Pierce Fit Fest

 Each year shortly after school starts, Izzy's school has their annual Fit Fest.  This is a day with activities to encourage you to get out and be active.  Each student purchases a card with all the zones on it to keep track of what you did.  You do not have to do all the activities.  There were 14 zones and a 1 mile run.  Izzy and her BFFs were determined to do EVERYTHING.

 The first event was the 1 mile run.  It turned out to be more like a run-walk.  They wasted all their energy on sprinting the first part.  I was not complaining since I had to run with the twins in the stroller and all our stuff in the stroller.  Though Izzy and her friends came in last, I gave them an "A" for effort.  Many students didn't even do the run.  I saw a few who only participated in one activity and then asked for their completion medal.

 This was the 3 Legged Race zone.  Izzy and Bonnie were up against two boys much older then them.  But the boys got cocky.  Izzy and Bonnie took it slow and steady like the tortoise in 'The Tortoise and the Hare'.  They beat those boys who were not to happy with that!

 Izzy's sack was way too big and she needed help.

 Bonnie and Siri raced this course.  I raced Izzy earlier.

 The Hula-hoop zone.  After this Izzy asked for a hula-hoop for Christmas.

 Gymnastics zone

Siri, Bonnie and Izzy proudly displaying their completion medals.

Izzy's 1st Day of School

Izzy's 1st day of school... 1st Grade!  She was adamant that I know she is no longer a kindergartener.

Last Days of Summer

 As with every year, Izzy had her own small garden.  This year I moved it into direct sunlight and faired better.  However, she's still not been able to grow a good batch of cucumbers.  But she always gets some yummy tomatoes.

 

 Without a backyard, you need to be creative especially when it is hot outside.  My back porch held this inflatable swimming pool.  The other issue was how to fill it.  Oma was creative on this one.  When the bathroom was being renovated, I was hesitant to put this type of shower head in.  Who knew it would come in so handy!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

 This summer Izzy got to spend a week on the farm by herself.  Mommy flew with Izzy on the way out and Opa accompanied her on the way back.  Opa stayed a few days to help me out a bit.  To say thanks, Izzy and I surprised Opa with a Red Sox game.  Fenway Park is so nostalgic you couldn't help but feel it.  In addition, the Red Sox were playing the NY Yankees, a classic rival.  Izzy was simply excited to eat a hot dog and get cotton candy.

According to Opa... another one off the bucket list!

Newport, RI

 On the last day the Dieckman's visited, I took them to Newport, RI to see the summer homes of the elite rich such as the Vanderbilts.  My kiddos went with their father for vacation.  I'm not so sure this would be Micah & Victoria's thing.  Our first stop was The Elms, a French chateau.  Many women's suffrage meetings were held here.

Our second stop was the famous Breakers.  It is the largest and most popular of all the Newport Mansions.  Built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895, this 70-room summer “cottage” was designed in the Italian Renaissance style.

 One of the things I wanted to make sure they experienced was New England seafood.  One of my favorite places is The Barking Crab.  Avery's sampler came with a little of everything.

 The girls were not as brave and got lobster mac-n-cheese.

 Avery and I were very serious when it came to getting as much meat out of our seafood.

 The Breakers overlooks the ocean and the famous 'Cliff Walk'.  Leave it to Diane and I to jump the fence so we could get to the walk and down to the water.  This let Avery, Amelia and Audrey some free time to explore.

Plimoth Plantation

 Since we are in the heart of where this nation began, we took the Dieckman's to a place from our nation's beginning... Plimoth Rock.  Our first stop, Plimoth Plantation.  The first time we went, we took Oma and Opa in November.  My how different it was going back in the summer.

 Inside a traditional Native American hut.

 At one spot there were traditional Native American toys to try out.  We didn't do too good.  My Izzy is a 6 year old Native American who could whip these things so easily.

 Row, row, row your canoe.

 Not sure what to think of this talent of my daughters.

 The next stop was the English Village.  Unlike the Native American settlement, this one functions like it would have at the time of settlement.

 Not so sure were should give up our beds for these.

 When it was time to go, there is a semi-steep hill to walk up to get out of the English settlement.  Avery and Izzy took it upon themselves to get the stroller up which wasn't so easy.  Very proud they worked together and didn't give up.

 Amelia in her nature state... she was such a great cousin helping the twins out all throughout the day.

 We then stopped an had lunch at the main facility.  What a lovely view we had overlooking the ocean.  Avery ordered the most interesting plate.  It was a sampler of what they would have had at Thanksgiving.  He allowed us to sample a bit as well.

 A fly!  This was too much and therefore the twins and I finished our meal inside as to not be disturbed by the fly.

The final stop was the Mayflower II.  This is an exact replica of the original Mayflower.  Still amazes me that this was how the Pilgrims crossed the ocean.

 Amelia had some great questions to ask.  We enjoyed his answers as they were spoken in English from that era.  He was also fun in how he engaged with Amelia.

 Before heading home, we made a pit stop to let some little toes play in the ocean.

 My very own karate kid!

Micah & Victoria 3y/o Memories

Over the years I have enjoyed reading my sister's description of her children on their birthdays.  As a parent you always think you are going to remember but over time the details become fuzzy.  I therefore am taking after my sister's idea.  I may be a bit late but want to remember my babies in their childhood.  Here goes....

 

VICTORIA

1.  You are a force to be reckoned with.  You make your presence known and what you want others to do.  At times I've felt myself scolded by my baby girl.  I'm not the least bit worried about how you will handle life's curveballs.

 

2.  I have enjoyed watching your relationship develop with your big sister Izzy.  I smile hearing your giggles in the bathtub after Micah and I leave so you and Izzy can have alone time.

 

3.  Anxiety!  Though you are a tough cookie, you also have an anxiety streak.  Anything that is new you tend to cling to mommy or avoid altogether even if super cute like fuzzy new baby kittens on the farm.

 

4.  You are an extrovert.  You talk non-stop including when it is time for bed.  Now that you share a room with Izzy, even she has commented on having trouble falling asleep because of your 'conversations'.

 

 

MICAH

1.  You have the sweetest, gentlest soul.  At bedtime you give the best hugs and need that in order to fall asleep.  Those are the times that make my heart melt.

 

2.  When you get attached to something, it is deep.  From infancy, it has been your frogs which you still sleep with.  Now it is Lightning McQueen.  You live, eat and breath McQueen.  He sleeps with you, he's on your wall, you wear his shirt at least 2x per week and have shoes that have him light up.  Not to mention your Cars collection with him in it.

 

3.  You are a boy!  I have loved watching you turn into this action packed, high energy boy.  Its a good thing Izzy is three years older as she can tolerate your antics such as wrestling in the living room. 

 

4.  You are an introvert.  You are content to sit back and watch what is going on with your sisters and in school.  The details you take in always amaze me.

 

 

What I also want to remember is your twin relationship.  You have a connection to each other no one else will.  Your play together is seamless.  I often hear you say 'do it together' to get a task done.  You seem to know what the other one needs or how to comfort them such as giving Micah his froggie when he is crying.  You had a difficult time when you were separated for one month during the preschool transition.  Both of you demonstrated this in different ways but I knew you missed each other.  Once reunited, you have both LOVED preschool and eagerly inform me of what you have learned that day.