Katie, Katie full of grace

Dances like a crazy lady and manages to not fall on her face. Katie has been taking dance classes at The Little Gym for almost 7 months now. Her "show" is in 1 week. It should be memorable. Cameo appearance by Timmy.

PS. Please try to pretend you don't notice that I have pink chairs in my green kitchen.

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Little darling

Naughty, devious, smart, funny, darling boy!

It's well known among my 12 cousins that growing up, the older group of us had a slightly different relationship with our grandparents than the younger few. It was all we knew growing up. Something to complain about when the younger set arrived. And something to laugh about now.

But something funny happened. The oldest of the group started having their own children and it seems that I've done the unthinkable. I've managed to bring the family's little darling into the world. For over a year, I watched my grandparents' eyes light up at the sight of him. When that little darling was no longer content to sit on a lap, I watched my grandfather protectively walk behind my son, holding both of his hands firmly, giving him the freedom of walking with the security of his great-grandfather holding on tightly.

The little darling managed to evoke a sensitivity unheard of from our family's most emotionally shuttered members. Over the last few days, my aunt and grandmother told me how much my uncle was enamored with my boy. He spoke of him to my grandmother on the phone just last week. My aunt reinforced that my uncle felt a very strong connection with him and just gravitated towards him.

My son is cute. His smile is sweet. But, he is bad. Bad in a "I'm only going to be bad if you're watching me so you see how smart I am and then I'm going to shout a great big belly laugh about it" bad." I broke the news to my grandmother 2 days ago. And I may have jeopardized his "darling" status.

And while this "badness" is in no way a recent thing, I did share with my aunt last night that our evening's occurances shockingly reminded me of a certain man that we both loved. That I may have found our "Whoopi Goldberg." Since, last night our little darling:

1. Started yelling at us belligerantly at dinner, all the time trying to make us laugh.
2. Wripped Chris's beer out of his hands, attempting to guzzle it. Took a sip and did NOT spit it out like he does to soda, but instead tried to reach for more and more and more.
3. Slammed the door open to our office and sauntered in with his shirt pulled up and his belly hanging out, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Little darling my ass! But he does make me laugh.

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Goodbyes

Less than two months ago, we said goodbye to my grandfather. As the funeral procession passed the NJ Transit Bus Depot, there was a bus parked in his honor. It's destination read "Out of Service, No Passengers." At his funeral, he was saluted by an Honor Guard. Gunshots were fired. Marines stood by and presented an American Flag to my grandmother in his honor. He lived a long life. As we all should. He had seven children, six of whom were by his side at his death. His youngest son was not able to be there that night.

This week, his youngest son has flown to his side. As he should be. But not yet.

Somehow Uncle Mike managed to evade my camera on many an occasion, but his memory lives on strong in my mind. He enjoyed his parties and could always be counted on for entertainment at some point of the evening. Usually up to no good with my other uncles. He cooked, he fished, and so much more.

This past Christmas he amazed me with a side of himself I hadn't previously seen much of. He grabbed up my son intent on keeping him from the danger of my grandmother's steps. He cuddled with him in the kitchen and gently hand-fed him a brownie.

Yes, I'm using cuddle and gently to describe Uncle Mike.

He was also patient,

sweet,

and dear.

Dear Uncle Mike, please watch over us

knowing that you are loved and missed.

I didn't know that it was the last time we would see him. Here.

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Her mother's daughter

Contributing to the delinquency of daughter

It began just after her 2nd birthday on our Caribbean cruise.

And now, even her school has gotten involved. Teaching her to gamble for candy.

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Bath Night at The Other Boufs

Since I generally can't control my gift of gab, I usually participate with WordFUL Wednesday or even Way-Back Wednesday, but this week marks my first entry for Wordless Wednesday.

EDITED: Wanted to clarify that he was getting to eat spaghetti and
red popsicles BECAUSE it was bath night.

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Life lessons with a 4-year-old

She has no issues with self-esteem.

Since she was a toddler, I've had many people tell me how pretty Katie is. Strangers have felt a need to recommend I submit her photos to modeling agencies: "Oh, her eyes are beautiful; she's so tall." I've laughed it off because of any child - Katie is the last to stand still or listen to directions - a requisite for modeling, I'm afraid. But yesterday, I thought, "Hmmm, maybe she DOES have what it takes." Attitude and a superiority complex for being tall.

As I sat watching Katie play video games, with her legs folded to her side I remarked on how pretty she was. I teased and asked, "How did you get so beautiful?" She giggled and replied that she just is. I scolded, "You know, you're supposed to say because my mommy is so beautiful."

Her response?

"Mommy, you are NOT beautiful. You are way too short to be beautiful. AND, only girls with long hair can be beautiful."

Needless to say, we had a little talk about beauty.

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A great beginning

After the children were tucked snuggly into bed, we crept into the office to romantically sit back to back at our computers. We then ended 2009 with the worst mistake of the year: watching Land of the Lost. Silly fun, but I was tired and it definately was not a good movie to help me stay awake for the ringing in of the new year.

With 30 minutes to spare, I convinced Chris to waste the time away playing Peggle with me on our XBox360 - our new family favorite game. However, with just 15 minutes to go we heard a commotion above us and I rushed upstairs to comfort a non-sleeping baby back into slumber.

With just 5 minutes to spare, I found Chris back at his computer. I took my place across the room. And soon, the clock stroked midnight.

"Do you want a kiss?" Chris asked.

"Mm, nah," I sighed, not wanting to leave my comfy seat.

A minute passed.

"I can not believe you haven't come over here to kiss me yet," I muttered.

Then, I heard a chair creak. And I received my kiss.

And THAT is a terrific beginning for the new year.

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