Apple Picking Day

I love this time of year. The air is crisp with brilliant color everywhere you look...

Danny can still lift the girls up high to reach for the best apples...

Nicholas...not so much.  He's just a tad too big now to be lifted...

The most beautiful day...

Kettle corn made right there fresh...the best ever...

So good that we bought two large bags of the golden stuff...

Freshly made apple cider donuts...

Yummy...

It was a great family day.  

Trio from Nationals

Julia's trio from Starpower Nationals. This dance won 1st place in the petite division!!!

Toothless

Gianna lost her front tooth and she looks so adorable!!! I hope the other one falls out soon because I absolutely love the toothless look!
 

First Day of School

Nicholas 5th grade...

Julia 4th grade...

Gianna 2nd grade...

Our beautiful babies...

As a kid, I remember sleepless nights before the first day of school and lots of butterflies in my belly.  Nope. Not my kids.  They all fell right to sleep and woke up excited and just ready to go.  No nerves here at all...

They all were happy with their teachers.  Let's hope it's going to be a great school year.

And my last year with all three in elementary school.  Oh dear.  How is that possible?  The years go by too quickly!!

Ending our summer

Finishing our summer list, we went to Boston for the day. What a beautiful day it was! Loads of sunshine and no humidity...my kind of day!!

We did the Duck Tour which was really fun.

Nicholas got a turn to steer the boat...

Gorgeous views from the Charles River...

Then Julia got a chance to steer too!

 

After the tour, we went over to Faneuil Hall.  We all love to watch the street performers...

Columbus Park....

Dreaming that one of those large boats is mine...

I bought each of the kids a little something from the market place.  Julia picked out a pretty bow for her hair, Nicholas bought a Bruins vanity plate and Gianna fell in love with these little guys...puppies to add to her little dog collection...

We had dinner at a fabulous restaurant in the North End and ended our day with a trip to Mike's Pastry for a yummy dessert...

Yesterday we were trying to decide what beach to go to and then I remembered this place...Breezy Acres.  It was another beautiful day.  The lake water is crystal clear....

and there are three really fun water slides to ride...

It's been a great summer.  We've completed our "summer list".  Now I'm looking forward to school starting in four days!!!  Yahoo!!!  I don't think there will be any tears for me this year.  I've loved having the kids home and doing all these fun things with them, but it's time to get back into a routine.  It'll be good for them...and good for me.  I'm looking forward to hockey, dance and Gianna's doing theatre!!!  More on that later!!

Happy Birthday Julia Rose

Julia turned 10 on August 28th...

I love Gianna in this picture...always the actress!

Julia picked out this lava lamp when we were out shopping one day.  It's pink and purple, her favorite colors...

She also picked out a watch...pink too of course...

Very pretty just like her...

And then I surprised her with one gift...

I saw it at the Disney Store and knew she would just love it. You touch her hand and she sings "Colors of the Wind"...

She was so happy and loved it!!  Julia actually looks like Pocahontas, don't you think?

She asked for this pink confetti cake...

I love that my girl still loves dolls.  She sleeps with her by her side and has taken her everywhere the past few days.  So cute...

We are so very lucky to have this precious sweet girl in our lives to love and care for.