tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63678637427738927202024-03-13T14:20:45.581-05:00Add One More...then they were four.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-10188520473355372322016-06-15T06:20:00.000-05:002016-06-15T06:37:43.871-05:00Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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14 years ago, I said "I do." And I am so glad I did.<br />
<br />
There are a few hyms that will make me tear up: "Amazing Grace", "Eagle's Wings", "Here I Am, Lord" and "Silent Night" at a candlelit Christmas Eve service are some of them.<br />
<br />
Well, we recently sang a hymn in church that caused me to choke up: "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry". I have resonated with its lyrics of middle age but, this verse jumped out at me last week:<br />
<br />
<br />
"If you find someone to share your time and you join your hearts as one,<br />
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme from dusk 'till rising sun."<br />
<br />
<br />
And I do feel that our verses rhyme and our hearts are joined as one. For this, I am truly blessed.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-40891337227362815252016-02-15T18:27:00.002-05:002016-02-15T18:28:24.482-05:00Love<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahlY_dzPSXU/VsJenQr0uvI/AAAAAAAACO0/7hC9DbHgzXs/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahlY_dzPSXU/VsJenQr0uvI/AAAAAAAACO0/7hC9DbHgzXs/s400/love.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Love....<br />
<br />
Love three day weekends<br />
<br />
Love that my dear husband is working from home so I can go to a yoga class<br />
<br />
Love that the boys are getting to play in the snow again this winter<br />
<br />
Love having leftover lasagna and garlic bread from our Valentine's dinner for lunch<br />
<br />
Love a fresh box of chocolates from which to pick and choose<br />
<br />
Love having a good book to read <br />
<br />
Love.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-32309308292968909382015-10-05T18:43:00.001-05:002015-10-05T18:43:30.160-05:00N I N E<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-73217003070713839632015-10-05T18:41:00.002-05:002015-10-05T18:41:59.089-05:00Happy 9th Birthday, Andrew!Dear Andrew...Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-17838903371707264732015-09-14T16:05:00.000-05:002015-09-14T16:05:12.029-05:00September 14, 199520 years ago, I went on a date with a nice, good looking guy I met at Lehigh University. We went to see the movie Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer. This guy was a complete gentleman and as he told me about himself in the car rides to and from the movie, I remember thinking "this boy is different". During our date, I came to realize he was well-spoken, polite, intelligent, funny, cool, confident, in addition to being cute. We enjoyed each other's company and ended up going on a second date...and hundreds more since then...including a lunch date today. <br />
<br />
To the love of my life, I wish a happy 20th anniversary of our first date. xoxoMaureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-33128772389019959352015-09-13T08:28:00.002-05:002015-09-13T08:28:21.717-05:00September...What a wonderful summer. We truly relaxed and recharged. I got organized. I was on top of things down the stretch. We were ready for the new school year to begin. Last week at this time, I was feeling like a mom who was in the zone. I had a clean, tidy house; laundry was caught up including new clothes and sneakers laid out for the first day of school; fridge was ready for a week of lunch making. I felt good.<br />
<br />
But, it only took 4 days of our new routine to completely turn me upside down again. ;-) <br />
<br />
Tuesday morning, first day of school for the boys, first day back to work for me, and Mark is off on a week long business trip to Boston. We wake up to find the refrigerator is not running. 4 days later...4 days filled with errands, preschool prep, back to school forms, baseball practices, soccer practice, gym workouts, electrician and appliance repair service calls, homework, meals and birthday party prep...and I am all out of sorts again. The house is a mess, laundry is piling up, and the fridge is empty (but blissfully running). <br />
<br />
Ah, September...I used to love you so much. But, September with the kids activities and my part time job is not as easy to love. I'll have to content myself with daydreams of Septembers on the Cape when Andrew was a baby. Life was good. <br />
<br />
You know, life is still good, very good...just hectic. I know the dust will settle this week or maybe next week, or the week after that ;-). I know it will. It always does. And I will be glad.<br />
<br />
Til' then I will enjoy the smile on Jay's face looking at the birthday cake I made for his party, the joy and excitement in his heart planning the obstacle course for his "American Ninja Warrior" birthday party, the excitement in Andrew as he enters a new season of baseball, and the blessings of Mark's job and the opportunities it brings for him. I will take it all in stride and breathe in the cooler air signaling my favorite season is near. I think I could fall for September again. Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-33167536132997748572015-09-12T10:32:00.003-05:002015-09-12T10:32:52.414-05:00Happy 7th Birthday, Jay!Dear Jay,<br />
