"I'm a shoe tier"

There is MUCH to blog about and I know I am light years behind but there was a moment tonight that I simply had to preserve.  We were all seated around the dinner table tonight gobbling up some yummy vegetarian cassoulet courtesy of smitten kitchen when Emerson made an announcement. "I'm a shoe tier" Kevin and I gave each other quizzical looks and said, "What do you mean buddy?" Emerson then went on to inform us that he helps his classmates ties their shoes when the teachers are busy. Now just to be clear, Emerson wears velcro sneakers, has his whole life, and we have NEVER taught him to tie his shoes. I asked him "how do you know how to tie shoes pal" and he replied, "I don't know I just do." He then hopped up out of his seat and asked, "Do you want me to show you?" We said, "of course" and he proceeded to tie Kevin's shoe lace. The look of pride on his face took my breath away and made my heart swell with joy.

A moment to savor...

~klv

October Fun

October is always a busy month in the Vendetti-Pelletier house as it contains Mama's birthday and one of our favorite holidays...Halloween.  October was lovely down here and we started things off right with a "soup, cheese and cupcake" party.

The following week we took a family trip up to Carter Mountain Orchard to pick apples. The orchard is literally at the top of a mountain in Charlottesville, Va. It is stunning and in addition to taking in the gorgeous views and picking loads of apples we also gorged ourselves on the obligatory "apple cider donuts."

While it was only a few weeks ago, as I write this post on November 10th, these pictures seem like they were taken ages ago.

Time is a funny, funny thing...

~klv

Not entirely sure words are necessary here.

All Growed Up

Well maybe just a little bit...

But for now it is official Emerson is a BIG BOY!  He started preschool, at a real public school on September 10th. We started the celebration/transition by bringing chocolate chip cookies to all his friends on the last day of day care. When Kevin and I picked him and Lisette up that afternoon we asked Em if he would like to celebrate his last day of day care by going out to dinner, he replied with a resounding "yes, I'd like pasta." So I turned to Kev and made the suggestion of going to Mama Zu or Edo Squid to which Emerson squealed "Yeah Edo Squid." To be clear Emerson has never been to Edo Squid; he chose it because it has the word "Squid" in its name. So drive off to Edo Squid we did. We had an amazing time, discovered that Lisette is a HUGE fan of calamari, ate copious amounts of pasta with shellfish, and finished off our meal with gelato, cannoli, tiramisu and coffee so strong our spoons practically stood up straight in our cups.

Food Makes Us Happy!

Very Happy...

The rest of the weekend was filled with anticipation and nervous jitters (mostly on mama's part). As Monday morning arrived our dear friends Rach and Avery (Emerson's classmate) met us at our house and we proceeded to "caravan" down to preschool. Emerson was a vision to behold in his new spider man backpack and race car lunchbox. He even picked out his own "first day" outfit. We got plenty of pictures and were able to walk him down to his new classroom with his teachers Ms. Crenshaw and Ms. Whittaker. Emerson had a seat at the play doh table and barely looked up when we left. I on the other hand began crying in the hallway.. always a bittersweet moment when your kids embark on a new phase. You are so proud of them for making it but also missing the stage you are leaving behind. Overall, his transition has been seamless. He really enjoys his days and gets lots of quality time with his daddy.

Rise and Shine Sleepy Head

Ready for School!

I'm Ready Too!

Excitement...

Lots of Excited Parents = Few Spaces to Park

Outside the School

Cafeterias Make Me Feel a Little Overwhelmed Too

Emerson Wastes No Time

Not Even Sure the Kids Still Know We're Here

We are so proud of you buddy and we love you way up to the sky and into outer space and back.

~klv  

BLAST FROM THE PAST....

BLAST FROM THE PAST…..

Welcome to the newest feature of “Emerson & Lisette were here” where I reminisce about moments that happened before Kendra began the blog. These posts will feature random snapshots that we want to document for our families (and, of course, for Emerson and Lisette). So as Kendra continues to be forward-looking in her posts, I will look back into our past.

This inaugural post features what remains my all-time favorite photograph of Emerson. I have literally thousands of photographs of him, and I love every one. But from the moment I snapped this shot, it has remained by far my favorite.  

When Emerson was little, I often kept him home with me on the days I didn’t have to teach rather than send him to daycare. I have to admit, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being a father in those early days and how much I loved being with him, and even though I had lots of work to do on those days I didn’t teach (contrary to what my family thinks!), I nevertheless kept him home. I was very fortunate to spend so many days with him, just the two of us, playing and reading (and occasionally napping). I think we formed a pretty strong bond as a result of those many hours we spent in each other’s company, and I’m grateful that I had the kind of opportunity that many fathers don’t typically have.

