Skool Y'all

Ethan misses school. 

Like a LOT.

It is sort of heartbreaking.  Every single day he asks if we get to go to school and see his friends.  I give him the same speech.  Emphasizing that school is on vacation and NO ONE is there.  No friends, no teachers . . . the lights are out and it is dark.  He doesn't buy it.  He thinks everyone is there having fun without him.

Now, his preschool is located at a gymnastics facility.  I *COULD* take him to the Open Gym and visit the gymnastics side but I'm worried he will get confused or upset and want to go the school side.  On the other hand, I'm thinking if I show up at the school side and it is empty and dark maybe it will sink in. 

We did happen to run into a mom from school (one of his "official" posse' buddies) and we exchanged email addresses.  Then I emailed the mom's of 3 particular boys that he misses the most to set up a play date.  And I waited . . . and waited . . . and no replies as of yet.  I'll admit I was bummed.  Plus, now we have the Playset O' Awesomeness so his friends can be wild hooligans outside and no one is coming.  Ethan doesn't understand the concept of "waiting for mom's to get back to me."

:( 

He did it again tonight.  Trying to get him to go to bed and he is begging for his friends to come over.

This is one of those rare times that I "miss" living in suburbia - a neighborhood where you are cheek by jowl with neighbors and the kids play in the streets and all run around together.  *sigh*

I really hope at least ONE of those moms gets back to me soon!  My poor socially deprived child. 
We've been on THREE play dates this week but it doesn't matter because . . . no skool ya'll.

Build it and they will come . . .

So, one day I was in Costco and there it was.  The clouds parted, angels sang and my pupils dilated.  It was a play gym to eat all other play gyms.  Everything about it was perfect and instantly I was all Veruca Salt, "I WANT IT AND I WANT IT NOW!"

I've seen so many play gyms over the years and frequented quite a few playgrounds and there is always one part of it that I think is completely unsafe and/or superfluous.  Well, let me tell you THIS one was pure awesome.

So, it was purchased (thanks to my mother-in-law!) and the very heavy boxes sat in our garage.  The husband maintained that he could assemble it but it looked like the a friggin' castle in the store so I was a tad skeptical.  Also, I knew if I helped him with this it would most certainly cause some friction in our marriage as well as some injuries of some sort.  From assembling the play set . . . injuries from THAT.  Riiiight.

Anyway, the aforementioned mother-in-law offered to have "professionals" assemble it.  A reputable dude was found that had an equally handy partner dude and lo and behold . . . a day and a half later . . . *cue the HALLELUJAHS*

Two story club house with a too steep slide (will be fixed.)

A ridiculously happy 3 1/2 year old

Swing for Toby, Ethan and a bar for Tarzan (just kidding - but I used it and realized I'm REALLY out of shape.)

Mulch to be added, rocks to be removed because you know SAFETY and NOCRACKEDSKULLZ.

There is a wee door in the shade if you squint.  The perfect play set has the perfect play house!

Now, bring on the play dates peeps!

Bubbling over . . .

I don't want to be "that mom."  The one that thinks she knows everything and doles out unsolicited advice like mints at a restaurant.  I don't want to be her . . . OH BUT I DO!

Now wait, I don't mean to imply that I am the foremost authority on being a mom.  NoooOOoooo.  No sir, no ma'am.  Far friggin' from it.  BUT.  I've been there twice. 

That "moment of birth," that new face that you've been wondering about since he/she was a guppy and you were just a bloated nauseated monster.  The sleeplessness, how insidious a creature it is paired with roller coaster hormones.  The newness of breastfeeding, trials and tribulations.  Learning to change a diaper in the dark.  Sleeping in the strangest positions possible.  Having your body go through a rapid deflation and transformation that in turn made you nauseated all over again (only this time when looking in a mirror.)  Those MOMENTS when you stare at this creature you have helped create.  How in the world did this happen?  The fingers, toes, nose, eyelashes, earlobes . . . how did they all KNOW to come together into this tiny creature?  (Understanding the science and biology of this does not apply just so you know.  Hormones are driving this car.) 

