Meeting An Author

Over a year ago, Will stumbled upon a book series called "Ballpark Mysteries" by David A. Kelly. He immediately became enamored and has read each of the now 5 books in the series multiple times. The author lives in the next town over from us. So when Matt found out David Kelly was holding a book signing and reading at a local bookstore, we decided we had to go.

Will was thrilled to meet David A. Kelly and even informed him that he should write a book that takes place in Cleveland.

Andrew was happy to get in on the action too. (Especially when he found out that Mr. Kelly's middle name is Andrew!)

David Kelly was so nice to the kids and I'm so thankful there's a great series of books to keep boys' attention!

Andrew's Tball Season

Andrew had a great tball season. I think his favorite part each week was getting all dressed up for the  game. At his first game, he yelled out to me in the middle of the game, "Hey Mom! We forgot to put my eye-black on!"

He played hard and did a great job.

Perhaps his success was due to his great coach. :)

Duxbury Beach

Before Matt started his new job, we took a quick road trip to Duxbury Beach. It's less than an hour from our house and the perfect family friendly beach. 

The babies were not the biggest fans at first, but they eventually warmed up to it.

Will and Andrew had a blast! They actually enjoyed it more than I even expected since it had been so long since we'd been to a beach. They had a great time building sand castles and jumping thru the waves.

 

 

We finished the day off with a TASTY lobster roll at a hole in the wall restaurant. We had some TIRED kids that night!

Can't wait to go back!

GrandCamp 2012

While Matt and I were busy getting us moved and settled into our new home, the boys were having a great time at "GrandCamp". It's hard to live so far away from family, but we're fortunate that the boys have been able to spend a couple of weeks down South with grandparents almost every summer.

They had a great time playing on the water, playing baseball, eating yogurt, and playing with cousins and friends.

 

 

 

I'm glad they had a great time, but I was SOOOOO glad to have my boys back!

1st Class Travelers

We made it to Boston! These babies were THE BEST travelers we could have asked for! They did not have any meltdowns and they NEVER complained about my music selection. This kind of success may not happen again so I felt the need to record it.

A Bittersweet Day

I've known this day was coming for over a year, but it doesn't make it any easier. 

When Matt told me over 4 years ago that he wanted to interview in Cleveland, my response was "As in OHIO? Are you serious?!". That was the only interview I went on with him, purely because I knew he was serious and I wanted to check it out. We both left that weekend saying "Wow, I could really picture us living there." But we still weren't sure it would happen. I mean, it's OHIO!

Fast forward 4 years and I cry every time I think about leaving this wonderful area. We have made so many wonderful memories here. We've experienced the most beautiful and mild summers where the breeze actually blows thru the windows on an August afternoon, and we've awakened to the most beautiful mornings to see a perfectly white yard and street just begging us to go sledding.

I don't think we would have been as happy as we were if it weren't for our neighbors. Southern hospitality is amazing and there is nothing like it. But these Midwesterners know a thing about hospitality too. We've never tired of block parties, bike rides to the elementary school playground, sharing ice cream treats on the front porch, or pick up baseball games in the front yard. After having the twins, I didn't cook for months due to our generous friends. With Matt's hectic schedule, I often am overwhelmed with getting the kids where they need to be and taking care of their needs. I am thankful for carpools, helping hands who love holding babies, and neighbors who will step in when I am in a pinch.

The boys have made some incredible friends. It is a wonderful thing when your kids can walk out the front door and be surrounded by 10-15 friends, and I mean good kids that I enjoy having in my home.

About a year ago, I read the following article. I was overcome with emotion as I read it because this is truly the environment that we've been able to call home for the past 3 years. I am so thankful that God brought us here. And while I am deeply saddened to be telling all of our friends here goodbye, I am confident that God has more wonderful things in store for us. 

Backyard Boys

To The Boys In Our Backyard,

I know someday I will glance out the window to check on you, my sweet sons, and I won't see a crowded patch of grass filled with neighborhood children. I won't see the determined, innocent bravado of confident prepubescent boys. In a flash, in a blink, unbelievably, I will see young men with beards and overhear stories of locker room antics, weekend parties, or casual relations told by unrecognizable deep voices. I wonder if you'll long for your boyhood, the way I will. Or if you'll only look ahead, to what's cool, to what's happening, to what's next.

