Our annual festival fun

So I'm two weeks late (or maybe more?) to post these pictures from our annual parish festival. And, as of this writing, Charlie is still wearing his wristband. I don't think it's comin' off any time soon!

Madi's baton group performed that Sunday under the tent. They were fantastic!  So proud of her:)

Madi and Grandpa before the show

Madi with Bubba & Grandpa

 

Sand art with Jules

"You buckled in back there?"

"Am I tall enough?"

Tea cups with Daddy

The tea cup kids

"Hello down there!"

Waiting is hard.

Love on the Wiggly Worm

Feeding Aqua

While this clip might seem "uneventful" to some, I find it so adorable. Let me explain why... 

It is a very rare occasion when Charlie is even allowed to be present while Madi feeds her pet fish, "Aqua."  But sometimes, if she's in the mood, she will take him in her room and allow him to watch this "sacred" ritual.

Due to our scrambled post-daylight savings time schedule, Madi forgot to feed Aqua one morning this week, so I took Charlie into her bedroom to do the honors.

I didn't realize, until I watched him, how intensely he's studied Madi doing her job. He had it down pat, mimicking the precise hand movements that he's observed, and he made sure to use the correct tone of voice, just like his big sister!  In fact, at one point, he started out calling Aqua in his own pitch and then immediately raised his voice an octave higher!

One thing is guaranteed...he'll be a really good student.

Cousins

My brother, Andrew, and our nephew, Matthew, came from New Hampshire for a short visit last week.

It was so great to see them. Sadly, the distance keeps us from seeing each other much, so we truly appreciate and relish every moment when we do get together. Unfortunately for us, Colleen (my S-I-L) stayed back to take care of their new puppy.

We had schedules in place well before their arrival and planned out just about every minute of their time here. That drove my brother crazy, but our event coordinator (Madi) enjoyed making preparations immensely. 

Mom and Dad were so elated to have all the grandchildren together again. They treated us to a fun Intracoastal boat trip on Friday. Uncle Andrew was able to spend some quality time with Charlie, and the kids loved exploring the boat decks. Of course, Charlie was content mostly with stairs...lots of stairs...

We weren't sure just how well the kids would bond, based on the age spread of 3 - 7 - 10, but the dynamic turned out to be magical. The cousins joyfully found common ground doing the same things we loved as kids...playing tag, playing chase, and just being kids. Madi and Matthew badgered Jimmy into hiding in our backyard each night so they could enjoy the thrill of finding him. And Charlie tagged along right behind them yelping with excitement. They totally loved being scared. Suffice it to say, with all the antics, there was a lot of screaming going on around here!

Matthew was so sweet and loving with Charlie. It was heartwarming to watch them bond and do "boy things" together. It was so nice that Matthew didn't mind getting down on the floor and playing cars or trains or whatever Charlie insisted on doing with him. They genuinely took pleasure in being together.

 

 

It's hard to believe so much time has elapsed since they lived here in Florida with us. Seems like yesterday that Matthew was Charlie's age. Where does the time go?  

 

Anyway, it was a wonderful and fun reunion.  We were blessed to have them here, if only for a long weekend.  We miss you guys already!

"Why?"

This is the new "phrase du jour" from Charlie.

His response to almost every statement is "Why?"

Even when it's not the appropriate response.

And "because" is simply not an acceptable explanation to our inquisitive little man.

I love when the switch begins to flip inside those little minds.

It presents a great deal of teachable moments, doesn't it?

And it also makes for a circular conversation sometimes.

"Don't do that, Charlie."

"Why, Mama?"

"Because it's dangerous."

"Why?"

"Because it can hurt you."

"Why?"

"Because it's dangerous."

"Why?"

You get the picture...

But it's fun nonetheless.

Why?

Because.  Period.

758

That is how many boxes of Girl Scout cookies Madi sold.

Yeah.  Seven hundred fifty eight.

Gulp. Can you believe it??  I couldn't!  Honestly, all along, I knew she was working hard and doing well, but I never thought she sold that many.  And much of her sales credits came from boxes donated to the military.

Thank you so much to all those who supported her efforts!  We can't wait to break this news to her after school today! 

 

  

 

Congratulations, Madi, on reaching your goal!  Every email you typed, every phone call you made, every order you touched, you did it!  Go Troop 20008!!

As for me...I'll be happy if I never hear the word "cookie" again. Or at least until next year...;)

My funny Valentines

Kids make holidays so special, don't they?  Valentine's Day, or should I say "week" was no exception.

Madi had a homework assignment of making a card box for school. Daddy took charge of this project last Sunday while I headed off to Mass. I must give Daddy the ultimate kudos, because Madi's Valentine box, constructed from a Girl Scout cookie case, was simply beautiful!  And they even made one for Charlie, too!

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The week brought several parties. Charlie attended two of them. One was hosted by his friend, Beck, and the other took place with his YMCA class.

 

Madi had her usual school party, and I had the pleasure of volunteering in the classroom. We made necklaces of heart-shaped cereal and cards for the children's loved ones. The kids enjoyed some yummy heart-shaped melon, too.

 

We enjoyed dinner at Bubba and Grandpa's house. We are so blessed to have them here to celebrate with!

Miss Ruby

This woman is a treasure.  She's a neighbor of ours, but more than that, she is definitely a friend. The kind you have for life.

Ruby has grown kids (two teenagers) and has been dedicated to caring for other people's little ones for the past ten years, if not more. But she doesn't just "watch" them...she truly adores them.

And they love her, too.

All three of our children have benefited from Ruby's love and kindness through the many festivities she's graciously hosted through the years...from Easter egg hunts to Christmas parties with Santa.

Last fall, Ruby offered to take Charlie as a "fourth" into her Fun Friday club. His best buddy, Mason, is in her care that day, along with two other sweet friends his age. They are a perfect group. 

It has been such a heartwarming feeling to watch Charlie proudly march down the street with his backpack on--a real "big boy"--and into Ruby's house, without any hesitation or separation anxiety, but with sincere enthusiasm and excitement to see his friends. Ruby and her Mom walk the kids to the nearby park as part of their normal everyday routine, and they play outside the way little kids should. The experience of consistent interaction with his peers has been so good for Charlie. He's learned many lessons about sharing with his buddies, and the time with them has definitely improved his language skills.

Last Friday was Charlie's last Friday at Ruby's, because she was given the opportunity to care for a new baby, which will require a lot more of her attention. We feel so blessed that Charlie could be a part of their Fun Fridays at all, and we are thankful that we will still be able to join them at the park on occasion.

Thank you, Miss Ruby, from the bottom of our hearts!  We love you!!