Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa came to visit us this past weekend. He came to play with his grandsons and have a nice relaxing few days. Well, things aren't always as we plan. He ended up doing some back breaking work (might I say with a bad back to begin with) and never stopped working until he got in the car to go back to Fishkill. Thank you Grandpa!

Grandpa arrived Friday afternoon and was immediately shown around the house by Connor and Garrett. Of course, he learned all about our balloon parties, trains and games etc... He then was nice enough to get into the car for the usual trip into Boston to keep Grandma company so we could do the switcharoo and get Grandma to the airport. Once we got home it was playtime with Grandpa and I am pretty sure he was so happy to hit the bed that evening.

He awoke knowing that a cord of wood had arrived at our house on Friday and that Brian's first mission of the day was to haul the wood into the back shed and organize it all. Sounds easy, right? Well you don't realize how much a cord of wood is until it is sitting on a tarp on your side lawn. It was basically a five hour affair but with the help of Connor it went much faster. In a display of Connor's work ethic, he didn't want to leave the project at all until it was done. I basically had to force him to take his nap but he was very unhappy to leave the job unfinished. As soon as he woke up from his nap, he had to go outside and inspect the rest of the work Brian and Grandpa did. He did approve of the finished product.



Sunday was a rainy and damp day but we decided to go on an adventure anyway. We went to King Richard's Fair and I must say I have never seen anything like it. Everyone there is dressed up in Renaissance attire and speak in the proper old English manner. There are live stage shows with singing which Connor absolutely loved. We saw a performer do fire eating and juggling. I found out I was quite skilled at the bow and arrow and Grandpa was killer with throwing knives (watch out Nana - don't say I didn't warn you). Brian on the other hand can throw knives at you but will beat you to death with the dull end of the knife. Sorry honey - I just had to. The day was damp and messy but we ended up having a good time. We were disappointed because we didn't get to see the jousting but Connor wants to go back and see more of the performances. Somehow Garrett managed to walk away with a cute stuffed tiger and he charmed a man operating a game into giving him a huge rubber ducky. Apparently his charming ways work on everyone - one smile and you will do whatever he wants. :)

Happily Grandpa didn't leave until Tuesday because he came with us to the hospital for Connor's big surgery. On Monday night and Tuesday, we put Grandpa back to work and he filled in the cracks of our driveway for us. I tell everyone that our door is always open for visitors...but you have to read between the lines and realize that if you come to visit you will be put to work. Thanks for coming to visit Grandpa!!!

Surgery - A Success!!!!

On Monday, September 15, 2008, our brave big boy underwent surgery. Connor was diagnosed with a small tumor under his left eye which needed to removed immediately before it grew any bigger. (For some odd reason, in all of the pictures you can't see it - magic of the flash) So we went to the best plastic surgeon at Children's Hospital who took great care of one of our most prized possessions. We went in for Pre-op at 9:45 and surgery was underway at a little before 11am. I was able to carry him into the operating room which I never want to have to do again. We took a seat and played a game looking into a camera and waving because we could see ourselves in the big screen tv. It was soon time for the general anesthesia which was done via mask and bubble gum flavored gas. He put up a good fight but I talked and rocked him into his deep sleep. Then I was instructed to put him up on the operating table and had to walk out of the room. Now that was the most difficult moment I have ever experienced. I knew he was in good hands but honestly the next thirty minutes seemed like an eternity.

When we were brought into the recovery room, our little man was already awake and like any kid wanted the IV and all the attachments off of him. Once we settled him down, we were able to have all the needles and patches removed. Within a short period of time, I was carrying my brave little man out of the hospital.

By the time we got home and Connor had something to eat, he was running around as usual. He may of had a black and blue swollen eye but that didn't stop him. We are happy to say that everything went well and now we can breath a little easier that it is all over.

That night as Daddy was putting Connor to bed, he told Brian that he doesn't like the doctor's office. He proceeded to tell Brian he doesn't like bubble gum anymore either because it makes him go Zzz (as he fell over and pretended to go to sleep). By the way, we were told that he wouldn't remember any of that but apparently he does.

Thank goodness it was a successful day and our little man is healing up and back to running around. To everyone that knew, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. It was a stressful day and we are so happy it is over.

Random Thoughts

Anyone that has spoken to me knows that for some reason I was putting off potty training Connor. Well, we started on the Friday before labor day and by Saturday (the next day) his training was complete. We went right to big boy underwear and we haven't turned back since. It will take a while to master night time but I am just so proud of him. If you are wondering our tactic, I will tell you what we did. Connor loves balloons. Well, every time he went to the potty and had a successful trip, Daddy blew up a balloon for him. He seemed to average about 7 balloons a day (2 for poops of course) and soon our house was covered. Grandma had the brilliant idea to send the balloons to the basement where now we have a balloon party every night. Just another example of my boys growing up.

