Days with the Dorans

(I tucked Sean's medal under his sweater for picture day).  I think I mentioned that back in December that we decided to leave the preschool where all our kids had gone (and Sean was going).  He had been scratched twice by the same boy (drawing blood) and both scratches were frighteningly close to his eye.  Both scars you can still see (one is pretty dark and  still really bothers me).  That being said, we found that the whole experience has been a blessing for us.  We're really happy and Sean loves "Miss Kim's School" and often talks about his friends and how he fills his days (though I also get a little note telling me what he did, too).  He also has music class on Mondays (which he loves) and special random classes like Karate (I believe I mentioned the beloved medal that he hasn't taken off since he got it. He literally sleeps in it!).  They have fun days throughout the month where they get to dress up or bring something spec...

Last weekend, Ali had a full weekend of dance.  She competed with her class on Saturday and on Sunday was able to participate in a workshop.  This was our second year doing this so Ali was a lot more relaxed.   We carpooled both days with Amber and her mom, Julia.  I first met Julia when Ali started dancing in kindergarten.  She was really nice to me as I felt like I didn't know anyone (most of the girls -if not all- had started dancing together in preschool).  Ali and Amber have become friends and so have Julia and I.  I've been able to meet even more moms this year and it's been fun to finally get to know some of the girls as well.  We can be so busy that often our routine is one person dropping off Ali at the studio and the other picking her up after class.  It's actually nice when she has a block of classes but this year her classes are spaced out more (which has forced me to stay really- but the up side is I have met more people)....

I don't know when or how St. Patrick's Day turned into Christmas (actually our kids don't get anything really, but the thought of a leprechaun being in our house gets them up as early as Santa does).  Joe woke us at 5am to tell us that his trap had failed, but that there was a clue on it (and so the tradition of the St. Patrick Scavenger Hunt continued...  In addition to the hunt, you could see someone mischievous had been in our house.  I forgot to take a picture of Joe's first clue, but I did get the rest of them... You found your first clue, now you have to go  to the instrument played by the kid named, Joe! -The Piano- For your next clue, you won't need a map Go to where Ali makes a tap! -Ali's Tap Board- Let's not forget Zach who can be in a mood. But he's good at always giving the dogs food. -The Dog Food Containers- (Z went right there... the Bigs were looking in the pantry.) You're doing g...

 I'm not quite sure when Joe started making plans to catch a leprechaun (I suppose I could go back and check my St. Patrick's Day blog posts), but it seems it has been a while.  I thought perhaps he had given up this year, but come Sunday night (March 16th), there was Joe planning a new way to catch the little booger! He had quite an elaborate plan again but it was hard to take a good picture of it.  Jeff even gave him a hand in hopes that Joe may finally get his wish of catching a leprechaun (or "at least a hat or shoe from one").  Joe has asked lately if leprechauns are really real and seemed to be a little unsure, but seeing his trap assured me that he still believes...

 Well... There are a lot of things I feel like I should be catching up on.  Things that happened before Cobi left us and things that have happened after and yet it pains me a bit to write about anything that may be happy.  Perhaps it is my way... I remember with Andrew finding a comfort in the sadness.  Like a warm blanket almost. Our house feels so strange without him.  I've stepped out on the deck most nights to say goodnight to him and blow him a kiss.  It feels like he should be out there.  Perhaps he is. He had a place~ in every room and it's so strange with him not being there.  Even as I type this, he should be on my right, curled up like he would, taking a little nap.  I can almost hear the rhythm of his (healthy) breathing. I have found my friends to be such an incredible comfort.  I've gotten calls, cards, emails and messages offering loving words and support.  I've also gotten some amazing books that have made ...

Well, we knew this day would come.  Prayed that it would be clear and it was. On Sunday night I laid with Cobi as I have (more so in recent weeks).  He asked to go outside at one point and he was out longer than usual.  I called for him to come inside and he didn't come. I had been cleaning the kitchen and I thought perhaps I had let him inside.  My brain isn't the best. I ran upstairs and to all his favorite places, but he was nowhere to be found.  I grabbed my shoes, wrapped my arms around me and went out to the cold calling for my baby, in a panic.  He came to me slowly from out in the darkness and when we got inside I sat with him, wrapped my arms around him and cried. As promised.  He had told me.  This was it. Somehow I went to school and made the call.  The last appointment of the day was at 5:20pm and since Joey wasn't getting home until 6:00, I took it as a consult and then also booked the first appointment for t...

Last week, Joey got his braces.  I was excited to get him from school and take him to his appointment.  Joey wasn't scared about getting braces (if he was, he didn't show it) and was looking forward to getting out of school a little early.  There was a bit of excitement when I picked him up (he'll remember the story and so will I) with another student and some police and Joe was pretty funny.  When he left his room to come to the office, he was asked by his principal to not watch what was going on and go back to his room (I don't think the principal knew he was being picked up).  Joey said, "But I knew you were here mom and my braces were important so I just closed my eyes and didn't look.  I counted to ten and they were gone so I knew I could come to the office.  Sorry I am a few minutes late." Thankfully we made it to the appointment on time.  The office is heaven to a kid.  There are video games, soft-serve ice cream machines and a...