<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-67400612633075957342014-12-24T14:23:00.001-05:002014-12-24T14:23:43.456-05:00Christmas MagicThis Christmas season, I've had a few conversations with other moms about their child's thoughts on Santa. Recently, I was chided for allowing Andrew to realize that the tooth fairy is just a tradition made up for some reason. (I mean really what is the reason for the tooth fairy tradition?) When Andrew asked me to "tell him the truth" about the tooth fairy back in October, although I was torn in the moment knowing that I would be sapping some magic out of his world, I opted to be honest. After all, I want him to be honest and I don't want to trade on the trust we share. So, blah, blah, blah, I still fibbed and said sometimes the parents help out the tooth fairy. He asked me to not help on this night and then he'd have his answer in the morning. Well, this is where my friends chided me. It was their opinion that I should have really upped my "fairy game" and spread glitter in his room, taken the tooth, left a note, etc. Now, I'm not saying I'm right or they're right...I honestly don't know what is correct here. I do know that someday the magic will lessen around these traditions and that they will fade away completely...until my sons are parents remembering to sneak into their kids' rooms to collect a tooth from under the pillow. <br />
<br />
Now, when Andrew understood that the tooth fairy was made up...I was terrified that there would be a domino effect and before December was in full swing he would have connected the dots and given up on Santa. While I strive to allow him to grow up, mature and be who he is going to be, I also find I am surprisingly feeling very bittersweet about the prospect of the boys no longer believing in Santa. In every other aspect, we encourage the boys to be curious, questioning and thoughtful. So, why do we expect the tradition of Santa to be off limits for that same curiosity? Yet, the thought of them learning...well, it makes me feel sad for the loss of this bit of magic. To hope he never stops believing or never figures it out is dumb. However, I'm being hit over the head with how special this time is right now when they do believe.<br />
<br />
It is amid this emotional back and forth that I am reveling in the
little things this year: Andrew, unprompted, writing a letter to Santa
on December 1st. Jay reading the word believe on a decoration and
asking "Why do we need to believe?", to which Andrew responded "so we
get presents". Andrew asking to have the iPad in bed with him tonight
so he can use the "Santa tracker" app to know exactly when Santa is
getting to our house so he can sneak downstairs to see what happens.
The boys wanting to bake special cookies just for Santa (even though we
are completely inundated with schleck!, enough to cobble a plate
together for dear old St. Nick). The boys' unbridled joy making those
cookies, with me, for Santa, together...oh gosh, here comes the
emotional wellspring again. I'm about to turn into a puddle of tears
right now...Christmas music on, already reminiscing about our special
time baking in the kitchen just 2 hours ago. Pull it together, Reen!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I'm trying to live in the moment...and right now, that moment is pretty darn perfect! Even if it's the tail end of this specifically magical time in their (and my) life. As I can attest to from my own personal experience, the magic of Christmas doesn't end...it just doesn't. <br />
<br />
My dear husband has just walked in the door, home early on Christmas Eve. And so I'm off to bask in the magic of this year, for it is unique and special to this year alone. I guess I just wanted to "write" this feeling down. Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-5820193433329667972014-10-05T16:47:00.000-05:002014-10-05T16:47:13.483-05:00Happy Birthday, Andrew!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 8th Birthday, Andrew!<br />
<br />
Birthday letter to come...<br />
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />Mom<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-71423792470021419282014-09-11T16:48:00.000-05:002014-10-05T16:49:06.731-05:00Happy Birthday, Jay!Happy 6th Birthday, Jay!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Birthday letter to come...<br />
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
MomMaureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-38293524919975486212014-09-01T18:34:00.000-05:002014-09-01T18:34:06.630-05:00Holding on to SummerTrying to hold on to Summer for as long as we can. Back to school tomorrow!<br />
<br />
One last game of wiffle ball before summer "ends":<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Final Score: The Schoonovers 6 - Andrew&Mom 4<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-26771749478686225662014-06-16T07:24:00.000-05:002014-06-16T07:24:01.164-05:00Father's Day 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I love this man for so many reasons...today I'm thinking of the father he is to our sons. Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-40567429698659370472013-12-31T10:02:00.002-05:002013-12-31T10:02:30.926-05:00So long 2013...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...it's been fun!</div>
