Monday, September 29, 2008

Springfield




Jean-Paul's dad, Papa to our kids, is not doing well. We headed to Springfield to visit with him and to check on his mom. If you were to Google "the natural process of dying" you may come across many lists of what to expect...yet it does not prepare you.

Papa is 84...he is a neurologist, a husband, a father, a grandfather...he has an amazing story. He is tired.

Saturday night after dinner we took a walk by the lake across the street from Papa and Meme's house. The same house that Jean-Paul moved into when he was not even one. It is a very special place to be...it is where Papa wants to die.

It was a nice to be at home with Papa.


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A few photos....


from our weekend in Springfield.
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Friday, September 26, 2008

Thanks Marina!



I lost a great friend and colleague to cancer a short time ago. She was amazing. She loved my children, was a great mentor, and one of my "moms" here in town. After Marina passed away her son and another friend had a garage sale and her son gave Travers a box of old playmobile toys. It must have been a sailing set and a hospital judging by all the incredibly teeny-tiny pieces that were in the box.

Well...just yesterday something sparked Travers' memory and he asked if he could play with the toys in the box that Marina's son had given him. He said he would play on the table so his sisters would not eat or loose the teeny-tiny pieces.

He started playing. About 30 minutes later he said he was hot and needed to take his shirt off. He then asked...under his guidance and on the table....if his sister could join him. They were thrilled...but also wanted to play without a shirt on.

Well...I kid you not...almost 2 hours later the kids were still playing. Isabelle was putting someone to bed (not knowing it was a hospital bed) and rocking them to sleep. Travers had set up every little piece and told many, many great stories to his sisters. And Amelie loved putting the hats, shoes and clothes on the people.

Marina must have been smiling up in heaven watching the kids play with something that was obviously special to her and worth her keeping. She would have loved the stories and would have joined in the play. She would laugh. Thanks! I miss you!
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Thursday, September 25, 2008

What would Randy think....




I remember watching Randy Pausch speak on television and he said to let our children paint their walls if they wanted.

I wonder what he would have thought about stickers. The kids "decorated" the girl's cribs with every sticker in one of their sticker books and worked very hard on their masterpiece. I just loved to watch them work. They had so much fun and were so proud of what they had done.
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Another fun day


The girls and I headed to Gymboree the other day. We stopped to say hello to the boar...the girls are now pointing and naming all the animals that live at the boar's feet! It is so amazing to watch them learn! The girls current Gymboree class only has about 3-4 kids in it but no worries Isabelle and Amelie can play anything together! I just loved watching then on the rocking horse!

It's hard to believe they are two...where is the time going! I am just trying to enjoy every possible minute!

Isabelle also insisted on wearing her Dora backpack! She also wore her cat halloween costume to Travers soccer practice last Saturday...she just makes me smile...she is just so...Isabelle!Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 22, 2008

50 Years




50 years...wow! Over Labor Day we headed to Meme and Papa's (Jean-Paul's mom and dad if you couldn't tell) to help them celebrate 50 years together. It was so nice to have the whole Wong family together.

It was a busy weekend and took it's toll on Papa. Over the weekend he had a stroke that left him unable to talk or ambulate independently any longer. It was a bittersweet weekend. Papa is so respected and loved by his whole family....it's been a very hard process to watch.
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Poor Isabelle

Oh...and did I mention that Isabelle loves her brother's old PJ's? Here is Isabelle in all her sick glory! This picture just made me (and her dad) laugh! I hope you feel better tomorrow sweet Isabelle!
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Sick Day

Isabelle woke up this morning with a low grade fever so I kept the girls home from Mother's Day out. What to do on a sick day when your daughter feels good at times...clean out the closets!

The girls had fun helping me and each found an old pair of Travers shoes to wear all day! Amelie chose the Cars snow boots and Isabelle the Diego sandals. They would not take them off! Isabelle even wanted to sleep in hers! Let's see what tomorrow brings!
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Train ride anyone?

I know it seems I have mentioned the weather in almost every recent post but it really is unbelievable!! So...the kids and I decided to take the train outside so we could continue to enjoy the weather. The kids had a great time but I really had to play referee to have the kids take turns!

Can you guess who was the one who put up the biggest fight when it was time to get off? Amelie! She was so mad until it was her turn again!
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Sunday, September 21, 2008

The box




At the Family Fun Fest (aka: school carnival) there were lots of great prizes to win. And many of the games were set up so even the youngest child could win.

So what was Isabelle's favorite prize? This Cars box that she found. She has carried it around with her since Friday filling it with various things, washing it with wet wipes, and even sleeping with it. The box is actually disintegrating! I just have to love Izzy!
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Family Fun Fest




We had a great time at the Family Fun Fest at school. These are not the best photos but oh well.
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Long Walk



Our weather has been unbelievable lately. The girls and I took a long, long walk the other day...about 6 miles...and stopped for a snack and a drink on our journey. We all had a wonderful time!!
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Eat cake!





The girls wanted to eat some cake when we were at the grocery store the other day...so we compromised and bought cupcakes!
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

More Salsa!



My girl LOVES salsa as I have mentioned before. It always makes me laugh. A chip to her is simply another spoon!! I love you Amelie!!!
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