365::108

The eve of the big race.....

We had a lunch put on by the MDSC at Fiero's in the North End of Boston. We landed a prime parking spot with the van on the street right outside the restaurant (not sure how)! Our whole family and had an afternoon of great food, good company and celebration. During the presentation, the coach and coordinator, Susan, spoke and a 21 year old man with Down syndrome gave a motivating speech about his experience running the Falmouth Road Race (hard to keep a dry eye for that one). The awards and gifts were passed out and we landed two VIP seats for the finish line bleachers for being the second place top fundraiser. It was a day of celebration, anticipation and lot's of emotion....hearing everyone's stories of how they got there and why they were running for such a great cause. I can't WAIT until tomorrow....It should be a once in a lifetime experience!

365::107

Saturday. Two days before the race. It was rainy and cold. Josh and I (no kids!) headed into Boston for the morning on the green line. We picked up his race number, his t-shirt, a souvenir race jacket (well deserved) and a t-shirt for Trevor at the expo at the Hynes convention center. Then we headed off to see the finish line, the bleachers, and the family meeting area. We had a fantastic lunch at Stephanie's then headed home inspired, refreshed and with a plan in our minds for race day.

Here is a copy of the final e-mail Josh received from the charity runners' coordinator....pretty inspirational:

Dear Friends,
I want to thank you all so very much for letting me be your guide in your 2010 Boston Marathon Journey. I can't tell you how important it is to me to have been able to watch you succeed in your fundraising and in your running. Each of you deserves your spot at the starting line. You have earned it. Together-as 6 charity programs - just 100 people raised over $450,000 for important causes - which need the attention and funding. This is a incredible.

So after hundreds of emails - this is my final email to all of you before- I see you on race day at the buses. Prepare - Rest - Enjoy our incredible city.

In Boston, the fans will take you home. Trust in them now - and yourself.

I wish all of you success - a mylar blanket and medal at the end.
Thank you for running with me and remember forever the runner's creed.

Nothing's better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you and your friends beside you.

Much love to all of you -
Start Slow- Hug the girls in Wellesley - Break the heart of that hill - Toast the kids at BC - Run Hard through Coolidge Corner - High five Red Sox Nation - Have a moment of final silence to collect your self in the tunnel - Right on Hereford - Left on Boylston - Hold back those tears - Put on that Smile - Welcome Home.

Turn up your volumes on your computer and take a look for the final time

http://www.youtube.com
By the way -"Real Super Heroes wear Silver Capes."
Cheers.

365::106

These two.

are only an inch and 5 pounds apart. They fight like cats and dogs, but they do everything together. I do so wish her language skills are where his are, I hate to see her struggle. Everything comes so easy for HIM. BUT, as hard as it is having, "twins" they are so good for each other, I'm sure of it.

365::105

The boys have a fish tank in their room. They have an algae "sucker fish". He likes to hide in the little boat we have in the tank. Every morning I wake up to a three year old little voice yelling...."MOM, DAD, TREVOR.....THE SUCKER FISH IS OUT!". He's cute (the boy that is.)

365::104

The nightly "group read"

365::103

Blue Point Spring Concert 2010::Theme-Let's get healthy:)

365::102

If you were to ask me what item I used around the house the MOST (aside from towels and kleenex), I would say this. I mean, I'm not a gadget junkie (I don't even have my own cell phone), but I've TOTALLY jumped onto the iPod bandwagon.

365::101

First time flying a kite:) and Lucas was just thrilled!

365::100

a great (but windy) day for a walk....

365::99

"When i was 5 years old, my mother told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when i grew up. I wrote down "happy." They told me I didn't understand the assignment. I told them they didn't understand life."

365::98

taking on the task of baking oatmeal cookies all by ourselves-OH MY!

