Our fifth Maryland state park: Susquehanna. I present this post in two parts. The first part is the I-Love-All-Things-About-Being-a-Mom-and-Parenting-is-Great! I'm pretty sure you can guess the second part.
Part 1
We left Friday right after Rhett's preschool, which gave us all morning to prep. It was really nice to take that leisurely. This has to be the most-weirdly situated campsite we've ever stayed in. Check it out. It's just right on the road! We're still kinda laughing about this. Good news is that it was very soft ground for hammering in the tent stakes.
After setting up, we headed out for a small hike. We found our friends and all eight of us (plus Bruno) went on this small hike. We started on the small, but lovely, Deer Creek, but ended up on the Susquehanna. This river is HUGE (largest one this side of the Mississippi).
After hiking, we went back to camp and cooked dinner. I cannot get a camp dessert to work to save my life. When the time comes that I do, I want a medal. Breakfast was much easier: bagels with cream cheese and eggs.
We took another hike that morning and then it was time to head out. Before leaving, we stopped at the historical site in the park: the mill. This place was pretty cool. It was a functioning mill until the 60s, but even last year they had it working just for tourists.
Check out the awesome stone work on the building. Love it.
The mill sits right on the river, so it provided another photo op of the four cute kids.
And because I love lists just a teensy bit more than the average person, imagine how excited I was to see Maryland's Ice Cream Trail! Of course I want to check off these. Number Five--check! I think Number Six will be next after our July camping trip.
Part 2
Remember my sister's excellent advice about lowering ones expectations because you have kids? I thought I did that. I mean, I didn't expect to get a good night's sleep; I just expected to sleep past six. I didn't expect to hike eight miles; I just expected to hike one or two. But apparently even these expectations are too high. Because even after an 8:30/9:00 bedtime, my boys still woke up at 6. And even though we took the flattest hike ever, my five-year-old still whined incessantly. Camping and hiking are two of my most favorite things, but the kids are ruining them for me. It's almost enough that I don't want to go. It's so much work and time and travel, and the kids are so exhausting. But of course I want to keep doing it in the hopes that they'll start to love it, start to sleep in past 6, start to be able to walk more without utterly collapsing. But what if they don't? What if kids take the joy out of camping, like they've done to so many other things I enjoy? Is this just where I suck it up?
Part 3: The Surprise Part
Consider it sucked up. We will continue to do things I like, but expectations will be lowered. Next time I'll be happy to sleep until 4 a.m.! Next time I will be happy if the kids do something they like without whining! Next time I'll be happy to hike anything! See, I can learn, I'm just a bit slower than most.
Last week Ollie learned a new phrase: "No do dat, Mom/Dad/Rhett/Bruno." Here is a list of all the times it's been used this past week:
1. Whenever I put down the visor in the car (see video below)
2. Whenever we put on a certain pair of pants, or maybe any pants for that matter
3. Whenever Rhett does anything to him (because it's all pretty much older brother annoying stuff)
4. Whenever Bruno eats Ollie's food (thrown to him by Ollie, I should add)
I love how Google tries to finish your searches. Most of the time it's helpful. But sometimes, uh, it's not even close. I led Google on a couple of random searches to bring you the following:
How does...paypal/twitter/sensa work? What is sensa? Ah, I see: a weight-loss drug.
When is...St. Patrick's Day/Easter/Mardi Gras? I get the latter two, but St. Patrick's Day? It's the same day every year.
Should I...refinance/stay or should I go lyrics/get bangs? Ha. Like Google knows if you should get bangs.
Where is...Chuck Norris/my tax refund? Chuck Norris? Am I missing something?
Why can't...we be friends/I sleep/I lose weight? Oh, secret-stash-of-goodies knows exactly the answer to the third question.
Who is...Jody Arias/John Galt/Gossip Girl?
Let's...dish/move/have a kiki. Uh, kiki? I must admit: it made me nervous to do this search. Turns out it's just some very strange song.
