A Holiday to Remember

Well, the holidays are over and as you can see we are pooped! But at least we all had some fine Irish Whiskey before it was all over (those of us over 21 that is!)

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 spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at my parents' house. It's a big holiday hoopla and we look forward to it every year! We each made our fish for the Italian 7 Fishes and we exchanged "Dollar presents" like we have done every year since there were just the 7 of us in a little rancher in Effort, Pa! As usual, my Mom went crazy buying everything under the sun for the grandkids. The living room was teeming with presents and the kids were chomping at the bit since 5:30am waiting for dawn! It was a frenzy of wrapping paper and screams as the kids unveiled their much awaited presents. Jack and Luke even got a drum set, which Luke has been asking for for years! He's going to start a "wock and woll band" and I think Charlie and Jack are going to join him!

Santa stopped by for one last grope, I mean trip before heading back to the North Pole. And we all packed up to do the next leg of our visits.

The boys held hands on the way to Aunt MoMo and Uncle Matt's for a very Costal Christmas at their new house in Delran.

As if all the "cool cars" you could imagine weren't enough, my 4 and 2 year olds got a Wii from their Grandparents for Christmas! Surprisingly, Charlie recognized the box and freaked out when he saw it! We've been playing it ever since. Charlie has "Wii elbow," but he refuses to admit it for fear I won't let him play. Joe and I figure his love for the Wii is a good way for us to parlay some extra good behavior from him. We'll see...

All bathed and ready for the sleigh ride back to Marmora for their Santa presents!!

The boys got their share of presents from Santa as well. Finny was so cute. He had to pick up every present and take it over to the couch to open. Charlie chose the guerrilla present opening method and was done in 2 minutes! But there were plenty of things to be assembled and taken out of boxes, so Joe did that while I watched "It's a Wonderful Life."

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!

Aubrey, "Wobby" as Charlie affectionately calls her, and Charlie are kindred spirits for sure! She spent part of the night pretending to be the "Wobby monster" and chased the kids around the house. Charlie, of course, believed her and was hiding. Finny didn't take no mess and ran right passed her every time!

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!)

We eventually made it to the real midnight and banged a few pots of our own.

2009 was a good year, it brought us Quinn and Mackenzie and countless other blessings. Grandma Mary's passing brought a bittersweet end to the year, but I try to think about her life not her death. I know her legacy long surpasses the sadness we feel right now. We try to honor her daily by finding the little "angels" in our everyday lives!

A Charlie Costal Christmas

As Sue McConnell unknowingly pointed out, I haven't blogged in some time since she thought I cut her from my blog! But like the poltergeist, we're baaack!

We've been on our usual tour whoring ourselves around all the towns and their Christmas festivities. We've seen Santa twice and talked to him from behind the velvet ropes on several other occasions! We're known for screaming down from the 2nd floor of the mall to Santa. Finny's 1st attempt was a bit fitful, but the subsequent ones were a success! Hey, practice makes perfect!!

Charlie is really into Christmas this year, but also reminds you that it's not all about the presents. One day, my Mom and I were talking about Christmas Eve and Charlie said "Why are you talking so much about Christmas and not saying anything about Jesus?" I guess the 2 hours twice a week at the Tabernacle is really paying off! And Finny said the other day that he built the Ark (yes, THE Ark) not Noah. I just let him go with it!! And by the way, they are now crediting Noah's wife with helping build the Ark (or at least they are at the Tabernacle), so that's a big step forward for women's rights!!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday with her (a few days late), but I didn't want her not to get cake and a little love on her birthday! The boys and I made her dinner, but as Charlie is too quick to point out "Mommy doesn't cook as good as Mom Mom!" I can't argue with that, but at least she had a night off from cooking and cleaning! I'm shocked my Dad actually didn't make a goofy face in the picture!

