"So I met the president ... Again."

--Forrest Gump

Last year Maddie was in a few parades twirling baton. That phase past, and I was a little relieved - now we could watch parades instead of being IN them. But, no. Brownies has opened up so many more parade doors. Tonight, we waited around to "line up" ... wondering if it was going to pour at any second. I stood with the girls with a giant umbrella, just in case.

The parade route turned out to be pretty dry, and everyone had a good time. After it was all over, Chloe announced that her favorite part was all the candy. It really doesn't take much to make a 3 year old happy. Hailey liked the noise; I'm sure it helped that she was getting to eat animal crackers, too!


The summer activities are wearing me out! Maddie's first week of swimming has gone well. She's learned to float on her back - her favorite accomplishment. Chloe is enjoying day camp, despite a few tears today.

Road trips are the best!

Seriously, you learn so much about who ever you're traveling with. Like how many times they have to go to the bathroom in an hour. Especially if it's a 3 year old. And, how many large cups of diet coke husband can consume at one rest area. Good times, I say, good times.

We decided that whatever the GPS "says", just add three hours: one hour per kid. So a 3 hour trip will take 6. Naturally. A 5 hour trip? Yes! Eight hours!!

So after like a million hours driving yesterday, we all lost it. It was bound to happen. Somewhere about 30 minutes from home, Hailey started crying. Again. The 3 hour cry through DC traffic wasn't enough ... ya know? Anyway, she started screaming, I screamed back, and so did everyone else in the car. For about 20 minutes we all screamed at the top of our lungs. It was fabulous.

We had a super-fun trip! In NC we saw Jenny, Dan and Sammy; went to a museum that included indoor and outdoor exhibits. Kinda like a zoo! Mike was obsessed with the insects, Chloe loved the butterfly building, Maddie loved the playground and the outdoor "drums", and Hailey really had fun in the baby play area. I was just excited to be out and somewhere new!

Prior to the NC visit, we were in VA. Brother-in-law Jess surprised Mother-in-law, not once, but twice with the arrival of his two kids. They snuck away one evening to pick up 19 year old grandson, Dave. Then all 10 of us were at the house!

Highlights include a trip to the water park, feeding the ducks at a park, playing on a playground (and getting bug bites by some weird VA bugs), a mean game of monkey-in-the-middle, round the clock endless games of kick ball in the backyard, Simon Says with the kids, me getting carded while buying more Corona, playing cards, and lots of sitting around.

So when's the next vacation? I could really get used to this!

More Summer Fun

This morning, I sprang out of bed and ran to the shower to get ready for the day. It's really quite a way to start the day. No demands from anyone until after my hair is washed. What a concept!

Anyway, the reason I got ready for the day before 7 AM is today was Chloe's first day of day-camp! She was excited to go, and had a great time. It was a little disorganized for my liking, but after I got over my fear of her having a peanut allergy attack, we all did just fine. It could have something to do with me running on 2 cups of coffee w/ lots of sugar and creamer and no food but clean hair and out the door before 9 AM ... but just a thought.

Also, today marks the second day in a row the girls played in the inflatable pool. It's the silliest thing - all 6 inches of water, barely enough room for one 7 year old, but it keeps them entertained. Somehow Chloe managed to go all the way under. Did I mention there was a slide?

The summer fun continues!

Independence Day

Independence Day. Fireworks. Hot dogs. Family fun. Picnic. Coke. Running. Boating. Fishing.

What fun!

Last night we celebrated the 3rd at an annual family party on the lake. The girls love fishing with grandpa - in fact it's all they talked about all week, and all they wanted to do last night. They didn't catch any fish, but were still amused by the concept. We also took our annual boat ride on the lake, picnic'd outside, and played with glow sticks in the dark. We left the cottage at 11:30 pm, and the girls fell asleep soon after. And then they were up at 6:37 AM.

Is it only my kids - or a universal trait that the later you go to bed the earlier you wake up? Insane! More fireworks and adventures tonight! Yessss!

No school = more fun?

How do you really sum up summer vacation? Some days are so much fun you don't want them to end. And then there are other days. I must report how different this summer is already with 3 kids. Maddie is so grown up now, she insists on using glass-ware at meal times. No more plastic character plates. Really, I think we're onto something, because it'll take up a lot less room in the cupboard!

