FamilyMatters

And Vacation Begins....

Pete left today - by himself to drive to the land of cheese for 12 weeks off.

I could tell he is worried that I won't be able to handle it -- 2 kids, working, pick up, drop off, the schedule.

Anyway -- so it begins. Mike with a combo of sitters and playdates, Liam in school and the ever-popular TAP (therapeutic afterschool program) every day and then out on Thursday, and Lee juggling, while Pete drives East - stopping to see Patrick, making annual stops at every Cabela's between San Francisco and Eau Claire, and driving long stretches alone with no one to talk to unless he picks up the phone.

Sunday after the choir picnic the boys and I fly to Wisconsin and then it's weeks of camp and swimming and golf and grampa.

What an awesome thing for everyone. We never would have thought of it if mom hadn't gotten sick - but then it was the thing to do - pack up and got spend the time she had left in the land of cheese. Of course that was so much longer than anyone imagined -- 4 summers the boys were at the Green House with my mom and dad. And now this is the 3rd summer since she died and we're on our way back.

It's a huge gift to spend so much time with my dad on the lake. A "real" summer at a slower pace doing things they love with their dad around.

Who would have thunk it?

"Oh My Gosh!"

Liam has -- yet again -- added vocubulary to his repetoire. 

"I Love You."

"Are you Mad?"

"Is Mike in Trouble?"

"I have OT today. No school Tomorrow"

His latest sentence however is "Oh My Gosh!" said with dramatic emphasis and with great repetition.

Sunday was Mike's debut at the organ during church. He played the prelude and the postlude -- it was a great day! During the announcements Rev Julie asked if anyone had announcements and Liam raised his hand and Julie called on him and Liam pointed at his brother and said "Mike! and he wiggled his fingers like he was playing the piano. So Julie said "and yes, thanks to Mike Caraher for playing the organ today!"

During the postlude -- Liam interrupted Mike -- he was so excited, but Mike recovered. Afterwards everyone clapped for him and then Liam came running out of the vestibule and yelled.

"Oh My Gosh!"

How Is This Helpful?

On Friday -- Mike's first day of summer vacation, he helped me do a few things around the house and out and about.

I had finally gotten around to arranging for cupcakes for the  Gatepath SSF Senior group that had made me two purses for the Gala. Mike and I stopped at Walgreens on the way over there and got one of those music cards for a Thank You Card.

So we go and Scott is there to receive the cupcakes and sugar free cake -- and we spend a few minutes there - and a few of the participants come over and check out the boxes and introduce themselves. And then it was time to leave.

Then Mike and I are driving to the next stop -- Mike is pensive -- I can see the wheels turning.

"Mom -- why are those seniors there instead of at the big building?"

"Well -- some of them live close by and some of them can't really tolerate a lot of noise."

"But MOMMMMMMM -- you GAVE THEM A MUSIC CARD -- HOW IS THIS HELPFUL?"

A discussion about ambient noise and constant noise did nothing to aleviate my son's belief that I was torturing the participants  -- with much rolling of the eyes and earnest discussion, he implored me not to do that again.

With Michael around, who needs a conscience?