We took the boys to Storybook Land in the beginning of December for the first time ever. People drive from all around (Burlington and Gloucester counties) to go to it and it's right here in our back yard and we've never been! Now I know why. Just kidding. It was cute, in a retro, creepy, "Weird New Jersey" kind of way. The lights were definitely amazing! And the kids were just awestruck, but it's definitely a every-couple-of-years thing for me! I'm waiting for the "Jersey Devil" mascot to be introduced there.

We foraged through the tree farm once again this year in search of the perfect Pine. And once again we found it! Getting it decorated was a bit harrowing since it almost fell on us, but once we got it fish-lined to the wall (a patented Kazooti specialty) and then my Dad rigged it from underneath with some boards to stop the leaning... it was all good. The boys just love it. Charlie turns off all the house lights and we sit in the glow of the tree and he calls it "magic." Last year, Santa brought them an authentic Disney World locomotive complete with all the characters for under the tree. The boys sit for whole minutes (wink, wink) watching it go around. It blows real smoke and everything! I love watching them watch it! (And yes, Finny is wearing purple and pink jammies in that picture. Mom Mom got them for them. They picked them out and they both love them. When he's not wearing them, Finny carries them where ever he goes!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my2RKbWWXPE

Sadly, Joe's Grandmom is not doing very well. She's really ill and in a nursing home, but the boys always want to talk to her, so we make her videos and upload them to youtube for his Mom to show her. I thought this one was particularly cute because Charlie is talking about Christmas... "it's not all about playing in the snow and all that stuff!" And then the other video is him hamming it up talking about the Christmas play at school, in which a girl played Joseph b/c he "didn't want to dress up!" He'll wear purple jammies, but he won't dress up like Joseph!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRhkZeHru40

If I don't blog again before Christmas, Merry Christmas and hopefully our Christmas cards will get to you before the big day! Writing them out was a breeze, it's the buying the stamps that trips me up!

A Little Holiday Gift, from all of us to all of you

Pearl Jam Live at Austin City Limits...a historic rock n roll landmark, longest running rock show in American history. Nice live versions of Backspacer songs.

Charlie's 1st Day of Pre-K

Today was Charlie's 1st official day of pre-school at "the Ark" aka the Ocean City Tabernacle. We went in for open house last week, and he and Finny had a blast. But today was the real thing. He was sure to step up the drama last night and tell me how "nervous" he was about his 1st day, and that he didn't want to go there without me (the kid has NEVER clung to my leg... quite the opposite. People would think I beat the child the way he runs from me in public) After a pep talk and some distraction tactics, he fell asleep and awoke this morning to minimal drama. We met Mom Mom and Pop Pop there for a photo shoot (his pre-school is literally around the corner from their house).

Charlie was so distracted by his friend Collin, from last year's pre-school, that he didn't have any time for the papparazzi. When the teacher opened the door, he said "Hi Mrs. Dice!" gave her a big hug and ran in the door. And that was the end of it! He forgot all about me. As Mary Poppins once said "As it should be." When we walked away to go to Ruthie Day, Finny said "I'm sad about Bobbo."

When we picked him up, Finny attacked him with hugs! Finny went running up to him, but Charie ran past him to hug Mom Mom. Then he realized, from the squealing, that Finny was there too!

He had a great day, just as I told him he would. He's growing up every day, and we are loving every minute of it!

Homage to my Ga-rage

Just wanted to send a pic of my garage. If you've never seen it, then this won't impress you. But if you have, (especially if you are Kelli and Ryan who "pimped" my garage just one short year ago and it was an avalanche in less than 9 months)... well anyway it's impressive!!! I'm really hoping to be able to pull my car into it for the winter (at least when it snows... which is a good thing the snow blower didn't sell... I guess.) And if you're wondering to yourself, "self, how do I get my garage this clean?" The answer is YARD SALE baby!!! I was reluctant to let Joe in on my master plan, b/c he never wants to take the time to sell our junk for a Quarter. But we did! We got TONS of customers at our new prime location in Marmora and we sold some junk boy!!! Joe sold his old Umpire gear. I sold stuff I got off the trash for big $$$! We haven't closed up shop for the day and I asked Joe if he wanted me to take a preliminary count of the funds, and he asked me if I knew of a wise man named Kenny Rogers. What does that mean? I'm kidding I know what he means. I think.

