Again, a busy few days off - I can't believe how fast the summer is going. I only have a few more weeks of my summer schedule; it has really flown by in record time this year.
So, two firsts to report:
1. Eden is sporting her first (of many?) black eyes. She took a swing in the face at a friend's BBQ over the weekend and has quite the shiner to show for it. She took it like the tough kid she is, though, and it doesn't seem to bother her. I, on the other hand, am getting a lot of "what happened?!?!?" from people. I've tried convincing her to say, "you oughtta see the other guy!" when people ask, but so far she isn't going for it.
2. Sadie went off the diving board at the beach yesterday. She had previously told me (like, last week) that she would do it next year, not this year. But, yesterday, with very little coaxing, she went for it, and loved it. She then spent the better part of the rest of the afternoon repeating. So proud of her!
I love all of these firsts....
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Writer's Block
I have had so much to post about over the past couple of weeks that I've been overwhelmed and hence, not posting anything. I finally decided today that I need to start writing and see what comes out.
The past couple of weeks have been really busy and really fun. Aside from the normal summer stuff, we took a mini-vacation up to Massachusetts. It was my first time back there in nearly four years and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. Not nervous to go, so much, but nervous that I'd go and feel regret about leaving in the first place. I'm happy to report that for the most part, that didn't happen. We had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and visiting some of our favorite places - parks, beaches, restaurants, stores, but aside from really feeling a tug in my heart while we were in Boston proper (I just love that city and for me, NYC will never measure up), overall, all the trip did was reaffirm for me that our move was the right thing for our family. That said, I did feel some regret that we've waited this long to visit! I think we're going to try to make it an annual trip from here on out. I have pictures loaded on my other computer, and I plan to revisit this post tonight and upload.
It was good to get away - and even better to come home. We came home to more beautiful weather, lots of beach time, swim lessons, and camp for Sadie. So far (we're at day three today), she is enjoying it, which is a relief. I have to say that I thought that I would enjoy the mornings more than I have. I had this vision of Eden and I really having some nice one on one time while Sadie was out and that hasn't really happened so much. I mean, we've had time together, but I'm realizing that in some ways, it is more work to have just one of them with me. They really have gotten to the point where they play together and entertain eachother so well. That has caught me by surprise, after three years of lamenting how hard it is to parent more than one child at the same time. Eden really misses Sadie in the mornings, too. She constantly asks when she will be back.
Anyway, overall it is going well, and it has been good for Sadie. I am toying with the idea of signing her up for a second 2 week session, assuming the remainder of this one goes as well as the past few days. Though, I may just leave well enough alone and leave her wanting a bit more, rather than burning out on it. To be decided, I guess.
I can't believe that it is already the end of July. This summer seems to be going by even faster than normal - probably because it felt like it got such a late start. We've got a bunch of birthday parties coming up in the next few weeks, a visit from our favorite aunt and cousin in early August, the much-anticipated town festival soon after that, some day visits from city friends and a weekend of camping at the end of August and then before we know it, school will be starting again (shhh! don't tell Sadie. She thinks she's on an endless summer vacation). Hard to believe. Time stops for no one, I guess.
The past couple of weeks have been really busy and really fun. Aside from the normal summer stuff, we took a mini-vacation up to Massachusetts. It was my first time back there in nearly four years and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. Not nervous to go, so much, but nervous that I'd go and feel regret about leaving in the first place. I'm happy to report that for the most part, that didn't happen. We had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and visiting some of our favorite places - parks, beaches, restaurants, stores, but aside from really feeling a tug in my heart while we were in Boston proper (I just love that city and for me, NYC will never measure up), overall, all the trip did was reaffirm for me that our move was the right thing for our family. That said, I did feel some regret that we've waited this long to visit! I think we're going to try to make it an annual trip from here on out. I have pictures loaded on my other computer, and I plan to revisit this post tonight and upload.
It was good to get away - and even better to come home. We came home to more beautiful weather, lots of beach time, swim lessons, and camp for Sadie. So far (we're at day three today), she is enjoying it, which is a relief. I have to say that I thought that I would enjoy the mornings more than I have. I had this vision of Eden and I really having some nice one on one time while Sadie was out and that hasn't really happened so much. I mean, we've had time together, but I'm realizing that in some ways, it is more work to have just one of them with me. They really have gotten to the point where they play together and entertain eachother so well. That has caught me by surprise, after three years of lamenting how hard it is to parent more than one child at the same time. Eden really misses Sadie in the mornings, too. She constantly asks when she will be back.
