I Missed This Blog!

Last night Lindsey asked me if I blog anymore.  I answered no.  But, I was walking by the home computer just now and realized that NOBODY is sitting here.  So it's  a sign!  I need to blog, just for a moment. 

School is out so the kids and I are home, which is very very nice!  We are preparing for Ryan's GRADUATION party on Saturday.  That's right folks...my boy is headed to college in the fall!  (Yikes) He will attend Holy Cross. (Holy Smokes!) 

All of us are well.  Here are a few pictures...

 

 

Here is Ryan's yearbook photo.

Here is Ryan with Allyson and Lindsey

on prom day,

 

Here is Ryan and two buddies after graduation

smoking cigars?!

I found this photo of Allyson dressed as

Fancy Nancy.  LOL!

Here is Zach (gray t shirt  red, white and blue cap)

on the Jumbotron at Fenway Park.

 

 

 

And this is me, Ryan, Emily, and Neil

at Em's Induction to the National Honors Society.

 

I will try and sit down and post more often,

I miss this blog and YOU!

 

Merry Christmas

Now that we are all settled and happy...Merry Christmas.  Wishing you a Happy New Year too!

Just Act Like You Are Supposed To Be Here

Saturday was Red Sox Day in Boston.  Our boys were lucky enough to score tickets to the rally at Fenway Park before the parade.  As they sat waiting Ryan suggests, "Hey Zach?  Do you want to go on the field with the players?"  Zach responds, "Ahhhh I don't think we are supposed to do that Ry."  A few minutes go by..."Zach, we are going onto the field.  We will be okay. Just act like you are supposed to be there."  So with that, Ryan cleverly tucks his pass into his shirt pocket so it could be seen, casually opens the gate and the two confidently stroll onto the field!  They spent the morning brushing up against the players and reporters as if they were supposed to be there.  What a memory for two fervent Red Sox fans.

Praying For the Heros in Boston

This situation here is... there is no other word but UNBELIEVABLE.  The area is in lock down.  The governor gave this order to Boston and surrounding towns...

STAY INDOORS.

DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOORS TO ANYONE EXCEPT UNIFORMED PERSONNEL WITH CITY IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

Our family is not in one of these towns, but have loved ones there.  We were lying in bed awake this morning and all we heard were sirens. Hours and hours of sirens. (It's unsettling to say the least.) Thousands of law enforcement officers are racing in to go door to door looking for this monster.

The public transportation system is shut down, no taxi service, no fly zone, state police are everywhere. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the MIT security officer that was killed last night, and the officer that is in critical condition. 

Aunt Fran may you rest in peace.

When Aunt Fran entered the room everyone knew it! She had an infectious laugh that at times made me wonder why I was laughing along with her. But I couldn't help but laugh with my Aunt Fran.

In my world Aunt Fran enjoyed sharing her secrets and was good at keeping mine. She was brave, always spoke her mind, yet had a soft heart. She gave the best hugs, made the best cookies, and always had a candy dish filled with mints by the door. She even had a few tricks up her sleeve (along with her handkerchief which if I remember correctly, wasn't exactly up her sleeve)! In fact, for years she had me convinced that she could actually pop her teeth out with her tongue and put them back in! Ha! Aunt Fran always had a story to tell. (At times it would be a story that I heard many times, but that didn't matter.)

I thought it was the greatest that my Aunt Fran owned a country store. I adored spending time with her there. It was a safe place to study people from afar and feel warm when I really needed a safe place to feel warm.

One Christmas, Aunt Fran suggested that I go Christmas shopping there. Wow! I felt so proud to have bought my family gifts. Funny thing is...I only remember one of the presents. I picked a back scratcher for my Uncle Cliff. Aunt Fran lovingly devoted that afternoon teaching me how to properly wrap each of the gifts. I wasn't the best student, but she didn't seem to mind.