I'm also putting in some pics of the boys with the "creatures" Grandpa bought for us the other day. My Dad always used to come home with lobsters and let them crawl around on the kitchen floor so I was so happy we could recreate that memory for my kids!! Charlie was a little scared at first (even though he LOVES crabs and lobsters and always wants us to watch them on Youtube!) Then he warmed up to them and was "tickling their tails." Bailey even got in on the action. Finny got down on the floor, but if one of those "Lobtahs" got into a tangle with him, I think we'd know who would win!! Finny would just EAT HIM!!!

Happy Birthday Finny James!

How quickly they grow up! I find myself reminiscing and feeling nostalgic and my little guy's only 2!!

What a nice little day we had for Finny. I didn't throw my usual birthday bash because 2 of my sisters were away (one permanently) and Suzie just delivered little Quinn on the 31st! He is an absolute doll, btw! Anyway, we had a little party for him at the house with both grandparents and Mo Mo and Matt (who is also about to pop, Mo Mo, not Matt! Thanks, Mo Mo, for making the drive. I know it wasn't easy, but I tried to make the cake and treats worth your while!) Finny napped for a while and I went upstairs to wake him b/c we had ordered pizza, and he came down in my arms so calmly. He was so happy to see the "coo coo keys" (choo choo trains) all over the house, and immediately sat down to play with "Pomass" (Thomas).

We all began eating pizza and Finny just went out to the porch and had a rest on the chaise with his guggy.

He was holding out for the cake. It was the first thing he said when he woke up this morning. I said "Happy Birthday" and he said "Want birthday cake." Just like his Momma! Charlie was really sweet b/c he said happy birthday right away and gave Finny a big hug! They devoured the cake! Then we opened presents. Finny was so calm and loved everything he opened (or should I say that Charlie opened for him!) Every time he got a train, he wanted to open it right away. I read his birthday cards out loud to him, and when I got done reading Mom Mom's I closed it and Finny said, "Amen." Whenever we asked Finny how old he is today, he said, "five." I don't know where he got that, only that he does love counting!

Later, after everyone left, we were all bathed and laying on Mommy and Daddy's bed "nuggling" and saying our bedtime prayers. We always start out with what we're thankful for, and I went into this long soliloquy about Finny James. Then Finny said "Tank oo toys. Tassy (salt water taffy, which he loves). Fireman." I thought that was so sweet. Then he said "Mommy. Bobbo (Charlie). Nuggle." I could just eat that kid!

It's so amazing to see how quickly they grow and change in just one short year. This time last year, he couldn't even walk! Now he sings "Rock-a-bye sweet Finny James" with Daddy every night at bedtime. He also sings "Poker face," "Round the way girl" (by LL Cool J) and "Boom Boom Pow." He's got quite an eclectic musical ear!

I thank my lucky stars almost daily for these two wonderful boys. When they're not driving me bananas, they are just amazing to witness. I am constantly cognizant of these fleeting moments which someday I will turn around and miss. I try so hard to make snapshots in my mind (like today when Charlie hugged Finny) because I know too quickly they will be grown. And of course we happened upon an old man in Shop Rite today who was admiring my "wonderful helpers." And I said "aren't they?" half sarcastically. And he said, "Oh these days are so short. Now I vacuum the house and the vacuum lines stay there for weeks and weeks and I think of the days when I barely had time to vacuum and miss them!" Well, I nearly cried right there in the Shop Rite. I walked away with a tear in my eye, and made sure to say an extra thanks tonight for my two wonderful joys.

Happy Birthday Sweet Finny James!! We love you!

