Splish-Splashing Fun Today

Today was super hot outside, like, "did I just stick my head inside the oven?" super hot. And with no central air in our house, we thought it best to get out and keep cool!
So, off to Boston we went! We went to visit my friends at my old job in the morning, and then friends at MIT in the afternoon- fitting in a quick swim while we were there.

I would hold Emma's legs and kick them as we moved through the pool, and I would say "kick kick kick", but she thought I was saying "kiss" and would start blowing kisses. SO CUTE!

Really loving the water (drinking it I'm sure), but full of giggles.

Felix & Emma came to my water aerobics class last night, and they actually got in the pool and "participated" in the class with everyone. It was such a treat to have both of my favorite people there with me while I taught. We are so glad Emma likes the water (so far)!!

The Handy Homeowners

I finished my rock landscaping project. Pretty, isn't it? I'll put some container plants in there after we paint the house- that oughta spruce it up a bit! But it sure does look better than all the overgrown weeds that were in there.

And Felix took down part of the dog fence that was separating our yard in half. Our yard looks SO much bigger without the divider in the middle of it.

We cleared out a lot of the brush that was to the right of the deck, so that is where we are moving Matti's fenced in area to, this way we can actually USE our backyard that was once fenced off for the little guy. Don't worry, our little 17lb doggie still has plenty of room to run free.

Next up.... house painting. It might just be our biggest do-it-yourself project yet, but I know we can do it. As of right now, I think the colors we are going with are a very light yellow for the house with white trim, and black shutters.

Our Water Polo Weekend

We spent the weekend going to visit Harvard Sq. watching the championships. It was the hottest weekend outside so far, so we loved being outside. I lathered Emma up in suntan lotion and we went for a nice long walk each morning and then drove out to Cambridge to watch Brown play.

Yes.... I go to the games too, it is not JUST Emma! This was on Saturday, I guess we were getting close to nap time :)

It gets very hot on the pool deck, so today I played with Emma outside a bit before heading back in to watch the game. I love that she can look down on deck and point to Felix. She starts jumping on my lap and smiling when she sees him, it is great!

I made this shirt for her so she could surprise her Daddy with it on. I actually sewed it on with my little handheld sewing machine. I seriously need a lesson in how to sew. I'm not sure it is going to last through the washing machine.

This seems to be everyone's favorite pose of Emma's. She does it often.

After todays game (the very LAST game of the season, yippee!!) Emma & I went to visit our friend Alison before heading back home. We had planned to go to the pool where she lives but it was not open yet, so we headed out to the park instead.

ready for a great ride! look at that face...


loving the swings!

Once we were closer to home we met up with Felix for dinner. It was so nice to enjoy dinner together, relaxed. I am so so so so excited for next month where we have Felix all to ourselves (most of the time). We have a lot of housework planned, but most of all, I just feel plain relaxed since he will be here with us during the days AND nights!! Strange. I never thought I wasn't "relaxed" before.

End of season... and we are so proud!!

COACH OF THE YEAR.....AGAIN!



"Mercado, in his second season coaching a women's varsity program, was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season...............Mercado has led the Brown women's water polo team to a #20 national ranking and a 22-14 record this season despite having no pool to host games in. The team has had the benefit of the temporary pool in the Aquatics Bubble, but its two "home" games were played at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Mercado led the Bears to a second place finish in the CWPA, and also helped lead the Bears to a thrilling 8-7 overtime win against Hartwick, breaking its 92 game win streak in Northern Division play." http://www.brownbears.com/sports/w-wpolo/spec-rel/042509aaa.html

Make Music Together

I brought Emma to the library for a music class on Tuesday with some friends. The class was fun- we all sat in a circle with the kids and sang songs and danced a bit. At one point the instructor brought out a toy box filled with musical instruments- and Emma darted straight for it to grab what she wanted (so she could eat them)!
What did I learn from this class? Emma needs an ACTIVITY mommy & me class as she does not enjoy sitting in my lap for more than 10 minutes. Especially when other mommys have shiny video cameras on the floor within her reach!

Playing with her friend Ellie

And....eating the cymbal

about to eat the block clapper thingy

All in all we had fun- and we even skipped naptime to go to this class! What a trooper!!

Cousins

While at Mamare & Grandaddys house for the seder, I was talking with some family and I turned around to see the three kids actually posing together and smiling! This NEVER happens! Thanks for catching the shot Aunt Carole-it was great!!!

One Sunny Day

And we took advantage!

Starting off the day reading the paper. Emma really did- all on her own she picked up the paper and was staring at it as if she was reading the articles, it looked so cute I had to snap a picture. Plus, I thought mom would like it :)

Shortly after, I left to teach aerobics and Felix & Emma worked outside. While Emma was playing with her toys on the deck, Felix moved the dog fence so Matti could be with us on the "dining" side of the deck. He made it a temporary fence so we can hide it when it is not in use. LOVE IT!

I got home from teaching, and we enjoyed a fantastic family picnic outside. This was all Felix's idea... we had such a great time. What a great husband I have!!

Check out my new outdoor table cover. I even bought the flower and pot to match. This is my very first flower I have ever owned, and I am determined to help it grow successfully! (he wasn't looking too good the next morning, but I think I saved him. only time will tell)

Happy girl!


Look at their eyes- they are exactly the same shape.

Playing with Daddy's lips.


Once Felix left for work, Emma and I decided to try a little gardening. I dug up the bricks that were buried along this path (you can see them in the lighter half of the dirt- the dark was the part I had already dug up). I also took out all the old flowers and bushes and weeds (and uncovered some lovely worms along the way. gross.)

Emma really enjoyed herself just watching me work and wrestle with the thorny, overgrown rose bushes. Soon enuf, Matti joined us as well (he found a little hole in the fence from his side of the yard and came running over to us....he is a monster, I tell you!)

Well- I eventually finished digging up this whole path. Then I realized, I really had no idea what to do next! I tried to lay the bricks back in, but I first need to flatten the path and get everything even, etc. Ugh. And although I am quite proud for just going at it without having any idea what I was doing......I am looking forward to the final product being finished. AND making it a MAINTENANCE FREE product! Hopefully it will turn out nice. If not- I can always just dig it up again :) yeay.

Water Polo

Me, Emma, and my friend Kristy drove to CT to watch Brown play today. We haven't been able to make it to a game in a while, so this was nice to watch. In the past, Emma has either slept through the game or spent most of her time trying to lick the bleachers and eat anything else she could pick up off the floor. This time was different- she was actually really interested in all the action on deck. As soon as we got there, she looked down on the deck and saw Felix and gave him a huge smile.

Watching the game. Front row seats!

"SHOOT IT!"

"HORRAY! SCORE!!"

"WHAT A GREAT SHOT, RIGHT??!!"

Checking the score.

Trying on some gear on deck.

Meeting the players (different team)

She definitely seemed to enjoy herself. It was VERY hot on deck, but we were still glad we could make it to watch.

10 Months and the Beach!

Enma's first time to the beach (well, first time when it was over 40 degrees and she could wear a bathing suit and go in the water)


I am terrified of the ocean (not so much the water, but the creatures swimming in it!)- but my little girl just loves it, so I had to brave up and put my feet in. After all, who could resist that smile!

Eating lunch.....happy as a clam :)

Our flight back to Boston was delayed 1/2 an hour. Little Emma was absolutely exhausted but refused to fall asleep until the plane took off- so she kept herself busy in the airport until we boarded.

10 Months Old..... still growing up too fast!