'
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.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
3
NOTE: Once upon a time I did birthday posts for each kid. I know it's pretty much only grandparents, some family members and the other three or four readers kicking around the cobwebs and tumbleweed here lately, but for posterity's sake, I like the "keepsake" quality of these little birthday posts. So I'll try to keep them up as best I can. I know that the "multiples" police would be on me about making this a single post. They should each have their own. Well, I'm the Mommy and I'm going to make the rules and for now, at age three they get a package post. Also, we won't talk about the fact that this one is sixty four days late. So in order of appearance, the first birthday of this year was Harry and Lucy's, in June.
I don't think I can find the words to convey how quickly the last three years of my life have gone by. Oh sure, the every-two-hours-tandem-breastfeeding-in-the-middle-of-the-night sure didn't fly, and neither did those dual scream fests when both Harry and Lucy had ear infections. In a hotel room. In the middle of a freak October snowstorm.
This Too Shall Pass.
June, 2011. One day old.
And did it ever.
June, 2014
It will get easier.
It will get fun.
They'll stop being two babies and they'll start being two little people!
That's what everyone told me, from the pediatrician, to the seasoned veteran moms of multiples that chatted up me and my giant double newborn stroller, everywhere we went.
And you know something? They were right.
Anyone who's read this blog with any frequency will know that I haven't exactly kept it a secret: Newsflash: Having two babies isn't easy! But I've tried really hard to not wish Harry and Lucy's baby days away, to not pine too much for the times when they will be older and it will be "easier."
Because as cliche as it is, it's true. One day you turn around and your newborns are three year olds. (Yes, yes, I know, before I realize it they'll be slamming doors in my face before heading off to college--let's not get ahead of ourselves).
At age three, Harry is rough and tumble and cuddly at the same time. He'll run straight at you with his hard little light brown head and throw his arms around your legs. Then he'll look up and say, "You like that Mommy?"
It seems like he can play for an hour by himself with the Holy Grail--the "Big Boy" Legos in Leo's room (shhh, don't tell Leo).
His language continues to explode. It's been such a joy to get to know him better and find out what he's thinking about and what's going on in that little brown head of his, these past few months. Preschool, which he started in June, has been wonderful, cracking his little world and mind, wide open. This summer he's marched off the school bus singing nursery rhymes that I didn't even know he knew. He's showing an interest in Broadway show tunes (Ellie got him hooked on "Annie"), could a mother be more proud?
He loves to make silly faces and takes great pleasure in making you laugh.
Harry is both strong and sensitive. The other night before bedtime, during what's become a nightly jumping fest (don't ask, let's just say I'm amazed the cribs are still standing), Harry bumped his elbow pretty hard on the side of his crib. A look of pain washed over his face and I asked him if he was ok.
"The crib hurt my feelings," he said.
First day of preschool, June, 2014.
At age three Harry loves:
-Trader Joe's dried (dehydrated) strawberries and strawberry bars (but not ACTUAL strawberries).
-Anything Batman.
-Legos.
-Legos.
-Legos.
At age three, Lucy continues to be a force. Her loquaciousness both impresses me and exhausts me. With the others in summer school and camp, I have spent quite a bit of time with just Lucy these last few months, which has been both a gift and a challenge.
The Queen oversees the opening of birthday gifts from Grandma Jerry.
I seem to recall having similar feelings about Ellie at age three. I was confounded by her witticisms and adorableness, yet often flattened by her ability to be so frequently downright unreasonable. Here's a perfect example of Lucy at age three:
"MOMMY!! Look at me! I'm going potty!"
[I look at her and even add in some positive reinforcement: "Great job, Lucy! Great pottying!"]
"MOMMY!! Stop looking at me! Leave me alone!"
This is what happens almost any time we try to take Lucy anywhere, outside of the house, for more than thirty minutes (photo taken at the Intrepid Museum in New York City).
