go fly a kite

The weather warmed up yesterday but it was REALLY windy. After school Kestrel was begging me to take them to the park to fly a kite. At first I didn't want to because I thought it would be too windy, and we'd break the kite or something, but I agreed. It ended up being really fun. We brought a couple of the neighbor kids with us and one brought his own kite as well. The kids had fun flying their kites. The wind was strong and I almost felt like we were going to get carried away at one point.

watching the kids

belly rubs!

he doesn't really need a sweater

This winter I've seen several little dogs out and about with little sweaters or coats on, and I always think that's one thing Harrison will never need. Just for fun today Kestrel put her sweatshirt on Harrison. He was a really good sport about it, even though he must have been warm, and even seemed to want to show off a bit.

lost tooth

Cooper lost his first tooth this morning, one of the top front. His tooth has been loose for a little while, and at breakfast he was crying because it hurt to eat. All of a sudden his tooth came out and he was much better.

Here he is at lunch being tickled by Paul.

And showing off the gap at dinner...

songs from the heart

Cooper's Kindergarten Music Program was last night. The program was titled "Songs From the Heart" and had a Valentine's Day theme. Cooper's big part was singing "You Are My Sunshine" with just a few other kids. It was so cute!

Cooper is in back in the middle, with all the hair.

Cooper with his buddy Ethan on the stage after the show

Kestrel, Olivia, Cooper, Ethan and Elliot. Olivia, Ethan and Elliot are siblings. They are all great friends.
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Here is a short video clip of Cooper singing "You Are My Sunshine":

rochester here we come

We are moving to Rochester, NY! Paul accepted a position with a health insurance company there, and will be starting his new job early spring. The kids and I will probably stay here to finish out the school year and sell the house, although we really haven't figured everything out yet.

I can't believe our time here is coming to an end. The Midwest has really grown on me over the years (though I hear that Rochester has a very Midwestern feel to it). We are sad to be leaving all the great friends we've made in this area, but are looking forward to our next big adventure. It will be nice to be closer to our families, as Rochester is pretty much right in between Boston and Cleveland.

kestrel, cooper and harry

Christmas in Brookline

Kestrel loves this vest she got from her cousin Halle. She's been wearing it ever since.
Cooper with his cousin Tegan.

Who's that crazy uncle in the back?

Christmas cupcake!

Young Indiana Jones.

Kestrel got a new outfit for Anna (OK, technically a Chanukah present, but the holidays do overlap this year). By the way, Anna got her ears pierced today, at the new American Girl store. She wasn't nervous at all.

...Mushface!

happy chanukah!

another recital

Kestrel and Cooper had their Winter Concert with the school where they take their piano lessons. I tried to take pictures, though it was pretty dark from the audience so this is about all I managed.

Cooper played "Lightly Row" and Kestrel played "Rain Dance". They both did great and were fearless up in front of the auditorium full of people. They both do seem to like to perform. The concert was held in the music building of the university here.

Kestrel received her trophy for 100 days of practicing. Cooper received his 100 day trophy at the last music get together a couple of months ago.

Below are two short videos of each of them playing (I only caught part of the piece). Again, it was pretty dark, but perhaps the grandparents would like to see these anyway. :)

ice

We woke up this morning to ice covering everything outside. School is cancelled, which would have been the last day before winter break.

9 girls who did not sleep

Kestrel had 9 of her girlfriends over last night for a birthday sleepover party. She wanted a dog theme (the girl loves dogs) and everyone got a stuffed dog when they arrived. We also had a jar of Scoobie-Doo Grahams (Scoobie Snacks we call them) and they all made guesses as to how many snacks were in the jar. The winner (which was Rachel) got to keep the jar of snacks. We had pizza for dinner, and s'mores for dessert. Kestrel had been talking about s'mores for her birthday for many months, including asking us if we could get a fire pit. We finally told her we would try to make s'mores on the gas grill out on the deck. Unknown to Kestrel and me, Paul and Cooper had gone out earlier in the day and bought a fire pit, which was a great surprise. It was pretty cold outside, but the hardest part about s'mores in the winter was the wind and smoke. Still, it was quite an adventure, and I think everyone had fun trying to roast their marshmallows out in the snow. The girls also made their own fleece pillows, out of various dog prints of course! Kestrel definitely had a lot of fun, and very little sleep.

first snow of the season

The other day we woke up to some snow on the ground. First snow of the season! Later, Kestrel spent a while outside playing in the snow and building this snowman.

The kids are trying to make snow angels.

happy thanksgiving birthday!

We had a double celebration going on today: Thanksgiving and Kestrel's 9th birthday! We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house again, with Paul's mom, his two sisters and their families. As always, I made an apple pie and Paul cooked everything else (very delicious). Of course we had a special birthday cake for Kestrel. She was thrilled to get to celebrate her birthday with her cousins.

The cake! We got her an ice cream cake from her favorite ice cream shop, made with oreo and cookie dough ice cream. Also on the desert menu were pumpkin pie and apple pie, of course.

Kestrel requested extra whip cream on her slice!

Cooper, Erica and Kestrel.

The kids' table

Kestrel thanking Cooper for the present he gave her

With her FurReal Kitty

She got matching pajamas for herself and her doll Nellie.

owl play

Today Cooper's kindergarten class had their first performance for parents. They've been studying owls in school and put on two short plays about owls, "Owl Babies" and "Good Night Owl". It seems like just the other day I sat on the same stage watching Kestrel in the same plays with her kindergarten class. Was it three years ago?? This time Kestrel got to sit with me watching Cooper.
Cooper was a sparrow in "Good Night Owl" (but they all wore owl masks). Here are a couple pictures of him up on the stage and a very short video singing a Hoot Owl song at the end.