outdoor movies in our backyard

Dear Em,
I think you were an infant the first time I saw someone online make an outdoor movie theater in their own backyard. It looked so stinkin' cute & incredibly fun, & I wanted to have outdoor movies in our own backyard. The only problem is that you can't start outdoor movies until after dark. Since keeping you up past 10pm pretty much guaranteed you would turn into a cranky monster in years past, outdoor movies were never really an option for us. After the outdoor movie at Ninigret park was such a hit, I really, really wanted to fulfill my dream of having an outdoor movie in our own backyard. When your dance recital DVD came in, it was like fate was telling me the time was now by giving us the perfect show for our very first home screening.

Your uncle Jared was our amazing "tech guy" who put everything together. Using duct tape, he hung a white sheet on the back of our garage. Then he hooked his computer up to a projector. As we waited for dark you & S played on the trampoline, Daddy & I moved seats in front of the big screen, & Nonnie made popcorn.

I was bubbling with excitement. I couldn't wait for you two littles to see yourselves on a big screen. When it finally got dark, we coved ourselves in blankets, & the show began. We watched & ate popcorn & clapped during each number. S commented on how great the dancing was (especially for the older groups), & you commented on whether or not you liked the costumes (black costumes were not your favorite). When S's & your dance numbers appeared on the screen, pride filled my heart yet again. We laughed & clapped as we watched you two dance with such personality.

It was such a simple & yet amazing family activity. It didn't cost us any money, we didn't have to travel anywhere, & it was one of my favorite moments from this summer- one that I hope we can recreate again this summer & many summers beyond.

I love you so,
Mommy

Providence Waterfire 2014

Dear Em,
Although our experience last year was a little hectic & a little crazy, we returned to Providence Waterfire a few weeks ago. Nonnie loves Waterfire, & I wanted to take her back. We also had a lot of other family visiting, & I was excited to introduce them to one of my favorite things about summertime in Rhode Island...even if it meant taking two young children with us.

Not wanting to make the same mistake as last time, I think I asked you & your adorable, little best friend to go to the bathroom 57,000 times before we headed to Providence for Waterfire. We parked at the Covention Center (parking there was a little more pricey than I remember it being, but I like how easy it is to leave the Convention Center & get on the highway) & walked over to the Waterfire basin. As we walked, I was pleasantly surprised to notice porta potties. I felt my body relax. This time there would be no potty emergency fiasco like last year (which of course meant this time you never needed to go to the bathroom...sigh).

Papi bought Dels for our whole group before heading to sit on the grassy lawn just above the basin. The grass would actually make a perfect Providence picnic spot. Maybe next time we visit Waterfire, we can pack a picnic dinner for the grass before the fire lightings.

After eating Dels, you & S got a little chilly. Having only the jacket I was wearing, I improvised.

We had a little more time to wait than I had planned for. You & S got a little antsy. While the people around us seemed enchanted by your little "performances," I was a little worried about the two of you launching down the hill & taking everyone out as you went. So, I allowed myself to use a little bit of technology to calm two very antsy little girls.

The lighting started at dusk, & we were in a perfect spot to watch it all. It almost seemed like the lighting of an Olympic torch as we watched the procession march in. It was just as they were ceremoniously lighting the first fires, that my aunt Wendy noticed smoke coming from Providence Place Mall, just to the right of the Waterfire event. Suddenly, everyone's attention turned from the Waterfire basin to the mall. "Is that part of the Waterfires too," my aunt asked. I assured her that the mall is not supposed to be part of the Waterfire fires as we heard sirens & saw firetrucks rush in. We watched the windows fill up with smoke, & I thanked God that we had parked at the Convention Center instead of the mall.

Soon the smoke died down, & the firetrucks began to leave (I guess a car had caught fire in the parking garage?). Everyone's attention returned to the beauty of the actual Waterfire event. We sat for a while, taking in the peacefulness of the music & fire. It was so much fun to enjoy it all with family.