To be fair, Lucy is also one of the funniest, silliest, most cheerful people I've ever met (cheerful as long as she is getting exactly what she wants, that is). She just has this, how shall I put it? Very demanding tone. And she likes to do things her way. Erin says she has NO idea where she gets this from (OK, I might be a tad bit of a control freak). Or maybe it's more like a shriek? I think school is going to help Lucy, a lot. I think she's bored. I mean, I try to do things to keep her stimulated and entertained. But I can only do so much. She's just, a force, who needs constant...something.
I had to document these pigtails AND this bow since she lets me "do" her hair about every six months. Also, why don't my curls look this good in the New Jersey humidity?
Lucy likes to know the name of every person and object she meets and sees. When we are out and about or reading a book she'll see a person (the checker at the grocery, a character in an illustration) and ask, "What's he name? What he name is?" The questions come rapid fire--sometimes I don't even have time to answer before she's moved on to the next one. I've even started making up names for inanimate objects since she doesn't like what I call things. (For instance, if I say it's a "piano" she'll say, "No it's not!" So I'll say, "It's Penelope Piano!" And that makes her happy. It's like she's so social and loves people so much that she thinks everyone should have a name.
Speaking of books, this is the work of Lucy. Destroying property to this extent? I have to say this was a parenting first, for me. Oh and of course she blamed Harry. (To be fair I'm sure Harry contributed to this project (based on the placement of the pages) but I am pretty sure Lucy was the instigator).
See? HAPPY. This was Ellie's last day of school. When I was snapping a shot of Ellie's last day of first grade, Lucy was right there and refused to be outdone by her big sister, demanding: "Take MY picture Mommy!"
At age three Lucy likes:
-Anything My Little Pony
-Fairies
-Dressing up
-Chocolate (she got Ellie's sweet tooth, that is for sure).
To quote that old post of mine from when Ellie was three, 'I love three. I hate three.'
She is his "Loo-swee," he is her "How-rie."
They are hilarious, mischievous, clever, maddening, fascinating, frustrating, boisterous, impossible little balls of fun and love. They exhaust me and bring me and the whole family endless amounts of joy.
Happy birthday, dear Harry and Lucy!
I don't think I can find the words to convey how quickly the last three years of my life have gone by. Oh sure, the every-two-hours-tandem-breastfeeding-in-the-middle-of-the-night sure didn't fly, and neither did those dual scream fests when both Harry and Lucy had ear infections. In a hotel room. In the middle of a freak October snowstorm.
This Too Shall Pass.
June, 2011. One day old.
And did it ever.
June, 2014
It will get easier.
It will get fun.
They'll stop being two babies and they'll start being two little people!
That's what everyone told me, from the pediatrician, to the seasoned veteran moms of multiples that chatted up me and my giant double newborn stroller, everywhere we went.
And you know something? They were right.
Anyone who's read this blog with any frequency will know that I haven't exactly kept it a secret: Newsflash: Having two babies isn't easy! But I've tried really hard to not wish Harry and Lucy's baby days away, to not pine too much for the times when they will be older and it will be "easier."
Because as cliche as it is, it's true. One day you turn around and your newborns are three year olds. (Yes, yes, I know, before I realize it they'll be slamming doors in my face before heading off to college--let's not get ahead of ourselves).
At age three, Harry is rough and tumble and cuddly at the same time. He'll run straight at you with his hard little light brown head and throw his arms around your legs. Then he'll look up and say, "You like that Mommy?"
It seems like he can play for an hour by himself with the Holy Grail--the "Big Boy" Legos in Leo's room (shhh, don't tell Leo).
His language continues to explode. It's been such a joy to get to know him better and find out what he's thinking about and what's going on in that little brown head of his, these past few months. Preschool, which he started in June, has been wonderful, cracking his little world and mind, wide open. This summer he's marched off the school bus singing nursery rhymes that I didn't even know he knew. He's showing an interest in Broadway show tunes (Ellie got him hooked on "Annie"), could a mother be more proud?
He loves to make silly faces and takes great pleasure in making you laugh.