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-167402899497318812013-12-20T09:09:00.004-05:002013-12-20T09:09:32.417-05:00A Gift<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This Christmas, Mark and are getting each other new windows
for the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling generous, we also
thought we’d treat ourselves to new tires on the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romantic, right?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, “every kiss might begin with Kay” but, I don’t need a
diamond bracelet to know Mark loves me more now than the day we wed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He shows me how much he loves me by leaving for work early to take care
of this mundane but inconvenient chore, thus sparing me the unpleasantness of
sitting in an auto shop waiting room with a five-year-old while my Christmas
to-do list goes undone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, that <b><i>is</i></b> romantic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(In my book anyway.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Love you, Mark! </span></div>
Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-82380564470762307282013-12-19T09:50:00.004-05:002013-12-19T09:50:58.140-05:00Highlights 12/6 -12/15Some highlights from last week:<br />
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<br />1. First
snowfall of the season<br /><br />
We had a "winter event" last weekend. Here in Virginia, any frozen precipitation is called a winter event. And it should be feared...or so the local news teams would have you believe. "What will this mean for our morning commute? Will it ever be 50 degrees again? etc." <br />
<br />
2. Snowball
fight with neighbors<br />
<br />
We have new neighbors who happen to have three older boys. They are great playmates for Andrew & Jay who absolutely love them. Andrew and Jay were having a blast playing in the snow with them. I look out the kitchen window to see a full on snowball fight taking place in my backyard with lots of our neighbors. Smile.<br />
<br />
3. Frozen
wonderland = day off from school = going to see Frozen<br />
<br />
On the bright side, our ice storm allowed us to enjoy two snow days (Monday & Tuesday) and a two hour delay (Wednesday). So, Andrew, Jay and I took advantage and went to see Frozen. This is a great movie. We highly recommend it. <br />
<br />
4. Andrew reading our advent prayers at dinnertime.<br />
<br />
Loving this. It's a nice moment of calm in what are otherwise rather hectic days. He is so serious and thoughtful about it. It's nice. <br />
<br />
5. Andrew
nodding hello to another kid at the grocery store (sup….sup)<br /><br />
He's so cool. It's funny to see him having relationships with other kids I know nothing about. <br />
<br />
6. Watching
Christmas specials as a family Sunday night.<br />
<br />
Carving out another moment of calm for our family...we like to snuggle up on the couch in pajamas, ready for bed, and watch Christmas specials together. Just perfect. <br />
<br />
<br />7. Getting our house decorated for Christmas.<br />
<br />
Fun to watch the boys decorate the tree this year. We only lost 2 ornaments, too! Heehee. Oh, how I love having a tree glowing in the living room, stockings hung by the fireplace, and classical Christmas music on in the background. <br />
<br />8. Zoo
Lights<br />
<br />
<br />
We headed to the National Zoo on Sunday night for <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/activitiesandevents/celebrations/zoolights/" target="_blank">Zoo Lights</a>. Great fun. Light displays, snow tubing, carousel ride, model train and lego displays, gingerbread habitat contest display. Great family fun. <br />
Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-37458198952950770442013-11-27T20:17:00.000-05:002013-11-27T20:17:07.691-05:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, how I love Thanksgiving! Perhaps it is cliche to say that. Perhaps it is cliche to say how much I enjoy a plate of turkey, gravy, filling and cranberry sauce. Perhaps it is cliche to say "I Love Pumpkin Pie!" But, I do! Perhaps it is cliche to say I love sitting down at my parent's table and looking around at the people gathered together: my parents, my brothers, my sisters-in-law, my nieces and nephews, my husband and my sons. Perhaps it is cliche to say that I really am thankful. I am so incredibly blessed. And for that I am thankful, sincerely thankful. Perhaps it may be cliche...but it is also true.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving. <br />
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Side note: I am really thankful that my sons are looking forward to Thanksgiving. They have yet to utter a word about Christmas or making a wish list. I wouldn't mind if they were looking ahead to Christmas. That would be normal. But, I just love that they aren't seeing Thanksgiving as a speed bump between Halloween and Christmas. Makes me proud to be their mom. <br />
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And look, how cute is this guy that Andrew made last year in Kindergarten: <br />
