Week without Daddy (7/9 - 7/15)

Sean left for Germany on Saturday afternoon for a week of work.  He is still with W.L. Gore, he really loves his job which makes it easier on him to be away from us.  We are very blessed he has such a great job where he can be with us at dinner in the evening and at most of the kids events when he would like.  You do not often find such balance in the crazy life of a parent, husband, friend, son, but he has been able to achieve it currently.


We are here until Wednesday.  Monday morning we went to the Y pool with a bunch of friends from Grace's play group.   It was a gorgeous day and the kids love being there.  Tuesday was a play date at Crossan Park with the MOMS Club and swim lessons in the afternoon.  Anna and Abe are both progressing so well with their swimming.  They can both jump in the pool on their own their Dad taught them a few weeks ago and they are very excited about it.  Anna can swim across the pool. Abe's swim teacher, Mr Mike, could not get over how proud Abe was of his sister, Anna. Cheering her on with "Good job Anna, Good job" when he saw her jump in the water and swim across the pool.
Wednesday we drove to Nana and Grand Pops. Thursday and Friday mornings we went swimming at "Aunt Donna's" (Kim's sister-in-law) pool". Kim took two days off from work, we had a terrific time. Anna finally braved it and jumped off the diving board!!  Katie and Abby were there too which Anna and Abe adore.  They have a trampoline which is lots of fun for them too.

Thursday night we celebrated Uncle Mark and Grand Pops birthdays with a red and blue cake compliments of the kids and Aunt Kim.

Friday evening Daddy came home so we meet him at the airport.  This was the kids first visit to an airport.  They were very interested in the elevators and escalators.

Saturday was a party at the Lake for Freddie's high school graduation.  It was a fun day.  The kids love being there.  I was great to see everyone.

Great day at the Pool

What a great day at the pool.  The kids loved it.  We were there four days this week and each day was terrific.  The weather has been terribly warm here.  Just about 100 every day for as long as I can remember.  It was also Grace's first day in pigtails!

Abe was stung by a bee yesterday which for him means he needs to use a wheel chair for a while while he recovers.  At bed time he down graded the injury to a need for crutches.

Saturday July 9

Saturday morning we brought out the "big" pool to swim in the backyard.

Daddy left for Germany on Saturday afternoon.  Nana and Pop Pop came down to watch the kids while I go do my volunteer work.  Once a month respite care at Willowdale.  The respite is from 5 - 9 pm for the parents of special needs children.  The special needs child and their siblings stay with us while the parents have a few hours to do what they would like.  The evening is full of fun and very busy.  We make dinner, feed everyone, do crafts, play outside and end with pjs, a movie and snacks.  It is great fun and I can only imagine how greatful the parents must be.  I have to miss next month due to a family commitment so I wanted to be able to be there tonight even with Sean on his way to Germany.  Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip!!

4th of July Holiday

What a terrific weekend.  We went to my Parents where the kids had a blast. 
Started off with a cookout at Kim and Marks Friday night.  Sean was able to get out of work early so we could be there.  Lots of fun.  Kim's in laws are all nice to be around.  Maura, Pete, Mom and Dad were there too.  The kids played with Katie, Abby and some of the other kids.  Very nice night.
Maura, Aunt Kim, and Aunt Loulie came to visit much of the time.  Aunt Cathy and Maura were there to see the kids on the slip and slide.  Another day, Aunt Kim and Uncle Mark took the kids to Aunt Donna's pool for the afternoon.
The 4th was spent at Lynn and Freddie's where the kids had a blast swimming out to the dock, in the motor boat and Anna and her Dad took a canoe ride.
Overall great weather and wonderful weekend.

The weekend before the kids spent an overnight at Grammie and Papi's while Sean and I went to Jerry's engagement party and the Fountain and Music at Longwood Gardens.  It was great to have  a few minutes alone.  We really enjoyed our time together.  The kids had fun swimming and playing outside.

Another first

Anna is at her friend MaryKates today.  Anyone who knows Anna knows she can not make a choice.  Would you like Mommy to pick you up at 12 or stay until 3:30, remember we have swim lessons tonight.  No decision made.... well I made it for her and will pick her up at 3:30 can not wait to see how it went.

Abe and Grace are great here alone.  They love playing inside (it is raining).  Abe like to take care of Grace when he has the chance when Anna is not home.  Grace got up at 9:15 (when we checked on her since I was so nervous).  Abe feed her breakfast!  They had a good day.  We were like this all last week when Anna went to Vacation Bible School at AVBM which will be her new school in the Fall.  She was very scared and kept saying she was not going but in the end she loved it.  I could not believe the smile on her face singing the songs in the car on the way home!!!  I am so proud of her, growing up so quickly.  Each morning Abe and Grace join Anna in dance when school is starting and then they go home and listen to the CD while practicing their moves. 

DMNH with the kids June 27

Monday morning must be in Wilmington at 9:45 AM for a periodontist visit.  Ugh not the best planning since the kids spent the night at Grammie and Papi's.  Abe especially got NO sleep.  At any rate the morning went smoothly and we stopped at the Delaware Museum of Natural history on our way home.  Kids were very excited about this, Anna had her class trip here so she felt one up on the old brother.  What a nice morning, they kept themselves busy and got very tired!  Goal accomplished by Mommy.  Sean is in DC so I am trying to stay sane.

    

All morning all you could hear was Anna and Abe: “They’re not real Grace, you can come see” HA! I think more reassuring themselves then anything to do with Grace.

 

When their Dad called later they had lost of details to share wit him. 

Abe talking about loved ones

Music playing, singing.... pray to Heaven.....
Abe:  Mom what is Heaven
Me:  Heaven is up there where God is...
Abe:  Oh and Uncle Matt and your Nana
Me:  Yes Abe exactly
Abe:  Mom are you sad your Nana is dead?
Me:  Yes Abe it makes me sad, I love her very much
Abe:  Oh really?  Why?  What kids of toys did she have?
Me:  Well she really did not have toys, she just loved us so much
Abe:  Mom?
Me:  Yes Abe
Abe:  Can you turn the Little People's Music back on?

We lost Uncle Matt this year in May.  The kids have been strongly effected.  This was their first experience losing someone they love very much.  Of course, then their second experience shortly folloed when they lost their beta fish, Angle.  Angle was given to Anna for her 5th birthday by Nana and Pop Pop.  So now they believe  Uncle Matt is taking very good care of Angle while visiting with my Nana. 

oh how I love that boy!

Wow...........June 4 - June 13

Sean's company picnic was June 4 at Brandywine Picnic Park.  Always a big success.  Lots of fun and food for all!!

Life is very busy here.  The summer is off to a running start.  Sean was away for a week.  Half of the week we spent at Nana's where we all had a great time and relaxing.  The kids swam, slip and slided and were visited by Aunts.

 


It was great!  Then we returned home to a fun MOMS Club park date and finally Friday night Daddy met us at the Y pool upon his return.

Saturday was the last of Soccer which they loved!  They received these metals they are very excited.  Soccer was Saturday mornings for 8 weeks' lots of fun.  Abe is the character on the Field -- something different every week.

The next day (June 14) we went to The Herr's Factory in Oxford where they offer Zoo Day once a year.  It is a huge event where they bring in a Zoo for the children to see and pet. 

There are also a ton of games for the kids to play.  It is a super event this is the second time we have been able to attend.  What a great  morning!!

The day ended with Abe's friend Matthew turning 4.  His birthday party was at the Y pool.