Halloween

It is a cold and snowy Halloween here, but at least we have power unlike many surrounding towns and all of CT:)

After much "discussion" Nate ended up being a pumpkin, which some may recall as Jack's first costume. Jack is a fire fighter (same costume as last year - his request!)

More cake

Digging..

Open house at the fire house

For great aunt Debbie!

This was on jacks school Bookshelf this morning. I thought you would approve.

Fall Activities

This fall the boys are both in school, Jack 5 days from 8:30ish-1 and Nate 3 days from 8:30-12:30. Beyond that they are both enjoying swimming at Saturday mornings at one of our local Ys. Jack recently moved up a level which is exciting. He still uses a "bubble" (a small - about 11 by 14 - foam device on his back) but he gets all around the pool, can jump in and submerge from the starting blocks (the things "real" swim teams jump off). This class seems to be focusing on actual crawl/freestyle strokes, diving face first from a kneeling position on the side and swimming on their backs with the aid of a kickboard on their chest.

Nate is in his first class in the "baby" pool with Steve also in the water. He also uses a bubble (with 4-5 pieces of foam instead of Jack's 2) and he can actually doggy paddle his way around a bit. As usual, he is pretty fearless, and LOVES the class so far.

They are also both in gymnastics at a local gym. Jack is in the same class as last year for 3-5 year olds - mixed age/gender. It is obstacle-course type rotations on real kid-size equipment. Not much in terms of real gymnastics -no back-handspsrings or anything - but seems great for balance and coordination. I participate with Nate and his class is more of a challenge. One might perceive his lack of following direction as intelligence: he refuses to do the obstacle course with the other kids, and instead does them all on his own. As such, he never has to wait! I have decided forcing him is futile. I signed him up for exercise and fun which he is getting.

Neither gymnastics nor swimming allow pictures except "viewing" week, hopefully I will remember to do so!

Columbus Day Weekend - Eastham (Cape Cod)

We ended up "winning" a long weekend at a house in Eastham at an auction at Jack's new school. It is owned by another family and was in an amazing location right on a small pond and about 1 mile from first encounter beach (bay) and about 4 miles from the CC National Seashore/Coast Guard beach. We had amazing weather - in the mid-upper 70s on Saturday and Sunday!

Jack got his first (2) trips on a sailboat (sunfish) in the pond. He very much enjoyed it, as did Steve. We splashed in the small beach at the pond, swung on swings hanging from trees and enjoyed the view. We also visited First Encounter beach for sunset and coast guard beach for sand-playing. We stopped by a couple of playgrounds and a real caboose outside a small railroad museum in Chatham.

As in Nova Scotia, Jack ordered fish and chips everywhere! It is his favorite at the moment.


Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach
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Fort Hill - small hiking area. Steve and I were last there on our "minimoon" right after our wedding 7 years ago!
2011

2004

At the Caboose in Chatham

Playground in Eastham with an amazing "zipline" - both boys loved it

On the swing at the house..

First Encounter Beach

First Encounter Beach

First Encounter Beach

First Encounter Beach

Jack out for his first sail

Nova Scotia - Pictou Edition

After our time in Halifax, we moved north to Pictou for the wedding. What a fun hotel and gorgeous location. We stayed in a real log-cabin (updated with modern amenities)! There were various buildings on the property, a pool (boys loved) a life-size checker board, as well as canoes and paddle boats to use! Jack loved the latter.

Pictou is where a famous boat called the "Hector" landed packed with Scottish immigrants in 1773. They have a replica that Jack enjoyed viewing with Grandpa Pete.



"downtown" Pictou




On the Hector



At the lodge...







At the church


At the reception

A few pictures of nate at school!