Summer 2015: What a Difference a Year Makes

Summer is winding down.

The dog days (hello stretches of 90+ days and insufferable humidity, would you please just bring us a nice, cleaning, good old fashioned east coast summer thunderstorm please?) are upon us.

If I had to sum up the summer in one sentence it would be this:

What a difference a year makes.

There were loads of milestones. I frequently took the twins (and a big kid or two) to the town pool on my own this summer (see above). That felt like a major accomplishment.



I'm not potty training twins.

No one naps.

Everyone is (for the most part) calmer.

I touched on this a bit at the end of last summer, this feeling that I am a fifth wheel and they just don't need me the way they used to (by the way I am not broken up about this and say it without a single tinge of melancholy). I mean, of course they need me. But so much of the time I find that I am mostly doing maintenance and upkeep around here (filling the dishwasher, granting snacks, anticipating the next activity--What in the HELL am I going to make for dinner--and do these people REALLY need to eat AGAIN?).

This is partly my own doing (when they are all home or even when it's just the three of them--usually Ellie, Harry and Lucy in the afternoons, since Leo has been at an all day camp for the last month) they tend to get involved in elaborate activities (vet hospital, mountain lions, Play-Doh, to name a few). For the most part, it's very easy for me step aside and just let them do their own thing (listening with a half an ear of course).

By the way, Ellie? World's best au pair/mother's helper. I seriously could not ask for more. She has saved me more than a few times this summer when I've had to meet a work deadline and the twins are clamoring.

Ellie made us crepes for dinner from her new cookbook (with fresh strawberry topping). Eight thumbs up!

This summer, Leo turned eleven.



Ellie turned eight. She attended gymnastics, art and invention camps.


At the pool on her birthday she had a hot dog AND ice cream. I mean, you only turn eight once, right?


Ellie also learned how to ride a bike.

Leo went on his first overnight at camp (on his birthday, no less!).


Every year on Leo's birthday I have the same thought: that I couldn't be more proud of my boy, and that I wish I could go back in time to that terrifying day he was born and say, 'Self? Leo is going to be JUST FINE. In fact, the day before he turns eleven, he'll ride a jet ski for the first time, and on his actual birthday? He'll go on his first camp overnight.


School, together. Day 1.

Lucy and Harry had milestones too. During the month of August, since Harry's school was closed, he got to attend camp (cough, cough glorified preschool) with Lucy. I was surprised by how much they enjoyed being together (I always assumed they liked the break from each other that separate schools afforded since they are togetherallthetime). But no. Every morning this August, the first words out of Harry's mouth are: "Do I get to go to Lucy's school today?" I actually think he might just be in it for the LEGO bricks in Ms. Jamie's room but I could be wrong.



The thing that is so crazy to me is that the twins are now, the same age as Ellie was when they were born. Maybe it's because there are two of them and they rile each other up so much of the time but they just still seem so--Little. Young. Yes, babyish.


Summer, 2011. Sunrise, Sunset.












We still have a little over a week until school starts. It's hard to believe this is the twins' last year before "real" school (kindergarten). It's hard to believe Leo is heading off to middle school. We received Leo's bust "ticket" for the year and he'll be picked up at 7:30am (YIKES). That's going to be interesting.

And, We're BACK! With Four Year Olds and Some Thoughts on Summer

I suppose the great thing about not blogging forever is that when you DO finally blog, you have a lot to say, right?

Let's just jump right in, shall we?

Last week the twins turned four. FOUR.

Celebrating, a day early. This is the first year I made two cakes.

Ask me how on earth this happened and where the last four years of my life went and I will say I HAVE NO IDEA.


At four, Harry is a highly observant little conversationalist. He is thoughtful, loves to asks questions about how things work and it's safe to say his language has EXPLODED. He is still highly emotional (I've lost track of how many times we've had to threaten to take his Lego blocks away after he crumbles when something doesn't "fit" quite right or a Lego vehicle falls apart). We are working on ways for him to manage his many, MANY feelings (the majority of them involving his beloved Lego blocks). He is still a bit of a stunt man, falling off chairs and practically diving head first into rooms. He can be a real snuggler when he wants to be. He eats apples almost as if they are an obsession and can play quietly and independently for very long stretch (one word: Lego).