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<br />Ahhh, Thanksgiving...<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-48148626403110817932013-11-21T20:17:00.001-05:002013-11-21T20:19:13.502-05:00Blue SkiesI have a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/" target="_blank">friend in Maine</a> who takes breathtaking photos. She is able to capture nature through her lens in some very imaginative ways. I've often marveled at some of her photos of blue skies. And (in the interest of being honest) I've often thought, "I've never seen a sky that blue...surely she has edited this photo a little bit". I mean look at these photos:<br />
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8319252699/in/set-72157624126828921/<br />
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/8084274525/<br />
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Well, this week I had a light bulb go off in my head. Every morning from 8:50 - 9:10, I am standing outside the preschool where I work unloading cherubs from their minivans and escorting them into their classes. It is from this sidewalk that I enjoyed, no reveled, in the lingering Hunter's Moon of October. It is on this sidewalk that I soak up fresh air before heading into a room full of 4 & 5 year-olds. It is from this sidewalk that I have been enjoying watching the leaves changing color on the trees that stand so grandly in the woods across the parking lot from me. It has been a highlight of my morning to look up and just stare at the orange leaves against the bluest skies. And that's when it hit me! I've seen this sky before but only in a photo (see Autumn Fire above).<br />
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So, I made a point to bring my camera to work with me yesterday to try and capture this vision before it changes to just bare limbs against the sky.<br />
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I owe my friend an apology for assuming her photos were "doctored" if only the slightest bit. I'm sorry, friend. AND I owe my friend a thank you. For, I have learned through her photography that even though I am not the skilled photographer that she is, I am capable of doing something she does. And that is to stop every once in a while and look up. For it turns out that we do have incredibly blue skies over Virginia. Just like the ones in Maine. Amazing. Thank you, friend.<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-45368956620340858592013-10-13T14:03:00.001-05:002013-10-13T14:17:19.044-05:00Happy Birthday, Andrew!Dear Andrew,<br />
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Happy Birthday! You are 7! Whoa. Can that be right?<br />
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A major highlight of this past year was, of course, Kindergarten! No longer my preschooler, you became a full-time attendee of Hayfield Elementary School. You were in Mrs. Schwarz's class. You absolutely flourished. You learned to read, tally marks, counting by 2s, 5s and 10s and much more. You would walk out
the front door each day excited for another day at school. Learning to read was clearly the most impressive thing you did this past year. Do you remember that was your New Year's goal? To watch you read to Jay, is something that makes me beam with pride. I wonder if you realize how much he looks up to you. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 2013</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Throughout Kindergarten, you also continued to develop into a good citizen. You pick up trash wherever we go. You would help keep your classroom clean, help other students and help the teachers. I can't tell you how glad I am that you love school. I feel strongly that one’s enjoyment of school
helps set one up to succeed. You are well on your way, Andrew.<br />
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proud of the budding athlete I see in you. This past year, you played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, t-ball in the spring and swam in the summer. You can swim a whole lap without stopping. When I tell you how proud I am of you, you reply, "it's no big deal, I could swim many laps". You continue to get braver in the stunts you do off the diving board. This fall, you are playing soccer again. You are quite tenacious! Your father and I love to watch you play this sport that we both love so much. It is amazing to see the difference between this season and last fall. Last but not least, you learned how to ride a bike this summer! You had set a goal for yourself to learn how to ride without training wheels before the summer ended. Mission accomplished! <br />
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You have become a Lego master this year. Our home has become overrun with Legos! You are now able to build an entire set without help from me or Dad. More fun to watch are the creations you will design on your own. Your imagination is wonderful. <br />
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You also began your quest to become a master gardener this year. You were very diligent checking on your garden each day. Marveling at what you would find. I enjoyed planning, planting and harvesting this garden with you. <br />
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You seemed to have grown up a lot this past year. Maturing more in the
past 365 days than in previous years. You are helpful around the house.
