Kate ...

Our sweet Kate has been sick this weekend. It makes me so sad when our babies are sick. She is such a joy for our family. Her big sisters literally cannot keep their hands off her (as indicated in the picture above). Rileigh loves her a little too much sometimes. Emerson is always so gentle with her. Last night Kate didn't sleep very well. Mike went in to give her binky. Every time he tried to put it into her mouth she would hit it out. Mike said she looked at him like "Daddy, that is not going to work this time. I WANT TO BE HELD!"
She is such a cuddler. I love it when she wraps her little arms around our neck and hugs as tightly as she can.
The other night she was "talking" in her sleep. It was the sweetest sound I have ever heard ... "dada dada dada". It almost made me cry.
Now if only I could put her down while I made dinner then she would be the perfect baby. I hope she feels better soon.

Opera (Chatwin style)

So Emerson is quite the opera singer. It is the Italian in her (their love of all things cultured is their Italian side - wink wink!). So here are the girls performing opera. Enjoy!!

For Sophie:

Here is a story for Emerson's very best friend in the whole world, Sophie. Emerson dictated the words to me herself. Emerson and Sophie have been best friends since their first breath. We moved from D.C. when Emerson was only 2 1/2 years old. Yet, Sophie has still remained her dearest friend. Emerson has a little friend here who she is very close to, Miya ("Miya from church and school"). Emerson will say Miya is my new best friend (for the last two years) and Sophie is her "all my life best friend". I just love this little girl's loyalty. She includes BOTH her best friends in her prayers. Emerson talks of the plans that she has for Sophie all the time. "Sophie and I are going to go to the zoo together" or "Sophie and I like to make sand castles at the beach together"

So Sophie, this is for you (you may have to double click the pictures to enlarge and read better). We love you, Sophie:

\

First Day of Pre-School

Rileigh started Preschool last week. She will be attending the same Preschool Emerson did. We LOVE our Preschool. Truly, we cannot say enough wonderful things about her school. The teachers are the greatest you will find. It is such a safe and nurturing enviroment. The children learn through play (I think that is the preschool norm). They really are so creative in teaching math and science. Which is what drew us there orginally.
Rileigh is in the Teddy Class and has Emerson's first teacher, Ms. Lucy. We adore Ms. Lucy!!! She is so kind and sweet. I think she may really be the greatest teacher in ALL the world (except Grandma and Auntie Danielle, of course). We crossed our fingers all summer hoping that Rileigh would have Ms. Lucy. Ms. Lucy's assistant teacher is Ms. Mona. She, also, is so wonderful. We are so grateful for these women who really could teach elsewhere but choose to teach preschool.

Rileigh was not even a little bit nervous for school to start. She was so anxious and excited. She told me the morning of her first day "Mommy only one little boo hoo today. And that's it!!!" When I asked if she was ready to leave she "Finally". Meaning, I was ready for school to start months ago.
Mike went into work late and along with Baby Kate, we brought Rileigh to school together that first morning. Although, as you can tell from the picture below, not only was she not nervous to start, we were obviously holding her back. As soon as we got to school Rileigh and Dante ran away from the parents and dashed towards school. There was no separation anxiety, no crying (except by Mommy, of course). She already loves school and is very upset that you cannot go on Saturdays.

Kate Ate!!

Go Red Sox!!

First Day of School

Emerson started kindergarten this week. She was so nervous beforehand. But she came home that day and reported that kindergarten "rocked". She has two teachers, Mrs. MacDonald and Mrs. Incutto, that will rotate teaching, plus a full time teacher's aide. There are 16 students in the class, and three (counting herself) were in the same preschool class. Having friends that she has already spent two years with made the transition much easier. Her kindergarten classroom is bright and cheery, with many fun stations.

Mike gave her a father's blessing the night before. She said she felt better. We got her a new pink alarm clock that she really likes. The entire family, including Grandma, took her to school on her first day (this past Friday). She was so excited.

She told me to stop crying. Everything I read said that you shouldn't cry in front of your children. It makes them more nervous. I did do a pretty good job, but the occassional stubborn tear slipped. Once we got out of the school, after first dropping her off, Mommy had a melt down. Kindergarten is such a big world. She really is ready.

Beach Trip

The friends: 2/3 of the children:
We rented a beach house for a week in Rhode Island this year with our dear friends the Lloyds and the Busses. We truly had a wonderful time. The girls esp. had so much fun. There were 9 children under the age of 5, so there was always someone to play with. Emerson learned to boogie board. We spent a day on Block Island. The children loved the ferry ride. We also spent a day in Newport. Newport is just beautiful. Newport was the playground for America's most influential families at the turn of the 20th century. They built summer cottages there (or mansions as the rest of us would call them). Mike really loved that Chris brought the X-box. Here is an actual quote from my husband regarding X-box: "To be the man, you have to beat the man."

