Farewell Xander & Emily!

Yesterday and today we had goodbye parties for our very good friends Xander and Emily. We met Xander when he and Seth were just 6 weeks old. We spent a lot of wonderful time together when we all lived in Cambridge. We still managed to see a fair amount of them even though we both moved to different towns. Xander, Emily and Bill are off to California. We are so happy for them - because they are moving to a great town, surrounded by family and wonderful opportunities. But we are very sad to see them go and will miss them dearly!!! Above are Seth and Xander hugging and Emily giving Seth a piggyback.

Here are pictures from the goodbye party at the park.

PLEASE keep your blog up to date - so we can keep in touch!!!

Lunch in the Park

Seth enjoyed the beautiful weather today by playing in the park and then having a picnic lunch with our friend Xander and his mom Rachel. It is so wonderful being outside with Seth. He is really independent and has so much fun. I can barely remember how we survived the winter!

Post Bath

Seth's favorite thing to do, after Jerald is done giving him a bath, is to run down the hall to me to give naked hugs and to run around the house naked as long as possible. Sometimes he even makes it to sitting on the couch before we catch him.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had such amazing weather in Boston over the holiday weekend. We took advantage of it, spending most of the weekend outside. We started the weekend off friday night at a bbq at our temple. Saturday we went with some friends to the Arboretum, which is 2 minutes from our house. Seth and the Dad's had so much fun with Seth's wiffle ball bat! Saturday afternoon our friend Dave came over and we made shish-kabobs on our grille. Sunday Jerald had a double header for our temple softball team. Of course, Seth and I went to cheer him on. The lost both games but at least no one on our team was hurt. During the second game, a player on the opposing team broke his ankle sliding into 3rd base! Sunday evening we met Nana for dinner. And today we spent the morning in our yard watering plants and talking to neighbors. This afternoon we met some friends for ice cream and then went to the playground, where these pictures were taken. How cute are my boys???

Playgroup

Here is Seth, Mae and Eli enjoying a snack before Joshua, Dylan, Sophia and Carolo came over. Playgroup was a lot of fun and Seth was a wonderful host.

Silliness with Grandma

We had such a great visit with Grandma. We all had so much fun. Lots of hugs, kisses, silliness, laughter and love. Thanks!!!

Seth's Gym

I have been meaning to take my camera to Seth's gym class for weeks, but it is a crazy class, running from equipment to equipment - so it never has happened until today. Grandma is visiting with us, so she came to class and brought her camera. Both Grandma and Seth had a blast on the trampoline!

The ball pit is always a favorite of Seth's.

This is during "warm-up."

Seth has gotten much more adventurous during this class. He now will try all the gymnastics and skills they are teaching that day. We have come a long way! When we first started this class a month or two ago - Seth couldn't even climb up onto the couch!

And now he is climbing ladders!?!

Don't worry, one of the staff members is holding him up.

What fun!

Grandma Visits!

Need I say more? I know call Seth, Grandma's shadow.

Crafty Moms

One of our friends, Monica, has just launched her website selling her adorable creations "Shirtsie's." They solve the problem of babies wearing onsie's with pants. Check it out!

Baby Syrup

A while ago, Jerald and I picked out this baby doll for Seth but with his birthday and all the presents we put it in the closet for a rainy day. This past weekend, we were stuck in the house for most of Saturday while our AC was fixed so we gave the baby to Seth. He loved him right away. Seth likes to feed him his bottle, put his pajamas on, change his diaper, and put him in his sleep sack. It is really cute to watch Seth with him. When we asked Seth what his name was, Seth quickly answered, "Baby Syrup." We said "his name is Syrup." Seth smiled and said yes. So this is Baby Syrup. Coincidentally, we had waffles with syrup for breakfast that morning.

Happy 30th Birthday Jerald!!!

Today is the day - Jerald is 30 - so he can stop calling me old (I turned 30 in March). We have already done a lot of our celebrating. We had our Joint 60th Birthday Party last month and I took Jerald out to a yummy birthday dinner Saturday night.

Sorry to include the first picture of you - but I couldn't resist. Come on, how cute is that picture?

But today is the official day - so - HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY JERALD!!! I know all your family and friends will join Seth and I in wishing you a very happy birthday. We are all so lucky to have you in our lives. You are so many things to so many people: a loving son, a caring brother, a wonderful husband, an amazing father, and a supportive friend. We love you so much and are so happy to be celebrating this wonderful milestone with you.

Shabbat with Nana

We had Nana over for shabbat dinner. We all had a lot of fun talking and eating. Seth was so happy that Nana, Daddy and Mommy were all together for shabbat. Seth was having so much fun he didn't want to go to sleep!

Strange Places

Seth has been getting a lot more active and daring. When I hear him call "Mommy" in this sweet little voice, I know he is getting into something he shouldn't. Sometimes I find him in a laundry basket, on the arm of the couch, in the television cabinet, or this afternoon - under the coffee table! It took a little while to get him out. Seth thought it was hysterical.

Snack Time

Delicious!

Today, Seth was eating an oatmeal raisin cookie. Out of nowhere he said that the cookie is "delicious!" Where did he learn that word? I couldn't stop smiling.

The other funny thing he has been saying is "that is true." What a funny guy!

In the Garden

Most of the weekend was dedicated to our yard, which was largely ignored last summer since our focus was on the inside of the house. We moved bricks, dug dirt, moved shrubs, cleaned the yard, fertilized, planted our vegetable garden (above), and planted flowers (below). Fingers crossed that things will actually grow!

Jerald also put together Seth's birthday present from Grandma and Pa - I know we will many hours of fun on this piece of equipment!

Seth's favorite thing to do outside is watering. I bought him his own watering can, which he loves. We just have to make sure he is not drowning the plants.

And here is a picture of the gorgeous tree in our yard. We weren't in the house last spring so we were pleasantly surprised to see the tree turn purple!

Great Weekend

Jerald was away for a few days last week on a business trip - so Seth and I were so thrilled to have Jerald to ourselves all weekend long. Seth kept saying how much he missed Daddy and how happy he was that Daddy was home. Here are some cute pictures of my boys enjoying our front porch.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Taking over posting duties for the day, Seth and I wanted to wish a very happy mother's day to Lauren. This blog is just one example of the love, time, and attention that Lauren puts into running our little family. Anyone who spends time with Seth can see how much he loves his Mom (and in case you haven't, the picture shows it pretty well too) - and watching her artfully play the parts of caring mother, nurturing teacher, loving disciplinarian, and playful friend it's no wonder. We love you!

Also, a Happy Mother's Day to all the other moms out there - especially to Great Grandma, Great Gram, Nana and Grandma!!!

Trying to Smile on Cue

We will keep working on it.

Veggie Garden?

For Seth's Birthday, Uncle Josh and Aunt Sara got us going on our vegetable garden by planting seeds and equipping Seth for the garden with shovels and other fun stuff. Seth is so interested in the plants. It will fun to see him this weekend in the backyard getting dirty. Keep your fingers crossed that some vegetables will actually grow!

E-I-E-I-O

Seth leading the song session at his party.

Seth's Second Birthday Party - Part 2

And then came the cake! Seth could not stop talking about his Elmo cake. And boy was it yummy!

After everyone left - Seth had some fun in his crib where we stuck all the presents during the party. He thought it was so funny that they were in there.

All three of us had a wonderful time celebrating Seth's 2nd Birthday. Thank you to all who came and celebrated and to all of you who have sent their best wishes!