Garrett update: So I look at Garrett and I wonder where the last 11 months went. He has grown so much and seems to get taller everyday. He has such a great personality and has begun saying quite a few words. My favorite is at bedtime I tell him it is time to got Night Night. Well, he says Night Night back to us and then goes and gives his brother a kiss. Priceless moments!

End of Summer Fun

Labor day weekend was a fun and relaxing weekend capped off with a trip to the zoo. We haven't been since last year and Connor was fascinated by the animals. Connor wanted the lion to wake up and kept screaming through the glass "1, 2, 3 Wake Up" and could you believe the lion actually got up walked over to a shady spot and laid down again. Where is Garrett?.....
Peek-A- Boo

A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT...I couldn't believe this sign as this leopard paced back and forth in front of the fence and another leopard kept growling everytime it came to close to its territory. The only thought that popped into my head was how stong can this fence really be...
So how cute are they.

Now that is the cutest cow I have ever seen.

It was a perfect ending to the summer - it was a gorgeous breezy 80 degree day and the boys had a phenominal day watching the animals.

Girls, Girls, Girls

The girls came to Boston - how excited was I to find out that the Jens and their families were coming to visit. This is a big deal considering they each have a little one, Jen is pregnant and the kids don't have a lot of experience sleeping away from home. Needless to say I was thrilled when Jen, Chris, Alexandra, Jen, Tom and Olivia showed up on Friday for a weekend visit.

I know my boys had a phenomenal time. I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

After a long day, the kids relaxing on the couch.

Four kids and my family room = tornado. All weekend I believe it looked something like this...I am surprised no one got hurt.

Birthday celebration for Olivia, Alexandra and Tom.

Blowing out the candles. I think that is Garrett's head peaking in because he wanted to be in the action.

Davis Farmland here we come.

Tom the "Goat Herder" and family. Tom's first job was to try to catch a young goat which escaped from one of the pens. His moves were lightning fast and even Jen managed to box in the goat. My favorite was Olivia feeding the animals and when they would come back to her, she would say "He likes me, he likes me."
Alexandra showed no fear and didn't seem fazed by the animals at all.

A family moment.
Feeding the animals.

The older kids in the wagon. Olivia was arranging all the feed cups.
This sheep took a liking to the boys.
Connor feeding the animals from his hand. After this moment, he went over to a cow to feed her. When her big tongue came out to take the feed, he was totally grossed out. He didn't expect such a big slimy tongue.
The little ones enjoying the spray park.
Alexandra showing Garrett how it is done.

I hope all the kids and parents had fun because I know we had a great time. Sadly, everyone went home on Sunday and then my boys took some very long naps. I think the girls wore them out. Come back and visit soon.

Pop Goes the Wiggles

Okay, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Let's start back on the weekend of the 16th. From the moment we found out the Wiggles were coming to Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, Brian and I knew we would be there. There was nothing that could keep us away. Including a huge storm which delayed all the planes in and out of LGA but Brian stuck it out for several hours in the airport and did manage to make it to Locust Valley just a little before midnight on Friday.

As a parent one of the few lessons I have had to learn is that when you are excited about something for your kids, sometimes they don't have the reaction you expect. So Brian and I were very excited for this concert and only hoped Connor would love it. Connor didn't let us down one bit. We got to the Coliseum 30 minutes early and once we found our seats (Front Row thanks to the help of Kristen at work) Connor wouldn't let us leave to walk around. He just didn't want to miss anything.

While Daddy went off to get us some snacks and souvenirs, Connor got up on Papa's lap. Let's just say from that point on Connor didn't move a muscle. During the entire show his eyes were glued to the stage, he didn't want anyone talking to him or any other possible distraction. He loved it!!!! He didn't miss a trick and could tell you every aspect of what happened during the performance. The show was a hit.

The position Connor sat in for over an hour and a half.

Garrett decided to take a little nap.

But woke up ready to party.

Connor still focused.

The family ready to leave after the show.

I thought I would throw this picture in to prove we were actually at the Wiggles concert.

4 Days in Ireland

As most of you know, Brian and I took a quick trip to Ireland for Blathnaid and Brian's wedding. To say it was a whirlwind trip is an understatement. You haven't been to a wedding until you go to an Irish wedding. They know how to do it right and to say the party continues into the early morning is an understatement. I think the lesson learned from our trip is that we are really getting old.

Donal took us on Friday for a drive to Dingle. Our first stop was on Conor's Pass and Peddlers Lake.

A shot of the landscape just a little bit further up the path.
Peddlers Lake and the hungry climbers. Poor Kevin rallied even though his heel isn't 100%.
On the way back down - they were all just happy I turned around.
Time for a pose.
Blathnaid looking beautiful on the big day.
The wedding party...it is only fitting that Patricia is in the front of this picture. I am not sure how it happened but in all of my pictures Patricia manages to be taking the same picture in front of me. It is quite funny when you look through all the pictures in the church.
The Happy Couple and parents
Unfortunately I wasn't a great photographer at the reception so I don't have photos of Irish step dancing, the music or the party that ensued. In a way, that is a good thing. This is us departing early Monday morning.