We brought a babysitter with us and each night after the children went to bed the adults would go out. It was so nice to spend time with such great, entertaining and interesting friends. Each of us truly enjoyed our time with our friends. We are so grateful for such great friends here!! We look forward to our next trip with the Lloyds and Busses.

We also spent a day with Mike's cousin Tyler. Tyler is an officer in the Navy stationed in Newport. Tyler has a daughter that is 5 also. She and Emerson instantly bonded and couldn't believe their good fortune to have a cousin so close.

The cousins:

We missed you this year, Guymons. Emerson is "desperate to see Sophie". To quote her directly.

Rhode Island Vacation

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

(he looks so handsome in his new glasses)

Today is Mike's Birthday! We really love our boy!!!! I do not know a man who works harder at the office (often 80 plus hours a week) and then comes home and dedicates himself more to his family. He makes each of us feel like a princess.

So in honor of "our boy" as Rileigh calls him the girls and I came up with a list:

Why we love Mike:

1) He absolutely adores having all girls. He takes pride in being a member of the "All Girls Daddy Club" with other blessed men like him here.

2) He tries his hardest to do the girls' hair (from Emerson)

3) He is truly brilliant (all of us)

4) He is articulate in any subject

5) He is shy

6) He still manages to laugh at his wife's joke

7) He is very empathetic

8) He dedicates himself to all his callings at Church.

9) He is always the one to seek out those who are often forgotten. He remembers those at Christmas time that really need a friend.

10) He puts his family first!!! (all of us)

11) He nevers misses an important event in the girls' life. With his work schedule this can often be challenging

12) He is an amazing lawyer (from Rileigh)

13) He still brings his wife flowers, almost weekly

14) He is very funny (from Rileigh)

15) He is a man of great faith

16) He has had the same best friend since his freshman year in college

17) He helps around the house whenever he is home

18) He is always so willing to help with the girls

19) He is an amazing cook (from Emerson)

20) Thinking about the day that his girls will get married already makes him tear up

21) He loves new gadgets but doesn't spend money on them

22) He loves his incredible new grill though

23) He is a fix-it man. It is the engineer in him. He can fix ANYTHING

24) He has a song for everything (from Emerson)

25) He loves to play with his girls (from Rileigh)

26) He loves to make pictures (from Rileigh)

27) He likes to play cowboy (from Rileigh - this entails Daddy letting the girls ride on his back)

28) He lets the girls dress him like a princess (from Emerson and Rileigh)
29) He works really hard (from Emerson)

30) He cares about us (from Emerson)

31) He always knows what I am doing (from Emerson)

32) He guides me (from Emerson)

33) He was the best soccer coach (from Emerson)

34) He protects me (from Emerson)

35) He is the best teacher ever (from Emerson)

36) He is the best husband and friend to his wife

37) He gives great back rubs

38) He knows all about the planets (from Emerson)

39) He knows everything about the world (from Emerson)

40) He sometimes can come home early (from Emerson)

41) He is a good gardener (from Emerson)

42) With a tan he looks like the "bronze god of love" (a nickname the guys gave him after a trip to Jamaica)

43) He loves to read

44) He can finish my sentences

45) His Dad and Grandpa are his heroes

46) He loves ESPN

47) He knows all the stats on the Red Sox (so cool)

48) He is very friendly to everyone!!!!

49) HE IS THE BEST "BOY" IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!! (from Rileigh)

50) He is a good provider

51) He tries hard to make everyone around him feel comfortable

52) He is very modest

53) He absolutely lives for his wife and daughters

54) He is a great body surfer (from Emerson)

55) He is so patient with the girls

56) He doesn't like being apart from us for even a day. When he travels to NYC for work he has us come down with him.

57) He has a great laugh (from Emerson). It starts deep in his belly and works its way out.

58) He makes every birthday and holiday special for us.

59) Calling us a character from Stars Wars is a term of endearment for him

60) THERE IS NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD WE WOULD RATHER CALL FATHER AND HUSBAND!!!

Mike, you are the best. You really are one of a kind.

We love you so much!!! You are "our everything"!!!!

Sweet Moments

Our girls tend to wake up around 6:30 a.m.. The other night Kate was up most the night with a sore throat. Usually when the girls wake up in the morning, one by one they crawl into Mommy and Daddy's bed. Emerson could tell that Mommy and Daddy were tired that morning (and Kate was still sleeping). Even though she is only five she took Rileigh, got some turkey out of the fridge, got some bread and made herself and Rileigh turkey sandwiches and then got them drinks. She turned on PBS and let us sleep for an extra half hour. When we woke she was only concerned whether it was okay that they were watching television. She is so sweet and kind. We call her "mini-mommy". Even for such a young age she is so responsible and so thoughful. She is always telling us how much she loves us and how grateful she is for us.

