First Day of School

To me, with his Adidas jacket, collared shirt and shorts, Mark looked like a Scottish boy off to school. He was so excited and willing to be photoed, which is rare. We all walked him to school, Fisher was feeling protective and a little sad that he wasn't going to kindergarten too. I kept it completely together until the playground, when I burst into tears. It was all the kids, parents and teachers milling around. It was overwhelming and so hard to believe that this little guy who was confident on that crowded was once my itsy baby. No more. Now he is in full day kindergarten, off to friends' houses without me, playing soccer on a team and growing more thoughtful and independent every day. Not that it's all easy, far from it, but overall he is a joy. We miss you all!

Mrs. Juenker's Class

Mark was so ready to start school, that he followed his teacher in ahead of us (in spite of all the parents clogging the way), put away his bookbag, found his name at the table and got to work coloring. It was amazing to watch. There were some tears from other students, but when we said good-bye, Mark gave me a distracted kiss and kept on going. What a gift this classroom is.

H.O. Wheeler Elementary

School Haircuts

Where the Wild Things Are

Dad as a Wild Thing, gnashing his terrible teeth, rolling his terrible eyes and showing his terrible claws...well, not really but it was enough to scare Fisher! Wayne dressed up for this Family Camp game too-adults chase kids who are trying to get past them to put their beans in a jar and win- but the adults in costume were too much for Fisher, so he sat out. Mark, however, had a blast, as did Chino.

Fisher Painting/Painted

At Family Camp Fisher spent the time adults were in silent meeting water coloring. Every day for at least 45 min he sat at a picnic table and painted, it was so cool to see his focus and intentional use of color. I have to get this kid in an art studio! The peace pop was a treat after a hike we all did out of camp, up the old (300+ yrs) mail road and down into Plymouth, VT, birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. The hike was not easy for kiddos, but the treats at the end were worth it! (And Fisher did do an excellent job sharing with me, contrary to the evidence!)

First Run

On New Year's Day we ran in the first run of the year. Mark and Wayne ran in the kids' 1 mi (parents welcome), Fisher unofficially ran too. I wish I had a picture of Fisher for you, after all the kids and parents took off, following a fire truck, Fisher ran (waddled?) after them in his fleece, Flash Gordon cape, winter had and crown. People cheered for him as we ran. He lasted about 20 ft before walked a ways and headed back to wait at the finish line (he could have gone farther in less inclement conditions). Afterwards he kept asking to "run on the street" again. Mark was awesome during the run, only fell once and picked himself right up and kept on going. After the kids race we got the boys bundled up in the chariot, Wayne put on the crown I wore a princess had and we all ran the 5k. We all ran together until just after Beth & Carrie's house, then Wayne and the boys pulled ahead, finishing 3 min ahead of me. Costumes were encouraged the best were: a carton of milk running with 2 chocolate chip cookies, a papa penguin and his son, and our cousin Courtney and her running buddies as the folks from the Wizard of Oz (see below!) Courtney was the good witch Glenda. They were amazing! I think Courtney and her friends get credit for encouraging costumes for the race (several years ago they were the only ones dressed up, two martinis and a bottle of champagne I believe.) We had a great time, the course was tough with unplowed streets, but it was snowing and beautiful and felt good to be setting the stage for the new year- I am definitely sore today. Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

First Night

New Year's Eve here is an incredible family event, though it drives me crazy that the call it "First Night" (all of the events end by midnight, so really it should be "Last Night"....but no one asked me....) From noon to midnight there are performances of every kind throughout the city. We had to be pretty limited in our selection given how young these guys are, but we saw our favorite Circus Schmircus, played at the YMCA (Fisher had a fit when he was asked to get out of the bouncy castle, Mark refused to go into the bouncy castle at all because "then they will just ask me to get out") and we joined Hazel, Beth and Carrie for the drums and dragons parade on Church St. It was unbelievable, so full of art, spirit and good cheer. The kids loved it and even got to pet some of the dragons as they went by! We invite all of you to Burlington to celebrate the end of 2008 with us!!!!

The First Night Cement Truck

This is the truck that Mark saw our first winter in Burlington, he was so excited by it until we got close and it beeped a loud long beep. Nearly every morning for the next year (2006) if we asked him how he slept he replied "...had bad dream, loud beep." This year it was parked quietly near Church St glowing beautifully and both boys loved it.

Snow Day

New Year's Eve brought new snow. Wayne had to work in the morning, so the boys and I got dressed and headed out to play, shovel and ski to Viva. December 2007 was the second snowiest on record here (last year at this time it was a balmy 40 degrees) and we were ready for it. The boys are at a great age to be outside and we have already spent more time out and about this year than we have in previous years combined. We bought and borrowed skis for both of them and they are having a blast. We talk a lot about Aunt Erica and what a great skier she is, Pappaccino and how much he skied when he was a boy and Uncle Jae's attraction to dangerous stunts (Mark is following in your footsteps Jae...he thinks nothing of climbing up onto a snow covered picnic bench in his skis and jumping off before I even turn around).

Thank you Nels and Walter!!!

With the help of their cute little Nikon camera we are back in business at the Familia blogspot. Sorry it took so long, I lost our digital camera but it's been really hard to admit it's. Thanks to Nels and Wally I don't have to! I can borrow theirs until I find ours...and if I don't they have a lifetime supply of maple lattes ahead of them (who am I kidding, even if I did find it they have a lifetime supply of maple lattes ahead of them!) And with any luck and perseverance I'll get New Years cards out the week of New Years. Love to all! M, W MB & F

Peek A Boo

Zoned Out

This is the reason we don't have TV! Is it a Munson look, or what? I took the boys to lunch on Christmas Eve and we ended up (after a lot of walking) at a restaurant on Church St with tvs in the bar. We were seated on the far side of the tvs, couldn't hear a thing, and Mark took one look at the one faced towards us and said "I love Jimmy Neutron, he's the best." WHAT? How does he know that Jimmy Neutron is Jimmy Neutron? What does he know about this guy (a wierd cartoon)? Turns out this stuff is in the air we breathe. I think some kids in his school have talked about it. But how does Mark recognize the images? I have no idea. At some point in the meal he mentioned SpongeBob SquarePants being cool and I almost choked on my burger.

Headed out to the Nutcracker

Mark and I had the best time...we walked through the slush to the theater. It was the Vermont Ballet Theater's production and it was incredible. The costumes, the dancing, Mark loved all two hours of it & was incredibly well behaved. He told friends we saw that we were on a date! (Which we were!)

Farm Fresh Eggs

Straight from the back yard. Fisher is fond of eating the yolks..three or so at a time!

New York New York...

Meg and the boys took on New York City to be with Auntie B (aka Annie) as she graduated from Barnard...what an experience! Munson-polooza in the heart of Manhattan, okay, so not the heart, more like the left shoulder...regardless it was a beautiful mix of fun, chaos, urban stress and relaxation. And so unbelievable that Annie has a BA (and that Nels is 30!!!!)

Mark's First Ever Running Race

Linden Turns 4!

Visiting New Orleans!