Off to College: Day 197

Been busy the last few days, packing up Joe, and bringing him to college for the first time. It has been an emotional time...wondering where in the world my little boy has disappeared to!

Just a couple of pictures from the big move-in...more tomorrow...

All packed up and ready to leave the nest....

Here's Joe and his roommates Michael (in the middle) and Phil.

First Day: Day 193

The first day of the school year 2008-09 has begun.

Weird making only one lunch and having only one child to get off this morning.

Taylor and I got up super early..it's funny...I get the same before school jitters that the kids get..I was still awake at 1:30am! We had decided we would head back to Chuck Wagon for a before school breakfast.

Taylor's alarm went off at 5am...and of course, since it is SO LOUD, I woke up too :)

We were ready to head out the door at 6:15am...but had to take the obligatory first day picture of my high school junior!

It was beautiful out this morning...about 52 degrees, the sunrise just starting, and a fog over the fields....a spectacular way to greet the day.

A quick stop for gum at I-Beez (must have fresh breath all day) and then we headed to Chuck Wagon for a quick breakfast of grilled lemon poppyseed muffin....poached eggs (me) and egg white omelet (Taylor).

Back into the car @ 6:50am for a quick ride to EHS...have a wonderful first day, sweetheart!

Breakfast Boot Camp/Part 3: Day 192

Today was breakfast at a brand new spot for us...the Cosmic Omelet. A little funky looking, but it was crowded on a weekday morning which is a good sign. As you can imagine, they specialize in omelets...lots and lots of omelets. I got a fresh spinach, tomato and cheddar omelet..Taylor had the corn beef hash omelet and Joe got a pepper, onion, swiss and salsa omelet. They have a bread of the day (oatmeal) which was yummy toasted. Coffee was excellent too. Believe it or not, they even have a hot dog omelet! (yech!)

These last three days have been lots of fun for the three of us....especially since the three of us will now be the two of us! Sniff, sniff....But I am so happy for Joe..he is ready ready to begin the next phase of his life on his own. It's just me that's not sure I'm ready!

Breakfast Boot Camp/Part 2: Day 191

Today was another early rise...Taylor had to babysit today at 8:30am, so we were up and out of the house even earlier today...heading over to Chuck Wagon this morning. I love it there...it's like Cheers....as soon as we sit down, the waitress brings us over coffee without even asking...gotta love that. Taylor loves CW 'cuz it's the only place that makes omelets with fresh broccoli. So she got a broccoli and cheese egg white omelet with home fries. mmm-mmm. Joe ordered a broccoli and pepper omelet with homefries, and I had 2 poached eggs on multigrain toast. A delicious way to start the day!

"Pre" School Traditions: Day 190

We started our annual 3 day breakfast boot camp here at our house. For three days prior to the start of school, we get up early to get back into the school schedule. To entice the kids out of bed, we go out to breakfast, and chat. It's a nice way to ease back into early mornings. Even Joe got up with us, despite the fact that he doesn't have to start until next week. What a good kid! (of course, it may have been the free breakfast :)

Today's breakfast choice was Rein's Deli. Tune in tomorrow for tomorrow's choice!

Kayaking Weekend: Day 189

It was an absolutely perfect 10 in the weather dept this weekend, and Jim and I took advantage of one of the few remaining summer weekends by going kayaking both Saturday and today. Yesterday we headed to Brattleboro, VT with our friends Lester and Lynnette. We shopped at the Farmer's Market (one of the best ever!), hit the VT Deli for lunch to go, then headed a short distance up Rt. 30 where we started paddling. We explored Retreat Meadows, the West River (where we saw lots of nudists---ewww!) and the CT River. We had a blast.

Today we explored someplace new..East Brimfield Lake in Sturbridge.

We had only been paddling a few minutes when we spotted this Great Blue Heron..Mikko was VERY interested!We were quiet so not to disturb him (or her) but Mikko could not contain herself and barked!







They are such majestic birds!

We headed home after paddling for a couple of hours, finding a hidden river that supposedly goes on for 8-10 miles...we made plans to return for a full day and explore more.

I don't know who liked the tunnels more...us or Mikko!

I think it was Mikko!