And if you made it all the way to the end, here's a sweet treat... my newest nephew Quinn Cogan Gallagher. Born at 3:33pm on July 31. 8 pounds even and 21 inches. He is just a little ball of love!

Charlie's Big Debut

Look out world, here comes Charlie!!

I had emailed a rep from Sprout a few months ago offering Charlie's services for any of their shoots. Kelli had taken Rae a few years ago, and she got stage fright and wouldn't do it. Then Suzy took Jack and Luke, and they didn't cooperate either. So we thought we'd try our luck when someone from Sprout emailed for Charlie's (free) services.

We went to the shoot this morning. It's for a Wiggles show airing on Sprout August 24. I didn't tell Charlie anything about it, I just told hime he'd talk to some grown ups and play a little and tell some jokes (and he was strictly forbidden from talking about poopy!)

We rolled up in the mini-van at this beautifully charming Victorian in downtown Haddonfield. They had a gorgeous yard and an amazingly renovated home. While we waited for Charlie's turn, he had to go potty. So we went in the house and Charlie "needed his privacy so he could poop." I waited outside and tried not to gape and this gorgeous home. When he finally finished, he had to go into great detail about the condition of his "hot poopy." While I helped him wipe and tried to keep him from continuing his diatribe about his poopy, MY SUNGLASSES FELL IN THE TOILET! Charlie starts screaming, "Your glasses fell in my poopy! Your glasses fell in my poopy!Did they touch my poopy? Oh my gosh Mommy!" I was shushing him and trying to keep the commentating to a minimum, but that only fueled his inquisition. I knew I had to get out of this echo-laiden bathroom and pronto! Now to only keep him from running out and telling the whole film crew what just happened!

Luckily, that didn't happen and Charlie's shoot went off without a hitch. He certainly wasn't the usual boisterous boy we all know and love, but he sang and danced and spoke pirate talk and told a joke and did all the things the director asked. At one point the camera man asked him to do something and he said "oh, that's b/c I got my hair cut." The crew was laughing so hard I thought they were going to have to do a retake. So, all in all, I think he did a really great job. I don't know that he's ready for his own Nick show, but we'll see how it turns out! It was definitely a great opportunity for him. And on the way home he said he "could've skipped the part where Colin (the director) made him say all that stuff. I just wanted to say my own words!" Isn't that the truth!

So be sure and watch (or DVR) on the 24th of August. It's a Wiggles episode on Sprout. The Wiggles are new for Sprout, so I don't know what time it will air!

In other news, I'm also attaching pictures of Charlie's new haircut (his shortest ever!) He's really ready for the Army now! And some pics of Connor crabbing with us in Tuckerton. We had my nephews here for almost a week, and I tried to keep them busy with tons of activities. They called it "Camp Aunt Shanie." They couldn't have given me a better compliment!

The rest of the pics are just some of the things we've done this summer. I took the boys to see Thomas, and Charlie cried b/c we weren't going to the museum too. What 4-year old cries for NOT going to a museum? We went to Dorney Park with the Krechels and Cogan-Helsels and then toured Steamtown USA with the Hennion-Cogans! We also went to the Mets at the Washington Nationals game with the rest of the Costal clan. They watched the game while I walked the sleeping boys around the stadium! And we went to Chicoteague and Ocean City, MD. We saw lots of horses, but while we were there I found out that my first husband, Michael Jackson, had died. As I sat in disbelief and drowned my sorrows in the pitcher of beer I had already begun consuming, Ireminisced on the Michael I once knew and loved! Then we went up on the boardwalk and found the t-shirt... literally 2 hours after he died! Man, they're quick!! But seriously, I know the media beat it into the ground (note the pun, thank you very much) but he was an amazing entertainer (albeit strange and possibly deranged later in life) and my first true love in second grade!! Long live the King of Pop! And as Michael always said "MamaSayMamaSahMaMaKooSah" and "Sham-on."