Meeting Cole's Heroes

Tuesday (10/16)
Let's face it... what characters do most people want to see when they go to Disney World?  Mickey & the princesses?  Well, not today my friends.  This morning Jim & I had the morning off of kid duty (thanks to my in-laws) and everyone else on the trip headed into Hollywood Studios for breakfast with Jake from the Neverland Pirates, June from Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso. 

I think that you can tell by the photos that a blast was had by all and luckily... Cole decided that he liked the characters today.  And Summer was super excited to dance with ballerina June! 

We met up with everyone after breakfast and attempted the Disney Junior show, but partway through Summer got scared of Captain Hook (and really this show is not scary at all).  I left with her and Cole followed me and we left all the adults inside to finish the show! When we exited the show, who did Cole spot again but Jake! And even though he had just seen him at breakfast he wanted to stand in line to see him again, so that is exactly what we did.  I have tried to take the approach of letting the kids' interests guide our trip as much as possible as it leads to less meltdowns and creates a better trip in my opinion.  We've been there many times before kids, so I don't feel like I'm missing anything by doing this.  After Jake, we saw Handy Manny, Buzz Lightyear & Woody from Toy Story.

Jake comparing boots with Cole

Holding hands while waiting in line

Posing with Buzz & Woody

Being out a little too late Monday night soon wrecked havoc on Cole's mood and he began to lose it a bit.  We headed back to the hotel for a nap and wound up changing our dinner plans.  Instead of heading into EPCOT for dinner in Mexico, we opted for dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney.  This would enable us to park close to the restaurant to get in and out more easily and could do a little shopping if the kids decided to cooperate (which they did).  This is one of my favorite restaurants.  All pieces of the restaurant are from Ireland and they have AMAZING food and often have live entertainment.  On the night we were there they had Irish dancers.  Summer was fascinated to watch and even got to join in and try some steps herself.  It was so cute and she got a little certificate for participating.

Returning to the Happiest Place on Earth...

After about a 15 hour drive and an overnight stay in Florence, SC.... we made it to the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Disney World last Sunday.  Check out the view from our room....


Giraffe & Ankole Cattle from our balcony

We thought about heading into one of the parks for a bit, but when we asked the kids what they wanted to do first the resounding answer was THE POOL!  We had a quick dinner at our hotel and then went swimming. 

MONDAY (10/15)
Monday morning we headed out to Animal Kingdom for Donald's Safari buffet breakfast.  Cole decided that he did not like the characters and did not want autographs or pictures with any of them.  Summer on the other hand was a major ham with all of the characters and was super excited that the chef made her special non-dairy waffles and brought them out complete with a scoop of non-dairy butter and a little pitcher of her own syrup.  (I really can't say enough about the food allergy program here at Disney, but will probably make a separate post about that later). 

After breakfast we all went on the Safari and then split up in a couple directions afterwards.  Everyone wanted to go on the rapids except for Princess Summer who doesn't like to get her face wet!  (Cole had an absolute blast on the Rapids and then at Festival of the Lion King)  She decided on her own that she wanted to go shopping and reminded me that she had her own money to spend.  They have been saving money in the banks for our trip and received some additional money from family for the trip.  I loaded this money on gift cards with their names on them and the deal is that they can buy what they want, but when the money is gone they get nothing else.  We went through a store with loads of little girl toys and she like a lot of things.  I kept reminding her that we should look at all of the choices before making her final decision.  We did find a Princess Castle that she loved but was more money than she had on her card so we decided to put that on her Christmas list for Santa.  Here are her final picks for the day:

After shopping we decided to hit up some characters while everyone else was doing rides & shows. 

 



 

 

Summer & I really had some great Mommy/Daughter time and it was really fun for me to watch her do exactly what she wanted to do.  She also got so excited for me when we saw Eeyore... she squealed, "Look Mommy.... It's Eeyore your favorite!". 

 

Cole had an equally fun time with everyone else! 

 

After some rest at the hotel we headed into the Magic Kingdom for the evening.  Jim and I were super excited because we learned that they were having a dress-rehearsal for portions of the new fantasyland!  We got to go on the new Ariel ride (which Summer & Cole were scared of because they thought it was going to get dark) and look at the new castle and sampled a LeFou's Brew which was a delicious frozen treat.  After dinner they finally got to take Mom-mom on the teacups and rode some other rides before heading back to the hotel for the night. 

 



 

I'll try to get caught up on the rest of our adventures this week. 

 

PS - I know that it appears from these pictures that I only have 1 child, but Cole DID NOT want his picture taken on the first day or two of the trip.  Don't worry he overcame this and is in many more pictures later in the week.  

We made it 4 years!!!!

It is true... I can hardly believe it but 4 years ago we started this crazy ride of becoming parents to not just one, but two babies at once.  Two babies that came just a little bit too soon, but did great and today when we take them to the doctors they exclaim every time... well you can't tell they were preemies!

