Half a Decade

Last week was the big # 5 for you, JD. I can't believe you're five years old. It seems like we came home from the hospital a few weeks ago. Your first five years have been a pleasure for me to have been a part of. You have learned how to eat, play ball, dance, you've have been potty trained, gone through the," Terrible Two's", welcomed a new little brother, and you've been the sweetest son anyone could ask for.

We celebrated your birthday on a Sunday, the 20th, so that the family could celebrate with us. Grandy, PopPop, Nana, Grampie, Meg, Greg, Liv and Dave came over. You were completely excited all morning. You continually asked, "When are they going to be here?" Soon enough Auntie Meg and her crew arrived just before noon, followed by everyone else.

You were SO anxious to open your gifts, but all in all, you did a good job being patient, I mean it was your birthday! Liv so enjoys seeing you and the two of you went off to play in the playroom when she arrived. It was raining out that day, so you guys couldn't go outside to play. Ad, you were sleeping for much of the party. You so love your sleep, wonder where you get that....Mom?

JD, you got some great gifts. Nana and Grampie got you a basketball hoop and it is AWESOME! It has a see through back board and its adjustable from 7 to 10 feet! Grandy and Pop got you cars from the movie, "Cars", and Auntie Meg got you a baseball card album with cards inside. You got lots of other gifts too, but those were some highlights. Ad, still not awake.

Mom, and PopPop made a very yummy Baked Zita, Meatballs, and Sausage meal, and after that we had a cake, your favorite. You requested a, "Big Papi" (David Ortiz) cake with vanilla frosting. Mom spelled out "Big Papi" on the cake and you and I picked out a "Papi" picture from the Internet and slapped it on the top. It was pretty cool!

Finally Ad woke up, just in time for cake...go figure! Ad, you had a good time with Grandy and Grampie B. You and Grampie were raising your hands above your head's and yelling, "Hoooooo!" Eventually Livy, JD, and even Dave joined in! It was quite the scene!

Jd, you had a great day, and were completely tuckered out at the end. We watched, "Funniest Home Video's", a weekly tradition in our house and you were off to bed. During bed time you told me what a good time you had, and you even said thank you for your party. After we were done talking, you were off to sleep.

The next day was your real birthday, May 21! You had school in the morning and soccer in the afternoon. I have been able to take my lunches at the soccer field on Monday's when you play, which I have really enjoyed. It was a cold day, so you wore jeans to soccer, and Mom even let you where your new Papi shirt rather than the standard "South Berwick" shirt and shorts or wind pants! You did a drill where you need to dribble the ball in between cones, I thought you did a great job. You moved fast up and back.

Ad, you especially like watching JD play soccer, and I use the term watching very loosely! You like to walk out there with the kids and kick around the ball. Mom and I always let you go until they are doing an active drill, then we grab you so you won't get hurt. You like to be part of the crew. This day you just wanted to walk and walk and walk and walk. I accompanied you all over the field (and its a big field). We played with the soccer nets across the way, we walked toward the planters on one side of the field, and you discovered a creek on the other. You like this creek so much that when I turned my back for just a second, you were sitting in it! Did I mention that it was cold that day? You also learned how to throw rocks in the creek. Its a very, very small stream/creek made larger by the rain. I showed you how to throw the rock and make a plop. You loved it and proceeded to continue this for about 15 minutes until I grabbed you up. This brought back memories of JD and I throwing rocks in Norfolk for the first time. He loved it just as much. It was actually quite cool to see the similarities between you guys with this.

I left work early this day so that we could celebrate your birthday as a family before you and I left for T-Ball. We opened gifts on the deck as the day was gorgeous. You got a planetarium for your room that works so well, some shirts, and some BIG League Chew. Honestly, I think you liked the gum the most!!

Its now Wednesday. Last night Mom and I decided to tackle putting your hoop together. We started at about 8:00 pm after another one of your T-Ball games when both you and Ad were in bed. We finished just before midnight! It was fun. Mom and I have always worked well together even though neither of us are very technically savvy. We were outside in the dark raising it up, and we even played for about 15 minutes. Mom hit her first shot....I did not!

This is the first hoop I have ever owned. Basketball is my favorite sport and it always will be. Its the best game created and you have to be athletic to hold your own on the court. I love the fact that we have our own hoop outside.
I love that it can be adjusted, small for you and tall for me. I played so much basketball throughout my teen years, sometimes I think it got me through some times. I played in the rain, in the heat, with snow on the ground, and I absolutely had some of my best times with my friends on the court. We would run games all day long on Sunday's in the summer, all day long..

