on the very first day!

It seems like yesterday that Ben was in preschool and we were worrying about things like temper tantrum and potty training and would-he-ever-talk...... Now he is becoming quite the independent young man! This summer he has gotten his drivers' license, flown to Atlanta BY HIMSELF (!), driven home with Frieda, and gone away for a week to Berk*shire Hills M*usic Academy to study piano and voice. Big steps for a kid who was never supposed to be able to speak!!! I am very proud of all he has accomplished.

More Beach Pics!

Good Harbor Beach -- a great afternoon!

We went to Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester/Rockport, MA this past Saturday afternoon. We arrived at about 4:00, after the big crowds had left. What a beautiful beach!! And great waves!! My two younger kids are part fish, I think, and we had a fantastic time in the surf. It was a little cold for Ben, so he came in for just a little while. Frieda took the pictures, so I am even in a couple of them. Our friend Andey joined us for a while too, and it was her first time swimming in the Atlantic (even though she has lived here for 14 years!) A very fun afternoon!

92 Years Old!

My grandmother turned 92 last weekend. Amazing! She still lives by herself, drives (!), plays cards with her "girlfriends" every week, volunteers at the thrift shop at her church, and likes to help "the old people" there (many of whom are in their 70s!). She has slowed down, and has some Parkinson's, but she is pretty gosh-darn sharp! I hope I have some of her genes for health and longevity.

Here she is with four of her five great-grandchildren --- Ben is the one missing.