Harry is both strong and sensitive. The other night before bedtime, during what's become a nightly jumping fest (don't ask, let's just say I'm amazed the cribs are still standing), Harry bumped his elbow pretty hard on the side of his crib. A look of pain washed over his face and I asked him if he was ok.
"The crib hurt my feelings," he said.
First day of preschool, June, 2014.
At age three Harry loves:
-Trader Joe's dried (dehydrated) strawberries and strawberry bars (but not ACTUAL strawberries).
-Anything Batman.
-Legos.
-Legos.
-Legos.
At age three, Lucy continues to be a force. Her loquaciousness both impresses me and exhausts me. With the others in summer school and camp, I have spent quite a bit of time with just Lucy these last few months, which has been both a gift and a challenge.
The Queen oversees the opening of birthday gifts from Grandma Jerry.
I seem to recall having similar feelings about Ellie at age three. I was confounded by her witticisms and adorableness, yet often flattened by her ability to be so frequently downright unreasonable. Here's a perfect example of Lucy at age three:
"MOMMY!! Look at me! I'm going potty!"
[I look at her and even add in some positive reinforcement: "Great job, Lucy! Great pottying!"]
"MOMMY!! Stop looking at me! Leave me alone!"
This is what happens almost any time we try to take Lucy anywhere, outside of the house, for more than thirty minutes (photo taken at the Intrepid Museum in New York City).
To be fair, Lucy is also one of the funniest, silliest, most cheerful people I've ever met (cheerful as long as she is getting exactly what she wants, that is). She just has this, how shall I put it? Very demanding tone. And she likes to do things her way. Erin says she has NO idea where she gets this from (
I had to document these pigtails AND this bow since she lets me "do" her hair about every six months. Also, why don't my curls look this good in the New Jersey humidity?
Lucy likes to know the name of every person and object she meets and sees. When we are out and about or reading a book she'll see a person (the checker at the grocery, a character in an illustration) and ask, "What's he name? What he name is?" The questions come rapid fire--sometimes I don't even have time to answer before she's moved on to the next one. I've even started making up names for inanimate objects since she doesn't like what I call things. (For instance, if I say it's a "piano" she'll say, "No it's not!" So I'll say, "It's Penelope Piano!" And that makes her happy. It's like she's so social and loves people so much that she thinks everyone should have a name.
Speaking of books, this is the work of Lucy. Destroying property to this extent? I have to say this was a parenting first, for me. Oh and of course she blamed Harry. (To be fair I'm sure Harry contributed to this project (based on the placement of the pages) but I am pretty sure Lucy was the instigator).
See? HAPPY. This was Ellie's last day of school. When I was snapping a shot of Ellie's last day of first grade, Lucy was right there and refused to be outdone by her big sister, demanding: "Take MY picture Mommy!"
At age three Lucy likes:
-Anything My Little Pony
-Fairies
-Dressing up
-Chocolate (she got Ellie's sweet tooth, that is for sure).
To quote that old post of mine from when Ellie was three, 'I love three. I hate three.'
She is his "Loo-swee," he is her "How-rie."
They are hilarious, mischievous, clever, maddening, fascinating, frustrating, boisterous, impossible little balls of fun and love. They exhaust me and bring me and the whole family endless amounts of joy.
Happy birthday, dear Harry and Lucy!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
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!
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!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Summer, So Far
Summer is in full swing.
Leo and Harry are in summer school. Ellie is in camp and Lucy is...yelling at me and eating a lot of Popsicles.
I am struggling to get here, to this place, to this touchstone that has been my little haven for so many years. The irony is not lost on me, that now that I spending so much time with my children, I don't have as much time to write about them. There is little to no time for reflection. It is tote that barge, lift that bail, make that snack, pack that lunch, load three kids in the car to go pick up one more.
I know this season is short. Temporary. It is also hot and sticky and ripe and loud and silly and messy and excruciating and beautiful and brief. The beautiful is sometimes hard to remember when you are in the middle of it and trying to balance so many things and wants and needs and schedules and your email is chiming because you have a deadline to meet and there are also voices saying "MOMMY" and "MOOOOOMMY" and then you remember that you have to ask someone for the twentieth time, "Do you have to go potty?"
