The Green Machine gets the job done again!

If our Suburban could talk.... it would say-are your kidding me? If Blaine doesn't retire soon, it will. This truck has been through it all. Florida to PA, East coast to west coast, everyday trips to the mall :) Now it has taken us to Ohio. Car topper in tact, car seats filled, and trunk stuffed to the ceiling, we were off to see Daddy in Columbus. Charlie was wonderful on the ride. How could he misbehave? He was strapped in and watching his favorite movies. Casey was an angel as usual too. Mom Mom sat in the third seat and kept him occupied and fed so we didn't have to make and extra stops. We made it here in under 8 hours- which is a miracle. Thank goodness I had Mrs. Neal. I mean, the time spent pulling over for potty breaks, diaper changes, bottle and baby food feedings, and dog walking alone would have added on at least 2-3 hours. But, with help, we thankfully made it in mapquest-predicted time. Amen.

Quite the baseball fan... hand in glove even during sleep.


We arrived to finally see the apartment that I had picked from afar.... a small, slightly dirty, geese infested apartment complex just as planned. This is what you get in the minors. But, the kids were so happy to see Dad and Wrig and I were too. Things have worked out so far.. stay turned.

Mothering Moments

Yesterday was a bad parenting day- just have to admit it. On top of being in the active stages of building a house, signing a contract, picking out everything for the house, and trying to qualify for a mortgage (applications, paperwork, etc), I am apparently supposed to pick out an apartment in a city that I know nothing about. But I am not just picking out an apartment. As usual, we need a short term lease, furniture, utilities, cable... and oh yeah, it also needs to be pet friendly, close to the ballpark and CHEAP. Now, I know I can do a lot of things. But this task was nearly impossible. After calling over 20 apartments, and getting denied at all of them, I FINALLY found a place to stay. While trying to fill out endless applications for the apartment, furniture, utilities, etc, I got caught up with my goal of somehow getting to move in in 5 days. As I was on the phone, and all within a matter of 30 seconds, Charlie pooped his pants (and had managed to artistically display it on his bedroom wall) and Casey fell off the couch for the first time. While staying on the phone, comforting Casey and yelling at Charlie, another call managed to ring in and NOT STOP CALLING. This seemed to be the final straw. Thank goodness everything worked out with the apartment or I might have been telling this to a therapist today. The next time I hear how "exciting" baseball life is... I don't know what I will do (I actually do know, but I can't write it on this blog :)

As if yesterday wasn't the icing on the cake, today, my worst nightmare came true. The day has finally come that I have been dreading since I birthed a child. We were in the car and Charlie was watching the Little Mermaid. The song Part of Your World came on. This song is just impossible not to sing to since I grew up with it and I am a female. Just as I am starting into the chorus, I hear "No Mommy, Don't Sing". WHATTTTT??!! Did he just say that? I asked him to verify what he said and he SAID IT AGAIN. My world is over. My 2 year old child has just told me not to sing. Does this mean no trying out for American Idol?!

Baseball and Trains...A Boy's Dream.

Daddy just left, but, luckily we got to visit him in Scranton soon after. Charlie had a blast at his games and at Steamtown. Casey, sadly, is not pictured, but did get to smile and clap for Dad over the weekend.


The whole game, Charlie kept asking, "is it done?....is it done, mom?". He knew when it was "done" he got to run the bases. So, Blaine eagerly came over, threw him over the fence, and gave him the chance to run the bases solo while all the other kids watched. Somewhere between the stadium seats and the field, he lost his motivation. Blaine put him down on the dirt at first base and prmpted him to run, but, in true Charlie form, he dramatically hung his head, rounded his shoulders and walked in slow mo...halfway to second base. In fear that he would be run over by the fury of other kids, Blaine picked him up and they watched from the sidelines. Typical Charlie. But he DID get to stand on the pitchers mound. This cheered him right back up.

A little QT with Dad.

After the day game on Tuesday, we headed over to Steamtown, USA...AKA "Woo Woo Town". Charlie loved the full size verson of his Thomas the Tank Engine roundhouse.

Peek a Woo. Get it?! Peek a .... ok... it is late. I thought it was funny!

Charlie is working the train with Pop Pop just like great Pop Pop Neal. Train love must run in the family.

Bye Bye Daddy

On Mother's Day weekend, Blaine was offered a job through the Cleveland Indians. Although we really REALLY needed him to get a job, we were sad to see him go.


So, we made the best of his last day home. We made it a family day. Breakfast at the diner was fun... Casey gave it thumbs up and Charlie decided to be melodramatic... as usual. We miss him, but we love to skype him and can't wait to spend the summer at the ballpark... in Columbus :)

A Very Merry Mother's Day

It was so great to be back home for Mother's day! It is so nice to be back home in general...Of course, I am probably only saying this because the weather has been sunny and warm lately :)

The week before Mother's Day, Mindy and I joined Mom at our church's annual Mother/Daughter Banquet. I have never actually gotten to go because I was always too far! We during dinner we actually got to see my Mom in her wedding dress (all the mom's modeled theirs, but our Mom was the only one who actually fit into her's better than 44 years ago!). I will have to attach that picture soon!

I was once again a Single Mother on the actual Mother's Day, ALL the boys and I (Charlie, Casey and Wrigley) headed to Trexler Park for some fun. Doesn't it look like Charlie is having fun? Well, at least I had fun! After the park, we went to Mindy's to play the day away.

The Land of Videon

On this, the 6th day of the 5th month in the year 2009, after countless hours of anticipation, we were graciously allowed to visit the Land of Videon...Cheryl Bump's old stomping grounds! This is a long running joke between Cheryl and I because I have heard about this so called town (Newtown Square) for YEARS... try over 5... and have never gotten to visit. The day finally arrived and the boys and I couldn't have been more excited!


After passing through the guarded gates and getting our retinas scanned we were granted entry into Fort Videon. We then headed to the park, but not before passing about 4 of the 1000 car dealerships named "VIDEON". It is a wonder we didn't need a bodyguard?!

After the tour of her sister's house, we headed over to dine... the kids had so much fun and the big girls did too!


Charlie loves hanging out with Nat and Brod.. as he calls them. He has asked to play with them every day since we left. He misses them... and I do too! Fun times. Maybe someday they will be in PA for good?! Until then, back to Florida for the Bumps :( Come back soon!

Angel of a Nephew

Well, this is what Mitchell looks like to all of us... not just on his First Communion. He is SO great with Charlie- he is Charlie's best friend for sure... Peyton is his other Best Friend, of course. ] Having a cousin who is 6 years older as a best friend is fun now, but I wonder if we will be so excited about it when Charlie is in highschool and asks to visit his big cousin in college?! Oh well, we will take it while we can get it!


Me and my two most favorite nephews... a rare shot of all three of us behaving in a Catholic church!

Happy Birthday To Mom Mom!

(the singing in Charlie's head) Happy Birthday To You! Happy Birthday To You! I've been waiting all day to blow out the candles and rip into the caaaaakkke, Happy Birthday To You!


Alright! Three candles down, two to go... Let's Eat!


No Fair! Stupid Trick Candles! Not Funny! I give up... just gimmee some cake!