Touch a what?
Touch a Truck!
Today was the annual Touch a Truck event and fundraiser at our local YMCA.  It features what every kid loves.  Trucks.  Trucks and vehicles of all shapes, all sizes, all ages… that kids get to touch, climb on, sit in, horn blow, wear helmets and head-gear, “steer” and enjoy.  And of [...]

[Read more →]

I was reading the wonderful children’s book, Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey, to my grandsons this morning… and it filled me to the brim with a beautiful slice of my own childhood.
Blueberry picking.  And just like in the book, blueberry picking in Maine.  No, I didn’t get all mixed up with  a mama bear [...]

[Read more →]

A couple of nights ago, Jane and I made a last minute decision to go out for dinner. It was just the two of us. We tossed around a few choices, but settled on a wonderful Italian cuisine restaurant just on the outskirts of town.
It was fairly early, and the restaurant hadn’t filled [...]

[Read more →]

This morning, Audrey came to my home bright and early to get lots of work done… like 7:00 am early. Matt was doing breakfast and pre-school transportation for William and Alex, and Benjamin and Henry (still in jammies!) came to Grandma and Pop-up’s with Audrey.
The Audrey/Jane/Sharon to-do list work began in earnest while Benjamin and [...]

[Read more →]

I was watching all 4 of Audrey’s boys at Audrey’s house this morning when I heard myself say something that I cannot believe I said.
Let me set the scene.
William and Alex were running from room to room in a big circle, chasing each other with light sabers. Living room, hallway, dining room, kitchen. [...]

[Read more →]

Last night, I was at Audrey’s home. Her 3 youngest guys were sound asleep, but William (4) was wide awake and asking to come sit with us and watch “a little tv,” as he put it.
Well, television at night means interesting commercials; not the bells and whistles songs and dances daytime kids’ advertisements. [...]

[Read more →]

A long time ago, while attending college in preparation to become a teacher, I learned something that has come to mean a great deal to me. It’s about kids… but more about character and self and how the heart meets the mind and spirit. And it’s about determination. Here it is:
As teachers [...]

[Read more →]

Ah, an afternoon at Grandma’s! What to do? What to do?
Improvise! (Grandmothers are masters at this!) I think I can say that 4-year old William and 3-year old Alexander had a pretty good time, if I do say so myself…
First, a couple of games with their Webkinz pets… and a great [...]

[Read more →]

On Friday mornings, Audrey participates in swim lessons with William and Alex at their pre-school. Her husband, Matt, watches from the stands with Henry. This is my special time with Benjamin.

Benjamin is almost 22 months old. He is the 3rd of 4 boys… all born within 3 years and 9 months of [...]

[Read more →]

Audrey’s second little guy, 3-year old Alexander, is in a phase where he will wear nothing but a 3-button rugby-style shirt.  He calls them “handsome shirts.”   He does allow a handsome shirt to be worn over a long-sleeved shirt at the insistence of Audrey on these cold winter days, but he will not go anywhere [...]

[Read more →]