My American Summer

We had a nice weekend.  We had friends over for dinner on Saturday night and had a blast. We are so lucky that we have such nice friends.  It makes life so much easier to go through when you have nice people around you.  

Our priest was back from his vacation today.  We go to 9:00 mass and with our previous priest (the one who married us and baptized our children) that meant church started around 9:05-9:15.  If he was really late he said for someone to come and knock on the door to wake him up and he would be right there.  With kids in tow in the morning we fit right in.  Our new priest is wonderful.  However, 9:00 Mass starts at 9:00.  We walked in a few minutes late and missed the procession and opening prayer.  We were already singing the Gloria.  Talk about Catholic guilt from 8 years of parochial school.  It just comes flooding right in.  I could just feel Sister Rosella looking down on me from somewhere.  

After church, T watched the boys while I went shopping for some shorts with one of my sisters and my mom.  I was in dire need of shorts since I only had three pairs and they were too big.  This is a problem I don’t mind having.  Macy’s had a good sale and I ended up getting a bunch of nice new outfits, 6 shorts and 4 tops that I can mix and match all for under $100.  I tend to go for the same colors and this time I was in a red, white and blue mood.  I would like to call this My American Summer.  Which is fitting since I am going to vote in the primary on Tuesday.  What is more patriotic then practicing one’s right to vote.  Even if it is for a political party you don’t agree with, but know that your district will go Republican so I should vote now for the one I want to win in November. 

I can’t remember the last time that I got to go shopping without kids climbing out of the dressing room.  They are quick I tell you.  One minute they are right there with you and the next they climb under the wall to the empty room next to you and voila they are free!  My favorite is chasing J back into the dressing room whilst I was wearing only my bra and underwear.  Luckily modesty goes out the window when you give birth.  Or I just pretend that I am in a play and have to do a quick change backstage.  I mean really what is underwear anyway?  

So thanks T!  I am sorry it took longer then you thought and had to deal with cranky B who did not take a nap but needed too.  And J who hid in the rose bushes because the dreaded sprinklers were on keeping you cool outside.  I had a wonderful afternoon and can now go out of the house without shorts that are not falling off and stained with who knows what!

No Secret Longings

I got to hold a baby today.  It is amazing how your arms never forget the feel of a small person.  T had inservice today and I got to babysit one of his co-workers two children.   I watched her eldest last year so B and J had fun catching up with an “old” friend.

 J loves babies and was in seventh heaven all day with a four month old in the house.  But I am tired.  I had a 15 minute stretch where there was quiet and I grabbed a quick bite to eat. Having four children under the age of four in one house is tiring.

 Every now and then I ponder another child.  Both T and I come from families of three.  But both of our families have two older ones and then a third with a larger age difference.  I am down with that.  So T does not need to worry that being around a baby today has opened any secret longings for another child.  I like who we are as a family right now.  Ask me again in about 3 years and my answer might be different.

Hello Old Friends!

I took the boys to the Y this morning for B’s swimming lessons.  J went to KidWatch by himself.  Trying to hold him and pay attention to B by the side of a pool is near impossible, even if it is just 1/2 hour, J is miserable not moving and I am miserable trying to contain him.  It is best for all if he goes to play for a little bit.  B has a good time swimming.  Today he was climbing out of the pool all by himself.  And would look back and give me a huge grin and thumbs up sign.  Then B joined J in KidWatch while I went upstairs to work out.  I did not have time to do any aerobics today.  Normally I would have swam today but the pool is a little crazy with children everywhere.  And the time it takes for me to get changed into swimming and then dry again would not have given me a very long workout.  So instead I did the rowing machine alternating with squats.  Then my sit up stuff and finally I worked my legs on the machines.  I have a long way to go but for the first time in a long time I looked down at my legs and I recognized them again.  It was such a surreal feeling.  I know these are my legs but it was like seeing an old friend after a long absence.  Little bit by little bit things are paying off.

B and J Moments:

J is obsessed with boots as of late.  As soon as he wakes up he says, “boots, boots!” and he puts on cowboy boots or his rain boots and will not take them off until it is nap-time.  Then back on again.  Normally I wouldn’t care but it was almost 100 degrees here today and those boots are hot.  He is going to pass out from heat exhaustion.  

