Ylenia just sent an uplifting report from Abruzzo. It’s posted in yesterday’s comments.
Yesterday, Denis’s mother, his two sisters and their families came to our house for Easter dinner. Denis’s mother Nora, about whom I plan to dedicate an entire blog page soon, is recovering from a knee replacement, which has barely slowed her down. She’s incredibly energetic and vivacious and really just had the surgery, but came bustling in with her cane, barely limping.
Denis’s youngest sister Betsy is the only one with small children now. Her boys are ages 11, 9 and 6. I miss having kids around during holidays and admit I was a little sad this weekend. I even bought egg dye, but decided not to dye the eggs because nobody wanted to dye them with me. And nobody would be hunting for them.
Then, Connor, Liam and Blake arrived. Here’s Liam with the elf.
Our elf is a very discerning creature and will make herself scarce when certain children visit – children of the pinching, dropping varieties. But she adores the Hylton boys. She thinks they have impeccable manners and has no idea that they secretly make devil ears behind her head when she’s posing for pictures.
Betsy regaled us with hilarious stories about the logistics of being a working mother who manages these active boys’ schedules. One story involved a certain boy being told to pee into a cup, because there was no time to stop on the way to a hockey game. The next day, Betsy, recovering from a rather fun party, was driving the boys to another game. She was a bit parched so she took a swig from the drink in the cup holder next to her …yada, yada, yada …much spewing of warm liquid and foul words from Mom.
The boys walked up to the barn to feed the horses with me. Liam is very smart and talkative and is at an age where he is interested in facts, so I learned a lot about fossils, math, baseball and the human body, during our walk.
“Did you know that the smellier your poop is, the healthier you are?” he asked.
“No,” I replied. I must admit, the news pleased me, but it seemed unlikely, so I said, “it seems like the opposite would be the case.”
Liam stopped in his tracks and said, “Wait, no! The BIGGER the poop, the healthier you are! It’s because your digestive system is working well. I read that.”
I wanted to hug him then. Finally, somebody who is interested in talking about the stuff I like to talk about. I miss having kids around, especially kids at that age. There’s really something amazing about the 8-12 crowd. I love them.
I’m glad you spent the Easter day in children’s company, they are hilarious and joyful and make you think about nice things.
Glad to hear Ylenis’s spirit might be picking up.Also the working mother of 3 boys interested me aswell as I too am a working mother of 3 boys mine now 21,19& 15 but I agree the holidays just aren’t the same now my but are cheaper lol miss halloween the most love to decorate the pets always found the eggs on easter before the kids so had to find better spots so were so good didn’t find them till holloween.At least you had lots of family around for diner always fun my brother had it this yr and now he has gone away for a week guess we were hard on him
Isn’t this little guy the same noodle that was at your house during the holiday (Thanksgiving, maybe)? So cute!!
Can’t wait for the blog devoted to your mother-in-law, sure that will be a great one. Very cute little guy in those pics.
What better than a blog post about children and pets, just adorable!
: )
Hi Lisa, no that was Liam’s little brother Blake. I can’t figure out how attach a photo to comments but just type Blake into the search bar and you’ll see him. He’s the cutie with the glasses. I just noticed that Liam and Coco have the same coloring – that must be why she’s so fond of him!
Ann,
Glad to hear you had a nice holiday. The beverage story was funny. I miss that age too, but I have 2 grandchildren in NY that I’m sure will enlighten me soon enough with wonders of the human digestive system. Glad to hear Ylenia is doing a bit better.
Dear Ann:
I missed out as to who won the contest on Lulu.
Also, I think it is wonderful that you are going to do a page on DL’s mom (and then yours!). And then you??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcIWo6Hdfg
And this is a commercial, now on you tube. And I wonder that I may just even qualify NOW. And then I think: wait a minute, I just got HERE!.
I mean, if it were not for the HRT’s (hormonal replacement meds) I ‘bojoo’ (or get teary) because there is a cat on the TV screen, because I think of something that touches me, or whatever other miscellaneous normal stuff.
Also, found one video/song from the rappers/raegue, which I really never related to before… and it is in Spanish but from South America. The music is fantastic but if I post it I will also include the text (translated to the best of my ability!). And why do I want to do that? because I think it is the new Nerudas.