With the boys in school in the morning and Ellie in camp, Lucy and I go on little excursions.
In a few weeks Leo will start camp. Ellie will begin her series of week long speciality camps (science, art, gymnastics). Lucy will finally get HER day ("princess" ballet camp--can you stand it? Because I barely can).
Fourth of July outfits (minus Harry) plus a Turtle.
I have always, always wanted to make a Flag Cake. Mission Accomplished.
Stars + Stripes.
"I need to teach them how to run down a hill!" Said Ellie. Meanwhile I was humming the theme to "Little House on the Prairie."
Leo, rightfully proud of his Super Hero watercolors.
Things don't always go swimmingly for Lucy at the playground.
Cuteness. With a potty photo bomb. Because, of course.
Leo and Harry are in summer school. Ellie is in camp and Lucy is...yelling at me and eating a lot of Popsicles.
I am struggling to get here, to this place, to this touchstone that has been my little haven for so many years. The irony is not lost on me, that now that I spending so much time with my children, I don't have as much time to write about them. There is little to no time for reflection. It is tote that barge, lift that bail, make that snack, pack that lunch, load three kids in the car to go pick up one more.
I know this season is short. Temporary. It is also hot and sticky and ripe and loud and silly and messy and excruciating and beautiful and brief. The beautiful is sometimes hard to remember when you are in the middle of it and trying to balance so many things and wants and needs and schedules and your email is chiming because you have a deadline to meet and there are also voices saying "MOMMY" and "MOOOOOMMY" and then you remember that you have to ask someone for the twentieth time, "Do you have to go potty?"
With the boys in school in the morning and Ellie in camp, Lucy and I go on little excursions.
In a few weeks Leo will start camp. Ellie will begin her series of week long speciality camps (science, art, gymnastics). Lucy will finally get HER day ("princess" ballet camp--can you stand it? Because I barely can).
Fourth of July outfits (minus Harry) plus a Turtle.
I have always, always wanted to make a Flag Cake. Mission Accomplished.
Stars + Stripes.
"I need to teach them how to run down a hill!" Said Ellie. Meanwhile I was humming the theme to "Little House on the Prairie."
Leo, rightfully proud of his Super Hero watercolors.
Things don't always go swimmingly for Lucy at the playground.
Cuteness. With a potty photo bomb. Because, of course.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Playing Catch Up: First Day, Last Days, Birthdays and Big News (NOT PREGNANT)
It seems silly to start a post with a recap of Harry's first day of school when the last day of school happened two weeks ago. But. Harry started preschool! And now he's in summer school (which is basically a continuation of the school he started two weeks ago). I think it's safe to say that he is absolutely thrilled with his new student status. He pants in front of the door in the morning waiting for the bus and bounds outside when he sees it pull up. Another bonus? He and Leo get to ride to the same bus (they're attending summer school at the same location). I KNOW. Leo basically explodes every morning he's so thrilled.
Leo finished up fourth grade (meaning next year will be his last year in elementary school, did you hear my heart stopping?) with an end of year choral concert which Lucy and I were lucky enough to attend.
Ellie transformed from a Daisy into a Brownie (see above for the "Bridge" ceremony) and finished first grade. Didn't I just take a half day from work so I could bring her to the kindergarten orientation? GAH. Time, you are a sneaky, sneaky one.
Ellie also had her seventh birthday party (notice how I didn't say she turned seven-yet). That will come next month.
I finally got my act together and planned her party for before the end of the school year (well, technically it was the weekend of the last week of school). People in our town seem to just disappear on the summer weekends, making summer birthdays very sparsely attended.
As you can see the only problem with the party is there just weren't enough baked goods.
Ellie with her "beach" themed goodie bags (they held a shell bracelet, sunglasses, a mini-beach ball and of course, cookies). I tried really hard to not go all junky with the goodie bags. I HATE the crap that so often comes home from parties: trinkets that break before they even leave the car on the ride home, that I end up finding sprinkled all over the back of the mini van. Also, candy that no one needs (but we all need chocolate chip cookies, of course!).
