Closure

My dad sold the house where my brother and I grew up—the house my brother dubbed "The House of Pain". Although we tease about our agonizing times on Jackson Street, we had many, many good times in that house—all those pastrami sandwich parties in the kitchen, Christmas cheer in the front room, Red Sox games on the TV in the living room, card games in the dining room, sneaking smokes out my bedroom window and the underage drinking parties in the basement (sorry Dad!). I haven't lived in that house for nearly two decades but I could always call Newburyport home because of that house. But now no longer.

Oh Balls

This morning Currier asked, "Ma, can you help me get these balls out so I can play with them?" When I turned around to see what he was talking about I nearly choked, "Oh sweetie, those balls don't come out."

Shoe Fetish?

Rya will bypass a mountain of toys and army crawl her way to a pair of shoes clear across the room in 2 seconds flat. This girl loves shoes!

Monkey Tree

There's a row of Crape Myrtle Trees along the side of our house. Currier has a favorite that he dubbed "Monkey Tree". That tree brings more joy than any toy.

Poolside Meals

Rya is the messiest eater EVER! She's so bad that Trent and I actually fight over who has to feed her. Lately we've been feeding her poolside for at least one meal a day. We've discovered that clean up is a cinch when we can just hose down the area and then rinse her in the pool.

Not sure it that makes us efficient parents or lazy parents, but either way it's working for us.

Summer Reading Program

This morning Currier was awarded a certificate and the South Carolina reading medal for completing five hours of reading time for the Summer Reading Program at the library. The librarian played a little triumphant melody on his computer when he presented Currier with the medal and Currier looked so proud. He sang, "I've got a medal, I've got a medal, I've got a medal" the whole ride home. If anyone has any children's book suggestions please let me know because we have lots more hours to log for more prizes!

A Dog, Two Aunts and Some Grilled Donuts

We babysat Max for a few days while Carrie and Hilde attended a wedding in Savannah Georgia. Max got along famously with Bruco and Paolo and was adored by Currier and Rya. After the wedding, Carrie and Hilde spent a few nights with us. One evening they introduced us to a dessert that I can almost guarantee is not endorsed by Weight Watchers—Grilled Krispy Kreme Donut Ala Mode. Sure it sounds a little redneck but it's truly the stuff that dreams are made of so don't judge until you try it. Carrie and Hilde were a big help with feedings, laundry, cleaning and cooking. They also read to, played with and loved on the kids. They headed back to Tennessee this morning and we miss them (and their creative desserts) already.

Father's Day

This morning we surprised Trent with a plant holder that the kids made at Kiln Time. A sound asleep Rya made a cute little lobster foot print on one side and Currier made a crab hand print on the other.

Currier also insisted on painting his daddy an alligator for his desk at work.

Happy Father's Day, Trent. We love you!

Date Night Hangover

Trent and I went out on a date last night. We hit Hatchell's American Tapas Tavern for drinks and appetizers (calamari, quesadillas and blackened steak tips- yum!) before seeing The Hangover. I've been dying to see this movie ever since my cousin, Cheryl, said she left the theater with sore cheeks from laughing so hard. It's the last five minutes of the movie that are the funniest. It was totally non-stop laughter. It's a must see!

Seven Months Old

Dear Rya D.,

You're seven months old today. Your hair is getting blonder, your eyes bluer. You hit several big milestones this month—a road trip, some crawling and two teeth. Your first road trip was a success. We didn't hear a peep from you the whole 8 hour drive to and from your Mimi and Papi's house in Florida. You charmed your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and you were an absolute joy at Disney World. You are a good traveler which is a must in this family.

You started crawling this month which means that I have to keep on Currier to pick up his Legos and Matchbox cars and anything else that you could potentially choke on. It's a daunting task and one of my least favorite parts of motherhood. You also cut your first teeth this month which means we had some cranky moments. One evening we couldn't figure out why you were inconsolable until we caught a glimpse of two little white stubs poking out of your swollen, bottom gums. You had to scream your head off for me to see, "Ah ha, she's teething! Can you see them right there on the bottom." I gave you a little Tylenol and a cold cloth to suck on and you looked at me like, "About time woman!" You would think I would know this stuff by now but I'm still an amateur—sorry.