At four, Lucy continues to be one of the happiest, smiliest people I've ever known. Ebullient is really the word I would use to describe her. She is strong-willed (highly unusual amongst four year olds, I know-HA HA HA) and independent, which is fabulous when she is doing what she's asked to do (put her pajamas on by herself) but not so terrific when she's decided that she DOESN'T want to do what you've asked her to do (put her pajamas on). Have I mentioned that both she and her twin brother are teaching me a thing or two about tantrums? Ahem. Lucy loves to color, draw and play with anything related to horses. She is definitely able to entertain herself more, lining up La La Loopsy girls and creating complicated scenarios and conversations with them. But her favorite playmate of all these days is her big sister Ellie. When Ellie gets home from school it's as though Lucy's day really starts. Last night I overheard her out in the backyard calling, "Eleanor! ELEANOR! You come here! Because I love you and I want to be with you all the time!"

It's hard to believe a little over a year from now these two will be heading off to kindergarten. They still seem SO LITTLE to me and it seems like they have so much maturing to do. I know that a lot happens between turning four and almost turning five. It really is a sweet age (when it's not maddening), and I'm trying hard to enjoy things when I can and not be driven completely insane when things get, shall we say, frustrating.

The school year ends in a little less than two weeks. Like most parents, I'm looking forward to a slower change of pace and perhaps am a little nervous about making everything work. Trust me when I sway I needed a bottle of wine, a spreadsheet and a bank robbery to figure out camps and schedules for all these small people.

Leo and Harry have summer school in July, then Leo goes to camp for all of August, Ellie is attending a variety of camps (art, science, gymnastics) for one week stints but is definitely going to home more this summer than she's ever been before (we shall see about that--she's promised me that she wants this, that she's ready for "down" time--but the jury is out on how this will play). Lucy's schedule is the only one that won't change, she's still doing preschool five mornings a week (though her school becomes a bit more "layed-back" and "camp-like" during the summer months, with water play and theme weeks (camping week, space week, fairy tale week).

Hopefully it will all be JUST FINE and everyone will be reasonably happy, but if not, I am trying to keep this in mind.

It's my mantra for the summer and really should be, even beyond. Erin and I have a running joke that someone is always not quite happy. Eating lunch outside? Three of them cheer and one pipes up, But it's cold! I need a sweater! I want to eat inside! Watching a movie? Three of them agree but one complains, I don't wanna watch that one! We watched it last week! And ask me how hard it is to make dinner (heck, ANY MEAL) for four children and have them all content. It's just not possible. And for a people pleaser like me, it can be exhausting--that endless, constant feeling that something is always not quite right. So, Summer of 2015. Wish us luck!

Big Summer Blowout: Odds & Ends

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Summer is winding down for us. Though I did make the terrifying discovery last week that school doesn't start for the big kids until September 4 (for some reason I had it in my head that it was the Tuesday after Labor Day). I know, I know, it's only two days. But it's--TWO DAYS. Leo and Ellie both finished camp last week so this will enable us to have, um, lots of last minute togetherness.



Leo LOVED his camp. I can't say enough great things about his experience there this summer. He came every week with new pottery creations, he scaled the rock wall, he travailed the zip line, he swam twice a day and had private swimming lessons. It's just a shame he couldn't have been better prepared for Rainbow Day.



As mentioned previously, Ellie enjoyed a variety of week long camps. Just like last year, she loved art camp (she's asked to do two weeks next summer).



I might be just a little proud of the work she did there.




The Eiffel Tower was my favorite, of course.





She was so inspired that week that as soon as we could clear the breakfast dishes away she was asking to paint. She then led the twins in a 7:30 a.m. painting clinic.



These two.  This was in the waiting room of the pediatrician's office (Ellie insisted I take her in after she suffered a week with a cold--she was convinced she had the strep throat that Lucy had a few weeks before--"I think it's pretty obvious I have strep," Ellie informed me, not even trying to mask her impatience--Spoiler alert: she did not have strep).  They just seem giant to me lately (see above). Like, who stole my babies and replaced them with these big kids? (Not that they are acting like big kids or anything).




