Crossover Pack Mtg cont...

I forgot to mention just how touching it was to watch the older Scouts pass down their neckerchiefs to the younger ones by placing them on their necks. What a great idea! Now all I have to do is buy new hats, slides, a shirt for Benjamin since the Webelos one is tan, not blue...I'd better get on the internet to buy some secondhand ones...Gotta go!

Last Cub Scouts Pack Meeting of the Year...

CROSSOVER BBQ is the word of the night... We just returned from the last Pack Meeting of the Year. What a fun time we all had! Aiya and Auntie Lee were generous and kind enough to come along to help out with the Littles. And, it's a good thing they did! Samantha and Zachary were quite busy running around the UCC Church exterior and interior, basically any place they could discover. The boys played games, were awarded their earned awards, and were crossed over into the next rank. Benjamin became a Webelo 1 and Joshua became a Wolf Scout. The year has flown by. It's hard to believe that it's the end of it for now. The boys have enjoyed it a great deal; they have many memories of good times with friends. Thanks to the Den Leadership of Sue McDonnell (Ben-Bears) and Gina Franco (Josh-Tigers)! And, to Jonathan, for all his hard work in helping the boys attain and track their Achievements. Check out the photos!

Joshua's Tooth Saga continues...

Well, the Tooth Fairy was called upon again this week. It happened this time at Costco while Joshua was biting into a hotdog. All of a sudden, he exclaimed, "I just lost my tooth!" Thank God he didn't swallow it! So, I made a big deal of it. Joshua asked me to call Daddy, which we did. It is one of the front teeth, so it is highly visibly missing, yet he looks so cute, just like a little jack o'lantern! The next morning as I was sitting in the study before anyone else had awakened, I remembered that I had forgotten to take the tooth from the carefully-placed envelope and put money under his pillow instead. Panic set in. I ran upstairs and was saved by the bell. He was sleeping in Zachary's crib (a new habit he has!), so I was able to sneak in quietly and do the deed in his own empty bed, pillow just waiting to be picked up. When he woke up, I asked him if the Tooth Fairy came. He was concerned that he had only been given $3, instead of the $5 that he was expecting (since it was his 5th tooth...this is a game I started with him...$1 per tooth). I told him that the Tooth Fairy must have run out of money. Benjamin almost spilled the beans this time. Sometime in the last 3 months or so, he figured out that the Tooth Fairy was Truly Yours. He mentioned it, but Joshua did not hear him (THANKS BE TO GOD!) Wow, is our first son so grown up at 9 yrs old that he already knows the truth about this charade?! That means that in the very near future, Jon and I are going to be mere mortals rather than the hero and heroine we once were to him!!! Anyhow, in the end, all is well with the Tooth Tales... Let the saga continue...

Flag Day Parade at Cole-Harrington June 12, 2009

Another year at Cole-Harrington for the Cohen's, another Flag Day parade... This year I took Zachary in the carriage and walked with Samantha and her class. It is so cute to see all the kiddies dressed up in their Red, White and Blue outfits with their homemade, decorated hats and accessories! It had rained in the early morning, but by the time we were set to march at 10:00 am, the sky had brightened some and we were in the clear. Everyone loves a parade; that's for sure! Check out the photos...

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!