As they say, you don’t buy the house.
You buy into the neighborhood.
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I was reminded of how wonderful our little neighborhood is this past Sunday morning.
I invited our neighbor’s two youngest kids out to have breakfast. We had such a nice time albeit much too brief.
Although Old Man Jack and Mr. Johnson are no longer with us, the integrity of the neighborhood remains.
It is a neighborhood where I feel safe. And I feel the kids are safe.
They are safe because our street is filled with good people. Good parents. Good neighbors.
They even bring in our trash barrels if they get home first. It’s swell.
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But I marveled at how ALWAYS nice Jacob and Brady are with my kids…from when Jack and Brooke were born.
Jacob and Brady are growing up so fast. They are becoming young adults now and very busy. Yet, they find the time to play with my young kids.
Jacob is a super athlete. Heckuva sportsman and is heavily sought after by the high schools. Even now. His dad is a jock so he’s a chip off the ol’ block. (Don’t worry, dad. You’re not THAT old.)
And Brady… She already is a boy-killer…and a heckuva dancer. Smart one, too! (Don’t worry, mom. I won’t tell ANYONE I have taken over at least a hundred of my chocolate truffles. Funny Jake and Brady rarely tell me if they were good or not… ;))
But most of all, they are great kids.
Jacob and Brady always take their dishes to the sink when they eat here. Brady even cleaned off my (DISGUSTING) rangetop when she watched Jack and Brooke so that I could have my “date” with a varsity cheerleader and old friend for my 40th high school reunion last month. I’m still on a high from that, by the way. Thanks, Brady!
I had Jacob clear this irritating climbing ivy “someone” planted in my backyard. It was climbing all over the place…and into my neighbor’s yard. There wasn’t one branch left after he finished. He even pulled out the roots. Problem no more. Thanks, Jacob!
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One other amazing piece of “togetherness”… There are eight kids between our two families with an amazing connection… The kids’ first letters in their names coincide – and in birth order, to boot! They are:
- Robbie and Robyn
- Taylor and Takeshi
- Jacob and Jack, and lastly,
- Brady and Brooke
And one last (and upcoming) connection… Robbie and Robyn are both getting married next year.
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Soon, Jacob and Brady will be seeking their own niches in life. While Jack and Brooke will be sad, at the same time, I know their hearts will be filled with happiness and gratefulness for all their love, care and fun afforded them throughout their first years of life.
So many things to be thankful for…and Jacob and Brady are two of them.
Masako and Spam Musubi 
Like!
Geezus, that was fast, Punkie!
creating so many memories!
I hope they will all remember these days…
i bet they will!
How lucky you and they have been!
Indeed… and you have so many cutie pie friends as well!
What a blessing/comfort to have such a neighborhood. Full of more than just neighbors. It seems as if your neighbors feel quite blessed to have you in their lives. I love the pictures. All of these children are so beautiful!
Arigato, Chatter Master. Brady CAN easily be a top fashion model; she is so cute…but she’s got talent and brains, too. And Jake – he is such a nice young man with the “watch me, girls” persona! And you…. You have so many around you!
You and I are truly lucky Koji. Not only are we surrounded by happy and wonderful youth, we are both very appreciative of the gift they are to us. We don’t take them for granted.
Roasting Marshmallows always brings smiles to the faces and the taste buds!!! I love it….. Take Care and God Bless 🙂 Kenny T
Thanks, Kenny T! Had your stiff one yet this morning?
Love all of these. My favorites, July 2005 melted my heart, Sept. 2006 speaks volumes of her loving nature, August 2006 shows a true gentleman in the making. 🙂
By the way, OH MY GOSH your kids are cute!!!! 🙂
Thank you so much! They’ve been wanting to go to a place like your winter wonderland… 🙂 Icicles included!
Oh…My…Gosh…! We all love all of you. Having you as our friends has been a blessing to us in so many ways! Now I see where your kids got their kindness and big hearts!
Hi, mother to Jacob and Brady! You’re right… My kids got their “nice” from YOUR kids… all four of them!! Instead of truffles, how about some tiramisu this time!! 🙂
I thought neighborhoods like that were a thing of the past…it did my ole heart good to know it is not so. But it is the people that make a good neighborhood, and you have blessed them as well, I am sure.
From all those photos you have posted, I am sure you also live in a great neighborhood… 😉
We have seen better days! 🙂 We are now the old couple who are one of the few that have been here the longest.
This post and those photos brought several smiles to my face. Thank you.
Russ
Anytime! 🙂 That past Sunday brought me good feelings as well. So much so that I had to write about it here. 😉 Thanks for the visit.
What a blessing! Such wonderful photos too!
The photo memories are precious indeed!!! Thank you.
This was the neighborhood we used to have… How wonderful!
“Used to have”? 😔. I’m so sorry… What happened to change that?
Yes, it was wonderful… Too bad the ex set different priorities as to what she sees as important for my kids. She missed out on so much…
Maybe, some kids are into electronic devices, games…