I have spent 18 years watching Peter and his friends grow up.
I have spent 18 years commiserating with parents about raising these kids.
From diapers to diplomas.
I would like to take a moment to say to my friends, "The kids are alright. We did OK. They are off on their next big adventure. Roots and wings."
I had the privilege of saying, "Take care, have fun, be safe," to a bunch of the boys yesterday. I am thrilled they stopped by and I can't wait to have the big galoots back in the house again at Thanksgiving.
In the order that they met...
I have known Corey since infancy. He was with Peter at day care, where he was never a little boy, entering the world at over 11 pounds and still growing at 6'7" tall (or something crazy like that!). Corey is hilarious. He is a trusted friend. He leaves on Sunday for Iona College to go forth and take the world by storm. He promises to stop by for the occasional Sunday dinner (he is obviously going to bringing it as I don't "do" Sunday dinner) to check in. He and Peter talk of working together in the future as they are both studying accounting. That would be something, right?!
I met Allie the day her parents, and all the grandparents (obviously, Italian), came to look at the house across the street. She was just one and too adorable. It has been a joy to watch her through the years - from the times we couldn't say her name to now - a gorgeous, sweet, quiet and determined young woman with an amazing amount of patience and kindness. (I don't live with her - she could be a pain in the ass at home, but out in the world, she is nothing short of delightful.) Allie is heading to Manhattan College today and I wish her nothing but brilliant adventures.
Brian and Peter became fast friends in kindergarten. They spent a lot of time together and would often argue. (Not a lot has changed.) Brian went home and told his mom they were fighting at school. Fran, being a logical mom, told Brian to just stay away from Peter for a little while if they were irritating each other. Brian, being four, told Peter he couldn't play with him any more - his mother said to stay away from him. Poor Peter came home devastated. Me, being a logical mom as well, figured out what Fran had said and explained it to Peter and then called Fran. They have been thick as thieves ever since. We have skied with them since the boys were in middle school so we have spent some serious family time together. Brian hits the road today to the University of Buffalo. He is a charming young man who will go far because he shakes hands like nobody's business and looks you in the eye every time he sees you. He has never come into the house without kissing me hello and goodbye.
Ben, AKA Skippy is one of the funniest of the boys. He seriously just cracks me up. When he and Peter were younger they worked at a camp and I would pick up Ben on the way to drive them there. He was always waiting in the driveway, in a skippy pair of shorts, (hence the name) while bouncing around like Tigger waiting for us. We once went to the beach and before we hit the corner of the street, he texted me from the back seat..."Are we there yet?" (It was a long ride...) Ben works as a golf caddy which has made him stealthy; he leaves the house before anyone else is awake to get to work for the 5:00AM T-times. Ben loves a good nap! He heads to St. Bonaventure today and I know without a shadow of a doubt he will do tremendously.
Brendon, AKA Eddie Haskell, is Peter's friend who has always made me smile. "Hello Mrs. Pinque. How are you Mrs. Pinque." (These days he just calls me Mom.) He always has a twinkle in his eye. Brendon is a hilarious dinner guest and unfailingly polite. He tells wild stories and is a true blue friend. Wavering between college versus the Marines, as a mama, I am extraordinarily relieved he is headed to Herkimer College today. He is off to study Criminal Justice and is well equipped to handle that route.
Nikki, Peter's girlfriend, is heading to UCONN on Friday. It has been such fun to watch these two enjoy a really nice relationship. Classmates since middle school, they have been friends for a long time. Nikki cheered Peter's football number this past year and that sealed the deal - they have been dating ever since. I enjoy watching them interact - they are good for each other. There isn't a lot of drama and that's always a positive sign. Although they are dating now, they a both want to take the time to enjoy the college experience and meet new people. That's the hard part of high school relationships. I know that Nikki will have a spectacular time in college because that is just the kind of person she is - fun, witty, caring, kind, the mother of the group and smart as all get out.
I am thrilled for ALL of our kids heading off - near and far. It has been nice to read the Facebook posts. I can't wait to see how they grow these next few years.
My only true regret is that I didn't go away to college.
(Trust me, I know not all kids are college material - I was and I didn't go and if you've been here long enough you know the deal.)
I am vicariously living through these first few weeks with them. May they soar. May they thrive. May they not need money.
All love you amazing people. All love!
xo
I have spent 18 years commiserating with parents about raising these kids.
