School Busing

I had the enviable task of accompanying the FBR to her morning bus stop along with my Favorite Panamanian and my Favorite Daughter. The FBR has followed in the infamous footsteps of her mother when it comes to 1. Falling asleep at night and 2. Getting up in the morning. Listening to this dual struggle over the past couple days has brought back so many memories of my daughter at the same age and I know she’s sick of seeing us laugh at her predicament but it’s hard to resist after going through the same gyrations thirty years ago. If I was a cruel person I would say some sort of karma is involved.

Heading to the Bus Stop

Once she is awake the FBR remains an absolute delight and reveled in explaining all about her bus ride and who she likes to sit with. After a very rough couple of weeks getting the bus schedule down, they seemed to have arrive at a fairly predictable pick-up time. This is the first year there is bussing of kids across town in Maplewood and this means the FBR spends nearly an hour on the bus each morning which she still thinks of as an adventure. The upside is that she is in the recognized best elementary school in the city. Part of the morning ritual, when I am involved apparently, is a shoulder ride to the bus stop. While she is geometrically bigger than when we started these rides I’m holding out as long as I can, figuring in too little time I will be unable to lift her over my head.

Waiting for the Bus

She only had a half day of school yesterday so we accompanied Wingman for the pickup. She spotted her abuela from across the parking lot and took off on a dead run for the obligatory FBR hug. She then took us on a tour of what she and Wingman call the secret playground. When we arrived home, we adjourned o the back yard for a game of shark and ball tag. My Favorite Panamanian and the FBR teamed up on yours truly to thoroughly dominate. In yet another episode of my mind writing checks that my body isn’t ready to cash, I made a less than elegant jump over my wife when she tumbled to the ground during the game of tag. The less graceful part took place when I tried to land and wrenched my bad knee pretty severely. That’s my lot in life as a senior citizen, injuring myself with a six inch jump.

Spotting her Abuela

After a few minutes of writhing I was back in the game although the ladies took it a little easier on me. Hearing the FBR’s delighted laugh as we played was worth a bit of physical discomfort. Following dinner, we all sat down to watch one of the few remaining Red Sox games in their surprising season. We could hear the furtive footsteps above our heads s the FBR continued her nightly battle with sleep. It was a fun night as we were eventually joined by my daughter and Wingman after their first parent-teacher conference, virtual, of course. We’re heading back north today but I got in one last shoulder ride to the bus stop this morning even though the knee was barking pretty loudly. As I stated above, I don’t know how many more of these I’ll be able to share with the FBR and I want to make the most of them.

The Secret Playground

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn

B-Day Journey

This is the week of granddaughters when I get to hug all three of them inside of three days, not together, but close enough. The big event, however, and, I hasten to add, big enough to motivate me to submerge myself once again in Connecticut travel, was the birthday of my first born. We loaded up the car and departed yesterday morning. We left only thirty minutes later than I hoped which is not bad considering I had two Panamanian ladies to get into the car. Connecticut was every bit as tiresome as it usually is and this time they added in sporadic but no less spectacular thunderstorms to assist in traffic congestion.

Birthday Dinner Last Night

We still made fairly good time and arrived at my Favorite Daughter’s New Jersey home in mid-afternoon in plenty of time for my two business zoom meetings. Then it was off to pick up the FBR from her kindergarten. She spotted us from across the parking lot and broke into a dead run to deliver one of her patented FBR hugs. We then convoyed over to Wingman’s restaurant to have a birthday celebration dinner. The FBR is well known at this establishment which was obvious as people, up to and including the owner, came by to pay homage.

Birthday Girl with her Mom and Grandmom

And Wingmom

FBR Hugs

With her Bisabuela

We sat in the tent outside, erected for pandemic restrictions but which still offered a great place to enjoy the diner and especially the company. The owner sent over a collection of appetizers on the house. Wingman has surreptitiously delivered an ice cream cake earlier in the day. My daughter loves these and was a little disillusioned when she received an earlier report that none were available. It was a sweet surprise and added a fitting ending to our great time out celebrating this very special lady.

Wingman's End of Table

4 Generations

Surprise Ice Cream Cake

A return to the house brought the gift opening phase of the celebration where the FBR selflessly offered to help her mother open her gifts. She then pointedly looked at her grandparents, knowing we never arrive without something in tow for her. She zoomed through the clothes, barely glancing at them until she got to the toys which my Favorite Panamanian had unsuccessfully tried hiding under the coffee table in order to get a reaction to the clothes. The FBR sniffed them out however and kept glancing under the table as yet another outfit came out of the clothes gift bag. My wife eventually admitted defeat and the FBR was soon cavorting with a paw patrol figure in a big green robotic suit.