I have to say JD, you impressed me again tonight with your athletic ability. For a while I was conscious of the fact that maybe I was talking myself into the fact that you seem to have natural talent at a young age, but I don't think so. If not, and sports aren't your thing...no problem, but I have to say, its so fun to watch you. How did you get good at this game too, we barely even play? You are hitting quite a few shots on the 7.5 ft height. You love being out there too. You would have played all night if I would have let you.

Ad, you couldn't be outdone! We brought you're little hoop over too, and you would NOT use the little ball. You used the other regulation size ball to shoot in your little hoop. You like to do what your brother does. When he runs, you run, when he jumps, you try your best to jump and when he cheers for you, you get a big smile on your face. Each time you made a bucket, you would clap your hands... and so did I.

Mothers Day Weekend

We were up early Saturday morning. JD, your T-Ball game was cancelled, because the other team didn't have enough players to field a team. Ad, JD you and I left around 10:00 to get to my Grama's house by 12:30ish. We were leaving early in hopes that we would have some time to visit my Grampa's grave which is close in proximity to her house. I was excited to see her. I spent a significant amount of time at her house and she is now showing some signs of Alzheimer's. When I walk into her house its like stepping back into time about 15 years. The scent, the pictures, Grampa's chair, the way she hugs me, none of it has changed.

The three of us arrived in Westwood, MA around 11:40. We stopped first to get flowers for the Mothers of the day and quite a few cards. We headed right over to Westwood Cemetery to pay respects to Grampa. Before we left, I asked you what you thought we might want to leave at his grave. You and I had talked in the past about the fact that he gave me tons of baseball cards when I was young and we decided to leave one of your baseball cards for him. As I get older, I remember him as a larger than life type of person. Fun, energetic and so loving. Once, for a birthday of mine (I was younger than 8), he called a radio station and had them say, "Happy Birthday" to me on the air! I remember it vividly. My Grama says that he was so proud to bring me around to see his neighbors. She said that they would comment not on me as a little boy, but about seeing him with me as a little boy. Oddly enough, I feel myself thinking of him more and more as I get older. I may have had more in common with him that anyone else in my extended family.

After we visited Grampa's grave, we headed over to the "Rezzie." A local reservoir that Grama and Grampa would take us when we were young. I don't know if Grampa taught me how to skip rocks, but I remember first skipping rocks there with him. I would have like 13 or 14 skips off one rock! I can't do it as well anymore.

We arrived at Gram's around 12:30 and Auntie Meg, Uncle Greg, Liv and Dave arrived shortly after. Grama and Grampa Hart were already there with Grama. She was so excited to see us. JD, she loves you so much. She has said that you are, "The special one" since you have been born, and she has said it every time I spoken with her since. My Gram has always, "Gotten it." She just gets it. She "knows."

Ad, you had a good time with Livy. You follow her everywhere and she follows JD everywhere. You played with her little bike for a while and after that, you threw all of JD's cars in the bushes. About 25 of them! I'm certain that there are still some hidden in the bushes at her house!! You had your smile going all day long. Grama said how she couldn't get over the fact that you were smiling, but not trying to impress anyone. Having fun for yourself. An observation I hadn't yet made, but she is completely right.

JD, you have always taken a fond liking to her. I remember when you were so little and just learning how to walk, you took her hand and led her around my Dads house. She has never, and will never forget that. You continue to be so good to her. I think you understand that she cares for you and doesn't pull any punches. If you want to talk you can. If not that's ok too. That's why you want to spend time with her because its on your terms.

After we all left for the day my Dad said that she he has never heard her so appreciative of anything. He said it gave him the willies, to hear how much it meant to her. Driving away was a bit emotional for me as I don't know that I will see her again even as coherent as she was today however, I am hopeful. JD, you catch me sometime saying the word "Hell." For instance I will say, 'Thats a hell of a picture, or a hell of a throw." My Gram is a hell of a women.

After Grams the tour continued! We headed over to Nana's house so that I could spend Mother's day with my mom. She was so happy to see us, as always. You brought her pretty purple flowers and I could see that she was happy to have received them. I didn't want to have Mother's Day pass without seeing my own special Mom. Here you and Ad played with Grampie B for a long time. Ad, you finally opened up to him. You were running and jumping into his arms, and diving into his lap from off the couch. We stayed for a couple hours, it was a great ending to the day. Nan commented how she missed when I lived closer and would bring Jade over randomly on some weekends. We would just stay for a few hours and then hit the road. I miss those times too.