Marathons

Top 25 Marathons Road Races
Boston Marathon
New York Marathon
Honolulu Marathon
Chicago Marathon
Walt Disney World Marathon
Rock n' Roll Marathon (San Diego)

Maui Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
Grandma's Marathon
St. George Marathon
Houston Marathon
Mardi Gras Marathon
Napa Valley Marathon
Vermont City Marathon
National Capital Marathon
Philadelphia Marathon
Portland Marathon
Big Sur International Marathon
Seattle Marathon
Twin Cities Marathon
San Francisco Marathon
Myrtle Beach Marathon
Grandfather Mountain Marathon
Las Vegas International Marathon
Atlanta Marathon

guess who will have run #1 and #2 by the end of 2010????

Josh got picked in the lottery out of 250,0000 applicants for one of 40,000 spots! Wow:)

365::97

Today was one of those GOOD mommy days......the fact that I had an extra day at home this week and the gorgeous weather helped for sure. Lucas and I rode bikes up and down the road a hundred times, we found 5 frogs. I spent the afternoon with Daphne (who is just so cool by the way) and Bre at swimming lessons. We got to go to the beach in April without even so much as a sweatshirt. In the picture above, these three, are all so different. Lucas pushing his train and daring himself to enter the frigid water. Breanna making her "sand castles" and Trevor digging for pirate treasure (which I'm sure you can only do when you are seven). The house is clean, the laundry is done, the food is bought, the errands are complete. The kids had a TV free day with my complete attention. We had a relaxing family dinner complete with candlelight. It just doesn't get any better.

365::96

LOVE this.

365:95

Just another little gem from yesterday......six kids the same ages, playing outside, making up their own games and having a blast.

365::94

We had an egg hunt.

We got all dressed up for church (and honestly the boys were more excited about wearing their ties than the egg hunt)

We played outside ALL day

We entertained family

we made a ham and potatoes and cheesecake with strawberries(and ate OUTSIDE!)

We played outside until it was almost dark.

A perfect weather weekend, a perfect weather EASTER!

Happy Easter!

365::93

Today.

We played outside and in.

We colored eggs.

We took advantage of the Dairy corner's opening weekend.

Trevor said, "Mom, we are eating outside and we have the music playing, I don't think the weekend could get any better...."

I agree.

365::92

This kid.

Loves music (especially Kris Allen and Rob Thomas) and walks around a lot listening to his ipod.

wrote a two page adventure story (and counting) at home because he felt like it.

Is my saving grace most of the time......I LOVE this age, he is super independent, smart, is into everything we do, doesn't really give me attitude, but still needs me. LOVE you boy.

365::91

These snuggles, at the end of my long days....it's all I need.

I hate to admit, but some things in life, I can't wait to end, the laundry piles, the drive home, sick days, but THIS....., love, snuggles, and the days that the kids that are all mine (meaning mama is still #1 in their book over friends, and sports etc....) , I never want to end.

365::90

I wish......

for just one day, someone wouldn't be sick, or something wouldn't break, or leak or lose power in this house, etc....... Is that too much to ask?

365::89

These shoes.

will be running 26.2 miles in the Boston Marathon April 19, 2010.

365::88

Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend......

a chance to rest, to laugh about a Filet-o-fish song, to play games, to read, to take a nap, to go for a walk in the woods, to not have to cook or clean up, to bake cookies, the share some disciplining, to play with Kevin and Jeff's old Legos, to watch a good movie, and to watch relationships blossom:)

365::87

The Acton Science discovery museum.....really, really fun! (the boys were in total heaven with those REAL woodworking tools...)

365::86

These three are just totally infatuated with Grandparents and everything they have to teach....

Plus, Today Josh made it through his 21 miler!!!

365::85

Just what one needs in the last parts of winter, an indoor water park complete with 3 big rides (one like space mountain) and a massive hot tub. Really, just ALOT of fun!

365::84

Looking forward to getting away for a little R&R this weekend. Josh has a long 21 mile run in Boston and hopefully we can all stay well enough to do at least one fun thing to go along with it . I'll be back in this space on Sunday or Monday:)

P.S. Bre is back to school today for the first time all week---still a little itchy, but doing much better, YEAH!