Anyway, overall it is going well, and it has been good for Sadie. I am toying with the idea of signing her up for a second 2 week session, assuming the remainder of this one goes as well as the past few days. Though, I may just leave well enough alone and leave her wanting a bit more, rather than burning out on it. To be decided, I guess.
I can't believe that it is already the end of July. This summer seems to be going by even faster than normal - probably because it felt like it got such a late start. We've got a bunch of birthday parties coming up in the next few weeks, a visit from our favorite aunt and cousin in early August, the much-anticipated town festival soon after that, some day visits from city friends and a weekend of camping at the end of August and then before we know it, school will be starting again (shhh! don't tell Sadie. She thinks she's on an endless summer vacation). Hard to believe. Time stops for no one, I guess.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
a few minutes to catch up
I'm back at work today for the first time in a week and jeez, it is busy! I guess that's what happens when you only show up now and again ;)
Anyway, we are nicely settled into a summer routine, and really enjoying the break from the rush of the school year. Highlights:
Anyway, we are nicely settled into a summer routine, and really enjoying the break from the rush of the school year. Highlights:
- Sadie and Eden are both taking swim lessons. They are going really well. Sadie can now easily paddle across the pool, and has started diving down and retrieving things from the bottom of the pool. She is also really enjoying playing in the ocean and riding waves. Eden's progress is less noticeable, lol. She will now actually GO IN the water, so I guess that is a step in the right direction. My goal for her is to simply become more relaxed in the water and get primed for the swim lessons that she'll have during the school year, so in that respect, I guess we're on target.
- The beach has been lovely, though a little more challenging this year, as both girls have strong opinions about what and where they want to go and rarely do their desires coincide with each other (ocean, pool, playground, snack bar, bathroom, locker...lather, rinse, repeat). So, we do a lot of negotiating and compromising and it is tiring!
- On Sunday, they were doing paddle boat races in the pool at the beach. Sadie was ticked off because it was going to restrict her access to the pool for an hour or so. I asked her if she wanted to participate and she emphatically said, "NO!" She followed up by lamely saying, "I'm not good at paddling", but I know the real reason is that she simply has a hard time joining in - her shyness gets the best of her more often than not. Anyway, I didn't push it and we went down onto the beach. When it was race time, Eden announced that she wanted to do it so I told Sadie we needed to go up there and cheer her on. Sadie immediately said, "Oh, alright, I guess I'll do it, too." Nothing like a little sibling pressure, I guess. Anyway, Eden's race was first (they grouped the 3 and 4 year olds together for the heat). The look on her face as she was racing was adorable - so determined! She ended up winning her race and proudly accepted her 'prize' (a coupon for the snack bar). Well, once Sadie saw Eden do it and win, you can bet she was doubly motivated. When they finally called the six year olds, she practically dove into the boat. Same look of determination and pride and excitement at all the cheering on her face and guess what? She took first place for her race as well! My two little champions <3>
- Speaking of soccer, we've been having nightly games of it in our backyard (mommy and Eden v. Daddy and Sadie) to get her familiar with the game. What a riot! We are all enjoying it, I think.
- We leave for our Boston trip on Saturday morning. We're really looking forward to it. We'll just be gone for four days, but I think it will be a fun adventure for the girls.
- Sadie starts camp a week from Monday. I think the timing will be just right - I'm guessing by then, we'll all be eager for a little structure and activity to our week.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summer has begun!
Even if mother nature hasn't gotten on board - it seems as though it is, indeed, summer. Sadie's last day of school was on Tuesday. She has had a great year and in some ways, I'm sorry to see it end. On the other hand, I am happy for the break, for all of us. No more sorting through homework folders and remembering to sign forms and send in trip money and make lunches...ahhhh...
So, we began summer vacation yesterday with about an hour and a half of a back and forth with our neighbors that went something like this:
Ring, ring.
"Is it going to be a beach day? Should we go to the beach?"
"Doesn't look like it. Let's go out for lunch and hit a playground. I'll call you when I'm showered."
Ring, ring.
"It's me again. I haven't showered, but now the sun is out. Should we go to the beach?"
