Mister Three

I've had the photos to this entry cued up for ages and just never managed to push the "post" button! In this age of instant information six-month old news is ancient history, I know, but hopefully you'll still appreciate images of our Sam turning 3 back in late September.

Our friend Sarah made this gorgeous three-layer carrot cake. At first I had declined her kind offer, feeling it was my duty come-what-may to bake our son's birthday cake. But after a few more sleepless nights with newborn Jack I had a clear change of heart. Important to know one's limitations!

Thanks to Gordie, Ava & Macy, Sam got plenty of help opening and inspecting presents.

4 week-old Jack with his Big Poppy.

Jack with Aunt Laura, cousins Ava and Bella nearby. The girls were very sweet to wee Jack and gave him lots of kisses.

My father made up these wonderful tool box building kits and sent them up from South Carolina. We gave each party goer a kid-sized hammer and they built their own tool box...(with a little help from the grown ups who were wielding full sized hammers). It turned out to be a fabulous, albeit noisy, activity. Thanks, Morfar!

The morning after Sam posed with his new tool box. Also notice his super cool vacuum cleaner t-shirt made by our friend Hana. She sent him one in red and one in blue. Needless to say, Sam thinks they're the greatest shirts ever. Hana, you're the best!

Just before turning 3 Sam started preschool. He goes to a sweet Waldorf-inspired program of just 7 kids. It has been a great fit for him and I love that he has this wonderful new world all of his own now. This photo was taken on his first day, mid-September.

We had a beautiful, warm fall and Sam enjoyed many outdoor projects with Daddy. Sam still hasn't quite grown into the work gloves my mom gave him, but he wears them faithfully!

Priming quarter-round for our living room.

Still a bookworm. Sam couldn't get enough of this one page: Busy Town dump trucks of every sort.

Meet Jack

It's taken me TEN weeks to finally make this very important post. Guess you could say we've been a bit busy with the arrival of our newest family member. Although Jack's arrival is no longer breaking news, this sweet second child certainly deserves a little recognition. So, please welcome Jack Ellis Cashman, born August 26, 2009, 9lb. 3oz., 22". These first two and a half months have brought all the challenge and bliss one might expect of a household with a newborn and a three year-old. The good news is that Jack has already given us the gift of sleeping through the night, and Sam is now using the potty. Let's hope for continued success on both accounts!

Please enjoy a few pictures from Jack's early days. I'll make another post soon with more recent photos.

With Mormor on his first boat ride.

with Uncle Bobby...

and Aunt Kristin.

Awaiting Baby

With final Apogee details wrapped up for the season we are now turning our focus to baby's imminent arrival. Nesting, resting and time together is the name of the game. Baby is due on the 30th, one week from today!

Good luck kisses for Mommy and Baby. (Picture taken 11 days before due!)

Mr. Apogee finally gets some rest after a great, but exhausting season.

The weather has been terribly hot and HUMID lately...much to the chagrin of my pregnant, swollen-ankled self. Yesterday we beat the heat with a trip to Cedar Beach and a refreshing ocean swim. Ahhh...

Skateboarding

The other morning Sam & Daddy did a little skateboarding before breakfast. With Kevin still steady on his board from many days of "thrashing" as a youth, I was able to set aside my mommy fears and snap a few photos. (OK, so I said "BE CAREFUL!" once or twice.)

Gordie's Pirate Party

On August 8th Cousin Gordie welcomed age THREE with a mighty fine Pirate Party. The fun included painting pirate ships, a treasure hunt, gold coin cupcakes and a boat ride in the harbor. Plus each little pirate got a dancing skeleton t-shirt and bandana to look the part! Aye!...good fun! (Pictured below, L to R: Sam, Teo, Gordie & Henry.)

Popham Beach

I'm doing a "Power Post" here. After a blog hiatus lasting FOUR months, I'm posting several at once to catch up. It's been a very busy time with Apogee in full swing, Sam at a fun, but not-always-cooperative stage, and me with swollen ankles and an achy back. Our baby is due end of August, so it is unlikely that I'll suddenly become a daily blogger - but we will certainly do our best to inform you of the big arrival! Until then, please enjoy my retro-blogging.

We recently took advantage of a rare window of time when Sam & I were able to steal
Daddy away from Apogee for a family day at the beach. Given the very wet summer we've had and Apogee's busy schedule, it's taken us all summer to get a day like this. We went to Popham beach and it was heaven. The best of beach buddies, Sam and Daddy romped in the water, while I found a nice spot to just float my baby bod, happy as a hippo in a cold river...

(For those keeping track, my bump is eight months along in this photos ~ baby due August 30th!)

Miscellaneous Summer

LL Bean does a wonderful, FREE, outdoor concert series every summer. We went to see our favorite kids musician, Dan Zanes, and his band. Great fun!

On the way to the show with Gordie.

The ever exuberant Dan Zanes and his band.

"Balcony seat"~ Uncle Bobby's shoulders.

Other wonderful summer moments...

Popham Beach with our friend Laura.

Doing great on his tricycle - but doesn't beat a fast ride on the back of Daddy's bike.

Still completely obsessed with vacuum cleaners. Any style: shop vac, canister vac, upright vac, central vac, dust buster ~ he's an expert on them all.

The other day I couldn't resist capturing Sam looking sweet in the morning light with blond bedhead and striped jammies.

Boating & Parade

Amidst the busy Apogee season, Sam has been lucky to do a bit of boating with Aunt Kristin, Uncle Bobby and Cousin Gordie. I was able to join for one such outing, and the second time Sam ventured off on his own. Sam is not quite as adept as Gordie to being on the water, but he absolutely loves it and is developing his sea legs with each Casco Bay adventure.

At the helm with Aunt Kristin.

Towing rubber ducky.

The boys on Sand Island.

The cousins take a cozy nap to the hum of the motor.

Sam & I joined Kristin, Bobby and Gordie for the annual Clam Festival Parade. It was quite a show!