Apple Picking

Each year I say i am going to stay away and avoid the apple picking place in our town on the weekends, and each year I go.  We did have a good time picking apples today - but the combination of the heat (we were dressed like it was the 55 degrees my car said it was, but in the sun it felt like 80), the bright sun, and the walking in fields made it so everyone was cranky.  We picked apples, James ate apples.  At one point I told him: "No, you cannot take a bite out of every apple before you put it into the bag."  Passersby thought this was awesome.

This was a tough go though, trapsing through the fields.  What's worse is I estimated it would be quicker to walk to our car to deposit the heavy bags of apples than to take the tractor back - I was kinda wrong.  By the time we got the apples in the car and started off for the place again, it was all over.  Everyone was tired and cranky.  We will try again in late fall, when I think they have their Storybook hayrides.  I didn't see any yesterday.

No off for a Monday with my boys, it is gloomy out.  What to do?

Boston Day: Boston Duck Tours and New England Aquarium

Yesterday was a whirlwind day for the boys and myself: New England Aquarium, Boston Duck Tours,  out to lunch, and then to the King's house for Declan's 4th birthday party where I got to hold my godson for a while!

 The Aquarium was awesome - the changes since the renovations have been spectacular.  Really, there was not much that could be done with the place, there will always be a smell of fish since the penguins are the centerpiece, it will always be dark and cement-like, but they did a good job making some additions here and there, modernizing the exhibits, making the touch tanks look nicer and brighter, and the top of the big main tank is gorgeous.

The sharks were missing though, and my boys were disappointed.  We were thrilled to be there on a weekend day, as I think the weekdays get overrun with school groups and the weekends are actually better.  I couldn't believe the amount of people piling in, and how much money they must be making.  Not to mention the awesome selection in their gift shop - but that was the museum director in me.  Now back to the day with the boys.

My mom had won a duck tour at an auction we went to last year - and we finally used it.  Both boys loved the trip though there was some fidgeting.  They really pack you on the duck, and it does pay to get there as soon as possible to wait for your seats.  We ended up sitting in the last row, which was a bonus by the way -when they shut the door a whole additional seat comes down and so you can spread out a bit.

We had some snacks on the tour to help keep the fidgets quiet, but driving by the big city with the trucks, cars, people, all sorts of things really kept us occupied.  By the time we hit the water we were super psyched - the boys even got to each drive the boat!  Best part is, since we were at the back James walked up with the big camera, which is larger than him practically, and did a really good job.  So cute.

The Duck Tour handed out a booklet listing all of the color ducks out there, and when we ate lunch, outside on the street in Boston - Joel Andrew and I continued to identify all the colors and check them off as we saw them in the book.  Lunch was also fun because they handed out "iPads" as James calls them - or etch-a-sketches.  Ha!

Some further walking around the greenway and Fanueil Hall was also done, we were able to get a Duck Tour ornament, which sadly I think is the only addition to our Christmas ornament collection this year.  We have hardly gone anywhere or tried anything new lately...  This is all sure to change as I think 2014 will be our year of travel.

Love that dirty water, Boston!

Exeter Bowling Lanes

Joel Husband got a Groupon or something like it for the Exeter Bowling Lanes.  I have heard a lot about this place from my work.  People have very strong opinions of the place.  It is your classic bowling/pool hall.  A place I actually want to go to on a Saturday night.  $4 drafts, for the expensive kind of beer (they had a good selection) - sounds a little pricey for the atmosphere, but I guess that is just the price of bananas these days.  I remember 25cent beer night in college.  Those were the days.

Anyway, we brought the boys, and they actually played really well.  I think part of the trick of small ball (yes, this is New England bowling people) - is that you can't just chuck the ball down the lane.  Sometimes slower is better.  The boys scored pretty well.  All of them.  But, with two strikes, Mommy won.  Daddy pointed out I needed the bumpers to get my great score, but I figure it is all apart of the game.

Just about the last frame James had enough and was done.  He became Mr. Fidget Midget and that was it.  Not bad, considering we only made it to hole 8 of mini-golf this past year.  I'd say it was an improvement.