"Maybe. Let's wait a bit and see if the sun stays out. Call me when you get out of the shower."
Ring, ring.
"I still haven't showered, but now it looks cloudy again. Should we go out to lunch?
You can see where this is going. Back and forth like that until finally at noon, with kids starving, we decided just to go to lunch. We headed up to Pier Village and had lunch outside at Stewart's. After lunch, the kids decided they wanted to go down on the beach. What started out as a casual stroll on the sand quickly transformed into four little kids, fully-clothed, managing to get pretty wet and sandy. Ah well, they were having fun, so Carolyn and I just sat and relaxed and let them do their thing. Around 3:30, the rain came in, so we headed home and I gave the girls a bath (sand, remember?) and then had Eden take a bit of a nap in preparation for an anticipated late night.
After dinner, we took the girls and Abby down to the boardwalk in AP. We strolled, had ice cream and then at 9pm, enjoyed a nice firework show. I had been hearing fireworks from there every Wednesday since Memorial Day weekend, and I had promised Sadie that once school was out, we could go. We got home around 9:30 and I got the girls (including Abby, who was sleeping over) to bed. Not bad for a first summer day. I'm at work today, but I've got the next five days off, so hopefully, summer will really get into full swing.
So, we began summer vacation yesterday with about an hour and a half of a back and forth with our neighbors that went something like this:
Ring, ring.
"Is it going to be a beach day? Should we go to the beach?"
"Doesn't look like it. Let's go out for lunch and hit a playground. I'll call you when I'm showered."
Ring, ring.
"It's me again. I haven't showered, but now the sun is out. Should we go to the beach?"
"Maybe. Let's wait a bit and see if the sun stays out. Call me when you get out of the shower."
Ring, ring.
"I still haven't showered, but now it looks cloudy again. Should we go out to lunch?
You can see where this is going. Back and forth like that until finally at noon, with kids starving, we decided just to go to lunch. We headed up to Pier Village and had lunch outside at Stewart's. After lunch, the kids decided they wanted to go down on the beach. What started out as a casual stroll on the sand quickly transformed into four little kids, fully-clothed, managing to get pretty wet and sandy. Ah well, they were having fun, so Carolyn and I just sat and relaxed and let them do their thing. Around 3:30, the rain came in, so we headed home and I gave the girls a bath (sand, remember?) and then had Eden take a bit of a nap in preparation for an anticipated late night.
After dinner, we took the girls and Abby down to the boardwalk in AP. We strolled, had ice cream and then at 9pm, enjoyed a nice firework show. I had been hearing fireworks from there every Wednesday since Memorial Day weekend, and I had promised Sadie that once school was out, we could go. We got home around 9:30 and I got the girls (including Abby, who was sleeping over) to bed. Not bad for a first summer day. I'm at work today, but I've got the next five days off, so hopefully, summer will really get into full swing.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
just random stuff on my mind
it is a quiet, rainy day today, a good one to just spend some time putting to paper computer screen some of the things I've been thinking about lately.
First and foremost, this weather needs to change. I don't ever remember such a rainy spring as this one. It is downright depressing already. We're still in long pants and long-sleeved shirts most days, it has been so cool. And the day after day of constant rain (only briefly interrupted by a little bit of non-precipitous gloom) is taxing. My mental health is definitely tied to my relative exposure to the sun (hence the reason the Oregon years were brief) and I am feeling it these days. The beach club is opening this weekend, it is disappointing to realize that we won't be going. Frankly, we've been to the movies, we've been shopping, we've been to the library...we're running out of rainy day activities. My summer schedule starts next week and the thought of being cooped up with the kids most days is not a pretty one.
