Brand New Red Sox Fan

Our good friends, Erin and Art, had a beautiful baby boy on September 6th and we finally got to meet Owen over the weekend.  He is beautiful and wicked awesome and sure to be a Red Sox fan. 

Girl Time

Rya and I had some "girl time" on Saturday.  We got pedicures (Rya loves being pampered almost as much as I do!), had a nice lunch and went shopping.  I can't express how thrilled I am to have a daughter to share these moments with! 

Bridge Ride 2011

I conquered my second spin marathon over the weekend.  It was a cold, wet and windy morning at the Waterfront Park making it a less enjoyable experience than last year's ride.  However, this year they had a live band, more participants and more money was raised for the East Cooper Community Outreach so it was worth it.

 

And I got to ride with these lovely ladies! 

Eat Tacos and Cuddle

On Friday, poor Rya was up all night with a stomach bug.  On Saturday morning I told her we could do whatever she wanted to make her feel better.  "Anything, you name it?" she responded, "Eat tacos and cuddle."  On our way to Moe's Southwest Grill, we took a quick detour to the aquarium to see the new stingray exhibit and meet Dora the Explorer—which she loved!  For lunch her wish was granted and we followed up the tacos with some serious cuddling.  Perfect Saturday! 

End Of Summer Bash

We had a potluck party at our house over Labor Day Weekend.  We set up the jumpy/castle waterslide, the blow-up pool and the tent to entertain the kids.  Our neighbors brought corn hole (I giggled when I typed that) and jello shots to entertain the adults. Good times!

I'm sad to see the summer come to an end. 

Donuts for Dads

On Friday September 2nd, Currier's kindergarten class hosted Donuts for Dads.  Currier got to show Trent around his classroom, escort him to the book fair in the school library and eat donuts with his dad at school.      

Currier also presented Trent with an adorable write up titled "My Daddy", a drawing of Currier and Trent and a hand-made tie.  It was a successful father and son morning!    

This Child Will Be The Death Of Me

As soon as I clean Rya's room, she runs up there and puts things back the way she likes them... MESSY!

First Week Success!

Currier's doing awesome in Kindergarten.  His teacher sent him home with this award after the first week of school.  It's no small feat to earn an award for rocking someones world at the age of five.  I'm a proud Mama! 

Kindergarten

Currier started Kindergarten this week.  For his first day, I drove him in and walked him to his classroom to meet his teachers, Mrs. Schuck and Ms.Wanda.  

For his second day, he rode the bus all by himself like a big boy! 

We're Gonna Party Like It's 1991

I went home to Newburyport for my 20th high school reunion.  We kicked off the 10 day trip with a keg party potluck at my cousin Cheryl's house in Amesbury.  It was a fun day filled with family, friends, delicious food, keg beer, wicked laughs, ridiculous sarcasm, keg stands and lots of silly behavior.

After nursing our hangovers the following day, we took the kid's to Yankee Homecoming Old Fashion Sunday in Newburyport where we watched the muster and played in the water.  We ended the day at Salisbury Beach eating Cristy's pizza and soft serve ice cream with jimmies. 

On Monday my dad took us to Storyland in Glen, New Hampshire.  It was a total blast and it's just as magical as I remember it as a child.  The kids absolutely loved it and honestly so did the adults.  My brother and I went there in 1977 and it was so fun to come home and compare the then and now pictures. 

On Tuesday Currier had a bit of a stomach bug so we relaxed around the house and I rested up for the Yankee Homecoming Road Race.  I ran it with my brother's girlfriend Eliza and her sister Leanna.  It was perfect weather for a race and although I found the hill of Oakland Street a total bitch I still enjoyed the run.  After the race we went to the Park Lunch for burgers and beers.  A perfect way to end the day. 

On Wednesday we went to Fenway to watch the Boston Red Sox vs. the Cleveland Indians.  A few months ago I put a message out on facebook asking if anyone would like to join us as I was able to get tickets through a friend.  85 people ended up responding and so 85 friends from Newburyport met at Fenway and watched the Red Sox win.  It was an incredibly fun night and I loved the wicked energy from all the Newburyporters "YEAT". 

On Thursday we went to Seabrook Beach with my dad and several friends joined us.  It was a little chilly especially for this now Southern girl but we ended up staying for hours and having a lovely little beach day.  

On Friday we had breakfast at Mad Martha's on Plum Island and then we took the kids to the spot where Trent and I were married 14 years earlier. 

After the beach we visited my mother's grave.  It was bitter sweet seeing Rya Diane stand on the resting spot of the woman for whom she is named.  My mother's been dead nearly 30 years now and it never gets easier visiting her grave.   

Friday was the Newburyport High School Class of 1991 20th reunion.  It was a TOTAL BLAST to see some people I haven't seen in 20 years.  It was a really great night and well worth the trip. 

On Saturday my brother PJ took Trent and Currier fishing so the girls (Me, Rya, Cheryl and Eliza) went downtown Newburyport to do a little shopping and get psychic readings (she told me something that gave me the chills).  While downtown we ate dinner at the Grog where I worked for eight years as a teenager.  After dinner we met up with the boys and party hopped between Tracey and Loren's house watching the Yankee Homecoming Fireworks.  

On Sunday we watched the Yankee Homecoming Parade with my dad.  The kids loved it and Currier said it was better than Halloween with all the candy they got from the passing floats. 

After the parade we met Rebecca and bunch of friends at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate her birthday.  What was intended to be a mellow last night dinner turned into a drunken tequila soaked roller coaster ride and my cheeks still hurt from laughing so hard!  

On Monday we bid farewell to my family, my friends and Newburyport and we hoped on a plane (very hungover and 8 pounds heavier) and headed back to Charleston where we are still trying to recover from this vacation.   

And here's the rest of the pictures! 

Friday Favorites—Plum Island Soap Company

I love Plum Island Soap Company products, especially the Healing Salts for sore muscles. All of the products are made with pure ingredients and are manufactured on Plum Island, Massachusetts—my favorite place on earth.

Amici Siciliano

Our good friends, Phil and Aja, from Sicily were in town senza bambini (without kids) and popped by for dinner with us.  It was so great to see them and reminisce about our time in Sicily.  Aja and I had babies around the same time and we would meet several days a week at the gym to workout and then have lunch at the Applebees on base with Currier and Ella.  I have fond memories of those early days of motherhood in Sicily.  Manco la Sicilia.

Baby Shower for Erin's Little Slugger

The girls at Arcadia threw Erin a baby shower.  We went with a Red Sox theme because this child is sure to be a "wicked pissah"!  Congratulations Art and Erin.  We can't wait to meet your son.

Summer Vacation

The kids spent a week in Florida visiting with their Mimi and Papi and all their aunts, uncles and cousins.  While they were away one would imagine Trent and I living it up but honestly we just reveled in the peace and quiet and caught up on some sleeping and TV watching.    

Aunt Carrie and Aunt Beth drove the kids back up to South Carolina with a car load of cousins.  Clayton, Nyah and Kellie came and spent a weekend with us and Currier and Rya loved every second of it!