365::83

Our poor baby girl. Hives head to toe, swollen lips, swollen feet and hands (can't walk), and no sleep for 2 days. Zyrtec made her sick so Benadryl it is, small doses around the clock. She's miserable, we're miserable. Here's hoping she gets better soon!

365::82

sometimes in the mornings you guys gather up all the pillows from all the couches (big clean up for me) and use them to climb up on and jump over the couch....but the funny thing is is that you say, "Mom, we have to get all our junk out to play our game!"...and yes that is an aquadoodle on the couch not a marker:)

365::81

ALL the worries right now are a little overwhelming, making me a little sick actually. I'm trying to figure out and navigate changes mostly. I tend to find comfort in things staying the same and with these kids, things don't stay the same for long. With major changes in in-home-support, family stuff, neighbors and friends that need my support, keeping on top of the household chores, work, figuring out new schools, activites, schedules and on top of that stomach sickness, getting a hold of some big time potty training issues and chewing our fingers until they bleed issues. This girl tends to smile through it all, here she is in her Aveeno Bath after a major hive reaction to the antibiotic she was on for her sinus infection (on day 9!!) Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here.....she's almost saying..."Mom, why do you worry so much....I don't!" (but she looks like a total mess doesn't she!!) Every week I tell myself, "next week, I'm going to have it all together, I'll have all the chores done, the house clean , fresh banana bread baked, and plenty time to be fully present with the kids, helping with homework, and crafts and playing." then the next crisis hits....

365::80

Finally, after many hours of your hard work....your very first oral report on a career in the Navy is FINISHED!

I'm here

Just really busy and not wasting a moment of these precious warm weather days.....I'll be back and caught up tomorrow:)

365::79

what a fantastic day for having friends over, and being outside for some baseball and a cookout. IT was warm enough to wear shorts!

365::78

All about Me (at age THREE!):

• I have to sleep with my Clifford blanket as a pillow and all my stuff in my bed (ie...piggy bank, headphones, chalkboards, toys etc...)
• I always have to "help" Mom and Dad when they are cooking by pulling my own chair over to the counter
• I love Thomas the Train, Curious George, Lightning Mcqueen
• I am obsessed with fixing things and know what type of batteries each of my toys need
• I am potty trained mostly and wear Spiderman, Nemo or Cars underwear all the time, although number 2 is a struggle and sometimes has to sit for hours or use a diaper (UGGGH!)
• I love to eat standing up on a chair up at the counter
• I need to eat snacks and drink all day long
• I LOVE to play outside, with any form of dirt, ride my bike or swing
• I love to drink my "supplement juice"
• I have a perfect memory
• I am a cuddlebug
• I weigh 30 lbs and I am 37 inches tall
• I say "poon" for spoon, "framwhich" for sandwich "frawberry" for strawberry, and "Sahlide" for slide
• I say things like, :Actually", "Unfortunately", "excuse Me" and "Mom, You can probably find big bike tires online...".
• I understand birthdays (and cake and presents....)
• I don't like cake (just the frosting)
• I can pick out my clothes and dress myself independently
• I hit, throw things, kick, draw on the walls, fight with my siblings, refuse to share, whine, complain and am impatient as the best of three year olds are:)
• I can do thumbs up
• I can ride my spiderman bike with my spiderman helmet with no help up and down hills for at least a mile

365::77

TODAY......

you had a great horseback riding lesson and hit the trail outside it was so nice out. You are working on colors, counting, writing your name on a chalkboard(you can write BRE) and learning same and different. You are amazing, girl!

365::76

Joy is....

The first swing on a warm spring day.

365::75

All registered For Kindergarten! It went really great,you got a million stickers, and you even rode the bus with your physical therapist....went up and down the stairs by yourself and sat in the seat no problem. You ARE ready--you go girl!

365::74

Monday Mornings at the office.