Maybe it was because we had been sitting for a while, maybe it was because people had run over to the mall to check the status of their cars & the fire, but much of the crowd had cleared out by the time we began walking. For the first time I think you were able to really enjoy walking through Waterfire, because you didn't have crowds standing in front of you blocking the beautiful views. You got to see the boats of people loading the firewood. I pointed out the beautiful chandeliers under the bridges. You loved seeing people ferried around on the gondolas. I really enjoyed walking along, hand in hand with you.

We stopped & bought a ton of the World's Best Popcorn (Nonnie's favorite), before heading back to where we parked. We took the longer, scenic route back- walking along the water & taking in our last glimpses of the fire.

We made it back to our car & dressed you in your PJs before heading home. You fell asleep with a sweet smile on your face during the drive, & I thought about how fortunate we are. I love the state we live in, the fun & beautiful things Rhode Island offers, & that we're able to share it all with so many people we love. Thanks, Providence Waterfire, for an amazing experience & a fantastic family memory.

I love you so,
Mommy

Throwback Thursday: The Innocence that comes from not yet being grown up

Dear Em,
It's funny how you think things might work when you're little. I remember accidentally eating a watermelon seed & being scared to death my stomach would stretch & extend as a watermelon grew inside of me. Maybe it would be stuck in my belly forever & never come out!

I remember my little sister staring at herself in the mirror. She was turned sideways & she had popped her belly out as far as it would go. She very solemnly told me that she had a baby in her belly & when she was a big grown-up the baby would come out & she would be a mommy just like our mommy. Back then my sister & I had innocent dreams of growing up to be a cat (Jennie loves animals) & a singer, & the future would hold anything we imagined it would.

While my pregnancy didn't take many years like my little sister once thought, carrying you was sometimes every bit as frightening as growing a watermelon would have been- maybe more so. And there were certainly times that I thought you would never come out.

You have a completely different view from your own innocent eyes. You cannot wait to have children. While you've agreed that you will get married first, you want to get married & start the whole having kids thing right now. You plan to have at least thirteen kids, & you don't want to wait nine months between each one.

In fact, I walked into the living room to find you & your little best friend pregnant just the other day. Your stuffed animals babies, "popped out" just moments later. Daddy pretty much ran away in terror, laid in a fetal position, & told himself you wouldn't get married until you were at least sixty.

Ha! You keep thinking that babies just "pop out," & I will keep smiling & letting you think that is exactly what happens...as long as you don't get married until you're at least in your mid twenties & my grandbabies don't start "popping out" until after then.

I love you so,

Mommy

Princess Party: The Food

Dear Em,

* This the fourth post of 4 posts recapping an adorable 4.5 Princess Birthday Party. See also Princess Birthday Party: The Theme, Princess Birthday Party: The Invites, & Princess Birthday Party: The Venue. *

This is the last post detailing your 4.5 Princess Birthday Party, & I thought I'd go out with a bang by talking about the food. While we didn't need to bring any activities for your party at Kidz Adventure Cuts, we did need to bring all the food. Each time we plan one of your parties, I try to include food that you love without getting too complicated or junk-foody.

Since you love yogurt, I tried to make things simple & clean-up friendly by including yogurt tubes. We also included your favorite fruit in a fruit salad. You are currently obsessed with Cape Cod potato chips. You call them "hip hop potato chips" & go crazy at just the smell of them. I knew we had to have them for your party. One of your other snack favorites are pretzel chips, & we brought those along as well. I bought water bottles & juice boxes from Trader Joes, letting the organic packing make me feel better about the fact they are basically boxes of sugar.

You don't love pizza, but since Rhode Island bakery pizza is typically a crowd pleaser we brought that. We also got a sample platter from Pizzeria Uno with chicken fingers, shrimp skewers, chicken wings, chips, & guacamole. The kids ate the chicken, & the parents ate everything. It was easy, & it was a big hit.

Again this year, we waited too long to order an Allie's Donut Cake & they were booked solid. Instead, we ordered a cupcake cake from Stop & Shop. I took princess photos of you before we ordered it. I gave them a 4x6 photo, & they printed your picture right on the cake. You were dazzled by the very special cake made just for you.