 

 

It's so hard to believe that these tiny babies, less than 6lbs each... came home attached to monitors and now are in Pre-K.  They know the alphabet, they can count, they can spell their names and even WRITE THEM!  They are little sponges soaking up so much knowledge every single day. 

 

They have such an incredible bond with each other, a bond that I honestly never thought I'd see form (you would only understand this statement if you endured Summer's biting phase... which before daycare started her sole victim was Cole).  It's not always perfect... they definitely get upset with each other.  When she gets her temper up and I can't calm her down, he soothes her and convinces her that it is alright.  She is his other mommy, taking care of his every need.  In fact now when they play, I'll hear him calling me.  When I respond, he says "no, Little Mommy" meaning Summer. 

 

 

  

 

 

Cole is always running full-force.  He's my bull in the china shop, always falling, running into things, not looking before he leaps.  But he needs his cuddle time with Mommy and lots of it. 

 

 

Summer is bossy, but silly.  She almost always wakes up on the happy side of the bed.  She's gracefully and typically walking on her tippy toes.  Loves her Mommy, but knows that she has Daddy wrapped around her finger and DOES use that to her advantage. 

 

There are so many people that have helped us make it through these last 4 years.  From the bottom of our hearts.... we thank you all for whatever you have done for us.  



It's so hard to say goodbye...

I know it's been quite some time since I've written and I will update you all on how we spent our summertime soon....

This week I lost my last grandparent.  I count myself extremely blessed to have had as much time with my grandparents as I have.  Especially when I think of the fact that Jim only knew 2 of his grandparents and he lost his last one 10 years ago.  I learned so much from all 4 of my grandparents... so many things that I will never forget.  I enjoyed my time with Mom-mom until I was 20, with Grandma until I was 26 (just 1 day before my egg retrieval to conceive Summer & Cole), with Pop-pop until I was 30 and with Grandpa until I was 31.  It's funny though the stories that you never hear until after they are gone. 

Like these 2 that were left in the guest books in his online obituary:
To the Reilly family: My sympathies to you all. Mr. Reilly was my Principal at Hauppauge Middle School from 1971-1974. He was a good man and leader for the school. We appreciated his service to the community as well.
I remember in the late seventies, Leo,Carl Beck and Jerry Borrell and myself visited several school districts in upstate N.Y. that were including girls in their industrial arts program. It was a time when the subject of Industrial Arts was connsidered a program for only male students. Leo and his middle school administration recognized that the culture of America was changing that women were to included in all aspects of education. The visit made us extremely aware of the success the female students were having in these upscale school districts and why we should be proceeding in the same manner on L.I. Under Leo Reileys direction he implemented the first industrial arts program that included girls as well as boys. His insight into this is fondly remembered by myself since my close assoc. with him as Supt. of Instruction was to support his innovation. Once we implemented that program in Hauppauge it became a requirememnt throughout the state. 

I knew my Grandpa was a great man.... he raised 8 wonderful children with his wife of almost 60 years.  He loved and nutured 12 grandchildren and his 6th great grandchild was just born this month.  But it's so nice to hear that he touched those outside of his family as well.  Although his children tell stories of the stern disciplinarian (after all he was a principal) father, his grandkids know the real story.  He was a patient man who loved our Grandmother dearly.  He watched her soap operas with her, loved to golf and always made it to the early bird specials in Destin.  He made sure that the doors were double and triple locked to appease her and even remembered where she hid her real purse.  When we were young and in school, he would always ask about our teachers.  Every year he would ask, "what is your teacher's name?", followed by, "does she have 4 fingers and a thumb on her right hand?".... yes... "i know her". 

Goodbye Grandpa.... you will never be forgotten!

The simple things that make kids happiest...

Today we visited some twinnie friends for a day of swimming, playing and picking some fresh corn from their farm.  Our day was complete with scooping some froggies from the pool before we could swim in it, swimming, floating, splashing, noodle races, snacking on popsicles and fruit, more floating.... several hours later we picked some fresh corn for lunch and played.  When it was time each of the kids were asked what their favorite thing about our play date was.  Both sets of twinnies (ages 7 and almost 4) said picking the corn... even the set that live on the farm!  An entire day of swimming fun and the 5 minute task of picking food to eat was their favorite part.  It's funny sometimes the time and energy we put into planning activities to keep our kids entertained and sometimes it is the simplest things that make them happiest!

Playing catch up

Oh we've been busy these past few months...

Easter...

The next generation of cousins (The Hazletts, the Days and the Neals)

In our Easter finest

Aquarium fun...

