Mommy/Baby Group 5th Birthday Party

5 years ago, a group of new moms met each other through the Beverly Hospital Moms group. We met weekly for support and encouragement, led by a couple lactation consultants. After our meetings, many of us would go out to lunch together, rejoicing that we had someone else to talk to, who "got it"... all those new mom questions, anxieties and need just to TALK to someone.

Out of that group, (thanks to Rebecca Sly and Lizzie approaching Hannah and I) Rebecca and I starting meeting at the Pleasant Street Tea Company and invited other moms to join us. When we "graduated" out of the Beverly Hospital group, we continued meeting together weekly for a good 9+ months?!?!?

Our babies all turned 1, the summer of 2008 and we had a celebration. Here is the group in 2008.

(back row) Rebecca and Lizzie, Heather and Ellie, Amy and Winston and Solomon, Michelle and Thomas.
(front row) Amy and Lila, Me and Hannah, Alyson and Taryn, Kristen and Max, Suzzane and Jack, Gabriela and Mariana

 4 years later... many of us got together again for a 5 year old birthday. It was so fun to see how much the kids have changed!

(back row) Taryn, Ella, Hannah
(middle row) Max, Thomas, Lizzie, Lola
(front row) Mariana, Ellie

So much has changed. At the 1 year old birthday, we thought it was a lot of work to chase after 1. Now the 1 year olds have OPINIONS and some of them have siblings.

Amazing Carrot Cake!

Happy Birthday, 5 year olds!

Thanks Rebecca and family for hosting such a great party!

Bye, Bye curls:-(

Grace's hair has been getting SO LONG and she refuses to let me put it up in a pony tail or braid. The last couple of days, she has been asking for me to cut it "because it is too wong." The other day I was in my room folding laundry, and Grace came running in my room asking me to cut her hair. I refused and went back to folding laundry. It wasn't long, when I realized the noise I was hearing was Grace and Elizabeth in the bathroom... where my haircutting box is kept! I ran in there... to my relief, they had only STARTED emptying the cabinet and had not reached the box of haircutting supplies. I think it is time to move the hair cutting box!

Anyway, this morning she was asking me again and I agreed. Bye Bye curls!

The haircut actually turned out pretty well. Elmo held her attention and her hair has enough waves still in it, that if I didn't cut it perfectly straight, you can't tell.

I hope to get a better after picture, but this is what I have for now. Grace says, "I yike it!"

Red, White, and Blue ~ Happy 4th of July!

Gloucester celebrates the 4th of July on the 3rd of July with a parade and fireworks. It is kind of nice that way. We were able to take in the celebrations last night... stay up way too late with some good friends AND have a day to sleep it off. Yes, even with kids, we were able to sleep in this morning... all the way to 8:00!

We had so much fun with Uncle Jim and Ann. They came over for dinner and Uncle Jim gave us some great tips for grilling. Thanks for the lesson and the delicious chicken! At about 6:45 we wandered down to find a place along the parade route to watch the Fishtown Horribles Parade. I kind of miss walking out my front door and sitting on the curb to watch the parade. Or, if necessary, going back inside and watching the parade from our apartment windows. There is just something nice about having a bathroom so close by... and we needed that... 2x last night:-).

Anyway, we found a place and sat down to wait... and wait... and wait a little more. At one point, we could see the firetrucks that lead the parade, but they weren't moving. Yet, they were close enough to worry the girls, so we had to practice covering our ears.

Ann and Grace covering each others' ears.

Hannah needing double protection.

Elizabeth's not worried... yet.

 The firetrucks started moving again... and the ear protection was very much needed. Elizabeth loved the police cars and continued waving after they passed us, but when the firetrucks came...

She was holding on to Uncle Jim for dear life. She wanted to climb as high as she could on him. Can you see her grip on his shirt? Yet, she did not cry and did not cover her eyes, she wanted to make sure she didn't miss a moment!

After the parade we returned to the house and I tried to convince the girls to go with me up the hill to watch the fireworks. Grace came with me (and Jim and Ann) for a bit, but very quickly demanded to go home because "the boom booms were too youd!" Hannah refused to leave the house and her daddy's arms. She said maybe when she's 6, the noise would be better.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!