You can reason and rationalize. You are thoughtful. You say the most beautiful graces before dinner, remember others and being thankful for our blessings. I see in you an appreciation for the world around you. You have outgrown the notion that your are the center of the universe. Instead, you are aware of your actions and behavior. You are considerate of other people's feelings. (Perhaps, you could still improve in this area when it comes to your immediate family.) But, I see you being kind to others and earning the respect of your teachers, parents and peers. People actually stop me to tell me what a nice boy you are. Makes me glow inside to know others can see what I see in you.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Andrew. I love you!<br />
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Love, <br />
Mom<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-5364761865194961252013-09-11T19:58:00.001-05:002013-10-13T13:20:41.756-05:00Happy Birthday, Jay!<br />
Dear Jay,<br />
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Happy 5th Birthday! Every year when I sit down to write these birthday letters, I look back at last year's birthday letter to remind myself of the starting point for this letter. And every year, I am blown away by how much you have changed in 365 days.<br />
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September 2012<br />
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September 2013 <br />
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You are such a kind, sweet boy...with just a hint of major destroyer mixed in. You love to create and you love to destroy. I will often see you crushing dead leaves in your hands as we walk to pick up Andrew. You love to knock over towers of blocks. But, at the same time you love to build intricate towers of blocks. You're not all destruction. You're quite creative and thoughtful. Perhaps, this stems from your obsession over the past year with Angry Birds!<br />
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You will stage elaborate levels with your blocks, legos, cups, small blocks, well pretty much anything you can get your hands on. You love to play Angry Birds on the ipad too (obviously!). You have surpassed my capabilities with the game. It is such an interesting glimpse into your mind to watch you strategize your moves. You clearly have a terrific grasp of spacial relations, as well as, causation.<br />
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Your love of video games is not limited to Angry Birds. And you seem to live your life like it's a video game. Often you would tell me to "pause" whatever we were doing, while you ran off to use the bathroom or get another piece of a puzzle, or get a drink. You would tell me to "press this button to see a video". Or maybe "Let's restart this level", when you wanted to retry the activity/ game we were playing together. Or maybe saying, "Good job, Mom, you completed round 2!" I can seriously see you becoming a developer of video games and apps in the future. Assuming, those things still exist 20 years from now!<br />
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June 2013<br />
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This past year saw you beginning preschool. You attended school three mornings per week in the Frog class. This was the same class and school that Andrew had attended the previous year. I think it was a great opportunity for you to be on your own and be recognized for yourself. It was your first opportunity to step out of Andrew's shadow, if only a teeny tiny bit. You were the youngest member of your class and you did really well. You made new friends, learned new songs and seemed to really enjoy your time there. I loved watching you walk to the car with your backpack on and a smile on your face, eager to show me your artwork or tell me about your day. It wasn't always smiles, however. You would often get disappointed that we needed to go pick up Andrew at school. I think you really minded that our Mommy/ Jay time was dwindling. In a somewhat ironic twist, you and I are getting to spend all of our time together this year! In March, your father and I decided to send you to the Dino class this year and have you start kindergarten next year. In May, I was offered a job to be a teacher at your preschool. In August, it worked out that I would be a teacher in your Dino class. So, now we get to spend all day, every day, together. And I've come to appreciate what a blessing this is for me! <br />
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I get to see you flourishing at preschool. I get to watch you make good decisions and learn from bad decisions you make at school as you interact with your classmates. I get to see you present your special item at Chapel time instead of hearing your teacher tell me about it. And bottom line, I get to be with you! I love spending time with you. This year of 24/7 Mommy/Jay time is really hitting me over the head that next year both my boys will be off to school all day and I won't be with them. I'm glad for this and for you. But, for now, I'm counting my blessings that things worked out the way they did. I am trying to savor this last year of being a mother of a preschooler!<br />
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You are growing up so much physically too. You no longer need to stand on a stool to brush your teeth in the bathroom. You can help yourself to water out of the refrigerator door. You buckle yourself in your car seat. You learned how to swim this summer during minihawks and the many hours we spent at our pool. You are playing soccer this fall on a team for the first time. (You are so cute in your uniform, shinguards and cleats.)<br />
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July 2013 September 2013<br />
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I love you, Jay...more and more every day.<br />
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Love, <br />
Mom<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjGBTVtrsB0/Ulrgtl1KrfI/AAAAAAAACIw/8m_zOYx0YUA/s1600/mom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-32280070338364675792013-09-11T13:21:00.001-05:002013-09-11T13:21:13.578-05:00RememberingToday is a day when you hear lots of people remembering where they were 12 years ago. I, however, find I can't stop thinking about where I was 5 years ago today. Holding my newborn son in my arms for the first time. <br />
