I don't know why I thought this would work - I had the thought that I could get some things done online while the babysitter/mothers helper was here, as long as I was in the same room with the girls... What was I thinking?
We've had a helper coming two days a week for a couple months now. She is 11 years old and lives a few houses down the street, and the idea is that she can watch and play with the three little munchkins while I get some things done around the house. But, so far, the girls will not stay with her... She is able to keep Quinn occupied for the hour and a half that she's here, so at least that's one less child that I'm neglecting while I try to cook or clean or do anything else. But, boy, would it be helpful if these two little girls would stay with her, even for a little while.
The second time she came, she was downstairs with all three kids, playing in the playroom. I put the gate up at the steps and went upstairs, feeling this weight lifted from my shoulders, suddenly better able to breath and not feel so suffocated. About 45 seconds later, both girls started freaking out at the bottom of the steps, hanging on the gate in hysterics; it was like little rats stuck in the belly of a sinking ship, desperate to get out (they're not little rats, they're so sweet, but still, they acted as if they were never going to see me again, like I'd left them in a torture chamber). So, since I wasn't about to let an 11 year old deal with that stress that instantly makes ones blood boil, I gave in and brought them upstairs. Didn't get a damn thing done that day... and it's been that way ever since.
I had such high hopes for my 3 hours of productivity each week - I was going to paint various rooms of the house, clean the entire house once a week, maybe take a shower that didn't get cut short because of being needed elsewhere. She's only 11, so I wouldn't ever leave the house, but there are so many projects I've been meaning to do since we moved here (August 2010), and my "To do" list is never ending; I just really thought I could feel like I'd made some progress.
But no, that hasn't happened yet. The stranger anxiety should have passed by now (they know her from seeing her every week), the separation anxiety and clinginess is generally supposed to pass by 18 months (they're 19 months), but still no such luck.
Today, I really thought I could get this blog written in the hour and a half, but now I'm not even writing the one I had intended because I know my time is short. As I write this, I am sitting cross-legged on the guest bed in the far side of the playroom (in our finished basement). My laptop is on my lap, and all three kids and the helper are sitting on the same bed as I am, bouncing up and down, rolling around (well, the helpers not rolling, just the kids), Kelsey just climbed over my lap, and Sierra keeps taking my wireless mouse, and Quinn's trying to show me the boo boo he got three months ago when he stepped on a train (there's no mark anymore, no scar, he just likes showing me; I'm sure he just wants my attention)... I feel so bad not playing with them when they clearly want my attention, and I'm just typing away, but they are supposed to be playing with Hannah, right? I shouldn't have guilt over this, should I?
I mean, really, I should have known I couldn't get a moments peace or get anything accomplished. But I guess, I remain hopeful - but that's a good thing, right? Hope... I just have to keep trying, because I never know when it might finally work!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Random Mutterings that are My Days
On many occasions, I've thought to myself that people would think I'm crazy if they could hear half the things that come out of my mouth on a daily basis. Some things I say are mundane, routine instructions or reprimands; other things make me sound like my Mother (no offense, Mom!), or some, like I'm the guy from Clockwork Orange. So, I wrote down some of the phrases I said the other day.
It was last Thursday, the day started at 5:45 a.m., with Kelsey and Sierra up first, Quinn following around 7 (that's sleeping in for him!). Quinn had school in the morning, and we also had a Parent-Teacher Conference, so afterward, I just played with the girls at home before heading back to pick Quinn up. It was pouring down rain all that day, so in the afternoon, we played in the playroom and they "helped" me make dinner. Here's a glimpse into my own wonderful little madness, always hectic, often sweet:
Morning:
Kelsey, did you actually just spit your apple into that toy?
Hey, please don't put your finger in your diaper
I'll be the mommy bear, you be the baby bear
Take one more bite and you're done!
Bless you. Oh Sierra, you have boogies...
Stop twirling your underpants and put your clothes on
oh, jeez, you just stomped on my toe...
Girls, get your toothbrushes out of the toilet...uh, garbage...gross
Kelsey, leave your coat on
Girls, stop ripping things down off the shelf!
Quinn, we have to get your shoes on or we will be late for school
Sierra know please eat your shoe, Sweetie
Sierra, you didn't do a good job of holding your baby, now she's muddy, poor Baby
Love you, Sweetie! have a good day, and be a good friend!
He's mentioned two girls saying they "hate boys" and hate him...
You're a bus you idiot
"Ring around the rosie..."
No, Honey, we don't rip something out of our sisters hands... Look at this book here and then you can trade
Get off your sisters head
Oh, Sierra, are you just dumping all the pieces out of the puzzle?
Go on up, hold the railing; No hitting, hitting hurts, You both have to hold the same side; Keep going, leave the basket alone, go on up, watch your fingers, leave the cereal boxes alone...
Time to go get Quinn - no please leave your shoes on, Sierra; Kelsey, your coat... Stop pulling those off the shelf... Stay here
"Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac..."
Afternoon:
Quinn, did you meet caterpillars today?
As soon as you finish your lunch, I will turn on Calliou...; Good eating girls; Sierra no spitting;
Kelsey, why are you crying?;
Stop leaning back in yiur chair please; Quinn don't point that fork at her; please, don't rub eggs on the table; chew and swallow; Kelsey, you should not be turned around right now; too bad calliou is over, now you might miss Thomas too;
Stop leaning back... Stop Kelsey's back there - time out! You do not lean back on your chair because you can get hurt if you fall backwards, and you just pinned your sister too, time out!
1...2...3... It's just the vacuum, Honey!
Quinn, please be gentle with her while I do this. Quinn, don't push your sister. Quinn...Stop...couch... You just knocked her off the couch! Time Out!
Time to go upstairs, Girls; hold the railing.
Girls, leave your brother alone. I'm sorry, Honey, they just wanted to see your Valentines...
ouch, watch the toe...again with the toe....
Sleep well, Sierra. Mommy loves you! <Sigh>
Sleep well, Kelsey. Mommy loves you!
"Strawberry shake, strawberry shake..."
Winning is not everything, Honey
Quinn, do not dip your butt in the toilet, that's gross, there are germies!
Mommy's little Keltee; you're angry that you woke up, poor girlie
Tickle Torture, tickle torture! Kelsey needs to be tickled, too!
Hi, Mommy's Beesa, such a good sleeper
Cater-pickle
Evening:
Cuddle bug Sierra
Pretend the blankets are islands and try not to step on the floor
Just Pounding on some chicken, what's up?
So pa-ritty
Hey, Mr. Berenstein Bears Forget Their Manners, what do you say?
watch the toe...ugh, killing me...
What kind of loonie doctor are you? If you cut off my arm, I'll tickle you with the stump of my arm!
