We had a small family reunion this weekend. It consisted of five cousins, three aunts, my two boys and one of our smallest cousins, baby Jedi. We drove north of Hartford, CT to hand out with Aunt Annette, Auntie Marjorie, Auntie Vilma, Alden, Maua, baby Jedi, Amanda, and Seth, at Mauricia’s place. Gadget kept asking to play with his ‘cousin boy.’ He and Seth are a year and a half apart.

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We took the boys to the Sono Field House on Saturday. One of Gadget’s friends from preschool plays in the Little Kickers league and we thought we’d check it out. Gadget took a class with hubby two seasons ago, and I think he could use some hand eye coordination drills. The environment was very athletic. All the kids had on their sports gear, and the parents were rooting on children from ages eighteen months and up.

I am fairly competitive, but I did hear a dad yelling to his three year-old, “Let’s see some D, Jake! Where’s your defnese?!!” I was a little taken a-back, I mean the kid is three! I don’t think I will be putting any competitive pressure on Gadget right now. I’d like for him to learn the game, meet some friends and have fun. Hopefully, he will walk away with enhanced coordination and an appreciation for team sports.

The Lion loved the field house. He ran around the mesh fence and tried to sneak into a few games. It was clean and big and fresh. I’m super excited Gadget’s friend is already in the class, so I can have real adult conversation with other moms while while the class goes on. I’ll keep you posted if we enroll Gadget.

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The boys play grandparents came over this weekend. In fact, they come over every few weeks and we have a good ole time. This weekend we took the boys to the park, ate some Caribbean food, and then played Phase 10 while the kids napped. We had a great time and look forward to it every month. Their son went to Georgia Tech with us, but we never imagined we’d become best friends with his parents!

I was joking at work today that I hang out with seventy year-olds on the weekend, (which is not a knock at all – my dad is quickly approaching that number), and we truly enjoy their company. It’s hard to find other couples to fellowship with. Especially, other couples that have children and can have meaningful conversations about life, family, values, education and more! We enjoy their wisdom, their perspective and most of all their company. We feel truly supported and that is awesome.

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Traveling solo with two little boys is a challenging task. The first time I did this, I flew to Minnesota to visit my mother when she had a stroke in March. She requested to see the boys, so naively, I booked a ticket for myself and Amari, and Joshua travelled as a lap child. The highlight of that trip was when the flight attendant came around with drinks, and Amari spilt orange juice all over his pants. While I was trying to clean it up, while holding Joshua, I managed to spill a cup of water on Joshua. Amari immediately insisted that I remove his pants because they were wet and cold. That is a totally justified request, except, I did not have an extra change of clothes and it was winter in Minnesota.

Negotiating with a then, two-year old usually finds me caving in, so upon deplaning, Amari wore a sweater and his diaper. We were one of the first passengers off, so while I struggled to open the stroller in the jet way (while holding Joshua), Amari stood and shivered in his diaper as passerby’s gave disapproving looks of my toddler in his nappy. Because clearly I intended for him to travel half-naked.

Upon remembering this experience, I confidently said I would only take Joshua on my second trip to Minnesota this year, because his travel was free of charge. Unfortunately, hubby was still studying for his series 7, and the weekend was primetime for studying. So, I sucked it up and bought the ticket for Amari. This time, however, I booked a direct flight. It was at the expense of me having to drive to JFK to catch the flight. I figured I only have one ten year high school reunion, and would regret missing it because I chose not to experience five or six hours of stressful travel.

Surprisingly, the rest of the flight to MSP was problem free and easy. The boys only cried for about ten minutes on the plane and then went to sleep. (I know I just belittled those ten minutes, but imagine being the passenger in the seat in front of us, listening to two boys cry and whine and thinking, “is this going to last the entire flight?!!!”) When we landed, since we were the last ones off, I asked the pilot if Amari could take a picture with him, and he did me one better. He let the boy command the cockpit!

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My heart is all choked up with gratitude to Uncle A and Aunt Nicky. Last Saturday I attended an all day MLT event in the city, while hubby stayed home to study for his series 7. A dear friend of ours, who actually video taped our wedding, has parents that live in the city as well. I don’t remember the exact details of how they came over the first time, but ever since then, Uncle A and Aunt Nicky have been like great godparents, if such a term exists.


The first time we met them, they took to Amari and Joshua as if the boys were their own grandchildren. Since then, they have visited just to say hi and shared in the celebration for Joshua’s first birthday. Every six months they make sure the boys have Christmas gifts and birthday presents. In fact, Amari received two years of gifts from them before they ever met. Talk about some awesomely kind people.



I asked them to babysit the boys for us, and they gleefully accepted. Can you imagine how great it feels to have people who are caring and trustworthy offer to help you out? I mean, I really, really, REALLY need all the help kind saints can offer. I am no longer too proud to accept help and guidance. When I think of the word support, I envision this couple. Everybody, you need people like them in your life.


Uncle A is full of life and DJ’s HBX Radio Monday through Friday from 7-9PM. You should listen to him! You two, thank you, thank you, thank you! You are well appreciated.

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