Back Home to Open Gifts

With FBR Assistance

It was also a day to reflect back on that day several decades ago that my daughter arrived on the scene. I consider it the longest day of my life but I’m sure it pales in comparison to my wife’s day as she as the one enduring twenty hours of labor before our daughter appeared. I marvel at the vibrant woman and mother that little being has grown into. As is the case with my son, I could not possibly be more proud of her. For those of you who accuse me being a Cro-Magnon (you know who you are) I will have you know I raised an ardent feminist who I love to the depths of whatever heart I do possess, Happy Birthday Heart!

Meanwhile Back Home The latest Development out Front
They Cut up the Newly Installed curb to raise the storm drain backing

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn

Newly Christened

I know I usually use that phrase for the newest pub that I’ve discovered including subsequent activities however this past weekend saw an actual christening. BR3 finally made it to the church for her pandemic delayed baptism. My Favorite Son and the ABFA delayed the baptism until my mother-in-law could attend because she along with her daughter, my Favorite Panamanian are extremely catholic. We drove up on Saturday for the Sunday ceremony and spent a fun afternoon in downtown Portsmouth which my mother-in-law remembered from her last visit. I took one for the team and waited out the spousal shopping in a subterranean bar that boasted great pizza.

Post Dunking Group Shot

We eventually made our way to my son’s home where the granddaughters were subjected to the usual round of abuela hugs and tickle games. BR3 had given her parents another nearly sleepless night as she enters another one of those phases where she feels the need to frolic at 2am. Both parents needed a night out to themselves and we took over child watch while they had a great dinner out. That is until about 10pm when Riggins decided to go into full meltdown mode which was eerily reminiscent of Buddy the Wonder Pooch during any fireworks/thunder storm event. We eventually figured out one of the upstairs smoke alarms was mildly beeping but Riggins wouldn’t calm down until his parents returned from dinner.

Buddies

Great Grandma with BR3

Abuela Greeting BR3

Let the Tickling Commence

Son & ABFA Heading out for Dinner Date

BR3 Assessing if we are Ready to be Babysitters

Sunday morning was the usual rush to keep the granddaughters supplied with hojaldras. BR3 once again confirmed her role as the family food intake champ. Maybe she was gathering strength for her upcoming dunking but she’s imposed a food tax on anyone with the temerity to consume food in her presence. She joined me for my usual bacon and eggs breakfast and I was hard pressed to get my half of the meal. She is very insistent and possesses a bottomless stomach.

Let's See if Grandpa Can Handle Both of Us

BR3 Explaining Food Tax to Grandpa

That Will be Mine Grandpa

Dad's Awake!!

With BR3 Outside Church

It was a beautiful fall day in Exeter for the ceremony with an ABFA cousin and my son’s best friend serving as godparents. Covid restrictions meant just the grandparents and godparents were present which made for a very empty church. BR3 is old enough to know she was not going to tolerate the traditional white bonnet but we were able to get a few guerrilla photos of her before she angrily removed it from her head. She was also a little ticked off about the whole application of water to her head part. She is nothing if not opinionated. She handled the rest like a champ although she reacted pretty strongly when placed between the BRS and a young cousin – I‘m guessing it was a problem with sharing the spotlight.

With Dad in Church

Split Second She was Wearing Bonnet

Parents and Godparents

First the Oil

Then the Water

Mom and Dad, What the Heck was That!

This was the same church the BRS was christened I and I reflected back on that day when the FBR as about the same age as the BRS is now and was equally determined to not remain quiet for the ceremony. The BRS was interested in getting up to see what all the fuss was about and took an active role in the symbolic tour of the church altar. The Catholics amongst us cringed a little bit when she decided to run under the main altar but no thunderbolts were dispensed as we all breathed a sigh of relief.

What's Going on with my Sister?

This Candle is Interesting

With Godparents

Tour of Church

BRS, About to Dodge under and through the Altar

We gathered back at their home for a post ceremony get together that was a lot of fun, even if beer was not involved. The newly baptized BR3 continued her food acquisition determination wandering up to anyone who seemed to be eating to impose her tax. The FBR was in seventh heaven to have both sets of grandparents to order around which meant extended playground time, especially if the ABFA’s dad was available. Just a great afternoon surrounded by excellent people. It took some of the sting from how badly the Patriots were playing.

Post Baptismal Group Shots

I am the Star of this Show!

Get me Out of Here Mom

Gliding Away

Cousins

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn