Here's some pics from Finny's first night in his big boy race car bed! We've done everything to bribe him into Bobbo's room, we never actually thought of just sticking him in there! If you know Finny, you know he does not take to change well (aka, the TV we donated to "meaty people" turned into a 45 minute meltdown b/c he "did not include those people in his prayers last night" and he would rather "put the tv in a doghouse and smash it" than give it to strangers.) So, needless to say, moving his entire life into Charlie's room has been a bit of a sore subject! But, this morning Charlie mentioned it to him and he seemed excited, so I decided to strike while the iron was, well, tepid at best. I got him all set up and as you can see from the pics, he seemed to really like it. We'll see if this is just the honeymoon, but both boys were asleep by 8:30... I'll let you know what time they wake up tomorrow!
Normally, I would be rather nostalgic about my baby leaving the crib and all that, but quite frankly I'm not really sure if this is the end for the crib or not! I kind of just moved all his stuff out and shut the door. I'm hoping he forgets its in there! And if you see him, please don't tell him the crib is for the babies!!! Especially not the girl baby!
Fingers crossed! Good night and good luck!
He, on the other hand, has been taking it all in stride! I've said from day one, this kid was born for kindergarten! He has adult-sized thoughts and ideas and I knew he would fit in just fine. It's his Mommy who needs a tutor (ok, and maybe a valium!) He only got nervous the night before when he realized I couldn't go with him like I had on the "Meet the teacher" day. But after some reassurance, he was back to being excited! He woke up at 5:30 that morning and was so worried about missing the bus! He scarfed down 6 waffles, got dressed and was ready to go! He was so excited that his friend from t-ball was in his class and on his bus! Despite my prior record, I promised not to "cry happy" (as he calls it) when he got on the bus. I saved it for after the doors closed at least! He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said "ok, I'm gonna go now Mommy." He hugged Finny, Mom Mom and me and held his friend's hand and climbed onto the big yellow bus!
I was planning on following the bus route with my trusty sidekick Mom Mom, but I had to run back to the house for the forgotten nap towel, so we went straight to the school instead. We stood there for 15 minutes... 25 minutes... still no bus 19. The once chaotic bustle of kids was turning into a trickle and still no bus 19. The last buses rolled in and I heard one teacher say "We're still waiting for bus 19." Thank God my mom was there and was her usual stoic calm, but I was freaking out on the inside (and a little on the outside). An hour had gone by and all the greeters had gone inside, so my Mom went inside to get the skinny and a teacher told her his bus had broken down and they were sending another. WHAT? I didn't want to send him on that thing in the first place and now it's on the side of the road somewhere? I swore if I heard police sirens I was going to lose my mind! Meanwhile, the morning announcements were going on and all the first day things were happening without Charlie! Finally, after standing there for well over an hour, one of the secretaries came out and offered help. She said all the buses were accounted for. She even called down to Charlie's room to ask his teacher and there he was all along! His bus never broke down! I couldn't believe it, but I was so relieved! His teacher let me come down to the class to bring him his towel and I got to give him an extra squeeze before his day. Finny was really happy to have seen "Bobbo's" school, too!
After school, we took him to Friendly's to celebrate. I wasn't even thinking and let him eat all his ice cream. Afterward, we ran to a store and Charlie said he didn't feel good, so I took him out to the car to wait for Daddy and he threw up all... over... the car!! Needless to say it was a very windy ride home! Poor guy! But the part that got me was that night at bed, he said that "Andrew wouldn't think it was very cool that he threw up." I had to have the "be your own person" talk with him, which for some reason I thought would come a little later in this process! I never thought he'd be worried about being cool so young! It's only a matter of time before he starts making me drop him off a block before his destination!
I can't tell who is taking Charlie's absence worse, me or Finny! When he got off the bus, Finny hugged him for about 10 minutes. Everyday he saves a piece of snack for Bobbo. Waiting at the dr today, Finny saved a seat for Bobbo. He walked him onto the bus the second day saying "Bye, Bobbo I love you." All Charlie said back was "Bye," so Finny screamed "Say I love you, too!" I've had to drag Finny out of the street after Charlie gets on the bus. If Finny had his way I think he would chase after the bus! Well who are we kidding, I would too! 
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Tailgating before a show in Camden with two girls I never would've thought I'd lose touch with! It was probably about 2:30 in the afternoon... we were artful about our tailgating!
Ironically, the party days for Eddie, father of 2, are a lot tamer than they used to be. Going to one of his concerts is more spiritual than physical these days and that's just the way I like it. Watch Eddie rock out his quintessential "Alive" in 1992 
We had an expected, but still tragic loss in Joe's family just before the holiday. Joe's Grandma, "Grandma Mary," passed away from a long battle with cancer. She was much loved and lived a wonderful life, touching everyone she knew. She was great Grandma to Charlie and Finny (and Mackenzie) and she always had a little religious token or book for the boys. She wrote them letters and cards that were always so endearing. Charlie and Finny always talked to her on the phone, and in the end, made videos for her to see from her bed. She was Mom to Rosemary, JoAnn and the late Anthony who had Down Syndrome. Grandma Mary cared for Anthony for 50 years, all the while encouraging him and others with developmental disabilities to live amazing lives! She was truly an inspiration. Her caring heart and warm smile will always be remembered. We know she is in heaven with Anthony, her husband Joe, her sister Kay and many others.
We celebrated my birthday for about 3 days straight! We took advantage of every babysitting opportunity we had and really tried to spend some time together! We went to a movie, played Quizzo at a bar (yes, a real bar. I haven't seen the likes of those in quite some time!) and finally on the actual day we all celebrated together (just as I like it!) Joe spoiled me once again and made a bevvy of appointments for me from haircut and color (I don't know why he made the "color"), mani/pedi, massage and shopping! I am a lucky girl! 
We celebrated the New Year at our house with Marissa, Matt and their college friends (whom we have adopted as our own) Aubrey and Pete (who are always a party where ever they go!) It was a little tamer than years passed, but we had fun! 
We pulled up 2007's ball drop on youtube and watched it on tv pretending it was this year's. Charlie had a blast screaming "3-2-1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Then, at 10pm, we went outside and banged pots and threw the traditional pot of water to wash away last year (a Cuban tradition Joe and I have kept alive every year... every year we're awake that is!)