Holiday Season

Just seeing if your paying attention


Hello again. I was thinking how cool blogging can really be. Years from now my children can look back at this blog and get a snapshot of their life, as told in real time. Ok, so it's a very, very, small snapshot but how cool. It's kind of a diary of life.

So, not only are all my babes off to school they are all another year older. 11, 8, and 6. Billy is doing great in Kindergarten and mama couldn't let him go so I got a job working at the school. I get to see all three of my kiddo's every day. It is a huge eyeopener and a blessing to see them in their environment at school. There are also a few other kids that shall remain nameless that make my life difficult at school but kids will be kids. I am working as the lunch/recess monitor. So much for my degree, lol. McKel had a fun bday. Her friends came over for a scrapbook get together. Billy's bday was a family party and my precious Jillian chose to have a date with me instead of having a party. That is true love. The love I get from Jillian. Most people don't understand how passionate she is. We had so much fun. A table full of gifts awaited her when she woke up. She got to open a few before school. She had a cupcake party in her class. Then when she got home I took her to dinner at Margarita's. They gave her a sombrero. We ate and then they sang to her and gave her fried ice cream. She had a huge smile on her face and we both enjoyed so much being able to spend quality time together. After dinner, we went to the movies to see HSM3. I got her a kid pack. It didn't come with a slush but I bought her one seperate and she was sooooooooooo excited. She was queen for a day. When we got home everyone yelled surprise and she got to open the rest of her gifts. I Have the funniest picture of her passed out in the car. She was exhausted.

A couple of days later was Thanksgiving and we had a family party for her. Dubba D gave her a beautiful lamp for her room. Cindy as always gave her really cool stuff.

The kids had a little Thanksgiving program at school. Billy's was in Mrs. DeiCicci's and Jillians was in the cafetorium. McKel had a feast with the fifth grade team that I missed because it was at the same time as Billy's.

Thanksgiving was a blast! Mr and Mrs. T came with Michelle, Steve, Ber, JA and all the kids. Cindy, Jeannie, DubbaD, Lisa, Mark, Theresa, Chris, Alyssa, etc. all came. We skipped the town bonfire though so we could hang out and visit.

Bye, bye, baby

First Day of School 2005
Goofy Goobers 2007
Goofy Goobers continued

McKel and Jillian first day 05

Billy in 2005

My heart is wrenched. Tomorrow is the day. Well, sort of. Tomorrow is the first day of school. It's McKel and Jillians official first day of the first day of school. We came last year in October so the girls just slid into their classrooms and daily routines as the newcomers. McKel had to be the last kid on the roster the whole year, despite the alphebetical order. Now they get to start anew just like everyone else in the Brand new school!

We took a tour last week and it is incredible! The place is huge. The views are to die for overlooking Boston Harbor. It's the same school I once went to but it has been renovated. The kids are very excited about it. Jillian is in the new wing.

Billy has a meet and greet tomorrow at 11:00. We go in and see his classroom, meet his teacher and new friends. Thursday he has a half day and then Fri. is his first full day. I think they're doing a great job breaking in the parents, uhhhhmmm, I mean kindergarteners. When we left FL in October I was still rocking him at night and reading him stories before bed. He was still in his crib as a toddler bed. Now he's off to kindergarten. Geez, don't blink too long. He'll be in college before I can say, "look both ways before crossing the street". I tried to savor every moment. I got one more year than most. I guess its time to close this chapter of our family book. "The pre-school years". I've dreaded it for a while and now it's time. I am so happy for you Billy. I hope you love school and meet wonderful friends that you will keep for a lifetime. Hello Big yellow bus. By, bye, my Baby.

She actually smiled!!!!!!!!!!!

and I've got proof! I just wanted to pop in and share some photo's from last weekend. McKel actually smiled for the camera. I got some decent photos of her. Can you even imagine?



We went to Dr. Micheli's party. It was great to bring the kids. No sitter required. and we didn't have to drive far. We went down to the beach and I got tons of pics of the kids playing and skimming rocks. We enjoyed hanging out at his "beach house" and getting to know everyone better. I especially liked the part about Doc being a former Rugby player for 25 years and about his daughter playing on the U.S. Team at the Olympics!!!!! Doesn't get much better than that. He had an olympic gold medal encased on the wall but I think that was from being on the committee.

