1st Day of Montessori

My cutie all ready for school.  Dressed in his new outfit from Mam-moo and his new lion backpack he picked out.

Today was Gray's 1st day at Montessori.  He was so excited to go back and see Kenyon and Harrison. We were glad to hear that he ended up in Kenyon's class and that he and Harrison are in the same classroom together.  I don't know why it is so different...but today was hard.  It is just another milestone I guess.  A milestone that you are thrilled about for their sake, but it is so bittersweet knowing that there is no slowing down, holding back, or sometimes even just a quick pause.  It's at his pace, and he is running and grabbing at it full speed. 

Launching part 1...Barefoot Books

Yoga certification- check, Environmental Education- check, Products for the kiddos- check! :)

I am so excited, I have sat on this, debating back and forth for over a year, and finally decided to join up with Barefoot Books as an ambassador.  My LOVE of books no doubt comes from my family, and it has been passed on to Gray.  

As soon as the starter kit came in the mail, he thought it was all for him.  I have read him almost every story in the box at least a dozen times.  We have had the box for about two weeks. 

The yoga deck, CD, and book sold me.  They will be so fun to incorporate into kiddo yoga!  What can I say, the whole yoga thing really was a transformation...and now an obsession!  I plan to take the Radiant Child Yoga certification in February, so my hopes are that I can really start tying all my passions together.  It may be awhile for the I get to that Master's degree...but in the meantime it doesn't mean I can't do a semi-business launch with my skills thus far.  

Now I just have to come up with a business name...incorporating yoga, yoga hikes, art, eco-family friendly education and activities, Barefoot Books...hmmmmm....let me know if you come up with something.  I have a few things rolling around...

Anyhow, here is my page.  Feel free to take a look around!

• http://kelly-hoke.barefootbooks.com/
• 
  

Our last monday hike :(

Next Monday Gray starts Montessori school.  I am so excited for his new journey, but I am so sad about the loss of our Monday hikes.  Sunday night as we giggled, sang and got all tucked into bed, it was ritual to say, "Guess what tomorrow is...Mommy and Grayson day".  This meant if the weather was ok, we were out on a hike.  Riverbend, South Mountains, Lake James, the Newton Greenway, Mount Mitchell, and more.  We have covered some terrain in a year and a half of these Monday hikes. I am going to miss having that day set aside for us to explore.  I am still fortunate to still only be part-time, so no complaints.  I will be rushing to get that little monster everyday from his half-day at school.  Boy how time flies.

For our last Monday hike, we decided to head somewhere new...and to beat the rain.  Northwest was clear...a quick trip to Spruce Pine and the Orchard at Altapass.  

We picnicked, bought some fudge, some apples...oh, and yeah, went on a hike.  Gray looked out for the birds on the brochure, stopping me every time he would hear one sing.

Afterwards we headed to the gem and mineral museum.  A bit over his head...but he had fun nonetheless. 

In the apple orchard

Just about that time...only one variety was ready when we went...next Month they'll all be ready

Gray turns 3

Three years into this motherhood deal and I am still amazed.  I am amazed by how much I could possibly love...unconditionally.  I am amazed by the wonder of each new day and everything he is eager to learn.  I am amazed by how much fun it is getting to know him and his personality.  I am amazed by how much our world has changed- yes, for the brilliant and more difficult.

This past year brought us a conversational toddler, who loves to ask questions, loves stories, singing, playing pretend, pirates, trucks, his puppy, and trains.  He has discovered the magic of boo-boo-daids (band-aids).  Mommy is still required for making said boo-boos going away.  Time outdoors now includes riding our tri-cycle, riding our scooter, longer walks, and of course our Monday hikes.

He is such a sweet, creative and independent soul.  My hopes are he is encouraged to explore it all and has the confidence to do so.

For Gray's birthday he asked for a pirate party and I was excited to plan a party.  Steven wanted to make the cake, and it turned out really cool.  It was a chance to flex a new artistic skill and like always he did amazing the first time out.

We did a friends party and Gray was surrounded by such love from the the Penland, Herman, Pendell, and McElhone family's.  We dug for treasures, had a water balloon toss, got pirate tattoos, made treasure maps, hit a pinata and dressed like a pirate.  None of the kids even went to the playground to play, so I guess they had fun!

Happy Birthday my favorite three year old. We love more than you know.

Fish and Chips

Thank you Aunt Nita and Uncle Mike for the water balloons!