A ride on the boat

Lizzie the Hippo

Cousin Sleepover...
My sister and I decided to try sleepovers with the kids.  But instead of having all 4 kids in one locations, I took the girls (Summer & Hannah) and Kim took the boys (Cole & Noah).  It was a HUGE success.  I have to say that I REALLY enjoyed myself.  I got to spend a lot of time with my nephew Noah was he was born and for at least the first 2-3 years of his life.  It was really nice to get to be an aunt before I was a mom.  Hannah was born when I was 3 months pregnant with the twins, so needless to say... I did not get this bonding time with her. 
I was a bit nervous because typically when all 4 cousins are together, Cole, Noah & Hannah play together and Summer plays tea party in the corner.  I wanted to plan some activities out of the house because I wasn't sure if Hannah would be thrilled with Summer's plan of playing babydolls and dress-up for the entire weekend. 
First up was painting pottery....  Summer picked a high heel cell phone holder (because every girl needs more shoes!) and Hannah picked a Lightning McQueen bank.  This was a huge hit for both girls. 

Once we were home, Hannah quickly got into playing dress-up (and it was the first thing that she asked me to get out on Sunday morning!) and daycare with the babies.

Saturday night was spent at Bounce U, which was another huge hit for both girls.  Check them out on the HUGE slide!  They probably went down 100 times! 

Then on Sunday morning, we headed to the aquarium with Aunt Yiz.  Both girls chose their own outfits.  But I'm glad that my girly girl daughter and my tom boy niece had a super fun weekend that they could both enjoy!  And I really enjoyed getting to spend some special time with my hilarious, fun, well behaved, appreciative niece.  It was so nice to get some quality bonding time with her.  

Cole also had a super fantastic time at Aunt Kim's farm.  She has a lot of built in entertainment at her farm.  



May 11, 1999

It was one month after I arrived home from two weeks in France on exchange.  I had missed my mom so much while I was gone, but she sent me several cards and letters in that short time frame.  If only I knew that it was preparing me for being away from her forever.  I came home from school that day and called her at work to check-in and tell her that I loved her, just like I did every day.  She came home from work and started dinner (meatloaf, which I still can't eat to this day).  Liz & I both fell asleep, which I truly believe was because we weren't meant to see what happened next.  collapsed on the floor in the bathroom... unresponsive... waiting for the ambulance... waiting in a private waiting room for news of what happened...  massive brain aneurysm...  ICU...
She was sustained on life support for just a week before we were told that she was now brain dead...
We were told she was a candidate for organ donation and were asked to decide what the next step would be...
She left at a time that was supposed to be so happy for me, the very end of my senior year of high school... but through her death she gave life to other families hoping for their miracles...

My prom was in just weeks, but luckily we had finally found a dress just a few short weeks before after searching for what felt like forever...
My high school graduation was coming up in just a month, how would I make it through without her there taking pictures like she always did... but guess what?  I was blessed enough to have so many others to step in and fill the void... and we all made it through...  we were numb...

For her 3 daughters, she missed 2 high school graduations, 3 college graduations, 2 weddings and the birth of 4 grandchildren.  But through all of those milestones, we were blessed with others in our lives who stepped in and filled the void.

However, now that I have children of my own... I long to ask her the questions that only a mother could answer... did I do this or that? what did you do when this happened? Unfortunately, as hard as I try... no one can completely fill that void in my life... and it hurts...

I also finally see how much she truly loved me (which may sound strange).  Of course I knew she loved me very much, but until I actually had kids... I didn't understand how much love she had for me, because it is truly a very different, unexplainable kind of love...

I watch Summer growing up (not that it's not similar with Cole, it's just that she's so much like me) and I feel like it must be just like my mom watching me grow up.  It makes me so happy to watch that happen, but so sad that she isn't here to help me through this journey and enjoy her grandchildren.  I am the person that I've become because of her and because I lost her.  Losing her shaped a large part of the person that I am today... how different would I be if she was still here??

It's been 13 years without her... the person that I was closest with and I don't know why all of the sudden I am having a much more difficult time this year than in recent years past.  I can't exactly explain why...

We've had a similar loss this year within our family and sometimes watching someone else experience the same pain that you once did seems as though you are watching yourself go through it all over again.  It's as if you spent all of those years winding a bandage tightly around the wounds, only to have it ripped right off when you least expect it...

I'm having painful flashbacks that I actually don't think I could have remembered that clearly one month after losing her yet now I find myself remembering so vividly on my commute that it leaves tears streaming down my face...

I feel very blessed still.  I don't wish that it happened to someone else instead of her, because I wouldn't wish the pain on anyone else.  Losing her brought people into my life that I might never have had the opportunity to meet.  Losing her meant many families received more time with their loved ones because she gave them the ultimate gift... the gift of life!  How could I wish that didn't happen for them.  But that doesn't change how much I miss her and how I wish she didn't have to leave us.  I am blessed to have those people in my life whether they've been there from the beginning or that I met along the way that have helped to fill the void that was left behind when I lost her...  I hope you all know how much you mean to me and how I wouldn't get through any day without all of you <3