The week (and a half) in review...

Well it has been a pretty decent one really, with minimal ups and downs. We are almost two full weeks into the school year and so far, so "awesome!" Sammy's word. The skeeter is killing it in Kindergarten...he just flat out loves it and there are few things more satisfying than knowing that your kid is happy to go to school everyday. I can see the end of day energy high starting to wane just a bit now...the poor little bugger looked completely wiped yesterday and he's definitely coming down with a cold. Ah...germ exposure...bring it on. He is already taking after Miles, regarding disclosure of his daily activities. "Sammy...how was kindergarten honey...how was your day?" "Awesome!" "And what did you guys do...who did you play with?" "I don't know." Really? That's all I'm gonna get? You're 5! I'm supposed to get the full lowdown! Cripes almighty. But...Tuesday Grandma gets the full scoop...oh yes...he is a little chatterbox with her. I think I may have to start having Sam call her everyday after school and then she can give me the scoop when they're done chatting. Apparently, recess activities consist of "boys chase the girls" (I guess that never goes out of style)...Sam told TG that he is in charge of "getting all the girls together" (although he did just clarify that he is trying to "save" the girls from the boys who are chasing them) and then they all run around and play superheroes. I did find out that he usually takes on the roll of Batman. Other than that, I am mostly in the dark but I know that he loves Spanish and Recess the most...and he's happy. What more could a mom ask for?

And Miles...changing right before our very eyes. All of a sudden I am looking at this teenager who is gaining on me in height and shoe size, has impecable handwriting and is more organized than I will probably ever be. When the hell did all of this happen...and how did I miss it? Another kid who really seems to like school...two for two...knock on wood. And boy can this kid write...this was done during the first week of school....

“I am from …”

I am from front kicks,
from round houses,
from side kicks.
Swift leg thrusts,
promoting acute force.

I am from soccer balls.
Black and white,
glistening in the sun.

I am from board games and video games,
both just as fun as the other.
Move the petite pieces across the vividly colored board.
Control your character to complete his quest.

I am from desserts,
such as rich chocolate glazed cakes,
or candy of many varieties.
Sweet sensations,
and lip-puckering sourness.

I am from music.
From vibrant acoustic,
to heavy electric chords.

I am from, “wake up! It’s time for school.”
Then drowsily dosing off again.

On top of that, he wrote an incredibly insightful paper on The Outsiders that pushed me right over the edge into tears (I'll admit that there was a minor case of PMS involved) as he wrote about why Johnny should have seen the value in his own life. M thought I was crazy but I also caught that slight crooked smirk that spreads across his face when he knows that I am exceedingly proud of him. And I really am...the kid amazes me.

In other news, we spent last Saturday at Ioka Valley Farm...such a great place with TONS of things for kids to do. It was sweet and we are totally going back there when they open for the fall round of fun. We also took Skeeter apple picking for the first time...an activity that we will revisit as well. Long deep inhale...ahhhhhh...warm sweaters, layers, jeans, boots, kneesocks, knit caps, hearty soups, pies and pumpkin bread, crisp air, the smell of wood stoves burning and rosey little cheeks and noses...I love the fall. It makes me feel alive.

A couple of baby goats who were pleased to meet Sammy's aquaintance...and his ice cream cone full of food...
Pig buns...
Our favorite little goat...

Smiley Sam...

Some tractor tire climbing...

The target apple...

Target aquired...

Is this a good one mom?

A day in the orchard...
An apple a day...

And then my latest goal is trying to A-get Sam to go pee as soon as he feels the urge...there have been at least three incidents of the pee pee dance leading into an explosion all over the bathroom floor this past week. And B-when the skeeter does manage to get to the potty in time, helping him to perfect his aim so that he doesn't pee right through the crack between the seat and the toilet. Lets just say that the bathroom floor and I are BFF's after this past week. Don't even get me started on bum wiping...sigh...it's a work in progress.

And in late breaking news, Sammy caught me off guard with the "where do babies come from?" inquiry last night at bedtime. The conversation went kind of like this...

Sam(all curled up next to me)- Mom, I want to grow inside of you again.

Me- You already did Sammy...and then you were born.