Sunday, Mothers Day, we woke up in our home. JD, you brought Mom coffee and a Mother's Day card in bed. She came down stairs to see the two plants you and I had picked out for her from you and Ad. She loves you guys so much and I could tell right away that she was happy that Mothers Day was here. I told her that every day is Mothers Day, but for some reason she didn't like that.

Mom and I worked hard in the yard all day. It looks ten times better now than it has ever looked since we've lived here. Ad, you and JD had fun climbing on our new mower and I gave you your first ride around the yard. You didn't know what to think at first but before I knew it I saw that smile creeping!

We had finished showering in the afternoon and Grandy and PopPop came over for an early Mothers Day dinner. PopPop and I prepared the meal (I really just pealed potato's!) of steak, salmon, and yummy mashed potato's! Mom has had a challenging year and I felt that today was a nice celebration of that year. She had an awesome time with both of you, Grandy, and PopPop. She made ample time to hug and kiss her boys and to spend time and show appreciation for her parents.

As I look back on the weekend, I look at it as one of the more fulfilling weekends of recent. I enjoyed thoroughly seeing my Grama, Nana's house was relaxing and special, and here at home we had a great time overall. I have been very conscious lately of how busy our lives are. Both of you are more than receptive to the busy schedule. Not only receptive, but you almost embrace it. Why not live life to the fullest day by day? I'm not talking about hiking Everest but we have only two days per week to spend fully together, why not enjoy the whole damn day? You will never be boys who sit inside on sunny days, or who want to watch movies rather than throw a ball. You will never wonder who you grandparents or great grandparents are? I hope you are able to take this time and cherish it. Life should be valued for what it truly is...

Seeds

Well we certainly had a warm week! 80 degrees all week, and its only the beginning of May!

Our week started off pretty typical. Grandy comes over to watch both of you each Tuesday. JD, each week you and Grandy bake some sort of tastey treat. I'm a huge fan of this weekly tradition! You have made, gumdrop men, Krispy treats, mulit-colored pudding, many different types of cookies, and my favorite, Brownies! You are getting good at combining all of the ingrediants. Infact, a few weeks ago, when we were at Chuck E Cheese, the mouse asked everyone what ingrediants it takes to create a cake and everyone was surprised when you knew almost all of them!

This week you and Ad went to JD's pizza in North Berwick with Grandy. You ate near the pond. This was a challenging excursion for her as she had the Lovely Libby, Ad, and you with her!! When you came home you spent the rest of the day outside. You played in your sandbox with your cars while Ad did his thing walking all over.

By the time I came home, Mom was off to work. I asked Grandy to stay for dinner and we had fijitas and listened to music. There is always music on in our house and you typically pick what we are going to listen to at dinner. You cant' read yet so you click around on iTunes until you find something you like. This night was Garth Brooks! After dinner, I gave Ad a bath and you were, once again, a huge help doing the dishes with Grandy. After Ad came down from his bath, your chair was still near the sink. Well, this opened a whole new can of worms for Addie! Ad, you were introduced to playing in the sink! This was one of JD's favorite things to do when he was a little older than you. You snuck your way up onto the chair and gave me that, "I'm doing something that I'm not supposed to" look.

The next night, Wednesday, we had a T-Ball game. Mom had to work and rather than having someone watch you, Ad, I took you with me.
I knew that I wouldn't be able to coach too much, but I figured you would enjoy coming and the other coaches could pick up the slack for the night. JD, tonight you hit the fence on both of your at-bats! It was so fun to watch. Coach Don put you at first base again and the second inning you played second base. You are warming up to the kids very well, you completely love going to T-Ball. I must admit, it was fun to hear Coach Don tell me that you have some natural talent.

Addie, you were a wild man during T-Ball that night. You didn't want to sit still. You kept walking away from our T-Ball field to the other and you would sprinkle your Gold Fish along the way. You played with the mesh baseball fence, and spent a good amount of time hitting the trash can? At one point I made the not-so-good choice to take the top off of a blue Gatorade and hand it to you. You literally poured the WHOLE THING all over yourself! One of the moms of the other kids walked by and watched you as you soaked yourself! Your face, shirt, and a little bit of your hair, was very blue for the rest of the night!!

