Massachusetts 2011: Part 2

Before I get into the meat of this post, let me warn you that I just popped a couple of Percocet so if this post starts to ramble--moreso than usual--you can blame the painkillers. I pulled something in my back this weekend and have been in agony the last couple of days, especially at bedtime, so the doctor was kind enough to give me some happy pills.

Let's return to Massachusetts in mid-August and take a look at what we were doing. Our second day there, we drove over to Swansea to visit my high school friend Jeremy and his family. As luck would have it, they own a pool so we took full advantage of it.

And the trampoline...

And the sparklers! As you can probably tell, we had a great time. Lucas was very shy at first, but he warmed up to Connor and Emily within a half hour or so. On a side note, school has really helped his shyness. I'll talk about it more in a future post when I don't feel like I'm going to fall off my chair (the Percocet is kicking in). :)

Marilu poses with the kids.

Isn't technology wonderful?

We're definitely looking forward to seeing them all again next time we're in Massachusetts. Now I have to go before I completely pass out. See you later!

Massachusetts 2011: The Intro

Barring any major events in the next week or so, the next several updates will be focused on our trip to Massachusetts in August. As many pictures as Marilu took in Newfoundland, we took even more while in the States so this may take a while. I hope you enjoy.

I'm going to start off slow and just post a few pictures from our first night there. It was one of the many cookouts we had, and as you can see below, Lucas really got into it.

Quite a start, eh? Lest I forget, all of the pictures from Marilu and Lucas's trip "out east," as they say, are now in a photo album, which you can find here. I uploaded pretty much everything so there are some curious additions, such as when Lucas got a hold of the camera and took a bunch of random photos, but it's worth a look. According to the folder stats, there are 256 photos so that should keep you entertained for a while.

Newfoundland 2011: The End

For your viewing pleasure, the remainder of the Newfoundland trip photos.

As I mentioned a few posts back, there were hundreds of photos taken on this trip so what you've seen here are just the highlights. I'll be placing all of them in an online photo album soon so once that is done, you'll be able to overdose on Newfoundland photos.

You say tomato, I say to-mah-to

A conversation with Lucas from this morning.

Me: "Can you whistle?"
Lucas shrieks at the top of his lungs.
Me: "That's not how you whistle."
Lucas: "That's how *I* whistle."

Newfoundland 2011: Part 3

Before I get to the pictures, I just wanted to note that 3 weeks into junior kindergarten, Lucas is doing well. He seems to like going every morning, and from what he does tell us of his day, he's having fun. As mentioned in a previous entry, he's still pretty secretive about his day, but I can usually bribe him for more information. For instance, last night he told me who he was playing with and what they played after I offered him bacon. Apple doesn't fall far from this tree, let me tell ya.

Lucas and Colby in the driveway at Marilu's parents' place.

Some more action shots, both with a horse and then by another shore. Newfoundland has a lot of shores.

I get a kick out of this picture. Our little Spartan or something.

I guess he decided to take a nap out on the boardwalk.

And now, a bunch of family shots!

 

Lucas did his best to ruin this one of all the children.

Not sure what is on his teeth. Whatever it is, it makes it look like he is missing his two front teeth.

I should be able to wrap up the Newfoundland trip with one more entry then we'll be on to Massachusetts.

Newfoundland 2011: Part 2

Playing at the shore, somewhere in Newfoundland.

  

Newfoundland - Part 1 of Many

Earlier this summer, Marilu and Lucas went to Newfoundland for a couple of weeks to visit family. While there, she took a LOT of pictures. Like 200+. Unfortunately, since I wasn't there, I don't know the story behind any of them. As a result, the next few entries are just going to be a glorified photo album of that trip. I'll pick out the best ones and let you "ooh" and "ahh" over our cute son as he mixes it up with a bunch of Newfies. :) I'll comment if needed (or if I know what is going on), but for the most part, I'll just sit back and let you enjoy. So without any further adieu, here we go...

