Summer Reading

A few weeks ago, Sadie signed up for the summer reading program at the Lebanon Library.

She carefully wrote down her name and was given a reading log to record what she has read.

If she completes the log by the middle of August, she will receive a little toy, a choice of book and a coupon for a free ice cream cone.

The reading program kicked off with special visit from children's author and illustrator DB Johnson, who we just love.


His new book, Palazzo Inverso, is amazing.





He signed Sadie's copy!

Party Girl

Party Girl
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Nellie had a lovely birthday party with Grandma, Grandpa, Bob Bob and lots of her little friends. It was hot and sunny and the kids loved all the Elmo gear.

She's wearing the dress I wore to my second birthday! So cute.

Cupcake!

Helena enjoyed a birthday cupcake last night!

Happy Birthday, Helena Beverly!

outdoor drinks
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Happy 2nd birthday, darling girl!
We love you so much and are so happy to watch you growing up and learning new things every day. It makes us very happy to see you playing with Sadie, enjoying everything and exploring the world. We are proud of all the things you have learned in the past two years and are excited for all the things that are ahead of you.
We wish you many many more years of happiness.
Lots of love,
Mommy and Daddy

Big Grampy

Grammy, Grampy and Girls
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Dan's grandfather, Grampy, or Big Grampy as Sadie called him, passed away last night. We will all miss him.

He was a wonderful husband, a loving father of four children, grandfather of nine grandchildren and very proud great-grandfather to Sadie and Helena and to his great-grandchild-to-be, Kara and Kyle's baby on the way.

We love you and miss you, Grampy.

Summer

Montshire
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

You know summer is here when we're at the Montshire water park. Nellie did not seem to remember the water park from last summer and was pretty hesitant when we first arrived. It didn't take long before she was having a great time playing in the water.

Outdoor Drinks

outdoor drinks
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

The girls had an outdoor drink this afternoon in their adirondack chairs. They are loving having these chairs.

The one Sadie is sitting in was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa two summers ago. She still loves it. Helena's chair is a recent gift from Nana and Bob Bob. The chairs are similar but different enough that each girl knows her own special chair but they feel like they have the same thing.

Happy Little One

Happy Little One
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Just a cute pic of our happy little girl. Just a few more weeks and she will be two years old.

She's happy all the time and very eager to keep up with everything Sadie does. We love to hear her talking and singing.

Her favorite color is "byoo".
Her favorite nursery rhyme is "Dumpy Dumpy" (Humpty Dumpty).
Her favorite kind of ice cream is "kaga kip" (chocolate chip).

Professional Snapshot

PhDs at Commencement
Originally uploaded by Dartmouth Flickr

Dan and the girls were photographed by one of the official Dartmouth photographers during graduation and this picture was posted to the Dartmouth flickr photostream.

Weekend Highlights

Some highlights of Dan's graduation weekend:

Saturday was Dartmouth Medical School Class Day. Dan's program is a part of Dartmouth College and also part of the Medical School so he participated in both the medical school and college events.

Forming a corridor for the faculty to walk down on Class Day:


Dan is hooded by the Dartmouth Medical School:

(He then returned the hood so that he could be hooded again during the Graduation ceremony the following day)

Celebrating after Class Day:


Enjoying ice cream and Daddy at the Class Day luncheon:


Sunday was Graduation. We were happy to have better weather...overcast, but not raining.

PhD graduates lined by Wentworth Hall, waiting to proceed onto the Green:


Pre-ceremony:




Dan getting hooded, shown on the jumbo tron:


Recessional with the girls:

Congratulations!

Congratulations!
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Congratulations Dr. Dan!
We are so proud and happy about your graduation.

Lots of pics on Flickr if you want to see more!

Congratulations, Sadie!

Sadie finished Pre-K today. She had a wonderful year in Miss Wanda's class where she learned so much. Sadie can now read, add, subtract, name and identify all the continents, name and identify all the planets (including dwarf planet Pluto!) and lots more. She has thrived in the structure and self-direction of Montessori. We are so happy she will be part of Miss SallyAnn's wonderful kindergarten next fall.