Although nothing except for the cake really went with the princess theme (except that we included our princess's favorite foods), I found pink & purple princess plates & cups & napkins at the Dollar Store to complete the whole princess party look. Everything was a hit. It was a princess foodie paradise.

Most importantly, our little princess loved every bite of her princess party food.

It was such a yummy & fun & special party for the most amazing, little princess I'll ever know. It will be tough living up to it next year, but something tells me you'll inspire something new that's just as fun & adorable & amazing.

I love you so,

Mommy

First Movie Outside

Dear Em,
I feel like I must have, but I am wracking my brain & can't remember ever going to a movie outside. Recently, Daddy sent me a link to a ton of fun things to do in Rhode Island this summer. I perused through the list, enchanted by all of the kid-friendly & free activities available. That's when I noticed all of the outdoor movie showings available all around us.

I looked at the lists of scheduled movies & made a summer movie itinerary for us in my calendar. Our first movie was last week. It was as if the stars had aligned, because for your first outside movie they were showing Frozen at Ninigret Park in Charlestown.

I get a little nervous the first time I participate in a new activity, because I'm unsure of what to expect. What do you bring to an outdoor movie? A blanket? Chairs? Snacks? Bug spray? We decided to pack some camping chairs, extra sweatshirts, & some bug spray & hope for the best. We arrived at around 8pm. Since the movies are screened right behind the playground, we let you burn off some energy while we set up our chairs & waited for dusk. There were a bunch of kids & families already set up with blankest & chairs (phew) in front of the large, blown up screen.

Ninigret Park is such a perfect spot to watch a sunset.

Your best friend S & her dad joined us with a sleeping bag & snacks (good call).

As the moon rose & the sky got dark, it was time for the movie to begin.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching Frozen on the outdoor, big screen. I smiled as the kids broke out into a chorus during each song. Everyone was spread out enough that kids could stand up & dance, & you took full advantage. It was such an adorable & quaint community experience.

It was late when the movie ended, & as we walked back to the car I begged you to sleep past 6am in hopes you wouldn't be a complete crankapotomus the next day & ruin our chances of ever going to an outdoor movie again. Although you didn't make it much past 6am the next morning (it was our fault for forgetting to close your blinds), I see lots more outdoor movies in our future.

Sigh, I freaking love Rhode Island summers.

I love you so,
Mommy

Our Little Shopper

Dear Em,
Many people talk about how raising children can be expensive. It's true. It all adds up. There's food & diapers & clothes & childcare & schooling & activities to pay for. Unfortunately, raising you will also be expensive in a whole different way, because you are addicted to shopping.

Maybe the first clue should have been the way, at the age of two, you would sit quietly next to me & help me choose outfits for you online. Maybe the joy in your face as you helped me shoe shop should have been a warning sign. I know it's normal for children to enjoy toy shopping, but you enjoy it all.

You love grocery shopping.

You beam when I ask you if you want to go clothes shopping.

We don't even necessarily have to shop for you. You equally enjoy shopping for me...as long as I let you try on the clothes after I've tried them on.

A few weeks ago we went boutique shopping in Newport. A sales lady warmly looked at you browsing the racks of clothes with me. "Awwww, does she love shopping?" she asked us. You looked at her with a look that said "obviously." Then you turned to me and asked, "Mommy, who doesn't love shopping?!" You couldn't believe it could possibly be true. It would be like someone not liking Christmas or snuggles or the beach. I didn't want to burst your bubble, but Daddy could tell you a lot about not loving shopping.

I've realized we've created a monster...a shopaholic monster...a very cute & & lovable & very expensive shopaholic monster.

I love you so,
Mommy

Throwback Thursday: Daddy's Girl

Dear Em,
My mom told me that when I was little, I was a Daddy's girl. He was in the Navy, & I was devastated when he went out to sea for long periods of time. I couldn't bear for him to be away. I would kiss his picture on the refrigerator every night before going to bed.