And Hailey, being the 1 year and 1 week old that she is, is getting into everything. Did I block out this stage with the other two? It's fun, but when I'm trying to get something done - say, mealtime, or sweeping the floor, for example -- it's a pain. Speaking of sweeping the floor ... that's another chore that picks up during the summer, apparently. Yesterday I swept the kitchen eight times and vacuumed once. How is that possible you might ask? Me too.

This week really starts the summer adventure, though. The 3rd of July is the big picnic at my aunt's cottage, and next week will be day camp, then road trip in mid-July. Swimming lessons when we return, and we're already into August. Let's not wish away the summer. I'll just think about this current week, ok?

Today's mini-adventure was to the town park with a friend. It's fun, just a lot more work with all the kids. And let's just remember I'm a much happier girl with caffeine!

There's Something About Eggs

A couple of weeks ago my dad came over really early to watch the girls. At 7 am he knocked on the door. Now, I realize that in some people's homes that is insanely-early and everyone would still be sleeping. Pre-kids that might have been true for my home. But, the Three were up exceptionally early that morning, anticipating Grandpa's visit.

Rewind about 28 years.

Papa was going to babysit us for a short while while my parents went out! How exciting! Other people rarely watched us, so this was a real treat. And, he was coming to my house! I don't remember the time of day, but the very vivid memory I hold is that he made us scrambled eggs. I remember standing on a chair next to the stove watching him make them, the brownish pan he cooked them in, and the three of us sitting at the table eating them. I told my mom when she got home what we did, but am not sure if she realizes the impact of the eggs and Papa Vince!

Back to 2008.

As I was running around the house getting ready to leave (Mike and I both had early morning commitments that day), telling Dad the last minute instructions for the girls, he asked if I had eggs. (of course?) He was going to make an egg for himself and when the girls realized what he was doing, they got very excited and also wanted one. Chloe was thrilled, and Grandpa held her up so she could see inside the pan on the stove. The next day, she recited the entire morning to me - and got excited about Grandpa making her an egg!

I'm guessing the girls will always remember the morning Grandpa came to babysit them and made them eggs ... doesn't every granddaughter have that memory of her grandpa?

Weekend News

Ok, so I totally stole that title from Maddie's 1st grade writing class. (they write about their weekend happenings ... there's always so much for Maddie to write about!)

Father's Day. Yesterday was the day we celebrate Dads. Isn't it funny how our culture doesn't make that big of a deal about Father's Day? But Mother's Day! It's like it's own little holiday. Kids should have a day off from school. We should have a parade! But seriously, dads are great. Take my husband for example. He's an awesome father - patient, kind, fun, caring, did I mention patient? For "his" day he wanted to go golfing with some friends. I thought it was odd, because since it's father's day should you spend it with your kids? I really don't care, but he had a great time. The weather was perfect!

Saturday night, we decided to give him his Father's Day present a little early. (Sunday mornings are complete chaos in our house, getting ready for church, etc.) So the girls "hid" the present behind their backs -- and presented it to him with great care (er, I mean they flung it at him). A new MP3 Player! Woohoo! Yes, he was totally surprised and excited by the whole thing. I hinted that they also come in pink so he could buy another one sometime for someone else in the household.

When he got back from golfing yesterday evening, he announced "This is the best Father's Day ever!" Who knew?

Friday. Aren't Fridays the best? The whole weekend in front of you. It's almost exciting when we don't have plans on Friday night, because one phone call can totally change the entire night and rest of the weekend. We're totally spur-of-the-moment people, when our schedule allows for it, that is. As I was splashing around in the inflatable pool with the girls, the phone rang.

"Hello?"
"What to come over for pizza and to swim in the pool tonight? Mike can meet us here after work." said the caller
"Yesss! We'll be there in 90 minutes!"

It happened that quick. I shuffled the girls out of the water, dried them off, got everyone dressed, packed up extra clothes and the wet suits. Then my suit. And Mike's. And the last clean towel. And pj's for the kids. And all the baby gear (bottle, formula, etc.). I made a quick phone call to Mike (his reply: Yesssss!) ... and we were off!