Sometime within the last week, we bought a riding mower. It seems to be a necesary if we're going to take advantage of more of our land. The first night I tried it out and got half of the "old lawn" done in about a half hour. Mom even gave it a shot!

Today, Friday, PopPop came over during the day and helped Mom do some things around the house. He told me that JD was his apprentice for the day. He put in a new phone jack and you helped him run the wire. He chopped down a tree, and you helped him lug around the wood. By the time I got home these things were done and it was time for dinner. Perfect timing? PopPop stayed for shrimp and pasta.

After dinner I went out and mowed the lawn. I am trying to determain how much of the lawn I am actually going to mow throughout the year. You sat on my lap for a few of the mower run's tonight and Mom came outside to direct me and make sure I was staying in the area we discussed.

When the lawn was done, you and I sat outside on the steps on the deck and talked for about an hour. I had a beer and the two of us ate sunflower seeds while we listened to country music. You thought it was amazing that I put so many seeds in my mouth and were completely mystified at how I succesfully cracked them in my mouth. I tried to teach you how to crack them, but you kept eating them whole! What I didn't tell you is that I don't think I actually learned how to crack seeds the right way until about 10th grade! Nevertheless, tonight I listened to you talk. You talked about your wonderful little life. You talked about school today. How some girl said that she doesn't like you and then came right over to sit next to you. Women never make any more sense than that little girl did today...ever! You mentioned how you want to 'build' baseball and golf fields in the back yard. You asked about how many seeds I cracked in high school, and so many other things. Then, you asked if we could walk out to the furthest point of where I mowed and look back at the house. You took my hand and we walked. You said, "Did you know that this land is ours?"

I had so much fun listening to you and answering all of your questions. Our relationship is so special. I hope it stays this way forever.

"Yee Haw!"

Well Monday is here again.

Saturday was a busy one. The three of us had breakfast and "You Tube'd" the "Dukes of Hazzard." JD, you have been way into the Dukes lately. The General Lee is your favorite car and the other day you asked me if we could paint our car orange and put a number on the side. You love the theme song and are, "Yee Haww-ing" all over the house! Too bad you weren't as into the Dukes last year as I remember the General Lee was at York Beach for a few days.

After breakfast, Mom took you to Karate and Addie and I played in the playroom. Ad, you were playing your basketball game, trains, and throwing the ball into the Strike Zone that we built. You would play for a while and then come over and give me a hug, and then resume playing. You made me feel good.

By the time JD got home you were in for your nap. JD has been wanting to build a block castle all morning but each time we start to build it, you knock it down, followed by a big belly laugh!

Your nap was a good opportunity for us to build his castle. JD, your hand eye coordination has always been good, but you can now really build some interesting stuff with blocks and Lego's. You like symmetry and order in your castles.

About two hours later we headed to T-Ball. Coach Don wasn't there today, so I was the head coach. Andy and Adam helped out a great deal. I put you at first base and then in center field. You did an excellent job catching the ball and throwing hit home to the other coach while you were playing first. You also had a great hit in the last inning. I was a little nervous to be running the whole thing today, but it was really a piece of cake. I really like the kids on our team.

Then we were off to Nana's. I was headed out with Cauf, Chris and Jimmy and night, so you and Addie were staying over. We arrived in the afternoon and stayed outside playing for a good amount of time. You hit the wiffle ball around and AD played with the recycle bin! He also stood up on my old skateboard, luckily Nana didn't see that. Grampie B was over for the whole day and he brought you a new soccer ball and water bottle.

At night you read with Grampie and watched the Discovery Channel. You have so much fun sitting with him while he tells you about tanks, airplanes and anything on T.V. I think the only thing you watched that night was Discovery, and you loved it.

In the morning we hung out for a while at Nana's while Ad took a four hour nap. We had breakfast and watched your favorite "Adult" movie, "Twister." This past week, you brushed your teeth twice a day every day. When you succeed at doing this, you get a small prize. This weeks prize was a pack of baseball cards. I had lots of fun going through them all with you. It completely brought back memories of when I was young. My Grampa used to give me TONS of cards. I remember the smell of the gum and coming across cards of players that I didn't know and how cool it was when I got a card that was familiar. You got Curt Schilling in your first pack! Immidiatley you said, "Daddy, he's the one that had the blood on his sock."

