Time Heals

They say time heals all wounds. This summer, I had a hard time believing that. It had been a year and a half and I was still crying when I thought of my dad, especially being in the places he loved.

But I can honestly say now, that I think some healing is happening. You see, Jan. 7 was Jenna's birthday. It was also my Dad's. The weird thing was, I didn't think about it being his birthday, only Jenna's. Not that I forgot, because I had just talked about it days before with Jeanne, but it is a little easier.

So Happy Birthday to Jenna...

And Happy Birthday to Dad.

Another one bites the dust...

Tooth that is. It seems Jacob has had loose top teeth forever. He must have been inspired with Jenna losing her tooth when they visited, because he had been workin it since she left. Speaking of obsessions, Jim just couldn't keep his hands off the kid. He wanted the tooth more than Jacob did. He tried to trick him, bribe him, threaten him (not really of course) and finally he wrestled him and popped it out.

Kids reactions are so funny. As much as they want it to come out, they freak when it does. Jacob at first laughed, like Jenna, then he cried, like Jenna. "I don't like how it feels, I want it back". By the next day he say, "I'm going to have to thank Daddy when he gets home for knocking it out" and he did :)

Say Cheese

This is what happens when you leave your camera in your 8 year old's room (on accident). This is just a sampling. Seems he just can't keeps his hands off cameras. You don't know how many times I go to look at my phone and find lots of new blurry, odd pictures on it. He just can't help himself, kinda like this oral obsession...he can't keep things out of his mouth. If Jacob is missing a tire or ski to one of his toys, we know to look to Joshua. They say kids have a different perspective on life and I have seem times when they have done projects with images from kids. I should get him one of his own, many of them are cheap enough these days.

Flashback Friday

In honor of the Patriots who take on the Playoff challenge this weekend. They will need all the help they can get!!!

I Feel Like I have a big 'L' on my Forehead

I always feel like the week goes by and it was hectic. I do not watch much tv, but do go on the computer in it's place. (I just don't find Jim's shows that funny and unless I want to listen to him complain, I watch my reality shows when he's not around)

Looking for a good transition here, but can't come up with one quick, so it will appear random but it is connected...promise...stay with me here.

The boys are two years apart in school and as they say, the more things change the more they stay the same. Jacob is coming home with the same homework assignments and projects as Joshua did in the first grade.

Well this week a homework paper came home and as soon as I saw it, I cringed and went to whisper in Jim's ear. I said, "I felt just as unimportant doing this paper the first time as I do now!" The paper required Jacob to draw pictures to depict important events that go on in our family on Mon through Fri ( dance lessons, sports practice, music lessons etc.) We've got nothin! The only thing we could come up with was to draw Jeffrey on Wed. because that is the night he comes and Auntie on Thurs. because she has the day off and frequently picks them up. And that was it...he said, "I have to draw something for the other days", so I had him draw a book since he has to read a book each night.

How pathetic is that??? Someone stamp me with the big old 'L' now!

We feel busy, but nada...weekends are when sports are and there aren't any practices during the week.

Out of the mouths of Babes

I know many times stories are not as funny to others and "you had to be there". But I have to share these Jamisms.

As I said, she cracks me up. She is only 4 and a half. Who knows how she comes up with these things.

While opening presents, she was standing next to Uncle Jim. Jeanne had gotten him a shaving kit with some smelly stuff. Jim said, "How did you know I needed something to make me smell good?" to which she wasted no time responding, "Because you're stinky" in her southern yet Boston (missing the r's) accent. Mind you, she hadn't seen him in a year and still felt comfortable enough to say it.
Our first plan was to go to Chunky's to see the Chipmunk movie but it was sold out. Since we were going to eat lunch and watch, we had to find an alternative plan for lunch and then see the movie at a regular theater. While eating lunch at Boston Market she says, "Mom, just so you know, when I get older and am a mom, I am going to change my name. Jamie is not really a mom name".


The day before they left we brought them to Bounce-U. Jamie was a little less enthused than the others. I took advantage of it to get some cuddle hugs in. I asked her, "What is the first thing you are going to do when you get home?" (They left the day after Christmas without much time to play with their new toys.)...to which she said, again in her southern cute as can be 4 1/2 year old voice, "Miss you". Now you know why I love this girl!!!

The Week in Review

This past week we had visitors from Tennessee. Jeanne was unable to come for a visit this summer because of her surgery. We were lucky enough to have them here the day after Christmas.

I had been hoping for snow for when they came. I just love that they can come to sled since they don't get to at home. We kept getting little bits of snow and then rain and warm temps. I was so worried. They went right out into the snow the first night. We knew we were expecting more rain...It was a good thing we did because it was 51 the next day!!!Jacob was a gentleman pulling Jamie up the hill.I can not believe I convinced my sister to go down on her belly...heck, you only live once :)

The day we went to the mall. Auntie Chris was having no part of that. She said something like I was 'crazy'. Four kids right after Christmas and rain didn't seem to mix for me so I said let's do it. Jeanne was worried about missing the Bath and Body clearance sale so we hit it up. She's ready for the year ahead for birthdays and such.

The boys love when Auntie Jeanne comes because she likes to bring them in the woods for little hikes. Cold weather is just not my thing, sledding is one thing, but walking in the woods is another. They absolutely love it and she lets them stomp on the ice...after she tests it that is. That was after she had to fetch Jenna out of the shallow stream last year. Poor Jenna...they all remember every detail :)Jeanne also likes to play with her camera. This was her telling the kids to pretend they were stuck in the woods for a couple of days. Does anyone want to hand out any Oscars?

Movie day was on a freeeeeezing windy day. They all have been looking forward to seeing the Squeakwal. I, of course, had to fight off a nap. For me, movies=nap. It was cute and the kids all enjoyed it. I don't event think we had one bathroom break...except Auntie Chris, of course!

The temperature dropped from 15 degrees to 11 degrees on the way home. The whole half mile of it.

Auntie Jeanne is also the crafty one. I may be creative, buy she is crafty and loves to bring a fun one to do with the kids. This year she came prepared with her paints and canvases and all of the little artists went right to work. They all did a great job. It was fun to see all of their different talents.

Jenna lost her tooth while she was here. The thing had been hanging on my a hair for quite some time. She has been hanging on to it because she doesn't want the tooth fairy to take it. As you can see from the pictures, it was a traumatic experience. I think more so for Jamie. Jeanne could be in trouble when it is her turn to lose teeth if she remembers it :)

The inbetween times were spent boxing, playing Uno and playing Hide and Go seek in the boys 10X12 foot room :)Now I love all my kids and I love all of my nieces, but this girl cracks me up!!! She has the cutest things to say (which I will post about later since these damn pictures have taken this entry over an hour) and she make the funniest faces and poses. I could just squeeze her up and eat her for every meal!!!

She let me do her hair. And she did mine a couple of times too. I was just quicker than Auntie Jeanne's camera to get it documented :)