Bye for now
Lupe
What a sweet blog entry. I see a lot of Leary in that little boy! I had no idea you enjoyed “poop talk” too! We’re potty training a 2 year old over here, and I can’t get over how funny it is when she yells from the bathroom, “Mommy, I made a big turd!!” Now say it without pronouncing the “r” in “turd.” I love it.
Things get so busy and so stressful, but I try to savor every moment of being home with my little ones. Yesterday was one of those perfect days, even after we found the dead bird on the porch. My four year old said a prayer that God would take away his pain (awwww), and he starts and ends his prayers with a very enthusiastic “Dear GOD!” This is all from the kid who would scream “I don’t wanna pray!” at his Christian preschool at the beginning of the year.
Sorry to go on. My mom is out of town and I usually share all this stuff with her
Hope your spirits are improving, Ylenia. We’re thinking of you and hope everyone had a Happy Easter!
Sounds like a wonderful Easter day. That little guy is so cute. My nephew stayed with us. It’s amazing how cousins never grow old. My son and nephew are both 17, but listening to them laughing and joking this weekend I couldn’t help but mentally picture them younger. They just pick up where they left off the last time (tormenting older cousin and running with the dog pack). I bought egg coloring too. I cracked the shells so the deviled eggs looked tie-dyed. sorta. That’s as far as I could go. It does make you wistful and sad.
How wonderful to have real conversations with the innocent. He has yet to become inhibited by the world!
Gotta love them!
Ann:
The first paragraph of this post made me say to myself, “I must comment on this! It’s so loving.” What a treat it must be to love your mother-in-law so deeply.
The second paragraph brought empathetic pangs of sadness to me, because I, too, have no one around to enjoy the small traditions of holidays. (My husband is the Original Holiday Ruiner.)
The rest of the post made me laugh with delight. Liam seems to be an amazingly astute and entertaining little boy. And Betsy’s (great name, by the way…) story about drinking from the urine cup is too, too hysterical.
When your family gathers, it must be a wonder to behold. Everyone sounds so fun and smart and witty and balanced. Thanks for the terrific blog. Today is horribly windy, rainy, and cold here in Indiana. Your observations and writing skills made my day much brighter.
By the way, should you ever need an idea for a blog, I would be interested in how you manage to accomplish so much–in your daily life and in the grand scheme of your life. I am neither ambitious nor confident, so am always entranced and curious about people who can be so productive and interesting. Have you always been this way, or have you gathered the skills as you moved through life? Just a thought…
I cant believe I left out the funniest story about the nephews (it involves a very unfunny subject, but still I have to share). One of them – I believe it was Connor – asked Betsy what happened during the 9/11 attacks. Betsy said, “Well, these bad people, who were very anti American…” and Connor interrupted with, “Were they Democrats?”
“That’s it, no more Fox News!” said Bets.
You are so very right about that age group….they still know how to keep the fun and joy in life. I teach 6th graders and last year, while undergoing chemo, surgery and radiation, and some days it was my kids in class who helped keep me laughing. They bring everything with them in such innocence and have no idea just how much they can bring to you–and your holiday. I love them all; it’s why I love teaching….sounds like you had a fun day with a terrific family.
As the old saying goes folks “Out of the mouths of babes!” I happen to love the ages 3-9 they seem so inocent yet so wise.If we could only keep that as an adult with out getting others pissy
Ann-
I’ve got a question for you. Are you as disappointed as I am the President’s new puppy is from a breeder and not a shelter? I am a huge fan of his, but just feel super let down that he accepted this gift from Kennedy instead of following the promise to rescue a dog. And the story about the dog being returned once before seems concocted at best. I know there were other factors involved (allergic daughter, wanting a puppy…), but still… just… very discouraged as shelters are filled to the brim, and puppy mills are being raided for horrendous conditions. To say nothing of it sadly playing into the “elitist” label.
Wonder your feelings on this. A whole new blog entry I guess. Didn’t mean to change the subject. Just know you are such an animal lover, thought you might give your take.
In the bigger scheme of things (like earthquakes and the economy) this is minor. But it still bothers me. Not that I wouldn’t vote for the man a second time. Just feeling really disappointed today.
Easter Eggs……here we also have Cascarones.
