Graduation (sniff, sniff)

What can I say? An entire year has flown by since we walked Tyler through the doors of Green Valley Preschool, armed with Star Wars backpack and lunchbox. I knew at that time, at the other end of the year, kindergarten awaited, but time went on, and Frank and I recently found ourselves at Tyler's preschool graduation.


I have watched Tyler grow throughout the year. He has not only made great strides in the academic areas-- writing, spelling, and pre-reading, but also has grown socially, and matured into an awesome five-year-old. I find myself looking back over time and saying "WOW!". It is simply amazing at how kids grow.


Recently Tyler brought home his end of the year progress report. He excelled in every area and made improvement from his mid-year progress report. The areas needing improvement? Dramatic play and sharing in large groups. Frank and I decided like parents, like son.

This year, Tyler and Olivia were in the same school, Next year they will go their separate ways. They had great times together at school but were able to to do "boy things" and "girl things" when they wanted. They have grown up together and have really been great to watch together. The best stories that Tyler would come home with? He talked about how the girls (Olivia and her friends) would chase Tyler and his friends around the playground. Kind of scary that girls chasing boys starts in preschool!
After enjoying a potluck and barbecue, we all headed outside and waited for the ceremony to start. All the kids gathered into a circle and they sang songs they had worked on all year.

After they were done with songs, it was time to pass out diplomas. Here is Tyler accepting his:

Afterwards, Tyler posed for a picture with his friend, Cole.

AND, of course, one final one with another fellow graduate, Olivia:

We also had to take a picture with one of his teachers, Mrs. Fitzpatrick. She and Mrs. Torkington were his teachers in his class this year. He loved them both and they never had anything but good things to say about his behavior and progress.

Now it is time to enjoy the summer. I still remember our orientation at Green Valley. The teachers spoke about how their goal for the pre-kindergarten kids was to prepare them for kindergarten for the following year. The only thing they really forgot was to prepare the parents for what the next step would feel like!

Taking the Monkeys to the Zoo

Throughout Tyler's year at Green Valley Preschool there have been field trips. The kids went to Pop's Pizza, the Pumpkin Patch, and had a visit from the Fire Department. When the permission slip for Lupa Zoo came home, I couldn't volunteer fast enough! I decided that although the field trip was scheduled for the morning, that I would make it a "Mommy and Tyler day" afterwards.



We all met at Green Valley, collected our name tags, got our buddy assignments, and loaded the school bus. I can only hope that next year when it's time to take the bus to school, Tyler is equally as excited! Tyler's assigned buddy for the trip was his friend Aiden. When they loaded the bus, they went right to the back. After all, isn't that where all the cool kids sit? ;)
Across the isle were Olivia and Emily. After all, on the bus, you need some girls to hang with!

When we arrived at the zoo, we listened to the rules and could not wait to go and explore! The boys headed to the bird area first. They explored the peacocks for awhile and then started to move on. However, the peacock decided to open it's magnificent tail and the boys requested a picture together!

We also saw buffalo, giraffes, baboons, and zebras-- the only thing we decided was missing were the elephants. The buffalo was even showing off a bit for us, ramming his head into the fence. It was really exciting!

All around the zoo, there were different spots for pictures. Both Tyler and Aiden stopped to model for each one:

Of course, the best shot of the day was this one of Olivia and Tyler. We decided that it will be a great shot to include in the wedding slide show some day!

After the field trip was over, Tyler and I headed across the street with Olivia and her mom. We enjoyed a great lunch at Mountain View, aka Joe's, Tyler's favorite restaurant. From there, Tyler and I headed to Kohls where we shopped for pajamas, and then to home where we waited for Frank to join our special day. I had a wonderful day with Tyler and look forward to many more in the future!

My Grandpy

My Grandpy

by Tyler, age 5

1. I really love it when my Grandpy plays with me.

2. My Grandpy likes to wear dresses.

3. My Grandpy always tells me that he loves me.

4. The best thing he does is watches TV with me.

5. It makes him happy when he watches me play.

6. My Grandpy likes to relax by cuddling with me.

7. I like it when he takes me fishing.

8. The best thing he plays is football.

9. His favorite thing to do is watch baseball, hockey, and football with me.

10. My Grandpy's favorite TV show is football.

11. If he could go anywhere, he would go to Wilbraham.

12. I love my Grandpy because he plays with me.

Happy Birthday, Grandpy! We love you!

Silent Sunday: Tree Climbing Monkey

Happy Mother's Day

As I sit here on my sixth Mother's Day, I had to reflect about why I love being a mother. Some days it is hard to remember, but even at this moment, as I listen to the kids bicker, I love every minute (okay, some more than others!).

In the middle of the chaos I call my week, I began thinking of what life it going to be like with a newborn and a kindergartner. I can only imagine that things will be even more crazy, but at the same time, there will be even more love in out family, with one more person to give it and to receive it.

