Packed and Ready to Go!!

Yes we are! We are excited for another adventure to South Bend, IN and are hoping the planes are ready for us. I'm a little concerned about Morgan's ears and how she'll manage the cabin pressure, but I have lots of snacks/movies/tv shows to help distract her. Keeping Maddie on my lap will be a challenge, but then again, maybe she'll sleep!! (Here's hoping!!!)

Morgan has had a great start at camp. On Monday when I picked her up, she was non-stop talking about her day, her friends, teachers, and all the activities she did. She loved it so much she was going to try taking the bus to/from camp. Well, when the bus arrived, she was less than thrilled to go on it - screaming and crying. But, I picked her up, put her on, and left in excellent hands. By the time Daddy saw her at camp, she was happy as a clam, never would have guessed any of that happened. And she took the bus home, telling me all about her day...swimming (by herself - with a bubble - and put her face in the water!), shop, art, playing with her new friends....apparently Dice-K's (Red Sox pitcher) daughter is in her group. She just is loving it and it's so great to see and hear all that she is doing...she's really growing up!

Maddie is just hilarious. Loving walking around, trying to climb things like her big sis. She and Doggie continue to have a wonderful relationship - yes, he'll be making the trip this weekend! Probably next to Morgan's! Her favorite word continues to be "up" (thank you, Ethan!), though she's trying to say "down" and it comes out more like "Da". She has also added "ouch" which may be hard for some to hear, but I get it. It's great to see her trying to say all these words and really watch her become a toddler.

Staying on family news, I would like to mention that our own Uncle Arthur has just be named Bishop Arthur Kennedy as of a few days ago!!! There will be a press conference, announcement and lots of celebrations to come...so congrats, Uncle Arthur!!!

That's it for now! Stay tuned to hear updates from the MF Reunion 2010!!

Carson Beach

I decided that we desperately needed to get out of the house today. So, I planned a day or at least several hours at the beach...after all it is summer and we have yet to be there! So, we packed up the beach toys, towels, blankets, a tent, cooler with sandwiches/drinks, diaper bag, a couple of noodles...as my mom always said, "everything but the kitchen sink." Morgan was a great help with carrying everything!

When we arrived we got a primo parking spot, and got settled quickly...mostly because Maddie doesn't like the sand. And as we found out this morning, she doesn't like the water either. She screamed and cried when I put her feet in. Morgan was liking it, though a bit hesitant (which I can't say I blame her) due to the sharp shells/rocks and probably because she realized it was the Boston Harbor water!!

Here is Maddie playing with her feet. She has an obsession with feet and shoes recently. She'll try to pry them off your feet - so watch out!!
Morgan collected over 50 shells and rocks. Great - we get to add to our collection! :)
Maddie spent some time out of the sun. This is one of my favorite faces she makes! She does this huffy-puff breathing with it...it's so funny!!
Morgan stayed clear from the water, but buried her legs, collected shells and we watched the planes land. We were only able to last about an hour and a half - after all the preparation and getting there - because Maddie didn't nap on the way there (as planned), couldn't be distracted from the sand and the fact that she couldn't really move around, and she didn't want to nap in the tent. We ruined a lot of quiet couples resting on the beach trying to let her "cry it out" to nap in the tent, but I finally gave up. Thankfully there were other families there who were offering support and condolences!

Nevertheless, it was a great morning out of the house - certainly better than what we would have done!

June Bugs

I can't believe how fast this summer is going. Probably because we've been insanely busy, but it's going fast nonetheless. Morgan has her last day of school tomorrow, EVER at the Dedham Community House. So sad. Yet, exciting for the next stage too. I think she's a bit anxious about all the transitions coming up, as her behavior has become quite difficult the past few days. And I must say, I've been out of it for the past couple weeks now, as I just finished (as of tonight) Breaking Dawn, the last book of the Twilight Saga. If anyone would like to discuss it, I'd be happy to. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but I'm feeling like I could really adjust to vampire life!!!

Maddie and I had the pleasure of going to Morgan's pre-k ABC picnic on Tuesday. We brought watermelon for "w" and I must say, Maddie really enjoyed herself...

As did Morgan and her friends, Juliana (left) and Katya.

As you can see from the picts, Maddie's really developing a personality!!!

Morgan was sad to leave, so I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring.

On another happier note, though, look and see who Maddie has attached herself to...

It reminds us of this time with Morgan when she first discovered her beloved, Doggie! Maddie has since taken Morgan's 3rd Doggie and claimed it as her own. Thank goodness Gamma supplied Morgan with so many!! :) She took Doggie to bed today for naps for the first time. When I went to pick her up from her second nap, she was leaning against the crib, hugging Doggie tight, and a HUGE smile on her face! At bedtime, she wrapped her around him with one arm and rubbed her eye with her other arm. So cute!!

Griswald Family Reunion!

Quite the pair....
on the Mayflower
at Dunkin Donuts!

Let's see. Oh, where to begin with our visit from our cousins, Ethan and Lucas, and Aunt Katie?!! What a fantastic week!!! Here was a little of our schedule:

Monday - pick up the crew from the airport. Home by 3:00ish. Played around the house. Fajitas for dinner with guac - yum!!!

Tuesday - Franklin Park Zoo during the day, Candlepin bowling at Kings at night.

Wednesday - Children's Museum and delicious calzones for dinner (made by Aunt Katie, Ethan and Morgan!!) ???? (Katie - help me out here - I can't remember!!)

