Happy Memorial Day!

(Below: Auntie Bri, Matt, Heather, Olivia, Katie, Mike and Allison are all on board for the first voyage of the season!)

The 2008 Inaugural Boat Ride! We set up a playpen in the aft cabin, filled it with some new toys and ocean/summer-themed books, and we were off! First to the Chart Room. Then on to Marion's Tabor Academy for Grace Long's 1st Birthday party where Mom Nicole whipped up the most delicious fajitas, and the party theme was like none you've ever seen: a pinkish, purplish, greenish, garden, butterfly and pirate party. And, yes, all aspects of the theme were well represented! We pulled up right on the Tabor dock, which we realize would be quite a nice commute if Isabelle does go there for high school (we'll just need to convince her that playing sports with the guys by the ocean in a bikini isn't the best idea). We did enjoy that they guys were blasting Ozzy, though. After napping (and possibly drooling) all over Nicole and Eric's couch, we continued our voyage to New Bedford, overnighting at Pope Island Marina (Super Simon helped us with the key), and taking in the Fairhaven Memorial Day parade in the morning.

Quote of the Week

There are no ugly babies. Just degrees of cuteness.
--Mary Brundage, My mother and grandmother to 6 children -
all of whom she says are the most beautiful babies in the world.

Rubber Duckie, You're the One

Breakin' the Law

Yes, that's me driving. We're on our way to La Cucina Sul Mare, Falmouth's best Italian restaurant (do not miss Mark's mussels or meatballs!). Isabelle's great-great grandma (born in Sicily) and great-great grandpa(born in Tuscany) would be proud of our little spaghetti face!

Mazel Tov!

It's a boy! So, it's a bris! Samuel Sullivan met the mohel today. Mom Lucia kept one hand over her eyes and the other on her wine glass, while Dad Kevin was careful to keep his pinkies far from the clamps. There wasn't much danger of Sam making any sudden moves as he was knocked out with a Manischewitz and baby Tylenol cocktail, but Grandpa Bob still gently held his legs. The circumcision was followed by a naming ceremony and the singing of a Jewish lullaby. Welcome to the world, Sam! (Pictured above: Kevin holding Sam who is 13 days old.)

An Isabelle 1st today: smoked salmon and capers!

Chart Room Opens For the Season

(To Left: Tammy, Dennis & Isabelle, Genevieve, Liz.
Below: Isabelle's 1st lobster bite!)
Famous for its baked stuffed lobster, over-sized lobster salad sandwiches and picturesque sunset views, the Chart Room is the perfect place to usher in the summer. We weren't sure we'd make the big opening - I had spent a good part of the day in NYC (the New York Women's Foundation breakfast was so inspiring), and Isabelle had been sent home sick from daycare (we think she just wanted to spend the day with Dad!).

Turns out lobster newburg is Isabelle's favorite dish! And I have no trouble taking credit for that. I have the fondest memories of my 10th birthday. My mother, who was working full-time and had a 3 AND 4-year-old, somehow found the time to prepare lobster newburg served over carefully-trimmed triagulated toast. I can still taste it!

Slam Dunk!

After missing every single swimming lesson so far this session (that's 5 out of the 6), we finally made it to a make-up class this morning. And let me just say this: When there are 10 babies in the pool, those dark rust spots on the bottom sure do get your attention! Other highlights: Dennis couldn't find his regular bathing suit, so he was wearing his American speedo (tight, but thankfully like biking shorts); we were the only ones with both parents in the pool; and, most of all, Isabelle's first underwater dunk! And second. And third... Can't wait to get her in the ocean!

Story Time!

Favorite books right now:
--Emily Dickinson poetry (from the amazing Poetry for Young People series - 9 times out of 10 this book gets picked before any other)
--Gossie and Friends (she loves these flaps)
--What Makes a Rainbow (ribbon book)--Baby Danced the Polka (these rhymes really make you want to do a jig! We made up our own version in the pool: Whoa Papa's goggles! Whoa Momma's suit! Baby's swimmin' in the pool, and isn't she cute!)
--Peter Rabbit Touch and Feel(memorable adjectives and textures for everyone from Ptolemy Tortoise to Jeremy Fisher. Squirrel Nutkin isn't in it even though that's one of Isabelle's newest nicknames!)

We enjoy reading the fairy tales to her (acutally more to each other). Mostly because they are so awful it's comical. Did you hear the one about the twelve princesses??? Their father, the king, locks them in their bedroom, sends a soldier to spy on them, and then lets this soldier-spy choose which daughter he wants to marry. Maybe they live in Austria...