No School...What to do...What to do...

School was out yesterday and today for Rosh Hashanah. Yesterday we packed Daddy's bag, went ice skating, and then drove Bobby to the airport (he went home to watch Kerry play in the All Ireland.)

Liam cried and cried as Bobby went through security. He continued to cry for the next hour, and talked about all the reasons why he loves his Daddy, and why he will miss him. At one point, Liam told me that he needed to go to the bathroom "really, really bad" and that he thought the best option would be to go back to the airport. When I said that we couldn't go back to the airport, but could stop someplace else, he was miraculously pee-free.

Today we decided that it would be fun to go apple picking in the Catskills. Liam's favorite food is the apple -- he is partial to Macintosh and Gala (and what ever Grandpa Tony's private stash is.) So he was one happy fella to learn that Macs are ripe and ready for picking. It looks like there aren't many people around because there weren't. We arrived at 9 a.m. when they opened, and practically had the place to ourselves for the next two hours. Liam and Mommy decided that it doesn't get any better than that.


After apple picking, Spiderman turned up for lunch and an afternoon of errands.
Wrecked after a long day.

First Day with the Pirates

Liam started hockey practice this morning. He is on the Learn to Play team for the Pearl River Pirates. So cute to see a bunch of kindergartners skating around in full gear. They practice skating, and learn stick-handling and shooting. Liam did well this morning. We were surprised how comfortable he was with his stick. He skated right onto the ice with it like he had done it before.

We went to the rink a couple times last week so that he could get used to his gear (it's heavy and hot). They aren't allowed to have sticks on the ice unless it is "stick time" so he wasn't able to use it until this morning. He was so happy to have a stick and to be able to hit the puck. For two years he has been asking when he will be able to have a stick and puck. The day finally arrived!

Gearing-up. In an effort to save time we put on half his gear at home. You wouldn't believe all the stuff they wear -- everything is padded and protected.
Liam before practice. At first Mommy was a little nervous to go into the locker room, then she was told that it is a "mommy-friendly" locker room. These little guys can't get their gear on by themselves.

1st Day of School

Yippee!!!! It's finally here. Liam's first day of Kindergarten. A certain 5-year-old had trouble getting to sleep last night because he was so excited.

Liam got ready this morning in half the time that it normally takes. We had a little issue getting him out of the bath and dressed, but after that he made up for lost time. He ate breakfast faster than we have ever seen, and then we were absolutely shocked when he got up and brushed his teeth without having to be asked. Brushing the teeth without a struggle is huge -- it is such a rare, rare occurrence.

He had his backpack on and was standing at the front door 40 minutes before the bus was to arrive. After 10 minutes of waiting inside he decided he needed to be at the bus stop -- "just in case the bus is early."

So proud of his new backpack. He wanted me to post more pictures of it at different angles, but figured I spare everyone.
Liam with his best friend, Nicky. Liam has the same teacher that Nicky had last year. It's all so exciting.
The bus!
Getting on the bus. Mommy cried of course.

Work, Work, Work

Liam doesn't start Kindergarten until Thursday, so he went to work with both Mommy and Daddy today.

He started off the day at work "teaching yoga" with Mommy (he demonstrated full cobra and handstand.) Then he was off to ice skate, home for a short swim, then back "working" with Daddy. His work with Mommy entailed doing a little yoga, and then hanging in the office and coloring. His work with Daddy (which he is dressed for in above photo) consisted of eating cookies, and playing tennis with the client's son.

This evening, just about bedtime, he tried to tell us that he needed to watch a movie so that he could rest after his hard day.

"It was a great day, but...

"It was a great day, but I didn't get to skateboard." Or so Liam says.

Only a five-year-old could think that breakfast in bed, dancing with mommy to the "Hairspray" soundtrack, hitting balls at the driving range, miniature golf, swimming, shopping at Lowes (the clothes dryer died), dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, shooting giant Nerf guns, chopping wood, enjoying a fire, playing a little baseball, and now watching a movie, isn't an outstanding day. I guess if you really want to skateboard, doing everything but is okay, but not the best.

The boys were treated to breakfast in bed. It wasn't planned that way, but two silly fellas kept yelling that they wouldn't come down stairs to eat -- they wanted "breaky" in bed. Weren't they surprised when they actually got it. Tonia drew the line when they asked for a bell in case they needed anything.

Liam and Bobby on the way to the driving range.

We heard a lot of "did you see that one?" And that wasn't only coming from Liam.

Daddy coaching Liam. (Absolutely love this shot.)


Although far from a golfer, Tonia hit a few as well. Early on she kept saying what a stupid game golf is. As she got better, and drove a few fairly far, she was heard to say how fun golf can be.

Once we finished at the driving range, we played miniature golf. What FUN!! We had a great time. Bobby won, but Tonia's score was very close. Bobby wants a re-match tomorrow. We had so much fun, we may very well play again Monday. Liam thought that the more strokes you got the better you did -- he eventually listened to Mommy and Daddy and figured out the objective (but not soon enough to be a contender.)
Liam took the photo of Tonia and Bobby.

Daddy and Liam after a yummy dinner at out fav Mexican restaurant.

Liam trying to shot the Nerf over the play structure. He thought that standing on the bench would improve his shot.

Liam posing with some wood he chopped. He chopped and chopped and chopped wood for 40 minutes. We made an awesome fire out of all that wood.

Finishing up outdoor time with baseball. One hit got the poor pitcher, Daddy, in the hand. All Bob could do was laugh, because he couldn't believe that the ball came back to him via the bat.

Liam does, however, need to work a on his pitching. Poor Daddy got it again in the hand. Oh well, what can you expect from a kindergarten pitcher.

Tonia's Teacher

This is my yoga teacher, Sri Dharma Mittra (with Pepper.) You won't believe this, but he is 68 years old. Check out his new web site, www.dharmayogacenter.com, he makes yoga look so easy. He is such a funny, cool, extremely humble man.

(If you look at the page for teachers at the studio you might find someone you know.)

Hangin' With the Big Kids

Liam was beside himself with joy when his friend Nickey's older brother and friends invited them to skateboard. The 10 and 12 year-olds also had fun imparting their boarding knowledge.

Practicing an Indy Grab, or so I was told.


Getting a ride back up the hill. The girl in the front was kind enough to let Liam borrow her board. He had a much easier time riding the larger board.

One of Liam's coaches, Nicky's brother Dennis.