Thursday - Morgan, Ethan and Lucas joined me for a trip to Dunkin Donuts while Maddie napped, "home/day of rest" though we did manage to get to the play space in between Maddie's naps and Five Guys for dinner .

Friday - Well, we intended to go to Edaville Railroad. And we did actually go there, but apparently their opening day was not until the following day. Unbeknownst to us because it was not clearly stated on their website. So, we detoured to Plymouth and went to Plimouth Plantation...toured the Mayflower II and the 1627 Village. HOT and exhausted, so we did Chinese for dinner! Yum.

Saturday - breakfast at Ihop, a little playground, and then it was time to say goodbye. A lot of fun memories made, cousins reunited, and great stories to tell. After we all recover, of course!! Morgan was so sad after she came back from dropping everyone off at the airport, but we're on a countdown to South Bend Reunion!!

Here are some picts (in no particular order) from the week:

A loving moment at the Franklin Park Zoo.
Snuggling and getting ready for bed.
I would say Maddie enjoyed bowling the most. She was hilarious! Spent most of the night like this!!
At the Plimouth Plantation Kid Play Area...costumes and all!! Love it!
Lucas playing "house."

Maddie learned how to get in and out and stuck!!
Morgan "bowling" in 1627!
Lucas dressed like he was living in 1627??!!
Waiting for the train at the Zoo.

Maddie didn't want to share the bowling balls!!

Peek-a-boo Lucas!!
Ethan enjoying his "ride" just like Upa!
Ethan celebrating birthdays!
Lucas, phone in hand, ready to dig into his donut!!

Daddy and Maddie sweating it out on the Mayflower II.

Maddie's surgery

It's a little late, but Maddie's surgery went well. She successfully has 2 ear tubes (one already producing gunk as soon as it went in) and her adenoids are out!! She had a really tough time in the hospital mostly due to exhaustion. She wasn't sleeping well, up at night, and therefore was just so tired she quickly became irritated by the nurses trying to do things to her. I honestly think she was most upset by the hospital bracelets. I just kept saying, "Oh how pretty!" Yup. That really didn't work. She fussed so much, she eventually wore herself out and fell asleep on my shoulder while pacing the pre-operation room.

She stayed asleep for most of the time while waiting, but of course as soon as the anestheologist came and said how great that was that she was sleeping and tried to move me to the bed with her so they could just roll us in, she woke up!! Of course!! So, we said good-bye to Daddy and walked into the operating room. The got the gas ready and put the mask over her face. Heartbreaking as she made eye contact with me and was trying to get out of it. But, she didn't put up a fight nearly as much as Morgan did...maybe because she was still waking up and tired from her nap??

No more than 30 minutes later, the doctor was back filling us on how it went. She said that her adenoids were taking up about 40% of the area behind her nose (less than what she had said before) but she did say there was a ton of mucus back there, so it was good we did it. And of course, her tubes are in and already working. So she's on some antibiotics, ear drops and tylenol.

Seeing her in the recovery room was heartbreaking. She was so miserable from the anestethia and out of it. She had her tongue hanging out of her mouth on the ride home with her eyes halfway open... a moment missed by no camera!! After a little bottle, nap on my lap and then some food, she was good to go! She looked like she was trying to walk on a ship during rough seas!! She took some tough spills, but she's a tough cookie!! We asked Morgan not to have her hands near her face for fear of bleeding, but otherwise she's doing well...during the day.

Maddie continues to wake at night and not just cry - SCREAM!! I kid you not that the neighbors can hear and who knows what they're thinking!! But, we've decided she needs to get back to sleeping through the night now. I feel it's just habit that she's getting up. So, last night she gave us a good wailing for just over an hour, and then slept in until about 7am. Apparently she wore herself out!!

Aunt Katie, Ethan and Lucas arrive in just a few short hours. So, we've got to get ourselves ready for a week full of fun, chaos, and laughter, I hope!!! Lots of stories and pictures to come!!

Catch-up

Well, I just realized it's been a week since I've posted anything. The SMC reunion was awesome. So much fun catching up with all the girls! I was so happy to see a good turn out at the 10 year reunion and hope that the 15 will be just as great. I really felt "at-home" walking around and spending time at my first Indiana home - McCandless Hall. It was very nostalgic for me...so many wonderful memories and good times! After all, that is where I met Kevin and fell in love!! Appropriate as our 8 year anniversary is approaching!

And since I've returned, I continue to play "catch-up" in the house. It appears that Kevin can't quite do all that Mommy can - taking care of the kids AND laundry AND cleaning/picking up the house is too much!!! :0) But, I can't complain...the girls were VERY well taken care of!!

Morgan is doing great. While I was gone she received a present from Papa and Gamma - a "pint" [pink] golf bag with "pint" golf clubs. She loves it and we're hoping the weather clears up for some practice at McGolf. Tomorrow is supposed to cold and rainy so the play space here we come!

Maddie continues her fussy stages and periods of misery. She definitely is struggling with her adenoids and now she has also lost her voice and is quite hoarse. Surgery on Friday can't come soon enough!! We find out tomorrow afternoon what time.

We will keep you posted as best we can. Friday is surgery and then Monday the Sprague calvary comes marching in to claim their territory in Dedham. From what we hear going on at Uma and Upa's house, we've got ear plugs and breakables put away!!! :0)

Seeing Rainbows

This is a picture that Morgan continues to add to each and every day, for the past week or so. Not that I'm biased or anything, but I think it's pretty cool!