Mr. Seamus

Seamus, I can't believe that this is the year you will be 10.  Now that I am reading Harry Potter with MJ, I realize that you are edging ever closer to that magical milestone of turning 11.  Even though Hogwarts is a happy dream, the reality is even more magical. 

You got a few braces this month - much to your parents dismay, but you haven't complained at all and I know that being able to correctly close your mouth shouldn't be something we drag our feet on any longer. 

You "time" qualified for Finals this year in swimming for the first time - in the past you went because you swam uncommon events and there were more spots than young boys to swim them. Its been fun to watch you swim -  your stoke has improved and you look so strong in the water. You're growing too - which is so strange to me.  You look me almost in the eyes now (which isn't saying all that much - but it feels like a big milestone to me).

You're still inventing all the time.  You love robots and science and of course reading.  You're proclivity to read sometimes makes us crazy because you lose all track of time inside a book. I know its a good problem to have - but its funny that dad and I have had to say that we're taking a book away like some parents might need to take a video game or a phone. 

You're conversations are even more adult now - your nuanced sense of what's happening in the world is still striking to me. I have to be very careful talking around you because I know you don't miss anything. 

I can't wait for the unstructured quality of summer so you can sit in the hammock with whatever series your reading, so that you can swim for hours on end, so that you can enjoy these last few summers of true childhood. I don't want to rush or to miss a minute of it. 

I love you so.

 

 

Mr. Finn

Oh, Finny, you are so your own man!  This week you've written a plan to earn a used Ipod touch - it involves being responsible for making sure the basement is always picked up (which means cleaning up your self but also helping keep the rest of the family on track), being bedroom cleaning captain and being the happy attitude leader of the family. You are so goal oriented. It is unusual for a kid your age to have such clear and self driven focus. You've excelled at swimming and basketball.  You love football on the playground and you've made many new friends this year. But still, you love playing with your lions and having time to yourself. 

You still like to sit in my lap when we read, but now more often than not you're reading to me. You've got so much capacity - you rarely seem over tired (maybe because you also fall asleep faster than anyone - you get that from your dad) and you always seem to be ready for more.  You're the first ready in the morning, the one who has finished his chores and is looking for something to do, the one who finds time to finish homework, play catch, legos, color and read in the two hours after school. Many times I've looked at you and wished I was more like you - wished I was more mentally organized, more self driven, more capably of finding time for "one more thing." It is a gift Finn and you've got it. 

Looking forward to a family movie night because I can always guarantee that you'll be my buddy. I am so grateful for your cuddles, your humor and your big spirit. God knew how much we needed you - and I am so grateful for the gift that you are to us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Mary Jeanne

Ahh, MJ.  I kept you home from school yesterday and Dad teased me that he didn't think you were really sick. We are in the middle of the second Harry Potter and you'd do nothing else but listen to me read. I am so grateful for these moments. 

 

Today you are wearing a pair of pants to school that were way too big at the beginning of the year - now they just barely fit. When did that happen? You're growing so quickly and quietly that I'm missing it as it happens. You really can't have changed that much?  But of course, you have. 

Your teacher has nothing but lovely things to say about you - especially your bright spirit and creative mind. We are so grateful for Nativity  - Gail's gentle hand and encouragement was exactly what you needed this year. You're going to be sad to leave her behind - you've asked a few times if you can stay in kindergarten - I can't say that I blame you. 

Soccer starts this week as well as swimming lessons.  We're hoping to help you get a bit more confidence in the water so swimming at the lake will be more fun (and safer). 

You're also doing yoga and we've learned that you have a unique talent for it. Mrs. Sullivan, the teacher, told me that you might considered competitive yoga (which is mind boggling to me on so many levels). You can eagerly arch your back so that your toes can flip all the way over and rest on your face.  It's called Full Wheel pose - but we call in UNBELIEVABLE. You now say you want to be a Yogi when you grow up - you're already mine. 

Yesterday, sitting by the fire, wrapped in Uncle Tom's blanket with you on my lap, I felt that deep sense of gratitude, the feeling that I am luckier than I deserve. Even though we're having a winter that will not end, I feel fortunate to have you still sitting peacefully on my lap, warm and cozy with a good book in our hands and a happy heart in our chests. 

You bless us every day, my big Yogi girl. 

 

 

Mr. Thomas

This picture says so much about you - your warmth, your smile, your love of family. At a year and a half old, you are a cuddler, a giggler, a smiler and a bring of joy. You are fast as lightening around the house, your favorite places to race to are my office and my makeup  bag. You're talking little by little.  Mostly repeating words but using a few like All done, No, no, Daddy, Mommy, Bye, bye, ball, car, and dog appropriately.

You are so busy now that I have a hard time staying at home with you - we need to find outings each morning or you get into too much trouble.  I love taking you to the grocery store or target or the hardware store. You wave at everyone and blow kisses.  It's like someone forgot to tell us that you're an international pop star - making ladies swoon all over town. 

You like being with me - for now a real momma's boy. Sometimes you think the gym is fun, sometimes you think its torture.  I never know which its going to be. You love Matthew Schneeman - he is one of your favorite babysitters and about the only one who doesn't have to pry you out of my arms when I'm leaving. 

I'm almost done with your highchair and your port-a-crib because you just seem to want to be a big boy already. You went through an aggressive stage about two weeks ago - you wanted to stand in your chair and crawl out of your bed at all times.  Maybe you've given me a reprieve and you'll stay small just a bit longer. 

I can't wait for summer with you - walks on the road, real swimming in the lake, sandcastles and 4th of July fireworks. This will be a big summer of first for you - tall and old enough to be measured against the wall along side your ever growing siblings, roasting marshmallows after dinner with the whole family and fishing off the dock.  

I feel like we'll be giving you the cabin as a gift this year - each sticky pine-cone, wiry birds nest, every ripe apple shined against your shirt appreciated, unfolded or unwrapped like a treat just for you. Everything will be seem brand new through your eyes - the eagle's nest, the canoe rides, the Trumpeter Swans. 

I can't wait to see it all over again. 

Swim Champs!

I love the swim team. I love all the coaches (especially dad). And finishing the season with a sweep of the junior and senior boys finals, was really fun.  We stayed until the bitter end and as James said, it felt like winning the Superbowl.  Both Finn and Seamus made it to finals - which was so exciting for both of them. Bob and Paula came to watch and cheer along with all the other crazy parents. 

At prelims, right before Seamus was supposed to swim his 50 backstroke, the timer dropped her wedding ring into the pool. What do you think happened? Seamus hopped in, found it and then proceeded to swim his race and qualify for finals.  I love this about him. 

Finn anchored the freestyle relay and swam like the Finn that he is - winning their heat. We were so proud of both the boys for their hard work and fun this season. 

The kick off cheer - N-A-T-I-V-I-T-Y!

 Coach Reeder giving his pep talk to the boys. 

 Dad and his swimmers.

Como Zoo

On our last day of break, we spent a few hours at the Como Zoo.  My mother always says it is her favorite place and I have to agree. It was a miraculous day. 

Finn wanted a picture of these fish.

 

 

 

 Watching the penguins get fed.

 

 This seal loved Thomas.

 

 

All smiles, all day.

 

 All I can say, is HOLY POLAR BEARS.