Planning for Halloween

Five o'clock is a crazy time of day at our house.

Dylan's nap creeps late into the afternoon, leaving us with a small window of time between nap and dinner time.  Most days, that sliver of time is too small to wander over to the park, but it's too large to just read a book and play for a few minutes. 

So after Dylan snuggles himself awake, taking a few moments to climb into my lap after I retrieve him from his crib, we often find ourselves outside.

Sidewalk chalk, bike rides, bubbles occupy our time until about five o'clock, when we have to go inside to clean up and begin dinner.

Before that, though, I have to wrangle Abbey and Dylan inside, like a shepherd with wayward sheep as Abbey rides up the driveway "one more time" or Dylan takes out the chalk that I just placed back on the shelf.

Usually there's a breakdown on our way inside.  Screaming.  Refusing to walk through the door.  Tears.

Usually, it's not me.  Usually.

Tension fills the kitchen.  I gently wipe tears and find cool water bottles and try remember to breathe and not let my own annoyance poison the air.

I may try to faciliate a truce with a cheese snack, cheddar for Dylan, mozzarella for Abbey.

Surprisingly, these times often bring forth some of our silliest moments. 

"Get it? Got it? Good!" I exclaimed one evening as Abbey pulled her favorite Tinkerbell cup from the refrigerator.

Hilarity ensued; it was obviously the funniest thing I have ever said in my life.

"Say it again!" she managed to gasp out, between giggles.

"Get it?  Got it?  Good!"

"Again!"

Repeat the exchange at least ten times, both of us saying it, Dylan laughing, possibly because he thinks we're crazy.

Any tension in the room dissipated, I pull out pasta and parmesean, pots and pans in comfortable silence.

"Mommy?"

"That's what YOU should be for Halloween!"

"What honey?" I ask absently, my mind on what vegetables I can sneak into their meal.

"Get it, got it, good!"

What?

"How would I be get it, got it, good?" I ask, confused.

"You know...get a shirt with the words.  Then ride a pink scooter and wear a helmet."

Like I said, it's a crazy time of day at our house.

Feel free to thank me for the excellent costume advice.  I'll pass the gratitude onto Abbey.  What are your plans for costumes this year?  Is it too early to think about Halloween?

Linking up with Elaine, because everyone needs ideas for Halloween, right?

A Few More Drops in the Bucket List

My Summer Bucket List is getting checked off a little at a time...

play bubbles

 

nothing but the utmost in bubble concentration from these two

walk to get ice cream after dinner

(ok, it was before dinner, but after lunch!)

paint my toenails (ok and my fingernails) bright blue

enjoy the heat (it won't be along for long)

 

Abbey's new favorite heat-enjoying hair styles

braids or a "ban", known to the rest of us as a bun

Her Hiding Needs Work

Today starts my co-hosting week over at The Red Dress Club!  Please come over to visit today, where I'm talking about overcoming fear in writing, and the rest of the week.  Don't worry; I'll remind you again!

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With Dylan soundly asleep in his crib, Abbey curls into my side, bringing a book or two or a pile to read, a combination of trusted friends like Angelina Ballerina and new books from the library. 

Minnie Mouse.  Cinderella.  Vera Rides a Bicycle.  Her head grows heavy against my arm, and I take a moment to inhale her hair; our moments alone, calm and still, are fleeting.

Napping is out of the question.

Some days, the books lull her into relaxation, and she wants to watch "a little TV," which means an episode of Angelina or The Cat in the Hat or WordWorld.  Those days, I steal a little time with the laptop on the couch, letting her lean into me and point out her favorite parts.

Other days, reading rejuvenates her, and we have quiet adventures - crafts, trips to her imaginary zoo, well-known games, and those she invents as we go along.

And so began our hide and seek adventure, a game quiet enough to play with a sleeping toddler paces away, our giggles muffled into hands and pillows, rushing back to the counting spot in the kitchen if we grew too rambunctious.

She's an excellent seeker, despite (or maybe because of) her varying counting times.  She counted to fifteen.  She counted to three.  She counted to eight.  And then eleventeen, which she continues to use no matter how often we talk about it not being a number. 