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<br />
September 11th was my due date. And throughout my pregnancy, I would
have moments when I would think "I really hope this child comes before
or after their due date". And every time someone would ask me when I
was due, and I would say September 11th (I know I could have lied and
said any other date but, I don't lie, at least not convincingly) they
would wrinkle their nose or give me a sympathetic look. As if being
born on September 11th was going to be terrible. But, seeing as not all
babies come on their due dates, I decided not to worry too much about
it.<br />
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Then, September 11, 2008 came and Jay woke me up at
12:45am with contractions. He was going to be born on his due date.
And it never crossed my mind in the wee hours of that morning, that I didn't want this to happen. <br />
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Today is a day of memorial and a day of remembrance of a tragic day in our national history, but it's also my son's birthday. And I love that forever on, that will be what I think of first on this date.<br />
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Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-60696849260201977942013-08-14T15:12:00.002-05:002013-08-14T15:12:28.430-05:00TeamworkMy boys have been working together on a new lego set today. I love listening to the excitement in their voices as they talk about the different pieces and glimpsing how diligently they are working on the design. <br />
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They pooled their allowance money together and agreed on a set to buy together. No bickering, no manipulation, just agreement. <br />
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It's been so fun to watch and listen today.<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-86666626038563066662013-01-21T13:00:00.002-05:002013-01-21T13:02:32.160-05:00Dream Today we take the time to reflect not only on Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream for our country but on those we hold deep in our hearts as well. It was something special to stand with my 6yo on the spot where Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech and to think of how far we have come as a country. I pray we will continue to mature in our behaviors towards one another. May my sons know a different, more peaceful world.<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-14090502435897169952012-12-05T20:37:00.003-05:002012-12-05T20:37:26.210-05:00Letters to Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our afternoon project ~ letters to Santa. After the boys decorated their envelopes, we dropped off their letters to Santa at Macy's. Macy's has a cute red mailbox in all of their stores to collect letters for Santa. They will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish for each letter received. I love this idea.<br /><br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-65169877815171529662012-10-05T06:19:00.001-05:002012-10-05T07:18:48.940-05:00Happy Birthday, Andrew!Dear
Andrew,<br />
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Happy
Birthday! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today you are 6 years
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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What
a difference a year can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year ago, just
before you turned 5, you started preschool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was so hopeful for you and nervous at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hoped you would find confidence and
independence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nervous you would be
unhappy to be away from me and home and our routines of the previous 4
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I can just smile as I think
back to those days, knowing how everything turned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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You
absolutely flourished at preschool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
learned how to write your name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
developed academic interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
started on the path of learning to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And you had fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You made new
friends all on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through all of
these activities and achievements, you found the independence and confidence I
hoped you would find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have to say,
you have never looked back.</div>
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In
the spring, you played tee-ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was your first try at organized team sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad and I were so
proud to watch you paying attention to the coach, learning the rules of the
game, being a good sport and hitting a lot of “homeruns”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just loved watching you run the bases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In
July, you participated in Mini-Hawks at the pool and learned how to swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the summer, you were swimming
freestyle all around the pool and spending lots of time jumping off the diving
board.</div>
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This fall,
you started playing soccer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a
natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your coordination and
athleticism really started to come together over this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how enthusiastic you are about soccer,
how you play defense (especially since your father and I both played defense
back in our youth,) and how quickly your skills are developing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Dad is really enjoying being your
coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine this is just the first of many of your soccer teams he will coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This fall,
you also started Kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were
so excited to start school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On your