Sam- But how did I grow in you?

Me- You just did Sam...I carried you around until you were big enough to come out.

Sam- But HOW did I get in there mom?

Me- Well...I had a tiny little egg inside of me and that's where you started...and you grew and grew until you were big enough to be born.

Sam- How did I get out mom?

Me- I pushed you out. (For the record, this was enough info for Miles when he asked this question at the same age.)

Sam- You pushed me? Why did you push me? Where did I come out of? Was it the front or the back?

Me- (Obviously a little information won't go as far with this one as it did with M.) Sammy, when a baby is born, it comes out of the mommy's vagina. The mommy pushes and the baby is born. Your head came out first when you were born.

Sam- I was upside down?

Me- Yup.

Sam- Oh.

And that was the end of that. For now anyway. I can hardly wait to find out what is in store for me next! Happy weekend to all!

Oh my heart...

Summer has officially ended and today was it...the first day of Kindergarten! Our baby...my last baby, boarded that big yellow bus without a backward glance. But before I get into that big pile of heartache...lest we not forget the big kid...the teenager...Miles the 8th grader. So handsome.

But he only let me take one picture. WTF? After all of these years, you would think he'd know that it's just better to give up the fight. C'est la vie...I shall continue to hound him...his own personal maternal paparazzi.

And then this little boy...Sammy is an official kindergartener. Look at him...he let me take more than one picture, although he's developing that little "I am so done with the picture taking, Mom" attitude, far too early in my opinion.

My biggest and littlest loves...

A little bit of that "don't take my picture" tude in this one...

Our big boy...such a ham sandwich...

And a special little mention here because she's my mom and I would be lost without her.

Both Miles and Sam are beyond lucky to have a family that love them both so much and Sam in particular was fortunate enough to have been born here, where both our families reside. He has been smothered in love and surrounded by so many wonderful people since the day he joined our family. Tuesday Grandma...you are amazing and you a have a special piece of this little boy's heart, all to yourself. Thank you for all of the Tuesdays. Here's to all of the adventures ahead. xoxo

He's all ready...

A boy and his backpack...

Like I said...not one backward glance...

Stepping off the bus and into his next big adventure...

You are more than ready for this my little skeeter bug. We all love you immeasurably...spread those little wings and fly!

Vacation from hell...

Long story short...this year's trip to Maine kicked my ass. Short story long...the trip starts off quite well. Miles, Sam and I manage to get on the road early with the only hiccup being that Sammy is running a temp of around 100. He snoozes in the car on the way though.

Unfortunately, four hours and one more dose of motrin later, we arrive in Maine and Sam has a whopping 103 degree temp. Shit. After ringing our pediatrician at home and being told to monitor the temp and check the little bugger's throat, I manage to get his fever to come down a bit. M's friend Ryan, whose family is vacationing nearby, is dropped off to join us for the next few days and we decide on a little seafood takeout. Just as I'm about to take my first bite of lobster roll, Evan calls. He was on his way out to meet us after work, only to have his car die on the Mass Pike. Seriously? Yes...unfortunately. Lobster roll and chowder high, put on hold. We spend the next hour orchestrating a tow off the pike and a lift from Ev's dad, back to our house. One minor emotional breakdown on the phone with my mom later and my single mom mode is engaged. Deep breaths...I can totally pull this off alone. We finish dinner, watch a movie and crash out...Sam's fever breaks in the night. Yay! Wait...no...a sore throat Sammy? Are you sure honey? Yes mom...my "froat" hurts. Ugh...ok...it's just a little sore throat...oh wait...you do still have a fever. Ok...a little breakfast and a shower...I can totally do this. Get directions to the local walk in clinic and movie times for a matinee...because it's raining. Rock. This is the clinic...complete with super nice check in lady, snack, coffee and juice station and a place for the kiddos to hang out while we wait on Sammy's strep test.