Standing in the middle of the living room, she scans the room and checks possible nooks and crannies until she discovers me with a teasing: "I fooouuund you!"

But we need to work on the hiding.  She has three strategies.

 

1) Hide behind the couch cushions, burying her head and using the "I can't see Mommy, so she can't see me" approach.

2) Hiding in the exact spot where she just found me, sometimes as I am walking to the kitchen (our counting spot).

3) Telling me where she's planning on hiding.

We need to hone her hiding skills before she starts playing with people who don't pretend that it's tough to find her.

behind the couch cushions is her favorite hiding spot 

she fits under there much better than I do 

sometimes she thinks if she can't see you, she's invisible 

like I said, she likes hiding behind the cushions 

coat closet 

she turned into a princess while I was counting to fifteen

Duck Snacks Go Organic

in all of the talk about eating organic foods, we've forgotten to ask a simple question

do ducks prefer pre-packaged, organic snacks? 

we came armed with test snacks

(meant for the kids, but who's keeping track?) 

indeed, ducks do like organic cheese snacks!

of course, they also enjoyed the week old, Target hotdog buns leftover from our camping escapades

a friendly duck ate bread right out of Abbey's hand

she stayed brave within the circle of Daddy's arms 

sorry little duck

this store's closed

Arts and Crafts and Things Like That

After the long, cold winter months, I embrace the heat.  Sometimes I even embrace the humidity.

I also embrace air conditioning and inside activities when everyone's at the end of their ropes, and I don't think it's possible to apply anymore sunscreen to three bodies, two of whom get fairly squirmy when I do their faces, and one of whom refuses to wear a hat.

Some afternoons, it just seems like anymore playing outside is just going to result in tears.  Dylan could play out there all day, but Abbey reaches her limit occasionally and starts to make impossible demands, like wanting to ride her bike to the park. 

I'm all for her making her own decisions, but I can't get on board with that yet, because I don't see how I can possibly push the double stroller AND carry her tricycle, because that would absolutely be how we ended up walking after a few blocks.

Instead, we make a mess.

I mean we make art.  Museum quality art.

Abbey gets her supplies first, because she could paint or glue or color for the whole afternoon.  Conversely, Dylan's attention span wanes fairly quickly, so I strip him down, let him play, and swoop him out of there before things get more out of control than even my plastic tablecloth can handle.

Of course, when Abbey innocently calls into the kitchen: "Can I make a handprint?", I calmly answer: "Sure, just be careful not to touch anything before you wash your hands."

And lo and behold, I now have Smurfette for a daughter.

Did someone mention the park?  Maybe sunscreen isn't such a bad option after all.

sitting on her stool and painting 

yes, he's in a diaper 

as you can see, he's dangerous with the paintbrush 

the oh-so-innocent looking handprints 

caught blue-handed

Going Down the List

There are fifty things on my summer bucket list, and more of them were crossed off this week!

run through sprinklers

frog sprinklers at the zoo

we always do this last, because Dylan inevitably ends up soaked

pictures (again) courtesy of my friend Rachel

take a spontaneous road trip

(day trip to Michigan State!)

photos from the Children's Garden

drive with the windows down

no pictures of this

that doesn't seem safe

Let Freedom Ring

If you're unsure how freedom ringing sounds, I'll nominate the Carillon at Beaumont Tower, regally housed on the campus of Michigan State University.

Ryan took a little extra time off, in addition to the already long holiday weekend, and we took a little day trip to Michigan State, the first time either of the kids have visited our alma mater.

The sprawling green lawns and stately architecture of the West Circle dorms still takes my breath away.  So much history rings through the air as the bells chime the notes to "Shadows". 

As we walked towards Beaumont Tower, a photographer was finishing shots of a new bride and groom, beginning their new life together. 

Abbey and Dylan ran around and fed ducks and played in the Children's Garden, enjoying their day at a university that holds countless memories for countless students.

Young and carefree, their paths are wide open and undefined, leading higher and farther than I can imagine.  And I am so grateful that we live in this wonderful country where their futures can be defined by their own dreams.

Enjoy yourself today and celebrate as you see fit.  As Abbey asked when we talked about the holiday being "America's Birthday", what kind of cake will America have?

Happy 4th of July!