Anyway, here’s the photo. He’s absolutely perfect: he has the sweetest face and a great big heart. He still has a great big heart and that’s what I love most about him.

Enjoy,

kdp

What we've been up to...

Play dates with friends

Trips to the playground

Food Truck Court Fridays

Swimming in the neighborhood pool (courtesy of Rob and Amy)

Looking Gorgeous

Going To Daycare

Life as We know it...
~klv

Time is a Funny Thing

We have been back in Richmond for not even a month, yet somehow the salty wet air of RI seems ages ago.  I don't know if that means we cram in a lot of life around these here parts or we're so busy time is flying by.  I hope it is the former.  We have returned to some semblance of "normal," or more appropriately "routine," as we are most certainly far from normal. The kids are back at daycare while mama and daddy are back to work. The heat is bearable for the moment but we are definitely looking forward to the cool, crisp feel of autumn even as we are still enjoying the amazing tomatoes of summer.

But before I begin the photos of our current days here in Richmond, let me share a few from our last summer days in RI. We had a lovely visit with Caroline, Brett and baby-in-the-belly. We headed over the bridge to Jamestown to fly a kite and followed it up with an amazing meal. And true to form Kevin took some really lovely photos. The next morning we did a very 'gansett thing and went for breakfast (at the place formally know as Peppers) and then walked the sea wall.

First Kite Flying Experience

Beavertail Lighthouse

Caroline and Brett Sitting In Style 

Girl In A Meadow

Seriously Good Eats 

Checking Out The Shore

Cool Rock Sculpture 

It was a truly lovely summer.
~klv

A Wicked Awesome Day!

July 15, 2012

Kevin and I decided to take Emerson and Lisette to Boston today. Auntie Kathleen joined us for the first part of the day. After driving into Quincy and catching a T into the city we took a stroll through Quincy market for some initial sustenance (a bagel for the kids and a child clam chowdah for Kath) and then headed off to the aquarium. Emerson was so excited about what was next and occasionally (or frequently) neglected to enjoy what was right in front of him. But we did get to touch skates, look at African and Rockhopper penguins (my personal favorite), watch jellyfish with bioluminescence, look at baby sea horses, and see a scorpion fish. 

Catching a T to Boston

"Can I Keep Him Guys?"

Quick Call Leslie Knope!

We Called Him Charlie (Kath Said He Was a Tuna)

At the Top of the Tank

After the aquarium we headed back to Quincy market for some lunch where we were besieged by a group of teenage girls headed by our very own Kayla. So the girls (including Kath) headed off to partake in their favorite pastime, shopping, and we decided to throw caution (and naps) to the wind and grab a T to Newbury St and the Public Gardens. Kevin and I were amazed by the beauty of the gardens and embarrassed to admit that this was the first visit for both of us. Emerson loved watching the ducks (especially the babies) and pretending to fish. After a while at the park (and a promise to return to the park to take a ride on one of the swan boats) we took a long stroll down Newbury admiring all the fashion and jewels. After a quick detour into Ben and Jerry’s to grab some ice cream and ride out a brief rain shower we headed back to the park dreaming of our upcoming ride on a swan boat. We arrived at the dock pleased to be the first people in line only to have our hopes dashed with these words: “Sorry folks, the last boat is out and we close at 5pm” (it was 5:02 at the time). We handled the disappointment by vowing to return to Boston and making the swans a priority. We spent some more time at the park, Lisette showing off her new walking skills and Emerson pretending to catch fish. 

Headin to the Mahket

Greetings Mr. Adams

A Favorite Book Come to Life

A Mama and her Babies

Another Mama and her Babies

"Get me away from these kids"

Started Walking but also Still Scooting

A natural beauty

Finally, we headed back to Quincy market for dinner. After dinner Emerson received his inaugural “silly balloon animal hat” and we were officially branded “tourists.” Sadly, Emerson’s blue sword did not survive the initial decent down to the T station. Emerson was heartbroken, which obviously left both Kevin and I feeling heartbroken as well. No worries, though. Both the hat and the orange sword persevered and are still with us today as I write this post. 

Hello Again Quincy

Such a Little Lady

Waiting Patiently 

He Was Much Happier To Receive the Hat
Then He Appears in this Picture

Don't Mess with Emerson

Mere Minutes Before the Demise

Boston at Sunset

Goodnight Boston!

All in all it was a wonderful day and had the effect of reminding us how lucky we are to have such fantastic kids. 

~klv