This is the first picture we have of Lucas with his only first cousin (so far), Colby. You wouldn't believe how excited he was to meet Colby. It's about all he could talk about prior to the trip.

I get a kick out of the fact that he's trying to choke the life out of his Uncle Steve.

The look on Lucas's face here is priceless. "Ok, enough pictures already." You may have to click on it to see a bigger version.

This picture of Lucas isn't that great, given that he is taunting the camera, but I included it for the background. Way off in the distance, do you see that bit of white? That's an iceberg that floated into the harbor/bay. Trust me, when you are in Newfoundland, you are NORTH.

More to come tomorrow. And for anyone who has actually read this far, I wanted to let you know that Lucas's first week of school has been good. He's been almost entirely tear free this week, other than a minor episode while going into class one day. As far as we can tell, he is really enjoying it, but whenever we ask him specifically about his day, he always comes back with, "It's secret." I guess that's the toddler's version of the teen's "Nothing happened today."

First Day of School!

Today was the big day: Lucas's first day of school!

Last night, Marilu took a picture of Lucas's lunchbag and backpack. As you can see by the common theme, the kid has great taste in sci-fi movies.



I gotta admit I do miss the good ol' metal lunchboxes, but I guess it isn't practical. The way Lucas's school works--and I imagine others do as well--is that the kids don't have just one lunch break. Instead, there are two nutrition periods. So, his little Darth Vader bag has two separate zippered compartments, which makes it easier for him to figure out what to eat when. Though based on the fact quite a bit of his food was still there  when he got home today, I think it'll be a learning process. Either that or Marilu needs to stop feeding him so much!

These next two pictures were taken this morning by Andrea, his daycare provider, prior to getting on the school bus.

In case you are wondering, the yellow crown goes on all the kids in his class and helps their teacher, Ms. Laroche, find them when they get off the buses.

Knowing how bad Lucas can be when we leave him with someone else, like a babysitter, we felt that having him get on the bus from daycare was for the best. However, I'll admit I drove over and parked down the street, crouched down behind the steering wheel, to watch this morning's departure. He was doing pretty well until right after that second picture. At that point, he finally lost it and started crying. Andrea had to carry him on the bus and put him in a seat. According to the bus driver this afternoon, though, he stopped about 10 seconds later and was fine. He even wanted to sit in her lap!

Finally, here he is getting off the bus this afternoon. He was pretty excited since both Marilu and I were there to pick him up. On most days, he'll still spend another hour or so at daycare.

Prior to writing this blog, I downloaded all the pictures from the camera that we took during the last month and a half. This includes the Newfoundland and Massachusetts vacations. There are a whopping 539 pictures/videos so it may take a while to get through it. Just warning ya. And then one of these days, I'll go back and catch up on April of this year and later. One day.

New Student

Believe it or not, tomorrow morning (Friday) is the first day of school for Lucas. As cliche as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday he was a baby so it's almost impossible for me to believe we are at the next milestone of his life already.

We had a chance to meet with his teacher, Ms. Laroche, yesterday. She seems nice enough, and the classroom looks like a fun place for a kid with plenty of blocks, puzzles, games, etc. The class is a blend of both junior and senior kindergarten kids so there will be both 4 and 5 year olds.

I'm still trying to figure out the recess situation. When I was in elementary school, the kindergarteners had their own area, separate from the 1-6 graders. From what I've seen, it's all one open area so I'm not sure if they all mix or what. My guess is that they stagger the times they are out there since it seems like the little ones would never be able to get on the playground equipment otherwise. Well, once the school gets playground equipment. It's a brand new school so I think that is going to be the first thing they fundraise for.

Marilu took pictures of Lucas's lunch box and backpack, and I'll take more of him tomorrow once he is dressed. Also, his daycare provider, Andrea, will take pics of him getting on and off the bus so I should have some of those for you by tomorrow night.

And at some point, yes, you will get vacation photos.