We went to the Fair !!

     For mommy's birthday this year she decided that she wanted everyone to go to the Fryeburg fair.  The kids were hot on the idea and jumped at the chance.  Jimmy had a baseball game so he stayed with Auntie Jo.  He didn't object at all.....I haven't received the full report, but i'm sure it was a spoil Jimmyfest. 
     Emily and Erin were happy to come over and join the fun.  We went up Saturday night and stayed over Neenies place.  We weren't there very long, just to sleep and roll on out.  However, in the morning when we went down to make sure we had everything for our trip you would have thought that a pack of Indians came through. 

     Six hours later Catherine was still talking about how good that lemonade was.

     Laura wanted to go on all the sky rides. 

     The kids went on the rock climbing wall.  Shooting right up the wall.

     And then off to Neenies house before the trip home.....It was almost like summer....only the water was cold, cold cold....It didnt seem to bother them though

A night in the life.....

      While on the way to Nana's house to sing happy birthday, we once again drove by Pop Pop's statue.  Usually, we just drive by and say "hi pop pop's statue".  Today I asked Jackie if he wanted to stop and he said yes as did Catherine.  We did stop and and paid a visit to the group of stones as well as his original stone.  It was neat to just hang out there for a minute.  It didn't take much effort and off we were to sing to Nana.

     I love doing these boring things with the kids.  They are so good that they don't care where they go as long as they go somewhere and do things.  It is so easy to please them.  Things like just chilling out at Pop Pop's statue.  I like that they don't mind hanging out with me yet.......

      After going to Nana's house the three oldest asked if we could go to the library so they could get a book.  We went last week and they seemed to like it.  I went into Cat's room one day last week and Jack was reading to Catherine.  so cute!!!

Football Jack

      And off he goes into the world of flag football.  He ended up being on Dominic's team and the two of them are a wrecking crew.  This top picture shows Jackie holding the ball properly (so as not to flag guard) as he finishes off a reverse handoff that took the ball to the house (touchdown) the whole length of the field.

     He is so serious when it comes to his sports, its really cute to watch.  For weeks he has yelled to me to go out on the front lawn and either play football or soccer.  It is particular things that he wants to work on, like the grip of the football or how to catch it with his hands.  The picture above he is getting ready to launch it downfield.  He told me later that he didn't throw this ball that well because it wasn't a spiral.  I love watching him play, its like the Super Bowl.

                                              Dominic dumping off to Jack for a nice gain.

                                     One of the very few times that they sat.

Jimmy Football (flag)

     Jimmy's football season has begun and that means flag football with Jacob.  Both boys were exceptional with the both of them hooking up for a 55 yard touchdown pass on the opening play of the game.  It just kept going on and on as Jacob and Jimmy both scored three touchdowns.  It was a fun game to just sit,relax and watch the two of them just demolish the competition.

     Look at how big these two goofballs are now.  Jimmy is approaching me in height.  His shoe size is 13 1/2.

Jackie playing soccer....another Pele he is

We havent really been a soccer family over the years.  I always thought it was a boring sport, maybe without alot of action but alot of other people tend to like it.  Each of the kids at one time or another has played soccer and grew out of it relatively quick.  Jimmy and ump go on and on about how boring it is to watch a five hour game with no scoring and they mock how exciting it is.  When we told Jack that he could join soccer he was a little bit hesitant but was excited just the same to play.  He started watching World Cup soccer on YouTube and practicing in the front yard.  Of course he gets bothered when Jimmy tells him its boring but it doesn't bother him enough to not be happy playing.  He loves it and he's really improved so much just but teaching himself and moving around with the ball on his own or with me or the girls....mostly he asks me to stand in the crease of the goal and become a shooting object.  So i make a save out of pure survival instinct.
     This Saturday Jack played his second game and I must say, he was awesome!!!  He had great foot moves with the ball and he even scored two of his teams four goals in the win.  He's so intense and loves the competition.  I love watching him play.  So so fun!!

Box Hockey

I got a phone call from an old friend asking if we'd like a game of box hockey.  Well, she actually said that after all these years her kids have used it up and they no longer used it, they are older and college bound and we were the first people that she thought of who would put it to use.    At first, I was like...yeah, i'll take it....After thinking about it, I became so excited I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  I suppose its a city thing.  We used to play this game during the summer rec times in the local parks.....over and over we did this, so I was so excited to share it with the kids. 

click on the highlighted link here
Box Hockey
 for box hockey and watch Laura beating Jimmy

A poem for Jackie

My neighbor Peter came over one day after Jack had interrupted his attempt to get into his house by telling him stories and then inviting him over for some smores.  Well, Peter gets a kick out of Jack and told us that he has tried to publish a poem he had written for jack.  I find it very flattering and love it.  Only Jack could have a poem written about him.

Fun with the cuzzins

We get to see this side of the family far too infrequently.  Through the years whenever we get together with Sheila and crew it is always lots of laughs and great times.  No matter what it is we are doing.  Bonnie came home for a visit and we all got together for an afternoon.

Fourth of July fireworks

Great seats for the fourth of July show.  The fireworks seemed like they exploded right above us, mostly because they did.  We had burning embers falling close to our group.  The kids sat in the back of uncle Jamies truck.

Father-daughter dance with Cat

Time just flew by and I had forgotten to post pictures of the father-daughter dance with Cat.  It was a grand time had by all.  She was so cute and excited as the date approached and we rocked the place all night.  Her and her fellow classmates smiling the whole night