back to boston

there and back. james, jeanne and i headed back to boston for a long weekend. we got to meet little kevin and bridie. what cuties!!! it was SO nice to get in some family time before the holidays. mom and dad had gotten the christmas tree up, and i was more than happy to put up lights and my favorite ornaments (some major weeding was necessary!) cookies were baked, santa was seen at the local movie store, nest was raided (my mom's store), and rocks were thrown in the frozen duck pond. good times were certainly had by all. it was SO wonderful to catch up with my boston sibs. kev is hard at work at the law firm, shan is a mamaste whirlwind, mike is busy studying law, and katie certainly has her hands full (doing what it is she and i should be lauded for- mommying while managing to stay sane... only she looks better while doing it.) john and james were the goofiest peas in a pod, and when lupe was over the 3 of them were the best of pals. the day we were leaving, the monitor in my room let us all listen in on their sad conversation-

lupe: james, i sure am going to miss you when you leave.

james: yeah.

lupe: and you're going to miss john, too.

james: yeah.

amazing the way our little 4 year olds can voice their sweet emotions. another funny conversation (here's some background- james and john were playing in the kitchen and i forget the details, but something got spilled or broken... at least there was a loud noise or something that made katie head in to see what was going on...)-

katie: john, did you spill those?

john: no.

katie: james... did you?

james: no.

(katie walks out of the kitchen but hears this whisper...)

james: (to john) whew! that was close!

jack was also very excited to have such a friend in cars and trucks and construction. he and james naturally had a LOT in common! bridie was just an angel. those eyes! they are so dark and warm, and just make you want to smile. kev is just a little wiggly puppy dog. he reminded me a lot of jackson cressy in the amount that this kid smiled and kicked. he is one happy boy! and they had all been thinking HE was big! well, jeanne put them all to shame with her cheeks and thighs, and ankles,... she and john also tried rice cereal for the first time while we were out there. who knows how it went... that stuff is so messy, and they seem to have more fun spitting it out than swallowing any of it... and maeve is truly cindy loo who. what a sweet cherub face and voice. i think she liked the thought of being jeanne's big girl cousin. they looked pretty cute in their matching plaid dresses (pleasant coincidence!)

and now we're back! the trip was a blast, and james was such a happy and helpful travel companion (put him on a toll road or in an airport and he's in heaven!) jeanne can cross her first flight off her to-do list. she was pretty good, too... and i think i did pretty good, as well!