A Few Great Pre-Christmas Photos

Ok. So it hasn't been the best of holiday seasons around here. Mike's grandmother, Nanna, passed away 2 weeks ago and now my mom's Aunt Arlene has also passed away. 2 funerals within a couple weeks do not make for a great holiday. But, we are doing well. Colby is extremely excited about Christmas, especially the decorating and partying. He has made a gingerbread house at school and today was pajama day to celebrate the holiday watching the Polar Express. The kitchen looks like the sprinkle fairies blew up and there is wrapping paper and bags everywhere. A typical Christmas at this house. I love seeing the holiday through Colby's 4 year old eyes. Each year has been different, and this year has been the most exciting. He is BEYOND excited about the holiday, although it was the first year he didn't tell us exactly what he wanted Santa to bring. So, to offset the not so great previous post here are some great pre-Christmas photos. I have more to post from Colby's first Christmas pageant too, but enjoy.

And what does your holiday look like this year???

A Tough Question

This has not been a good week at our house. Rather, a very long, hectic, and very unholiday feeling one. On Friday morning we received a call that Mike's grandmother, Nana, passed away. She was 89 and an amazing lady. I only wish that I had had more time to get to know her and have her be a part of my life. The funeral was today and it certainly has been a long day. It hurts to see my husband and his dad upset. I can only hope that they know how much I care for them and that I am here for them always. So many emotions, both happy and sad, all rolled into one. I can't help but think of losing my own grandmother just a few short years ago. Here is the link to the post I wrote about her. Mamie

The tough question was one posed by Colby. Mike relayed a conversation he had with Colby on Friday morning. We had received the call very early and Mike was waiting with Colby for the bus. The bus picks him up at Mike's parents' house which is right down the street from Mike's grandparents' house. I guess the paramedic truck came out of their road and Colby, not even knowing what had happened yet (we told him about Nanna after school), said "Uh oh, someone got hurt at Nanna's." Yes a coincidence. I think he meant to say on Nanna's street but he said at Nanna's. At dinner that night we were talking about Nanna and how she was now in Heaven with my grandparents, Mamie and Poppy, and she was there to see Baby Jesus. Colby's question hit us both like a ton of bricks. He said he was sad and missed Nanna and understood that she was in Heaven. Then he asked, "But how did she get to Heaven? How did the Paramedic help her get there?" We were both ready to cry and left speechless, unsure what to say. I know we will continue to talk to Colby about this for a few days still. He is so smart and seems to understand so much but yet he is so young and I don't think ready to understand yet. At times he still thinks she'll come back but then he'll yell at Mike and me for saying that we are going to Nanna's house. Yelling and saying it's not Nanna's just Poppy's (Mike calls his grandfather Poppy too.) I just don't know what to say. How would you answer this tough question??? I had posed this question on Facebook too and got no response. Help please!

(And I promise a Happy Christmas post next time.)

Holiday Preparations

Just a few weeks ago, we had no plans on our calendar and now it is full right up to Christmas Day. We have decorated the house. The tree is set up, complete with train and tiny village. And Colby has recieved his video email from Santa. Now we are on to cookie baking, ornament making, and party going. Wow! I'm tired just thinking about it. But for now, enjoy these few photos of our holiday preparations. They include lights, a shephard, and a few other cuties!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great Thanksgiving with our family this year. We had dinner with my my parents, brothers and sisters, and my Aunt Doone's family. The kids all had a great time playing together and the food was delicious. I only wish we could have gotten more leftovers! My sister Kristin wasn't there along with her boyfriend Steve and her son Teddy. They were missed but it was nice to have my sister Karin and my brothers Keith and Chris there along with 3 of my nephews Max, Alex, and Keith. Colby loves playing with his cousins.

After dinner we were able to get to Mike's family's for dessert. Colby loved the apple pie and playing with his cousin Logan. She is Colby's age too so they have become great buddies. It was nice to see everyone there too. Thankfully everyone lives pretty close so not too much traveling but it was a pretty long day.

And today Colby had a play date with his cousin Keith. So no shopping for Mommy but lots of singing, playing, and fun at the park. I am so thankful that my family is all closeby. I love watching Colby play with his cousins and having fun. I can only hope we stay close as the boys grow up.

So, lots to be thankful for this year. I am especially thankful for my family, my wonderful husband Mike, and my big boy Colby. He is growing bigger everyday and surprises me more and more with amazing personality. We are so lucky to have him in our lives.

So, enjoy our Thanksgiving pics. Let us know. What are you all thankful for?


P.S. Here's a link to some pictures of Colby sitting at the same chair 2 Thanksgiving's ago. Wow! Thanksgiving photos 2009 and 2010

Happy Halloween....a Few Days Late!