B would not eat again today.  I think the swimming lessons and the heat are messing with him.  He will pick but not eat anything other than fruit.  So dinner was Mandarin oranges, baked ziti (not a noodle touched), salad that he just cut up with his knife and strawberries.  I had my favorite “summer is here” dessert last night of strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar and he wanted some as well.  After he ate a plain strawberry (they were huge) and all of his oranges, we let him have some of the “dessert” toppings.  Funny how sugar can disappear so quickly.  As we took away the bowls, he was desperatly trying to scrape all the sugar out with his stem to suck it off and finally we wrangled it away from him.  He then declares: “Please, I need my sugar. That is how I will grow into a giant. I need to be a giant.”  At least he was polite.

Night Running

I went running tonight by myself.  My I-Pod wasn’t charged and I don’t like not being able to hear what is coming at me in the dark with it in, so it was okay.  As I walked down the street to the lake, I could hear summer in the air.  

There are certain sounds that take you back to childhood in an instant and tonight as I ran around the lake I heard it calling me.  The kids are out of school here.  Today was there first day of summer vacation.  They were up late and I could hear different groups voices in the twilight as they got to stay up late and play.  I don’t see many kids playing outside like I used to anymore, but tonight I heard them.  

When I was little on Long Island we would have these monster kick the can games that would have the whole neighborhood involved.  Kids from all over would gather at the Kramer’s house and play until it was way past dark.  The whipporworls would be finishing up their dusk and early night calling and the true nocturnal animals would be out hunting.  I can still remember how exciting it was to be playing with all the big kids.  And how much fun it was to be able to make a charge for the can and set the prisoners free.  I also remember how frustrating it was when you were it and that can got kicked by the last person you hadn’t found and would have to start all over again.  

Tonight it gave me hope for future generations.  They might not have been playing kick the can, but they were having fun outside and enjoying their first days of freedom from their classrooms.    

Overall my run was good.  I hadn’t run outside by myself in a long time and I felt good.  The heat got to me though. It is only the beginning of June and already we are in the 100 degree heat index mark.  It is going to be a hot one for sure.

Funny B moment of the day:

B and J got to head to my parents for the morning as I had a doctor’s appointment.  They were playing in their backyard and my dad was reading the paper on the screen porch.  B was playing with his wheelbarrow and looking at a tree.  We have been reading “The Giving Tree” before bed lately and he is now very into “loving” trees.  My dad said a voice called out from the kids next door to B.  ”Hey kid, Hey, You!  What are you doing?”  B didn’t see any kids.  He just saw the tree.  He stopped and yelled out in the backyard, “Hey, who is talking to me?  Are you talking to me?” he asked the tree.  My dad had to tell him that it was the kids next door and not the tree.  I think B was just a little sad.

Well, THIS boy doesn’t!

T forgot something for school today so we jumped in the car this morning and headed to “Daddy’s School” first thing this morning.  Caused some confusion as to why they were in their PJs and in the car at the same time.  Luckily I promised to make pancakes so all worked out fine in the end.  

Bobby discovered my old digital camera and decided to record our day today.  I literally spent most of the morning keeping J from spilling the pancake batter all over the kitchen and being blinded by B’s flash.  Most of the pictures are of his thumb but a few turned out.

 I REALLY have to clean up more.  The house looks horrible.  He recorded everything.  

Then they painted.  B painted rainbows and J spilled the water all over the floor.  B very quickly told J to hurry and get a towel so I wouldn’t get mad.  Thoughtful of him.  Then they went outside where J hid in the bushes so I couldn’t get his face with the sunscreen.  They love being outside.  Today they went behind the shed and when I called them B came out explaining they were hiking and found spider webs and would I like to see them.  Ummm…..no.

We went to the Y together for swimming lessons and so I could work out.  J went to childcare by himself and did great.  I did the rowing and then worked my arms on the machines and some abs.  I didn’t have a lot of time so I did not get cardio in today.  Back at it tomorrow hopefully.  

B declared on the way home that he did not like lasagna which was unfortunate since that was supper.  I explained that he did indeed like lasagna he gobbled it up last time.  He then informed me that big boys don’t like it.  I said yes they do.  He then said, “Well, THIS big boy does not.”  Ughhhhh….. why is getting him to eat so difficult?  So two hours later he finally ate some of the dreaded noodles.  J on the other hand who is the skinniest child alive, gobbles up two helpings.  Then eats dried cranberries, Fiber One Carmel cereal, pretzels, raisins and for dessert five Skittles.  And he is the one that is in the 3% for weight.  Technically 5%.  He moved up when he turned two.  Oh well, they say if they are hungry they will eat.  I hope so. Nursing was so much easier. I think I know why people do extended nursing. I knew they got the best and they were getting enough.  Once they are on food all bets are off I tell ya!

