Every Day Matters

Weekend report

I am staying with the little ones this weekend. Tired but surviving. Clara got in bed with me at 5:22 this morning and started chatting like we had never stopped last night! She is really funny.

Bob was here and got up with them this morning. They would not eat the toaster waffles that he made. HUH?

Took them to Target today, 25 minutes away. They slept all the way over and again on the way back to Laura's. Then I sat in the car with them for a half hour while they continued to sleep. I finally woke them up - and Clara went back to sleep for a third nap on the sofa. Guess I am not the only one who is tired!

 

Kindergarten

How did this happen???? Charlie started kindergarten today. It is unbelievable how the years have flown!

He is such a happy little guy. I hope he has a wonderful year.

 

Charlie is 5 today!

These five years have gone so fast and I have so many wonderful memories. I often look at my photos of Charlie and get such pleasure from all of the time I have spent with him over these years. Each picture holds a precious memory.

Charlie is the sweetest, kindest little boy, always with a smile on his face. I love him beyond measure.

Then:

 

And now:

We have a visitor!

Charlie is here with us at the beach. Laura and Ken made the "handoff" on Sunday without too much trauma to Charlie.

As soon as we got to our house, Brendan put together a new little racetrack toy, plus Charlie's huge Polar Express train and track. For some reason, Charlie recently started talking about Polar Express, and got out the book and DVD. Then he wanted the train, which was put into the attic after Christmas. Ken, good dad that he is, got it out of the attic a few days ago and set it up, and Charlie wanted to bring it with him.

Today we took Charlie up to the boardwalk in town, then to a nearby park. Bob and he rode their bikes together and went for a walk this afternoon. After dinner we went out for ice cream....he was a happy camper! Only once yesterday did he say "Take me to Charlie's house" and once he asked for Mommy.

He is the BEST little boy....he plays on his own and asks for nothing, does not get into stuff, or do naughty things. He is a joy to be around.

The photos below are from the bandstand at the boardwalk and then at the park.

 

Charlie at Thomasland for his 3rd birthday

To think that just a few months ago I knew almost nothing about Thomas the Tank Engine. Things have changed....Thomas is a HUGE part of our family now!

For his birthday, Charlie went to "A Day with Thomas" at the B and O Museum in Baltimore. The full-sized Thomas engine pulled into the station and the look on Charlie's face was priceless. He squealed with joy, waving his hands - a sight to behold! We had a party of two of his friends, their parents and siblings and my sister Debbie. Nine adults and six children under the age of 3! And we needed every one of those adults.

All the kids loved the model train display above.

After walking around the station, we got on the train for a 25-minute train ride. Thomas music was playing and Charlie was a very happy little boy. After some more hanging around, we all went out for lunch.

After arriving home there were more friends, pizza, and a cake made of cupcakes in the shape of a "3" with a Thomas replica on it.

Charlie pretty much had a day in Thomas-heaven! What a wonderful day.

And this little beauty was along for the ride

 

 

 

Halloween

Below are photos of Dr. Charlie (he forgot his stethescope) in the Halloween parade at his little Mommy-and-Me "school" and "bunny Clara"'s back.

 

How I love this face!

A week later.....

With a lot of effort by many people (especially Ken) Laura, Ken, and Charlie got moved into their partially furnished townhouse in Arnold, MD, just outside of Annapolis. We slept there on the 22nd and after that it was go-go-go to get the place organized. Laura remained on bed rest all last week and between Ken, my sister Debbie, and me, we got the place whipped into shape. Laura found a great little babysitter right away (someone Ken works with gave her a list - bless him!) who amused Charlie every morning oudoors. (Bless her!) It did not help that the woman who owns the place left it in need of a good cleaning, including the carpet and rugs. That is all done now, the baby's clothes are put away, Laura has a scrapbooking area, and everything else is mostly in order.

Nothing but hard work and exhaustion since July 10! And did I mention the unbearable heat and humidity every single day?!?!?!?

Last Friday, I packed Charlie up and brought him to the beach. It's been a busy week. His favorite activities are playing with the stones in our driveway and playing in his little pool which we put out on our deck. It has really been just too hot to be out and about and he is not crazy about the sand. It is so much fun to just WATCH him --- his little games, his babbling. He has been "allowed" to get a little friendlier with Isaac this time...Isaac no longer runs away and Charlie is very sweet and gentle with him.

Some photos from this week:

 

With Poppy at the ocean

Everyone should go in the pool in their pajamas, especially if it is 8:45 AM!

Genius! (He lined up his Sesame Street dominoes)

more appropriately dressed for the pool

In the fountains

One HAPPY boy! What a face!

 

This and that

 

Our little visitor has kept Bob and I very busy all week, and we are loving every minute....

What a smile!

When it was "warm" (33) on Friday, we visited Longwood Gardens

Thank goodness for my sister Debbie - she has been a godsend and has helped us so much with Charlie.

I am very uncomfortable with this neuropathy but hopeful that it will soon get better.

 

We have a visitor!

We are taking care of this little sweetie for the next ten days!