Joshua's tooth saga...

Well, tonight while I was getting dinner ready for everyone, Joshua was standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden, he said, "Mommy, I just lost my tooth". I responded appropriately, "I hope that the Tooth Fairy comes tonight." He was distraught. He said that the tooth flew out of his hand. So, we searched fruitlessly on the kitchen floor for it (it's no surprise that we couldn't find it; I haven't cleaned the floor in a week in anticipation of the Cleaning Woman coming on Friday!) So, I told him that he can write a note to her explaining his predicament. He thought that was a great idea and went hurriedly away to write. "I can't find my tooth- I lost it"... He is so funny! We placed the note instead of the tooth inside the envelope. I sure hope that she will still show up even though there is nothing for her to take away, only money to give away! And, it's his fourth tooth and we just started this tradition of giving him the number of teeth he has lost in dollars, so tonight is a $4 debt!

Mother's Day 2009

What a lovely day I had today! I was lucky to be able to sleep in until 7'ish this morning. The boys slept at Aiya's house and Jonathan watched the little ones. We went to Brunch at Owen O'Leary's in Brockton. It was nice to see everyone. We had 18 people in our party. Afterwards, the boys went to Auntie Robyn and Uncle Jeff's house with Aiya and Auntie Lee. Then, they went to visit Papa at the Rehab facility. Jon and I came home. He put the littles to nap while I thoroughly detailed my car (it came out awesome, if I do say so!) Jonathan mowed the lawn. It looks fabulous. I received cards and gifts from everyone, which were all very sweet and special. However, the prize goes to Benjamin for the "Happy Mom's Day" card he made for me at school. I hope it's ok with him that I share with you all what he wrote. It brought tears to my eyes when I read it tonight (the card was missing for the day!) Thanks to all my wonderful children! I love you so much!
It goes like this:
Your eyes are as brown as a chocolate kiss. Your hair is as black as a blackout. Your smile makes me see possibilities.
I appreciate that you take care of me. Also, you always help me with homework. I am thankful you get me toys.
I enjoy when you take me to Walmart. I also enjoy when you take me to the movies.
I love it when you call me Ben-Ben. It makes me feel happy.
You mean more to me than all the Bakugan in the world (high praise, indeed!)
Happy Mom's Day 09! Love, Ben
P.S. These are not all the reasons I love you!

Benjamin Dodgers baseball...

Benjamin is very excited this year about his baseball team, the Dodgers. He is in the Minor League now, which is slightly akin to the Professional League in Canton kidsspeak. They take it VERY seriously at this level. There is either a practice or a game every other day. The boys are aged 9 through 11 years, quite a large span at this level. Benjamin is probably the smallest in his age bracket, never mind a group of 10 and 11 year olds! The kids on the team like him and say that he is good. When I went to the game the other night, one of the boys said, "Ben is good. When he goes up to bat, he has a low strike zone and the pitcher has a hard time throwing strikes. He gets alot of balls and gets walked." I witnessed Ben getting walked and then scoring a run in the second inning. Yippee! I kept saying that Ben is the Team's Secret Weapon Walker! He stole a base, made some good plays in the field, and was scheduled to pitch on Saturday. He did not end up pitching because he arrived a few minutes late. He will get a chance to pitch some other time. I have been meaning to ask him to write a Blog entry, but he has been too busy playing ball... I will talk to him about it tomorrow. Until then... Play Ball!

Lots is happening... here in the Cohen household

Well, as I sit here in front of the computer, many thoughts come to mind... some are happy, some are sad, and some are somewhere in-between... First, the sad ones are for two young women who have passed away; they were both less than 48 years old. One is Su, a friend of our friend's Julie and Dave Landman. She and her husband and two boys were living in Germany while her hubby was on assignment for the Dept of Defense. Unfortunately, she is not coming home. The other is a friend of our friend's Wendy and Bill Barrett. Her name was Michelle Schreibman. She and her hubby have two children also (though much older than Su's are). She was a wonderful woman who always smiled and had a contagious laugh. She was a kind and gentle soul who would not hurt a fly. RIP Su and Michelle. It brings to mind my own mortality, as I am now 40 years old. Life is just precious and we never know from day to day what will happen. It sounds cliche, but I really do try to live in the moment and enjoy the blessings I have been given. At least if I die tomorrow, I will know that I have lived life to the fullest.

On the happier side, I watch our children grow, learn, experience, develop, test the limits, thrive, etc. Noone could have ever imparted to me of the joys in being a parent before I experienced them for myself. Little Zachary (18 months now) continues to say words out of the blue that just amaze me. Today he said, "pillow", "broccoli", and "outside". Yesterday it was "balloon", "flower", and "pocketbook". Before you know it, he'll be saying "Maserati" and "keys"! He is just a delight to be around. Whenever you catch his eye, he smiles. It's like an automatic reaction that gets triggered when someone gives him attention... He seems to be very bright, as he understands EVERYTHING that is spoken to him (or even what is not spoken to him, but to someone else). He has been known to go directly to the front door and grab his shoes and jacket, when he hears me say that it's time to go. He also is very accomplished at putting things in the garbage or missing the mark then saying, "ah oh"...

Little Samantha is loving Preschool at Cole-Harrington. She lights up the room when she walks in. One little boy in particular, Jacob, runs over to greet her. Ya know, she is a novelty, since she only attends two days per week and many of the other children attending every day. She usually comes home from school in different clothes than she left the house wearing. Already, she is a clothes hog! Actually, it's because she is constantly getting her long sleeves wet from washing her hands, so the teachers change her shirt. Hopefully, now that the warm weather is here, we won't have this issue. She is definitely 3 years old, no question about it! She is defiant, uncooperative, and uses the word "no" alot. At the same time, she can be sweet, loving, and helpful. Welcome us to the Terrible Threes!

Big Joshua is doing his thing. He loves Cub Scouts and Hebrew School. He is such a loving spirit and has alot of energy. Today he gave me a poem that he wrote for me for Mother's Day. It goes like this, "To Mommy, 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 to 6, you have been the Best mom!!!!!!!!!!!!" Signed with a heart, the date, and his name. I almost plotzed, it was so sweet. He really craves attention and is trying to find his place in the family. I realize that he is the only one without a real placeholder. Benjamin is the first born, Samantha is the only girl, and Zachary is the baby. Joshua is a special child and challenges me to be my very best, most patient self. I love him for helping me grow as a mother and woman.

Big Benjamin is actively involved in many things. He is taking Guitar lessons, Cub Scouts, Hebrew, Minor League Baseball, and has PACE (gifted program) and is learning the Recorder at school. He has a few good friends that he loves to have Playdates with too, Aidas and Troy. Ah, and the Bakugan obsession, how could I forget to mention this above with Joshua?! Benjamin and Joshua are fascinated by it. They play it at recess, they play it at home, they talk about it constantly. Joshua even sometimes sleeps with his Bakugan collection! Ben has a scoresheet that he made up for the group of kids that play at school. Benjamin is very smart and excels at most everything he does. He is considerate, compliant, and cooperative. Not to mention handsome! He is usually a fabulous Big brother to Samantha, especially. It's hard to believe that he is entering 4th grade next September.

Well, that's all for now. I know that there is more, but I am too tired to continue, so for now, adios!