September 30, 2010 Divorce Day

Dear Noah and Dylan,
     Today was an emotional day.  You both came over and spent the day while your dad went to court to settle the divorce agreement.  Yup, the nightmare is over.  I was very nervous for him, hoping the judge didn't make some sudden unfair rulings but it all worked out fine.   The custody agreement was what your dad wanted (and your mom) and the money was divided fairly.  Your dad stays in the house and gives you mom 30K in cash plus 30k of his retirement. (and the van)  While they were going through that, the 3 of us had a great time here at Auntie Kim's house.  Your dad dropped you off at 8:00 and I make pancakes.  I had to bribe you both to eat more though by challenging you to "take five more bites".  Then we packed you up in the stroller and went down Hale St., down Low St and on the Rail Trail where we walked on the bridge and looked down, then played with the train, except there was a bratty boy bothering Noah.  Noah came to the bench telling me he was scared!  So I videotaped the little bully in action.  He was a pistol!  Then we wen to the river and let Ruby swim .  It was 80 degrees today!  From there, after throwing a few rocks in the river, I had to use the port-a-potty (not my favorite thing to do ) so you both stayed in the stroller and held Ruby's leash together while I hopped in the hopper and hopped outside again as fast as I possibly could.  Yuck!  So then we went to the playground but Noah was too tired, sat down and said he was "taking a break."  Dylan climbed up on the biggest slide and hung around up there with another kid and his mother.  We didn't stay long because I could tell you both needed a nap.  (me, too!)  I sang a few songs most of the way home: Skip to my Lou, The Farmer in the Dell, The Ratlan Bog, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.  I think some people heard me and thought I was a crazy lady!  So we came back to the house and changed diapers had some juice and drawled into Aunties bed tougher.  I read a story "Too Much Noise" while you lay on either side of me and then when I finished we tried to go to sleep.  Dylan honked out first, then Noah after imitating the donkey in the story.  I snuck out and read the paper finally  Noah was up and about an hour and a half later, opens the door and announces, "I'm awake!" which a big smile and wanted to figure out how to use Uncle Joe's cribbage board.  i started some macaroni while he put toothpicks in the holes.  Next I knew, your daddy was there already!  Dylan got up soon and we ate together but he had his cranky pants on.  Veronica showed up and we hung out on the deck for awhile but trouble brewed between the two of you, mostly Noah antagonizing Dylan.  The final straw was when i suggested Dylan go find the To Much Noise book on the bed and Noah grabbed it from him provoking a tantrum.  So the three of you left.  We had fun while it lasted!
     I was hoping to have you help me put out my Halloween decorations but maybe next time you come.  You both, especial Dylan wanted me to take lots of pictures of you with the dogs!  So cute...
    so your parents divorce will be official after the 90 day period, December 30.  And neither of you know any difference!  If divorce could be aas painless for more kids!  The lawyers even told the judge that both your parents were exemplary in the handling of you both throughout all of this.
     Kids, it's been a long year for the rest of us, starting as early as April, 2009 when your dad called mea t work to see if I could recommend a marriage counsellor.  but the real anxiety was the end of August 2009 when we found out your mom was in love with another man.  I guess we'll see if she and him end up together.  I hope your dad will fan a woman to be happy with.  but right now, he is so happy he ahas you both 50% of the time.  Me, too!!! :-)
Love you both (even when you cry)
Auntie Kim