Ducks

We have been exploring all of the parks in our town and went for the first time to a park on the river. Ella loved feeding the ducks and geese. So much so that Shazam arranged to bring her after daycare yesterday. I was supposed to tutor but that got canceled so I got to go as well. It was great fun and she was totally wiped out when we were done.

Shazam and Little E on the Slide

Feeding the Ducks takes concentration!  Nice follow through.

Little E wanted the ducks to eat from her hand. It didn't work

Potty Training

So while many of you will be enjoying picnics and bbqs this lovely Memorial Day weekend we are deep into an intense weekend of potty training.  So far we have had mixed results.  E has been peeing on the potty sporadically for a few months when we put her on.  She never asks or tells us she has to go.  I think she has the control to do it as she often wakes up dry from naps and overnight dry.  With daycare and Shazam being busy with grad school I just have not pushed the issue.  Truth be told it just is much easier to do diapers.  The time has come however so armed with m&ms stickers and some cute undies we are going for it.  Since we have almost zero plans this weekend I thought three days of potty boot camp would be a good idea.  So far we have had limited success.  She told me she had to go poop but only after she "started" and didn't make it to the potty so we had a nice turd on the floor next to the potty.  Fun.   She has not asked to go pee pee yet but she has peed twice on the potty so far this morning. No puddles yet so that is good.  I am just letting her go pant-less right now so that she can get on and off the potty quicker.  We shall see how it goes.  Any positive potty training thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

March for Babies!

For the third year we walked in the March of Dimes March for Babies.  For the first time we didn't have to walk in the rain and huddle under tents during thunder and lightning.  It was a very nice change.  We had a nice group of friends and family and raised over $2000 for the cause.  We have been making E a shirt every year with her age and weight and it has been amazing to see how much she has grown.  In 34 months she has gained almost 27 pounds.  After the walk we hung out on the Esplanade and had lunch and went to the playground.  On our way back to the garage we stopped off at the public garden to take E on her first swan boat ride.  It was a blast and she loved it.  A perfect time of year since there was cute fuzzy ducklings lined up on a ramp to an island just like the book.

Ella pre walk watching trucks go by our house.

Work friends who joined us this year.

Shazam and her bff

Good ole' Gumpy

"Walking" with Sara and Gordon.

How cute are my parents holding hands.

The view was so much nicer without the rain.

Little E would not look at the camera her ice cream was too yummy.  Sorry about your pants Sara.

Ahma and E on the swan boats

My BFF and Shazam's BFF on the swan boats.

Mr. Mallard

Can't get more Boston than this.

Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack...and a turtle.

Shazam and Little E

By this time tomorrow

It will be over!
Shazam will officially be a social worker and I will hopefully never here the words "I am going to the library." out of her mouth again.  So after two years and sacrifices from all our parts we will be done with graduate school!  I think we both are surprised at how hard this has been on us.  We went into this thinking that it would be hard but we had no idea.  There have been times in this process that both Shazam and I have both felt misunderstood and not supported but we made it through and tomorrow we get to celebrate.  Tomorrow is going to be a great day.  Fingers crossed that the rain holds out and that little E makes it through the ceremony.  We even have dinner that does not include nuggets and a baby sitter.  Now that is reason to celebrate!  Congrats Shazam! Little E and I are so proud of you!

You deserve and update

So as usual I come to you with my tail between my legs apologizing for not blogging.   Has it really been since January?  I hope that this popping up on some of your readers gives you some joy.  Lots have been going on some great and some not so great.

The good
E got into Montessori School and we got a great financial aid package.  So Montessori here we come!

Shazam is finally done with grad school.  After two fucking years I have my wife back.  I know it is nothing compared to other graduate programs but really two years were totally enough for me.

The school year is wrapping up and I had a great year.  No snow days so we are out super early this year!!!!!

The bad
Big E Shazam's grandmother and E's namesake passed away the end of last month.  This has been crushing for all of us.  We knew it was coming but not at the speed that it did.  Shazam is muddling through but this was not the way we imagined her last week of grad school to be.

I owe you all sorts of updates but for now that is what I have so I will leave you with a picture from February.