Thursday, September 27, 2012

Little Miss

Little Miss....

...always right (and she usually is).

...super big sister to Colby

....instigator.

....social butterfly (she works the town soccer fields like a smooth politician at a fund raiser).

...sensitive, just when you thought she was so tough.

....determined.

My Little Miss.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The New Kennedys

 What to do when you don't cross everything off your Summer list? Well, you extend it into the beautiful first days of Fall!
To Martha's Vineyard we went and although the calendar said Fall, it felt like the perfect Summer day trip. The ferry would have been enough for the kids. They entertained our fellow passengers with Pirate Play - "Load the Cannons!!' And it was all I could do to get them out of the bathroom, because the port hole window was "awesome!" Luckily the island didn't disappoint and even if it did, there is always the ferry trip back.
With expectations low, we traipsed around the island in search of ice cream and the penny candy store I remembered from my own childhood memories. We never found penny candy, but even better, we found the Flying Horses Carousel. If you score the Brass Ring, you win a free ride. Drew grabbed it twice in a row!! Needless to say, our expectations were met and then some!
So move over Kennedys, the Dargans may be taking over the Vineyard!

Friday, September 21, 2012

A few notes...

motley crue

A few snippets...

* I laugh when I remember that we used to describe Drew as quiet. He is always talking, singing, or otherwise being silly. He is a class clown and loves to make people laugh. Funny how kids can change :) 

* Ella is picking up quite the unintentional education at school. We have heard who is "off the hook," who she has a crush on, and how according to her lunch-mate gelatin is made from horses hooves. Also I "just don't understand her!! (cue feet stomp and slamming door)" 

* Colby is just funny. Unlike any of his brothers or his sister, he is a bit wild when away from home. He has pushed on the playground, blows kisses to every adult who looks his way and wanders away constantly. Where did he come from? 

* Tyler T is up to his usual tricks. Do you hear that banging? He is either practicing his slap shots against the garage or slamming the tennis ball! Some things never change :) 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Fun House

 Uncle Johnny and Auntie Mary have always brought the life to the party. Their stories are great, their jokes funny (albeit off color :) and they truly know how to have fun! When I was a kid they lived in Florida. I will always remember the excitement of knowing they were coming for a visit - with Christmas Eve being the best of all.
 Now they are in NH, only a little more than an hour away, so we should really see them more - sadly we don't. But I already see my kids having the same excitement as I did at their age. "We are going to Uncle Johnny's?! Yes!!!" So there were popsicles in the hot tub, lobster, and movies on the big, loud tv.  And the best part is that it is just as much fun, if not more, for the adults!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ah-Nats Boat

 We love Uncle Marks Boat, or as Colby affectionately calls him, Ah-Nat. We talk about our days on the boat all the time. "Remember when Uncle Mark went so fast?!" Colby brings up Ah-Nats boat several times a day and always with a big smile.
 It isn't about where we go (although the Spit might be one of my most favorite places in the world) or how far out to sea we travel (we don't). I think it is just the pure fun of being on a boat. Of being on the water.
 Ah-Nat fixed up a much smaller boat that he so awesomely has offered to share with us. Im thinking next summer is going to be pretty great.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Generations


We pulled into 349 Middle St like we have hundreds, probably thousands, of times before. My dad driving, me along for the ride. This time my 2 boys were in the back seat and we knew no one was home. My Nana was born in this home over 95 years ago. She raised her family here as well  - history oozes from it's walls.

The boys set out toys in the driveway while Dad and I started snipping away at the shrubs. My mind drifted to the days of the big red glider, birthday celebrations on the patio, and exploring in the back yard. I remembered picking lettuce with my grandpa and gathering roses with Nana. My Dad must have been remembering too. Soon the quiet rythm of snipping was broken by stories of digging holes with his Dad and of just how small those tall pines were when they planted them.

The house, the stories, the memories....the fact that the 5th generation of us played in the same spot as generations before....it was weeks ago, but the feeling remains lodged in my chest. Although I can't find the right name or description for how it feels, I like it.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Back to School 2012

Back to school. I love it and hate it at the same time. I love the new pencils with thick pink erasers, the crisp folders, and cool air that blows in at night. I hate saying goodbye to my kids, watching them struggle with the leaving and exhausted after a long (to them) day. 
Drew woke on the first day a full hour before his normal summer waking time. He was raring to go, wired up, bouncing around with his backpack on with plenty of time to spare. 
Ella spilled tears into her pancakes. She powered through breakfast, dressing and by the time we posed for pictures she was smiling. The tears returned as we pulled up to school, but she went. I lost it. I want nothing more than to protect her and I was exhausted from a morning of keeping us together with songs, dancing, cheers, and pep talks. Im so proud of her. Crossing that line into what is uncomfortable is hard for anyone and she is doing it everyday. 

Tyler went back to Steeple School this morning for Pre-K with Mrs. Pugatch. We all get a giggle when we say her name :) He looks so much bigger than the 3 year olds at school. Ty is quiet heading off to school. He marches in and doesn't say goodbye. He looks so big and so small at the same time. I can't quite figure out why I am so emotional each time I drop him off. 



 And this one? Well, he runs around the house gathering his shoes, sweatshirt and backpack with the rest of them. He always waves goodbye to Ella and Drew happily. But this morning was hard for him. He didn't want Ella to go. Then he walked into the classroom with Tyler and wouldn't leave. Once he realized Tyler was staying he fought as hard as his little body could to get back in the school building. Yelling, "Bobo!! Bobo!!' I know exactly how he feels.


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Summer Fun

 Pick a Boardwalk in New Jersey in the summer and you are bound to have a good time. Add in your 4 cousins who happen to be just about the same ages as you and who love all the same things as you....and well, it is pretty close to perfection.
 With 8 kids between the ages of 2 and 8, we often more resembled a camp group than a family. We descended on rides and games and took over. Grandma and Aunt Melissa added extra fun in the cheering section and sponsoring games.
 I think we could have stayed all night. Everyone won a prize. Everyone (even Colby) rode a million rides. We had Boardwalk fries, lemonade, ice cream, sausages, and pizza. We did it up and checked it off the Summer to do list. It was awesome in every sense of the word.