Please don't make fingerprints with your barbecue sauce
You said "BEAR". So smart!
"Figaro, figaro..."
Honey, why are you yelling?
Daddy's home, yay!
"...and Goodnight to the old lady whispering, Hush...."
"...That's all there is, there isn't any more..."
"...Round and round go the days and nights, Up and Down go the Sun, Moon, and Starlight..."
Good night, sweet Sierra; Good night, little Kelsey
I Love you Quinn, Good night; YH, YS, and YI...
Mommy off duty
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Winning IS everything
"Winning IS everything, Mommy!!", my 4-year old son growled at me tonight in a demonic voice before bursting into tears; he'd just lost a round of Curious George Memory game, and I tried to tell him something to the contrary.
We play games together everyday, when the babies are napping and again before his own bedtime - Snack Attack, Go Fish, Memory, Candy Land - sometimes more than 20 rounds of the same game in a row (I'm not even exaggerating). Sometimes he even plays these games by himself, making up new rules, seeing how the game plays out each time. He just loves to find out all the options of a game, see how many different directions it can go, how it is never ever the same, how every round presents new obstacles and opportunities. Much like the world around him, but at least in these games, he can manipulate them to come out the way he wants them to. Learning strategy is an important part of these games, and in the games that life throws at him, and I can see him making this connection everyday.
Whenever he's lost a round and has gotten upset I always tell him that doing something together is the most important part, that it's just nice to play the game together and have a good time, that winning is nice, but that it's not everything... Lately, he's had enough of that song and dance, and gets vividly upset when I win.
The other day, he lost a round of Go Fish, and proceeded to throw the cards at me because he was so angry. Then, on the next round, I asked for the Sand Shark to match the one in my hand, he hesitated and wouldn't make eye contact, and answered "Nope, Go Fish". I selected a new card, and on his next turn, he said "Do you have the Sand Shark?". I explained that I knew he had it when I asked, which makes that cheating, which is not nice, and that I won't play anymore if he doesn't play fair. Of course, I had to work hard at keeping a straight face, because this was clearly his first time cheating, but he wasn't smart enough yet to know how to not get caught. It was a milestone, even if it wasn't one to be boasting about.
Should I let him win so he doesn't get so upset? Should I let him win so that he is happy and feels good about himself? Or, should I let the game play out so we can learn how to handle those emotions, and feel even more genuinely good about a true win? To me, winning is not everything. To me, just being with him, spending time with him, watching him figure out how to strategize, seeing the wheels turning; these are the reasons I play. And more importantly, just seeing him smile is what makes me feel like I've won. That smile, that sweet little face.... I think I've answered my own question.
We play games together everyday, when the babies are napping and again before his own bedtime - Snack Attack, Go Fish, Memory, Candy Land - sometimes more than 20 rounds of the same game in a row (I'm not even exaggerating). Sometimes he even plays these games by himself, making up new rules, seeing how the game plays out each time. He just loves to find out all the options of a game, see how many different directions it can go, how it is never ever the same, how every round presents new obstacles and opportunities. Much like the world around him, but at least in these games, he can manipulate them to come out the way he wants them to. Learning strategy is an important part of these games, and in the games that life throws at him, and I can see him making this connection everyday.
Whenever he's lost a round and has gotten upset I always tell him that doing something together is the most important part, that it's just nice to play the game together and have a good time, that winning is nice, but that it's not everything... Lately, he's had enough of that song and dance, and gets vividly upset when I win.
The other day, he lost a round of Go Fish, and proceeded to throw the cards at me because he was so angry. Then, on the next round, I asked for the Sand Shark to match the one in my hand, he hesitated and wouldn't make eye contact, and answered "Nope, Go Fish". I selected a new card, and on his next turn, he said "Do you have the Sand Shark?". I explained that I knew he had it when I asked, which makes that cheating, which is not nice, and that I won't play anymore if he doesn't play fair. Of course, I had to work hard at keeping a straight face, because this was clearly his first time cheating, but he wasn't smart enough yet to know how to not get caught. It was a milestone, even if it wasn't one to be boasting about.
Should I let him win so he doesn't get so upset? Should I let him win so that he is happy and feels good about himself? Or, should I let the game play out so we can learn how to handle those emotions, and feel even more genuinely good about a true win? To me, winning is not everything. To me, just being with him, spending time with him, watching him figure out how to strategize, seeing the wheels turning; these are the reasons I play. And more importantly, just seeing him smile is what makes me feel like I've won. That smile, that sweet little face.... I think I've answered my own question.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Baby Stories
The most sentimental thing on my extensive, ever-growing "To Do" list is to write in the Baby Books of each of my three wee ones. It's something that is so important to me for a number of reasons - so that we can always remember these special moments that we've had, and to document the milestones that they're having at the blink of an eye (since my brain can't seem to remember them all), yet I cannot seem to rank it high enough on the list to actually sit down and do it.
So, my readers, few that you are, you get to have an inside look at the growth patterns of identical twin girls at 18 months and their 4 year old brother. Enjoy; I know I will!
Quinn:
Quinn turned 4 on January 9th. Every year on his birthday, I have read back through his birth story, OUR birth story really, to remember each detail of how he got here, all that I went through for him to be born; the five days of contractions leading up to it, laboring in the hospital, the emergency c-section, holding him in my arms for the first time...
We celebrated his birthday at the Discovery Museum in Acton, along with his sisters, our friends from when we lived in Watertown, and most of the children in his preschool class. It was such a great afternoon - he had a Disney "Cars" theme, we had a party with cupcakes and favors first, and then unleashed the sugared-up children on the museum, which we pretty much had to ourselves because it was a slow day, but that was perfect.
Quinn has achieved many milestones over this past year.
+ He was officially potty-trained by Thanksgiving, in that he was completely done with diapers, even overnight (Yay, 1 out of 3 ain't bad!).
+ He started at Sunny Hill Preschool last fall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and continues to thrive with his teachers, his classmates, and all the topics that they are covering.
+ Suddenly around Christmas, Quinn started outputing all the handwriting and letters that he'd been digesting for a couple years - he was suddenly able to write his name, write every letter of the alphabet, and was constantly asking "how do you spell" this, that, everything, and then proceeding to write it down. I'm so proud!!
+ He continues to dominate at soccer and just loves playing it, watching it, anything. He is mainly a leftie kicker still, but is getting better with his right foot and feels so proud when he uses it, too. He's also interested in other sports and really just wants to learn everything. Our mission this summer is Jump-rope (T-Ball was last summer, Frisbee the summer before when we lived in Concord)
+ We moved his bedroom upstairs, and he started to finally sleep all night in his own bed (not everynight, but we were off to a good start!). He's still in his twin bed with rails that we started him on when we moved to this house in August 2010, but he sleeps against the rails so I think those will be staying put for the time being.
