1loveskids: January 2007

All right maybe not ever, but a pretty good one none the less. I was so excited at the prospect of The Sullivan Gang coming for a visit, last night. Defiantely great news.

Today, I had another blast from the past. I was at school, it was rest time, the room was dark and quiet and someone is knocking on my classroom door. Glaring at the door, with the look of death, for WHOMever dare to wake the sleeping masses. In walks a young man. A big cheesy grin and in a second I recognize one of my all time favorite students, Charles. He was one of my first students when I began at Avery. He was in third grade then. He will graduate from high school in May. We have a long history. We weren't exactly fast friends. He was a tough kid to like. We got through all that, played lots of dodge ball, raced to see who could make the best time putting together the USA puzzle and learned to appreciate each other. I took him home most nights after Latch Key, after his parents split up. I fed him, and he slept on my classroom couch when he came home from 5th grade camp, when Mom couldn't pick him up. I sat through 5th grade graduation like a proud parent. He came to see me after 8th grade graduation. He was moving out of the district. He came to see me last year, I was out on maternity leave. He stopped in today to get my address so he could send me a graduation announcement. It meant the world to have him stop in.

It takes a village to raise a child.

I know it's about time that I updated. It really should be four different posts. I can't believe that so much has happened, first Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, the big one, his first birthday. Conner looks more and more like a little boy. He is busy, trying to walk holding on to everything. Learning more words. He is waving at everything and everyone. Which freaks me out a little, especially when he waves and nothing is there. He is a curl under 26 pounds and 32 inches tall. We had to buy him a belt after his pants fell down at two consecutive parties. Here are our mountain of pictures.

Our big boy!

Working hard to get at the candy. Sorry buddy.

Thanksgiving was a quick trip to Beema's. Harry had to work on Friday. So after dinner were on the road home. The boys found a few minutes to relax on Wednesday night, while the girls made pies.

Conner had Christmas about four times. He got really good at opening presents and then stopping to smile for the picture. We know for next year to take things out of boxes, install batteries and have toys ready to play with. Beema and Homer spent 10 days with us. It was so nice. Homer didn't even eat the cats.

More presents. I think that Daddy enjoyed opening them every bit as much as Conner did.

His favorite present was the new pacifiers in his stocking. He was trying to suck on them throught he plastic.

We celebrated Christmas with the Dzwigalski family three times before they went to Florida. Conner had to get in some quality time with Grandpa Flynn before he left for the winter.

Katie and Phil entertained him with packing peanuts, until he tried to eat them!

Auntie Krysten gets a little love.

Katie and Phil, flash forward five years. We'll wait!

Did you drink my brandy slush or are you sucking up to Grandma Flynn!

We had a family get together on December 30, at my cousin Peggy's house. It is always a great time. This year was extra special we got to meet our new baby cousin, Luke.

Dancing with cousin Vic. You would never know Conner was sick.

Surprise! Debbie's daughter's and I put together surprise party for her 50th birthday. Financed by her husband Ski. Husbands know their limits and who to call. The party was a success, as you can tell by the look on Debbie's face. I should have taken more pictures, but I was rather occupied by a bottle of Malibu rum.

Having a little fun before we strip him down for his first cake. We just celebrated with the D's on his day. His big John Deere party is the second weeekend in February, when Grandma Pero comes to visit.