Speaking of camp. Lucy's tights fared about as well at "ballet camp" as Lucy did. We got a call the second day to come pick her up because she not only refused to participate but was being "defiant." Apparently she enjoyed the craft and snack portion of the camp but seemed to not like the actual "dance" element of dance camp. Whoops.



No Jedi Camp for Harry. Just a lot of backyard light sabering and Lego playing and Batman Lego and Super Hero book reading.



I don't even know what to say about these people. Did I mention all of this happened before 8 a.m.?



A pretty great summer, if you ask me.

Birthdaypalooza and Summer Status

Summer is birthday season around here.

And just like that:


Three.


Seven.


Ten.

Clearly there has been some mix-up because, I have twin toddlers, not preschoolers. And there's just no way I'm old enough to have a TEN YEAR OLD. I mean, really.


They play nicely like this ALL the time, I assure you.

It's amazing that summer is more than half over. In fact, I think school starts a week from tomorrow. Crazy.

Leo and Harry finished up their stints at summer school. Ellie has been enjoying various camps (town camp, gymnastics and to come are science and art). Leo started at his amazing camp last week and comes home every night flushed, smiling and exhausted, so clearly that camp is doing something right. This week Lucy finally gets her turn as she embarks on a mini ballet camp (a whole two hours a day). Speaking of Lucy's camp, you know you've had a couple of kids when, upon emailing your three year old's camp to find out if the TWO HOUR program is drop off and they reply: "If you'd be more comfortable staying that's fine but it is drop-off," your reaction is all YIPPEE!! See you in two hours, Cutie! 

Art Camp, Rare Treat

Last week Ellie went to art camp. I was pretty sure she would enjoy it. And luckily, she did.

Just plain proud. As she should be.

On the last day of camp, they invited parents to attend a "show," exhibiting all the campers' work. The theme for the week was "Art Time Machine."



Inspired by Medieval coat of arms shield (guess which one is Ellie's).


Ellie's, bottom right.


Inspired by Egyptian Hippo, watercolor


Inspired by Monet


Colisseum, pastel


Kandinsky circles, oil pastel


Byzantine paper mosaic


Matisse collage, tissue paper (originally reported by Ellie, to be "toilet paper"). Ha.


After the art "opening," I took Ellie out for frozen yogurt at one of those shmancy places where "top it yourself" Swedish fish and Sour Patch Kids reside alongside chopped strawberries and plump blueberries.

It was a rare treat, a little Mommy and Ellie only, outing. And yes, I even sat next to her in one of those tiny chairs (see above). Per her request, of course.

I remember my mom seemed to always take me out for a treat after events like this. She used to joke, "It's not complete unless we go out and eat a little something afterwards!"


Ellie's topping motto: Never Enough. And the more gummy bears (or gummy anything, really) the better.

The girl knows what's good.

Camp, Leo

Last Friday I had the day off from work and so I had the pleasure of doing both camp pick-up and drop-off.

And this is what I heard as I walked from the car to the gymnasium, where campers are signed in:

"Hi Leo!"

"Leo!"

"Hey Leo!"

I felt like a minor celebrity. I must have met fifteen little boys, all eager to say hi to their friend Leo.

Then there were the girls. There were at least nineteen (OK, seven. But they were so enthusiastic it felt like nineteen). Leo was very eager to introduce me to them. Each one, I was told, was his "girlfriend." I was requisitely shocked when I met each one, of course.

This is an inclusive camp, but it is predominantly typical children (Ellie also attended). He does have a "shadow" or "one-to-one" (whom he shared with two other boys), someone who makes sure he's on task and transitioning from activity to activity. But Leo did what all the other kids did at camp: swim, play basketball, go bowling (his first time!), arts and crafts. You know, camp.

I left Leo at camp that day feeling teary (of course!) and happy and just brimming with pride. If a heart can indeed feel full? Mine did. And does. Because this is how I always wanted it to be for Leo, for him to be "one of the guys." And he is.


Fast forward to this week. Leo started another (inclusive) camp.




His first day at camp happened to also be on his birthday, which meant he got to "skip around the room" (see above) which, if you know Leo, you know that is pretty much his dream come true.

The camp has a website that posts pictures throughout the day. So I'm basically getting no work done because I'm constantly checking the site for more pictures.







I think it's fair to say that Leo is having a good summer.

I couldn't ask for more.