Well, if you have been watching the news lately, you might have seen that here in the NorthEast we got hit by a crazy Autumn Nor'Easter on Saturday 10/29. What was supposed to start out as rain and turn to snow later at night started out as big fat fluffy snowflakes around 1:30 in the afternoon. CT woke up to lots of snow, I think about 20 inches where we are, and lots of damage. With all the leaves still on the trees, the heavy snow took many branches down and lots of power lines with it. About 900,000 customers lost power. Now more than a week later, we are still struggling to get power back, although the warm days has almost completely melted the snow. Thankfully, we were lucky and didn't lose power, although most of our family did.

Sunday we ended up hosting both sets of parents for what Colby called our "feast". We ended up cooking the roast and watching the bull riding at our house. It was really nice having everyone together. Colby put on his Halloween costume and had some fun too. However, Halloween was postponed due to the damage and lack of power. And school was out for an unexpected week's vacation. Although I enjoyed the time with Colby, I dread the thought of now going to school until late in June. UGH!

Colby was very good about not going trick-or-treating. Actually it didn't seem to phase him until I put the Halloween decorations away on Tuesday. But we let him wear his costume, we made Halloween sugar cookies, and had a fun week together. Then on Saturday Colby and I were able to go trick-or-treating! We didn't mention it all week but once the first trick-or-treater knocked on our door, Colby's face lit up and he got so excited. Mike stayed home to give out candy and Colby and I walked around the neighborhood. We even walked to Grandma Laurie's house! He received so much candy, even more than last year. So overall, a crazy Halloween trick-or-treat on 11-5! Now on to the holidays!

And yes, it's Pirate Captain Colby! And Mommy is so proud, she made that costume herself!!!

Where Has the Time Gone???

Ok. So I bet many of you think I have totally disappeared. I will reassure you that I am still here. I do check my fellow bloggers pages faithfully everyday. But, I just haven't found the time to write on mine. I think it's feeling rejected. But I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my little boy, yes, and my husband too. My last post was for 9-11 and now here it is the last of October. What have we been up to you ask? Just about everything.

Colby is in PreK at a different school this year. He was a little nervous about it at first but he seems to be liking it. He has had a few red-dot days though. (The city uses a Positive Behavior program which rewards good, or green, behavior, but also uses red for not-so-good behavior. I was shocked at the red dots but then again, he is only 4 and still learning, and boys will be boys. Guess he didn't know picking up sticks at school is a no-no. His teacher says he participates well and even a little too much, getting excited during story time and blurting out answers. Note to self- work on the hand raising routine! Academically he knows most of his upper and lower case letters and most of their sounds too. Ready to read and a little frustrated that he can't. But I am not going to push him.

I'm back to school also. Now at a newly renovated school that was over 100 years old. It looks brand new! Love the new school and the new staff I am working with. I am the reading specialist and this year I am working with grades 2, 3, 4, and 6. Yuck 6th! Things took a little while to settle in but I really enjoy it.

Our weekends have been full of fall fun. We went to two local fairs and apple picking in September. Over Columbus Day weekend we went back to New Hampshire to enjoy the fall colors. And this past weekend Colby and I went with my mom, my Aunt Doone, my nephew Keith, and my cousin's son Jaden to Lyman Orchard to the corn maze. We had a blast, and we didn't lose my aunt's phone this year. Last year she lost it in the corn maze and I had to go back to find it. The boys also loved the ride in the horse drawn wagon. The horses were named Tom & Jerry. The other sets of horses were named Nickel & Dime and Samuel & Adams!

Colby has also been taking swimming lessons. He is doing great. He just finished the last session and was moved up into "big boy" class where they will work on strokes and building stamina. We were so excited when Colby swam all by himself this time!

I have been hard at work on a little boy's costume. Pics to come but here's a guess his favorite cartoon characters are Jake, Cubby, and Izzy! Let's see who can figure it out!!! Tomorrow night we have our Halloween Reading Night at my school and Colby will wear his costume there. He actually thinks my school is Halloween! He loves Halloween more than Christmas I think. Not my favorite but I love watching him and all his enthusiasm.

Oh, and Colby just had a trip to the dentist. Talk about growing up too fast. All of his front teeth are a little "wiggly" and the X-Ray showed that the top teeth have already lost their roots. My little boy will be a toothless wonder within a few months. Way too early for me and he's a little nervous (guess that's our fault for telling him his teeth will fall out if he doesn't brush!).  Now what?!?!

Well, I guess that's enough for now. Here's a few pics from our Fall Fun. Promise to post more soon.

Colby's Tribute to 9/11

Totally cool and I am proud to say that my 4 year old knows this. So happy that our schools are still saying it too.