The children ended the year with a wonderful performance of songs. Sadie's class were butterflies!

Father's Day Coffee

I love Dad
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie's school does a Father's Day Coffee several weeks before Father's Day so they can celebrate before the end of the year. Sadie and Dan had a great time together.

The picture says, "I love my daddy because he helped us find our Easter baskets and he drove us to Nana's house." We think Sadie made both this painting and the Mother's Day painting back before Mother's Day, which was why Easter was on her mind.
Yes, she is wearing the same dress she wore to the Mother's Day Tea. She wanted to wear the same thing so it would be "fair".

Exhausting

Tired
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Last weekend, Helena fell asleep on the couch while she and Sadie were watching a story video together. I understand why she is tired! It has been a busy few weeks as we've been celebrating Dan's defense and upcoming graduation.

Mermaid Princess

Mermaid Princess
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie asked the face-painter to make her into a "Mermaid Princess" today at Grace's birthday party. The woman did an amazing job. Sadie was delighted with the results and agreed to wash her face tonight only after I took pictures to record how great she looked.

Dan, Ph.D.

Congratulations! We are so proud of our wonderful husband/father, who successfully defended today and is now Dr. Dan.

Loving the Sunshine

The girls have been having a great time with all the nice weather lately. They both love to be outside so it's terrific to have a stretch of sunny days. On Sunday, Sadie played outside for hours with the baby pool and all sorts of cups, buckets, etc.

In the afternoon, we decided to head over to the small playground at the CCBA. Sadie brought her scooter.


Her sister wanted to try the helmet too:


Nellie was determined to go up the slide:






Sadie climbed:

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy 60th Birthday, Grandma!
We love you so much!


You are such a great grandma and mom.
Lots of love on your special day!
Love,
Ann, Dan, Sadie and Nellie

Garden Girl

Sadie planted her own little garden in a small bed behind the house. She is really proud of the flowers and herbs she chose.


She also planted a very pretty pot of pansies for the deck.


She happily waters all the plants for us!

Mother's Day Tea

This past Thursday, Sadie's school hosted the mothers for a wonderful Mother's Day Tea.


The children sang to us and then we returned to the classrooms for pastries and presents.




("I love my mom because she is so nice to me." Left to right, Sadie holding Helena, Mommy, Grandma)

Thanks for making me feel so special, Sadie! I love you!

22 Months Old

22 Months
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Happy 22 month birthday, sweet Nellie! Just two more months until you are two years old. You are full of excitement and cuteness and bring us all so much happiness! You love to run and climb and talk and try to do everything your sister does.

We love you so much.

Quotable Helena

Just a few of the many things that Helena has said so far today:

"Sadie, a-peek-up, happy!" (upon picking Sadie up at school)

"Crackahs, milk, Mommy deed-it!" (when I gave her a snack)

"Daddy lab. Blue car." (observing Dan's car is not in the driveway)

"Candy peese! Uh huh! Mmmmm! (trying to get a Hershey kiss from the counter)

Trike-A-Thon

Biking
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Sadie's school will be holding a Trike-A-Thon for St. Judes Children's Hospital on May 17th.

Her fund-raising goal to help "sick kids feel better" is $100, through $10 gifts, and she's already at $30!

To donate, visit her page!

Thank you!

Funny Face

Silly Helena
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

Helena in some funny glasses!

The best part of these is that she puts them on and then says, "I'm toot!", which means, "I'm cute".

Dance Baby Dance!

Dance Baby Dance!
Originally uploaded by Dan and Ann

This is one of Nellie's favorite games these days.

It was in the 80s today, following snow all day Wednesday. New England is strange. Sadie was so excited to be able to wear a summer dress and we were excited to be able to put Nell into something short and sleeveless so we could see her cute pudgy legs and arms!