St. Micheal the Archangel Fair

Isabella accompanied Christopher to the St. Michael the Archangel Fair, a local church-run carnival. Christopher did have to chill with Dad in his handly little carrier because he was just shy of the minimum height requirements set by the "Carnies." He was diappointed at first, but he then settled down...thinking to himself that the rides were stupid anyways and he wanted no part of them. We accpeted his "face" excuses and he and I watched his cousin Isabella enjoy the train with Boo-Boo (Grandma Workman) and the helicopter...AND she rode the helicopter all by herself for the first time. Not too shabby for a girl who's about to turn 3!!

My Family's Arrival to Levittown

So, the family got here safely last Sunday...no problems. Christopher was instantly popular and deemed "cute" by my family. This is the first time they've seen the boy in real physical form...3-dimensional and all. So here are some pics of the family from Sunday night after they arrived from Kansas...

in preparation

My family is coming tomorrow from Kansas for a visit. I have been extremely busy since my last day of school. The Friday I was out, I had to go help a family out for the weekend (the Gosslin family). I went to house for the weekend to take care of her husband. Her husband had a stroke some time ago and requires supervision. She's a nice lady and he's not incredibly difficult to manage so I usually agree. The money is usually right, too, which is an extra bonus. Anyway, my "boss" was out from Friday to Sunday. Then Colleen and I ran home and straightened up our house in preparation for Father's Day and to pick up Karen from the airport.

Karen stayed at our house for a week. We had a great time. She spent quite a bit of time with Christopher...I think they bonded pretty well despite Karen's initial apprehension about holding him and Chris' general tension from being either hungry or tired. We also visited Philadelphia a couple of times, once to the Mutter Museum (pictures weren't allowed, so we couldn't take any to post...sorry) and again to South Street (which is a famous street in Philadelphia for "off-kilter" stuff). The Mutter Museum was very cool...different, disturbing, and fascinating all wrapped up into a strange bubble. Definitely worth a visit if anyone is into doing other things besides running the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and posting with the Rocky statue. Christopher held us back on the different things we could do because of his feeding schedule and sleep schedule, but we made it work. Karen also got to taste another east-cost (especially Philadelphia) delicacy, Rita's Water Ice. For those of you who don't know, it can't be explained outside of you trying one...so come on up and give ol' Thomas, Colleen, and Christopher a visit!

The day after Karen left, Colleen, Christopher, and I were back and the Gosslin's house in NJ taking care of the husband again...this time for 9 days! I'm ready to sleep in my own bed! But, today is the last day for this part of my summer adventure.

Currently, Colleen, Christopher, and I have to prepare for a visit from my family. Yes, you heard it (read it...whatever), Thomas' family is flying in from Kansas. My mother (Stephanie) my sister (Marie) and her husband (Justin) and 3-year-old daughter (Isabella) are going to take residence in my home for some time. Marie, Justin, and Isabella are only staying for a week...leaving July 5th. My mother is staying for 6 weeks. Her stay is sort of a double whammy. She's going to help Colleen and I out for the summer by watching Christopher, which eliminates us having to pay for day-care for the summer. I'm sure, too, that my mother is excited about getting to spend some time with her new grandson...who she still has yet to meet in person. She's very excited, as am I about having them all come to visit.

So, this has been my summer thus far. I'll keep posting as entertaining things occur in my life.

PEACE!!!!

Karen's Visit Chapter 3

Some pictures Karen took while she was here visiting. People like to take pictures of the "gentle giant" with the "li'l dude" in a state of sleep. I can see how that could be construed as "cute"...maybe it is...but it goes against my desire to show little to no outward emotion, thus, I have to disagree with the "cuteness" of the whole thing. I do have to admit, however, that Karen took a more "Fisher-Price figuring"-looking picture of Christopher than I did. Nice work, my friend.

Karen's Visit Chapter 2

A few more pictures of Karen's visit. Again, I had a wonderful time...and I got to visit the infamous South Street for the first time. Now all I have to do is get a cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's...

PEACE!!

P.S...Karen said that Christopher looked like a Fisher Price toy when he was adorned in his swaddler! So we took a picture. I have to admit, there is a bit of a resemblence...You be the judge.

9*-

Karen's Visit Chapter 1

My dear friend Karen came out to visit me this week. We had some fun...hung out a bit in Philly...experienced parenthood...yadda, yadda, yadda. It was a very nice visit...its always a huge pleasure getting to hang out with old friends for extended periods of time.

Love you, Karen...I hope you had a great time in the Philadelphia area

Too Cool Christopher

Christopher would like you all to know how "frickin' stoked" he is about turning 8 weeks last Friday. He would like to share with you all that he is "most righteously amped" and feels "extra pimp" that he's made it another four weeks with those old bags called parents. "STAY UP PLAYAAAAAAASSSS!!!!!!