The things I hear...

Yesterday we were having some issues in the morning getting ready to leave for the day. Some days things go by smoothly and then there are days where..yeah not so much. So I was on Loren's case to start moving a bit faster or we'd be late. I sent her into the bathroom to brush her hair while I ran upstairs to finish getting myself ready. I come down and I see Colin running by with a dish towel. I stopped him and asked him what he was doing. Here's the conversation:

Me: Colin...what are you doing?
Colin: I have to go mom...I'll be late (he runs into the bathroom where I follow him)
Me: Colin...why are you shining your sisters shoes with my dish towel?
Colin: I'm her servant Mommy. I have to shine her shoes.
Loren: Servant, my hairbrush is too wet...please dry it(as she throws it at him)

Yep..this is what I deal with. I'm thinking of just taking her College Fund for his therapy sessions.

Finally...the weekend!

We finally made it to the weekend. Another chance for rest and hopefully the chance to kick yet another bug out of this house. We've been sick most of the winter and it's getting pretty old..pretty damn quick!
Shawn was out and about today fixing computers and making some $$$ on the side, so I had the day alone with my guys. My guys. My sick guys. Both ended up sleeping the day away on me. We had what we call a "pj day". Basically, no one got dressed. But we had fun. It's nice to have a lazy day to just enjoy them.
So today's funny story. One of the computers that Shawn worked on today is for a women in her 50's. She's very religious and very prim. He took Loren with him. I was hoping for her best behavior while they were gone. She comes home and says "Mom, look what Auntie Jo gave me" (Jo is Beth Lalli's aunt...hence her being Auntie Jo)and she holds up a deck of cards..."Auntie Jo taught me how to play poker!"
Shawn assured me that Jo jokingly asked if Loren knew how to play...so after a fierce game of go fish..Loren now thinks she knows how to play poker.

We also had a new "addition" to our extended family. Diana's daughter gave birth to a little boy last night. Jakob made a dramatic entrance into the world. He's just beautiful and I'm sure Diana would've been so proud of her daughter and her new little Grandson.

Today's pictures are a few randoms of the boys.

Sad

Our old house on Mallard Circle is under foreclosure. It will be auctioned off on Wednesday. I'm really saddened by it. We (and all of our family and friends!) put so much work, sweat, blood, tears and heh..money into that house. We were the second owners and I felt that with each thing that we re did, it came alive again. Probably a little more than silly to be sad about a house, especially when we have a nice roof over our heads, but that house has such a special place in my heart. We had a lot of great memories there. Our first Christmas with Loren, her 1st birthday party, bringing Colin home from the hospital, his baptismal party. Our family started in that cute little cape.
I hope that the auction brings a new family a fresh start at life. I hope they have the happiness that we once had there.

A day to remember

Today is a very special day in our family. January 13th 2008 would've been my mom's 52nd birthday. It seems like she is still with us but another part of me feels like she's been gone for so long. Sometimes I wonder if I'd remember her voice, her touch, or her smell. I think about all that she is missing with the kids. And I'm so thankful that she was able to be with Loren those first few days of her life. My mom would've been a hands on grandma. To the point of distraction for me ... but she would've been with us as often as she could. I think that she'd be thrilled with the girly girlness of Loren since she never had that with me. Colin would bring lots of smilies and I'm sure he'd have stolen a special place in her heart just like he's done with all of us. Quinn ... being the "baby" would've been different. He's so much like Shawn...and she adored Shawn. It truly is like having a smaller version of him running around. Her heart would be full of love. I hope she's proud of what her "kids" have accomplished with our own family. I hope she looks down at us and misses and loves us as much as we miss and love her. Happy Birthday Mom. We love you.

Our First Post

Life got busy and our old family website was left unattended for too long. We thought it was time to pass along some of the fun that we experience each day with the kids. Since this our first post..I'll catch up to where everyone in the Clan Skelly is.
Shawn- Rooting for the Patriots. I don't think anything in his life will change until football season is over
Nicole- Opening a new branch!! We are just two short weeks away from the new branch being open. I don't think anything in her life will change too much until it's open!
Loren- First year of Kindergarten is halfway DONE. She is doing so well. She's reading some words and practices almost every night when she gets home. She is currently in gymnastics once a week too. Beam seems to be her best exercise..just don't ask to see her jumping jacks.
Colin- Our Judo man. Colin takes Judo twice a week at the Boys and Girls Club. He is the youngest in his class by about a year. It really has improved his listening skills...although we still have a lot of room to work on! He enjoys it though and had his first "take down" before Christmas. He took down a little boy that is Loren's Kindergarten class. We were proud. It's just a matter of time before he takes down Loren. Oy Vey!
Quinn- He's the beast. He's been gaining weight and growing like a weed. He's trying to talk and has perfected "Mama" "Dada" and "baba" . He's been trying to stand on his own and always finds a way to get into the cupboard that he's not allowed in. He pretty much has given up baby food. He spits it out and wants people food. I think he'd be happy with a tall glass of milk and some oreo's!
and speaking of the Chunky Monkey...here are two of his latest pictures: