When I was in college at Indiana Wesleyan, I nannied for the Kuczora's. They were really wonderful to me when I was in school. Their family is really a great family and down below you will see how full my hands were with these kids. Actually, they were some of the most well behaved kids I have EVER watched. Except Matt beating up Meghan (punching her in the face) in the back of my ford escort, in 1993. The whole family was in Cascade Co. just outside of Colorado Springs because Matt is entering the priesthood, and taking vows. This was a 6.5 hour drive for us, so we loaded up the kids and took off for the weekend to visit with them. We got there Friday night, and Pam had dinner ready for us and the kids actually stayed up til 10pm and did fairly well. Then the next night we met them for dinner at a restaurant, and Sofie was not so good. So we had to eat and run. I really wished we could have spent more time with them, I got very emotional on the way back to our cabin. I can't tell you how unbelievable it was seeing these "little kids" after 12 years. The connection I had with this family so long ago, I immediately felt again, even after so long. Amazing. It was like 12 years had never passed. Then, back to the same old, and after being in the car with a very rambunctious 21 month old yesterday, I was ready for a day of work at the hospital today, goodness.
This is Paul, he is now a little more gray than I remembered, Pam though has that wonderful Asian heritage and hasn't aged a bit.
So here are my kids, Meridith is in the front almost sitting she is 14. I watched her as a newborn. The twins are standing on either side, and I still can't tell them apart, but, Maddie and Molly they are 17. They were the sweetest little girls in the world. One of them is #1 in their class and the other is #4. Out of, I think, 400. The boy is Matt and he is now 25 and went to Notre Dame, he is becoming a priest, (sorry ladies, that cute boy is not available), and Meghan is on his right and she also went to Notre Dame and now is at IU for medical school, she just finished her 1st year. The twins are graduating from high school next year and I think we are definitely going to go to their graduation party. (if we are invited) ;) I can't let that much time fly by again without seeing them.
Sofie's first carousal ride. We went to Santa's Workshop amusement park.
I couldn't go on this one, I definitely would have puked. Sofie loved it.
I almost puked on the ferris wheel for goodness sake. We were stopped at the top and I was a little scared. Heights are not my thing but we got through it.
Here is Sofie with her lollipop looking at the goats. All she could say was "pee you"
There was this rinky dink roller coaster. Sofie loved it as it threw her all around the place. Ryan had to hold his hand around her head to keep her from bumping it on the side and on the bar in front.
Down the big slide, Ryan got an arm burn. That he whined about all flippin day. What a wimp! :)
She actually went on this ride all by herself. So I go in with her and I proceed to get my big ole butt on this tiny little motor cycle. So I finally get myself wiggled on, and buckled in, quite the site as you can imagine, and then the teenage boy working there, tells me this ride is for kids only. After I squeezed in that seat. I am sure he got a kick out of me getting my big butt off the small seat, after watching me get in the small seat over the course of 3 very long minutes. And then falling flat on the ground. So, luckily there was only one other parent there to witness my humiliation along with my husband who laughed with the teenage boy, both, who got thorough enjoyment out of the spectacle. Can you see how small those seats are? North Pole post office
There was this elf puppet and this was Sofie's look on her face watching that thing and not knowing what to think of it.
The Crazy Elf that she wasn't sure of, singing Christmas carols.
Big Butterball in the big chair
My friend Alex and her little girl having a bath in our sink cause Aunt Cherie gave her her first oreo that got all over.
Our neighbor girl that babysits, finally got permission from her mom to have a belly ring, so Ryan brought home the stuff he would need and performed surgery on our kitchen table. I guess that is one of the perks of living across the neighborhood from a plastic surgeon. We got a date night in exchange for services rendered.
Finished product.
This is Paul, he is now a little more gray than I remembered, Pam though has that wonderful Asian heritage and hasn't aged a bit.
So here are my kids, Meridith is in the front almost sitting she is 14. I watched her as a newborn. The twins are standing on either side, and I still can't tell them apart, but, Maddie and Molly they are 17. They were the sweetest little girls in the world. One of them is #1 in their class and the other is #4. Out of, I think, 400. The boy is Matt and he is now 25 and went to Notre Dame, he is becoming a priest, (sorry ladies, that cute boy is not available), and Meghan is on his right and she also went to Notre Dame and now is at IU for medical school, she just finished her 1st year. The twins are graduating from high school next year and I think we are definitely going to go to their graduation party. (if we are invited) ;) I can't let that much time fly by again without seeing them.
Sofie's first carousal ride. We went to Santa's Workshop amusement park.
I couldn't go on this one, I definitely would have puked. Sofie loved it.
I almost puked on the ferris wheel for goodness sake. We were stopped at the top and I was a little scared. Heights are not my thing but we got through it.
Here is Sofie with her lollipop looking at the goats. All she could say was "pee you"
There was this rinky dink roller coaster. Sofie loved it as it threw her all around the place. Ryan had to hold his hand around her head to keep her from bumping it on the side and on the bar in front.
Down the big slide, Ryan got an arm burn. That he whined about all flippin day. What a wimp! :)
She actually went on this ride all by herself. So I go in with her and I proceed to get my big ole butt on this tiny little motor cycle. So I finally get myself wiggled on, and buckled in, quite the site as you can imagine, and then the teenage boy working there, tells me this ride is for kids only. After I squeezed in that seat. I am sure he got a kick out of me getting my big butt off the small seat, after watching me get in the small seat over the course of 3 very long minutes. And then falling flat on the ground. So, luckily there was only one other parent there to witness my humiliation along with my husband who laughed with the teenage boy, both, who got thorough enjoyment out of the spectacle. Can you see how small those seats are? North Pole post office
There was this elf puppet and this was Sofie's look on her face watching that thing and not knowing what to think of it.
The Crazy Elf that she wasn't sure of, singing Christmas carols.
Big Butterball in the big chair
My friend Alex and her little girl having a bath in our sink cause Aunt Cherie gave her her first oreo that got all over.
Our neighbor girl that babysits, finally got permission from her mom to have a belly ring, so Ryan brought home the stuff he would need and performed surgery on our kitchen table. I guess that is one of the perks of living across the neighborhood from a plastic surgeon. We got a date night in exchange for services rendered.
Finished product.
4 comments:
Oh Cherie that looks so fun to catch up with that neat family! I can feel how emotional it must have been! While not Catholic (obviously) I so admire the kind of people they must be and the type of person this guy must be to have this depth of commitment to service.
The look on Sophie's face watching that elf is a hoot!!:)
Nothing like meeting kids you used to babysit to show you the passage of time. Wow. Really cool that you got to spend time with them.
I agree with Kimberly, I was highly amused with Sophie's expression. Priceless!
Sophie's look reminds me of our very first meeting at HSBC...sitting in the library waiting to be tested as freshman...you had that exact look on your face, then said out loud "What's with the hair?"
Cherie!!! We were so touched when you packed your family into the van and came all the way to Colorado to see us! What a treat!! We adore your family and are so happy for you. We had the best time with all of you. We were truly blessed when God brought you into our lives. Plus you are a great hair braider!
We're glad that you did not give up on having children after witnessing Matt punch Meaghan. But we always knew you'd be a GREAT mom after you went toe to toe with the Children's Librarian from Hell at Story Hour over something I think Meredith did!
We won't let the twins see Ryan putting in that navel ring!
But you are all CERTAINLY invited to their graduation party in June!!
(((HUGS))) all around!
Pam
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