Hustled

Pip and Viv were outside one day playing with Bridget and Connor and I could tell they were out of idea and it was gonna get ugly.  So I challenged Pip to make a tower out of the sticks in our kindling bin.  He wasn't sure.  Didn't cound fun?  I said, come on, let's try.  And we began.  It wasn't so bad.  Soon all the kids were in on the action.  I, dumbly, said if they got everything from the bin on the tower using only teamwork and no whining or crying I would bake them a cake.  I figured it was impossible but why not challenge them.

These little nuggets hustled me.  Had to bake a whole cake that afternoon. 

Camping Practice

It's official!  We'll be heading to NH August 19-20th for a "real" camping adventure.  In tents.  George's clan are coming to help us survive.  Phil thought maybe he should practice in the back yard with Pip and Viv. 

It was hot.  Here they are trying to sleep.

But really jsut sweating themselves silly.

Apparently there was a constant threat of attack from bears and foxes:

http://youtu.be/MdomPOoJTQM

http://youtu.be/ax7ku5epjnM

Vivie called it quits around 9 and went to bed in her comfy room.  She was upset Pip was not there, though, and I had to rub her back until she was fully out.  Without him she kept saying "I don't feel safe Mommy!!".  Pip made it through the whole night.  He stomped into the house at 7:15 the next morning announcing, "welp, I did the camp thing!"

Girls's night in Boston

Here we are, four hot mama's enjoying a night in Boston.  This is at dinner, before we went dancing.  We danced our little selves silly, making sure to tell any guy who even thought to approach us that we were all married with kids!  That is very effective!

Pumping the swing!

Let it officially be noted that Pip pumped his swing at the park today.  I gave him a starting push and he was able to maintain it by himself!!

Halloween in July

At camp this week it was Halloween week.  I am sure I was informed at some point, but I forgot, and so at pick-up Thursday night the head counselor told me they should come in costume the next day.  Pip was very excited: "I want to be BONES!"  Ah, we know no one with a skeleton outfit.  I called friends who might know a friend with one and Jess called me back.  She didn't have one but she knew of a costume store one town over and had already called, confirmed they had one in Pip's size, and reserved it for me.  Wow.

So we went over and the store was very freaky for Pip and Viv!  We tried to steer clear of the scary stuff.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of him in the costume.  We were too busy scaring Daddy when he got home.  Then the next day bones and Snow White and I showed up to camp.  Pip graciously did not wear the bones to drop of Megan at school because he didn't want to frighten the little kids.  So he had to change in the back of the Pilot at camp, which he did so very carefully, ducking everytime a kid walked by so they wouldn't see him changing and then deduce who the bones were.

He waltzed into camp in full gear, the body, gloves, and head on perfectly.  Pure glee.  All the kids were beyond themselves in happy fear and demanded to know who he was.  Pip was so happy to pull off the hat and say "It's just me, Pip!!!"  They kids loved it.  They begged him to do it again and again and he was more than happy to oblige.  Only one little guy was not amused by the continual re-entrace of the scary skeleton.  He hung onto one of the counselors for dear life.  When I realized it I had Pip come over and take off the hat for him to show him it was not real.  As Pip walked away to be chased by the other campers, the little guy wiped his tears and said, "I want to be bones too."  Very cute.

The outfit only barely survived the day, apparently kids took turns wearing it and scaring each other all day!

Sprinklers

Sprinklers just never get old.  We were beat after the island, but the kids see these things and the adreneline kicks in.  I think if they installed some in libraries, people would study more.

Anywho, there are many in Boston, especially along the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Long Wharf.  Some are dangerously close to traffic, others to the harbor.  But all are fun! 

Georges Island

Took the car to the train to the stroller to the ferry to the island this weekend. Whew. It was as much effort as it sounds! Let it be known that as much as Pip and Vivie say they are up for these trips, they prefer to be pushed, carried, or lugged on Phil's head whenever possible.  They aren't much for the journey sometimes.  We'll have to work on that.
I ran into a friend amind the bustle and Pip, not amused to stand still and wait for us to chat, found a vine to climb:

After a snack and a wait on the mainland we eventually got the ferry over to Georges.  The island was beautiful ... and home to a huge fort that we could climb and explore.  The website said to bring your flashlight and this was a great idea because there were lots of dark nooks to search. 

