All About Dad

June is all about Dad with Father's Day and Keith's birthday only four days apart this year. Father's Day started with dining out for breakfast followed by church. Keith's most eventful gift was fishing gear for him and the kids. Everyone was excited to get their worms on the hooks and cast into the water!

Our neighborhood has catch and release fishing and it turns out to be really good fishing! They caught nearly ten fish and the kids even caught and reeled some of them in by themselves!

Payson proudly showed off one of his catches.

Although she was a little concerned about the hooks in the fish (and the resulting blood), Hayden got into the action as well.

And for a more sentimental gift, the kids and I gave Keith hand cut silhouettes of the kids. From left to right: Hayden, Payson and Madison.

For Keith's birthday we enjoyed a traditional "Cooper meal" out on the patio: Rib-eye, artichoke, asparagus and salad. Yum!

And for dessert, a homemade Chocolate Malt Ice-Cream Cake.

Keith and Payson recently bought a rocket so after assembling it we took it out to the field with some friends to launch it.

Keith is such a good dad and can handle anything with the kids that I can - if not more! A few weeks ago he was home with the kids when Hayden had her first experience with having gum stuck in her hair. While Keith didn't know the peanut butter or ice trick, he did manage to get it out with only one curly lock of hair coming out with it. You know you're a dad to girls when...!

Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday 

to the best father and husband in the world!

First Dance Recital

The girls had their first dance recital after a great year of Creative Movement. They were so excited to finally get to wear their costumes - and make-up too! Here I am with my dancin' beauties, Hayden and Madison.

After the show Daddy and I gave the girls ballerina dolls and Grandma gave Payson got a personalized baseball book as a gift for his great T-ball season! Payson was such a supportive brother and actually enjoyed watching the performances and learning about the backdrops, stage and production side of it. He said it was like watching TV!

Pops and Nunie gave the girls a bouquet of flowers as did Payson, Daddy and me. The girls performed towards the beginning of the show and wanted to stay and watch every single dance in the 3-hour show. Then they were delighted to get to return to the stage after the finale for a bow. It was a late night but they loved every minute of it!

Here is a little video of Madison and Hayden at dress rehearsal. Their dance teacher did such a great job choreographing a routine that 3 and 4-year-olds could actually pull off on stage!

These girls are very into dance and they literally dream of being ballerinas. Hayden told me after her recital that when she closes her eyes she sees dancing in them. She also said, "When I go home and sleep, I'm going to close my eyes and feel like dancing. Thank you for bringing me to this dance! I really love it!" Here they are admiring an older ballerina after one of their classes. They always ask if they can stay and watch after class.

And Hayden likes to practice at home too! She will watch a YouTube video or play a preschool dance DVD and follow along with the steps. She even wants to change into her ballet clothes and use her little barre!

One day Hayden asked me to take photos of her in various dance poses.

After watching Hayden, Payson ran up and asked me to take a picture of how strong he is at holding up a chair over his head. Cute boy!

I have to say that I am delighted that they have chosen an activity that I love myself. I also began dancing when I was age 3! Hayden even likes to wear my dance costumes from when I was about her age.

And here's me in the same costume in 1985!

Payson's T-ball season was a success and he had a ball (hee, hee) with all of his buddies on the team. His team ended the season with a fun pool and pizza party with these amazing cake balls decorated like baseballs that one of the moms made.

Payson was so proud to receive his first trophy and he is sure that it is because he got one of the Pirates out at first base a few games before the season ended.

Payson celebrated a great season with his teammates.

Madison took in the view through Keith's sunglasses and relaxed poolside during the festivities.

Shipping Off to Boston!

Keith had his 5-year reunion at Harvard Business School and we decided to take the whole family to Boston to show them the city we love so dearly. Madison and I visited when she was just 8 months old and a lot has changed since she traveled as a lap baby. This time she got to fly First Class and we both had plenty of room. Here's my little princess watching the luggage and beverage carts before take-off. We were an hour delayed while already on board and she was such a trooper!

Keith, Hayden and Payson took another flight and we met up upon arrival. The kids were thrilled to find these three courtesy phones and immediately began striking up their own pretend conversations.

Pops and Nunie joined us for the weekend and the kids experienced their first ride on the T.

View of the Charles River (Cambridge on the left, Boston on the right) from our hotel. Ahh, love this place!

Visiting Harvard Square was quite different from our usual outings back at home. It was quite a challenge keeping tabs on three preschoolers on the busy sidewalks full of pedestrians, crosswalks, bikers and impatient drivers!

Lobsters!

Reading time in the upscale Curious George bookstore.

Saying hello to security on the HBS campus. Our first full day was sunny and beautiful!

They had a huge tent area set up for kids where they participated in lots of crafts.

Game time!

It was so great getting to catch up with all of our HBS friends such as my girl Cathy.

No trip to Boston is complete without dinner in the North End!

Daddy and Hayden hanging out in the long line in front of Regina Pizzeria.

Pops pickin' his birthday tunes: Rolling Stones and Neil Young of course!

Payson and Nunie as we wait for our pizza.

I didn't get many evening photos, but we had a great time catching up with all of our friends!

The next morning we visited the Boston Aquarium.

Madison makes like a penguin!

Touch and feel area.

Inside the Giant Ocean Tank! (Okay, not really. Were you fooled?)

Oysters, calm chowder and crab cakes at Legal Seafood followed by Boston Cream Pie for dessert for Pops' birthday!

Future Harvard students?

Our final meal included fresh Maine Lobster at Summer Shack. Love it!

Payson was in heaven playing with the claws and legs.

Our family was on separate flights again for the return trip home so Madison and I had a few more hours to spend in Boston. We walked from the Back Bay down Boylston Street to Boston Common where we spotted the Original Boston Frosty truck.

Our walk through the park was both relaxing and glorious. Everything was perfect.

Of all the things we did while living in Boston for two years, we never did ride the famous Swan Boats. So, this was a first for both me and Madison. She loved it.

Madison and the mama duck leading the ducklings of the Make Way for Duckings bronze statue.

Carousel ride!

Madison asked to have her picture taken in front of the Brewer Fountain which was cast in Paris and began to function here at Boston Common back in 1868!

Madison in front of 200-year-old Park Street Church just before hopping on the T to head to the airport. Goodbye for now, Boston!