I like this one birthday girl!

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Just a quick post to wish Amanda a Happy Birthday!  Here's one of my favorites:

And how about this one?

It's Mary Jane!  I really see Amanda in this one from a video of Mary Jane and Colleen Ryan.

Congratulations Ryan!

Well, the Class of 2010 is now officially done with high school!  Ryan graduated yesterday morning in a very nice ceremony that Paula was able to attend!  He got some very nice awards including one "awarded to a senior who exemplifies Russ's enthusiastic, spirited and joyful approach to school and personal endeavors" from his baseball coach.  We are quite proud of that and of Ryan's other accomplishments.  He really kicked it in this last year and made the most of his remaining time with his friends and in high school.  Amy was also able to be here and it was wonderful to all be together for this important day.  She had to leave much sooner than I was ready to be done with the weekend time together.

 Every year for several years now I've given an award at graduation that I call the Flynn Ryan Tenacity Award in honor of Nanny and Mary Jane.  I wanted a little way to recognize those traits I admired most in both Nanny and Mary Jane.  Often it goes to a student who has faced challenges that might have derailed others.  Sometimes it goes to students who make unconventional choices seemingly with confidence and certainty.  This year I gave the award to Abby Klutts, a girl who actually has a great deal in common with Ryan ( a coincidence I didn't think about until today).  She seems to go along confident in the decisions she makes even if they seem a little off track from what might be expected.  What really clinched it though was her decision to go to Geneseo :)  She was the valedictorian so she got her share of awards and I usually try ot pick someone that might get overlooked otherwise but this year it seemed like the perfect choice.  She was the female Babe Ruth award winner next to Ryan and was his prom date last year.  I thought you all would like to know.

Happy Birthday Judy!  I'm thinking about Taylor today and hope she's enjoying her shower in good health.  Here comes Summer 2010!!!

Father's Day Reflection

I think this might be the Putt Putt car in better days.  Looks like we are getting driven around the field to cut the grass.  I don't remember doing this but I do clearly remember getting rides on the tractor around the field while Dad cut.  We'd wait our turn to ride the tractor around what seemed like a HUGE field.  I wonder if picking us up for those rides made that job easier or more difficult for Dad.  I was always aware that he was trying to give Mom a break now and again when we'd do things like take a ride to the Tastee Freeze.  It was a big treat to have him set up the sprinkler out in the yard!  Once in a while Dad would take us fishing but I don't think that was something I did with him alot (surprise!).  Makes me think he might have missed that from his childhood in Gloucester.  And the biggest treat of all--a trip to Tri County to swim in a real pool!!! I think we were allowed to do that free or reduced because Dad worked there as a bartender sometimes.  But that always made me feel privileged and I tried to treat it as such. 

I guess I don't really remember too many things Dad did with us inside the house except maybe supervise cleaning.  I'd get so very angry with the "We're almost there" declaration when I felt so accomplished in whatever task.  I remember this happened one time in the living room and I'd been using Lemon Pledge to clean off the light oak (?) end table.  There was a straight pin kind of stuck under the edge with the sharp end pointing outward like a sword.  I slide my finger right into it as I was dusting.  This was one of those occasions when apparently the job did not meet standards because I always connect the straight pin injury and Lemon Pledge with that statement.  Makes me wonder what statements I've made that deflated my children without meaning to.

Happy Father's Day Jim, Patrick and Sean!  I wonder what memories your kids will have???

Gobsmacked and nearly breathless

I do not know what  Gobsmacked means exactly but it SOUNDS just right for the way I've been feeling lately.  And having a word SOUND just right seems appropriate as I reflect a bit on Jim and Ryan's last concert.  It was an amazing night. His family came from Long Island, Albany and New Paltz and I think I can safely say the trip was worth it for them. 

I'm sorry I didn't think to encourage you to come and witness for yourselves the tributes given and received that night--Ryan's words especially reflected the evening's tone. Ryan literally took my breath away.  I will let pictures tell the story as I do not have the words.



 It's been an incredible few weeks.  I hope a kitten doesn't get itself stuck up a tree or I might start crying and be unable to stop for several days.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

It's been a wild ride these last few weeks and I've fallen a bit behind in my posts.  It seems like I'm going from one event to the next; from one emotion to the next; from one hour to the next without proper time to reflect and adapt.  But (today at least) I'm back!!!

Ryan left for his senior trip this morning and Jim is at Citifield to watch the Mets from the SNY skybox.  I was left to deal with the unsettled weather, downpour and tornado threat.  Hmmmmm.....

I did get to watch Matthew play baseball a bit last week.  It wasn't until I looked at the pictures that I noticed how much he reminded me of his brother.  What do you think?

The boys helped Ryan put together a project for English class (sort of "Hello My Name Is Troy" all over again) and that presentation went well for Ryan last week, so thanks boys! 

At our end of year Moving Up Day ceremonies, Jim had BOTH the high school and middle school yearbooks dedicated to him!  I don't think the same person has ever gotten both dedications.  Tissues all around.  Ryan was awarded the Babe Ruth award, which is a big deal in our school.  One senior boy and one senior girl are selected by the staff.  I'll let the certificate describe it:

More tissues.

Good to see everyone at Jess' last week.  What a nice house for you guys!  The backyard really reminded me of Bruce Street.  It was good to see Paula at the jewelry party and to hear from Kathy!  I hope your ride isn't QUITE as wild as this one has been lately for me, but just as filled with great stuff.