Maryland is...the what state/known for/for crabs/the best state/the worst state/boring. Turns out it's not the worst state, not even close. The best is New York. The worst is...Arizona! Utah is third worst. WHAT?! I must admit their reasons are pretty funny. Utah for a single woman is pretty bad. And, let's be honest, so is Baltimore.
P.S. Only because I think this is awesome...how many of these toys do you remember? How many did you own? I remember all but the Pocket Rocker. For fifteen of these, I think I owned them or played regularly with friends'. I remember those exact scratch 'n' sniffs. Teddy Ruxpin. Snoopy Sno Cone. All awesome. (I have a koosh ball on my work desk this very second.)
Awesome: Saturday morning I ran an unplanned 10.5 miles on the C&O Canal.
Really Awesome: After nap time, we got frozen yogurt.
Spectacularly Awesome: When it was our turn for babysitting, instead of watching six additional kids, we only had two.
Sunday Awesome: A beautiful chilly day spent at church, walking the neighborhood, playing/watching hockey, and eating something only I like for dinner. Can't ask for much more.
P.S. The underwear views got progressively worse in these shots. Boys.
Some months ago the soap-bar-turned-soap-sliver in our shower was miraculously replaced by an actual bar. What's so miraculous about that? I didn't do it. It was a Chucklas Miracle. Since then, a small number of these miracles have occurred. Ten days ago, Chuck started the boys' laundry before I got home from work. It was awesome. But the best Chucklas Miracle was last week when the washing machine was leaking a lot. A lot a lot. My response: call the Maytag repairman and pay who-knows-how-much-more-than-$125. That was also Chuck's first response. His second response, however, was to look at the owner's manual and see if there was anything helpful. His third response was to look online in search of more helpful tips. After about 15 minutes, the leaky tube was found, patched, and a replacement purchased for $16. If I were a nicer, richer wife, I'd surprise him with the $109 we saved. But because I'm not that wife, he gets a post on my blog.
P.S. Because this post is supposed to make Chuck look good, I'll confess: Remember the I Spy, Chuck Doesn't series? We had a very bad "I Didn't Spy, Chuck Did" on Wednesday. Part of a sippy cup stopper-thingy was not spotted by me in the dishwasher. Alas, Chuck found it immediately. See, I can be nice!
P.P.S. Some of you may know that many years ago, I used to call Chuck "Chucklas." It came from a friend whose name is Doug, whom we sometimes called Douglas, which once came out toward Chuck as Chucklas. These days I don't use it so much. Usually now it's just "HEY YOU."
After a bad day when I didn't want to cook anything... Rhett: I want to go to McDonald's. Me: I want to go somewhere nicer. Rhett: Wendy's?!
Because he often hears me say, "Ollie, you couldn't be cuter," Rhett has started saying this gem: Rhett [to Ollie]: Couldn't you be cuter?
Me: What do you think you'll like about being an adult? Do you think you'll eat ice cream for dinner? Rhett:[Long pause] What if Madeleine won't let me?
P.S. Things Elder Chapman Says about Rhett: That kid is EVIL!
P.P.S. Things Ollie Says: "Change me," followed by him laying on the floor with legs splayed in the air.
P.P.P.S. Things Chuck Says: "I've never heard this song." UH, WHAT? You've never heard it? How is that even possible?
Friday night Chuck took Rhett on their first Fathers-Sons Campout. I'm pretty sure I was more excited than either of them, and am jealous that there aren't any Mothers-Sons Campouts. (I know, I know: I'll do my own one day.) They went and had a great time. Here's Rhett with his cute friend Henry.
This is called Sugarloaf Mountain, and no, I don't think it's supposed to be ironic.
While they camped, Ollie and I got frozen yogurt with a friend, I fell asleep on the couch around 9, and in the morning I pushed Ollie six miles in the stroller. So happy I don't have to do that too often.
And luckily Chuck made it home in time to see the Caps playoff game. I'm sure that was quite by accident, just sure of it. Could there be more Caps gear?!
P.S. I see that Henry's dad posted the update about their trip. I'm kicking myself for not encouraging Chuck to do ours! Next year...
