Dagny in all her GLORY

Well into the age of 2, Dagny has really become a force to be reckoned with...and also quite the little creative genius.  She makes fun out of most anything and genuinely loves doing just about anything (as long as one of us isn't too far).

Exhibit A: Turning blue sidewalk chalk into a paste using a "stream" of water from a drained hose on the driveway.

 She was in heaven and totally impressed with herself...and that blue just would not wash off!

 She has her own fashion sense, always looking for that perfect accessory.

Dagny LOVES stuffed animals, the bigger the better.  Thank goodness we did not have to leave the store with this toddler sized penguin!

 

But a small stuffed animal is no less lovable in Dagny's eyes.

 

She loves taking care of her stuffed animals (feeding them, changing them, reading them books, etc.) but has lately become interested in building things for them like she did in the basement last week.

 And who doesn't love to get free samples while shopping?

 

Dagny got an early Hanukkah book in the mail this week and has really enjoyed reading it to herself.

 Have you noticed what color Dagny is wearing in most of these photos? Blue. We're pretty sure she's settled on it as her favorite color and by no coincidence, her favorite shirt is her blue Eli Manning Giants Jersey.  She wears it to bed, to school, and everywhere in between.

And don't think we've forgotten about Dagny's big brother, Finley is almost five (gulp!) and while he doesn't stop to pose for photos as much anymore - I am able to snap a gem like this one every once in a while!

Happy New Year!

This year's Rosh Hashanah was wonderful (back in September!).  GG and Grandpa hosted a full house.  We got to mingle with friends and family out on the patio before dinner and then enjoyed a tasty meal together.  Finley and his second cousin Mia had fun being the "big" kids on the scene.

 

The second night there were more friends and family to celebrate with.  Second cousin Elliot from DC (same age as Dags) had fun with our two and he even showed them his dad's iPhone after dinner.

 While waiting for dessert, Dagny serenaded everyone with a song she learned at school.

http://youtu.be/emC6ODPlE4c

Instead of going to temple for a second day of services, we took a more outdoorsy approach and celebrated the new year at the Croton Dam with books, prayers, songs, and Grandpa even blew the shofar!

 

Then we hiked up to the top of the dam for a gorgeous view and a family photo op!

 Dagny probably could have walked, but for efficiency we put her in the backpack and she enjoyed the ride and debuting her new NYYs hat from Aunt Caitlin.

 

We hiked back down and then drove a few minutes away to eat a picnic lunch on the water.

 What a great way to ring in 5775!

Make Way for Ducklings, Live!

Last weekend we took a touristy visit to the Public Garden downtown to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues from one of our favorite books.  We parked right on Charles street where Mrs. Mallard and her 8 ducklings walked in the story and then found the bronze statues.  Both kids were really excited -- Dagny and I read the book at least 4 out of 7 nights a week before naps/bed and we all listen to the story on CD in the car quite often (and by often I mean daily).

It was a gorgeous fall day so the ducklings were being swarmed by kids of all ages so we had to wait for our photo opportunities, but it was worth the wait!

 Then, we made our way to the duck pond and to our wonderful surprise, we saw real ducks!

 And swans!

Very brave and hungry swans!

After another stop at the ducklings statues, 

we headed to the other side of the garden to the playground but before we got there - we found more fun statues to pose with at the frog pond.

And finally, a picture of me and my little girl that I adore! She always looks cute, but I usually think I'm ruining the photo--this one is awesome!!

 The playground was fun (until Dagny bumped her eye on a twisty slide) and then we headed back to the car through the park.

 Dagny made friends with some squirrels and got pretty up close and personal with one!

It was fun to be downtown and just enjoy the city life plus getting to bring Make Way for Ducklings to life was great! This summer we'll have to go back when the Swan boats are running!

Grandparents to the Rescue

Many of you have probably heard of a "Gap Year" when seniors in high school take an additional year before going to college.  But have you heard of the dreaded "Gap Week"?  It's the week working parents dread as it is the week between the final day/week of camp and the first day of school.  This final week of August could have been rough for us since the kids did not have plans and Dan and I both had to work, but it turned out to be terrific since Grammy and Granddad came up from VA for the whole week!! Phew!

The kids loved having their grandparents take care of them and I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual.  They certainly kept busy and had lots of fun.

They went to the new playground at the library in town and found the brick we donated during the fundraising process.

They also took the kids to their Popsicles on the Playground get together at their preschool and got to meet all their friends and teachers.

 Granddad created an amazing toy train track in the playroom and got both kids to fall back in love with Duplos (Finley had all but forgotten them since discovering Legos this summer) in the basement

 And my dad found a captive audience for this train photos.

The four of them also went to one of our favorite places, Drumlin Farm.  Finley hadn't been there since his two weeks of Drumlin camp earlier in the summer and my mom said he definitely took the reigns and led the way around.

 

 A hayride for all before heading home.

It was such a wonderful, reassuring feeling to be back at school, getting ready for my new class of kindergarteners, knowing that our kids were in such good hands.

One afternoon, I got home from school and we woke up the kids to hop on the commuter rail to meet Dan in the city.  I couldn't tell who was more pleased with the rail excursion - Finley or my dad!  We had a great ride into North Station and then walked to meet Dan on the Greenway.  Dagny and I rode the carousel which she has mentioned countless times since.

 

Then, we stopped to watch the fountains for a while before saying hi to the seals that swim in the big tank outside the aquarium.

 

We had dinner outside near the Greenway and the Harbor.

 A lady about town.

 Boys drawing airplanes and playing tic tac toe.

The next day, all six of us went to play mini golf at Kimball Farms and enjoyed fried food for dinner. 

An excellent way to celebrate the end of summer and the end to a very special week with my mom and dad.  We aren't lucky enough to live near either set of grandparents, but we are very blessed that all four of them go above and beyond whenever called upon :)