The Happiest Boy Alive

Since the weather has been getting nicer the boys and I have been going for walks in the afternoon. Everyday that it wasn't snowing last week, we would bundle up and head out. Evan rode his tricycle while I pushed Eli in the stroller. Both boys loved our walks, so most days we went out twice. Evan, however, has grown A LOT over the past year and his tricycle was suddenly way too small. As he pedaled along down the street his knees were coming just an inch below the handle bars. I mentioned this to Pat and suggested it might be time for a "big boy" bicycle.

So last night, on the way home from Boston, we stopped at Wal Mart and found a beauty of a big boy bike, called the RockIt. Evan fell in love at first sight. After picking out a helmet, he put it on and pushed his bike all the way to the registers. As soon as we got home he helped Daddy check it over and tighten the training wheels. Then he was off and riding. He was nervous at first, it was bigger and harder to pedal, but within five minutes he had the hang of it and was tearing through the house like a pro.

He would stop every few minutes and in his sweetest, most excited voice, thank us for buying him a big boy bike. Then off he'd ride again. One time he stopped and said, "I'm not going to fight with you anymore at Target, or Barnes and Noble, or Lowe's, any of those places". My dream come true! And, while that statement alone would have made the purchase worthwhile, I'm not sure I have ever seen him happier. He was all smiles and his excitement was contagious. Pat and I stood back to soak in the moment as one boy pedaled joyously through the house, and the other tentatively walked behind him.

Happy Easter!

We dyed eggs this morning. Went to Meme and Pepes house for a yummy Easter dinner. And we ate lots of chocolate. Everything Easter should be!

A Little Leprechaun Love!

911

Eli called 911. It happened innocently enough. He loves the phone and managed to get his hands on it. He was in my lap, so I was aware that he had the phone and periodically checked to be sure he wasn't calling anyone. Then to my chagrin I heard the telltale sounds of the phone dialing. I grabbed the phone and hit "END". Eli broke into a loud, raucous scream of anger and disgust at the grave injustice he was served.

The phone rang almost immediately. No caller ID info. Suspicious. But I answered it anyway. Eli seeing me with the phone again was re-angered and began a hearty wail louder than before. I asked the caller to please hold on because I couldn't hear what they were saying. I handed Eli to Hemanth and adjourned to the kitchen so I could hear. To my absolute horror the caller identified herself as "An operator from Manchester City 911". She was calling because they had received a call from our phone.

Embarrassment, nay, humiliation surged through me. I politely explained what had happened (while Eli screamed in the next room) and begged her forgiveness repeatedly. She was kind and professional and assured me it was not a problem. I was feeling pretty small, baffled by the odds that Eli could actually dial 911 and then hit "SEND". Then the phone rang again. This time the caller ID read "Manchester City". Now I was feeling even smaller.

It was yet another operator following up on the 911 call and assuring our safety. I sheepishly recounted the story ... again, then apologized another half dozen times. After I hung up, I jokingly said, they'll probably send a cruiser. They didn't. They sent TWO! Yup. Two cruisers pulled up across the street and then came to our front door with an authoritative knock.

The officers were friendly and professional. They looked us over as I recounted the story for a third time, emphasizing that the baby was crying because I had taken the phone away, and that I had not realized that he had dialed 911. (I checked the redial and there were a dozen numbers on the screen, the first three just happened to be 911) They apparently decided we were alright and went on their way.

My private humiliation was now public for all the neighbors to see. But I was impressed with the protocol and professionalism of all involved. I'm sure I'll probably see another cruiser pass by in a day or two, but I suppose there are worse things.