So what do I love about being a mom? I love when I come home at night and Tyler runs and jumps into my arms. I love wet, sloppy kisses at night. I love being able to kiss boo boos and make them all better. I love having the best ideas in the world when he is "so bored". I love cuddles on the couch and in bed in the morning. I love being with friends and watching all the kids run around and play together. I love watching him be creative while doing arts and crafts and almost being able to see the wheels in his head turn.

You know what else I love? Trekking up all the stairs multiple times at night because someone is thirsty/hot/needs new music/has a stomach ache. I love being called stupid/baby/dummy. I love the listening to the whining when it is time to get dressed/clean up/leave the house. I love convincing a young child that dinner will not kill him if he tries just a small bite. I love having Tyler's friends over and later discovering that the playroom (which was neat and organized) is not a wreck with no toy left in any bin.

You know what I miss? Getting up every three hours to change. feed, and rock. I miss being peed and spit up on. I miss trying to get ready in the morning while I hold a squirmy little one on my lap. I miss staying up all hours to hang out with friends, knowing that I can make it up in the morning by sleeping late.

The truth though? I may miss all those things but not as much as I love the others. This is my life now and that was my life then. Back then, I was Jennifer, daughter, wife, etc, but now I am Jennifer, daughter, wife, and mommy. Appreciate every day, we all know they fly by and things change faster than we can keep up with.

Enjoy your Mother's Day, every minute.

Conor's First Communion

This weekend, our nephew, Conor, made his First Communion. It seems like just yesterday he was just home from the hospital!
While we waited for Conor to get in his Communion attire, Tyler and Skylar were happy to pose for me. Once again, it seems like just yesterday that they were just brought home from the hospital!

The three cousins, all together. A good looking bunch, if I do say so, myself!

Like father, like son. When I bought Tyler his outfit, he was very surprised that it was for him. He thought that it was for Frank. When I told him that it was indeed his, he was ecstatic! Which made for quick dressing for the occasion. Of course, no opportunity goes by without a pregnant mommy shot:

After a wonderful ceremony in which 40 children received their First Communion, we celebrated at a great party that included family and friends. The kids all had a great time doing crafts, watching a magician and running around.

Congratulations, Conor!

My Papa

My Papa,

by Tyler, age 5

1. I really love it when my Papa plays with me

2. My Papa likes to wear clothes

3. My Papa always tells me I love you

4. The best thing he does is play with me

5. It makes him happy when I hug him

6. My Papa likes to relax by sitting on the couch

7. I like it when he lets me, Conor, and Skylar come over to his house

8. The best thing he plays is hockey

9. His favorite thing to do is watch hockey on TV

10. My Papa's favorite TV show is NHL on the Fly

11. If he could go anywhere, he would go to my house

12. I love my Papa because he loves me

Happy 65th Birthday, Papa!

You know it's a good party when...

....the clothes come off, the Slip 'n Slide comes out, and the adults and children are all entertained!

Now you may ask, "Where does one find such a party?" Well, that happens only at a birthday party for a five-year-old and a three-year-old! (Everyone knows that, right?)

Today we went to Olivia and Derek's birthday party and for a gift, they received a new Slip 'n Slide. After most of the guests left, the kids took it for a spin. After all, it was a hot day! However, bathing suits were not on the "please bring" list!

Ten on Tuesday

A few of the finer moments in the Genovese home with a pregnant mommy!

1. Easter weekend, I went to a baby shower for the daughter of a good family friend (herself also a good friend). After a long time of trying to get pregnant, she finally did and sometime late this Spring, early this Summer, she will bring home not one, not two, but three bundles of joy-- two boys and one girl! We are so excited and ready to support the new mommy and daddy with whatever they need! This picture was taken at the shower-- it features the seven mommies-to-be in attendance!
2. Four months pregnant, over a month ago. Needless to say, I am bigger nowadays!

3. Early on in the pregnancy before we knew our new addition was a boy, people asked Tyler what he was going to name our baby. He always said Tigger for a boy and Piglet for a girl. His choice nowadays for a boy? Conor.

4. One night after dinner, Tyler wanted me to go downstairs to the playroom and help him find something. I was a little slow getting up (hey! It was a long day!) and Tyler said, "Come on Big Jenny, get your butt moving and bring Tigger!"

5. This past weekend Frank and I had date night. As a reward for my new position, I bought tickets to Straight No Chaser, who were performing 2 shows in Northampton, MA. During the show, baby Geno kicked away! Apparently he has good taste in music. After the show, we bought their new CD, had it autographed by all the guys and I plan on using it for nighttime listening in the nursery.