Harry, (who apparently knows how to break dance-who knew?) made good use of his sunglasses.
For some reason I was very nervous about having a party at home (well, a party in general but an at-home one raises the stakes a bit). I wanted to make it very simple and of course it got more complicated than I set out for it to be, (there may have been some last minute ridiculous amounts of money spent at Oriental Trading) Let's just not talk about the "express mail" fees, ok? But all in all I'm very happy without how it went. It organically turned into a "mermaid" themed party when I randomly chose an Evite with a mermaid on it while Ellie was at school (I thought it befit a backyard pool party). (She "hand wrote" all of her invites but I wanted to follow-up with something a little more concrete). Ellie ran with the mermaid idea (she LOVED the Evite) and before we knew it I'd ordered mermaid plates, napkins and cups (as an aside I have to pause and extoll the virtues of the Target debit card (they aren't paying me to say this but they can if they'd like to)--anyway, free shipping on all Target items. Seriously the best.
Making their shell frame "craft." I thought this was cute and it went with our "beach/pool/mermaid" theme but I really bought it in case it rained and we were stuck inside.
The girls were semi-into it but it's hard for gluing tiny shells on frames to compete with pools and water sprayers and a playground and Cheeto balls (Ellie asks for these probably every time we see them at Costco and I always say no but for a birthday party? I finally said, YES).
The weather was A-MAZING which, when you're having a backyard "pool" party, that's really half the battle.
Did you know six and seven year old girls scream a lot? And when I say "scream" I mean "OMG THIS IS SO MUCH FUN I JUST HAVE TO SCREAM!!" screams.
Of course Spidey had to make an appearance.
At the end of the party, Ellie announced that it was "probably one of the best days of her life." So. Really can't argue with that one.
Speaking of birthdays, these two actually had their birthday, earlier this month.
Three.
This momentous occasion, this third birthday
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
I Want OUT! And Other Things We Heard, Saw and Did This Year in Mystic
Summer wouldn't officially be here for our family without our annual trek to Mystic, Connecticut.
A few days before our road trip I took the van in to have the carseats checked by a professional (yes, four kids in and I still don't trust myself to install them properly). I was mainly concerned about Leo's booster but when the tech noticed Harry and Lucy were still rear facing, we started to talk (she was impressed they were still rear facing since it is technically safer). But then we began talking heights and weights and since they were close to outgrowing their seats in their present position, it made sense to take care of that while we were there. So, one hour and most of a Lego Batman movie later (thank you, minivan DVD player), voila!
Two officially forward facing, big kids.
We hit the road early on Saturday morning. Lucy has never been what I'd call mellow in the car but I was really hoping the novelty of the forward facing would help.
No dice.
Three minutes into New York State and Lucy was shrieking, "I WANT OUT!!"
It was just as relaxing as it sounds.
We stopped in Connecticut to use the restroom and let the kids get their shakes out. We taught them the art of relay racing (not the firing squad that it appears).
It calmed Lucy. For about three minutes.
Side note: I had to laugh at us the night before we left, as we ran around the house like the proverbial chickens, throwing clothes and toys and swim goggles into tote bags. We were going away for One. Night. The scene reminded me of the beginning of "Home Alone"--which takes place the night before a large family is leaving for a trip to Paris. So I had only one goal really, for this year's trip to Mystic: to not forget any of our children.
Newsflash: It's hard traveling with many small children. Really it only takes one miserable child (not mentioning any names) to make the whole thing challenging. But in certain moments, all the hard stuff, all the whining and struggling and cajoling and haggling all falls away.
Our first stop when we hit town was Abbots, our favorite Mystic (technically in nearby Noank) restaurant. Its location on the water (coupled with its lobster rolls and lobster chowder) is truly transporting--it screams "Vacation!" even if you do have to eat your lobster roll while you are chasing around an almost three year old and keeping her from landing head first in the water.