Meg slept here and there but not for any extended period, until I got her in the Ergo and ignored her crying for about 10 minutes.  Then she conked for a nice long nap.  Here Pip checks to see if she is still asleep in the stroller.

Atop the fort Phil and Pip found lots of cool things.  I can't really talk too much about it since the top was not stroller accessible and I stayed down below with Meg and Viv (who was content to hang with me).  Granite slabs for gunnery?  Perhaps.

A lookout for keeping tabs on pirates?  Perhaps.

When Phil and Pip returned from exploring I nabbed some stranger to take a rare family photo.

The island also had a rocky shore where Pip and Viv enjoyed playing.  They constructed some monuments out of stones and bricks, skipped, buried their feet ... general beach play.  I got a snack at the Summer Shack!

Then and Now

Went downtown for an excursion this weekend and found ourselves at the same fountain nearly two years later.  Here we are now ...

And here we were two years ago:

Day 2 without Mom

Day 2 of the Mom-less weekend started a bit rough. You see, the evening before, the munchkins and Chase somehow managed to smuggle approximately seven kids' games up into the loft. They amused themselves with pitching the contents of said games over the edge and down to the hot tub area. What a mess!  In the morning, the cleanup job began and progressed slowly throughout the next couple hours. Yes, it was about 2 hours of work. I spent the time explaining what "dragging your feet" meant. Pip soon realized it had nothing to do with dragons and became annoyed with me. Here he is being a real, angry dragon.

Eventually the games got sorted out, and we moved on to more enjoyable activities.

On the way to the subway station to pick up Nat, I asked Pip if he had fun on the Daddy Weekend. He said it wasn't good and it wasn't bad...it was medium.  I'll take medium.  Could have been worse.  Then Pip followed up that statement with this gem:  "I like it better when it's a whole Family Weekend."  "Yeah, me too!" exclaimed Vivi.

Mom-less Weekend

Day 1 of the long weekend without Mom.  In the morning we actually braved the elements to go shopping for some goodies for the cookout we planned later in the day with Chase.  We filled our propane tank, stocked up on steaks (tube and rib eyes), and grabbed some corn on the cob.  Then it was the usual busy afternoon of playing outside and inflating our water bill.  Pip and Vivi eventually got to cool off their insides to match their outsides with some pops. When asked "Is this the life or what?" they of course responded "What!"  I won't admit exactly how many pops were employed over the course of the weekend.  Hey, they were being good!

Duxbury

We went to visit the Beidler sid eof my family today as they were vacationing in Duxbury.  A happy, relaxed visit.  Here they are in the hammock with Destin (Diana's step-grandson?) and Emily.  We also went to the beach and had lots of great conversation.  Wish we could see them more.

Random stuff

Some cute picks I can't leave out.

I mean, seriously, she is all LOVE.

Barbie tamed the dragon.

Vivie proves if you clip Daddy's nails first, it makes it so clipping yours does not hurt.  Daddy is brave, though, Vivie often misses the nail.
http://youtu.be/LmnrsXSewI8

Return to work

I am not sure if it seemed like more or less than three months.  Pip and Viv were definitely getting a bit rammy the last few weeks and I was sure they were ready for a routine again.  Megan has undoubtedly developed a personality and often times seems older than a mere 14 weeks.  So I have to say that actually the timing felt right.  Pip and Viv went to summer camp and Meg to daycare this week.  And I too work! 

My first day back I drove in lamenting that I hadn't printed a picture of her to hang in my cube.  Then I turned into my little space and found this waiting for me.  Thanks Saritha and Chris!  Totally made my day!!

 I missed my loves.  But I knew they were in good hands and I enjoyed getting dressed up in work clothes again, showering before 7am, and joining in the pulse of commuter traffic.  After work I went to golf with the ladies and as I drove home I heard an interview with George RR Martin on NPR.  I am loving Game of Thrones on HBO.  Phil is a huge fan of his A Song of Ice and Fire series and I heard them announce the next installment was out that day.  So I made a game time decision to pick up a copy for Phil on my way home.  The local Barnes and Noble was a mad house.  Turns out George RR was there doing a book signing!  The line was out and around as far as I could see, so I skipped it and went inside to get the book.  He was right there, though, in plain sight so I grabbed this pic!

At the checkout I made some small talk with the cashier who offered me an autographed copy at no extra charge.  Not sure if it is commonplace to have extra copies like that behind the counter when a signing is taking place, but I felt special indeed.