He is so smart and is becoming quite the little conversationalist. He asks intelligent questions, seems to be thinking of bigger concepts... It's amazing to listen to his conversations with friends and family, how he is getting bigger and is figuring out the world around him, he's a mini-adult in the making, leaving the baby stuff behind and becoming quite the little man!
Sierra:
Sierra is a little mother, such a great helper and so loving and caring toward others, especially her brother and sister. She blows kisses to animals on our walks and to anyone she is saying "Goodbye" to. While she might cling to my side, she's quick to return a smile or a wave, as long as I am right there holding her.
She has a sly little smile sometimes, when she's feeling playful, and she loves to come up behind me if I'm on the floor, wrap her little arms around me and growl like she's "getting me".
For fun, Sierra loves to read books - her current favorites are Caps for Sale, Madeline, and Bunnies Noisy Book. She will often bring a book over to you, hand it to you, then turn around and back up to sit in your lap. She loves to swing on the swingset, and will literally sit in it for 20 minutes. She loves to climb, especially any set of stairs and the ladder of the swingset, to go down the slide. She loves to play "ball" and can say it, too, and she has fun pushing her little pink car around and making the noises.
She must have her binky and her blankie (a certain size burpcloth) in order to go to bed.
Sierra is so smart, she knows what I am saying or telling her to do or not to do - she gets very sad when reprimanded, and she helps me keep the other two in line by telling them "No No No" and shaking her finger at them if they're doing something they shouldn't be. She hears an airplane and points to the sky, even indoors, and makes a plane motion and sound. She can say various words, though most sounds are still coming. She likes to whisper "Poppa", which is what they call my father, having seen him again a couple weeks ago over Easter. She also likes to say "Mana", which is what they call my mother-in-law.
Sierra does have a temper, and can be very clingy and fussy sometimes. If she gets mad, she'll fall on the floor, throw her blankie a couple times, and then come running to me to be picked up. Somestimes if she falls, though doesn't get hurt, she pretends to cry and comes to me, tapping her head as if that's where she got hurt. Once she gets some love and attention, she'll run off with a smile on her face.
She is such a good eater, tries everything and is so happy to get up into her highchair and have food delivered to her - she can sign and say "more", or she finds that yelling "mama, mama" gets her what she wants. She absolutely loves grapes and apple slices, is crazy about cous cous, and just loves feeding herself, very expertly, with her fork. She getting less interested in baby oatmeal, but doesn't like regular oatmeal yet; she loves to have bites of whatever Daddy or I is eating, or her own little bowl of our cereal in the morning.
Sierra is such a loving baby and has the sweetest little face, you can't help but want to hold her close often and kiss those cheeks. She's definitely Mommies Little Girl!
Kelsey:
Kelsey is definitely the baby of the family, such a true sweetheart, and a little comedian. Kelsey has two looks that she goes between - one where her tongue is hanging out of her mouth, or a grin where she bites her teeth together and smiles away. Sometimes you have to earn a smile from her, but once she flashs you one, it is so worth it! She likes to tease that she's coming to hug you, then stop short or run away laughing.
For fun, Kelsey loves to sing and dance, and is almost able to leave the floor when she jumps. She loves looking at books, especially Good Dog, Carl, God Loves You, and Madeline. She loves to go around picking up blocks, toys, anything, putting it into a bucket, and carrying it around. She loves her blankie and has a babydoll that she likes to sleep with, but she will pick up any stuffed animal, really, and hug it to her and say "ahhhh", loving it.
Kelsey is so smart - she knows what I'm saying and is saying a new word almost everyday. She can say "moon", "ball", "duckah" for the neighbor's dog Tucker, "booboo", "more", "waawaa"... several others. She has been shaking her head 'No' for everything, even if she means 'yes', but recently she has started clapping if we guess what she wants. She calls for her "Poppa", sometimes in a whisper like her sister does. She also asks for Mimi (my Mom) and Mana (MIL). If she's looking for something, she turns her palms upward and holds her hands out, as if to say "where is it?".
She is a little bit of a picky eater; only likes certain crackers, will sometimes eat strawberries or grapes, but then spits them out the next time I give them to her. I think she's just being dramatic, making her whims known, but she's very sweet about it. If she starts to get fussy, she can usually be distracted from it with a tickle or a smothering of kisses, though if she is truly upset, she will go on extensive crying jags where her face gets red and splotchy and she can't stop; sometimes fresh air is all that will calm her down.
Kelsey is such a little darling, with winning, playful smiles, and such a joyful baby. She is a real cuddler and so affectionate, she's impossible to resist.
It's a beautiful thing to watch my babies interact with each other, all three of them. The girls are more and more aware of each other, and of their brothers motions and presence. They are getting to be such good friends, playing together, seeking each others attention and affection. I know as the years pass, they'll be even closer, not without the usual ripples. I know the girls will look up to their brother, as they already do, and Quinn will always be protective of his sisters. I'm so happy that they have each other, and I'm happy that I can be home with them.
My babies are all growing so fast. I want to remember every moment, I don't want to forget these magical times while they're little, because I know, having watched Quinn these past years, that they grow so fast! I try so hard to be in the moment and enjoy things as they happen. I truly treasure getting to be home with them everyday, getting to see each one grow everyday, watching them learn about the world around the, everything big and small - I just want to hold them so close today, to enjoy our time together, as these moments are passing in the blink of an eye!
So, my readers, few that you are, you get to have an inside look at the growth patterns of identical twin girls at 18 months and their 4 year old brother. Enjoy; I know I will!
Quinn:
Quinn turned 4 on January 9th. Every year on his birthday, I have read back through his birth story, OUR birth story really, to remember each detail of how he got here, all that I went through for him to be born; the five days of contractions leading up to it, laboring in the hospital, the emergency c-section, holding him in my arms for the first time...
We celebrated his birthday at the Discovery Museum in Acton, along with his sisters, our friends from when we lived in Watertown, and most of the children in his preschool class. It was such a great afternoon - he had a Disney "Cars" theme, we had a party with cupcakes and favors first, and then unleashed the sugared-up children on the museum, which we pretty much had to ourselves because it was a slow day, but that was perfect.
Quinn has achieved many milestones over this past year.
+ He was officially potty-trained by Thanksgiving, in that he was completely done with diapers, even overnight (Yay, 1 out of 3 ain't bad!).
+ He started at Sunny Hill Preschool last fall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and continues to thrive with his teachers, his classmates, and all the topics that they are covering.
+ Suddenly around Christmas, Quinn started outputing all the handwriting and letters that he'd been digesting for a couple years - he was suddenly able to write his name, write every letter of the alphabet, and was constantly asking "how do you spell" this, that, everything, and then proceeding to write it down. I'm so proud!!