Brand New Ethan Alexander Charles

Brand New Toby Malcolm Alan

Point is . . . holding my tongue can be so hard.  I have a friend who we knew as young'ns and reunited in college.  She just had a baby yesterday (on Father's Day!) and I want to know EVERYTHING about it all.  Because, I just miss it I think.  I miss the newness.  You will never get the firsts again.  Even with a second (or third, etc.) baby, you will never get those specific firsts.  I guess I'm a bit envious and wanting to live vicariously through her.  I want to know how SHE is feeling when everyone is asking about the baby.  I want to give her advice on how to deal with swollen bits and tips on breastfeeding.  I want to beg her to forget all the negatives people throw at her and just immerse herself in her precious baby. 

But I won't.  Because I'm a good monkey.  And also because every new mom is inundated with unsolicited advice from well-meaning family members. 

But I'm bubbling over.  I want to call her on the phone and make her include me in on everything.  I need someone else in my family to have a baby because MY baby is turning ONE YEAR OLD in a few weeks and it makes me so sad.  Okay, I'm happy too . . . because he is the cutest damned thing ever, but still . . . all those firsts.  Gone forever.

Yar!

Today we ventured to Vergennes (pronounced Ver-genz because Vermonsters are weird) to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.  It was about an hour from our house south of Burlington.  Gorgeous area with wonderful views of the mountains and very close to Lake Champlain.  What I saw of the museum as I chased a tornado by the name of Ethan looked pretty cool.  I might like to go back.

I should have known this trip was ill fated from the get-go.  But I went into Griswald mode:  We WILL have fun!  There were several factors working against me.  One of which was completely outside of my control.  Due to children sleeping in . . . yea, let that one sink in . . . we were running late.  Then Toby got tired again shortly after waking up and decided he needed to take a nap at 10:30.  Yea.  So, I let the wee sleep.  Finally at 12:30 (I had planned to BE at the Festival at 11) I woke up the tiny wee and threw the kids in the car.  Ethan seemed fine but my Mommy Senses should have reminded me he needed to eat more than a few grapes in the car.  Rookie mom mistake.

So when we arrived he was in full on "No" mode.  No to everything.  That 3 year old stubborness reared its mighty head.  Again, Griswald mode kicked in and I pushed and cajoled and pointed and talked in excited (hopefully not too annoying) tones.  Toby totally wanted out of the stroller and in on the action.

I didn't get to document the event as I would have liked, wrangling a fussy kid in a stroller and a 36lb snapping turtle in Ethan's clothes proved challenging.  But I did get some pretty good shots later on.  The "pirate ship" was pretty cool and Ethan made friends with a wee turtle.  He ix-nayed pretty much all the crafts but I did get him to glue a Jolly Roger on a pirate hat and he liked his treasure chest (even if I did 99.99% of the decorating.)  He REALLY enjoyed filling his treasure chest!  In the end, he did have fun and he talked about the day fondly on the way home. 

We wrapped up the day with the purchase of a foam sword (not pictured and also not allowed in the house) and some ice cream.  The drive back home was blissfully peaceful with two sleeping boys and one Mommy who needed a nap too.

Okay . . . Pictures!

Ethan & Toby (who was not impressed by the whole thing.)

Gorgeous day on Lake Champlain

On the "pirate ship!"

Ethan's Wee Turtle Friend (and piggybacking dragonfly.)

For some perspective - here is the wee turtle on the rope (SO WEE!)

Ethan's pirate hat!

The Treasure Box (full of treasurez!)

Toby Wee

My little captive

Ethan's pirate-y tattoo!

Smiles!

Yarrrrrr!

Onward . . .

Within 48 hours all is back to "normal" in our household.  Children are sleeping through the night and I'm working on getting some more sleep as well.  No more fevers and sort of less whining.  I think it is doubly hard when Toby is off his game because he is such a trooper and generally a super easy going fellah.  He has his opinions and his needs, but he is pretty chill about this whole thing called Life.  But BAM, take away a full nights sleep and that kid loses his frickin' mind. 

I finally cooked tonight - I had stopped for a week while dealing with feeling like poo (unrelated to the kid plague) and sick childrenz.  Anyway - TABOULI AND GREEK BURGERS WHAT?!!  Yea they were nummy.  *flex*

Next week will be "exciting."  The play gym of awesomeness is being assembled: 

  

I am fairly certain Ethan is going to lose his mind once it is up.  I might as well.  I mean . . . LOOK AT IT!  We also have Ethan's first dentist appointment as well as a slew of upcoming "play dates" with the MOMs Club of Burlington.  I'm going to resume trying to set up a play date with kids from preschool as well.  Maybe I'll even host one because I'll have the AWESOME-EST play set EVAR!  Okay, I'll stop with the caps lock.

