Grandma & MJ

Thinking of Grandma this morning and sending her love.

Andie - see that MJ is wearing Connor's old Spiderman PJs...Everyone loves being a superhero!

Goddaughters Rock

So Friday night we had a goddaughter slumber party - and James and I got a taste of what it would be like to have 8 kids under 11. Our kids thought the 'lumber party was a riot - and I think the girls did too.

But I do have to say that I was a little terrified when Eric dropped off Mary Kate, Celia and Greta. The girls entered the house screaming at full vocal power and running around like our floor was peppered with hot coals. Eric looks at me sympathetically (or maybe it was fear) and said "On the way over I talked to the girls about not being so squirrelly..."

At which point (though it seemed impossible) the screaming got louder and Eric hollered over them "Hey girls, what did we talk about in the car?" As if on perfect cue, the girls all stopped screaming, put one hand on a hip and the other pointing their index fingers and said confidently, and very loudly. "Nothing, Dad." And resumed laughing, screaming and running. Eric looked at me helplessly and said, "Call me if you want me to come back and get them tonight..."

Needless to say, everyone settled down after a little bit and we made pizzas, watched a movie and played charades. Some photos from the night including a snapshot of Lizzie and MJ who most people seem to think have a pretty strong resemblance...In fact at church a while ago some guy I don't really know said in full voice as I was carrying MJ up to communion "You can spot a Schneeman a mile away. She looks just like Liz." No hello, no smile, no acknowledgement. He was just making a statement to no one in particular. I'll have to post a baby picture of her and set up a new poll. By the way, who voted for the princess costume? You are no longer invited to her birthday party...

MJ Plays in the Snow

So I didn't venture out with Mary Jeanne much this winter - so I took a few pictures of her playing outside with the boys on Tuesday. Hopefully she won't get another chance...

Mom, Is There Booze in the Cake?

So my mom brought over a homemade trifle this weekend just because she's a very nice mom. Now, the thing is, my mother's trifles are usually soaked with brandy (or some sort of liquor). So when she put it on the table, Seamus looked at its glistening berries and thick homemade whipping cream and descended on it with fingers ready to be licked. So I stopped him and said "Sorry, buddy, it's a dessert for the adults."

A huge wave of disappointment washed over his face and he sulked down into the basement. So we're all chatting a few minutes later and he emerges from the basement for another try. He yells at me from the kitchen:

"Hey mom, is there booze in this cake?"

Now it's nice to know that he's still policing himself from alcohol but, really, a four year old saying "booze" as though it was "sugar" or "strawberry"...Help us all...

Hair Cutting?

So MJ doesn't have waves of luxurious thick hair, but she did have a pretty serious mullet (that's why you don't see a lot of shots of her from the back). So Grandma Barbara and I took all three kids to get a trim last week. MJ put on her haircutting best dress for the event (she's so vain).

All three kids sat quietly and had their hair cut without so much as a cringe. This is not how it goes when I chase them around the yard with my summer shears. Talk about money well spent (thanks Grandma). It was a much more pleasant experience for all of us - I promise to take pictures of their next hair cut in the back yard...

Did I say Spring thaw?

So I shoveled out from under several inches of snow this morning - and I'm pretty sure that it's April...I'm hoping this is God's sense of an April fool joke and that we're done with all the white stuff until next year.

I know we've had a quite a break from blogging - but I hope to be back with renewed commitment this week (famous last words). Most people I know have had a hard time blogging lately - maybe its the end of winter doldrums or else this is just a busy time of year. But anyway, I'm back.

Grandma Barbara spent ten days with us over Easter - a very snowy Easter at that - but I think she had a good time and I know we all (especially the boys) really loved having her with us. She took the boys to see Horton Hears a Who at the Highland movie theater - Finn ate his weight in popcorn and had to use the bathroom midway through the movie (better than an accident I say). Seamus also had a special trip to Barnes and Nobles to share some stories and hot chocolate with Grandma. He picked out a few books for himself but was very clear that they'd better get an equal amount for Finn (he learned the "even piles" rule from Grandma herself). She bought a condo near Connor and Andie last week (yippee) and we are so proud of her (and excited for trips to another beach!). She and Kate closed on the same day!

But even though this was a hard first milestone for us, I am amazed at human resiliency. Barbara is remarkable. Her capacity for helping others with grief - especially the kids - as well as her ability to really laugh and share joy with the kids. She's got a rich, smiling laugh that earned her the title "Life of the Party". And she always is. We were so glad she came back for Easter this year. Easter is about reconciling the ending and new beginning of life - it's timed nicely with Spring - especially this year because everything still feels off for us. We want sunshine and tulips and yet we still slog through snow and slush - but we know its not forever. The apple trees will bloom in no time, but the wait isn't always easy. And sometimes we feel frustrated and disappointed. Being with Barbara helps us all to see the joys still present in our lives. We had lots of fun. Lots of love. And we can't wait until next time.

We also celebrated Kate's birthday on Saturday with "brunch" (who knew Frost's doesn't serve brunch on Saturday - but did you know the Capital View Cafe serves breakfast all day...same thing right...) and Sunday with a surprise Wild game (they won). Kate's been with us for about 6 months more or less out of the last year and so it's going to be a little strange when she moves into her new place this weekend. So many things have crystallized for us over the last year - and so many things are fuzzy still. I'm sure that living with her brother and his three kids hasn't always been an oasis nor has it always been perfect to share energy and space with another adult. But if we know anything to be true, it's that God gave us siblings, aunts, nephews and nieces, because family is unlike anything else. And we are grateful for every moment we have together because all of those times are precious even in their ordinariness.

We have all struggled over the last year - and struggling together isn't always easy - but for us it's been so much better than being apart. We love Katie and we are so excited for this next phase for her - the new home, the exciting job, the new friends and fresh start. It's hard not to be envious sometimes of all the exciting "newness" of the next year for her (especially when you see how cute her place is and how closely located to good coffee and shopping it is). But we feel blessed by having her so close to us - for all the fun we have right now - but also for what I know the future can bring. Long walks, gin and tonics on the porch (hers or ours), watching the kids playing sports (however hysterically), trying new restaurants, museums, concerts. Enjoying the luxury of last minutes dinners or brunches. Just being able to share our lives casually again. We know how important the everyday is - and I'm so grateful for the everydays we've enjoyed together over the last year as well as the ones that Spring will bring with it. I hope this was a happy birthday, but I also hope for an even better one next year. We love you.

I can't get pictures posted right now - so I'll add more later.