On the way in...  I forgot to tell you.  James was having a tantrum because he did not want to hold my hand in the lot.  I patiently gave him an option.  I told him he has to be safe where there are cars, and he can either hold my hand, or be carried.  He calmed and asked to be carried.  The woman smoking a butt on the entry stairs (yes, I tell you, classy) - said that she wished she was back at that moment with her kids.  I think I totally surprised her.  She expected me to look at her exhausted and say something like I can't wait until he is older.  I instead said: "I want to bottle him up and keep him like this forever."  (I meant it too).  She responded: "Good for you!"

Flu Shots

Tonight we went to get flu shots, and boy it was memorable.  I will Tarantino it for you:

Scene - the car drive home from flu shots:

Joel Andrew, through sobs: "I.... waa-aa--nn--aa be a ggg-gg-gg-oo-dddd boy."

James, happy as can be: "I'm sorry Joelly."

Joel Andrew, stops sobbing: "Why are you sorry, James?  You didn't give me the shot?"

James, jubilantly: "I'm sorry for party rockin' "

(Mommy and James laugh hysterically at Joel Andrew's expense)

And, scene.

The evening started out with an evening excursion to get our flu shots.  I had made the mistake of telling Joel Andrew that this was what we are going to do.  In the past, this worked well for him.  A little preparation of what was about to happen set him up, and set him up to succeed.  He loved to be in the know.  Now I know to no longer do this...

We arrive at the Dr's office and he already starts with the whining. We get right in and he immediately reminds me that James needs to go first.  Which is fine, as I look over to James happily playing with books in the corner (I am sure he will be sick in 3 days).  The nurse gives us an option, mist or shot.  The one catch I know is they both need to get the same thing.  The other catch is that James needs to know to snort it up real good if it is the mist.  I am not sure he knows this, but joy!  Joel Andrew can do it first and James can watch and learn.  Unfortunately, at this suggestion Joel Andrew freaks out.  "You told me James would go first!"  Fine, shots it is.

James sits on my lap, happy as can be.  We take his shirt off, no problem.  Joel Andrew is in hysterics two seats down.  So loud I know the entire waiting room of people are hearing. James still sits fine.  I point out the awesome electric yellow band aid James is going to get, and the kid smiles, as the needle is coming towards him.  Shot happens, the kid doesn't even flinch.  He smiles, and we all (the nurse, me and James) cheer loudly for this amazing triumph.  Meanwhile, Joel Andrew is still wailing in the corner.

Joel Andrew's turn.  I literally have to pick him up while he is kicking and screaming.  He has NEVER done this before, never.  Like full on kicking.  He kicks the nurse who then tells me this happens once a night at least.  I was mad at this point and exclaimed this doesn't happen to us.  The nurse tells me we could try the mist.  Part of me was like, oh yes, it would make him feel better and a larger part of me was like oh no, this kid is getting the shot.  But, all of me decided that the snotting, screaming, crying, unreasonable kid could not get the mist at this point.  Shot it is.

I literally held the kid down with two arms and one leg.  Only one of his legs remained free, and I will have bruises to prove it.  The shot lasted 1 millisecond and he screamed and screamed.  James, through this all, was "reading" a book in the corner.

When we left another nurse offered a sticker.  I loudly and clearly noted that James was allowed two, Joel was allowed none.  This of course did not go over well with Joel.  As we were leaving I ran into a Mom from James' mommy group and made sure to point out that it was my oldest that was the nightmare.  And then I told all of the freaked out kids in line that it doesn't hurt, Joel is just a big baby.  Yes, I am a good Mom(?).

On the way home I asked Joel: "How come James got two stickers?"

Joel Andrew: "Because I cried."

(no, not really...)

Mommy: "No, he got two stickers because he took his shot, very nicely, without crying, and because he said thank you to the nurse.  And, because he sat quietly while you were getting a shot.  How come Joel did not get any stickers?"

Joel Andrew: "Because I cried."