From diapers to diplomas.
I would like to take a moment to say to my friends, "The kids are alright. We did OK. They are off on their next big adventure. Roots and wings."
I had the privilege of saying, "Take care, have fun, be safe," to a bunch of the boys yesterday. I am thrilled they stopped by and I can't wait to have the big galoots back in the house again at Thanksgiving.
In the order that they met...
I have known Corey since infancy. He was with Peter at day care, where he was never a little boy, entering the world at over 11 pounds and still growing at 6'7" tall (or something crazy like that!). Corey is hilarious. He is a trusted friend. He leaves on Sunday for Iona College to go forth and take the world by storm. He promises to stop by for the occasional Sunday dinner (he is obviously going to bringing it as I don't "do" Sunday dinner) to check in. He and Peter talk of working together in the future as they are both studying accounting. That would be something, right?!
I met Allie the day her parents, and all the grandparents (obviously, Italian), came to look at the house across the street. She was just one and too adorable. It has been a joy to watch her through the years - from the times we couldn't say her name to now - a gorgeous, sweet, quiet and determined young woman with an amazing amount of patience and kindness. (I don't live with her - she could be a pain in the ass at home, but out in the world, she is nothing short of delightful.) Allie is heading to Manhattan College today and I wish her nothing but brilliant adventures.
Brian and Peter became fast friends in kindergarten. They spent a lot of time together and would often argue. (Not a lot has changed.) Brian went home and told his mom they were fighting at school. Fran, being a logical mom, told Brian to just stay away from Peter for a little while if they were irritating each other. Brian, being four, told Peter he couldn't play with him any more - his mother said to stay away from him. Poor Peter came home devastated. Me, being a logical mom as well, figured out what Fran had said and explained it to Peter and then called Fran. They have been thick as thieves ever since. We have skied with them since the boys were in middle school so we have spent some serious family time together. Brian hits the road today to the University of Buffalo. He is a charming young man who will go far because he shakes hands like nobody's business and looks you in the eye every time he sees you. He has never come into the house without kissing me hello and goodbye.
Ben, AKA Skippy is one of the funniest of the boys. He seriously just cracks me up. When he and Peter were younger they worked at a camp and I would pick up Ben on the way to drive them there. He was always waiting in the driveway, in a skippy pair of shorts, (hence the name) while bouncing around like Tigger waiting for us. We once went to the beach and before we hit the corner of the street, he texted me from the back seat..."Are we there yet?" (It was a long ride...) Ben works as a golf caddy which has made him stealthy; he leaves the house before anyone else is awake to get to work for the 5:00AM T-times. Ben loves a good nap! He heads to St. Bonaventure today and I know without a shadow of a doubt he will do tremendously.
Brendon, AKA Eddie Haskell, is Peter's friend who has always made me smile. "Hello Mrs. Pinque. How are you Mrs. Pinque." (These days he just calls me Mom.) He always has a twinkle in his eye. Brendon is a hilarious dinner guest and unfailingly polite. He tells wild stories and is a true blue friend. Wavering between college versus the Marines, as a mama, I am extraordinarily relieved he is headed to Herkimer College today. He is off to study Criminal Justice and is well equipped to handle that route.
Nikki, Peter's girlfriend, is heading to UCONN on Friday. It has been such fun to watch these two enjoy a really nice relationship. Classmates since middle school, they have been friends for a long time. Nikki cheered Peter's football number this past year and that sealed the deal - they have been dating ever since. I enjoy watching them interact - they are good for each other. There isn't a lot of drama and that's always a positive sign. Although they are dating now, they a both want to take the time to enjoy the college experience and meet new people. That's the hard part of high school relationships. I know that Nikki will have a spectacular time in college because that is just the kind of person she is - fun, witty, caring, kind, the mother of the group and smart as all get out.
I am thrilled for ALL of our kids heading off - near and far. It has been nice to read the Facebook posts. I can't wait to see how they grow these next few years.
My only true regret is that I didn't go away to college.
(Trust me, I know not all kids are college material - I was and I didn't go and if you've been here long enough you know the deal.)
I am vicariously living through these first few weeks with them. May they soar. May they thrive. May they not need money.
All love you amazing people. All love!
xo
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
http://youtu.be/pTDZHBTB67Y
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
http://youtu.be/pTDZHBTB67Y