Good segue for my next topic, which is parenting. I have to say, even though I am wishing, hoping, praying for some nice weather soon, the thought of being stuck in more often than not this summer is not inspiring the same sort of panic and fear that it has in years past. I don't know if it is that now that Eden is three, we're really truly just past the hardest part of parenting (until we hit the teen years) or what, but we're definitely on a nice roll with things. We're at the point where the pleasure I get from being with the girls far outweighs anything else. For some natural mother types, maybe this is no big thing, but I can assure you, it hasn't always been the case for me. It wasn't too long ago that the thought of a couples only trip was a much sought-after fantasy. Now? Let's put it this way...I just booked our second trip to Disney. The girls have really just become these fun, funny little people and I can't imagine an extended period away from them. That's not to say that I don't enjoy an adult night out (I do!), but I don't have that same sense of desperately needing it the way I have in the past. This is a nice place to be, emotionally. :)
Back to the Disney trip. I can't believe we are doing it again, so soon. Trust me when I say that we are not "Disney People"... but somehow, we were thinking about where to get away next spring and the fact that the kids wanted to go back so badly just swayed us and the next thing I knew, I had booked the room. I know it will be a good time - and, it feeds my desire to plan, plan, plan. I'm already thinking about driving routes and dining reservations and park touring plans. I'm hopeless!
Other things on my mind - working out. I've really ramped it up lately (last-minute panic about bathing suit season, perhaps?) and I'm feeling good. I've stopped focusing on distance or speed or time so much and am just trying to stay focused on the general goal of being active, in some way, every day. So, that means that one day I might spend 45 minutes in the gym, the next day I might take a 2 hour bike ride and the next it might just be a brisk walk after dinner. It all feels good - and my mind and body are both the better for it.
I guess that's about it for my random babbling. Now I'm off to do my dry weather dance. ;)
First and foremost, this weather needs to change. I don't ever remember such a rainy spring as this one. It is downright depressing already. We're still in long pants and long-sleeved shirts most days, it has been so cool. And the day after day of constant rain (only briefly interrupted by a little bit of non-precipitous gloom) is taxing. My mental health is definitely tied to my relative exposure to the sun (hence the reason the Oregon years were brief) and I am feeling it these days. The beach club is opening this weekend, it is disappointing to realize that we won't be going. Frankly, we've been to the movies, we've been shopping, we've been to the library...we're running out of rainy day activities. My summer schedule starts next week and the thought of being cooped up with the kids most days is not a pretty one.
Good segue for my next topic, which is parenting. I have to say, even though I am wishing, hoping, praying for some nice weather soon, the thought of being stuck in more often than not this summer is not inspiring the same sort of panic and fear that it has in years past. I don't know if it is that now that Eden is three, we're really truly just past the hardest part of parenting (until we hit the teen years) or what, but we're definitely on a nice roll with things. We're at the point where the pleasure I get from being with the girls far outweighs anything else. For some natural mother types, maybe this is no big thing, but I can assure you, it hasn't always been the case for me. It wasn't too long ago that the thought of a couples only trip was a much sought-after fantasy. Now? Let's put it this way...I just booked our second trip to Disney. The girls have really just become these fun, funny little people and I can't imagine an extended period away from them. That's not to say that I don't enjoy an adult night out (I do!), but I don't have that same sense of desperately needing it the way I have in the past. This is a nice place to be, emotionally. :)
Back to the Disney trip. I can't believe we are doing it again, so soon. Trust me when I say that we are not "Disney People"... but somehow, we were thinking about where to get away next spring and the fact that the kids wanted to go back so badly just swayed us and the next thing I knew, I had booked the room. I know it will be a good time - and, it feeds my desire to plan, plan, plan. I'm already thinking about driving routes and dining reservations and park touring plans. I'm hopeless!
Other things on my mind - working out. I've really ramped it up lately (last-minute panic about bathing suit season, perhaps?) and I'm feeling good. I've stopped focusing on distance or speed or time so much and am just trying to stay focused on the general goal of being active, in some way, every day. So, that means that one day I might spend 45 minutes in the gym, the next day I might take a 2 hour bike ride and the next it might just be a brisk walk after dinner. It all feels good - and my mind and body are both the better for it.
I guess that's about it for my random babbling. Now I'm off to do my dry weather dance. ;)
Monday, June 15, 2009
the rain.
really, the rain can stop at any time now, and it would be more than fine. This has to be the rainiest spring I can remember - and considering I spent three springs in rainy Oregon, that's saying a lot.
Friday was my last 'kid-free' day off until September. Although I would have loved a quiet day at the beach with a book, I didn't delude myself into thinking that this was actually going to happen. Instead, I made lemonade out of the crappy weather, so to speak, and had a great day, anyway. I hit the gym, got a pedicure, met my mom out for lunch and then went shopping. All stuff that I never seem to have the time to do. So, it was a good day.