Myrtle Beach...w/less Spring Break

So it's been years since my last visit to Myrtle, and the last time I went to Myrtle, family-friendly was far from my mind.  Yep, not much has changed at the beach, some other sweet, skinny, care-free 20 something has moved into my spot.  However, I moved into the shoes of the folks I never even noticed...most likely because our schedules were a bit different.  The music blaring up to our room every night until 2AM was a constant reminder of that. :)

Despite the loud music, we had a great time.  Gray isn't overly fond of the water, but he was more than estatic to roll around, and dig in the sand all day.  He loved being at the beach, just didn't love going into the ocean.  It was great to get away for a quick trip...my soul is always revived by the ocean.  Sunrise yoga on the beach was a huge boost to the soul also!

This may have been the only water Gray loved being in...we couldn't get him away from the showers!

This was the ONLY time he went into the ocean all four days.

Even Puppy joined us at the beach

Turned three, a week at Myrtle Beach and I turn around and this is what I find...

Tweetsie!

With in home care, we escaped many of the typical large daycare "issues", but one of the things we couldn't seem to escape was the TV.  It was very limited thank goodness, but after naptime, while the other kids were still sleeping she would let the kids watch TV...and so began the love affair with Dora.  We didn't buy passes this year for Tweetsie, but we decided we would choose one day that we went, and we decided Dora and Diego Day would be it.  We kept it a surprise until we got there.  He was so excited.  That smile is one of the best parts of being his mommy.
For the special event they had a Dora and Diego as special guests, and other activities set up for the wee ones.  Bouncy houses, and bouncy obstacle courses...it was a good day.

Vermont

This year the family vacation was shared with my mom, sister, brother-in-law and nephew.  We transferred the time share to Smugg's Notch Resort in Smuggler's Notch, VT.  It was beautiful!  We were in the mountains, but rolling hills and farmland was not far away.  It is a beautiful state- I don't think there was one part of it that we saw that was not beautiful or unique in some way.

The boys of course had a blast and were inseparable for most of the trip.  Gray said that Kaleb was his best friend!  They had their moments of course, just as any set of toddlers would, but it really is pretty amazing how much these two love each other.  We couldn't have dreamed a better relationship up for the two.

Me, Moo and Lou in front of Lake George, NY

It was a long drive, we rented a big passenger van to make the trip...this was the most trying for sure.  That many adults should not be trapped in a van for that long. We did see some beautiful country though by driving instead of flying.

 The weather was not always cooperating with our vacation, but we made the best out of it and did factory tours and tastings on rainy days.  Vermont is like a dream world filled with chocolate, cheese, craft beer and wine.  Okay, maybe my dream world...not if you are lactose intolerant.  We visited the Cabot Annex and tasted as much as we could...oh, my goodness is all I can say.  We ended up only with one block of cheese from them- their vintage aged cheese...but we also bought from Mt. Mansfield Creameries another aged cheese.

Mam-moo and Gray...how fitting?  They are both mooing!

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour

I want them all!

I swear everyone working here was happy and cheerful.  Maybe it's all the ice cream and sugar...maybe it's the workplace atmosphere...maybe it's standing behind a socially responsible company.  Whatever it is it is working.  Loved this place.

Lou and Kaleb

On the really gorgeous days we went hiking, canoeing, played outside and visited a sugar maple farm.

Mam-moo playing on the playground with Gray

Hiking around the resort property

 We went hiking around Mt. Mansfield State Forest.  It was beautiful. We never made it to the top of Mt. Mansfield because of the weather and time, but the waterfalls and scenery were amazing even on our shorter hikes.  Gray had such a good time- we made a fairy house, pretended to have tea with Mr. Owl, and jumped in as many mud puddles as we could find.

Fairy House

Kaleb peeking at the goats at the Sugar Maple Farm

Buddies

Mam-moo on the playground again :)

The rainiest day was perfect for heading to Burlington, and visiting the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center.  It is a great little science center for a small city, and the boys had a blast.

Cousin Kaleb

The resort even had special guests for meals.  We only ended up doing one breakfast out in one of their restaurants...and man was it worth it.  Gray is on a huge pirate kick right now, and would you believe we had a friendly pirate come and sing and play the guitar with us.  The kids were so excited over this...and the giant bear that accompanied him!

On the way back we stopped for one last excursion at Shelburn Vineyards.  It was a beautiful little spot in South Burlington, and even Moo got in on the wine tasting.  

 

Taking in the scenery