Busy Easter Weekend

Easter is always a big deal in our house - and is my favorite holiday by far. Add to that a birthday party (the second in two weeks) and a visit from Oma and Opa, and you've got one extra special time.

On Easter Saturday Robyn had a blast at her good friend Gabriella's fifth birthday party. The shindig took place at Sport Time USA. What a great time. Here are a couple of photos to enjoy.




When we got back home from the birthday party it was time to color Easter eggs.



Easter morning began with Robyn's Easter 'Egg' hunt. She had already picked up quite a stash the weekend before at the Chapel Hill Easter Egg hunt, and the Easter bunny certainly added to the Easter haul for this year. I think the highlights were the Buzz Lightyear and Slinky Dog. Then the two games for the Leapster (one based on the movie 'Up' and other one focused on taking care of a virtual puppy) and a new Tag book, DVD, hula hoop...Need I go on?

Then came Easter breakfast. This is a very traditional event. Certain things MUST be sitting on the table, and, thankfully I pulled it off. Things were looking bad last week when I had trouble finding the horse radish at the local A&P. Thankfully a great staff member came to my rescue, and we found it in aisle 19.



After a leisurely breakfast, it was off to church of course. I had to get a few photos of Robyn. She wore a dress and shoes handed down from cousin Abby from Switzerland. Abby is a mere three months older, but at least two sizes taller. We actually got the shoes in a package last year, but Robyn has just grown into them. The church is always full of Easter lilies so they were a great background. Then, when we got home, the Magnolia tree was blooming nicely, so, another photo op.




After a nice walk, we drove to Cold Spring to enjoy a wonderful Easter dinner outside at the Cold Spring Depot Restaurant.

http://coldspringdepot.com/

To add, Robyn is really 'into' her movies now and had one DVD picked out for every night with Oma and Opa. Friday began the series with 'Despicable Me'. Then Saturday we showed 'Kung Fu Panda'. And Easter Sunday was a home screening of 'Up'. By Monday Oma and Opa were too pooped for another late movie night and our little one had to rest up for school the following day. Even so, Robyn had 'Robots' sitting on the coffee table, just in case.

The next few weekends are shaping up to busy as well...so begin the warm seasons here in Peekskill.

First Tooth Out!

After three weeks having three wiggly teeth (at last check), Robyn lost her first tooth last night!

We noticed the tooth missing at breakfast, but after a long and fruitless search for it, we concluded that the tooth fairy already got to it. She must have had to make a quick get away when Robyn woke up in the middle of the night. She'll likely be back this evening with a reward for the beautiful tooth she collected yesterday.

Congratulations Robyn!

Robyn in Motion (September 2010 to February 2011)

Five months in three and a half minutes.

February School Days

Despite the many snow days over the past few weeks, Robyn's school really has been a busy place.

Last weekend the school held an open house, and to commemorate the event many of the students were present for a school photo op. Of course the real photo is much more impressive. But you can see one of my many photos below. You can spot Robyn in the first row. I also took some video which is always fun as it gives an entirely different perspective on the event. As you can see, she also had a chance to share some of her art work.









Yesterday was another great happening. It was the 'Father-Daughter Dance'. Robyn was super excited from the day she received her invitation, right up to when I put the dancing shoes on her feet and Daddy buckled her into the car. She even wanted a bow in her hair! Imagine time with Daddy with no TV, computer or any sort of distraction. Real Daddy time! Even I was excited for Robyn. I would have loved a Father-Daughter Dance when I was little.

Below are a few photos and some more video. Of course if I was allowed to go, I would have taken tons of film! But, it was great to catch glimpse of what was going on. Robyn is dancing with her classmates, Jayla and Mia in the bottom video.











Enjoy!

Come on Spring!

Good-bye Tiger, Welcome Rabbit

Today is New Year's day on the Chinese lunar calendar. And we celebrated by talking about Chinese New Year to Robyn's preschool class. Andrew made a great presentation, and I, of course, took lots of video. The highlight for the kids, I think, was getting the red envelopes. But they also loved the story about the animal race. I think they were all pretty surprised that the rat came first. And some started to roar when Andrew talked to the kids about the dragon.

Here is a picture of Andrew talking to the class.



As I mentioned, I took a lot of video. But I just loved this clip from the end of the 'presentation'.



The teachers were quick to mention that talking about Chinese New Year traditions might become a our New Year's tradition - until Robyn gets to college age that is.

Happy New Year!

Favorite Holiday Photos from Christmas and New Year 2010/2011

Another year end holiday season has come and gone. Of course there are lots of photos. Here are some of my favorites.

We started with some shopping in Cold Spring. Of course we had time for a little photo shoot by the Hudson.



Robyn loves making the Christmas houses at the Peekskill Library. She actually didn't eat too much of the candy.



Here is an unintentional example of Chiaroscuro. I call it 'Robyn beside the Christmas tree'. Yes, poorly lit, but I like it just the same.



We began a new tradition - a birthday cake for Christmas Eve. Robyn of course, blew out the candle.



Robyn just loved her panda hat and mittens. They went well with 'Ring Ring', one of Yoo Hoo's friends. If you don't know Yoo Hoo - it's the 'latest' thing. Fortunately this collection of soft toys isn't expensive and they are cute.



Of course we had to test out the hat and mittens in the snow behind Oma and Opa's house.



One of Robyn's new treats turns out to be her first pair of skates. Here she is at the Bear Mountain rink (which is outdoors) testing them out (video to follow soon). Suffice to say, Robyn is a natural.



I had to take a picture of the front and back of the rag quilt made by Oma that now adorns Robyn's bed. Robyn loves the dinosaur theme and won't be without this lovely quilt. While not an official Christmas present - it appeared on Robyn's bed when we reached Caledon for Christmas (complete with a new plush T-Rex named Toby).



