The McGinnis Family

We have officially moved back to Newark! We have a lot of work to do before we can say we're moved in, but we're getting there. It was a long weekend of moving and cleaning and running after a filthy little boy. CJ started us off by packing one of his shoes in an unknown box that we have yet to find. He went around in his socks until Mama could go to buy him some new sneaks on the way to the new house. He loves the house and spends all day going HOUSE! HOUSE! For that I am grateful. He did cry when he had to leave his friend, Deandra, across the street. We vowed to keep in touch though and are planning on taking her with us to the zoo in a few weeks. As for the rest he has settled right in. We've enjoyed lunches together all week. Of course, he loves the backyard and the stream that runs along the edge (Did we mention that we have a little stream?). He has been investigating everything and is constantly covered in dirt. No longer is this kid afraid of the grass. Last night ...

Here is our Philly boy the night we took him to his concert. He was telling us all about the people walking by as we ate a quick snack at a local pub. He was being a bit bossy insistant that we soak up the sounds and people as quickly as he did. He was not impressed with our apathy and definitely reminded Mama to look around and enjoy the atmosphere. While I am certain he will enjoy the backyard, I think he too will receive quite a culture shock when we arrive in good old Newark later this month. Currently he is running through the house shouting box as the continue to pile up. It is amazing how much we have just donated though. We're ruthless and I think he is concerned that his toys will go out as he has been hiding a toy here and there as we pack. He just made a good friend across the street and I'm sure he'll miss hanging out with her, but I think he already met a new little girl whose father works at the University. Last night we went to Old City to grab a bite...

This is CJ rolling his eyes at us. He is such a nut. We were on our way to the Jack Johnson concert. CJ loved his first official mainstream concert! He partied it up with the best of them. Dancing and singing along and of course bossing everyone around him to do the same. Finally, he passed out and slept through the last hour and all the way home. This week has been a big one for him. He's really getting his alphabet down and only misses a few letters here and there. Numbers seem to be more of his thing though and he has been counting like crazy. He can count all the way to 9 by himself (much to our suprise), but usally likes to stop around 5 or 6. I guess as first time parents we don't know what he's supposed to be doing, but that seems like a huge deal to us. He loves numbers and is counting everything. He is also growing much more comfortable chatting with us even though he gets quite frustrated that we don't always know what he wants. He has been call...

Well, the Philly McGinnis family is moving back to Newark, DE. The price of gas coupled with a very active two-year-old has convinced us city lovers to move back to the suburbs (at least for awhile). We are very excited as a house has opened up at the University so we'll basically be living on campus. I'll be able to walk to work and go home for lunch. There will still be a park down the street and CJ will have a huge backyard to play in. It will be nice not to be commuting for two hours a day while I'm trying to finish up law school. Casey is going to be able to start back to school in the Fall as well so we're very excited about that. Overall, it is going to be a great move for us even though we'll miss the city streets. As you can see, the house is sweet and we'll have more space since it has a huge basement. I can't imagine getting more lucky right now.

So the picture was stolen off of Mike and Sarah's website because I'm at work and haven't unloaded the camera of pictures at home yet. The blog is very behind because Mama is behind. Between the trip, work, and finishing up my summer class I've been swamped. As I approach my final semester, the posts are likely to be sporadic unless Case can pick it up. The trip was fabulous. Thank you to everyone. Thank you notes are on the way (Sorry for being rude and waiting so long). We have a great time and CJ really enjoyed his birthday. It was fun to have such a big party and see everyone. CJ likes to go through and name everyone he can think of as if he's running through a grocery list. Things have been crazy here not that its not always crazy. Uncle Eric is here for a visit and for work so we're heading to DC and Annapolis this weekend. We'll get some great pics and update on Monday. CJ is just being CJ. Like his cousin Abby, he loves the park and wants to be outsi...

We are getting ready to head back to Kansas City for the weekend. It should be a nice time. CJ is getting excited that his birthday is coming up. He keeps pointing out birthday cakes in his books and blowing out the candles. He has also memorized all the people in the photo album and points them out by name. (We'll see if he'll actually say the names when we get there though.) He is still shy about talking when others are around. This week he's taken to teaching Curious George his ABCs, which he sings over and over again- the tune and some of the letters are right. LMNOP is always in the right place. He's still the sweetest most sensitive soul and he really knows how to make people feel better already.

Hi again. Just wanted to let everyone know that invitations are in the mail for CJ's birthday. It will be from 1pm-4pm at my parent's house in Blue Springs on Saturday, July 5th. Casey will be grilling up some lunch so you know there will be lots of good food. The kids can play in the sprinkler and we'll have a little baby pool. It should be lots of fun.