Where to Begin

Below this toy was given to us by our neighbors Em and Amy and Ben loves it. 

This is one random night. 

After swim on a Wed? I will make this quick. 

Last week I had Ben w me at the bank and he was totes over it- but a total angel. Did I write this entry before? 

Must have been a Monday bc here is yoga. Monday afternoons. 

We babysat Hannie on Monday and the kids had a blast. She fit right in. 

Jack purchased this gem from the book fair. A real literary selection. 

Hilly w some serious style. She dressed up for Gma coming and said "I need to show her who i am." Mission accomplished, I would say. 

Ben's batman costume. He loves it needless to say. His little belly kills me. So do his cheeks, lips, eyes, etc..

Jackie running to see Gma after school. Gma came to babysit for back to school night. 

Pizza for the special occasion. 

This was waiting on Jack's desk for us. 

Ben and his new kicks. 

Taken by my friend Betsy. Some during school stalking of Hilly. 

Jack on a gym day- taken by Hilly. 

Jack wAs playing school one afternoon. Helping her imaginary students use the bathroom..... 

Wed night swim. 

This Tuesday Gpa Shoemaker passed away. I didn't tell the kids bc I knew they would take it to heart and want to discuss, etc which I just wasn't feeling up to. My dad filled me in on the details of grandpa's last few days, hours, minutes and I in turn told Jim. Jim's immediate response was "There was just so much love [for him, surrounding him, etc...]" And there was- his wife of 63 years, 3 children, a son in law and daughter in law and 2 of his grandchildren were with him in his final moments. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and grandfather and I can't even imagine what else bc I entered his life when he was already 49.  The price we all pay for the gift of having him in our life is the hole in our hearts left by his departure.  I know we all will miss him manning the grill at our picnics, that infectious laugh, the cold beer he would press on our cheeks or the backs of our necks as he walked by, his stories, his dancing, his accent, his freshly mowed lawns, his constant presence.  What a blessing. 

We love you, Grandpa.