Relay for Life

This weekend we drove out to Pittsfield, Mass to go to the Relay for Life.  This is a Williams family tradition, that is in honor of Joel Husband's grandfather, Morris, who passed away before I had the chance to meet him.  All of his kids, and their kids, and in some cases, their kids, get together for the weekend, camp out, and walk around a lake in Pittsfield to raise money for cancer research.  It is a nice time for the family to get together.  Though, for the past many years I have had no way of handling it.  Either too pregnant, with a baby, or had just given birth.  Joel Husband and Joel Andrew went last year, but they stayed in a hotel room.  Not this year though!

Joel Husband and Joel Andrew camped out with the rest of the family this time, and James and I went, but we slept at Papa Red's house just 10 minutes away with Nana.  Camping is just not our thing, yet.  So, this is all Pa's family that comes to this event, but because they all know Nana's parents, and Nana's parents are in town (and we stayed at Nana's parents house) - they were there too.  It was very nice for everyone to see the kids and vice versa.  But today we are suffering a bit from let down - from all of the attention to now please watch a Mickey before we go to a grocery store...

Pa has 6 siblings - 6!  They all have kids, in ages that range from 12 all the way up to 40.  And, most of them were there.  Joel met his cousin, Jose, for the first time this weekend and the two of them were having a ball.  For most of it, Pa was hanging out with Joel Andrew and Joel Andrew can still not get enough of Pa.

James Morris was of course a huge hit.  He danced the night and day away and blew kisses and just was the in general adorable self he is.  He would sit in the wagon, and you guessed it, throw things out and we would pick them up and he would throw them out again.  There was no sign that he even had any surgery just a day before.

It was a nice family time.  Rather than stay Saturday night, we put the kids to bed in the car and then promptly drove home at 7 pm.  They passed out and it was a nice quiet ride.  Joel Husband and I got to chat, and we listened to a live Jimmy Buffet concert.  Who knew a 3 hour drive with kids could be so pleasant.  They went right up to bed when we got home (I love carrying a sleepy child to bed, my favorite thing in the whole world).  And, now, we are faced with lots of laundry, unpacking, and getting ready to do for the week!

Four Tree Island

Today we went to Amari's first birthday party on Four Tree Island in Portsmouth, NH.  What a super fun site.  James is still not 100% - which is leaving me confused.  Maybe it is not the ears, since he should be doing better by now?  Maybe it was not a reaction to the vaccines after all?  The fever comes and goes, is always low grade.  He is so cranky one minute and then the next minute really happy.  He has been drinking ok, but not really having any wet diapers.  He eats fine one minute and then will not eat again.  Just so weird.  I wonder if it is teething?

Anyway, Four Tree Island is awesome!  You go like you are going to Prescott Park - Strawbery-Banke Museum area, and keep going - making a left around the park and over a bridge - and there is a parking lot, a boat launch and a playground area that looks like it will be awesome when the kids are 3 and 5.  You can then hike over to the island where they have grills set up for anyone to use.  If you think ahead, you can reserve the main large grill in the middle of the island, which is where the party was held.  They reserved in advance.  This sort of thing, reserving or showing up and hoping to find a spot - freaks me out as I am always worried what if, do we wait, etc - but it was lovely and I wonder why we don't think to do these things ever?  It is just so nice that anyone, for free, can come and have the ocean all around them with beautiful views of the harbor and enjoy the day out in the sun while the kids run and play, grilling some good food.  This signs of no alcoholic bevs were totally, wonderfully, ignored by almost all the picnickers there.

Maybe if I ever get back into the SAHM thing again I can schedule a day out here.  It would be a good time!  I bet midweek it is not crowded either.  So, it was a lovely time but I couldn't help shaking that James is still not himself.  We said hello, had our cake, played for a minute and then ran out.  I am trying to let him get a few more zz's now.  Let's hope he feels better.  Tomorrow is a school day!

Seacoast Science Center

Now here is a place to come and blow the whole day! I am so excited about this place that I just signed Joel Andrew up for "camp" here. More about that later. But first...

Today was my last day alone with the little guy for who knows how long. This is because tomorrow he starts his week off at daycare, and by the time that is over Grammie and Grumpy will be here. They are coming back for good until Deuce arrives. Which naturally means that Deuce will probably not arrive for like 8 more weeks.
So I decided we needed to get out and about. When he was just a little baby I brought Joel Andrew here, to the State Park portion - Odiorne State Park. I would link that post here but can't figure out how to find it... Anyway, we strolled along a nice path to get to the ocean, and this area - where there is the Seacoast Science Center, some nature trails, the water - beautiful views of some islands, and an awesome park with slides and swings for all ages.

We had been to the Science Center once before too. (again, would link that, but can't find it...). It is a great small Museum/Aquarium. They have a room with some tanks - flounders, a Lionfish, some bass, a seahorse. There is also a touch tank (which I have managed to stay away from thus far), a little kid reading room, and an additional exhibit area with simulation captain's ship for lots of button pushing. It is designed for littles. It is certainly not very extensive. $5 gets adults in, kids under 3 are free; but you can make a whole day of it by visiting the Museum, then going on the nature trails, picnicking at the ocean and playing on the swing sets.
So, as per usual, he had a blast. I have learned to just follow him, though it is hard. I generally like to keep to my schedule. I said to myself, ok - 30 minutes for the Museum, 30 minutes for the park. I had to remind myself that if they kiddo wants to spend an extra 25 minutes climbing on benches, looking at the ocean and pointing out birds, then so be it! As long as he is entertained! And, he certainly was.
So, this summer, in August - every Monday we will be going back for a summer program, where they take under 3's to the beach, build sandcastles, look for stuff in the sand, all that fun stuff. I hope we get in. Now that I took the registration sheet home I am worried I should have signed up on the spot! To learn more about this fun place, click here. We had a great day, and are getting in for a late nap now... I hope he remembers how much fun his Mom is when she is all stressed out with Deuce!