Onwards into a busy New Year! Welcome 2011!

A Great Fall

Autumn began with our usual trip to the Rotary Club Horse Show. Robyn always looks forward to her horse ride.



We took part in the annual March of Dimes Walk for Babies. Another annual tradition with our grown up Preemie.



Our little winner had time for a quick pose with Daddy.



Robyn is enjoying her third year at Gymnastics City. I took a photo of my own on picture day. So rare to see my little girl like this. She hasn't wanted this tutu on since that day. The following week she asked for 'shorts like the boys'. Too funny. She doesn't like to have any attention lofted upon her - and this look did afford her a lot of that. Official photos will be available soon!



We took one afternoon out for apple picking. We found enough apples to make our first apple pie together. It was yummy for sure!



We all took part in the annual Hudson Valley Food Bank walk as well. We had to get a quick shot with the pumpkin display.



Hallowe'en week began with the Chapel Hill Party. Robyn couldn't wait to wear her Thomas costume. It was her idea to have a pink hat; "So everyone will know I'm a girl mom".



We carved three pumpkins, one for each of us.



Robyn's ghostly craft adorned our door for the week. She made this at the Peekskill Library.



Here is Robyn with her class mates Gymnastic City's annual "Spook Week" celebration.



Robyn also partied with her friends at the Assumption School Hallowe'en Party. This year's theme was "Monsters Inc." It was quite the do! Here is Robyn with her friend Amira.



No Hallowe'en would be complete with a trip through the haunted house at the Peekskill library.



Robyn had a fantastic time going for trick-or-treat. Everyone loved her Thomas outfit. We have such great neighbors in Chapel Hill and it was great touring the complex.



Robyn went out in two shifts. The first with Mommy before dinner while it was light, and here she is again, at night, with Daddy.



Last week we took a trip down to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Robyn loves digging for dinosaur bones in the children's discovery room. Here she is wearing the safety glasses.



Now it's full speed forward to Christmas!

The Firsts Just Keep Coming!

Robyn's adventures just keep coming.

To end off the summer 'holiday' season we made a couple of visits to Playland Park. Robyn just loved the amusement rides, and with so many of them for the kiddies it was inevitable that Robyn worked up the nerve to go riding on her own. You can see that she's gotten to be quite a pro. She barely gets into her seat and her buckle on before doing her 'thumbs up' - the traditional 'I'm ready to go' signal at Playland Park.





Robyn still does enjoy the occasional ride with mom and dad. Here are Andrew and Robyn on the giant Ferris wheel.



We also began to introduce Robyn to the wonderful sport of paddling. Here are Robyn and Andrew in the canoe. We had a wonderful morning paddling up Annsville creek from the Hudson River on the Labor Day weekend. It's just a matter of time before Robyn is out sea kayaking with mom (or so I hope).




And finally (drumroll), Robyn's first day of school!

Robyn started her first day of Pre-K today, September 9th, at Assumption School in Peekskill. After a very sleepless night for all three of us, we were off and running at 8 a.m. - very rare in this house. Robyn will be going to school three days a week this year, and after getting over a few nervous jitters, her first day progressed quite well. We even had our first parent-teacher meeting today.

So the journey begins!

Robyn in Motion (May to August 2010)

We had a really special summer. Enjoy!

Highlights From July 2010

We've had a busy month!

First news - Robyn made the Field Library's 'Frog Blog' for her summer reading program. You can see our avid book lover if you go to this address.

http://fieldkids.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/diving-into-summer-reading/

We have so many photos and also a lot of video, but I can only post a small sampling. Here are some photos for your enjoyment.

We went out for dinner for Oma's birthday at the Village Bistro in Caledon. What a great meal!



Robyn had a cool down in the sprinkler at Oma's house.



We had a great hike at the Cheltenham Badlands. From there we had ice cream in Belfountain and then headed to Forks of the Credit for another great hike. Here Robyn is standing at the Badlands.



We had fun at Andy and Sylvia's place. We got to see Lydia too. This is Robyn getting into Sylvia's craft supplies.



Our old friends, Walter and Ilona Sailer came for a visit to meet Robyn (finally).



We went to Wasaga Beach three times. This was the day Robyn got her new beach ball.



We had a great visit with our Onkel Rob and Tante Melinda. Robyn loved their dog Amber and Scabbers the Gerbil.



Caledon has many, many playgrounds. And in three weeks we made the circuit. This is Robyn on one of her favorite slides at John Alexander Park.



We had a special visit with (newlyweds) Johanna and Adam in Waterloo. Robyn LOVES Adam taking photos of her and here is one of them. We enjoyed the animals in one of Waterloo's parks after dinner at "Sole". After the park (and the ride on the saucer swing) we went out for gelato. Robyn didn't want to go home after all the piggy pack rides from Adam. I WISH I got a photo, but those two were moving way to fast for me. Robyn was giggling up a storm.



After returning home to Peekskill, we went on a short holiday to Montauk New York. Here is Robyn with Oma - we had an amazing sea food dinner outside at "St. Peter's Catch". In fact, we ate outside for every meal on each of our three days in Montauk.



Of course we went to Montauk to enjoy the spectacular beaches. We enjoyed a different beach every day while we were there. Here are a couple of photos. One of Robyn playing in the sand - that she can do for HOURS - and another where I made a MerRobyn. Can you see her tail fins?





We also made it out to the Montauk Lighthouse to enjoy the great views of the ocean.



Today we headed to downtown Peekskill to enjoy some of the music and the annual Peekskill Jazz Festival. Robyn, it seems, likes to dance to jazz. Of course no photo though.



Let's see what August brings our way...lots of big events ahead...school days are fast approaching.