Sick, but still our smiley Sammy. Strep test comes back negative...woo hoo! Score for the home team! Evan calls to say that his car died because the timing belt, that was just replaced, shredded and because it's under warranty, it has to be towed all the way back to our local mechanic. My good mood, induced by the negative strep test is thwarted by the fact that I will be flying solo for four more days with a sick five year old and two teenagers. But I can do this...shake it off, grab some pizza and we get in line for a matinee...with everyone else in Maine because it's still raining. Half a dozen people in line cut us and then ignore my protests...I nearly lose my shit but we eventually make it to the ticket desk and head to our movies. Sam drops his bear that they gave him at the walk in clinic, in the toilet. Sweet. We watch Nanny McPhee Returns, which was very good by the way, and the boys see Scott Pilgrim vs The World. My mom ends up renting Evan a car and he is on the way out...I love you mom. Ev pulls in just in time for all of us to grab a lovely dinner at one of our favorite spots. Sam's fever spikes again, but he's still smiley.

Day one over. Day two...no sun but no rain, so we head to the beach only to find that the "No Swimming" red flag is flying. We hang out on the beach for an hour or so and very nearly get blown away.

The water was actually not too bad...much warmer than last year. Ok...so scratch the beach. The boys are game for the motel pool, but abandon that idea after a few minutes of freezing their little tails off in it. We forego any sort of water related fun and opt for a little shopping and a trolley ride.

An early dinner at another favorite restaurant, Sam and I chill out at the motel and Ev takes the boys out for a round of mini golf. Stick a fork in the Skeeter...day two is done.

This was Wednesday...all day long.

We brave the elements for a trip to Portland's Children's Museum...which as it turns out, is geared toward kiddos who are Sammy's age...but M and Ryan were very cool about the whole trip. Good men...er...teenagers. The car rides there and back were another story...does anyone know at what age, random fart noises become un-funny? And Wednesday ends with Evan leaving us to head back home for work the next day. Another minor emotional meltdown later, I rally and treat myself to the best fried scallops ever. Arcade, ice cream and back to the room to call it a night. And wouldn't you know it...we wake up to gorgeous, sunny blue skies on Thursday morning...our day of departure. Rather than interpreting this as a cruel joke, I go with the "better late than never" philosopy and we finish off our week from hell on a high note. Here comes the sun...

I suppose that every family needs a good nightmarish vacation story or two...although one would be just fine with me. All is well though...we made it through and we were together. Sammy is healthy as a little horse, we ate lots of good food and even managed that one sunny day at the ocean. It feels really really good to be home and Evan just put a glass of red wine in front of me. Onward and upward...bring on the next adventure!

Maine, here we come...

This is what I will be looking at, hopefully within the next 48 hours. The weather says rain, for the next three days in ME, but I refuse to accept that. Ok...so yes, rain through the entire vacation would really suck, and yesterday the glass definitely seemed much less full, and I thoroughly lived up the title of this blog, and nearly packed a bag for just myself after listening to brotherly bickering all morning long, but there is a lot to be said for a good night sleep. I am on my second cup of coffee and about headed upstairs to erase the little raindrops and umbrella that Miles drew into my family beach portrait on Sam's chalkboard wall. We are on vacation and it's going to be awesome! Lobster rolls and chowder...here I come!

Just what I needed...

I'm a collection girl for a funky little company and I love it. I know, right? Collecting money...blah...where's the fun there...but it's more about where I work. It's an ordinary job in an extraordinary environment...and I'm not your typical collection girl either. I'm a firm believer in that whole "you get more bees with honey" school of thought, and that seems to work well with most people. MOST, anyway. On occasion I lock horns with an a-hole or two and today, brought with it one of those moments. They don't happen often but when they do, I hate it and it makes me feel just plain shitty. But all that I need to leave that behind is this...

My sweet little skeeter who never fails to greet me with a huge smile, hug and "Mommy you're here!!!" when I pick him up at the end of the day.

And then of course, a side of this also does the trick...

My big kid, who is actually spending the week with his dad, but who called while I was sitting here writing...just to say hello. Ahhh...my heart.

And then bringing my day full circle with this...

He's adorable...what can I say...kind, sweet, funny, loving, passionate...and he's a chef. I am a lucky girl.

Top that off with three seriously creative lego creations now sitting on my night stand (wait...it's four now, and I've just been informed that number five is being built) some good comfort food (pasta in this house) and a frosty mango, lime summery drink...my cup runneth over.

What bad day?