Kindergarten Apple Picking Field Trip

Today was Hannah's 1st Kindergarten field trip! Apple picking at Honey Pot Hill Orchard in Stow, MA. I was lucky enough to be chosen as 1 of the 2 parent chaperones and got to document the trip!

It was also her first time riding a yellow school bus! She was very excited!! The parents had to drive separately as all 3 Kindergarten classes from her school were going and there was not enough room.
Hannah and Jadyah on the hay ride.
My group of kids with their empty bags ready to fill. The teacher gave each of us 5 children to watch. It was a great group.
Say "apples"
Hannah and Mommy!
After a snack of cider donuts and apple cider to drink, the kids got to see some of the animals at the orchard (Hannah's favorite part).
And then on to choosing the perfect pumpkin.
Ms. Pellegrine instructing the class how to properly hold their pumpkins on the way back to the bus.
Say "pumpkins"
The whole class with Ms. Pellegrine.
A very successful field trip!! So glad I got to be a part of it with her!

Lost River Valley Camping Trip

This weekend we had another camping adventure with friends. This time, we went to the Lost River Valley in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And lucky for us, the Fall foliage was pre-peak and we got to see lots of the gorgeous colors of Fall in New England.

We were supposed to go up on Friday afternoon, but sadly Joe got held up in North Carolina for work and didn't make it home until late Friday so we opted to go up bright and early Saturday morning (we left at 6a). As luck would have it, it rained all night Friday and so it was better to be home in our dry house. Our friends were dry in their cabins, but we waited to the last minute to make our reservations and got a tent site instead. While our tent is supposed to be weather proof, we'd rather not test it.

Hannah was very excited to bring her guitar along (to show Matt) and carried it around for quite a while when we first got there. Hannah and Anna.
Maddie!

Sophie and Emme!
And poor Thomas who was bored and had to wait for all of us to get situated before we could go fishing!
Especially when all of the adults are just hanging out chatting...
OK, we finally made it to fishing at a nearby pond. Emme fell asleep in the car so I stayed with her while the others went ahead. By the time I got there, most of the kids were more interested in the worms than fishing. Unfortunately/fortunately, no fish were caught.
Emme's first time fishing.
The kids having a dance party for the worms! Even little Ryan wants in on the action.
After coming back to the campsite and eating lunch, most of the kids went over to the playground to play. Hannah demonstrating her new found skill of the monkey bars (she 'mastered' the skill within the first few days of school). While she already had blisters/calluses from her school monkey bars, these were wood and left her with open blisters on the palms of her hand (which proved to be quite painful the rest of the weekend).
Sophie playing on the wooden train
Hannah and Anna.
Peek a boo.
Paddle boats. They do know it's not bumper boats, right?
And then it was time for a hike. But not before a quick family photo.
We went to Flume Gorge. A mile and 1/4 walk that seemed to take forever, but was mostly really fun! Walking up. Those in front.
And those behind. There were 10 adults and 12 children total.
The scenery was just beautiful!
Exploring bear cave.
Katie and Elsie bringing up the rear!
It's a long way down!
Emme finally walked on her own for a bit...although not for long. With just a half hour early nap, she was quite tired by this time of day.


And a family photo with the view behind.
Such strong kids!
Home for a quick dinner cooked over the fire! Joe surprised the girls with head lamps for this trip. They were a hit and much needed as it got dark early and it was dark! The lights from the cabins helped but it was still dark.
The girls were so tired that they went to bed before everyone had s'mores and they didn't even care. That is a good day of camping!

In the morning, Joe made pancakes and sausages on our new camp stove and we packed up to go home. Joe and I had a work event to attend and needed to get back early (a work event that we ended up not going to because Joe was sick the entire weekend and his body had finally had enough).

Another successful camping trip! Hannah's favorite part - the monkey bars. Emme's - playing on the train. Funny how they both liked the playground as their favorite part. Joe's favorite part was cooking on the camp fire (followed by a close second to coming home to rest!!) and my favorite part was hiking the gorge.

Cat in the Hat Sing-a-long

This morning, Emme and I went to a Cat in the Hat themed breakfast and storytime put on by Watertown Family Network.

Emme in the hat!

After the sing-a-long, they had a raffle and Emme was 1 of the 5 lucky winners. A Cat in the Hat green eggs and ham bag filled with goodies!! Very cool! (Barbie came along for the ride too)


Emme and Elena!
Clarice, Emme, and Elena...it's as good as it gets.
Cat in the Hat was there to say goodbye to us, but no pictures were taken as it was a very sorry excuse for a Cat in the Hat...Emme didn't even notice it was supposed to be Cat in the Hat. A fun time nonetheless.

Hannah's 1st Soccer Game

It's been a busy week for this little Kindergartner! Not only did she start school, but she also started soccer! While her first practice got canceled due to the weather, her first game was Saturday!

All suited up and ready to play! Super excited!

Hannah with her biggest fan!

Out on the field playing. Of course right when the game was about to start...Hannah was on the field ready to go and then...she had to go to the bathroom. A quick trip to our car for our portable potty and then...ready to play! So adorable to watch these kids play!
Half time oranges!
Her new friend, Julia hamming it up...the coach (Julia's dad) had to ask Hannah and Julia during the game to not hold hands...hmm...things you didn't think had to be said...
The game went great and Hannah had a lot of fun!

Hannah's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Friday was Hannah's 1st day of Kindergarten! It was a staggered start where half the class went for a half day on Thursday and the rest on Friday easing them into Kindergarten. We got to go on Wednesday to meet her teacher and see the classroom! While she was still very nervous about going, she was also very excited! Her outfit had been picked (by her, of course) for weeks before school started.

All ready to go! Such a big girl! (not sure where the posing came from)

Little Miss Attitude.
Emme wanted to get in on the photo action and was just as excited to take Hannah to school.
Backpack check!
And check! While Hannah's backpack held her snack, Emme's was empty (she didn't care). She wanted to be just like her big sister!
Another pose out front!
Walking to school. The school is about 2 blocks from our house, but takes us about 15 minutes due to a little 2 yr old that walks with us! And of course, stopping to smell flowers...stopping to balance on the sewer caps that are waiting to go into the newly paved road...
In front of her school! Is this not the cutest elementary school you've ever seen? Quintessential New England!
Hannah and her friend, Abby! While they are not in the same class, they will see each other at recess!
The girls were going through their backpacks showing each other what they had brought for snack!
Hannah and her teacher, Miss Pellegrine! It is Miss Pellegrine's first year teaching her own class at Burbank. She is just as excited as the kids!
Hannah was the first into her classroom...way ahead of me. By the time I got there, Hannah had her backpack put away and was on her way to the meeting area. She told me "OK Mom, you can leave me forever"...well at least until 1140a.

Her first day went terrific. She has been counting down the days until she goes back to school. Monday will be her first full day 840a-250p. Fingers crossed it goes just as well!