My Aunt Fran could juggle mixing spoons, crack eggs and yell at the dog all at the same time! As a young girl, I marveled at how her hands didn't hurt when she touched something hot, and how she swiftly traveled on her crutch after Shadow (the dog) when he misbehaved. I didn't want to be on the receiving end of that crutch. I never was, however, she knew how to keep me in line. Her facial expressions and tone of voice were a clear indication that she somehow knew when I snuck a snack, or slipped out of church early. (How did she do that?) If she called me, "Kelly-Ann," I knew I was in for it. But she wouldn’t be cross for long, and I always knew that she loved me, and I loved her too.

I cherish the days that we shared. Just thinking about her gigantic hugs and her cunning smile as she recited (yet again) the famous story of how she wouldn't let me turn three unless I stopped wearing diapers makes my heart ache a little. But I am truly grateful to have spent these moments with my Aunt Fran. And each time that I wrap a present or eat a mint, or even slip out of church early, I will think of her and hope that she is still laughing and telling her stories.
　

From Our Home to Yours...

Merry Christmas!

12-14-12

Why? Why!? Those sweet children! We could blame domestic disputes, video games, guns, mental illness...it doesn't matter. It will never make sense. A disturbed person did this. As a mother, my heart is bleeding, as a human being my heart bleeds as well, on behalf of the witnesses...I pray. 

Get Into The Groove...

Going back to work after 17 years as a stay at home mom has been extremely exciting as well as challenging. When I was home full time, along with parenting, my job was to ensure that the house ran smoothly. (Who am I kidding...things were rarely “smooth” but I was pretty good at faking it.) If something was missing, I inevitably knew exactly where it was, because I most likely put it there. "Mom! Have you seen my harmonica?" "It's in the bottom drawer of the desk under the extra felt from your project!" Naturally, the kids always had chores, but keeping the house in order was my domain. I had devised a system over the years that worked fairly well. Having order made our home less chaotic, and I liked that. Needless to say, all bets were off this fall when I began working again, and I needed more than a Madonna song to get me back into the groove.




The mound of stinky sports equipment topped off with scattered dance bags, half full water bottles, combined with overflowing backpacks and straggling lunch boxes, not to mention notices from three different schools (that need to be filled out right away!!) was wearing thin on me. After weeks of ending my days feeling completely aggravated and exhausted, I realized my mistake. I was attempting to cram my old routine into less time and failing miserably. So, after thinking about it, as I baked cookies for yet another bake sale, it dawned on me that I needed to change my "system."



The first area that needed improvement was multitasking. You would think a mother of five would excel at this, but not me. I prefer to concentrate on one thing at a time and get it right, but this isn't practical for our family. Hence, I began washing the shower walls while waiting for the conditioner to condition in the morning, quizzing for spelling tests while sorting laundry and making dinner, making phone calls while supervising the kids playing outside. These steps seemed to help, but since folding laundry at soccer practice isn’t practical and peeling potatoes while driving is even more dangerous than texting, I needed to ask for more help. This was a problem because I am a terrible delegator. You see, I like things done a certain way, so it was just easier to do it myself. Nevertheless, an overwhelmed mom is no fun for anyone. I had to resist the temptation to redo the kids work and live with it.



My first attempt was when I asked my son Zachary to empty and load the dishwasher. (It was my daughter Emily's week, but she was sick.) He initially complained, "I don't mind unloading mom, but I can't stand loading it." My reply, "I can't stand scrubbing the toilets Zach, but it needs to get done." Guess what? He did it without further complaint. I confess that I did jam some more dishes in when he left the room, but I didn't rearrange his work, I promise! I also relinquished the duty of putting the groceries away to the kids. (Consequently I have no idea where anything is anymore.) Also, they each have a room to "keep clean." And believe it or not, I even have a girl that does windows...our daughter Lindsey.



I then decided our youngest needed to get into the mix. I asked Allyson (our five year old) to sweep the kitchen floor for me. (Boy was she thrilled.) I handed her the broom and went about my business. A few moments later I returned to an empty kitchen. I was initially impressed, but as I made my way deeper into the room I noticed a pile of crumbs and various samples of breakfast cereal in the center of the room. Normally I would have finished the job for her, but since I was turning over a new leaf, I called my little friend in and asked her why she didn’t finish sweeping. She innocently replied, “I did Mom, did you see all of the stuff that I found?” I gazed back into those proud blue eyes of hers and smiled as I reached for the dust pan. Note to self…be specific when asking for help.