Mommy: "Yes, and because you kicked Mommy, and you kicked the nurse, and because you scared all of the other children in the Drs office.  Did you see any of the other children crying?"

Cue scene from above.

Zoo

We have done this trip before, but it is a no-miss, must be done at least once a year while they are still young trip - and that is to the Stone Zoo and then a visit to Fudruckers/Jordan's Furniture.  Today was awesome, and reminds me how lucky I am to get these days with my boys at least once a week.  We had a blast.  Mommy didn't loose it once.  James didn't loose it until lunch.  Joel Andrew hasn't lost it yet.

The two each need their own map, and they both like to look into the windows at the same time in each exhibit.  So cute.  Joel Andrew has about a 5 second limit per each animal whereas James could stay looking at something for hours.  They both always ask: "What does it eat?" - Did you know that Roadrunners eat lizards?  Wow!

The Jaguar was especially active today which was exciting for all.  Joel Andrew was waving "Hi!" and then immediately ran away when he got really close, I mean really close.

The zoo is the right size for two littles, just the right amount of things.  This is the first time we made it all the way up to the wolves too.  And, to boot - no stroller.  They did great walking the whole morning and even James did not complain once.  The zoo ends in a playground, which the boys had fun at - and Joel Andrew continued to put on a theatrical show.  The way end has some rides, including a little train - which we had time for so I didn't run past screaming, the choo-choo is broken, don't look.  We actually stopped, they went on, and it was going to be great until a mom stuck her screaming 2 year old right next to my boys.  He screamed the entire ride and Joel Andrew and James just sat their stunned not knowing what to do.  The "conductor" asked the mom if she could remove the child and try again when he was calmer and the Mom ignored it.  My poor boys!  $4 wasted, yes - but they were really excited.  Stupid other Mom.

We went to Fudruckers and met with Nana, Pa and Auntie Jennie.  Jordan's is a great place to bring kids too - we say the liquid fireworks, walked around jelly bean town, and the kids loved being pushed in those car strollers.  Seriously, Jordan's has it right.

Maine's Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

When you have boys who are under 5, a whole new world of railroad museums emerge.  This is the second or third one we have been to, and they are fun.  You can climb onto the trains, take a train ride, and they also usually have a train table which is always a hit as well.

This one is in Portland, Maine.  We read about it here.  And I immediately decided we needed to try it.  It was a cold Monday morning, and the place is open every day of the week - (me being a museum person, this blows my mind!). We got in the car from Sebago and started our way home, stopping off at this gem in Portland on the way.

There is a train ride that runs every hour on the hour, which was a hit with the boys, though they did get a little bored after a while.  It goes forward for 1,500 feet, and then backward for a mile and a half, right along the water.  There was a massive cruise ship in that day so that was also additional excitement for the guys.  It goes to where it cannot go anymore, then the train stops and you can get out and walk around.  The conductor also let us up to the engine area, and let Joel Andrew blow the whistle.  He then proceeded to let James touch things to which I was about to scream "No!  Not that one, he will break it!" and before I could get the words out the Conductor immediately yelled, "Oh no, please don't touch that" - in a nice, old man, I'm trying not to yell at your child - but this is really urgent kinda tone.  I laughed at this.

The whole train ride took about 30 minutes.  Then we went back inside.  There is a little mock train, probably a volunteer built, which has little mock suitcases and the boys spent about 25 minutes moving suitcases, being the conductor, having a blast.  It is so cute how well they played together.  James does not seem to mind Joel is in the conductor chair and he is the passenger/luggage carrier.  He is just happy to be with his brother.

We have a picnic lunch outside and watched one of the other train rides take off.  It was a great morning with the boys.

Last Lake Weekend

Last weekend was the last weekend at the lake for me.  It is always really sad to close up, and you start to get thinking about the next time you go the boys will be 8 months older - and all the changes that will happen between now and then.  It is sad.  But then as you pull away you start to remember how nice it will be to bot be lugging food back and forth, to spend some time at home and to organize, and all the fun things ahead like Halloween, apple picking, Disney and the holidays!  Yay!