first day, you said good-bye and turned to walk into the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were swallowed up by a throng of
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No anxiety, no fear, and no
looking back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are off to a great
start in Kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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You are growing in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Physically</b>,
you are quite a bit taller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a
voracious appetite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You lost 8(!) teeth
this year and are growing adult teeth which look enormous to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mentally</b>,
your brain is ever expanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
to write and tell stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are doing
math in your head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re able to add
and subtract without always using your fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You keep track of the full moons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You grew tomatoes this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are starting to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sense of
humor is maturing which I just love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Although fart and poop jokes are still your standard go-to.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emotionally,</b> you have gained so much
self-control this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
good at making friends and are kind to your existing friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are thoughtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Motor
skills,</b> you buckle and unbuckle your self in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can make yourself a sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You help with chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is honestly very nice to have your help
around the house.</div>
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All of these attributes show what a big kid you are turning
into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your brother, Jay, loves to be
with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is always asking where you
are if you’re not together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to
do what you are doing, eat what you are eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He loves wearing your old t-shirts when you outgrow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to be just like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a testament to the boy you are
becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The boy you are becoming is a confident, smart, athletic,
funny, sweet young boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t be
prouder of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday, Andrew.</div>
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Love, <br />
Mom</div>
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Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6367863742773892720.post-26408387064750831022012-09-20T13:17:00.002-05:002012-09-20T13:19:35.738-05:00Happy Birthday, Super Guy!Dear Jay,<br />
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Happy Birthday! You are now 4 years old.<br />
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If I were to sum up this past year in one word, it would be "Superhero". You love all things superheroes...nothing more than being one yourself. This year we've become acquainted with your secret identity, Super Guy. And you are just that...SUPER!<br />
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You continue to be very independent. You dress yourself, get yourself
drinks of water from the refrigerator, put your shoes on, buckle up in
the car. Your awareness of other people's feelings is really impressive. You will apologize on your own and you try really hard to always be kind. You unfortunately have decided you don't like kisses. But,
I'm able to sneak some in every day. I think this all part of you
becoming a kid, leaving your toddler days behind you. You will quickly
correct me if I call you "my baby". I promise I mean it only as an
endearment. I am keenly aware that you are no longer my baby. <br />
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It's always amazing to me how much you change in a year. Earlier this year, you would ask "Who's hum?", when you wanted to identify a car or action figure. You would say your cars were shuffin' and broomin' to indicate the sounds an engine makes. But, now, you speak wonderfully long sentences utilizing your ever growing vocabulary. My jaw drops sometimes when I hear the words you use.<br />
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I love that you still enjoy Mommy - Jay time. With Andrew at school all day, every day, you and I still get to have our Mommy-Jay time together. Knowing that this is the last year we can have this special one-on-one time, it means that much more to me that you love the thought of spending time with me. Even if it is to run boring errands and the occasional visit to Dunkin' Donuts.<br />
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The day before you turned 4, you started preschool. Already you are enjoying it so much. I just smile watching you walk around with your backpack on. And I love how excited you are to show me your artwork each day when I pick you up. On your first day, when I asked you "how was school?", you replied, "it was happy". I know you are going to flourish. <br />
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Another highlight of this year has been your adaptation to video games. You amaze me that you can pick up games like Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja, intuitively. Just three weeks ago, I showed you how to use the mouse and my laptop. Within two days, you were navigating games online like a pro!<br />
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You have a wonderful sense of humor. You are kind. You are sweet. Your father and I are so very proud of you and the boy you are becoming. Happy Birthday, Jay!<br />
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Love,<br />
MomMaureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256275534349026727noreply@blogger.com0