Also, I'm not sure how it happened but Toby's party is in 3 weeks and I'm ill prepared.  Mostly for the fact that my baby is turning one but also because I still need to figure out at least a few decorations.  I know, I know, first birthday parties are only for the parents.  And the theme totally panders to me (Totoro anyone?) but still . . .  Oh hey, I did order matching T-Shirts for myself and the boys!  Matt won't participate in such shenanigans but I'm pretty sure I can hog tie him down for a photo or two.  Speaking of which, did I mention I have the boy's professional photos coming up mid-July?!  I am stoked.  

Also, I need to take photos of the boys new quilts that their Auntie Sarah frickin' hand-stitched for them!  They are gorgeous and seriously mindblowingly professional looking.  You rock Auntie Sarah!

P.S.  Today was my dad's birthday.  I miss him. 

Shield

My littlest wee is sick.  Fever but no other symptoms.  It has been fluctuating between 104+ and 101.5 since yesterday afternoon.  Thankfully it is coming down with fever reducers but bouncing right back up.  Took him in to the pediatrician's office and they assured me his ears and lungs sounded great and it was viral . . . to wait it out.

It is one of those times where I want to be all Mother Hen and gather my chicks underneath my fluffy bum.  Shield them from "all the bad things."  I feel so rough around the edges that I want them to stay smooth forever.  Especially something as intangible as a fever.  I can't fight it, fix it or make it better.  We just have to ride it out.

My little boys are such troopers when they are sick.  Toby, rocking a 104+ temp is giggling and playing on the floor with his big blue ball.  Maybe he is slower or quick to fuss but he powers onward.  I know he is uncomfortable.  And when his little body starts to shiver uncontrollably because the fever has spikes I want to unravel at the seams because it is just so heartbreaking. 

Probably the only good thing about Toby being sick is that he turns into the cuddliest lil' guy.  I would be lying if I said I didn't like that part of it . . .

It is supposed to rain all day tomorrow so I will force a Pajama Day upon Ethan and hope the little Toby Wee feels better.

Ethan & Idella

There once were two women who didn't know one another at all.  But the hubby of one worked with the other and they both found out they were pregnant.  FRIENDS.  Pregnant buddies.  It was awesome.

Then we popped.  Idella came first and then 9 1/2 weeks later Ethan arrived.  We took our first pictures together when Ethan was 3 days old and Idella was almost 2 1/2 months old.

Brand new Ethan, almost brand new Idella

As our babies grew, it just made sense to team up.  We had play dates probably 3 days a week, if not more often.  Ethan always seemed to be about Idella's size, her being a precious peanut and he being the husky wee.  He was quiet and patient and she was somewhat bossy (but cute doing it.)  He was just happy to be playing with another kid (not a cat or mommy.)

Ethan 2 months, Idella 4 1/2 months!

Ethan 2 months, Idella 4 1/2 months

Ethan 9 weeks, Idella 19 weeks!

Ethan 4 months, Idella 6 1/2 months!

Ethan 7 months, Idella 9 1/2 months!

Idella's first birthday!  September 2010

Ethan 18 months, Idella 20 months!

BUBBLES!!!!

Idella gained a sister and I was able to love on wee Madelyn for a few months . . .

And then after 2 years our friends moved away :(  It was a good move for them, lots of great opportunities but I was still a very sad panda.

But they came back to visit a few times and we got to hang out and they got to meet Toby!

Halloween 2011 - Idella 2+ years and Ethan almost 2!

Hanging out!

07/27/12 Ethan 2 1/2 and Idella a few months shy of 3!

"Because, because I like you."

They are coming to visit this weekend and I'm beyond thrilled.  Well, technically they are not visiting US (they are coming for a family wedding.)  But I feel like they are COMING TO VISIT US!  Very, very excited!

06/09/13 - 3 1/2 years old of awesome.

Update!  Today was glorious.  A good solid visit.  (Far too short for my liking but one can't be greedy with this sort of thing.)  The kids played really well . . . mostly . . . ah, who am I kidding?  Two 3 1/2 year olds, an almost 2 year old and Toby (who really napped most of the visit) makes for a few squabbles here and there.  But still, they had a wonderful time with one another despite the parental referees.  Miss you guys!  Hope to see you at Montshire Museum soon!