Saturday, the rain did actually halt for most of the day to give us a break. We took the girls on their first 'mountain' (and by mountain, I mean, off-road, trail ride) bike ride. We rode around Manasquan Reservoir. It was great. We loved it, the girls loved it (Sadie kept yelling "this is awesome!" every time we hit a down hill) and I have no doubt we've just found a new activity to add to our weekend repertoire.
Yesterday was again, rainy and gloomy until about 3pm. We mostly puttered in the morning, then went out for lunch and finally got outside in the late afternoon. We had dinner up at my parents' house so the day ended up being pleasant and busy enough in spite of the weather.
All in all, it was a good weekend, but I'm really hoping that we can put this crap weather behind us now. The beach club opens on Saturday and I will be seriously disappointed if we can't get there. That's all for now, I guess....
Friday was my last 'kid-free' day off until September. Although I would have loved a quiet day at the beach with a book, I didn't delude myself into thinking that this was actually going to happen. Instead, I made lemonade out of the crappy weather, so to speak, and had a great day, anyway. I hit the gym, got a pedicure, met my mom out for lunch and then went shopping. All stuff that I never seem to have the time to do. So, it was a good day.
Saturday, the rain did actually halt for most of the day to give us a break. We took the girls on their first 'mountain' (and by mountain, I mean, off-road, trail ride) bike ride. We rode around Manasquan Reservoir. It was great. We loved it, the girls loved it (Sadie kept yelling "this is awesome!" every time we hit a down hill) and I have no doubt we've just found a new activity to add to our weekend repertoire.
Yesterday was again, rainy and gloomy until about 3pm. We mostly puttered in the morning, then went out for lunch and finally got outside in the late afternoon. We had dinner up at my parents' house so the day ended up being pleasant and busy enough in spite of the weather.
All in all, it was a good weekend, but I'm really hoping that we can put this crap weather behind us now. The beach club opens on Saturday and I will be seriously disappointed if we can't get there. That's all for now, I guess....
Monday, June 8, 2009
The better the weekend...
The harder the Monday! It was a great weekend - and went by much too quickly.
Friday, I had the day off, as did Sadie. We decided to have a 'girls' day', complete with lunch out, a movie (Up) and a little shopping. It was a lot of fun, and so nice to spend such an extended bit of time with just Sadie. I did feel a little guilty, though, when I picked up Eden. Such is the plight of us moms with more than one child, I suppose. Anything good and special with one, is usually marred by the feeling of guilt over what the other one isn't getting to do. Ah well...it was a good day.
Saturday we went to a 1st birthday party for one of our neighbors. My, oh my...what a party! We had intended to just go for a bit to be polite, but we ended up staying for seven hours. First of all, this was like no other first birthday party I've ever been to. There were a zillion people there. Someone counted and reported that at one point, there were 47 kids there. Tons of food and the liquor flowed (and flowed!)...a bounce castle for the kids...definitely a good time. We stumbled home just in time to get the kids to bed and everyone slept late, late, late on Sunday.
Yesterday, aside from being a picture perfect day, weatherwise, was our 11th anniversary. The girls insisted on making us breakfast (toast) and we spent most of the day at the beach. It was lovely - the perfect day and the perfect way to celebrate our family.
Friday, I had the day off, as did Sadie. We decided to have a 'girls' day', complete with lunch out, a movie (Up) and a little shopping. It was a lot of fun, and so nice to spend such an extended bit of time with just Sadie. I did feel a little guilty, though, when I picked up Eden. Such is the plight of us moms with more than one child, I suppose. Anything good and special with one, is usually marred by the feeling of guilt over what the other one isn't getting to do. Ah well...it was a good day.
Saturday we went to a 1st birthday party for one of our neighbors. My, oh my...what a party! We had intended to just go for a bit to be polite, but we ended up staying for seven hours. First of all, this was like no other first birthday party I've ever been to. There were a zillion people there. Someone counted and reported that at one point, there were 47 kids there. Tons of food and the liquor flowed (and flowed!)...a bounce castle for the kids...definitely a good time. We stumbled home just in time to get the kids to bed and everyone slept late, late, late on Sunday.
Yesterday, aside from being a picture perfect day, weatherwise, was our 11th anniversary. The girls insisted on making us breakfast (toast) and we spent most of the day at the beach. It was lovely - the perfect day and the perfect way to celebrate our family.
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