Max and Esme

Home again Back to work after a rejuvenating weekend visit to South Lake. Spent time with some wonderful college friends (sans children), eating, drinking and laughing. Thanks to Mike and Kira, Colleen and Jim, Scott and Deena for reminding me about one of the best things in life, my friends.

It's official Max and Emily will be in the same kindergarten class next year. The class announcements came while we were away last week and we had to wait another day for delivery of our held mail. But we saw Walter the mailman out walking this morning, and he dropped by on his way home with our box of mail. The first day of school is September 6th.

Nantucket Some highlights from our trip on our first night back: Max and Peter at the beach, Max's first fishing pole, Esme who wouldn't put her feet on the sand but had no problem dumping it all over her towel, Sand Venice.

Max is 5 Happy Birthday Maxwell! We celebrated Max's fifth birthday with a party including soccer, water balloons and ice cream sundaes. The kids had a great time and Max was a perfect host. Here are some shots of his special day.

Princess for a day Another picture from last week. Esme sporting a tiara. She put it on herself, fully aware (I'm sure) that it would stay on her head better that way.

Rain day Several inches of rain early this morning flooded the train lines and the subways, so Peter and I are enjoying an unexpected rain day. Took some time out from computer work to have a nice lunch together in town. Here's a happy picture of Esme to brighten your day.

Documenting the days Max has begun using the chalkboard for more than just drawing and has begun leaving written messages on its face (with his own creative spelling). Last week he categorized the days according to what he was playing at. Monday was Octopus Day. Tuesday was Haunted House Day. On Wednesday he was excited to bring his play camera to the sitters' to take pictures of the insect world. Of course when it came time to leave the house in the morning we couldn't find the camera. With shoulders slumped, Max went over over to the easel and wrote "Cancel bug day" complete with a frowning, tear drop face.

Happy Birthday Esme! Two years old on August 1st. Esme opened her present in the morning. She needed Max's help with the paper, but recognized what the helmet was for right away, saying 'Daddy, Bike' and insisted on wearing it all the way to the babysitter's. In the evening we shared very messy cupcakes decorated with puppies and penguins with the neighbor girls. I love you, Esme.