Dylan was momentarily impressed by the height of the tower 

Abbey wanted to go inside

of course she wouldn't take our word for it that it was closed for the day 

Abbey counting the five chimes for five o'clock

Summer Checklist Update

Last week, I wrote my summer bucket list - fifty things I want to do this summer.

Let's see how I'm doing...

Pick Strawberries

photo courtesy of my lovely friend Rachel Padget Waller

I lost my camera somewhere at the cider mill

(that was NOT on my bucket list)

While camping last weekend, Dylan played in the lake, and we built sandcastles.

(that's three things from my list!)

Visit the Toledo Zoo

Ryan, the kids, and I made the drive on Thursday, which was after the disappointing loss of the camera.  We're fairly partial to our zoo, but Toledo has something Detroit doesn't, and that is a baby elephant.  Lucas the baby elephant was 27 days old on our visit, and honestly one of the most adorable things I've ever seen.  Abbey kept saying, "awwww, he's cuuuuutttteee," and smiling.  Of course, she also kept saying, "He's sooooo little!"  He's actually 345 pounds, which isn't that small at all, but compared to his 8000 pound mama, I guess it's downright tiny.

S'mores, Rainbow Cupcakes, and Memories

Planning for one night shouldn't have inspired the mixture of excitement and trepidition I felt about our first camping experience with the kids.  I had lists and categories and packing strategies.  Stacy and I studied the campground map (though she is braver and jumped in feet first with two nights of camping!)

Some of my worries?  Absolutely realized.  Dirt-covered fingers ate Cheetos.  Dylan created a five o'clock shadow with lake water, wet sand, and saliva.  Wet firewood demanded an eleven p.m. Meijer run for new wood and firestarters and a quick detour to browse the Goody section for girly-girl hair accessories.

But those negatives?  Those can be easily shaken like sand from a towel. 

Abbey splashed in the shallow water like a mermaid - if mermaids had to wear Puddle Jumpers even in water up to their knees - and built and knocked over sandcastles until her teeth chattered as we wrapped her in our last dry beach towel.

Dylan developed a slight case of hero-worship for the older and cooler Connor, who taught the kids the club version of Happy Birthday, complete with the techno beat "cha cha cha". 

Speaking of birthdays, we all (pretend) celebrated with delectable Play-Doh cupcakes, swirled into a neon rainbow that thrilled the kids and made Stacy's blood pressure rise just a little bit. 

Abbey and Madison hung out and had conversations in our tent, foretelling their teenage years, as Abbey told me, "Mommy, we need privacy!"

Glow necklaces and bracelets allowed for stumbling, giggling games of Ring Around the Rosie, even as we struggled to roast marshmallows on a fire kept burning with pages of coloring books until the kids went to bed, and we were able to drive to get some dry wood.

Well after dark, tired eyes told us what smiling, sticky, s'mores faces continued to deny.  Bedtime, though so very late, happened with minimal fussing, though we may have skipped toothbrushing for the night.

And blissfully, the fire burned at last, warming the adults as we sat and chatted, laughing at old and new adventures, half an ear listening for any movement from the circle of tents surrounding us.

I crawled onto our air mattress, sandwiched between my babies, and realized the dirt hadn't won.

We'll be doing this camping thing again.