Today, Monday, you had school and then soccer. I took my lunch at the field and you, Mom and Ad were already there. Ad, you had as much fun as JD. You went right out and practiced with the kids, kicking your own ball all over the field. I put you on my shoulders and walked you around when you got tired. You kept pointing, looking for your brother on the field saying, "JD?"

We came home tonight and had burgers and dogs. We've had a few action packed days! We were treated to a nice sunset just before we put you guys to bed tonight. You were a huge help after dinner. They kitchen was in rough shape and you asked me if I could use any help picking it up. You emptied the dishwasher and cleaned the table. You really helped me out tonight. We had so much fun, too. Thank you.

We get so many awesome sunsets here and it occurred to me that I don't even have a picture of one! Tonight I got one.

Still Warming Up

Ad,

You are really coming into your own. Your personality is truly coming out more and more each day. You're standing up for yourself, asking for things your want, and asserting yourself all the time. After one of JD's T-Ball games this week, you and JD and I went to dinner and you kept yelling, "Hi, hi, hi", to a little girl across the restaurant. She was smiling and waving back at you. You both were 'communicating' like this for a bout 20 minutes. Her mom brought her over to see you before she left and and you both hugged! Maybe your paths will cross again at some point. Soul Mates??

Another night this week, you ate chili for the first time. You LOVED it, like most food. After you finished your bowl, you lifted it up and licked up the remaining chili scraps. Where did you learn that, Asbury? You had a giant smile on your face afterwards. You have also learned how to climb onto the couch in the last few weeks. This week however, you began STANDING on it!! You climb up, and slowly stand up while looking to see who is around. When Mom or I come over to get you, you yell and jump face first into a cushion!

A few nights ago you were fascinated with a box we had in the living room. You spent a good portion of Wednesday night in this box. Mom and I were "Organizing" our bills and left the box on the floor to be brought upstairs. You continually would climb in this box and play with your toys. Each time I took you out, you got upset. I moved the box after you went to bed and the next morning, you were looking all over for it!!

JD, this week you went to a farm with your school. You came back with all sorts of new knowledge. At dinner you told us how the sheep gets shaved and how it's wool gets made into sweaters! You seemed fascinated with all the animals and had some fun stories about the dog that roamed the farm. You came home with a sheep picture that you had colored in and then pasted some wool from the farm on it's back. You were a little upset because Hunter from school, stepped on your picture and ripped it. It was an accident, and Mom helped you tape it up.

JD, you and I have already had two T-Ball games this week. Ad stayed with Carli one night, as Mom had to work. You have really improved even over the course of the few games we've had.

You caught a few balls and first and roped a hit to the fence when it was your turn at bat. Last night when you got up, the other teams coach said, "We have a big hitter here," and he moved his team back! They only did this for three kids on the team and you were one!

The innocence that you guys play with is so fun to watch. No one really knows who is good or who will soon improve. There are still some kids that come to games with their gloves on the wrong hand, and one boy came last night without a glove at all. After each game you and I have grabbed a hot dog and we go to watch the older kids play.

Many of the kids know each other on the team, and you are still getting acquainted with them. I asked you last night if you are comfortable around the kids. You said,"Yes, I'm comfortable, but I'm still warming up to them." Two of the other coach helpers coach soccer together. They asked me if I would like to coach soccer with them in the fall. I think I would like to. This would also allow you to be on the same team as Owen and Gunner. Two good kids and the other two good T-Ball players. We'll see how that goes.

Ad, you woke up at 5:15 today! Typically you sleep until 6:30ish but today you surprised us. You and I got up and watched NESN to see that the Sox pulled one out over Seattle. We ate cereal on the couch and you had your milk while I had coffee. You were very cuddly today, which was nice. Continually during the "Sports News" you make, "Oooos and Ahhhhhs." For a while I thought that it was just when someone got a good hit or a slam dunk, you know, something that would require this type of punctuation. I realized today, when you, "Oooooo'd" at the network anchor that it had nothing to do with nice catches, ect. Although the anchor was Hazel May, some would say that she would deserve this type of reaction!

Tonight I cooked salmon and beef on the grill while we all practiced hitting off a tee in the backyard. JD, you and I practiced how to stand when you step up to the plate. .You started to hit the ball into the soccer goal. While you were running off to get one of the balls that you hit, Ad grabbed the bat and set up a golf ball on the tee! Ad, you're always learning from JD...