Spring Thaw

So time seems to travel either in fast forward or slow motion. Sometimes it all seems a blur either way. I can't say exactly what's been so busy - although truth be told - besides the daily life of small children - we went on vacation, babysat at Reagan's, finally potty trained Finn and James just got back from New Jersey visiting his mom - so I guess there's been a lot going on. But at the same time things seem to have slowed down a little, laundry is caught up, closets are cleaned, toys are organized and we're all just awaiting the Spring thaw.

MJ is starting to babble - the basic mamma, dadda, noooooo. She also started to crawl up the entire flight of stairs in about 4 seconds today. So life is never dull. The boys have been trying my patience lately in a classic catch 22 sort of fashion. They haven't been listening very well - I tell them "go potty", "get in bed" and "pick up" 50 times for every task - but they're usually ignoring me because they're having so much fun together. What do you do? I'm playing hard ball today and we had no stories at naps today because they got into a giggling fight - Seamus had been playing with a pirate map and Finn was mocking him calling him "Map Boy." And then they'd both burst into laughter.

Finn's language has exploded - James and I believe he went straight from simple two word sentences to "the negotiator". Everything starts with: "Just a little bit? How about just two? Really fast, momma, I'll be quick." And so on. He also has learned a new trick - when the boys are fighting over one toy, I set the timer and they each get a 5 minute turn. Today, Seamus got his turn and Finn played near him for about 30 seconds than disappeared into the kitchen. At which point I hear beeping from the timer and Finn yells: Seamus, it beeped! Now I knew that it couldn't have been 5 minutes, so I go into the kitchen and see Finn smiling. He's pulled a chair over to the timer on the microwave and hit the cancel button a couple of times...Imagine high school...

Seamus has also had some zingers lately. He brought Rexy (his favorite T-Rex dino from Cousin Pam) into the kitchen on Sunday. He told Kate and I that Rexy needed his rest - and he was going to put him to bed in the small bedroom upstairs. Then he pulled up his shirt and started "nursing" Rexy - he looked at the funny expressions on Katie and my faces and said "well, first I've got to feed him!" Good Lord.

He's also taking to saying "god" as in "Oh my..." When asked where he learned to use naughty words he said: "Lewis and Dennis" - Peggy's twin 10 year old neighbors. James always looks knowingly at me and says: "Sure you did, Seamus." And then I blush...Guess my days of colorful language are gone (almost).

I bought a case of granola bars last week - I should have brought in samples of Meth instead. I keep finding the boys hiding behind sofa, in closets and behind the shower curtain eating these cursed things. There are almost gone...thank goodness....

It's a beautiful day today, but there is still snow on the ground and we are so excited for green grass, tulips and long evening walks.

Today. Everyday.

Yesterday was Paula's birthday. Katie coined the term "Paula-palooza 2008" because we had a two day celebration including lots of wine, a facial, a movie, a green crown and FABULOUS Chinese food. Paula may have thought it was a bit over the top but Katie and I had as much fun as we've had in a long time.

Paula's birthday will always be a complicated and poignant anniversary for me - we had just gotten home last year from DiGidio's with Bob and Paula when James's dad called to tell us that Tom had died. Our world changed. Tom was gone. Over the course of the next two days Paula took care of the boys, brought food, helped us get ourselves together before we left for Charleston. We were filled with fear, sorrow, anger and a litany of other varying emotions as time went on. There hasn't been a day since that I didn't think about that night and how nothing would ever be the same again. When we got home from the funeral, she brought more food, more flowers, but mostly she was just available for us. Whatever we needed, whenever we needed it.

When James's dad died she and Bob flew to New Jersey and took care of the kids during the wake and funeral. While we were still gone they repaired our car, cleaned our house, and bought groceries.

I had been waxing poetic about our friendship with Paula on the blog the day before Tom died - I feel a bit naive about it now - as it has turned out I had no idea the kind of friend Paula would be or how much we were going to need she and Bob over the course of the next year. And so now a year later, I just don't have anything more to say. Our debt to she and Bob as well as our joy in their friendship is really without words. I was tired a few week ago at Sunday night mass - feeling a little sorry for myself and there was a hymn sung during the offertory - "Let Me Be Your Servant"

Will you let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, We are trav'lers on the road;
We are here to help each other. Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ light for you In the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh I'll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow, Till we've seen this journey through.

And I had a good cry and thought about Paula and how she's carried us so often during this time. So much has changed since last year - not only for James and I - but for she and Bob too. Their boys are getting older and they are preparing to send their 18 year old son, Eric, to war - we all have more fear and worry in our lives than we did last year. I can only hope that I can be to her all that she has been to me.

So today, as everyday, there is fear and sadness, but there is also love and comfort. We wake each day to choose which pair we fully embrace. I appreciate birthdays more now. I think I appreciate everything more now. Especially the people I love. Especially Paula.

Happy Birthday, Paula. I don't know what the next year will bring - but I know that I am grateful to be on the journey with you.

Speed skating hyjinx

Paula and her family are bigtime speed skaters. They've long been trying to attract us to "THE OVAL" http://www.skatetheoval.com/ - the world's largest refigerated sheet of ice.

WOW. It's the world's largest refrigerated sheet of ice. That's a lot of stinking ice. I believe it's bigger than 6 football fields laid next to each other. Seriously. A lot of ice.

Here's Paula's nephew Mack pushing Seamus around on a skate chair. The boys LOVE Mack - he's always great to them. However, after Seamus made him go around the oval (NOTE: largest sheet of refrigerated ice in the world) 6 times - he looked pretty tired. Luckily, Seamus cheered him on with wonderful motivational slogans such as "Faster, Mack, FASTER" and "Stop going so slow..." Thanks again, Mack.

Our buddy Finn took a lap with Paula's sister, Nancy. (Nancy is also Mack's Mom) We love Nancy -she's also great the Dougherty family. She does have this odd quirk - she always wears a tigger costume. You get used to it after a while. "the wonderful thing about Tiggers.....is Tiggers are wonderful things!"

Smooth(ie) Faces

Not too much to say today. Kids have been so good for the last few days. We've introduced Seamus to Starwars and as you can imagine he is in love. Lots of flying around in the Millennium Vulcan (Han Solo + the Winter Carnival). I haven't been correcting him - he also calls Luke Skywalker - Skywalker Luke.

Went to my parents for lunch two days ago, mom made the kids heart shaped PB & Js. It really warmed my heart. I don't know why - but it just made me very grateful. Love can look like a lot of things, but on this February afternoon, it looked like strawberry sandwiches.

Seamus recruited early for the NHL

It's customary in the neighborhood we live in for people to freeze their backyards as ice rinks. Fortunately, my brother in law Nick lives only 3 blocks from here - allowing me to mooch off of his rink - rather than freezing my own. (Since freezing your one involves plywood, a garden hose, and 4am rink waterings - that's a sweet deal.)

Seamus got out on skates for the first time ever today. I was really proud of him - he tried really hard - there was no whining at all and he showed a decent amount of balance and perseverance. Today included lots of leaning on a chair for balance. Pretty soon - he'll be out skating with his cousins - Kerry and Lizzie - then on to the NHL! Luckily, Nick has also agreed to coach the kid - so I'll be relaxing in front of the fireplace with a manhattan while all of the "hard" coaching work is accomplished.

Here's some pics! Go Seamus!

Peanut.

Missy Pie. Peanut. Dolly. Stinky Poodle. You're known by a lot of names, and you answer to just about anything. MJ's newest trick is sitting on her knees in the highchair - makes us crazy but I think its more comfortable for her because she's so small. At least she's eating like a champ - Connor, here she comes...