6. Over the past two weeks, I have spent a lot of time sorting out all the baby gear and clothes that I kept from when Tyler was small. Tyler had tons of questions about what everything was for, when did he wear it, and will his brother use it as well. He washed some of the bottles and sippys and even took a liking to an old winter hat and bib. It's been a week now and I can't get any of them back!

7. The other night, Tyler told me that he wanted to be pregnant. I was a bit shocked and asked him why. He said "Because you get to have a big belly and drink fake beer." Huh?

8. After I arrived home from work one night, I had some mail waiting for me. It was from Green Valley Preschool. What was inside? A letter, from my son. What happened? It made me cry. Why? See below:

What does it say? "Dear Mommy, I am so excited about having a baby brother. Love, Tyler"

9. Now that you have read the above, feed on this. Shortly after we found out that we were having another boy, Tyler came over to me, put his head down, and started crying. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he really wanted a sister. Break. My. Heart. Ouch. However, time has passed and he is so excited to have his brother watch him play hockey, show him all Star Wars stuff, and teach him everything he knows!

10. Last but not least, indecision is the name of the game. Shortly after I had Tyler, I decided that I really liked the name Brayden. Yeah, not so sure about it anymore. The other night, we went out to buy paint for the nursery. What color did we get? None. Now only if we could have that Baby fairy Godmother pay us a visit and take care of these things.... hmmmmm

Kitchen Hockey

If I were to ever get rid of my white tiled kitchen floor, only one person in this house would be really upset. After all, white is the color of ice and makes for a great backdrop to an activity that occurs more often than cooking in my kitchen.

I wish I could accurately show the dents in the kitchen cabinets and the fact that the grate on the bottom of the fridge is taped on. But to see the happy grin on Tyler's face, whether it be as goalie, a player taking shots, or someone sitting in the "penalty box" (the lower cabinet), it is well worth all the tape and dents!

"The Trip"

At Green Valley Preschool this month, the kids have been learning about Ezra Jack Keats, "The Trip" and each child took a night of homework home. The assignment? To draw a picture in the class book about a favorite trip that you have taken. After much discussion, Tyler chose our Florida trip in 2008. The great part? He was excited to get to work and did a fantastic job!

Beside the class book in the homework bag there were markers, stickers, the book, and a camera. We read the book together and I learned that it was about a little boy who moved away from all his friends, not an actual trip (you learn something new every day)! The camera was to take one picture of our project in process (Tyler made sure to remind me of the one picture rule!). After we established the rules, Tyler went right to work.
In his picture? The pool (with him swimming in it), the house with Conor, Skylar, Tyler, Frank and myself, and a sandcastle. He also included a picture of the airplane we took to get there.

He did a great job and was so proud while he was working and when he finished. I could not believe the concentration and can only hope that homework is this easy next year!

Happy Easter

For Easter this year, we crammed everything in that would possibly fit! Easter eggs, art projects, and a visit with the Easter Bunny were all on tap.

The weekend before, we colored Easter eggs, and they turned out great! After many years of doing this, I have finally mastered the art of neat Easter egg coloring. The secret? Dark clothes, newspaper, and plenty of supervision!

The finished product:

For Easter weekend, we traveled to New York. After a quick trip (thank goodness!) and 18 "Are we there yets?" from the back seat, we arrived to our destination. Tyler had not seen his cousins since Christmas and they were all so excited to be together again!

On Easter morning, Tyler woke nice and early (ugh). He was the first one downstairs to see what the Easter Bunny left behind. Once again, the Easter Bunny was really nice to Tyler. He brought new Islander hockey guys, playdoh, lots of candy, and some workbooks. He was estatic!

Soon after Tyler went through his basket, Conor and Skylar made their way downstairs. For awhile, the kids were entertained by what was in their baskets. Soon they were asking where the eggs were hidden! The Easter Bunny was smart and left the eggs for all the mommies and daddies to hide when they were well caffinated! (Thank goodness for that since Tyler was up and 6:00A.M.!)

Soon the coffee was made and the eggs were hidden and the kids went to town! There were plenty for them to find and Grandma Genovese even brought the eggs the Easter Bunny hid at her house for the kids to find.

Tyler did really well and had a keen eye for the well hidden eggs, sometimes leaving the more onvious ones for his cousins to claim!

Tyler and Skylar:

Soon all the eggs were open and the sugar started setting in. But what comes up, must go down:

Skylar and Laurette:

The three amigos:

After breakfast (you keeping track? Baskets, eggs, then breakfast?) we all started to get ready for the day. Thankfully, it was a gorgoeus day out and the kids were able to run around while the adults cooked and prepped for lunch.

Not wanting to waste the opprotunity for photo ops, we all headed outside for some quick pictures after we dressed and showered. Someone in our family was not very happy, but he shall remain nameless ;).

After a late lunch and a long fun weekend, it was time to hit the road. We had a great weekend and can't wait for our next trip!