Apple Picking at Lewin Farm 2017

We ran out to apple pick for 30 minutes yesterday, just to have a little tiny bit of normalcy. The kids loved it like crazy, and we now have 11 pounds of apples to eat.

In front of apple orchard

Picking

Stetch

Pull

Success!

Bag it.

Reaching for the high one

Perfect little red

So happy

Cheese balls

Time to check out

Amparo and Jen Visit 2017

My godmother, Amparo, and her daughter, Jen, whom I like to pretend is my godsister, visited last weekend. They're awesome. Ampy brought delicious arroz con pollo too.

Jen, Amparo, mom, me

Bob visited too!

Mom Moved In With Us 2017

Mom moved into our house a week ago. We're over some initial move-in bumps. There's lot of stuff to do relating to medication, hospice visits, and especially with sorting out Mom's previous life. Little by little, Kevin and I are making progress.

Mom hanging out while kids play together

Miranda is happy to have Nana here and hangs out with her a lot

Nana's room is all decorated now!

Other side of Nana's room

Miranda and James are sharing James's room.

 

Other side of kids' room

Miranda hanging with Nana


Sleeping Beauty Stealing Nana's Bed

Also, Mike and Havi sent us dinner the other night and I finally got mom to try Thai food. Of course, after years of resisting it... she liked it!

James in Sound Beach Soccer 2017

James had his first soccer game and practice (in that order) on Saturday. The team was surprisingly good considering they hadn't practiced together yet. Our "Team 2" won 3-1!

Besties on Team 2: James, Kyle, and Darin

Bob came to the game.

GO Kyle!

Go James!

Darin got a goooooooooal!

Kyle comforting James on the sideline after James got injured.

The sisters of the players, Miranda and Caris, practicing yoga.

Mom in Hospice- September 2017

Mom's cancer treatment was cut off recently because it had become ineffective. She had additional growths on her liver. There are no other kidney cancer treatments available that she hasn't tried.

Subsequently, Mom took a turn for the worse over Labor Day weekend, and her doctor sent her to the ER on Wednesday. Bob was with her all day Wednesday while they slowly decided to admit her to the hospital. Bob and I were in the hospital with Mom on Thursday and Friday. Friday night I moved her permanently to Long Island to be near me, Kevin, and the kids.

Mom's oncologist recommended hospice as the next step. She's past the stage where she can reasonably do any kind of assisted living arrangement. Mom and I weighed hospice against rehab and Mom decided hospice was better to manage her pain. Hospice is a type of care not a place. She's temporarily at a facility while we figure out how to adjust her pain medication and get our house set up to move with her in with us. She'll get hospice at our home as well once she moves in.

Kids, Kevin, and Mom


Mom took a selfie. Yep.

Kissing Nana on the way home.

Miranda's First Day of Nursery School 2017

Miranda started school! Her teacher is Miss Dee, and the teacher's aids are Miss Jackie and Miss Jaime.

Preschool, 3 years old!

With her big brother.

Her first day ever was Wednesday, but since her brother started Tuesday I dressed her up like she was going too and took pictures of them together. This worked out especially well because her real first day was super rainy.

Real first day- with Dad

Real first day

Real first day with mom outside preschool

Miranda told me that she met and played with lots of kids. she and Ella played with the kitchen together. She met a girl named Jordan but didn't get a chance to play with her.

She told me that they painted a school bus, which was obvious because she was holding it when she came out. They sang songs, including Old McDonald's, which she serenaded me with once we were home. She had a snack which she described as "a backpack of goldfish and jellybeans!" Actually, I packed her lunch and it was a snack-sized Ziplock of goldfish, fruit snacks, and a juice box. Not the healthiest ever, but I was trying to make the first day fun.

Returning to the Mommy N' Me location but on her own this year!

Her special hook right next to her friend Ella's hook

She looks dubious here but she smiled right after I snapped the photo.

She's already forgotten all about me. Haha.

She seemed super happy when I picked her up.

Ready to go home- and it's sunny now!

Her new besties Ella and Jordan

Me: So you liked school?
Miranda: I love going to school. I love going to the playground. I love going to Great-grandma’s. I love going to Grandma’s. I love going to Ella’s house. I love going to the beach.
Me: We do all that stuff because we love you so much.
Miranda: And you give me kisses and hugs.

Then she proceeded to tell her painting of the school bus, "I love you so much!"
Me: Your Painting?
Miranda: It's yours now.
Me: But were you telling me you love me, or the painting that you love it?
Miranda: The painting.

Me: Did you learn anything? Did you do letters or numbers?
Miranda: Yes! I learned numbers!
Me: What numbers?
Miranda: C, Y, W, X, and X!

We have a little work to do I guess. But I'm sure she's going to do great!

James's First Day of 1st Grade 2017

James started first grade! It's his first time actually returning to a school for the second year since he had a different nursery, preschool, and kindergarten locations. He's feeling like a big deal this year. His teacher is Miss Gambino, and his friend from Kindergarten Michael B is in his new class. He's still seeing his friend Nolan every day on the bus.

First grade, 6 years old!

Miranda is starting school this year too!

He enjoyed the first day but then missed his stop on the way home. Much drama ensued. My blood pressure went through the roof. When it settled, he told me about his day and spent a lot of time telling me about his assigned school number and how they use it. He also told me about a girl, Madison, that's both on his bus and at his table in 1st grade. Looks like a new friend already! 

Photo with Dad

Photo with Mom at bus stop

Hugging goodbye before bus

Oh goodbye!

First-grade class!