friends

It is interesting to see how the relationships between my children are evolving.  Two years ago we referred to Alex as the disciple, since he was the unquestioning follower of Devin (who in Alex's mind might as well have been Jesus Christ).  Now Alex still loves to play with Devin, but he no longer views his brother as infallible.  Alex is all about the good time and is willing to play with anyone who is having fun. 
When Isabel joined in the reindeer games, Alex played with her like she was a peer.  I remember him saying to her (when she was a mere 15 months old), "Ok, first you have a turn and then I'll have a turn.  Got it?".  I am confident that she did not 'get it', but their friendship has continued to grow.  Alex plays video games and sports with Devin, and does more imaginary play with Izzy.  Devin is truly Isabel's 'big brother'; he reads her books and fills her milk cup and helps her when she needs it.  Alex is her playmate.  So when this came home from preschool yesterday I almost melted. 

I showed it to Alex and he absolutely beamed.  Then he went over to Izzy and gave her a huge hug, and said "Thank you Izzy!".  That time I did melt.

the eye of the beholder

My mama told me when I was young

We are all born superstars

She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on

In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothin wrong with lovin who you are"

She said, "'cause he made you perfect, babe"

"So hold your head up girl and you'll go far,

Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way

'Cause God makes no mistakes

I'm on the right track baby

I was born this way 

(Lady Gaga)

It started with the blue eyes.  "I want beautiful blueberry eyes like you Mommy."  Then it was the yellow hair.  "Why does Devin get yellow hair?  He's a boy."  Then Izzy decided that she could ask Santa to bring her yellow hair and blue eyes. Of course I tell her that she is beautiful.  I mean, just look at her!  I think she's gorgeous.  When I ask her how she got to be so cute, Izzy says,"It's the way God made me."  Yep, she was born this way...

Puppy Love

I mean seriously, how could you not love this little face?

After a good deal of research and a few dog sitting escapades, we are in the process of adopting a Goldendoodle (part Golden Retriever, part Poodle).  These dogs are good for allergies and they don't shed (wooohooo!!!!).  We have been looking to rescue a younger, hopefully well-trained dog, but found a puppy instead.  The people who tell you that having a puppy is like having a baby don't lie, and house training is not my favorite part of dog ownership.  And my already hectic schedule is a little more insane because I have to factor in trips to the house to let the dog out...but he sure is sweet and he sure is cute and the kids are in love.  So welcome Buddy.  We hope to make you ours.

Here he comes!

Alex is a smart kid.  We have known that for ages, but a psychologist confirmed that for us a year and a half ago when he was IQ tested.  So I wasn't phased when he was reading the "Rising Second Grade" books this summer... before starting first grade.  I was pretty impressed when he picked up a math sheet a couple weeks ago and knocked out the double digit addition (without carrying... but still!).  Then last night he amazed me.  As a stall tactic at bedtime, Alex asks us to give him math problems.  I decided to challenge him a bit, and I gave him this one.
"I have fifteen jelly beans and I want to give them to you, Devin and Isabel.  How many do I give to each of you so that it's fair and you have the same amount."  Alex was quiet for about ten or fifteen seconds, and then he said, "Five each".  So he's doing division. in his head. and he's six. 

Have fun in first grade tomorrow, little man!!

pictures from Chicago

We had a wonderful visit with the family in Chicago. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip.



Hennessy family picture with my cousin Donna!



A favorite among the cousins is climbing Grandma and Grandpa's tree.

 

Nothing more fun than a bucket of water.

Kindred spirits - Kaley and Izzy.

 

the Outlaws



Ryan is such a goofball.  No wonder Devin and Alex idolize him!



The littlest cousins playing in the pool!



Yes, they are sitting on the roof. 



Leger's and Blake's at the Arboretum



I believe I can fly...



This one just made me laugh - sooooo Alex!



We had such a great visit!  I forgot to bring my camera, so all these pictures are courtesy of my sister, Eileen.  Maybe if Aunt Jo sends me pictures of the Cubs game, I can post some of them too (hint, hint!).

The darnedest things

Sometimes kids really do say the most amazing things, and Devin is no exception.  Here are some from the last couple weeks: 
- The morning after the last of our trips this summer (where we were out of town all but a week and a half in a calendar month), Devin said to Alex, "Wasn't it great sleeping in your own bed last night?"
- We were talking about the kids going back to school, and upon learning that Isabel would be going to preschool, Devin said to me, "Mom, you're finally going to get some time to yourself!"
- I was getting ready to go out with Andy and I walked into the hallway where Devin said, "Wow!"  I asked him if I startled him, and he said, "No.  It's just, you look pretty.  I haven't seen that dress before."

I think I'm in love.

Tri Training Again

I don't think I ever posted a follow-up to this post a couple months ago when I was lamenting my too tight pants and considering triathlon training. Again.  After some hesitation and a "trial period" where we took on the juggling act of fitting triathlon training into our already busy lives, Andy and I decided to go for it.  We are in.  We are training for an Olympic distance triathlon in October.  What this means is that we don't sleep.  Sincerely.  I mean, how else are we going to fit in the 6-10 hours per week that we spend training.  But it's good.  Without triathlon training I wouldn't push myself to run after a spin class or to get up before the sun to get my mileage in before the kids get up.  It's really not in my nature.  I am enjoying the challenge though.  I am pushing myself in a way that I haven't in a long time. 