Rileigh had a rough morning yesterday. I think she may have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. After spending a good deal of the morning in timeout, we drove to New Hampshire to spend the afternoon with my friend Sarah. We came home late that night. The girls fell asleep on the car ride home. So when we got home we laid them in their beds. When we woke up in the morning Rileigh was still asleep but she had two children Book of Mormon on her bed. She said that we forgot to read them last night so she got them herself. Mike and I were so touched. She really has such a good heart. I am so grateful for sweet moments like that to remind me how precious and innocent she is.

Kate has already spoken her first word, "dada". I cannot believe how fast she is growing. Wasn't it just yesterday I was pregnant with her? We already need to baby proof again. She truly has a smile that melts me. She loves following the antics of her big sisters. And her big sisters literally worship her. This little girl has all of us wrapped around her little finger.

I remember when we lived in DC, a man got up and bore his testimony at church. It had such an impact on me. When he stood I was really interested in what he would say because he was just promoted to General. But he got up and mentionned that his last child was getting ready to leave for college. He spoke about how it seemed like just yesterday that all his childern were home and young. He said he craved those times. He said that at times life can be hard and challenging for young parents. But when our lives are near their ends that this exact time, when our children are young and so needy, and they want nothing more than to just be with Mommy and Daddy, will be the time we, as parents, will wish we could relive the most. I often think of that testimony. Mike and I truly feel that way. It can be challenging, at time, to have little ones, but the rewards are so much greater. We just love this time in our lives. We love the girls waking us up in morning and crawling into bed with us. We LOVE all the hugs and kisses. We love their "special" drawings and stories for us. We love that Mommy and Daddy to them equal Super Heroes, actually even better. I cannot imagine anything better in this world than simply being their Mom. It makes me so sad that it goes so fast. I just wish life came with a pause button.

Summer Fun

We refer to these five as the "Backyardigans". Here they are picking tomatoes in the neighbors' garden.

The girls are so lucky to have such great friends right next door. It really couldn't be more ideal.

Poor Kate scratched her eye this week. She is still such a cutie. She is such a good baby. She is so even tempered and happy. Yet, she so curious and carefully observes her surroundings. She reminds us so much of Emerson as a baby.

Here she is crawling. She is a moving machine!! We just love having a new baby again.

Emerson's Art Work

Emerson drew this picture today of Lehi and the Tree of Life, a story from the Book of Mormon. The gray represents the Fog, while the yellow line in his hand is the Iron Rod.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYDIA!!!

Ode to Alissa

Our beloved babysitter, Alissa, is leaving for college this week. We are so proud of her. She is going to be BYU on the Hinckley Scholarship. It is the most prestigious scholarship BYU offers. And Alissa is certainly worthy! She scored an almost perfect score on the ACTs. She will be studying Bio-Chemistry/Pre-Med.

We absolutely love Alissa. Aside from my mother and my sisters, when we were visiting Utah, Alissa is the only other person to ever have babysat Kate.

Alissa is not only brilliant, but she is also kind, witty, spiritual and fun. She really is like a part of our family.

We love you, Alissa. Even though we are going to incredibly miss you, we know that this will be the best year of your life. Thank you for everything and keep in touch!!!!

My Babes!!

How pretty!! How handsome!!

Rileigh's B-day, Part 5

Our neighbors and amazing friends, the Calderones, hosted a pool party in honor of Rileigh's birthday (although after spending the entire day swimming no one actually made it to the pool). Birthdays around here really do last a week.
Sprinkler fun!!
Rileigh had so much fun decorating cupcakes earlier in the week for her birthday that she wanted to do it again. I decorated aprons for all kids.
This picture is so very Rileigh!!
Rileigh and her best girl friend, Maddie!!

Trouble ...