It's been said (by me) that our March was insane. I was tired nearly the entire month. I was excited for April because other than a couple of date nights, we had no real plans. And we kept it that way. Sure, things came up, and we couldn't actually do nothing because that would drive me crazy, but still, it was life in the slow lane. Let's look at the recap:
Took many walks on the trail near our house to (1) throw sticks from a bridge, (2) throw rocks from the shore, and (3) enjoy picnic lunches.
Visited the farm park for the Gas and Steam Engine Show.
Started sewing a little bit again.
Saw the cherry blossoms.
Hiked around the FDR monument, Gravelly Point, and Wheaton Regional Park.
Got some things done around the house.
Played outside a LOT.
What's in store for May? Our big plans include two camping trips: one just for Rhett and Chuck and the other for the entire family. A little more sewing for me. Preschool graduation. As much time outside as the weather allows. Life is good!
My mom gave birth to boy-boy-girl-girl. My sister gave birth to boy-boy-girl-girl. I wonder if I wasn't done birthing children, would I too give birth to boy-boy-girl-girl?
Let's say you were at the beach and saw someone famous, like uh, I dunno, Mitt Romney. Would you say something? If so, what?
With our recent brush of 90-degree weather, it got me thinking about what we eat for dinner in the summer. Every end of spring I start to dislike anything that needs to be cooked, but don't know where to turn, except to cold cereal. This would make my boys happy (and me happy) but not our bodies. So what do you eat in the summertime, when all the world is green and hot and humid?
Do you say "9x13" or "13x9" when referring to a certain pan?
How would you pronounce a certain store's soda named "Refreshe?"
What's the weirdest place you've ever found your kids' lost stuff? This morning I found Ollie's lost shoe...in the dishwasher.
It's here people! The time has arrived that I'm just beginning to really like Ollie! We're done with the dreaded teen-months and on to the beloved 20s. I LOVED this time with Rhett when he was this age, and am happy to report that I'm getting those old feelings back with Ollie. I seriously cannot get enough of this little person. He tries every new word we tell him and they come out just adorably. He drags Pig everywhere he goes. He loves wearing socks on his hands. He tries to copy Rhett in nearly everything, while still being original Ollie. I want to take pictures of everything he does...and I do.
C'mon. Look at him. He's perfect.
And hilarious. That's his name he's saying, just in case you couldn't tell. Don't you just love grandparents for giving this kind of toy to kids? I do!
A friend of mine owns a bike shop. She knows that I sew and has offered to sell some of my stuff. (With the caveats that the products be good enough and applicable to cyclists. Duh.) Seemingly unrelated (BUT NOT!) is the fact that I'm running a Ragnar Trail race this June. Since we'll need some sort of reflective gear for the night runs, someone (me? bike shop friend? running friend? I wish I remembered!) suggested a Miss America sash made from reflective fabric. I thought this sounded perfect; I'll take those two birds (Ragnar and bike shop gear) and kill them with one sash.
I tracked down some of the coolest reflective fabric you'll ever find and constructed, and tested, my first prototype last week. It was way too big and kept falling off my shoulders while running. Tuesday night: adjust; Wednesday morning: re-test. Better, but still not perfect.
So now I'm doubting myself. Will it ever work? Do you think this is cool? If you ran in the dark, would you wear this? How much would you pay for it? Any ideas for other cool reflective items? What would you name a Ragnar team of girls all wearing this? If I didn't use velcro, what could I use as a closure?
P.S. How awesome do I look sporting it? Why does my left arm look the exact same as my right, given I wear what-looks-like-a-20-pound watch while running? Aren't the azaleas going to be beautiful in a couple of days? Do you think the cicadas will kill me this summer? Do you think I'll ever get used to one space at the end of a sentence?
P.P.S. Yes, that is a super-short ponytail I'm wearing. Aren't short ponies the cutest?!
This past Sunday, one of my dear friends taught our Relief Society lesson. As usual for me, I can't remember what the lesson was supposed to be about. (This is especially bad when you know that I'm the R.S. bulletin publisher, and I typed the lesson's title. But you don't know that, so I'm safe.) Thankfully, I believe the most important thing about any church lesson/talk is what you take away from it.