We lived it up and did a bunch of things we had yet to do all summer.  Each summer has its own favorite activity and this summer, no doubt was two things: animal finding and torturing (though the kids did not mean to torture them, but they did find frogs, put them in buckets, lug caterpillars around, all that sort of fun stuff) - and swimming.  The boys loved swimming in their life jackets and Joel Andrew started the summer barely wanting to jump off the dock, to jumping off and swimming all by himself to the float dock, our dock, back to Nana and Pa's dock and more.  James started not wanting to go in the water past his ankles, and ended with trucking around with his life vest on, in deep water.  At first I played a game with him to get him to go up to his chest.  I would sit in the water, and beg him to walk to me, he would and when he got to me he would squeal in delight and give me a big bear hug.  I hope I never forget that face or feeling.  After a while we would swim him out to the float dock, in which he would clamp on terrified - I lost many a piece of jewelry, thanks Uncle Jeremy and Daddy for fishing them out from the bottom of the lake.  By the end he would go in deep water, standing straight up, moving his legs like a bicycle.  This is his version of swimming and it actually works quite well.  Such a cutie.

We did go on some boat rides, but not that many walks.  Joel Andrew has decided next summer will be the summer of tubing.  We hardly ate out at all, and this past weekend we made up for it by going to Frye Island cafe.  Empty, good fall beers on tap and delicious, the boys played in the trees and Daddy and I relaxed.  I also took Joel Andrew for a walk around too - which we did far too little this summer.  Sometimes that is all he and I need, just 20 minutes of quiet time.  

As I write this, because I am behind in my blogging, I am so sad and miss the guys terribly.  This weekend is their last weekend at the lake and I am stuck here in NH working.  I have worked 8-12 hour days each day since Tuesday, with having a work engagement each evening.  Today will be no different, and tomorrow - SUNDAY - too!  I am so upset.  On Monday I am off to visit a friend in Worcester while the kids go to school so they get be there for picture day - and Tuesday another 10 hour day for a school program.  This is not 20 hours a week this week, and I know I just need to push through.  Things will settle a bit once this is all over, but I miss my guys.  I can't wait until next Wednesday when I will be taking them on an adventure.  I am thinking zoo...

Storyland, 2013!

This year, Joel Andrew being 4 and James being 2 - I thought it would be the pinnacle of our Storyland Experience.  But, I wonder if we have already past that point.  Isn't that crazy?  James loved it all, but was timid and shy to see new things.  Joel Andrew complained he didn't want to do any of the "scarier rides"  and seemed huge when sitting on the storyland attractions.  He also did not want to see the Old Woman in the shoe.  This lasted for about 30 minutes, until Maddy and Emmy came and joined us and the rest of the day was spent having a great time with both boys loving every minute.  Only a tantrum infrequently once we got in our groove.

The trick is to get through all the Story places early, and save the antique cars for last. That way you never have to wait on the antique car line, because by the time you get there you are so exhausted...  Ha!  The other trick was to not do what we did this visit - which was wait in line to go to Cinderella's Castle in the pumpkin.  Should have walked up to the Castle, then taken the pumpkin down (no wait for that)!.

The "lab" experience, with foam balls, continues to be a huge favorite for adults and children alike.  We tried the tractor land this year and loved it too.  We didn't bring food because we thought we would be out in two hours - not so - we were there for almost 5.  It was quite a challenge to try to get James to nap in the car at 3:00pm, in the 45 minute window before dinner at our favorite place (the Muddy Moose) - but we did it.  He was a bit of a mess when he woke up but he forgave us once a plate of delicious ranch dressing was put in front of him which he lapped up like a cat.  Yes, parents of the year here.

It is nice that we are an hour away from the lake to Storyland, but we miss all the other stuff there is there - including the fun looking hotels.  The indoor water park, the train rides, the scenic vistas, the bumper sticker that proclaims my car has climbed Mount Washington.  We will get over it, but once day we will have to make it back, and make it to Santa's Village which I hear is also a good time.