The other day I got into BIG trouble. Me, Ms. PTA. The girls and I were driving home from swimming. It was lunch time and everyone was really hungry, esp. Baby Kate. Suddenly I heard a police siren behind me. I pulled over to let him pass me, except he didn't pass. He pulled behind me. I waited for FIVE minutes until he finally got out of the car and came over and said "Lincense and Registration, please." I was so nervous. I handed my license but couldn't find my registration. He walked away again and didn't even tell me why I was pulled over. I was so scared. FINALLY 15 minutes later he told me that my registration had expired the previous month and was he impounding my van. I completely started crying, Emerson and Rileigh started crying and Kate, well poor Kate, had been crying for a while. I asked the police officer how I was suppose to get home. He looked inside the mini van and said since you only have one (meaning child) you could walk. I said I had three (three crying children). He looked inside the van again and suddenly his entire face changed. I then called taxi. While I waited (the police officer did wait until the taxi came) I tried to calm down three crying girls, call Mike, and get three car seats out of the car. Since this is Newton and the only crime that ever happens is the occasional white collar (but a quick call to Mike's firm and even THAT goes unpunished) people were driving by staring. The taxi finally came and the 4 of us cried all the way home (although the taxi driver was so nice that I think I gave him a 75% tip). Emerson was worried ,she thought the police officer was going to take away our house, too. Mike left work, rented a car and proceeded to drive around Boston and Cambridge to pay his parking tickets on the van. We got the car back later that day. But now the girls are afraid of police officers. I hope this doesn't affect my bid for Senate someday. See Danielle, I knew I had a dangerous side.

Happy Birthday Rileigh!!!

Rileigh is three years old today!! Around here birthday celebrations last all week, hers started yesterday. Today was her actual birthday. Today we went swimming, then played with our neighbors. Afterwards we went to a great cooking school for kids with our dear friends the Johnstons and Grandma. There we decorated cupcakes. It was so fun. Then off to meet Daddy (who always leaves work early on the girls' birthdays) for dinner. Tomorrow we will do our Chatwin family tradition of going to the Butterfly Exhibit at the Science Museum. Each girl has a "pet" butterfly there.

Thank you for all the calls and presents for Rileigh. She went to bed a very happy girl. Thank you all!!!

Top Ten Reasons Why We Love Rileigh (in no particular order):

1, She is very polite

2. She is so funny. You cannot even say her name without laughing. This little girl is seriously the funniest person we know

3. She has the prettiest blue eyes

4. She has a "killa" Boston accent

5. Even though she is the definition of tomboy, she always wants to wear a dress

6. She is just so cool

7. She is kind

8. She is so proud of her curly hair

9. She is VERY smart

10. She has the best excited dance

11. Even when she is in trouble, which is often, you cannot help but want to kiss her

12. She hides snacks in her room knowing that she will need for timeouts later. How thoughtful!!

13. She gives big hugs

14. She can beat her Daddy in wrestling (hence, the nickname the "Crusher")

15. She wants to grow up and work in office "like Mommy did" and then be a mommy with four daughters (that melts our hearts)

16. She says the sweetest prayers

17. Her sisters really are her best friends

18. SHE HAS SO MUCH LOVE!!!

We love you, Rileigh. We are so grateful you are ours.

There is not a day that goes by that Rileigh has not made me laugh. I am also so impressed by her empathy, when one of us is hurt, Rileigh will run right over with a hug and kiss and stay by our side until we feel better.

She just seems to be the kind of child that will find the best in every situation. She was like even as a baby. From the time she was born she always smiled. We called her "Smiley Rileigh". I always tell her that my favorite thing in the whole world is holding her hand. I just like to have her near me. She has proven to be such a dedicated big sister this year. We are so impressed.

I really really love my middle girl. She is brings pure joy into this world (okay and maybe a bit of mischief as well).

Happy Birthday!

Our Tennis Girl

I just love the determined little look on her face!

Her clinics are on clay courts. She prefers the courts on her "indoor lessons".
Rileigh didn't quite make the lessons in the big pool!!!
We Iove this little one sooooo much!!

Rileigh's Morning Hair

Rileigh proudly calls herself "Rileigh with the Curly Hair". Although when she says it it sounds like "Rileigh with tha coolly haaaaira". Can you see why? Just check out this morning's coif.

We miss you already, Daddy. Have a good trip.

The start ...

Living away from family and friends can be so hard. For so long I have wanted to blog but we were so afraid of internet security with the children. Finally we decided to start to an invite only blog. We hope that this will be a good way to keep the ones we love connected to our lives (really the girls' lives) here in Boston.

We have just returned from a great trip to Colorado and Utah. We loved both. We were so fortunate to see my old friend and college roommate Rachel and her beautiful family. She REALLY sold us on Lone Tree, CO.

After that we headed to Utah to see grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. Grandpa is always a BIG hit with the girls. When he rode down the Alpine Slide with the girls he solidified his position as the coolest grandpa EVER!! The girls loved seeing their cousins. Emerson has not stopped talking about her sleep over with Lydia. Mommy also got to see Raegan. We had a great time.

We have been so busy now that we are back. Emerson has tennis clinics and swim lessons both 5 times a week. Rileigh starts swim lessons next week (if she will go into the big pool). And Mike leaves tomorrow for another business trip.

So that is life in here in Boston. We will keep you posted!!!