Brennan’s Thoughts on December 14, 2012

 

On the morning of December 14th, 2012 and 20 yr old man killed his mom and then went to Sandy Hill Elementary in CT and gunned down 26 people – 20 of which were young children between the ages of 6-8.  He then shot himself.  It is an absolutely heart-breaking situation.  Sean documented the following experience he had with Brennan that afternoon. 

 

I should also note that he texted me “Mama, I have your babies and they are safe.” that afternoon.  It is just what I needed to hear.  I am married to a wonderful man who loves our children as much as me!   

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Hello Friends and Family,

I just want to share my experience with Brennan from last Friday with you.  Brennan is in Kindergarten now and I went to pick him up at noon last Friday.

Caelan and I had seen what happened at Sandy Hook and it was really hard for me to keep it together but I had to go get B from school and to be honest noon could not have arrived quickly enough last week.  The walk to school was pretty somber and we encountered the regular crowd on the way, there was not a lot of chat on that walk but there were plenty of tears.  As we waited in the courtyard we all tried to get happy for our kids as they would soon be coming out.  It was very clear by looking around at the faces of people who had seen the news of the day. When a mom who had not heard the news would ask what was going on there was an awkward silence as no one wanted to share this news with another parent waiting at the school for their little one to come home. 

The kids burst from the school with their typical fervor and ran to their waiting parents, perhaps I was a bit too huggy or maybe he could just read the faces all around him but the first thing Brennan asked me was why everyone was so sad… I did not know what to say…. I told him it was just a sad day and we headed home quietly with our pack. 

As we sat down for lunch Brennan asked me why it was a sad day… I decided to let him watch the president speak about the terrible attack and then do the best I could from there… I of course got a little teary again as I watched and Brennan watched. 

When it was over he asked if those kids would really never come home for Christmas, I told him they had died and that their families would never see them again and that was why I was so sad.  He ate quietly for a little bit and then he turned to me with that smile you only see when a child has done something grand and they know it….  “Papa,” he said, “It’s okay, All those kids get to have Christmas in Heaven.” 

I am so thankful at the place Brennan’s December 14^th ended, and what a not so terrible day it was for him.  I wish I could have gone with him so quickly and confidently to that place.  My wish for you all this holiday season is that you too could get to that place too.

Merry Christmas,

Sean

Visit with Santa

 

I just knew that Santa pictures this year with Caelan were going to be challenging.  I ‘follow’ a lot of photographers on Facebook, and many of them were advertising sessions with Santa – with a little bit more time, and being able to avoid the wait in line at the mall.  So, I went for it, hoping that maybe with a little bit of time to ‘warm' up’ she might be more open to going in his lap.

 

I was wrong, unfortunately.  

 

Here are some great pictures of Brennan reading his letter to Santa.  Meanwhile, I was holding Caelan and talking about how nice Santa looked and we were waving to him. 

And then, being the bad mama that I am, I then tried to ease Caelan onto Santa’s lap…….and this is what happened…..yeah, she didn’t like it a whole lot. 

Dear Santa…..2012

 

Last weekend we had Brennan try and write his Santa letter using ‘best guess spelling’ – which is what he’s learning in school.  I helped him just a little, but he did most of it himself.  See if you can figure out what Brennan wants this year….all I can say is his elves are going to search a little to find that last one.  The one he has in mind is not a kid one…..

Happy 2nd Birthday Party

 

Below are the pictures I tried to take of Caelan so that I could get a good picture to use for her birthday party invitations – the theme being “Monkeys in Pajamas".”  She was not super excited about me trying to take pictures….

Her mood changed completely when we traded the monkey in for her scooter. 

Fast Forward…..to Sunday, November 25th….the day of Caelan’s party.  Sunday evening was not my favorite time for her birthday party but we wanted to make sure that her two little friends could come and with the holiday weekend it is tricky to accommodate travel schedules. 