I started out kinda sarcastic, but kinda true too - there are not many Storyland years left in us - I have come a long way from our first trip too!  I asked Joel Andrew if he likes Storyland or Disney World better and he said Storyland...  I then said, ok, no need to go to Disney then and he screamed No!  We can still go to Disney!  Let's see what his answer is in November...

Plum Island - Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Today we were off to Plum Island, a place I have always wanted to visit but never had the chance to go.  I really wanted to take them to Crane Beach, but it was only in the mid-60s so a hike and birding adventure we went.  I had read online now is a great time of year to go anyway, crowds have gone, weather is perfect, and everything is pristine.

You follow the signs through Newburyport to Plum Island, and as soon as you are over the bridge you take your first right and at the end is the gatehouse.  It was $5 for a car, no pets, and then you were in.  Right at the gatehouse was an awesome place to park and go to the beach, but we wanted a walking trail today so we drove on.  For the littles I highly recommend going to parking lot 4, where there are two loop trails - one to take you to the marshes and one to the dunes - that are about a mile or so total - all boardwalk, so it is fun for the kids to walk on.  It wasn't until the very last bit of the second loop that James insisted on being carried.  I think next year we should be in the clear.

We meandered through, when we came up to another couple looking at the birds - the boys both knew to be really quiet so we wouldn't scare the birds away for the bird watchers.  James would say "tiptoe" over and over again.  We had a snack, and Joel Andrew said: "Mommy, next time we go for a walk like this you should bring a lunch."  Thanks, Joel.    We carried on and there was activity, fresh air, learning and exhaustion.  (I hope).

We even continued to learn our numbers with the signs that were all over the place.  Joel is really interested in maps lately, so I could have done better to show him the number on the map and how it corresponds to where we were standing, but by the time I figured this out James was nearing done and we needed to get going.

Parking lot 4 is not even the tip of the island, which supposedly has great views of the Crane Estate, so we will be back for sure.

Party Sunday - including the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

We had a nice little Sunday.  There was no Home Depot, there was not enough time.  But, there was lots of socialization, party, fun and chores done.  It was nice to have a full weekend at home, no driving to another place, no packing food up and cleaning another place - just being home.  Lovely. 

We started out by all waking up past 8:30, leisurely watching TV, playing with toys and eating breakfast before going to Party #1, at our neighbors house.  It was Epic!  A tailgate in their driveway before the first Patriot's game.  Everyone brought delicious food, and the King buffalo chicken dip was a huge hit.  The boys loved riding around in the neighbors John Deere truck.  Not an adult free task mind you, someone needed to run around with them at all times to ensure there was no tipping.  Joel Andrew is very good at backing up.

Once the game was on, and we had our first touchdown Joel Husband high-tailed it home to watch in the comfort of his own seats.  He does not watch the game well at other's homes.  I was tired and thought I would take a nap but then quickly realized that I was about to let another year of the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival slip by me - so I took Joel Andrew and we went, and it was awesome.  If you go next year, go on a Sunday during a Patriots game, there was no traffic, we parked right next to the entrance, and we had no line to get in.  The food tents were mobbed, but Joel and I managed well.  We got to ride the kiddie train, play in the playground, but by the time we got to the Disney sponsored "Kiddieland" it was already packing up.  Joel Andrew refused to enjoy it anyway, he was missing his dancing buddy Poppy, who is away at college now.

We shared a whoppie pie, Joel got some french fries and I had some lobster tails.  It wasn't the "gourmet" experience one may think, they should probably call it the fried food festival!  And, each tent had it's own long line, so if you wanted something from here and something from there it would be a mess and take forever.  If you wanted to drink with it, then you had to coordinate everything and go into a whole different tent.  I guess this is just the way a Festival is, I should know!

We got home, did some chores and had a late dinner before going to bed by 8:30.  It was a nice day.  And, it meant Monday we could wake up at home and have an adventure!