+ He continues to dominate at soccer and just loves playing it, watching it, anything. He is mainly a leftie kicker still, but is getting better with his right foot and feels so proud when he uses it, too. He's also interested in other sports and really just wants to learn everything. Our mission this summer is Jump-rope (T-Ball was last summer, Frisbee the summer before when we lived in Concord)
+ We moved his bedroom upstairs, and he started to finally sleep all night in his own bed (not everynight, but we were off to a good start!). He's still in his twin bed with rails that we started him on when we moved to this house in August 2010, but he sleeps against the rails so I think those will be staying put for the time being.
He is so smart and is becoming quite the little conversationalist. He asks intelligent questions, seems to be thinking of bigger concepts... It's amazing to listen to his conversations with friends and family, how he is getting bigger and is figuring out the world around him, he's a mini-adult in the making, leaving the baby stuff behind and becoming quite the little man!
Sierra:
Sierra is a little mother, such a great helper and so loving and caring toward others, especially her brother and sister. She blows kisses to animals on our walks and to anyone she is saying "Goodbye" to. While she might cling to my side, she's quick to return a smile or a wave, as long as I am right there holding her.
She has a sly little smile sometimes, when she's feeling playful, and she loves to come up behind me if I'm on the floor, wrap her little arms around me and growl like she's "getting me".
For fun, Sierra loves to read books - her current favorites are Caps for Sale, Madeline, and Bunnies Noisy Book. She will often bring a book over to you, hand it to you, then turn around and back up to sit in your lap. She loves to swing on the swingset, and will literally sit in it for 20 minutes. She loves to climb, especially any set of stairs and the ladder of the swingset, to go down the slide. She loves to play "ball" and can say it, too, and she has fun pushing her little pink car around and making the noises.
She must have her binky and her blankie (a certain size burpcloth) in order to go to bed.
Sierra is so smart, she knows what I am saying or telling her to do or not to do - she gets very sad when reprimanded, and she helps me keep the other two in line by telling them "No No No" and shaking her finger at them if they're doing something they shouldn't be. She hears an airplane and points to the sky, even indoors, and makes a plane motion and sound. She can say various words, though most sounds are still coming. She likes to whisper "Poppa", which is what they call my father, having seen him again a couple weeks ago over Easter. She also likes to say "Mana", which is what they call my mother-in-law.
Sierra does have a temper, and can be very clingy and fussy sometimes. If she gets mad, she'll fall on the floor, throw her blankie a couple times, and then come running to me to be picked up. Somestimes if she falls, though doesn't get hurt, she pretends to cry and comes to me, tapping her head as if that's where she got hurt. Once she gets some love and attention, she'll run off with a smile on her face.
She is such a good eater, tries everything and is so happy to get up into her highchair and have food delivered to her - she can sign and say "more", or she finds that yelling "mama, mama" gets her what she wants. She absolutely loves grapes and apple slices, is crazy about cous cous, and just loves feeding herself, very expertly, with her fork. She getting less interested in baby oatmeal, but doesn't like regular oatmeal yet; she loves to have bites of whatever Daddy or I is eating, or her own little bowl of our cereal in the morning.
Sierra is such a loving baby and has the sweetest little face, you can't help but want to hold her close often and kiss those cheeks. She's definitely Mommies Little Girl!
Kelsey:
Kelsey is definitely the baby of the family, such a true sweetheart, and a little comedian. Kelsey has two looks that she goes between - one where her tongue is hanging out of her mouth, or a grin where she bites her teeth together and smiles away. Sometimes you have to earn a smile from her, but once she flashs you one, it is so worth it! She likes to tease that she's coming to hug you, then stop short or run away laughing.
For fun, Kelsey loves to sing and dance, and is almost able to leave the floor when she jumps. She loves looking at books, especially Good Dog, Carl, God Loves You, and Madeline. She loves to go around picking up blocks, toys, anything, putting it into a bucket, and carrying it around. She loves her blankie and has a babydoll that she likes to sleep with, but she will pick up any stuffed animal, really, and hug it to her and say "ahhhh", loving it.
Kelsey is so smart - she knows what I'm saying and is saying a new word almost everyday. She can say "moon", "ball", "duckah" for the neighbor's dog Tucker, "booboo", "more", "waawaa"... several others. She has been shaking her head 'No' for everything, even if she means 'yes', but recently she has started clapping if we guess what she wants. She calls for her "Poppa", sometimes in a whisper like her sister does. She also asks for Mimi (my Mom) and Mana (MIL). If she's looking for something, she turns her palms upward and holds her hands out, as if to say "where is it?".
She is a little bit of a picky eater; only likes certain crackers, will sometimes eat strawberries or grapes, but then spits them out the next time I give them to her. I think she's just being dramatic, making her whims known, but she's very sweet about it. If she starts to get fussy, she can usually be distracted from it with a tickle or a smothering of kisses, though if she is truly upset, she will go on extensive crying jags where her face gets red and splotchy and she can't stop; sometimes fresh air is all that will calm her down.
Kelsey is such a little darling, with winning, playful smiles, and such a joyful baby. She is a real cuddler and so affectionate, she's impossible to resist.
It's a beautiful thing to watch my babies interact with each other, all three of them. The girls are more and more aware of each other, and of their brothers motions and presence. They are getting to be such good friends, playing together, seeking each others attention and affection. I know as the years pass, they'll be even closer, not without the usual ripples. I know the girls will look up to their brother, as they already do, and Quinn will always be protective of his sisters. I'm so happy that they have each other, and I'm happy that I can be home with them.
My babies are all growing so fast. I want to remember every moment, I don't want to forget these magical times while they're little, because I know, having watched Quinn these past years, that they grow so fast! I try so hard to be in the moment and enjoy things as they happen. I truly treasure getting to be home with them everyday, getting to see each one grow everyday, watching them learn about the world around the, everything big and small - I just want to hold them so close today, to enjoy our time together, as these moments are passing in the blink of an eye!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Dark Vader
My husband started our 4 year old son on his first Star Wars (Episode 4, the true original) movie today. I have mixed emotions about this, but I'd been leaning more towards "no" for awhile now... I was in the living room today on the phone when I heard what sounded like thunder, only to realize it was the surround sound system in the playroom. No biggie. I happen to check Facebook and notice that my husband had posted, an hour before, that he was thinking about showing "Star Wars" to Quinn... sure enough, in a playroom not so far away, I hear the epic musical score coming to life.
