First Dance Class

Caitlyn started her first ballet/tap class last week and absolutely, positively was enthralled by the whole experience. (She even had a great time picking out her leotards and shoes at the store). I was nervous by how she would be at a drop-off class but I went into class with her, put on her ballet shoes and then she said, "Okay, Bye Mommy". BLEW ME AWAY. Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures of the class but we could watch outside through a one-way mirror and Caitlyn was so comfortable with her new ballet classmates and teacher, who I think spent more time tying ballet slippers/tap shoes than anything else. On a related note, does anyone know how to keep those ballet slippers from untying? And yes, we've enforced the rule that tap shoes are only for class...that one cannot wear tap shoes inside the house especially when the majority of the flooring is wood.

Ballet and Tap Class

Halloween 2010

Caitlyn was able to use her Cinderella costume twice on Halloween. Once, during the day, for the town parade and later, in the evening, for the actual trick or treating event. We were happy to go trick or treating with Caitlyn's preschool friend, Caitlin (aka "other Caitlyn"), and her family, as well as a few neighbors we met along the way. Amazingly, Caitlyn only asked for a few pieces of chocolate that night and then seemingly forgot about her stash the next day. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad definitely could not forget about the candy stash and indulged for a few more days (dare I say, weeks) post Halloween.

Halloween 2010

Caitlyn's 3rd Birthday Party

Caitlyn had a fun (and sugar frosting-filled) birthday weekend. She was spoiled by lots of visitors (aka aunts/uncles giving presents) and the weekend was topped off by a party at a local gym where 13 or so kids got to romp around and run off their energy. We don't know if it was the excitement or the frosting she licked off the cake but Caitlyn was up until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. On the downside, she started to think that every weekend was her birthday weekend so we had to manage her expectations a wee bit (didn't help that the following weekend was Halloween so she got more candy then).

Caitlyn's 3rd Bday Party

Impromptu Tree Climbing

Thanks to the Menacho family for the pics. We met up with them at Waveny where Caitlyn played with 1-year old JP and also found a tree that was just the right size for her to climb.

Impromptu Tree Climbing

First Day of Preschool

Caitlyn started preschool a couple of weeks ago -- just two mornings a week for now (will go to three days in January). It was a bit of an adjustment but after a bazillion times playing "Preschool Drop Off" at home (all initiated on her own), she has gotten used to the school routine and looks forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays.

First Day of Preschool

Summer Vacation to New Hampshire

Story Land, Santa's Village....every almost 3 year old's dream. Santa's Village was a particularly favorite of ours -- so easy to explore, quaint and practically no lines on any of the rides.

We can envision making an annual trip up to NH to visit these spots for the next few years.

For those that are making the trek from CT to NH, we highly recommend Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA - you could probably spend a whole day there in and of itself.

New Hampshire Trip

Happy Father's Day!

Caitlyn's first time on a boat! As you can tell, she loved it.

From Father's Day 2010

From Father's Day 2010

Christmas 2009

Nearly half a year has gone by...figured it was time to organize all the Christmas pictures we had.

Christmas 2009

Caitlyn Portraits

Can't believe these pictures of Caitlyn are six months old at this point but we thought they were still worth putting up on the blog. The family shot was our Christmas pic from last year. It's amazing we were able to get a decent shot -- Jaety had recently broken his leg/ankle and Caitlyn was well....being 2. We're thankful for some strategic photographing and airbrushing. These were our favorite Caitlyn pics from the photo shoot.

Professional Portraits

Kid City

Only twenty minutes away from Glastonbury is Kid City Children's Museum. It is an AMAZING place with 3 huge floors to explore. Caitlyn spent nearly 2 hours at Kid City and could have stayed for longer. We didn't even venture into every room that was there. My favorite room was the Toddler Sea Cave -- located on the bottom floor of Kid City, it is completely reserved for children under 4. It was fun, bright, colorful and completely safe for Caitlyn to romp around.

Possibilities are endless at this place -- if memory serves me correct, there was a space age room (with cars galore and glow in the dark pens/markers/crystals). Other interactive exhibits included a fishery, farm and cornfields. We can't wait to go back!

Kid City - November '09

Slowly but surely...

we're going to take a stab at catching up on months and MONTHS of pictures. Shortly after our last post (gasp November '09), we went up to Glastonbury, CT, to spend a long Thanksgiving weekend with Aunt Jackie, Uncle Matt and Beatty. We went children's museum exploring up in the Hartford area and the first one we encountered was called Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester, CT. As the pics will show, points of interest there included a Long Island Sound exhibit, Live Animals (which unfortunately included snakes and an amazingly huge rabbit, not in the same cage thankfully) and a Farmer Room.

Lutz Children's Museum Nov '09

We'll continue to try and play catch up with more pics from the subsequent holidays/special events in our lives. Stay tuned.