Plus, Andy found me a sweet new tri bike. 

While I was a little hesitant to spend the money, he convinced me that the twelve year old bike that I was tooling around on was ready to retire.  I love it!!  Andy has warned me though that if I beat him on the bike leg of our race he's going to sell the bike. 

Beachtime with Friends

And the fun continues...



Rock Climbing

On the big cannon at Ft. Moultrie

Looking for fish

 

the skim board fanatics



my little love

surfer girls



my goofballs



Kid Pyramid

Summer Part II

You may have guessed from my previous post but the first part of our summer was all about swim team.  With five practices (per child) and two meets each week, how could it not be all about swim team, right?  And it was great.  We spent lots of time with our friends (er... at least the ones on swim team) and everyone had a great season.  Now we are in Part II of our summer, which is all about travel.  From July 9th to August 8th, the kids and I will spend a total of 9 days at home (today included).  Here are some pictures from our trips thus far...

Good Morning Monkeys!

Sweet Alex

Sassy Girl

"Look Mom!"

Best Buds

Silly kids eating ice cream on the beach...

Rock star!!

The sign says it all...

Life really is good at the beach. 

Swim Season

The 2011 Summer swim season came to a close last night.  To say that I am sad about this would be a lie.  It was a great season, but swim team is very time intensive.  We practiced for a hour (thirty minutes per child) five days per week and attended two swim meets each week where the family would sweat it out poolside for a minimum of three hours and the boyswould swim for a total of under five minutes.  Swim team is fun though.  Swim meets are fun.  We see our friends in the neighborhood, the kids see their friends and they get some exercise too.  Alex had a great first year.  He improved his swim time by twelve seconds, won a couple ribbons and learned a passable back stroke and breast stroke (except when he cheats by swimming under water to win his heat).  Devin had a harder year because he was at the bottom of his age group and didn't get as many ribbons as last year.  He did well though. He learned butterfly and finally mastered a legal breast stroke kick!!  All told I am very proud of my swimmer boys and hope that they continue with swim team for many many more years.

Alex before his first race ever!

Alex's dive.

Alex's first ribbon ever!!



Alex hugging the lane line in back stroke



Devin catching his breath after his first race of the season

Devin's back stroke

Devin's awesome start!

My boys

This is what Izzy looked forward to at every swim meet.

the pants don't lie

All these months of fun trips and birthday cakes are starting to take a toll.  I have been aware of this and sort of half trying to get my sweet tooth (and wine/beer tooth?  do we have such things?  I think I do...) under control.  I started running again after about a month off (remember the back strain) and working out more.  But then I went in for a check up with my doctor.  According to their scale I weighed three pounds more than my scale at home.  So instead of 5-6 pounds over my preferred weight, I am actually looking at 8-9 pounds.  After I got over the "oh shit" moment, I realized that I need to find my motivation.  I have been running again, but not really loving it.  I have been back on the bike, and in the pool, but I am hesitant to commit to triathlon training because it is so hard to fit in all three sports multiple times per week with an active family with three kids and a husband who is also training. 
I got confirmation on my scale after Devin's eight-year-old check up last week.  Three pounds light.  Meaning I have ten pounds to lose.  I don't know why this surprised me.  Probably because I have been wearing all the summer skirts and dresses lately.  I tried to wear a pair of pants out the other day (emphasis on "tried"... but failed miserably), and realized that I need to wear pants more during the "beer and ice cream" season of the year.  Just to keep myself on track.  We all know that the jeans don't lie when the jeans don't fit.

Happy Birthday Devin!!

This has been quite a year for Devin.  He had huge accomplishments like losing his front teeth, First Communion and making a club soccer team  He had disappointments like breaking his arm and watching friends move away.  He has grown so much (and I'm not just talking about the 3.5 inches and 8 pounds since last June).  I am really enjoying the little man he is turning into, and he makes me so proud.

Happy 8th Birthday Devin!!

First Communion

Off the Blocks

The end of the "All Sports" birthday party.

Happy Birthday Devin!!

First and Last

This picture is from the morning before the first day of school.  The boys are all excited and happy; clean, shiny and new... and they were very eager to have their picture taken.

first day of school

This picture is from after the last day of school.  Both boys are tired from a late swim meet last night.  Devin is sweaty from a dodge ball tournament and Alex is literally dripping wet from a water fight with friends after school.  Both boys were annoyed at the idea of taking a picture, and finally cooperated when threatened with the prospect of taking pictures all afternoon until I could get one where they were both smiling. 

last day of school

 No doubt that they are excited that school is done.  We all are.

three-year-old logic

Andy to Isabel: "Why?"
Isabel: "Because."
Andy: "Because why?"
Isabel: "Because why."

And so it goes...

Viva la Roma

Six days
Five nights
One husband
Zero kids
One trip to Rome.  Is there a better way to celebrate Ten Years?



Statue on top of the Vatican

Meaghan's Cappucino



Stained Glass at St. Peter's Basilica



Hallway ceiling in Vatican



Ecclesiastical "Reservoir Dogs" Scene in St. Peter's Square




Mother and Child pictures were mounted on random street corners.



Flor - the best gelati in Roma.





Typical street in Roma



At Trevi Fountain



Pope Benedict XVI





At Spanish Steps



Fountain in Piazza Novena



At the Colosseum


I love you Andy Blake.