365::73

The party......

a VERy rainy and windy day

WE made a roller rink in our garage for the older kids for their rollerblades, scooters, bikes and skateboards

The rice table, now that was a BRILLIANT idea.

The Thomas cake (second year in a row), and I don't think Lucas ate one bite of it.

The pinata filled with way too much candy

Lucas got a Dr. Suess book, a shit and tie, building blocks, cars, a bubble maker and a Thomas movie.

a family dinner afterwards.

super fun, but we are pooped.....maybe next year we'll have the birthday party in a bigger space where the kids can run around more (especially on a rainy day!)

WE love you LUCAS!

365::72

Your First Pinewood Derby today, and your car did great (153 mph-relative)

365::71

My baby is THREE!

365::70

for some reason, sometimes, it's just that hard to put one foot in front of the other, but a morning run with a girlfriend, that's better than therapy.

365::69

Mom....I have some exciting news. Today, my handwriting was so good that I got to use the PEN!

and I got to visit your new school for next year last night, and it is big. I could get lost in there. 750 students and so much opportunity for kids to learn, grow, become leaders and good citizens. I think we are going to like it (I hope...)

365::68

today you:

woke up and hid under your covers until I came into find you.

Got dressed insisting on your Dora underwear and puppy pants

ate cheese and blueberries for breakfast

went to school early at 8:30 AM for Speech Therapy

gave your teachers a hard time about snack.

got picked up and came up by 1:30 PM

watched a Curious George and Love and Learning video

Ate veggie sticks and juice for snack

played outside for an hour on the swingset with Lucas until Trevor got home (and it wasn't that warm).

Played your favorite puppy game and colored in your Curious George coloring book with Lucas while Trevor went to swimming lessons.

had plain pasta and fruit for dinner

took a bath and read you Monkey book, yelled for a drink then went to bed.

365::67

My first baby is going to be EIGHT this summer......
Oh my. When I had him, it seemed as though his childhood would stretch out forever before me, and I would be in my comfortable place as Mom to little ones for that same length of time. It is shocking how fast things change and how we are always having to readjust to a new normal....new schools, friends, sleepovers, sports, skateboarding, skiing, reading chapter books, things you weren't doing even a year ago. It leaves me wondering if I savored it all enough. Even though you want no part of it, you are so aware of adult life now. You are so helpful to your little brother and sister, almost like a third parent to them. You are able to do so much now, but still need us more than ever, and I don't blame you....with more awareness comes fear about this big world around us.
When
I think of you , I think kind, gentle, patient. I think of that moment that they first handed you to me and I fell so totally in love. My greatest hope is that you will remember when you no longer need me (as a little boy needs his Mama) that you are so completely loved.

365::66

It was just the perfect first spring weekend for getting outside ALOT, for baseball, bike riding, swingsets, cleaning up the yard, bubbles, friends, sleepovers, dressing up for church, and a long run....just perfect

365::65

Your very first ballet class today......you LOVED it, and surprisingly loved wearing the tights even. and I can honestly say with your little body and your Great flexibility, you might have found your thing here, we will see.

365::64

It's the things in life that we don't choose that make us who we are. (from Gone Baby Gone)

(And I am happy to say goodbye to this week--this week I had to sever a relationship with a friend, someone who was like a second Mom to me and it's sad and it will take a while until things feel normal again. )

365::63

Today You:

Had two bowls of Peanut Butter Bumpers

Helped me put away clean laundry

you wore my slippers around upstairs into the bathroom and said, "Look at me!"

Helped me make banana bread

played trains and threw the tracks off the table when you were done

made a paper turtle

broke your banana bread apart into pieces using kitchen tongs instead of eating it

took a nap

watched Curious George

annoyed your siblings and took their toys

had 2 yogurts for a snack.......

365::62

Working on our Pinewood Derby car.

365::61

Lucas' First swimming lesson by himself and he did great!

365::60

Welcome March!

We have a giant bubble wand and I LOVE this shot---see the reflection of our house?