Somewhere in her lesson she talked about one's character and the building of it. In our house, I'm frequently telling Rhett that he can do hard things. I tell him it's good for him. And when I started thinking about it for me, I realized I do hard things all the time. I mean, I'm a mom. How much harder can it get? I ran a half-marathon and that was pretty hard for me. I'm trying to cut out most sweets (of the un-natural sort) and that is ridiculously hard for me. I do hard things all the time. So apparently for me, hard things just aren't enough seeing as though my character is about average.
Instead, what I need to be doing to better my character are doing the things that I know I should do, but I don't want to do. The weeding in the front yard? Ugh. I know I should, but I don't want to. Going to the Stake Relief Society conference? Ugh. I know I should, but I don't want to. Scrubbing the grout on my hands and knees with vinegar and baking soda? Ugh. I know I should, but I don't want to. It's these types of things that I think would build my character. I avoid them not because they're hard, but simply because I'd rather be doing other things. But maybe I could raise my C+ character to a B if I pushed myself just a little bit.
And because I should always include pictures of these boys, I do so now. Do you know that Ollie will awake in the middle of the night screaming if he lost Pig? And this is Rhett's first major league baseball game. So fun!
Remember when I wrote about our camping trip to Janes Island? And I said that we went accidental swimming? I think I'm ready to tell the story. We started the outing just fine. Getting in the boats was easy. Rhett and I got in ours, and Chuck pushed us off the rubber kayak dock. Chuck and Ollie got in their boat, and Chuck easily pulled himself in with the ropes attacked to the dock. Easy.
But after our paddling, we weren't so sure about how to get out, especially since Ollie was sleeping. Chuck had a harder time than expected trying to pull the boat back up the dock, so he thought he'd step out of the boat.
Problem: The dock was a floating dock.
Problem: Chuck weighs more than a golf ball.
Problem: The dock started to sink. With Chuck on it.
What did Chuck do? He put Ollie on the (now slightly underwater) dock and then before we knew it, Ollie was getting wet (and waking up). So then Chuck grabbed my boat (which was close by), but then Rhett and I were pulled in. Of course Rhett was freaking out. Yes, we were wet. Yes, we were cold. But we weren't that wet, nor were we that cold.
Out of nowhere, a man (who looked middle-eastern) in a suit (like business suit, not swimming suit) arrives. He helps calm the boys while we make sure the boats don't sink. Once Chuck and I fish everything out of the water and can attend to the boys, we profusely thank the man and he promptly disappears. We get the boys back in our car, quickly return to the cabin, strip off all wet clothes (which was all clothes), and start drying off. We end up with no lingering illnesses, only one great memory. (Even now Rhett will sometimes say, "I still can't believe that happened to us!")
But that man. When I think of this story, I can't help but wonder what in the world this man, whose descent I note only because there just weren't that many people from the middle east where we were. Especially at a state park. In cold March. Wearing a suit. I mean, really. Could we have survived this incident without him? Yes. But did he help us tremendously? Yes. I'm convinced he was one of the three Nephites. (Not really, but kind of. Just a little bit.)
So that's it. Our only casualty, as previously noted, was the camera. And really, since no one was hurt, and we didn't lose a kayak, it is truly is a fun, happy family memory.
Because I'm still just all weird-y weird from this week, instead of coming up with a post all by myself, I'm going to copy something. It came from an article about storytelling and how we should do it more, like at the dinner table. (Don't you wish I had the link to the article? Sorry.) These are things Chuck and I should tell our boys, but they're also things I should be asking my parents. I actually can answer about 15 of these about my own parents. Yep, feeling pret-ty good right about now.
