Cutting down the Christmas tree

Another hippie movement!!!

Okay I must admit she had no idea what they were protesting about but it seemed so fun just to march and hold signs against the man.  We came out of the grocery store and they came parading by us and I could see her eyes light up.  I said 'do you want to go' and she was already on the way before I could answer her.  I don't know if that's bad or good but its a hell of a lot of fun.

 

 I 

Thanksgiving

Guess where we went today

     I had to work early this Sunday morning up until after noontime and the Patriots were on Monday night so I got to bring the little animals out to eat breakfast and eventually, guess where we ended up???  It was a little cold and drizzly so i was glad the trolley wasnt there but we still got to send some time with our old friend Black Gordon...

Hay ride and bonfire for the swim team

     What a great idea from the coaches of Catherine and Jacks swim team to have a hayride/bonfire night.  The kids got to cook some marshamllows and run around with others.  Erin, Quinny and Laura were also there.  Erin is on the same swim team and Laura had a bunch of friends, including Rosie and Evelyn who were there.  The weather turned out to be pretty good, not too too cold so they did okay.

Laura, Rosie and Quinnie

Daddy, tuck me in

     Here's something that happened last night as I was brushing my teeth.  There I stood with the water running and brushing my teeth.  I was going to bed a little early plus I let Jack stay up just a tad bit late.  Laura was already in bed, Cat was asleep and Jimmy was downstairs saying he was doing homework.  Lyn was in bed watching her show.   From his bed, Jackie yells out "Daddy, can you tuck me in".....Its something they ask me every night and every night I go into their rooms and kiss them and tell them I love them and move along.  I don't really tuck but sometimes i'll throw the blanket over them to make sure they are warm.  But for some reason Jack asking me to tuck him in last night just melted my heart.  It may not make any sense why but I was finding myself having a moment just enjoying that they are still young and still need us to tuck them in before bed and let them know that they will be safe all night even though an hour earlier I was yelling at him for his earlier tirade against his brother. 
     I found myself going right up the ladder to his bunk bed and giving him one hell of a hug and kiss...I love you, wuv you too daddy......made my way to the girls room and tucked those little angels in too........Every once in a while its a little bit more than just going through the motions

1st gymnastic meet of the season

 My little angel came in third overall, second on bars, fourth on floor, vault and beam but first on cuteness...her team came in first in the meet....such a fun day.  Her team came in first so they all got to stand on the first place step.  Its a priviledge to be able to bring her to these meets.  You cannot stop looking at that smiling, happy face.  Don't grow up Catherine !!

Swimming Weekend...:

     Laura has joined the next level in swimming now that she has gone past the twelve year mark.  Now the competition gets a little tougher.  She was in her first over 12 tourney this weekend and did just great.  Her competition was kids from age 13 to 18 and she did just fine for herself.  Theresa, Bill and Maura came to cheer her on.  Kara was there also because Emily was racing too.  Emily does great, her favorite stroke is the breast stroke.  Its funny that it Laura's least favorite stroke.  Laura's stroke is the Butterfly.
     Laura was signed up for the 200 breast stroke today, which she dislikes.......so off she went.  During the first 25 yards of the race the unthinkable happened...she lost her goggles.  That had been her nemesis during the summer.  Ohhh Laura.  She shoots to the front and stops at the other side of the pool, pulls her glasses around and continues on to win the heat in impressing time.  But those damn goggles.....i'll have to nail them in her head next time!!!

In the first event of the day, Catherine and Jack had their opening swim meet for the year in their swim group.  Catherine told me she was so nervous before she started that she almost threw up.  She did just fine.  She did good enough on two events to qualify for the regionals.  They practice so much and are such good athletes.....she is a little nervous about things though.  She does settle down and has fun but it takes a little bit of time though.  She has a very good coach and has friends on the team.  Once she starts smiling she doesnt stop but she puts alot of pressure on herself......but she is cute...

What day is it??

On Wednesdays afternoons i have to go to church and pick up the little angels from their CCD courses.  I usually have to get them early and dismiss them so Cat can leave and go to gymnastics and Jackie gets to leave early too.  I don't think Jacks teacher was all that happy about it...Oh well.....so, i was talking to Jackie later on and asking about his day, what he learned in CCD and such.  He excitedly told me that there would be no CCD next week so he doesnt have to go for two weeks.  He informed me that next week is November 11th, Veterinarians day.  Really Jack, i didnt know they had their own day!!!

Fire and Ice

    We all went to the Fire and Ice restaurant in Boston on October 24th for a celebration of both Jack and Laura's birthday,  As usual, we just love this place and it never disappoints.  The full squad with all the cousins came with us as well as the ump and Charlie too.  They were as perfectly behave as they can be.

     The chefs all came to our side to sing happy birthday to Laura and Jack.   I love this place!!

All on their phones

Me and Kara

Fun in the leaves

     On Sunday Laura and Emma went to the movies and came over to the house after.  The big question was whether we could leave them alone in the movie theater without parental supervision and we caved in...we forget Laura is now a teenager but she's still our little girl.  Nana drove them and Laura told me that Nana usually falls asleep during the movies anyhow....she told me they have to wake her up after the movie.....I really cant make fun of her because its happened to me too :)

     After they got to the house they all wanted to go outside and play and play they did until after dark.  We had some burgers and fries in between but they spent most of the time outside playing in the yards....i love that....!!  they even had Jack and Jimmy out there too for some of the time.    Here, they spent some time raking up the leaves and making a hug pile in the side yard.  They asked me to take some photos of them while they throw the leaves up in the air.....They know how how to have fun for sure.....