If these two pictures of the kids and me aren't the quintessential shots of being a mom of four kids then I don't know what is. (My favorite part of the picture below is Leo, by the way). And notice how Lucy is getting set to go rogue and refusing to look at the camera? Yup.
I always aim for little, transcendental moments when we travel with the children. For me, that came after lunch, at the hotel pool. Everyone was tired and stir crazy from the car time. But all we had to do was add a little water and soon, all four (all six actually) were in bliss. We had the pool to ourselves for a while--allowing Leo to cannon ball off the side to his heart's content, while Ellie practiced her back stroke. Erin and I took turns throwing twins around the pool (Lucy squealed "I want to do that AGAIN!" about ninety-seven times).
The big plan for a nice dinner at another favorite local restaurant was foiled by an unnamed, non-napped preschooler. Needless to say what began as an "early dinner" quickly became "Uh...can we actually get that to go?" Cheese pizzas and Greeks salads and spaghetti and meatballs were quickly wrapped and it was "home" to our hotel room where the kids picnicked on beach towels and I (out of desperation) paid more to RENT "The Lego Movie" than it costs to buy the DVD. Best money we've spent in a looooong time.
I'll skip the part about the pretty torturous night in a hotel room with twin two year olds (complete with a 1 a.m. wake up due to drunk wedding revelers in the hallway outside our room). It was everything you would imagine it to be.
Oh but I do have to share this.
Poor Leo is afraid of the dark. At home he sleeps with a lamp on in his room. He pleaded with us to leave a reading lamp in the hotel room on. WAY too bright. We agreed to leave the light in the bathroom on AND the door open. He was not satisfied with that compromise. Which is why this trip to Mystic will be remembered as the One When Leo Slept In the Bathtub. I'll once again use the line that sums up our family: Can't. Make. This. Stuff. Up.
Needless to say, we all survived, as we always seem to. There was hot, dark roast venti-sized Starbucks in the morning (shouldn't all hotels have a Starbucks in the lobby?), along with a breakfast buffet complete with strawberries and whipped cream (of course Lucy fell off her chair in the middle of breakfast). Par for the course.
After breakfast came the moment we'd all been waiting for:
Visiting an old friend, the beluga whale at the Mystic Aquarium.
We took our annual picture in front of the penguin statue. Notice anything different about this one? No stroller! This is the first trip we've taken as a family of six wherein no stroller was used. Hooray! And also, EEK!
You know what else was pretty cool?
On our way out of town we finally got to meet Abby and her family. Her mom Cate writes one of the first DS blogs I ever read (hers was one that inspired me to start writing my own). I can't believe I've "known" her now for six years--when we first connected, Abby and Leo were toddlers. Now look at these giant big kids.
Until next time, Mystic. Our goals for when we do return are mighty: Dinner AT a restaurant, sitting at a table, perhaps? And sleeping through the night in beds. Oh we ask for SO MUCH!
A few days before our road trip I took the van in to have the carseats checked by a professional (yes, four kids in and I still don't trust myself to install them properly). I was mainly concerned about Leo's booster but when the tech noticed Harry and Lucy were still rear facing, we started to talk (she was impressed they were still rear facing since it is technically safer). But then we began talking heights and weights and since they were close to outgrowing their seats in their present position, it made sense to take care of that while we were there. So, one hour and most of a Lego Batman movie later (thank you, minivan DVD player), voila!
Two officially forward facing, big kids.
We hit the road early on Saturday morning. Lucy has never been what I'd call mellow in the car but I was really hoping the novelty of the forward facing would help.
No dice.
Three minutes into New York State and Lucy was shrieking, "I WANT OUT!!"
It was just as relaxing as it sounds.
We stopped in Connecticut to use the restroom and let the kids get their shakes out. We taught them the art of relay racing (not the firing squad that it appears).
It calmed Lucy. For about three minutes.
