Connected!

Today I had my Internet AND cable hooked up! I am so happy to be able to "connect" with you all! Plus, I have cable for the first time since 1999! Can you believe it, Troy finally caved.

Things are becoming more "normal". We are adjusting to Boston and all that this city has to offer! I have hired a nanny (Rose) and am really excited about her joining our family! She will spend the day with us this Monday and then begin full time on Tuesday. With Troy being back in Chicago, Rose will be a great asset to us! She is a lovely woman with tons of great experience. She herself has begun planning art projects for the kids! I started working this week and have joined a team of energetic teachers who have a passion for teaching underprivileged children. I have 18 students so far...I know, I had 32 kids in Chicago! Many of my students are transitioning from a complete Special Ed. class to me - a "mainstreamed" classroom. That's what I do apparently! Never-the-less, I'm excited for the school year to begin!

Brenden and Annie are troopers! Annie's behavior has become a little off the hook and we're struggling to hang it back up! Brenden is having no luck with her - it's a love ya or get the hell outta my way kinda relationship! We are taking it all in stride and are trying a new behavior management tool...wish me well.

I promise to post pictures asap!!

Our Trip here...

I know it's been a while, but I don't have Internet and am doing this on the public library system...it's SLOW!
So, we left Chicago and headed to my Grammy's house in rural PA. We had quite the adventure getting there. Brenden did awesome in the car while Annie needed to be entertained always! We made good time and arrived safely. I'm always amazed looking at the world from my children's eyes. I am continually reminded that they are city kids to the core! We saw a truck with crates full of chickens! Brenden asked if they were hurt and we tried to answer kindly, knowing that they were probably headed to the slaughter house. We got to see the fog settling into the valleys while driving through PA. It was great! When we arrived we got to see 2 fawn eating from Grammy's crab apple tree. I took the family to visit the Lonely Tree and took pictures from the fence (it's now someones property). For those of you who don't know, when my dad was a little boy he named the tree that stood alone in the middle of Charlie's farm the Lonely Tree. Brenden asked why it was all alone...funny kid.
Our trip here was fast and full of fun!

Anticipation!

So, the movers come tomorrow to haul all of our belongings to Boston! The kids are going to spend the day with their friends the Buckleys while the movers are actually working. Now that it's real, I've become really sad! I'm excited to move into to our new apt. and begin a new teaching job, but that's just it. It's all so new! I consider Chicago sort of my hometown. I've done soo much growing here the past 6 years. Troy and I began our married life here, I've had both of my children, and I became a real teacher. I have made tremendous friends here and am sad to leave them. I know that we will all make new friends REALLY I do (I did grow-up doing this). BUT still sad to see this chapter close.

So, farewell to Chicago! See you in Boston!

Farewell bike!

Brenden received his first bike last year for his birthday and well, we haven't been the best at taking care of it. He rode his bike daily to and from school and left it under the stairs. When it rained or snowed we didn't always put it into the basement! Well, Brenden finally wore out his back tire by skidding to a stop many, many times! Troy went to change the tire and the inner tube and found the nuts and bolts all rusted together. He managed to pry it off the bike and replace the tire only to find that it would not budge once back on the bike!! So, we'll put it out for the garbage man to collect and get bigger/better bike next year.



Lesson learned!!!

Little Ellen...

For many years I have called myself a teacher, yet I have often wondered if I have had any impact on my students and who they've become. I have continued a great relationship with one of my students Ellen. I taught (I use this term loosely as it was only my second year) her 5th grade science and English in Orlando 1999-2000. I have been with her through the years listening as she has grown from an awkward 10 year old to a beautiful 18 year old young woman. I am very proud of her! She has graduated high school with a 3.9 GPA (almost honors) and is gearing up for college this fall. I am amazed by her! She is the singer/bass player for a very talented Christian Rock band, a loving sister and Auntie, and a young woman who stops her own life to travel to South America and do missionary work!

This past week, I was able to spend the afternoon with her while in Florida and am continually blown away by her! There is a very special place in my heart where Ellen sits. Ellen congratulations and I am very proud of you!!

Safety Tattoos!!

I forgot to mention our safety tattoos! I found them in a parenting magazine and ordered them for our trip to FL. I love them!! They are small temporary tattoos that say, "If lost please call," and your phone number (of your choice) is printed on the bottom. They are little miracles on your children (check out Annie's arm)! Brenden loved putting it on and could easily show it to someone EVEN while crying! Annie didn't like the application process but was great with it after she forgot it was there.

I had many parents comment on them while in the airport and at Disney. I suggest them to those traveling with kids who can't speak or have a tendency to forget your phone number in emergencies!

Disney Magic!!

As children we are in love with make believe. As we grow, we learn the truth about the world and loose our ability to truly love the fantasy world. Disney has been able to capture it all for all of us! We had a wonderful trip to Disney World while in FL. Brenden was psyched for weeks and well, Annie was just along for the ride. It was amazing! Brenden knows that the characters are people in costumes but suspended his believe for days on end and had a great time! He was so excited on the drive there. He asked the infamous question, "Are we there yet?" a million times! I thought I was ready with snacks and activities...WHATEVER! My four year old could hardly contain himself.

As the gates opened, we waited to greet the ferry boat (Bren's choice) and talked about all that we planned to do. We did it ALL! We had no wait times...we were there at the butt-crack of dawn..and got to ride everything we (Brenden was our guide) wanted to. He was terrified of the Peter Pan and Snow White rides but loved Dumbo and running around Tom Sawyer Island. After lunch we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest time. Yeah right! Anyone who knows my son knows that I didn't "rest"! Everyone went for naps except Brenden and I who headed to the pool.

Disney at night is truly magical. We staked out our place on the parade route after dinner and waited for the fun to begin. Oh yeah, this is after Annie threw up the ONE time I didn't have extra clothes. So, a naked Annie and an impatient Brenden lined the road. As the parade began Annie ran for cover while Brenden marveled at the lighted floats. He continued to so "Oh, Mom look at that" and "I wonder how they made that?". The fireworks afterward were missed by Brenden and I (we were shopping-a boy after my own heart!) but I was told they were very pretty. Breakfast the next morning was at the Polynesian with a few characters. Annie yelled so loudly that many people turned and stared! Brenden was in little boy heaven!

The whole trip was simply beautiful!

Florida

Thanks to my amazing in-laws, we were able to spend some MUCH needed vacation time at their home in Florida. It was incredible!! Our trek started with a great plane ride down south. The kids were sooo well behaved! Annie slept most of the way while Brenden played with his etch-a-sketch for 2 hours building a city. Yep, I think he's going to land himself a career in architecture.

Our days were spent splashing in the pool, visiting with our loving family and a day at the beach. I know, it was tough but we managed to get through it! The kids hit some mile markers while in FL. Brenden has now perfected his underwater bubble blowing and his independent jumping! Annie has become part fish! I knew that she liked being in the water but this was ridiculous! She yelled and screamed if she was not in the pool and while she was swimming she hated being held by anyone! She truly wanted to swim all by herself! The beach was something new for her and she followed Brenden's lead and just walked out into the water. However, she was not ready for the gradual dip and continued to walk! I helped her out but she really put up a fight to continue walking all by herself!!

We also had the privilege of spending time with Troy's grandmother. She has an amazing spirit and continues to rule the roost! I love that our children get to spend time with their great-grandmother!