Your father and I still get teased, "Who's baby is that?" People can't understand how two dark eyed, dark haired people can have a blue eyed, blond baby. Just for fun I tell them that I stole you or that you're the mailman's kid. For the record though both your father and I had blond hair as children and a quick lesson in genetics will explain how you ended up with blue eyes.

Rya, you're growing quick and hitting milestones faster than I can clear the floor of choking hazards and spot sore gums. Those are the moments of motherhood that tire me out. A long road trip without a peep, a day at Disney full of smiles and being complimented on your beautiful blond hair and blue eyes are the moments that give me my second wind. And then the wind is knocked out of me when someone says, "That's not your baby is it? She looks nothing like you."

All my love,
Mama

A Visit With Paul Newman

Cornelius, my dad from Newburyport MA, came for a visit. Cornelius thinks he looks like Paul Newman and has been known to pass by a mirror, wink at himself and say, "Looking good Newman!" My father is a lover of jigsaw puzzles, Moxie soda, scratch tickets, onion rings, horse races, ice cream and dirty jokes. He arrived last Tuesday and stayed until yesterday afternoon.

This was my dad's first time meeting Rya and he was smitten by her. Rya and her Papa share a special connection. Rya Diane is named after the love of his life and she was born on his birthday, November 17th.

During my dad's week long visit, he tagged along to Currier's swim lessons and got a little taste of Currier's naughty/wild side—two near drownings because he disobeyed instructions to stay on the steps, several scoldings by the teacher for splashing the other children in class and one big yank out of the pool by his Mama for not paying attention. *Sigh* My father of course snickered at my frustrations and said, "Payback is a bitch ain't it!"

Most my dad's visit was spent at the pool but one day we mixed it up and headed over to the Isle of Palms for a day. We played in the sand, swam in the warm ocean, ate a picnic lunch, admired the oceanfront mansions and left with sunburned cheeks and shoulders.

You can't spend a week with my dad and not have ice cream. We had several ice cream outings. My dad is an ice cream connoisseur and gave Marble Slab Creamery the thumbs up. If you haven't been to one of these chains, you must. You select your desired ice cream and toppings and they scoop it onto a frozen marble slab and blend it all together. Wicked yum!

On my dad's final day with us we took him downtown Charleston and went to the Pavilion Rooftop Bar where we sipped drinks while overlooking the best view of historic Charleston.

It was a good visit and we hope Mr. Paul Newman will grace us with his presence again soon.

New Teeth in Town

Someones been a little cranky this week and now we understand why. Take a look at those choppers on the bottom. This ones going to be eating sushi with her Mama in no time!

It's A Small World

A seriously wicked small world! My Sicilian friend, Nadia, and her husband, David, just moved to Charleston from Sicily. We had them over for dinner last night and did our best to talk up our neighborhood so maybe they will buy a home in our hood? We're so excited to have a piece of Sicily back in our lives. Magnifico!

Croup is the New Black

Currier has had the croup for two days. It's so old fashioned sounding I didn't even know the croup still existed. For those who don't know what the croup is (I didn't!), it's a viral infection that causes breathing difficulty and a seal-like barking cough. Currier is taking cough medicine, a steroid and lots of steamy showers. He's doing much better today and giggles every time he coughs because let's face it seals make funny sounds.

National Donut Day

Don't forget that today is National Donut Day! Get a free donut today at Dunkin Donuts with the purchase of a beverage. This does not help my diet at all!

My Little Lion

Me: "Currier, you cannot have any crackers until after your nap."
Currier: "But, but I did take a nap!"
Me: "No, you didn't.
Currier: "Yes I did!"
Me: "Umm, I think you're lying."
Currier: "I AM NOT A LION. I AM A BOY!"
Me: "Nah, you're a lion that didn't take a nap!"