So even though I occasionally step on an overlooked cheerio, and I have no idea where the croutons are, it's okay! Collectively, we are all into a groove of our own. As a result I am a bit more relaxed by the end of the day and am very proud of my staff of helpers.









FYI: If you have a dust allergy I recommend you call at least twenty four hours in advance before visiting us.

A Quick Update

Lots have happened since I last checked in. I got a job for next year! That was a funny story...

My first job interview in 20 years and I woke up with an allergic reaction to a new moisturizer! I had run out of my usual cream the night before, and without thinking I grabbed one of those little sample packets they hand out at stores. (That was a bad decision!) When I woke up on the morning of my interview, my stomach was in knots! Then when I caught a glimpse of my inflamed red rashy face, I nearly fainted. Since my churning belly couldn't tolerate waiting. I decided to down some Benedryl and go to the interview. My friend suggested that it would be a good ice breaker...explaining that I don't normally look like the elephant Woman! And I guess it worked! I got the job on the spot! I will be teaching at a new Montessori school in our area. I am so excited!

The kids are all well. Emily sustained a concussion playing lacrosse, but is recovering well. She has had a spectacular year at school! Ryan is finishing up strongly with school and played his first season of volleyball (which he loved…glad he decided not to return to rugby!). Zachary, Neil and Ryan just returned from a long weekend of baseball. Boy does he adore baseball! Lindsey is having a great year at school and has made lots of new friends. She is becoming such a beautiful person! And I am enjoying my last year at home with Allyson before she heads off to kindergarten next year. She turned 5 three weeks ago! She is such a sweet little girl!

Here is a recent picture of the kids... 

Gosh I love the things children say!

Emily, Allyson and I went to a specialty store the other day to buy a new leotard for Em. As we were backing out of the parking spot another car went whizzing by just missing us. Allyson instantly blurts, "Oh for Pete's STEAK...That was a close one!"

LOL...I just had to write it down before I forgot. She also says...

"I am scaring at you," instead of staring. Hee he. I remind the other kids not to correct her, she will figure it out on her own some day.

Zach used to say Burber King instead of burger. And Ryan would call spaghetti skebby skebby? I recall feeling a little sad when they got the words correct. Is that weird?

Please share your own cute little blurbs, I would love to hear them.

Onstar Commercial

I automatically turn on the radio when I work in the kitchen. If it’s music, I dance like a fool and if I am lucky I may even gain a dance partner. If it’s talk radio, it’s extremely likely that I will talk back to the person on the radio as if they can hear me. This can be confusing for my family.

“What are you talking about Mike?” I shout at the radio.
“Who is Mike and where is he?” one of the kids will most likely say to another.
“It’s just mom talking to the man on the radio again.”
“Oh.”

Even the commercials get me going. Have you heard the most recent Onstar commercial? They replay an actual recording of a young woman that has just been in a car accident and she is 8 months pregnant. She sounds fairly calm at the beginning of the conversation, but near the end she sounds completely panicked because she can’t find her cell phone to call her husband. With her permission the kind and collected Onstar lady contacts the husband and we hear the husband and wife's emotional conversation. They are both distraught! The call ends when the distressed husband (Eddie) stutters, “I, I, I will be right there baby!”



Well…is she okay? Is the baby okay? Don’t you think they should have an update of some kind?

I have heard this commercial several times and it tugs (rips at) my heart strings every time.

Uh Oh

Last week Allyson and I went to the public library. When we arrived, a story time had just ended so the typically quiet library was filled with giggles and chatter. We made ourselves comfortable at a table and read stories for a while. As we scanned more and more books, the crowd began to dwindle. Ally decided that she wanted to check out a little play area that was previously crammed with excited toddlers who had most likely headed home for lunch.

When she plays Allyson uses this sweet high pitched voice. When she does this, it means she is having a great time and is fully into character. She also sings in an opera type voice that I find absolutely adorable. So as I perused through parenting magazines my sweet friend happily played (and sang) with a bead maze.