I wonder if you'll remember the times you would stop an intense game to let your sisters pass through to the swing set. I wonder if you'll remember how beautiful of a gesture it was to allow the youngest boy in the game to be a hero on the last play. I wonder if you'll remember the day you suffered a cheap shot, and cried, sobbed, howled, drooled like a baby in front of your buddies. If you'll remember how they ran to you, picked you up, dusted you off, and silently vowed to never bring it up again. I wonder if you'll remember the honesty, the "tell-it-like-it-is-ness" of childhood. How there is no sugar-coated euphemism for "You're too slow to be a running back" or "We had to have him on our team last time."

I wonder if you'll know just how many apple slices, fruit snacks, or crackers you all really ate. And if you'll remember on the rare occasion that our house was too neat for loads of children to eat and drink, you all made do with just the hose outside. I wonder if you'll remember there were no referees, no coaches, no written rules, no adults involved. I wonder if you'll know that the backyard code of ethics you learned were developed instinctively from your own common sense, competitive spirit, and natural ability to be reasonable. I wonder if you noticed that there were no fancy uniforms, expensive cleats, or lines on the field. I wonder if you recognized that you were inches from slamming through the old wooden fence in the end zone, centimeters from being tackled on a brick walkway. I wonder if you knew, like I did, that each day there would be an injury, an argument, quitting, then reconciliation. Long before leadership courses, sensitivity training, and peer counseling, if you'll remember that you learned fairness, justice, and teamwork in our backyard.

Someday, forever from now, I'll be making dinner, folding laundry, or hustling in from work. I'll be focused, determined, consumed with worldly adulthood. And something will stop me. Perhaps a passing glimpse of the backyard, the distant sounds of children, or the smell of mud and earth that will draw me toward the window. And with the fierceness and honesty of life, there I will be, with no you.

And I hope and pray, that if I've done this right, the memories that will flood my body will be those of your playfulness, your innocence, your childhood, forever etched on my soul. In this moment there is only deep peace, for I have always known that it is the everyday and the ordinary that make life real. And my heart will swirl with love, as I think of you, finding the divine, in your own backyard.

by Janell Burley Hofmann for Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/backyard-boys_b_1216076.html?ref=parents-kids

Last ice cream treat before we move

Treats for the street courtesy of Pop Pop!

They were afraid we'd get carried away...

The Graduate

I had a great evening out with my graduate (courtesy of fine babysitting by Auntie Ann). We had a great time and I am so proud of all of Matt's accomplishment while at the Cleveland Clinic. Looking forward to our next step...er, giant leap!

9 Months Old!

9 Months Old Today!!

What a busy month it has been. In the midst of all the packing, Catherine has learned to crawl and she is EVERYWHERE! She's also pulling up to stand. She also has 3 new teeth on top (for a total of 5 teeth). 

James is rolling over, and is rocking on his knees, but not quite crawling yet. He still just has 2 teeth on the bottom that he loves to flash in his great big smile.

They're both eating more and more table food (which is helping with our formula bill!) Their eyes are still blue so I'm guessing they're going to stay!

At their check-up, James weighed 17 lbs 14 oz and was 27.5" long.

Catherine was 15 lbs 12.5 oz and was 26" long.

 

Me and my sweet babies after a long day of packing...

End of School - Will

I can't believe that 1st grade has come to an end! Will had a great year. Mrs. Mohney was exactly the teacher Will needed. She knew how to keep him challenged and he loved the fact that she was a sports fanatic!

 

Will will really miss his friend Marcus. Most of Will's friends from kindergarten were in a different class this year. Will knew Marcus from tball and the two became fast friends. 

 

The school has an end of the year tradition of gathering on the front lawn, lowering the flag, and singing the school song. It was such a special day. I will so miss this sweet school!

(Hope you can view the video. Will is somewhere in the sea of kids!)

My Friday night date

Andrew's Last Day of School

Andrew had a great year in preschool. We celebrated the end of school with a big class picnic at a local park.

 

I can't say enough about his teachers. They did a phenomenal job. They "got" Andrew. With all of the transitions going on in our lives this year, it was so special to know that Andrew was in good hands every day. He adored them...and I think they were pretty fond of him too. 

Andrew will really miss one of his best friends, Simon. Simon became a big brother the day before Andrew did, so I think they had a pretty cool bond.

So thankful for this great class and 2 years at this great school!