What a day!

Rolling over!

I officially started work today (from home).  And Megan started rolling over!!!!!!!!!!!  Who can believe my little girl is so big these days.  Check out her tummy time!

I think the rolling over may technically be considered accidental (she hasn't repeated in about a week since), but she did do it about 5 times in a row.  Finally I grabbed the camera and caught it on film!
http://youtu.be/oW7gfrfI9x8

Ladies in NYC!

This weekend I had the joy of heading to NYC for a Girl's Weekend with Glenna and Katie.  Felt like the guiltiest pleasure.  Phil came home early from work to drop me off at the train.  Turns out Vivie was none too happy to wave me off.  She wanted to come and apparently lost it a bit when I rode off into the sunset.  Luckily Phil said she calmed down shortly afterwards. 

The bus ride down was not fun (rush-hour traffic standstills, chose the seat next to the toilet and suffered with the sickly sweet smell of line air freshener for 5+ hours).  I braved the subway downtown, accompanied by a beautiful Russian girl puking her guts out.  Eventually, finally, I made it to the W downtown and met G and Katie at it's bar for a night cap. 

The next morning I woke around 7:30, sadly and frustratingly unable to sleep in, to this view out our window.  Ground Zero.  Ten years later and still a scar.  There was constant activity below.  You see these amazing buildings in Manhattan and wonder how they can possibly be so big.  How can people function up so high?  I watched in amazement at the workers ascending the scaffolding in outdoor elevators probably 50 floors up.  Made me swoon.

Saturday we enjoyed a leisurely walk for coffee, shopping at ABC Carpet, and a yummy mexican lunch. 

I was, proudly, able to grab a short nap before we rallied for the night.  Dinner was fabulous.  Great conversation.  I am lucky to have friends I can relate to through so many stages of life.  We made a relatively mlame attempt to dance ... surely all for my sake.  But I think perhaps I am too old for the club scene these days.  We ended up finding a cool bar after some time searching but I think my then out steam ran out and after a bit of bopping we headed home. 

Here we are all dolled up with our fake lashes!

Odds and Ends

A collection of shots from the past few days. 

Meg ... all love:

Pip, warm in the sun:

Viv, getting her rock on.

And a mosh pit in the making:

http://youtu.be/660g5K7tA6w

Impromptu party

I love it when you can send out a quick email invite and things just come together.  It was Tuesday after the 4th and Phil had been home, so it felt like the weekend.  Tasha and the Hoffenbergs were free and we had a fab night together.  Kiddy table!!

Cars 2

The heat didn't let up our last day so we decided to take in our first ever movie with the kids.  Cars 2!  It was really good.  Meg fussed initially but I got up and rocked her in the aisle until she conked out.  Slept the whole time.  Pip and Viv needed a total of three potty trips (Viv 2, Pip 1) and lots of candy, but made it through the whole thing!

One more cookout before heading home.  Vivie had to get lots of hugs in with Harry.  She does love that dog!

Suzie is most fabulous in every way.  She has a way of communicating with her eyes and her expressions that is amazing to watch.  Jen and Matt are impressively tuned in to her and what results is a very happy little girl!

BBQ with George's Crew

Big Phil graciously invited George, Jen, Al, Rhiannon, and Ever over for a BBQ one night as well. It was really fun to see them. Pip and Viv were happy for their cousins to play with.  Of course, much water play was involved.  Including the HUGE super soakers Grandpa got!

Watch out George!

Don't mess with the bull!

Honey Badger don't care, he dumps the water right on his own head!

Big Phil, big smiles.

Note Rhiannon in this sequence.  Heave ...

ho!!!

And the highlight of the weekend, a spontaneous visit by a horse from the neighboring farm.  She was a true beauty, and very calm and lovely.  We saw her riding her down the street earlier and Viv and Rhiannon ran out to watch her ride back later in the night.  Turns out her rider, Candace, was returning frrom giving rides at a party down the street and offered rides to all our kiddies as well.  It was pretty magical. 

Pip wasn't sure about it initially but Vivie could not jump up there fast enough!

  

Luckily Goldier is a therapy horse and absolutely nothing bothered her, including Harry barking and harrassing her constantly!

Rhiannon's turn!

And sweet Ever!

and of course Pip!