Side note: I had to laugh at us the night before we left, as we ran around the house like the proverbial chickens, throwing clothes and toys and swim goggles into tote bags. We were going away for One. Night. The scene reminded me of the beginning of "Home Alone"--which takes place the night before a large family is leaving for a trip to Paris. So I had only one goal really, for this year's trip to Mystic: to not forget any of our children.
Newsflash: It's hard traveling with many small children. Really it only takes one miserable child (not mentioning any names) to make the whole thing challenging. But in certain moments, all the hard stuff, all the whining and struggling and cajoling and haggling all falls away.
Our first stop when we hit town was Abbots, our favorite Mystic (technically in nearby Noank) restaurant. Its location on the water (coupled with its lobster rolls and lobster chowder) is truly transporting--it screams "Vacation!" even if you do have to eat your lobster roll while you are chasing around an almost three year old and keeping her from landing head first in the water.
If these two pictures of the kids and me aren't the quintessential shots of being a mom of four kids then I don't know what is. (My favorite part of the picture below is Leo, by the way). And notice how Lucy is getting set to go rogue and refusing to look at the camera? Yup.
I always aim for little, transcendental moments when we travel with the children. For me, that came after lunch, at the hotel pool. Everyone was tired and stir crazy from the car time. But all we had to do was add a little water and soon, all four (all six actually) were in bliss. We had the pool to ourselves for a while--allowing Leo to cannon ball off the side to his heart's content, while Ellie practiced her back stroke. Erin and I took turns throwing twins around the pool (Lucy squealed "I want to do that AGAIN!" about ninety-seven times).
The big plan for a nice dinner at another favorite local restaurant was foiled by an unnamed, non-napped preschooler. Needless to say what began as an "early dinner" quickly became "Uh...can we actually get that to go?" Cheese pizzas and Greeks salads and spaghetti and meatballs were quickly wrapped and it was "home" to our hotel room where the kids picnicked on beach towels and I (out of desperation) paid more to RENT "The Lego Movie" than it costs to buy the DVD. Best money we've spent in a looooong time.
I'll skip the part about the pretty torturous night in a hotel room with twin two year olds (complete with a 1 a.m. wake up due to drunk wedding revelers in the hallway outside our room). It was everything you would imagine it to be.
Oh but I do have to share this.
Poor Leo is afraid of the dark. At home he sleeps with a lamp on in his room. He pleaded with us to leave a reading lamp in the hotel room on. WAY too bright. We agreed to leave the light in the bathroom on AND the door open. He was not satisfied with that compromise. Which is why this trip to Mystic will be remembered as the One When Leo Slept In the Bathtub. I'll once again use the line that sums up our family: Can't. Make. This. Stuff. Up.
Needless to say, we all survived, as we always seem to. There was hot, dark roast venti-sized Starbucks in the morning (shouldn't all hotels have a Starbucks in the lobby?), along with a breakfast buffet complete with strawberries and whipped cream (of course Lucy fell off her chair in the middle of breakfast). Par for the course.
After breakfast came the moment we'd all been waiting for:
Visiting an old friend, the beluga whale at the Mystic Aquarium.
We took our annual picture in front of the penguin statue. Notice anything different about this one? No stroller! This is the first trip we've taken as a family of six wherein no stroller was used. Hooray! And also, EEK!
You know what else was pretty cool?
On our way out of town we finally got to meet Abby and her family. Her mom Cate writes one of the first DS blogs I ever read (hers was one that inspired me to start writing my own). I can't believe I've "known" her now for six years--when we first connected, Abby and Leo were toddlers. Now look at these giant big kids.
Until next time, Mystic. Our goals for when we do return are mighty: Dinner AT a restaurant, sitting at a table, perhaps? And sleeping through the night in beds. Oh we ask for SO MUCH!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Last Days Before Pre-K: Harry Edition
In a little over a month, I will do something I have never done before. I will spend my mornings with ONE three year old. (Hi, Lucy!).
Harry is starting preschool. That's right, cue the strings to "Sunrise, Sunset."
Taking pictures of my sleeping "babies." It just never gets old. But they do. SOB!