I think I must have been about 4 when I saw the <first> movie. I vividly remember being scared to death at several parts (when Luke's aunt and uncle are burned in the fire, anything Darth Vader, the bar scene, when Obi Won is killed...) and very confused by it, too (the inuendo and sexual tension, and later, in Return of the Jedi, was Leia wearing that bikini?). Overall, the original Star Wars trilogy was, and still is, simply amazing and life altering, so imaginative, a childhood-affirming volume of stories that I certainly want to share with all my children someday. (And what goes better with the original trilogy than Episodes 1 through 3 that were produced much more recently). I just always thought they'd have to be a bit older to really appreciate it, and I am worried that Quinn will be up now with a whole new realm of nightmares.
Anyway, soon I'm off the phone and on my way downstairs, along with two babies who just woke up (Kelsey had freaked out for 45 minutes, her whole body red and splotchy from crying, hyperventilating... beside the point), and Doug and Quinn are watching the tv, Quinn sitting on his stuffed tiger chair, two feet from the television, mouth hanging open. It's the part where Obi Won is killed by Darth Vader <tear>, and Quinn says "Mommy, look - Dark Vader just got Obi Won!" Then Obi Won's voice comes over and tells Luke to run, and I tell Quinn that it's okay, he's still with Luke, and he goes back to the movie.
I run upstairs to change the bedding in the girls' cribs (Sierra's diaper leaked into her crib, and I may as well change both at the same time, especially since I'm doing laundry anyway). When I get back downstairs, it's during one of the space fight scenes between the tie fighters and the x-wings, and my darling, little Kelsey is sitting on the loveseat with Daddy, toothy grinning away, arms bent and fingers pointing on each hand like she's holding guns, going "tst, tst, tst", bouncing as if she's pretending to be in her own fighter, and she's loving every second (and Daddy is proud as can be). It's hilarious to see Kelsey do that, because she's usually oblivious about so many things, but I guess she liked the sounds so much and just felt it in her, that she had to move! Sierra's crying because she's scared of the loud explosions and such, so I pick her up, and Quinn is enthralled, staring at the television, processing, taking it all in.
I sit and watch the end of the movie, from when all the X-wing fighters launch to shoot down the Death Star (just in time to try to explain what the Death Star is, to a 4 year old, like a planet, but made of metal and stuff, that it's the bad guys space ship/space station...), until the end. Sierra lays on my lap, Quinn asks a question here and there about "Black Vader" and "Dark Vader" and overall wondering what is going on at different times, but mainly, I can see that he is still figuring it all out.
I doubt he will have any nightmares tonight, because I think it is still too soon for him to understand what most of the movie was about (though, Doug has agreed to get up with Quinn tonight). I would bet that he will have a million questions about the movie tomorrow though, after havings some time to think about it. I will be interested to see if he gets more into it now - I think my brother, Andrew, and I were enthralled by it but we also had each other to bounce ideas off of, and could try to scare each other with different characters and really get into it by repeating lines from the movie. I know his friends Mason and Jude have seen it, but I don't know if other kids exactly his age have been introduced to it yet.
Only time will tell. Until then, may the force be with you.
I think I must have been about 4 when I saw the <first> movie. I vividly remember being scared to death at several parts (when Luke's aunt and uncle are burned in the fire, anything Darth Vader, the bar scene, when Obi Won is killed...) and very confused by it, too (the inuendo and sexual tension, and later, in Return of the Jedi, was Leia wearing that bikini?). Overall, the original Star Wars trilogy was, and still is, simply amazing and life altering, so imaginative, a childhood-affirming volume of stories that I certainly want to share with all my children someday. (And what goes better with the original trilogy than Episodes 1 through 3 that were produced much more recently). I just always thought they'd have to be a bit older to really appreciate it, and I am worried that Quinn will be up now with a whole new realm of nightmares.
Anyway, soon I'm off the phone and on my way downstairs, along with two babies who just woke up (Kelsey had freaked out for 45 minutes, her whole body red and splotchy from crying, hyperventilating... beside the point), and Doug and Quinn are watching the tv, Quinn sitting on his stuffed tiger chair, two feet from the television, mouth hanging open. It's the part where Obi Won is killed by Darth Vader <tear>, and Quinn says "Mommy, look - Dark Vader just got Obi Won!" Then Obi Won's voice comes over and tells Luke to run, and I tell Quinn that it's okay, he's still with Luke, and he goes back to the movie.
I run upstairs to change the bedding in the girls' cribs (Sierra's diaper leaked into her crib, and I may as well change both at the same time, especially since I'm doing laundry anyway). When I get back downstairs, it's during one of the space fight scenes between the tie fighters and the x-wings, and my darling, little Kelsey is sitting on the loveseat with Daddy, toothy grinning away, arms bent and fingers pointing on each hand like she's holding guns, going "tst, tst, tst", bouncing as if she's pretending to be in her own fighter, and she's loving every second (and Daddy is proud as can be). It's hilarious to see Kelsey do that, because she's usually oblivious about so many things, but I guess she liked the sounds so much and just felt it in her, that she had to move! Sierra's crying because she's scared of the loud explosions and such, so I pick her up, and Quinn is enthralled, staring at the television, processing, taking it all in.
I sit and watch the end of the movie, from when all the X-wing fighters launch to shoot down the Death Star (just in time to try to explain what the Death Star is, to a 4 year old, like a planet, but made of metal and stuff, that it's the bad guys space ship/space station...), until the end. Sierra lays on my lap, Quinn asks a question here and there about "Black Vader" and "Dark Vader" and overall wondering what is going on at different times, but mainly, I can see that he is still figuring it all out.
I doubt he will have any nightmares tonight, because I think it is still too soon for him to understand what most of the movie was about (though, Doug has agreed to get up with Quinn tonight). I would bet that he will have a million questions about the movie tomorrow though, after havings some time to think about it. I will be interested to see if he gets more into it now - I think my brother, Andrew, and I were enthralled by it but we also had each other to bounce ideas off of, and could try to scare each other with different characters and really get into it by repeating lines from the movie. I know his friends Mason and Jude have seen it, but I don't know if other kids exactly his age have been introduced to it yet.
Only time will tell. Until then, may the force be with you.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, not the 13th
Wow, what a day... I don't know what has gotten into these kids lately, but three kids in very bad moods, for whatever reason, makes for a really long, stressful, exhausting day. It's like Jekyl and Hyde, angel and demon, Cane and Abel, Batman and the Joker. My precious angels are smiley, happy little things one second, and the next they're weeping and hitting me, yet clawing to be picked up.