Back to the Y

After a break from working out over the weekend, I took myself back into the wellness center.  I did the rowing machine for 5 minutes, squats and shoulder presses for 2 minutes with 5 lb. weights.  Then I ran on the treadmill for 30.  I didn’t push it today since I had not run since Thursday but I did 2.5 miles.  Then abs and then I called it a workout.  B and J love going since they get to play in the kids area.  We came home and they ate lunch.  B proclaimed that we need a new house because he doesn’t like how this one squeaks.  I had to explain that just because cabinet doors have an occasional sound does not equal buying a new house.  They both took naps today which is nice.  Then we were off to the Y for swimming lessons.  B came out very happy and with a new friend.  They talked about the cold water he said.  He also said this boy was his best friend.  I wish adult friendships were so easy.  You meet someone, you like them and tell them you are their best friend.  And everyone is okay with that. 

A Happy Sunday

 We had an overall lovely day.  The weather is getting hot.  It is definitely summer here.  We went to church as usual.  We have a visiting priest while ours is on vacation and he was a little more fire and brimstone then we are used to.  Not that I want my faith watered down, but I have a hard time equating the wrath of God with natural disasters.  I understand the philosophical reasoning behind his homily, I just lean in a different direction.  I do enjoy church though because it gives me reason to think about “adult” things.  The boys behaved pretty well considering it was a tad longer then normal.  It is amazing how a few minutes over seems like a few hours longer in the world of a two year old.  J had had enough by communion and as the communion song began, he proclaimed for the congregation, “The end!”  and clapped his hands.  Sadly, it wasn’t, as I explained in a whispered voice.  Then as we sat down after praying, again he proclaims the end of mass.   Again, sadly he was mistaken.  Now we only had the closing prayer and a song.  He was very happy when he finally got it right. Luckily, we go to a small church and we know almost everyone there.  And they seem to like us.  Or maybe we are the ones they talk about as they walk back to their cars.  I hope not we did just come from church after all.   Besides I just like to think J was just practicing for a future life in the priesthood.

B spent the day trying not to take his nap.  “I don’t sleep in the morning, the sun’s awake.” (It was afternoon, but he is developing a sense of logic I am not sure I am pleased with) “I am not really tired.”  “See look at the smile on my face, that means that I am very happy!”  “I promise to be in a good mood.”  “I will be nice to you, Daddy and J, all day!” When he is tired he turns into the biggest chatter box ever.  There are no breaks, it is like his brain is firing all at once and everything he has thought of in his life comes out in a rush.  “Daddy, what are you doing?  Are those pictures of your kids from school?  Do you teach them to count?  Remember when I told you to growl like a monster to them a long, long time ago?  Did you do that Daddy?  Did they like that Daddy?  Daddy are you going to take me fishing?    I am going to take a little, tiny nap now.  (Pause for five seconds) Okay I am finished.” Flash forward to dinner time and the smile is gone.  The eyes are glazed over like he has pulled an all nighter in college and the fantastic vocabulary he has disenegrates into unintellable sounds that mean he is way past the point of understanding that one must eat in order to grow.  Hopefully a nap tomorrow will be in the cards.  They should be tired since we will have a busy day with his first swimming lessons this summer.

There are times when I am amazed at our species and our ability to learn.  Many times this strikes me as I watch my children learn new things while they are playing.   Today B and J were both playing baseball with T in the backyard.  Forget T-ball, they are both hitting the ball with a bat as T throws it to them.  J just turned two and can do this.  He amazes me.  How he watches and learns how to move his body is crazy.  And tonight B was swimming in our neighborhood pool.  He has been swimming at the Y but won’t take his lifejacket off.  Tonight he was jumping right in and swimming underwater, kicking his legs and moving his arms.  It all clicked again.  It took being in the pool he was the most comfortable in.  The things they are learning are huge.  They have to put everything into order.  J wakes up every morning and says “The moon.  It went away.” Every morning.  Sometimes three or four times.  And it is amazing when you stop and think about it.  It does go away and it comes back.  J was so scared of the fireworks we saw in April.  It wasn’t the noise that got him at first.  It was when the sky exploded into all these sparkles and colors.  He had never seen the sky do that before.  Then the noise scared him because he knew the sky would do that crazy thing again.  It literally blew his little mind.

Anyway, overall we had a good day.  T didn’t have to tutor this weekend so he got to have a real weekend which is nice for him.  I wish I could have gotten to the Y, but between paying car taxes on Friday, cleaning on Saturday and no napping B today I just didn’t get to it.  I will go tomorrow morning and hopefully get a run in on the treadmill along with some weights.