They are egg shells that have been opened on the smaller end, cleaned out, dyed with many colors, decorated with glitter and anything else you can imagine. Then they are filled with colorful confetti and the hole on the end is covered with a piece of colored crepe paper that is glued on. They sell them by the dozens during San Antonio’s annual Fiesta Week. They are then used mainly to crack on someone’s unsuspecting head! We let our kids use those for Easter as well, until our son tried that with a hard boiled egg on his grandmothers head! Well – it WAS funny!
Awww……this post was so sweet and funny. As most of them are.
But the pics of Liam w/ your elf are so sweet and the conversation you had with him on the way to your barn is hilarious! It’s good to know I am healthy. 
Might be too old to start trying, (41 in May), but adoption has always sounded great to us.
It’s stories like these that make me want to have kids.
Thanks for sharing your Easter stories with us. The peeing in a cup is HILARIOUS!
Lupe, no word back from the lab about Lulu yet.
Sarah, I have to admit I have paid no attention to the news this past weekend. I saw a few shots of the President’s family with what appeared to be a Portuguese Water Dog puppy and thought, “Now everybody’s going to run out and get a Portuguese Water Dog.” I think that they made the decision that they thought right for their family. One of the girls has allergies and a mixed breed from a shelter would probably not work for that reason. I like that the Obama’s try to do the right thing but don’t submit to the PC police all the time. Have they named the pup yet? I guess I’ll have to read a newspaper. Will read the Sunday paper on my Kindle this afternoon.
They named the dog “Bo”, as “Diddly” was a familiar name to the President. I love him and he can get whatever kinda dog/bird/fish that he sees fit – sentiment.
lol…loved the pee cup story Ann! Your description allowed me to envision it all as if it was happening right in front of me. And that 9/11 story…how funny is that??? Man that made me laugh. (I voted for Obama too)
Liam sounds like he would be alot of fun to talk to. I so enjoy listening to their thoughts and perceptions of life at those ages.
There weren’t any children around over the Easter holiday for us either. It’s been quite some time since I’ve dyed eggs for Easter egg hunting. And the only poop we get excited about anymore is that of our dogs, which means they are eating the right food for them. (I’ve gone through many different brands and flavors, searching for the right ones, because of their allergies.)
It sounds like you ended up having a very enjoyable Easter holiday
Thankyou Ann for sharing!
P.S. I heard on the news that the puppy’s name is Bo. I agree with Sarah in that I was also disappointed that the Obama’s didn’t go with a dog from a shelter or a rescue group. (Of course, they must do what they feel is best for them.) I also heard on the news that the breeder from whom the Biden’s got their German Shepherd pup from has been receiving death threats.
Angela, just wanted to say that I thought that was so darn cute about your 4 year old, who normally doesn’t want to pray, to just blurt out that prayer for the dead bird! Your description of the scene definitely made me smile
Ann, you have to talk to my mom about dying Easter eggs! Me and my two sisters (they in their forties and me at 39) don’t do alot with the family during Easter. Not one of our favorite holidays. Don’t know why. Anyway, I asked how her Easter was and she said she made her hard boiled eggs, dyed them, and put stickers on them. Just her! You should do the eggs anyway. If she does it, you should do it!
Loved the poop story too. And along the lines of Denis’ book about Oprah…I learned on Oprah that your poop should be “S” shaped if you’re healthy!!! LOL!!! You brought it up…!
Just weighing in on the puppy comments. I work in animal rescue and I have allergies. An uncomfortable combination for me sometimes. I feel that the priority is the health of their daughter. There are very few breeds that work with allergies. I know people say that there are meds for that, there are, but they have side effects, they aren’t 100% and hard on kids. It’s also pretty difficult to find specific dogs at a shelter in the age group and disposition you would need. The dog they adopted was a second chance dog and six months old. He had been returned by his original owner. So they did rescue him, because re-homing an older puppy through a breeder can be very hard. They also didn’t adopt from a puppy mill and gave a donation to the local shelter. Love that. The most important thing is that they did their homework and waited until the right dog came along.
Thanks so much Kristin for your input and for the work you do in animal rescue.
I love these pieces! You are so gifted at getting the spirit and fun across is a few words and with wonderful imagery!
And I would have come to color eggs! My sisters (age 50 and 46) and I (age intentionally left blank) still color eggs and love it. I missed it this year because I was preparing the Easter feast. Oh well, can you color eggs for May Day???
I laughed so hard I nearly…you know, what Liam said.:)
I love your blog, Ann. You have almost inspired me to do one. We’ll see!