Two little twin birds woke me bright and early at 6 a.m., the official start of the day (though, it should be noted that Kelsey and Sierra had chirped from 9:30 to 11:15 the night before, and Quinn came into our bedroom three times after that - I put him back into his room at 11:55 p.m. and 1:15 a.m., and then at some point after that, he successfully settled at the bottom of our bed without us noticing, where he stayed until morning). I stumbled into the twins' bedroom in the morning, hoping it was just one baby, but alas, both babies stood at once, cried Mama and reached for me frantically, each wanting to be the first to be picked up. Since it was so early, I took them into Quinn's empty room, so they wouldn't wake everyone else and because, honestly, I just wanted to lay down a little while longer. They fussed and jockeyed for the position closest to me, rolling constantly, not at all restful. Eventually, Doug came over around 6:30 a.m., the four of us in the twin bed in Quinn's little room, while ironically, Quinn slept, alone, in the queen bed in our master bedroom.
I brought the girls downstairs at 6:45 a.m., let them rip the bathroom apart in seconds just so I could use the facilities, and we hurried out to the kitchen to get breakfast set up and served. I was able to distract Kelsey with a book (to look at on her own, of course), but Sierra would not stay down, so I had to hold her in my left arm. I started to cut the grapes in half and stuffed them into the beaks of each chirping baby girl. Sierra gave part of it back to me, and I realized these were not seedless grapes - seriously, why do they even sell grapes with seeds? I'm so distracted at the store, apparently I assumed that I was buying the regular seedless variety to feed my children; what good is a grape with seeds in the middle of that tiny little thing? Anyway, so I had to cut the top half of the grape off, dig out the seed in the lower half, and feed that half to them; multiply this by about 50, in order to get enough grapes for all three kids. Thankfully, both girls let me place them into their high chairs to eat their first round of de-seeded grapes and a sprinkling of cheerios, while I get Quinn's oatmeal prepped, the girls baby oatmeals made, my own cereal poured, three sippy cups of milks poured, and sat down to feed the girls. Of course the second I sit down, both girls start fussing and again, frantically start reaching for me, wanting to be held and fed in my arms instead. And they're so sweet - once I pick one of them up, she wraps her little hands around my neck and smiles a winning grin and says lovingly "Mama", often placing each of her hands on my cheeks and planting a kiss on me with an exaggerated 'mmmmaaaa' sound, sometimes shooting a glance in her sisters direction. This morning it was Sierra's turn, because, well, she was more forceful and crying louder. She dodged her oatmeal almost every bite along the way, while Kelsey attempted to stand up in her highchair, smiled knowingly at me, waiting to see what my reaction will be. Quinn comes down at 7:15, gruff voice, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He sees his oatmeal and whines that he hasn't had his grapes yet, why does he have to have oatmeal already... I told him to eat the grapes while his oatmeal cools, and thankfully, that was sufficient. I continued to try to feed the girls, Kelsey bobbing up and down in her seat, though she finishes her bowl, while Sierra continues to fuss and push the spoon away, spilling it, getting it on her sleeve... Doug tried to hold one girl or the other, but they are very "All Mommy, all the time" these days. Quinn finally comes to the table to join us. My babies, three little faces that I love to stare at, watching all their little expressions, see them figuring things out and learning and feeling. Unfortunately today, those little expressions were those of anger and upset, sadness and discontent.
Quinn - well, being 4 is not easy, and I know there is a certain amount of testing and antics that he is just supposed to do as a 4 year old. But, oh, the whining and the crying, and that way he grits his teeth and drool pours out of the corners of his mouth when he becomes upset about something, usually in a forced, fake way. We had a super-sized playdate today; three other boys, another little girl, plus Quinn and his sisters, three Mom's. It was very nice, and the kids even got along pretty well for the most part, but as soon as they left, he was whining and throwing toys and very out of sorts. I know transition is a hard thing, but I was also holding two screaming babies, so it was hard to get down on his level to calm him, when the girls were escalating the situation. I was able to lure him inside with the promise of Thomas and Friends coming on, which worked, and it even distracted Kelsey for a minute so I could get lunch onto the table. The girls both cried and cried, all through forced bites of yogurt for lunch; they'd had tons of crackers and cantaloupe, so I knew they weren't terribly hungry, so I called it and put them down for their naps (more on that later). After lunch, I cleaned up from lunch and the playdate, and Quinn and I built a lincoln log cabin. We were having a nice little playdate of our own when he suddenly kicked over the cabin and yelled something about not liking that I put a part of the roof on... I reprimanded him, of course, but tried to switch to a new activity, to diffuse the situation. He lost the first round of "Go Fish", and threw the cards at me... That resulted in a time-out, through which he cried and cried. After that, I felt maybe he needed to just lay and relax, since he doesn't nap anymore, so I put on a show for him to watch while lying on the couch.
Throughout the day, he was emotional and whiney and weepy, wouldn't listen or do as he was told, kept being rough with his sisters... I felt like a broken record, constantly saying "leave her alone", "put that down", "get your underpants off your head"... I just want to be a fun Mom, I hate having to reprimand! Finally, after forcing him through a bath, three rounds of "Go Fish" (which I let him win because I couldn't deal with another meltdown), and looking at the Planets on my iPhone, he was finally asleep; mouth open, drooling and dreaming, hugging his stuffed zebra.
Sierra - She had a random fever back on Tuesday, for no apparent reason. I could tell that her last four teeth were coming in and thought that might be bothering her. She woke up crying and cried almost non-stop all day. She had a few moments of independent play, but she spent most of her day either in my arms or reaching up my legs trying to climb up into my arms. Several times, her sister thought this was a good idea, too, and followed suit, so I had two babies in my arms instead of just one (often, pushing each other to be alone with me, or trying to steal each others blankies). After the playdate, after my normally eager eater refused lunch, I was getting her ready for nap, only to find that she had a raging diaper rash, and a rash all over her chest and stomach... Sierra gets rashs frequently; a couple weeks ago, she had a fever and rash that lasted a week, but after extensive testing at the hospital, it was thought to just be viral and it eventually went away. But still, I see a pimply rash on my baby and I can't help but be worried. She gets up from her nap and is fussy and pushy and won't let me put her down. Both girls briefly sit in their highchairs to finish their yogurt from lunch and eat a snack, but as soon as she's had her fill, back to my arms she goes.
We play outside, but other than the swing and a few minutes here and there of playing on her own, she has to be in my arms. And it's not just fussiness, it's fierce, pissed off fits of crying and full-body clenching. I know she doesn't feel good, and I feel so helpless, but it's really hard to listen to such a cry and not feel my nerves clenching, too, and my heart race. Thankfully my husband, Doug, got home early and was able to help to divide and conquer, mainly by keeping Kelsey and Quinn occupied while I held Sierra. Sierra barely sat still for any dinner, had only a bit more to eat, before demanding to be out of her seat and back to my arms, and then the floor.
I raced Sierra and then Kelsey through separate baths and got them down to bed. Phew...
