Monthly Archives: February 2016

Vacation week

Posted on by
Reply

This is the first February vacation that I have not had to work. It was fun to be off with the boys!

IMG_1913Bren and I kicked off vacation with our 3rd annual Valentine’s Day date to Disney on Ice. Bren loves the performance. I love judging the kidless couple there on a date. (WHY???) He went with pink and red streaks in his hair for the occasion!

It seems Aidan finds some craft project to kick off vacation. This year it was a Minecraft sword made of 1X1 blocks and painted to match the sword in the game. He’s so creative and once he sets his mind to do something- it gets it done! IMG_1924

Both boys had asked to have a friend day and we made that day a trip to SkyZone. I thought more parents would be there hoping to burn off kid energy-but it was a pretty quiet day. They had fun with their friends and were exhausted when they were done!

IMG_1946

 

We tried a new place too- a local rock gym. The kids had fun climbing high (and swinging down) and bouldering. Bren of course was trying to find the most dramatic way possible.
Brendan helped usher Fancy Nancy and Aidan got a few play dates into!

The highlights for both: Brendan got to go with his high school friends to Harvard Square after they ushered Fancy Nancy- before he went to rehearsal. And Aidan finally got his wish to go to trivia with Chris!

Things that make me proud

Posted on by
Reply

Sometimes it’s little moments that make me proud of my kids. One such example happened yesterday.

Aidan has been waiting for weeks to get together with his friend who doesn’t go to the same school anymore. We talked about making plans during school vacation week and he orchestrated the planning with her on their own (no parent texts!). They decided on SkyZone and Brendan invited a friend as well.

It wasn’t overly crowded but SkyZone still has a policy of grouping kids for dodge ball. Aidan realized the grouping meant his friend was with older kids having already turned 11 and he was with Brendan and his friend. He came to me with his concerns. I suggested he could try talking to the front desk.

I followed at a distance to see how he would handle the situation. He respectfully asked if it was possible to change the letter on his name tag since his birthday was in about two weeks and he was with a friend in the older group.  The staff member agreed and went to get a replacement label. Aidan was very proud of himself. And I was proud of hime for taking care of it on his own.

Of course in the end they decided not to play dodge ball. But still a great opportunity to watch Aidan advocate for himself. 11 is coming so soon.

IMG_1935IMG_1928

Life is pretty good if you’re Brendan

Posted on by
Reply

Life always seems to be pretty good for Brendan but the past few weeks especially have been fun to watch.

IMG_1794Beside after school drama- and getting to be in both the younger kids’ show (Shrek) and the older kids’ show (Legally Blonde)- rehearsals have started for Boston Children’s Theatre’s World Premiere of Caps for Sale. Brendan is a monkey. Not only is he excited about the show and being on the stage, but also the many members of the large cast that he knew from previous shows. It’s a busy month of rehearsals but every day he goes he comes back filled with enthusiasm.  Here’s a video BCT published. The group recently worked with a Cirque du Soleil professional to master the art of “monkeying around.” That same week Brendan learned that at this year’s Giving Voice fundraiser Kristin Chenoworth will be honored!

IMG_1804We recently went to Sondheim on Sondheim. Stephen Sondheim is a favorite of Brendan’s because he loves the music of Into the Woods and Assassins.  He was the youngest audience member and only had to be told twice to not sing along! Into the Woods, Junior is the summer camp performance this year- that he finally gets to attend and Danielle Ferland will be giving a Master Class this summer and directing the older kids. He can barely contain his excitement.

IMG_1884And then there is school. Brendan’s class created projects based on countries they were studying. Brendan was assigned England. He put to good se everything from our trip and his love of YouTube to create his own video (thank God for snow days!). It was fun to visit his class and see what all the kids did!

 

Brendan loves his school’s monthly character traits the school calls Doing the Right Thing. He received the award for January- Peace. His teacher talked about how no one was surprised Brendan received the award since he is always trying to be a peaIMG_1900ce maker in the class. She recounted how he recently heard students at another school were being bullied and stood with them in solidarity by wearing black. Another teacher added that Brendan went to her when a student was being blamed for something he did not do and Brendan made sure the teacher knew he was not to blame. He was very proud of himself and it was very special to hear. Total Montessori kid- the peace award.