Uncle Meatball

Uncle Meatball is one of Husband's best friends. He's been a part of our life forever. He was in our wedding and one of the "foursome" . The foursome, consisting of Husband, Uncle Meatball, P and myself. Way back, before kids, the four of us spent many weekends together- watching movies, playing videogames, playing D&D to wee hours of the morn cruising the mall and just hanging out. Then about 7 years ago, two things happened. P. moved to Florida and two days later I gave birth (which btw, P was supposed to be my back up emergency ride to the hospital if Husband was working. He's lucky I didn't need him!). And thus, like I said things changed. Uncle Meatball sort of flittered out of our life for awhile, reappearing for a few visits and disappearing again. He reappeared around the time Moe was born and went to some book signings with us (trying to get me to let R.A. Salvatore sign my two week old Moe). Then he was gone again. Uncle Meatball started coming around again a few months ago and for the girls, it's like he's always been here. Always been apart of their lives.

Tonight, while Husband and I were fixing dinner, Uncle Meatball was playing with the girls. We heard them squeal and him chase them upstairs. * They were playing hide-and-seek. A few minutes later, Uncle Meatball joined us in the kitchen. All was quiet.

About five minutes later, he says "well, I guess I should go find those kids now". Hehe. This went on for awhile.

Husband thinks we need to hire Uncle Meatball next time we need a babysitter. I'm not so sure of that yet - thought of the girls eating junk food for supper and watching anime fill my mind. As Husband says, their could be worse.....

Thanks for coming back Uncle Meatball.

* I should also mention that Uncle Meatball is about 6 1/2 freaking feet tall. He's huge (which is exactly what Einey said the first time she saw him when she was three)!

Heartwalk

The sky was blue and the air was brisk, but still held a tad or warmth. We headed down to the coast with breakfast to go (trailmix in a bag) and made it with time to spare. At ten minutes before 10, we started our walk (a bit before the actual walk started). We walked by the salt marsh, out onto the main road in and all the way to the entrance of the park. We then turned back through the campground area and ended our last mile across the white sand beach. All three miles completed in just over an hour. All done without a stroller or wagon. Einey and Meenie walked, much to their dismay, well Moe got to ride on Daddy's shoulders. Einey and Meenie started to enjoy it when we had them race to the yellow route signs. Competition brings out the best in them.

All in all, I was happy with the results. We usually do the full five miles but due to having all girls walking (instead of being carried or pushed) I was happy with three. I thought we would have to do the quick one mile loop! Overall donations were lower than our previous years, but not as bad as they could be. We raised $730 this year (bringing our seven year walk total to approximately $5,500!).

Thank you to all of you who continue to support us in this cause!

That special friend....

The other day, I got a birthday package in the mail from my best friend. My best friend isn't someone I've known since childhood. She isn't a college roommate. Nope. She is my first and very best "mom" friend. When I was pregnant with Einey, Husband was forever pointing out other moms-to-be or telling me about the pregnant women he saw at work. We took a six week birthing course and at the second to last class, Husband points out the new couple in the back of the room and tells me that she's the lady from the mail room at work. Weeks pass and the babies are born and we don't see them again. I convince Husband to pass on our email addy through an acquaintances at work because at that time, a few other moms from that class and I were getting together to take weekly walks. She contacts us and we've been friends since!

Her daughter and mine have been best friends since. And even though there are now miles between us, daughter still talks about her friends as if she sees her alot. Their first move brought them a few states North of us - just a 4 hour drive away. We made that drive about 1/2 dozen times a year or met them in the middle for the day. Their second move brought them further South - about an 9 hour drive. And now their third move has brought them even further South. So now the day trips or weekends away are kind of out, but there are still phone calls, surprise boxes of goodies and pictures by email. And of course, memories from the past.

So this package arrives and she's done it again. She's gotten me a perfect gift without knowing it. In the box, was a set of five red cereal bowls (or very large ice cream bowls) with a cherry on it. Last year, there were five sailboat plates for out frequent outdoor meals. Whats the significance in 5 red bowls? The fact that they match! In my house, my girls have taken to fighting over their dishes. They are constantly arguing over who gets the Darth Vader plate or the My Little Pony cup. They have even gotten to the point when I pull out their dishes, they lick a plate as if to claim it. Or they grab a handful of food as a way of claiming it. I've gotten to the point that I tell them if I hear them asking for a specific plate, they aren't having it and probably won't eat!

To have all the same dishes for all, eliminates that problem! So once again, thanks for the great gift and for knowing exactly what I need!

Can I play too?

Binky's got the story, Lauren's got the tracks.

I've got the Train!