Light Beneath the Blue Evening Moon

Date nights. Love 'em. Shoot...why wouldn't I? A night in dress up clothes; going somewhere fun, a little adult drink and conversation away from the pressures of real life. Whispering sweet poetry on a magnetic board at a candlelit booth for two. What's not to love?

We were supposed to go away for an entire weekend to celebrate 15 years of being married. Wow, that is weird to say. However, the flu bug decided to fly into our home. So, we settled with just an evening out taking in the show we planned for. This was our gift to one another; concert tickets to one of our favorite bands, The Tragically Hip. Thank goodness we are blessed with two great aunts and a cousin who braved the Newton house of cooties to take care of the boys. So, off we ventured all hyped up on Motrin, with Halls throat lozenges in hand.

We left early enough to grab dinner in Armory Square and stop at Clark's for a pint. Funny how this evening was the first time we noticed we were hanging with a grown up crowd. No more college hang outs for us, I guess. We have evolved. Isn't that a nice word for "We're Old"? Anyway, every conversation we accidentally, on purpose overheard was about "The Hip". So many people in one tiny place doing the same thing. And, here's the head-scratcher...the band loves hockey. The first time we saw them live, Noah was dancing in utero. Who would have thought it! The boy was born a music lover and hockey player.

This band, in my humble opinion, are edgy, raw, and a bit eccentric. (Kind of like my husband.) Their lyrics are like poetry. Sometimes you get 'em and sometimes you don't. But, the music! Oh that loud, but yet sweet music that they tie to Gord Downie's words...it just keeps you coming back for more. Four times more in our case. But, this viewing marked a first. The first time spectating that I was not with child! Oh, what bitter-sweet bliss.

We ended the night with a stop at Dunkin' Donuts to refuel our bodies and heal our killer sore throats with some hot beverage. 'Cause DD keeps you runnin'! My plan upon arriving home was to tackle some midnight laundry. But, when, what do my wondering eyes should appear, an aunt angel surrounded by stacks upon stacks of clean smelling gear!

Needless to say, we had a nice time reconnecting under our blue evening moon. A date night that happens...once in a blue moon.

Some of our highlights:

I wish you all angels that wash your dirty digs while you are out having fun!

Halloween - Newton Style - 2009

Just a quick glimpse of Halloween for Uncle Ken and Aunt Jane...our faithful blog readers down there in SC that asked about our costumes. A shout out over the internet waves of well recovery therapy for Uncle Ken.

We had a busy day on Halloween. Owen had practice in Pulaski; Noah a game in Oswego. This is our first year of experiencing what many families do...one parent with one child, one with another during sports. The five of us met back up at Uncle Tom and Aunt Nancy's in Mexico for lunch with a preview of their amazing Halloween display. They put on a show for approximately 500 kids in their neighborhood. Or should I say, for several neighborhoods. As I am sure the families come from miles to get a treat and a couple of tricks from the Widell Family. And, let me tell 'ya...they don't skimp on the candy at their house. No Tootsie Rolls or Willy Wonka that you can buy a bazillion of for $10. They drop the big dollar and give an assortment of Hershey's candy bars to their brood of followers. They have many life size animated characters that they display, inside and out. Truly, next to our three, they are lovers of Halloween.

From the Widell's we traveled to all of the Grandparents and Uncle Gary and Aunt Alli's, meeting up with Uncle Matt, Aunt Kate, and Big E to share our Halloween tricks and treats. The treat bags were full and we should have called it a night. But, oh no, the night didn't end there. Noah's friend Adam and family invited him to make the village rounds with them this year. Yeah, know...big kid style. And, big candy. I'm speaking gluttony. I'm just wondering...can you donate the candy back?

Owen and Sam had dates this night. With their special gal pals, Lucia and Gianna. Funny thing was Lucia was Dorothy and Gianna, the Good Witch. Owen was a tiger, that we substituted as The Cowardly Lion and Sam was the Flying Monkey. Many fun compliments on the costumes, thanks to Great Grandma Vi who made them years prior. (Hand-me-downs rock!) We had great fun spending time with the French's at their Grandparents house with many of their friends.

We already look forward to next Halloween!

P.S. Poor Isaac. He stays home now, no more trick or treating for him. We used to dress him up and take him with us. I know, get a life, you non-dog people are thinking. That was prior to Owen and Sam. I don't know if it was my guilt this year or if I-Z really felt left out...but, that face and those droopy ears asked us...leaving me again?!

P.P.S. Noah is wearing his Great Grandpa Sischo's clown costume. Grandpa used to wear this while playing with his band on Halloween. How cool is that?!

Gross-Out of the Week

Our gross, but funny story of the week:

I was doing the dishes and hear this slurping noise behind me. I start talking out loud to the dog without turning around. "Isaac could you make a little more noise drinking?" To my surprise mid-sentence, it wasn't Isaac drinking water out of the dog dish...it was Sam. He was on all fours, and apparently thirsty. I stood frozen for a second, with I am sure the eeek, ewee, gross look on my face. As a turn to grab the dish, I see the camera on the counter. I just couldn't resist. We won't need naked baby pictures to torture our son with when he brings home the first love of his life!

Sam's First Haircut

I cried, I sobbed. Later that day, I cried again. Writing this now...four days later...I am crying again. What is wrong with me? A haircut of our youngest has triggered some type of melt-down.

It has hit me. We are officially done birthing children. No more babies. Are we complete as a family of five and dog in tow? Our family has been blessed with three, is that all there will be? With our crazy schedules, how could we possibly fit another in? With our ages - my husband thinks I am off my rocker. My body, my brain, and the doctors have said no more. But, my heart, oh my heart, it still swells knowing that I could love another. So does a woman ever get over that tug, that yearning? Why am I so divided? Am I supposed to do something with these feelings other than suppress them?

Tomorrow is a new day. Another day to enjoy the three lovely boys we have. I will smother my family with love.

A Bushel and a Peck

"I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck...you make my life a mess...a mess of happiness!" - Doris Day

Owen Is a Hockey Player

So much has been going on that I have been failing at our posting duties. I will try to catch everyone up, but in the meantime...here is a picture of our newest hockey player. Isn't this the bomb!? I can't wait to have our family check him out on the ice. He was pretty tired after practice last night. The coaches skated the kids for an hour and a half, so he didn't think he wanted to go back. Today he has since changed his mind since he knows that Saturday is only an hour practice. We have a crazy schedule now with both Noah and Owen playing, but so rewarding! I love being a Mom...a hockey Mom.

Isaac Says TGIF!

I waited, waited, and waited some more. Finally, the big yellow bus pulled up. Wag, wag, pant, pant. It's Friday!

"There's just something about dogs that makes you feel good. You come home, they're thrilled to see you. They're good for the ego."
-Janet Schnellman