Kelsey - Poor, sweet Kelsey. She always wakes up crying. I've still not figured out whether it's because something is wrong or is hurting her, or she has already learned that she has to fight for attention, and what better way to do it than to cry! But her cry is usually a soft, sweet, babyish testing sort of cry.
Yesterday afternoon, I brought the kids inside from playing at the playground for a long time, and Kelsey had tons of gunk coming out of her eyes. Quinn had had the same thing several weeks ago; no pink in their eyes, just teary and yellowy gunk coming out. Quinn had used drops for pink-eye which cleared it up in days, but there is no way Kelsey will sit remotely still for me to drop liquid into her eyes. So, we're just waiting it out, but in the meantime, she's not a happy camper. She isn't sleeping well and gets up wicked early, and because of that, by lunchtime, she's not into eating, and nearly falls asleep in her chair. I put both girls down by 12:30 today, because they just couldn't stand it anymore, and neither can I. Hopefully it clears up soon.
By the end of the day, after pushing through so much fussiness, hurrying through three baths, getting three sleepy-heads up to fall upon their pillows, in their little beds... I can finally settle down myself (after cleaning and tidying up, of course). I know they must not be feeling very well, whether from being sick or just growing pains, and I really try to keep my cool and stay patient and loving, but by the end of that kind of day, I'm all out of patience and am anything but cool, though after only a few minutes of quiet, my love for them floods back in, and I can smile and remember the good times of the day, not just the bad - all the smiles, the laughs, watching them chase each other joyfully around the yard, the sounds of each of their individual voices and the way they sound when they're all singing together. That's what I want to remember, especially in the difficult times of any day, so I can be a better Mommy for them.
Two little twin birds woke me bright and early at 6 a.m., the official start of the day (though, it should be noted that Kelsey and Sierra had chirped from 9:30 to 11:15 the night before, and Quinn came into our bedroom three times after that - I put him back into his room at 11:55 p.m. and 1:15 a.m., and then at some point after that, he successfully settled at the bottom of our bed without us noticing, where he stayed until morning). I stumbled into the twins' bedroom in the morning, hoping it was just one baby, but alas, both babies stood at once, cried Mama and reached for me frantically, each wanting to be the first to be picked up. Since it was so early, I took them into Quinn's empty room, so they wouldn't wake everyone else and because, honestly, I just wanted to lay down a little while longer. They fussed and jockeyed for the position closest to me, rolling constantly, not at all restful. Eventually, Doug came over around 6:30 a.m., the four of us in the twin bed in Quinn's little room, while ironically, Quinn slept, alone, in the queen bed in our master bedroom.
I brought the girls downstairs at 6:45 a.m., let them rip the bathroom apart in seconds just so I could use the facilities, and we hurried out to the kitchen to get breakfast set up and served. I was able to distract Kelsey with a book (to look at on her own, of course), but Sierra would not stay down, so I had to hold her in my left arm. I started to cut the grapes in half and stuffed them into the beaks of each chirping baby girl. Sierra gave part of it back to me, and I realized these were not seedless grapes - seriously, why do they even sell grapes with seeds? I'm so distracted at the store, apparently I assumed that I was buying the regular seedless variety to feed my children; what good is a grape with seeds in the middle of that tiny little thing? Anyway, so I had to cut the top half of the grape off, dig out the seed in the lower half, and feed that half to them; multiply this by about 50, in order to get enough grapes for all three kids. Thankfully, both girls let me place them into their high chairs to eat their first round of de-seeded grapes and a sprinkling of cheerios, while I get Quinn's oatmeal prepped, the girls baby oatmeals made, my own cereal poured, three sippy cups of milks poured, and sat down to feed the girls. Of course the second I sit down, both girls start fussing and again, frantically start reaching for me, wanting to be held and fed in my arms instead. And they're so sweet - once I pick one of them up, she wraps her little hands around my neck and smiles a winning grin and says lovingly "Mama", often placing each of her hands on my cheeks and planting a kiss on me with an exaggerated 'mmmmaaaa' sound, sometimes shooting a glance in her sisters direction. This morning it was Sierra's turn, because, well, she was more forceful and crying louder. She dodged her oatmeal almost every bite along the way, while Kelsey attempted to stand up in her highchair, smiled knowingly at me, waiting to see what my reaction will be. Quinn comes down at 7:15, gruff voice, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He sees his oatmeal and whines that he hasn't had his grapes yet, why does he have to have oatmeal already... I told him to eat the grapes while his oatmeal cools, and thankfully, that was sufficient. I continued to try to feed the girls, Kelsey bobbing up and down in her seat, though she finishes her bowl, while Sierra continues to fuss and push the spoon away, spilling it, getting it on her sleeve... Doug tried to hold one girl or the other, but they are very "All Mommy, all the time" these days. Quinn finally comes to the table to join us. My babies, three little faces that I love to stare at, watching all their little expressions, see them figuring things out and learning and feeling. Unfortunately today, those little expressions were those of anger and upset, sadness and discontent.
Quinn - well, being 4 is not easy, and I know there is a certain amount of testing and antics that he is just supposed to do as a 4 year old. But, oh, the whining and the crying, and that way he grits his teeth and drool pours out of the corners of his mouth when he becomes upset about something, usually in a forced, fake way. We had a super-sized playdate today; three other boys, another little girl, plus Quinn and his sisters, three Mom's. It was very nice, and the kids even got along pretty well for the most part, but as soon as they left, he was whining and throwing toys and very out of sorts. I know transition is a hard thing, but I was also holding two screaming babies, so it was hard to get down on his level to calm him, when the girls were escalating the situation. I was able to lure him inside with the promise of Thomas and Friends coming on, which worked, and it even distracted Kelsey for a minute so I could get lunch onto the table. The girls both cried and cried, all through forced bites of yogurt for lunch; they'd had tons of crackers and cantaloupe, so I knew they weren't terribly hungry, so I called it and put them down for their naps (more on that later). After lunch, I cleaned up from lunch and the playdate, and Quinn and I built a lincoln log cabin. We were having a nice little playdate of our own when he suddenly kicked over the cabin and yelled something about not liking that I put a part of the roof on... I reprimanded him, of course, but tried to switch to a new activity, to diffuse the situation. He lost the first round of "Go Fish", and threw the cards at me... That resulted in a time-out, through which he cried and cried. After that, I felt maybe he needed to just lay and relax, since he doesn't nap anymore, so I put on a show for him to watch while lying on the couch.
Throughout the day, he was emotional and whiney and weepy, wouldn't listen or do as he was told, kept being rough with his sisters... I felt like a broken record, constantly saying "leave her alone", "put that down", "get your underpants off your head"... I just want to be a fun Mom, I hate having to reprimand! Finally, after forcing him through a bath, three rounds of "Go Fish" (which I let him win because I couldn't deal with another meltdown), and looking at the Planets on my iPhone, he was finally asleep; mouth open, drooling and dreaming, hugging his stuffed zebra.