1. Do you know how your parents met?
2. Do you know where your mother grew up?
3. Do you know where your father grew up?
4. Do you know where some of your grandparents grew up?
5. Do you know where some of your grandparents met?
6. Do you know where your parents were married?
7. Do you know what went on when you were being born?
8. Do you know the source of your name?
9. Do you know some things about what happened when your brothers or sisters were being born?
10. Do you know which person in your family you look most like?
11. Do you know which person in the family you act most like?
12. Do you know some of the illnesses and injuries that your parents experienced when they were younger?
13. Do you know some of the lessons that your parents learned from good or bad experiences?
14. Do you know some things that happened to your mom or dad when they were in school?
15. Do you know the national background of your family (such as English, German, Russian, etc)?
16. Do you know some of the jobs that your parents had when they were young?
17. Do you know some awards that your parents received when they were young?
18. Do you know the names of the schools that your mom went to?
19. Do you know the names of the schools that your dad went to?
20. Do you know about a relative whose face "froze" in a grumpy position because he or she did not smile enough?
Yesterday was horrible. But when something happens that was as horrible as what happened in Boston on Monday, it makes it really hard for me to feel sorry for myself. Besides, I get to spend today with my boys. My life could be worse.
P.S. Want to know maybe the only good thing about yesterday? We changed the outlets in the basement from black to white. Not just the outlet covers, but the actual plugs too. (Just in case you needed confirmation that I was truly a boring adult who had a crap day.)
P.P.S. Strike that. I did get to talk to my sister yesterday. That was a very good thing because I just so happen to like my sister.
Having Rhett was probably my biggest life-changing moment so far. Sure, being born, graduating from college, getting married, moving across the country (multiple times) were big moments, but none changed my life like having kids. And now that we have the two boys, I've noticed that there are big "game changers" within parenting. Here they are:
1. The boys walk. All of a sudden, my previously-immobile boys are mobile. I had to totally change the way I watched them. No more laying on their backs while I checked the bank statement online (or while I checked Pinterest, don't judge me).
2. The boys talk. Communication! The boys can tell me what they want/need. (Angels singing the Hallelujah chorus.) Sure, sometimes I don't want to hear what they have to say, and sometimes they won't stop talking, but I'd rather this than the incoherent baby babble.
3. The boys potty train. No more diapers. Need I say more?
The next have yet to be experienced by me, but I can only imagine the changes they'll bring about.
4. The boys read. No more spelling of "secret" things between Chuck and me! The boys can read to themselves. One boy can read to the other boy!
5. The boys start school. Obviously this is huge. I'm sure that in about five months I'll be able to speak more on this, but I have to imagine it's huge, right?
6. The boys drive. They can go places without me. Even worse, they can get in accidents without me. They can ruin big, expensive machinery without me.
After this, they're pretty much "adults" even though they'll always be my boys. Experienced parents, am I missing something? Were there other big game changers for you?
And a picture of a cute little guy just for fun...Can you believe we had a 90-degree day and I didn't complain too much? I'm positive it was because the humidity was low and I knew the heat wasn't going to last, but I still gave myself a pat on the back.
My cousin Emilynominated me for a Liebster Award. Thanks cousin! What is a Liebster Award, you ask? Nothing more than a big compliment. Which I will not turn down. How does it work? I have to list 11 things about me, I have to answer 11 questions asked by my cousin Emily, and then I'm supposed to ask 11 questions of those that I nominate for the award. I will do parts 1 and 2, but not 3. However, should you want to do it, please do! I love learning more about people I know.
Part 1: 11 Things about Me
1. Two of my favorite books are The Good Earth and Pillars of the Earth. (Never noticed until now that they both contain the word "Earth.")
2. Being 25 was awesome.
3. Although I dislike most romantic comedies, I love "Sleepless in Seattle."
4. You know how most women think they're fatter than they really are? I think I'm skinnier than I really am. (Note: I didn't say I think I'm skinny, just skinnier.) This makes pictures of me especially jarring.
5. I do not believe in soul mates.
6. One of my running friends said she'd vote for any politician who said they'd abolish Daylight Saving Time. I'd do the same.
7. I cannot bring myself to only do one space after a period. It makes me feel old and totally un-hip to admit this, but such is. (Somewhere my mom is clapping.)