I won't bore you with the long drawn out story of why Harry is starting school this summer and Lucy is starting this fall. The short version is Harry will be going to a program through our town's school district geared toward encouraging language and speech articulation and it starts in June (as part of the academic year's "extended year program.") Ironically, his language has been exploding lately--I timed that well as it seemed to take off right after his evaluation--but the added stimulation of an early preschool program (bonus: separate from Lucy) will be amazing for him, I think.
The plan had always been to put Harry and Lucy into preschool in June but then I went and got laid off and, well, life happened. The urgency to get Lucy into school wasn't there anymore since I would be home to do things with her (Costco and Target=Super Education-ha ha-oops I mean, library toddler story time! And nature walks! And finger painting!). Plus, the big kids will be around some this summer and nobody but nobody knows how to play with and entertain Lucy better than Ellie, the World's Best Preschooler Wrangler. And, I'll admit it. I don't feel rushed about preschool. I'm suddenly getting nostalgic (shocking, I realize). About my almost-three-year olds. I KNOW.
I've spent the last almost four months plotting ways to get three, seven, nine minutes to myself and suddenly, the moment is upon me. The enormity of the fact that in a little over three months, for a few hours a day, ALL THE CHILDREN WILL BE IN SCHOOL.
It's the whole, be careful what you wish for phenomenon. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty to do. Namely, work! I am for now (knock on wood) working nicely and steadily from home these days.
It's barely three hours a day. But I'm going to miss my little Batman (he zooms around the house now and proclaims himself so). And I'm reminded of that strange transition and adjustment that occurs when your little one suddenly develops a life away from you. It happened early on with Leo and Ellie because I spent so much time away from home, working. But this time, it's different. And with two at the same time? It's really different.
Speaking of time: Harry and Lucy turn three on Sunday. THREE! Wasn't I just hugely pregnant? And then wasn't I just strapped to the loveseat breastfeeding two! babies! six hours a day?
And away, they go.
Harry is starting preschool. That's right, cue the strings to "Sunrise, Sunset."
Taking pictures of my sleeping "babies." It just never gets old. But they do. SOB!
I won't bore you with the long drawn out story of why Harry is starting school this summer and Lucy is starting this fall. The short version is Harry will be going to a program through our town's school district geared toward encouraging language and speech articulation and it starts in June (as part of the academic year's "extended year program.") Ironically, his language has been exploding lately--I timed that well as it seemed to take off right after his evaluation--but the added stimulation of an early preschool program (bonus: separate from Lucy) will be amazing for him, I think.
The plan had always been to put Harry and Lucy into preschool in June but then I went and got laid off and, well, life happened. The urgency to get Lucy into school wasn't there anymore since I would be home to do things with her (Costco and Target=Super Education-ha ha-oops I mean, library toddler story time! And nature walks! And finger painting!). Plus, the big kids will be around some this summer and nobody but nobody knows how to play with and entertain Lucy better than Ellie, the World's Best Preschooler Wrangler. And, I'll admit it. I don't feel rushed about preschool. I'm suddenly getting nostalgic (shocking, I realize). About my almost-three-year olds. I KNOW.
I've spent the last almost four months plotting ways to get three, seven, nine minutes to myself and suddenly, the moment is upon me. The enormity of the fact that in a little over three months, for a few hours a day, ALL THE CHILDREN WILL BE IN SCHOOL.
It's the whole, be careful what you wish for phenomenon. Don't get me wrong. I have plenty to do. Namely, work! I am for now (knock on wood) working nicely and steadily from home these days.
It's barely three hours a day. But I'm going to miss my little Batman (he zooms around the house now and proclaims himself so). And I'm reminded of that strange transition and adjustment that occurs when your little one suddenly develops a life away from you. It happened early on with Leo and Ellie because I spent so much time away from home, working. But this time, it's different. And with two at the same time? It's really different.
Speaking of time: Harry and Lucy turn three on Sunday. THREE! Wasn't I just hugely pregnant? And then wasn't I just strapped to the loveseat breastfeeding two! babies! six hours a day?
And away, they go.
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