As I grew up, I became less of a Daddy's Girl & more of a typical teenager. I couldn't understand then that when my Dad said "no," it was because he loved me & wanted the best for me. As a self-centered teenager, it seemed like every time my dad didn't want me to do what I wanted to do, it was because he was trying to make my life absolutely miserable. He was my dad, & I knew he loved me, but dads are supposed to make their kids miserable, right?

It wasn't until college that I started to look at my dad as more than just my dad. In 2002 I went to my first RedSox game. My Dad has always been a diehard fan, but this was the first time I fell for the boys in red socks. That fall the RedSox made it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. I felt an excitement rise in my chest like I had never felt before. I died a little when their losses to the Yankees ended their World Series run.

In 2004, the team was something special. They were "the idiots." You could feel the true camaraderie in this team, & I wondered if they would be the RedSox team to win the World Series for the first time since 1918. It was when the RedSox began their postseason that my dad & I started emailing each other. We talked about the team & the highs & the lows from the previous games. We talked about what each win meant. I had only been a real RedSox fan for a couple years, but my dad had been a fan all of his life & had never seen a RedSox World Series win. He talked about what that meant for him. We talked about how we held our breath with each strike, each ball, & each hit. My dad was sharing his thoughts & feelings with me like never before.

When the RedSox won the World Series that year, I can't tell you the joy & elation I felt. I felt so fortunate that I was a fan when the RedSox made history. My dad was the first person I called. He's been my first call after every RedSox World Series Championship (& Patriots Superbowl Championships) since.

There's an amazing thing that happened with my mom & dad sometime between the time I left for college & got married, they became more than just my parents. They became my friends. I can talk to them as a peer instead of as a girl who is pretty certain her parents are trying to ruin her life. For my dad & I, the RedSox were a big part of how that happened.

I continued to go to RedSox games in Boston & at other ballparks on the east coast. When they lived in New Jersey, I gifted my dad & my siblings tickets to RedSox games in Baltimore.  My family lives in North Carolina now, far away from any ballpark where the RedSox might play. When my dad is visiting Rhode Island, we've gotten him tickets to see the RedSox play with your daddy & Papa. We even took the family on a tour of Fenway. Yet, I had never gone to a RedSox game with my Dad- until last weekend.

Your daddy & I talked about what we wanted to do for Father's Day gifts this year. When I learned that my dad would be in Rhode Island for 4th of July weekend, I checked the schedule to see if the RedSox would be playing at home. We were in luck! This year we got tickets for all the Dads (Daddy, Papa, & Papi), but I wanted to go too (& Grandma did too). This year I finally wanted to share the experience of a RedSox game with my Dad.

The RedSox were playing a double header that day, & we listened to the first game on the radio on the way up. Just as we arrived, the RedSox won their first game of the day in overtime. Excited, we headed to Sweet Carolines for dinner before our game.

Then my Dad & I did some RedSox gear shopping. He got a rain jacket, & I bought a new hat before heading into the ballpark early to watch the team warm up. I was so excited to walk through Fenway with my Dad. We watched Ortiz put his arm around Napoli. We talked about who we thought was playing that day. We enjoyed being at Fenway on such a gorgeous day.

The RedSox did not win that night, but I loved sharing the fan experience with my dad. I loved that he got just as annoyed with the incessant start of the wave as I did (he's pretty sure it threw Lackey off & was the reason we started to falter in the game). I love that he cheered for every RedSox hit. I love that even though the RedSox were losing in the last inning & it was late, he was happy to stay for the whole game. I love that he laughed with me when I called a Steven Drew home run just before he hit it (your daddy wishes the Redsox would trade Steven Drew & we teased him about it all night). I loved having the opportunity to share Fenway with my Dad for a night.

I'm so thankful that my dad & I have the RedSox & the connection we developed through them. I hope my dad & I are able to share many more RedSox memories together- & that someday you will be excited to join us in RedSox game fun.

I love you so,
Mommy