8. I do not own a zester. I think I should own a zester.
9. I love eating icing on crackers. Ritz crackers, graham crackers, Wheat Thins, any crackers. Salty + sweet = yummy.
10. I never listen to music when running, only podcasts. I wonder if running to music would make me faster.
11. I'm looking for sewing projects. Any suggestions?
Part 2: 11 Questions Answered
1. Favorite go-to recipe: Open-face peanut butter and honey sandwich. It's my lunch of choice most days.
2. Change one aspect of my life: My own life is pretty dang good. So if I can request the Manager of All Genies to grant my wish it would be: lift my house and drop it softly in a part of the country that stays relatively mild all year (except for when it snows one day and melts the next), doesn't get humid, and all of my family and friends live next door. Do you see why I needed to talk to a genie supervisor about this wish?
3. Childhood regrets: I wish I tried runninganything sporty in high school, not just the French Club.
4. Dog or cat person: Definitely dogs. I think am developing an allergy to cats in my old age.
5. One favorite memory: Ollie's birth. Hands down.
6. Fave book character and why: Scarlett O'Hara. I don't think I could be any less like her, but still.
7. Least fave day: Uh, all of the days in July and August? I like most days in general, but humid summer days are the worst. Especially this summer when they will be humid summer days with cicadas all around.
8. Which parent am I most like and why: I have to go with my dad. His anal-retentiveness attention to detail plagues me to this day. But he did teach me the ways of the open-face peanut butter and honey (see above) and instill in me my dislike of cats. My mom likes shopping way too much for me to say her.
9. Article of clothing owned longest: Maybe something from college? Stuff I bought when I worked at Kirkham's? I don't think I have anything from high school. (I did start high school about 20 years ago, you know.)
10. Disneyland fave ride: I dislike all things Disney, therefore I refuse to answer this question. :)
11. Fave kids book: Can I give some favorite kid authors instead? Leslie Patricelli, Jack Prelutsky, Arnold Lobel, Mo Willems, and that's all I can remember.
One of the very best parts of living in D.C. is the cherry blossoms. I'm happy to report that in a very unlike-me moment, on Monday I decided to take the boys downtown...all by myself...on the metro...during Ollie's nap time...to see those bloomin' cherry blossoms. It was kinda thrilling to cast all Erin-ness aside. (I didn't cast aside the part of me that likes to have fun with my kids, just the part of me that likes to schedule it all in advance and not at the same time as nap time.) So while Rhett was at preschool I gathered all the supplies: sunglasses, sunscreen, sack lunch, water, cash for a treat, camera, and hats. When we picked up Rhett, Ollie and I delivered the good news. Ollie had no idea what was going on, but he's 20 months old. I don't expect too much.
The day was lovely. We're experiencing some summer temps (today is likely to be in the upper-80s--wayyyyyyyy too warm for my tastes), so we definitely got warm. But the trees provided enough shade. Rhett did great walking the whole way and no one fell in any water! Success! The only downer of the whole day was our Oreo ice cream bar purchase (see the postscript).
P.S. Okay people, seriously, how much should this ice cream bar cost? And how much do you think it actually cost? My answers: I thought it should cost $1.50, but would probably cost $2.50. WRONG! It cost FOUR DOLLARS. And because it was being kept cold in a cooler with dry ice, the thing was rock solid. What a waste of $4. Rhett didn't even comment on the fact that he had to use his molars to bite into it.
P.P.S. While it's been burning us up here, the weather delivered four feet of snow to my brother this week. I don't know what's worse.
This week was lovely. We got back to our semi-regular routines, got the new camera, and maybe spring has decided to come after all. I'm pretty happy.
We took out the camera Saturday morning when we went to see the planes take off at Gravelly Point. It's much cooler to be there when they're landing, but the wind wasn't going our way. That's okay. Ollie still enjoyed it and Rhett still thought it was too loud. We stopped by Roosevelt Island on the way back. The boys even got in the sandbox while Chuck and I cooked dinner. If not for Rhett complaining and disobeying nearly the entire day weekend, it would have been perfect. Saturday night I was already bummed at how the weekend was already nearly over. Curse you, Sunday-night-blues-creep!