Hope you have a great summer. Only 2 weeks left.

August 15th, 2008

Summer is going by at a record pace. It's like watching Michael Phelps swim the 100m freestyle. The kids are gettting bigger, especially Billy IV. He has gotten so tall this summer. I still can't imagine putting him on a bus and waving goodbye. It chokes me up just writing about it. How can it be my baby is big enough to go off to kindergarten? Although it does feel like he's been here forever I am just not ready to say goodbye to his innocent pre-school days of just mom and Billy time. He did go to daycare for a while and it was a much needed break for both of us. He got to learn his ABC's, play with peers, sing songs, and do crafts but I always knew I could keep him home whenever I wanted. I could pick him up early, or skip a day without it really hindering what he was learning. I got to have a lot of free time with Kel when she was a baby because I had her for 3 years before having Jal. Sometimes I feel bad for Jillian because she is the middle child and never really got that alone time. Billy came just under 2 years after she was born and I already had Kel. Fortunatly, we are closer to getting settled. I am looking forward to what life's newest phase brings.

Tedy is Born!!!!

Finally, Tedy Joshua Paul H has arrived! On July 6th, 2008. He is my cousin's baby and I am so excited to be here to watch him grow up! He is adorable! We went to see him at the hospital and he was so alert for a baby just hours old. It was love at first sight!!!! Congrats Lisa, Marc and Courtnie!

July 2008

Summer is flying by! We've been having a great time so far. Lots of beach trips. The 4th of July was amazing. We spent the day at the beach. Ordered pizza for supper. Then we spent the evening watching all the fireworks displays. I swear it gets bigger and better every year. You look all along the stretch of the beach and there are fireworks and bonfires all up and down the shoreline. On July 3rd, my birthday, we did the same thing. Fireworks as far as the eye can see. We can even see the fireworks across the water in all the different locations. We spent July 3rd on the beach and Kristen showed up with a cake from carvel and they all sang happy bday to me. It was so cute!! Billy spoiled me rotten. He bought me a new Canon camera! I've always wanted one ever since we got one in a pawn shop out west somewhere when he was working for the Cincinati Reds(spell?). That thing took the best pictures!!!! Anyhoo, he got me a really awesome camera so I was happy with that. Next thing I know he walks in the door with three bags from Brighton!!!!!!!!!!! He got me a necklace with matching bracelet and earrings. He also got a hair scrungie and clip!!! Geez, am I spoiled or what! I don't have too many pics to share because I wont take my camera to the beach. My other camera broke that way.

Scrapbookers Nightmare. . .

My camera is Broken :-(


All of a sudden it just won't snap the picture. I spent what felt like forever on the computer with Sony CS. The only hope is to take it to an authorized servicer but of course there aren't any around here and I'd have to mail it. It will cost more to repair than the price of new camera. Looks like I need to get camera shopping. Just what I need is to spend money on a camera right now. Ugggggg! It's just that I was not able to capture the first day at the beach, the last day at school or the final events and cookout for soccer just to name a few. When we moved here in October I didn't get pics when they started school because my camera was packed. So I figured I would get pics at the end of the year. I suppose I will just have to journal in that spot for their school scrapbooks. No sense in whinning, although I really want to. Such huge life events shall remain photo less. Ouch that hurts!

Waiting to march in the parade

On a happier note, we had an awesome Memorial Day weekend. Filled with baseball, parades, cookouts, and the like! We marched in the Memorial Day parade. The kids were cute in their baseball uniforms waiving to their friends as they marched by. As always it ended at the Cemetery for a memorial speech and ceremony.

We visited Nana's grave and just enjoyed the beautiful breeze and ocean views. Then we went to Jenn and Greggs for celebration and games. McKel and Courtnie won the egg toss. Wow, I have to give them credit, that was tough. Even Jeannie and Ellen joined in. Jillian struggled with the donut contest. She just couldn't seem to grab hold of it. Bobbing for apples was hilarious. Jillian kept trying and trying until she got that apple. !!! Daddy and Joey Dunphy won their egg throw contest. The Maxwells really cleaned up with many medals! Next year we will host a musical chairs. I think it will be hilarious. Watch out America's funniest home videos!

We topped the evening off with Billy and Jillian's baseball game. What a gorgeous night to sit out at the ball field.

Life is Good!!