Jocelyn and Ian~
Below is an email from our 85 year old neighbor in Manchester whose house was also recently bought back from the town due to the hazardous waste issue we had dealt with. Your Poppa spent considerable time including Mrs Mains in the dealings with the town and attempting to keep her informed of any decisions that may have impacted her house as well. I thought it might brighten your day to take a read ~ it certainly makes me immensely proud of him (not that I wasn't before:)) that he has changed the world in such a positive way. No more children (especially you two) will be living and playing on hazardous waste and no more families who have spent their life paying down mortgages on their family home will be unable to sell their home to future buyers and unable to secure their future and the future of their families due to your Poppa's hard work.
Your Poppa turns forty next week and two years ago when we bought our house in Wellesley, he said wanted to be sitting by our pool behind our newly built house for his 40th birthday. We certainly haven't accomplished that yet (we are going to Bermuda instead ~ thanks to Grammy, Pepere and Nana for babysitting!) but Poppa has made our dream (and Mrs Mains) a real possiblity in the near future with his hard work over the past two years. Have a read and I dare you not to smile!!
Hello David:
I just thought you might like to know how all has come out for the Mains family. I am about to close on a beautiful house in Rockport. In today's world it was a bargain, and much better then we have here. I believe the town came thru generously in our case. It helped that I had cash to pay for the house as the owner was anxious to leave. With some renovations there will be seperate space for my daughter and granddaughter.
I know the whole thing has been awful for you both, but believe me you saved my life. I could never have sold this house to anybody. All I can say is one huge thank You. If in future you will be in Rockport for any reason I would like it if you let me know, after all I would not be there if it were not for you.
I hope little girl Gesner is doing well. They grow so fast. How did I get three great grands, all dear girls; the years flew by thats how.
One more THANKS,
Chukki Mains
We were able to celebrate Poppa's birthday in Bermuda for a few nights, thanks to Grammy, Pepere and Nana babysitting you munchkins. This is a view from our hotel room!
We had to do it! It was very fun and I lectured your Poppa about safety the entire way around the island!
Sorry Poppa but this one is classic:)
This was a shot from the road as we were driving by. I made your Poppa stop. Bermuda was amazing and we had an amazing time! Happy Birthday Poppa!
Jocelyn's adorable gift from Grammy!
She is all excited about the flowers on the sandals so is pointing them out for me:)
Ian on his 4 month birthday hanging out with Pepere...
And learning to eat!!
Making pancakes with Grammy one morning...
And the little man trying out the bumbo seat for the first time so he can be part of the action!
Although not walking in it yet, obviously, Ian has begun using the walker that Jocelyn loved so much when she got her cast off.
He seems to enjoy it too!
Although when big sister decides she like to push him around...
It may be a bit much for the little guy just yet!! We have since attached the brakes to the bottom to prevent Jocelyn from playing bumper cars with him!!
Jocelyn's new thing is to wrap her stuffed "Baby Doggie" in her pink blanket (like Momma wraps baby Ian in his blanket). Grammy is wrapping her in it instead.
And stealing a snuggie...
And a tickle!
Meanwhile, Poppa is entertaining the little man...
Who seems to be enamored with his Poppa these days...
Who is also stealing a snuggie!
Ian decided he wanted roll over while Momma and Poppa were away for Poppa's 40th birthday so this is not a shot of the first time but one of the first times instead...oh well!!
Jocelyn spent Friday and Saturday night at Grammy and Pepere's house in NH so her Poppa was very excited to see her come through the door Father's Day morning (as was Momma).
She is helping Poppa read his card. She is great at ripping envelopes!
Jocelyn had just delivered Pepere's card to him...
while Ian was hanging out with Grammy...
and Nana.
Everyone had a fantastic day as you can tell by Jocelyn's smile!
Here she is enjoying her birthday presents from Momma and Poppa - a play house and kitchen she can use in the backyard. She loves going through the cabinets in our actual kitchen and pulling out pots and pans to bang on, so we knew she would love the kitchen. The play house has a pretend phone and doorbell that she loves to play with - pretty much anything that makes a noise when you press a button is usually a big hit!
We arranged for Tigger to come and perform, and he was a hit with many of the kids and even some adults...
...but not with the birthday girl, who seemed a little freaked out that her stuffed animal had somehow come to life. Luckily Tigger came as a package deal with someone who made balloon animals for the kids...
...and Jocelyn was much better after she had a balloon flower and her phone to play with.
As did the little man in his (credit for this great shot goes to my Aunt Cathy).
Jocelyn also got a little freaked out when everyone started singing Happy Birthday to her, but a short walk calmed her down, and then a little cake brought the smile back! (Cathy also took this shot.)