Suddenly Ally stopped singing and the library went silent. She cautiously studied all around us and realized that we were the only people left in the library.

“We have to get out of here,” Allyson announced grabbing her coat.

“It’s okay honey, we can stay, the library is still open,” I replied putting down the magazine.

“No, we have to go,” she said peeking around the corner to see where everyone went.

“Why do we need to leave?” I wondered.

“I don’t want to get caught!” Allyson declared fumbling with her zipper.

“Caught doing what?” I asked wondering where this question was going to lead.

“I wasn’t quiet,” Allyson anxiously confessed.




Isn’t it funny how a child’s mind works?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The New Year is upon us, a time of reflection, celebration and new beginnings. Along with the exhilaration of a fresh start comes the dreaded…New Year’s Resolution. Oh sure I could go with my clever husband’s approach and proclaim, “I resolve to do a little more exercise this year than I did last.” However, I am not convinced that parking one space further from the Dunkin Donuts every day this year is the route that I want to go with. Then again I could rely on the magazine covers at the check out line for inspiration, but doubling my income in thirty days or less seems a bit unrealistic to me. Each year I attempt to improve as a person, yet somehow it doesn’t always come to fruition.

Last year, on top of my own personal resolution, I added an addendum. I decided to “unplug” my kids more often and encourage more outdoor time. As you may recall, last winter was a very snowy one. And although my favorite thing to do on a snowy day is play board games with the kids, the novelty began to wear off on all of us after what seemed like the 80th snow day. On this particular day, boredom and whininess began to set in. Given that whining could potentially send me over the edge, I encouraged the kids to go outside for a while. At our house, gathering the boots, snow pants, mittens and hats takes roughly twenty minutes (if we are lucky), so I vowed to stay strong and not let them back in after ten like they usually do.

It was a picture perfect snow day. After the last zipper was zipped I happily opened the door and pushed…I mean let them out. I then filled the kettle for a nice (quiet) cup of tea. Before the kettle even whistled Lindsey (7) appeared at the door. “It’s cold out here Mum! I am shivering!” I stayed tough and insisted she stay outside longer. Two minutes later Zachary (9) proclaimed, “Mum, I am freezing can I come in?” I shook my head and pointed to the stairs. Then just as I was making my way to the bookcase to grab my book, I innocently glanced out the window. I spied the three of them huddled together in front of the window beckoning me with their sad eyes to please save them! It was as if I’d sent them ice fishing in the Artic! I quickly looked away, but as I attempted to start my book, our littlest one Allyson (3 ) began yowling loudly on the front porch, “Mamma! I am fweezing Mamma! Pweeze let us come in!” So, much to my chagrin, after only seven and a half minutes the gang was back inside.

While helping to unpeel their outdoor clothing, I noticed that indeed they were shivering. To appease my feelings of guilt and shame, I quickly put the kettle back on for hot chocolate. Right before my eyes their sweet little red cheeks turned stark white in a matter of minutes! Normally the whining would have tipped me off but as a result of my quest for quiet I missed the beginning signs of illness. My poor babies all had fevers! I might as well have sent them out in the Artic! Boy did I feel like the worst mother…again.

While the pursuit of more outdoor time didn’t exactly pan out on this day (nor did it last spring when we got a little lost on a hike- but that’s a story for another day) I recognized that mistakes
will inevitably happen, but it’s what you do after you make them that matters. So this year I resolve to learn from my mistakes and simply…listen. I’ll let you know how it goes…hopefully better than my quiet cup of tea!

I Want To Wish You a Merry Christmas!

"Police dah dee dah!"

Last year Allyson would belt out her version of Feliz Navidad almost daily. Now every time I hear this song it makes me smile. Just passing on the smile.

Merry Christmas!

What Would Jesus Do?