Colin's Christening

Joel Husband and I are flattered, overwhelmed and excited to be chosen as Colin's godparents.  It was a no-brainer when we were asked, but there was some thought seeing as I have not been the most Catholic person in the past 15 years.  I was brought up to be Catholic, I was baptized, communion, confirmation, the whole nine yards.  I have even visited the Vatican multiple times and had my cross blessed by popes, etc.  However, I have not been too happy with the way the church has treated some of my friends and thus I have stepped back.  We didn't get married in the church, mostly as a revolt (ok, some of it had to do with wanting the ceremony to only be 5 minutes and five feet from the bar), and we didn't baptize either of our children.  Aside from weddings and a funeral, I hadn't set foot in a church in years.  

However, here we are.  Either Lauren and Brian really like us; or it is their third and they are too exhausted to think this decision through; or they are trying to have us have some responsibility for their son so that if and when we go on big vacations together we are all responsible for the "extra child" - we have been named said child's godparents.  And let me tell you, said child is a dream.  He is the best baby that ever existed.  He is a delight. You may think it is too early to tell, or I am being clouded by my stature, but this is not the case at all.  This kid is the best, and he will always be the best.  (in general, not compared to anyone, just in general, don't want to put anyone else down including my own children, but seriously, when Declan and Joel and James and Nolan and Colin are hanging out, I have my money on one kid)...

We are so excited to be apart of the King family in this way.  The King family is an awesome family filled with lots of cousins and fun. After the ceremony we went back to the King house where lots and lots of cousins had fun and so did our boys.  It is a wonderful crowd to be apart of, and we are so thankful that we were chosen to be apart of it.  Now, I must go be a good spiritual leader for Colin...  The poor guy...

Mato Picking

We have lots of little tiny tomatoes that come back year after year in our garden.  Tons, and they are delicious.  Just little balls of sunshine.  Joel Andrew loves to pick them, last year he would call the little green tops "frogs" and we would make the frogs leap across the table.  This year he goes out and picks them all by himself.

This week while I was cooking dinner the little helper went in the garden to pick matos.  He came running in, "Mommy, Mommy, look what I got for you, a surprise!" I said "What did you get me?" - fully expecting a cucumber or a squash.  He says joyfully: "A flower!"

(see image of a cucumber flower).  Thanks, Joel.  Thanks...

Here They Are

The not really the first day of school photos!  Yet another chance for me to show you how cute these two are:

Feed the Woozle

Tonight, instead of watching a movie before bedtime, I tried a board game.  Tuesday night, Board game night, right?  A new tradition?  Also, I patronized my local small business - walking through downtown Exeter I saw this game, Feed the Woozle, in the WhirlyGig's kids store and I had to buy it.  Finally, it was not an impulse buy as I have walked by it at least once a week all summer long and did not buy it.  So, pretty much, today I am awesome, non-impulsive, well thought-out, educational for my kids, green, and economist and super mom.  This is a big deal for me as I do not put notes in my kids lunch box nor have I yet taken first day of school photos for my kids (they are not in school yet...  but as per peer pressure I probably will have a post tomorrow with the first day of school photos).  Alas.

Feed the Woozle.  $20.  Probably a waste, but we all loved it.  James, Joel Andrew and I all sat, played, took turns.  Joel AND James learned to read the numbers off the dice (yeah only 1, 2, 3 - but still) and we all had a good time.  We played three rounds, each time having a different member of the family start the round.  We counted, we cheered each other on.  It was epic bonding and parenting time by me.    Yes, $20 was worth it.

Perhaps the start for me to be more involved, less let's watch a movie?  Not sure...  This did come after James had crazy melt downs all day - and needed to be picked up early from daycare, brought to the Dr who was no help - "maybe he has strep, no, probably just getting his molars..."  These molars better come in quick as the baby man is a mess.  He screamed his entire way through Applecrest when I tried to get the kid vanilla ice cream.  Shouldn't that help?

Alas, tomorrow is a new day - the first day of school?  Do you think they will want to play Feed the Woozle again?  What board games do you play with your little guys?