And just in case you missed the picture of Ollie in his ties on Facebook, here's another. Seriously. This kid. What a hoot. Do you know that if we leave him to sleep with socks still on his feet, he'll invariably awake with one sock on his right hand/arm? Yep.
Remember a year ago (I'm sure you do), when I posted about our family motto? I'm happy to report it's still in full force, but now with the addendum of "...and then everybody plays!" When we explained this original motto to Rhett it seemed a bit depressing to a five-year-old without the addendum. But when we say, "Everybody works AND THEN everybody plays," there's more incentive to work. I think.
Right now we seem to have a good chore system going for Rhett (but I'm sure that will change in a couple of months). He has his morning and evening "chores" (which include things like brushing teeth, making bed, getting dressed, unloading dishes, putting away laundry) and when he completes them, he gets stickers on his chart. The chart starts new every Monday and ends Sunday night. Then at FHE we count the stickers. If he earns more than 100 (112 possible each week) he gets to choose a family outing or to have a late-night movie. If he earns more than 75, he gets to pick a dinner or FHE dessert for the following week, to go to a playground of his choice, or to have a playdate with a friend of his choice (something I am quite lazy about scheduling). And if he earns more than 50, he can pick 30 minutes on the computer, a McDonald's ice cream cone, or three new-to-us books. Yes, we have to remind him to do them and yes, he does whine a bit. But it's working. He's working.
Chuck and I are working too. Now that the evenings are lighter and (kinda) warmer, we actually feel motivated to do things around the house. So we brought back "No TV Mondays." This most-recent Monday night was spent bleaching our mildewed shower. It looks soooo much better. We have myriad things on our list: replace the black outlets downstairs with white ones, yard stuff, research retirement planning and our 10th anniversary trip, clean the area around Ollie's high chair (this could be a two-weeker). If feels good to accomplish things again!
P.S. New camera arrived last night. Hopefully I'll have pictures next week. Hopefully I won't dunk this camera in the salty bay.
P.P.S. Is "myriad" the new "plethora?"
P.P.P.S. Thanks so much for all the comments on Wednesday's "Things Rhett Said" post. I know that most of the time these things are funny only to parents. I put them on the blog mostly for my family and me; I would never remember them otherwise. However, it is nice to see that others think he's funny too.
As we're walking in Sam's Club, we pass the Snuggle brand detergent, something I have never bought... Rhett: That costs less than the leading brand!
Me: Just you wait. Someday you'll want to sleep in late and I will wake you up at 5:30 to get back at you. Rhett: You'll be dead by then.
Rhett insists that he will marry his dear friend Madeleine. Normally I fight my desire to be realistic, but the other day I just couldn't. I promise that neither Madeleine's mom nor I encourage this "relationship." While adorble, we do recognize that they're just five. Rhett: What comes after second grade? Me: Third, fourth,..., twelfth grade. Then a mission, college, marriage, and children. Rhett: Really?! I am most excited for marriage and kids. I am definitely going to marry Madeleine. Me: Some day you'll be older and will have met many other girls and women. And Madeleine will have met many other boys and men. And maybe, just maybe, she'll love one of them more than she loves you. Rhett: [Moment of silence.] That is impossible.
While in the car, Rhett was playing with one of his new toys awarded at the dentist's office. Rhett: Ollie do you want to play with this toy? Ollie: Eh eh. [Translation: YES! It's a sound not unlike the revving of a car. I can't quite figure out how to spell it.] Rhett: Well, if you had come out of mom's belly first then you would be older and you could play with the toy.
Overheard from the boys' room at 6:45 a.m. Rhett: We let dad sleep in long enough. Let's go wake him up.
In a recent prayer... Rhett: Please bless Ollie that he won't be destructo.
After the putting on of a goodbye party for my in-laws, helping them move, running the half-marathon, celebrating a birthday multiple times, and going on a short vacation (both to and in the Chesapeake Bay), I'm done with busy March and ready for a less-busy April. And to illustrate how lazy I plan on being, I'm not even going to post any pictures. (This may or may not be because we have no pictures to share because we may or may not have ruined our camera after we may or may not gone swimming unintentionally in the Bay).