I needed to pull into a full service gas station very near to our house for some gas the other day. After I announced what I needed to the man, Lindsey kindly reminded me to watch to make sure that they do not give me too much this time. A few weeks ago, I only had 20.00 with me and somehow the gas machine was broken and didn’t stop. I didn’t notice. (I must have been chatting.) The gas guy frantically stopped the meter at 24.00. He genuinely looked very upset, as if he was going to get into trouble. He explained that the machine was broken; however, I only had 20.00! I told him I would come back and give him the four dollars. And I did.

After telling the story, Ryan quickly responds, “Why would you do that? He made a mistake, not you mum.” I replied, “I just did what I thought Jesus would do.”

Lindsey quickly pipes up from the back seat, “They didn’t have cars back then Mum!”

Really?

This is a first...

"YUCK!" Lindsey exclaims from the bathroom.

Fearing something awful, I hesitate to respond, "Everything okay?" I wince, not really wanting to know.

"Someone put soap on my toothbrush!" I immediately glare over at Zach who lowers his head.

"Zaaach?" I ask.

He pauses then slowly looks up at me. "I did it, I am sorry. She did it to me last night so I did it back."


Please tell me this will pass!

Season Finale

I wrote this post way back in the middle of June...Due to an update on our computer I was unable to post blogs. Better late than never right?


Not unlike most families, this time of year tends to become incredibly chaotic. For the past three weeks we've been playing baseball, lacrosse, finishing up dance, studying for finals, wrapping up with school events, all while enjoying the outdoors and family functions. Happily, we are winding down.

Ryan finished up with school a few weeks ago. He studied his brain to shreds before and during finals week. As parents Neil and I gave him the tools, time and support, but other than that, he was on his own. And in Ryan fashion, he quietly finished the year on top and we couldn't be prouder.

In our family's fashion, Em’s middle school graduation and the three girls dance recital fell on the same day, as well as a baseball playoff game for Zach. That day was a whirlwind of a day!

At the beginning of middle school Emily was a sweet little girl tediously trying her very best to figure out what was what. She ended her middle school career with the same sweetness but with the confidence and strength that we always knew she had, she just needed to find it. Em was honored with the Head Master Award. Her name is on a plaque outside the Head of School's office. After the ceremony, he told Emily that everyone of these students went on to do great things and that he knew that was her path as well. Em has a new sparkle in her eye--the sparkle is knowing that she is who she is and just because she has dyslexia doesn’t mean she can’t do great things! She has and will do great things.

Ryan and Em received awards from both of their schools for exceptional performance. Ryan was honored with an award in outstanding achievement in biology.

As for our little slugger Zach...he was chosen for his baseball league's all star team and named MVP of the game! Yay!

The recital was amazing! (Even though we had to change from graduation wear to recital wear in a D'Angelos Sandwiches bathroom! HA!) Emily, Lindsey, and Allyson were magnificent dancers.


It's been a whirlwind of a week! I think it's safe to say that we are looking forward to the lazy days of summer!

(As I re read this I realized it sounds like a complete bragfest...I decided to post it anyway.)

You are not going to believe this...

Holy smokes! I have a cell phone! Is it cell or cel?

I was most likely the only person on the planet over the age of 13 that did not have one. In fact, (some of you may have heard this story) last year Allyson and I were in the grocery store parking lot one morning when an elderly (I would say she was at least 80) women pulled her car in next to ours. I immediately noticed that she had a flat tire, and it didn’t look as if she had any idea. I figured I should let her know and see if I could help. As she unhurriedly opened her car door, I walked over to her and let her know, then I asked her she had Triple A. She did! I then said, “I don’t have a cell phone, but if we go to the service desk inside, I am sure they will allow you to use the store’s phone.” She then took out her cell phone and said she could call. So now I am in the cell phone club with Mildred the old lady with the flat tire as well as the rest of the population. Yay me.

Feel free to email me with your number...I have texting too. Wow, I wonder if Mildred can teach me how to do that?

Happy Birthday Allyson!

Where did those four years go? You are the exclamation point to our family! I love you so much sweet girl! I hope you enjoyed your cake for breakfast and the gifts that your brothers and sisters gave you! I know you liked your pack of gum! Yay you are four now and you can chew gum like a big kid!

Happy Happy Birthday!