This picture was taken in the morning…..I just love her sweet smile.   Brennan was very disappointed when I told him that we were not going to go all out decorating for Christmas until after Caelan’s birthday.  So, instead, I had him help me with a craft project and that made him very happy.  He and I made this ‘Happy Birthday’ banner out of brown card stock that I have had for 8 YEARS….it was used for our wedding invitations.  I helped him write the letters – so that is his handwriting.  

All the kids at the party were instructed to wear their best jammies…..they all looked great. 

The big kids enjoying their dinner – which was chicken tacos, grapes, and banana pudding. 

The littles enjoying their dinner. 

My monkey cake.  I was pretty pleased with how it turned out.  Unfortunately, about an hour before the party I took it out of the fridge, and lifted up this oval glass dish I had covering it, and lost my grip…..the oval bowl hit the large rectangular platter I had the cake on and shattered it.  Luckily the ‘damage’ happened far away from the cake and I was able to salvage it and put it on another plate. 

After Brennan and I made the banner for the fireplace, I was left with all of these scrapes of brown paper, and decided to make birthday crowns out of them.  It worked great!  One of the activities for the kiddos was to decorate their crowns with stickers, etc…..

Of course, the birthday girl got a pink crown. 

Second craft was to make a monkey mask….

L to R:  Cassidy (6), Brennan (5), Nate (4), Caelan (2), Jude (2)…..good friends & neighbors the Hoffman’s & the Maybell’s

Caelan LOVED when we started singing to her – she just beamed and looked around at everyone looking at her. 

After cake, we cleared out the living room and started a DANCE PARTY.  It was so CUTE and fitting that Caelan danced with her favorite monkey. 

 

Her gift from Nana and Grandpa Jack was this little computer.  It was an instant hit. 

Below is Caelan and her best friend Ewan.  In the middle they are blowing each other kisses, and in the others they are hugging…..Caelan was persistent. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

 

Against my better judgment, I went through the effort today to make a Turkey and all the fixin’s for us this year – despite the fact that we were ‘alone.’  I did this because my son came home from school SO EXCITED that Thanksgiving meant TURKEY……and I just couldn’t let him down.  So, what did I get all during dinner?……COMPLAINTS!  Seriously, what’s not to like about Cranberry Sauce or stuffing (out of a box – no controversal mix-ins)…..Next year, if we are alone, we going OUT – its just way too much effort for the four of us alone.

I did want to share some of the great pictures I got today when we went to the park in the afternoon.  I am so thankful for my kids – they literally are my ‘heart’s delight.’   I am also thankful of course for my husband, my camera, and my family, too…..

Grandma Carol & Grandpa Roger bought her this hat when they were in Washington in September. 

Brennan’s Kindergarten School Picture

 

School pictures can sometime be bad….REALLY BAD…..I know, I had a few myself, especially in Junior High.  But, I honestly teared up a little when I saw Brennan’s school photo for Kindergarten.  I really have to wonder if this was his first take, or if they have to go through several poses/cheesy smiles to get this one. 

This completely captures my sweet, sweet 5yr old boy.  Granted, this was actually taken BEFORE school officially started – during one of the ‘taking care of business’ days.  Now that school has started he’s still sweet – don’t get me wrong – but he’s definitely going through an adjustment period learning that he needs to follow the rules of the school, teacher, and principle, and that school is not the place for play-battles, non-stop chatter, or shenanigans.  

 

It is very apparent that he is learning so much, and we are very proud of the progress he has made.  Although homework can be very tedious, it is really fun to see what he can do.   

 

Fun Fall Day at the Park

 

This kids and I had a rare Sunday to ourselves today – Sean and his cousin went to the Seahawks game, so they were gone most of the day & into the early evening.  The kids and I went to church and then went to Gene Coulon Beach Park in Renton.  This park is special to our family because Sean and I had our wedding pictures taken there when we got married almost 9yrs ago (our anniversary is November 8th).  I just love these shots…..my adorable children + fall leaves + my camera = a very happy mama.  Prepare for picture overload – it was so hard to weed any out!