a princess tablecloth and a bunch of play-doh

five dollars worth of pre-school heaven on a table 

fascinated by the coolers

he later punched a hole in the styrofoam one 

posing for Connor

they all took turns playing photographer

going for a walk in the woods 

jamming in their jammies with glow toys

snuggles and s'mores

maybe the best part of camping

My Check-Off Challenge

Play bubbles   
   Follow a rainbow
      Take family walks after dinner
         Find a perfect summer lipgloss
            Make some Mod Podge crafts
Shop at the Farmer's Market
    Pick strawberries
       Buy corn at a roadside stand
          Run five times a week
             Catch up on True Blood
Sit on our patio swing and look for fireflies
   Play in a lake with Dylan for the first time
      Build a sandcastle
         Make homemade popsicles
            Run through sprinklers
Have fresh flowers on our table
   Eat dinner outside at least once a week
      Take a walk along the beach
         Go to an outdoor concert
            Visit the Toledo Zoo
See Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (both parts)
   Find (and buy) a pair of flat sandals I love
      Make a little playroom in the basement
         Organize the kids' closets
            Pick raspberries
Watch Singing in the Rain
   Take a spontaneous road trip
      Update my fun jewelry with a cuff or fun earrings
         Decorate Dylan's room
            Make a strawberry pie
Go to the Peach Festival
   Take the kids to an outdoor art fair
      Write something, anything every day
         Find a summer anthem I can happily blast with the kids in the car
            Remember to wear sunscreen every day
Use our grill more than once
   Make a fruit pizza
      Take the kids on the train at the zoo
         Go through Dylan's baby clothes
            Walk to get ice cream after dinner
Eat at an old A & W
    Paint my toenails (ok and my fingernails) bright blue
       Drink some icy cold prosecco on an outdoor patio
          Splash in puddles with the kids after a summer rainstorm
             Sit outside and look at the stars
Take the kids camping
   Go back to Lake Michigan
      Drink enough water
         Drive with the windows down
            Enjoy the heat (it won't be around for long)

 

50 things I want to do this summer

how many do you think I can get through?

is there anything special you're dying to do before Labor Day?

Hello Spring

Despite the gloom and the rain of the last few days, I'm feeling positive about our weather, thanks to an absolutely gorgeous Saturday afternoon.  We had a slow start to our day (much like Michigan's slow start to spring, actually), but after lunch and Dylan's nap, our family of four went to walk around our little downtown to enjoy the sunshine.

Abbey, in typical Abbey fashion, was so excited to go downtown.  She kept trying to convince Ryan to take her during Dylan's nap, saying it was fine if Dylan and I just stayed home.  A little bit of Candyland and a trip to the hardware store with Daddy held her off until after Dylan's nap and a snack for both of them.

Her eagerness made it all the more hilarious when we realized she wasn't really sure what "downtown" meant.  When we pulled into our parking space, she asked, "Well, where is it?  Where are we going?"

Then she wanted to know if there was a park.  Unfortunately, no park, but we spent some time playing in the Barnes & Noble kid's area, until Dylan tried to go down the up escalator one too many times.

Finally, she asked to: "Go in there!" about every storefront and restaurant that we passed.

I hope she's always as enthusiastic about trying new things and venturing outside of her comfort zone.

The calendar might have welcomed spring about two months ago, but I think it's finally safe to say that it's time to put away our boots and heavy sweaters.

thank you Aunt Jane for the adorable spring clothes

Friday in the Sun

Some days are little slivers of happiness that I tuck away in my memory bank for days that aren't so lovely.

For all of the complaints I have about Michigan weather and winters, there's not much that can beat a sunny spring afternoon in this mitten shaped state of ours, and Friday was such an afternoon.

Royal wedding voyeurism, complete with a disagreement with Ryan about the classic beauty of the wedding dress (I say yay, he says yuck) and my appreciation of fascinators that don't fascinate most other people in my life.  Check.

A quick jaunt to Nordstrom Rack where I glance longingly at things I shouldn't buy, but instead of hurting my credit card, I try on oversized sparkly bracelets and rings with Abbey while Dylan sits calmly in his stroller (ok, really he was playing with necklaces, but they were sturdy and plastic.) Check.

Impromptu stop at one of our many local parks, where we run into friends, plus get a surprise (to the kids) visit from Ryan on his way home from work.  Finger-sweeping about seventy woodchips out of Dylan's mouth as he happily announces: Yuck! and letting him play in a mud puddle, because it's finally sunny and warm.  Check.

Perfection?  Maybe not, but it's close enough for me.

in the interest of full disclosure, these pictures weren't taken this Friday

but it's the sentiment, right?

Visiting with Grandma Pat

The kids and I went to a mini-party at Great Grandma Pat's a couple of weeks ago.  My mom, Nan, Grandma Sue, the kids and I all spent the afternoon over there.  Dylan was a charming addition to a girls' day in!

the kids with Grandma Sue 

loving the outdoors 

I can walk

therefore I can climb steps standing up 

the kids with Great Grandma Pat

Abbey and "squeaky kitty"

it makes a (kind of creepy) noise and walks

she (and Dylan) love it