After another (mostly) successful trip to a Maryland State Park, AND the strategic placement of an ad in our camp brochure, Chuck and I again tossed around the idea of buying a camping trailer. These Cricket trailers are just so cool looking, right? I mean, take a look: they are awesome. Too bad they're crazy expensive. Good news is that the cost quickly cured my desire to own one.
I am ashamed to admit that I'd happily own one of these, but not-so-happily own a standard pop-up...if strictly for vanity aesthetic reasons. But I think I'd quickly get over it just for the ease. I mean, if I'm not getting Lasik, it would be money well-spent, right?
About a year ago we planned to use this spring break to go to Japan and leave the kids with dear Nikki. However, plans changed. Instead, we took the whole family on another trip to Maryland's State Parks. This time it was Janes Island, on the very southern end of Maryland on the Delmarva Peninsula. During our last night there, Chuck and I decided this trip was a bunch of really high highs and really low lows. I said it was a trip of "the best of times, the worst of times." But even the lows weren't the worst. Instead, like the Simpsons have said, we'll call them the "blurst of times."
The Best of Times...The Blurst of Times
1. Friends offering their boats...Finding out the park doesn't rent parks until April
2. Awesome traffic to/fro (such a rarity for us DC-ites)...The noise of the boat tie-downs vibrating on the top of the car for three hours
3. The adorable, perfectly-sized, gas-log-fire-warmed cabin that was right on the water...Less sleep at night with boys who weren't too sure of the new place
4. Sun with relatively-warm weather on Tuesday...Snow (snow!) on Monday
5. Totally deserted park all to ourselves...no real services since park isn't quite open
6. Being resourceful and finding things to do inside when it's snowing (snowing!)...Ignoring kids while working on a puzzle
7. Ollie sleeping nearly the entire paddle back from the beach...Ollie crying nearly the entire paddle to the beach
8. The awesome pizza and staff at The Pizza Shoppe (they even gave the boys "play dough" while we waited for our food)...I got nothing. All the food we ate was good (even the Life cereal for breakfast)
9. Nobody was seriously hurt nor frozen after the spill into the water at kayak take-out...Yep, that's right: we all took a bit of a polar plunge
10. The memory card was salvageable after the spill into the brackish water of the Bay (see the pictures below)...The rest of the camera, not so much (notice no pictures after the kayak trip)
At the end of it all, we still had a great time. The boys enjoyed themselves, and we enjoyed the boys. It was just nice to get out of town.
Taking a walk along the river. The actual island is on the other side of the water.
From the bird watching tower.
Fun with snacks
Listening to music
Playing with capsule-turn-sponge
Displaying how Ollie uses headphones
Getting ready for the paddling!
The destination: a beach on the Chesapeake Bay side of the island
We kept laughing that Ollie looked like a Weekend-at-Bernie's fake person
I just have the most imaginative post titles ever, right? Anyway, after many celebrations I think he's officially five. FIVE. Wednesday night I even started kindergarten paperwork. Nuts, I tell you, just nuts.
Among other things he got these boxing gloves with matching punching bag.
Keeping with Ollie's rainbow cupcakes of last year, I did this. It also worked since this dinner was on St. Patrick's Day.
This recorder was loved by many, including a certain grandpa and uncle and especially an Ollie. (start sarcasm font) This is not an annoying gift at all, Mom and Dad! (end sarcasm font)I really do like it, actually. And Ollie, clearly, loves it.
A goodbye picture before they head off to a (much) warmer clime. (Seriously...is it freezing where you are because DANG. I'm cold. And it's the end of March.)
Rhett playing with his gift from us. Have you seen this toy? It's so cool. Even Chuck and I can entertain ourselves with it.
And of course Ollie wants a piece of the action. I'm so afraid he's going to either (1) eat the instruments or (2) throw them somewhere we'll never find them again.
Finally, marked our height against the wall. The boy's agrowin'!
Kindergarten. I have to keep saying it. It still seems unreal.
