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Happy Halloween from the Gotham crime fighters!

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We had some sad news this week. Joe's beloved Grandpa (O.G.) passed away. He'd be fighting cancer for quite a while and after a fall, it was just his time. Obviously, we are all sad and will miss him.

Joe called me with the news while Jack and I were at the zoo. We decided then we'd tell him together after dinner.

I wasn't really sure how he would react. O.G. is the first person in his life to pass away. Joe came to dinner with red eyes and the boys noticed immediately. When he took Brennan for a mid-dinner potty break, Jack asked me what was wrong. I told him to ask his Dad. And when Joe told him, Jack leaned back in his chair and was quiet for a minute.

Then he said ...
"Well, the good news is he isn't really dead. His soul has gone to heaven where he will live forever. We're lucky because we're the only animals that have souls. So that means we'll see him again someday when we're old and go to heaven."

He is six.

Joe took a call a few minutes later. Jack turned to me and said ...
"You know, Mom. We're actually pretty lucky because now O.G. will be looking out for us -- like a guardian angel."

I told him he should tell Daddy that.
And then he hugged Joe for a good long time.

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Caroline is 7 weeks now.
She continues to be a fantastic baby. Good spirits, cuddley and these days smiling and even offering a giggle or two.

Today we had Jack's flag football and in a freak turn of events it was in the 80s. He did well. Though he continues to be hestitant to catch the ball (following a ball to the face/bloody nose last week) he ran for a touchdown and tackled a kid. He;s showing some interest but I think he just likes being on a team and running around.

Brennan is dying to be old enough for sports. He sits on the sideline with the team and follows the game more closely than his big brother.

Yesterday I took the kids to Ga and Ma's for the day to play with Freddie. Because of the flukey weather, they were even able to swim. Of course Dad had the pool warm and ready to go. So much so that when Brennan stepped in he said:
"What in the world? Is this a hot tub?!"

Later in the day, Jack pulled me aside and speaking out the side of his mouth said ... "Mom! Why do they have pictures of naked women?! It's very inappropriate!" Of course I just laughed. I mean, how do you talk modern art with a 6 year old? I'll leave that one to Ma.

5 more weeks to go on my leave. We've hired a nanny who we're excited about. Cross fingers it works out.