Sierra - She had a random fever back on Tuesday, for no apparent reason. I could tell that her last four teeth were coming in and thought that might be bothering her. She woke up crying and cried almost non-stop all day. She had a few moments of independent play, but she spent most of her day either in my arms or reaching up my legs trying to climb up into my arms. Several times, her sister thought this was a good idea, too, and followed suit, so I had two babies in my arms instead of just one (often, pushing each other to be alone with me, or trying to steal each others blankies). After the playdate, after my normally eager eater refused lunch, I was getting her ready for nap, only to find that she had a raging diaper rash, and a rash all over her chest and stomach... Sierra gets rashs frequently; a couple weeks ago, she had a fever and rash that lasted a week, but after extensive testing at the hospital, it was thought to just be viral and it eventually went away. But still, I see a pimply rash on my baby and I can't help but be worried. She gets up from her nap and is fussy and pushy and won't let me put her down. Both girls briefly sit in their highchairs to finish their yogurt from lunch and eat a snack, but as soon as she's had her fill, back to my arms she goes.
We play outside, but other than the swing and a few minutes here and there of playing on her own, she has to be in my arms. And it's not just fussiness, it's fierce, pissed off fits of crying and full-body clenching. I know she doesn't feel good, and I feel so helpless, but it's really hard to listen to such a cry and not feel my nerves clenching, too, and my heart race. Thankfully my husband, Doug, got home early and was able to help to divide and conquer, mainly by keeping Kelsey and Quinn occupied while I held Sierra. Sierra barely sat still for any dinner, had only a bit more to eat, before demanding to be out of her seat and back to my arms, and then the floor.
I raced Sierra and then Kelsey through separate baths and got them down to bed. Phew...
Kelsey - Poor, sweet Kelsey. She always wakes up crying. I've still not figured out whether it's because something is wrong or is hurting her, or she has already learned that she has to fight for attention, and what better way to do it than to cry! But her cry is usually a soft, sweet, babyish testing sort of cry.
Yesterday afternoon, I brought the kids inside from playing at the playground for a long time, and Kelsey had tons of gunk coming out of her eyes. Quinn had had the same thing several weeks ago; no pink in their eyes, just teary and yellowy gunk coming out. Quinn had used drops for pink-eye which cleared it up in days, but there is no way Kelsey will sit remotely still for me to drop liquid into her eyes. So, we're just waiting it out, but in the meantime, she's not a happy camper. She isn't sleeping well and gets up wicked early, and because of that, by lunchtime, she's not into eating, and nearly falls asleep in her chair. I put both girls down by 12:30 today, because they just couldn't stand it anymore, and neither can I. Hopefully it clears up soon.
By the end of the day, after pushing through so much fussiness, hurrying through three baths, getting three sleepy-heads up to fall upon their pillows, in their little beds... I can finally settle down myself (after cleaning and tidying up, of course). I know they must not be feeling very well, whether from being sick or just growing pains, and I really try to keep my cool and stay patient and loving, but by the end of that kind of day, I'm all out of patience and am anything but cool, though after only a few minutes of quiet, my love for them floods back in, and I can smile and remember the good times of the day, not just the bad - all the smiles, the laughs, watching them chase each other joyfully around the yard, the sounds of each of their individual voices and the way they sound when they're all singing together. That's what I want to remember, especially in the difficult times of any day, so I can be a better Mommy for them.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Patriots Day
Ah, Patriots Day. When I moved to Massachusetts 8+ years ago, I was like "what day?", and some of you may be thinking the same thing. Patriot's Day is a Massachusetts and Maine only holiday, which is supposed to commemorate the Revolutionary War battles that took place in Concord and Lexington (most notably, the Ride of Paul Revere) in 1775. Not everyone has the day off, banks are open, the post office is open, but many people do get the day off, and there are plenty of things to do, if you don't mind crowds.
The Boston Marathon is run on Patriot's Day, which is pretty exciting. I remember when I worked in the city, it meant a rough, long commute home by train, but a good excuse to take a lunch break, to venture out and watch some of the racers as they crossed the finish line. The Boston Red Sox also play their first home game of the season on Patriot's Day, usually starting in mid-morning. I did get to be a "bleecher creature" one Patriot's Day many years ago; they lost that game (today's, too), as they often do, but it was still really exciting to be there, and then head over to Copley in time to see some of the first marathon runners cross the finish, before celebrating on their behalf by hitting the bars.
And let's not forget the true meaning of the Holiday - there are amazing re-enactments in Lexington and in Concord, of Paul Revere's ride out from the city, to battles in each town, and a parade in Lexington. I've never had the luxury of attending any of them, being one of the unlucky one's who never had Patriot's Day off, but this year, I was determined to go to something.
I knew that taking three wee ones into the City to watch the Marathon was going to be a marathon of my own, one I would surely lose very quickly upon setting out, so that was out. No Red Sox tickets, and I wouldn't take three kids to that alone anyway (my hubbie never has the day off). So, I planned to drive the kids up to Concord, normally 15 minutes away, for the re-enactment at the Old North Bridge. We set out in the car ( and we were leaving almost on time!) and found that the driving route was closed for the festivities, and I knew that going around was going to make us late. To make matters worse, as we were going, I was telling Quinn about the soldiers and the pretend battle they were going to be putting on a show about, and he started crying and saying he was afraid of soldiers and that he didn't want to go. I didn't have any fight in me this morning, I couldn't take the whining before even getting out of the car, so I let him win that battle. Decided on a mundane trip to the grocery store (which, in my defense, was long overdue and weighing on my mind), followed by a trip to the Dairy Joy to eat lunch outside in the 90 degree day.
We made it through the store in a little over an hour, record time; the kids ate their way from the produce section (grapes), to the deli (free slices of cheese), to the sample lady part way through the store (granola and yogurt), filled in with the pretzels and Kashi crackers I had brought along myself. We even only had to go back through two aisles before finding the shoe that Sierra had thrown off without my noticing - that's better than the last time when she threw it off in Aisle 3 and four workers had to help me scour the store to find it, or the "My Little Pony lost in the produce aisle" debacle the trip before (searched the entire store as Kelsey cried her eyes out, only to find that it had been turned in to the Lost and Found, and thankfully the woman working there noticed the other Pony in our cart and stopped me to return it...) I even bought two of those insulated Hot-Cold bags to keep our cold groceries in while we enjoyed our lunch out under the sun.
We headed to the Dairy Joy and parked in front of their new "Now Open" sign, while I looked at the menu and helped Quinn decide on his usual, a hot dog with french fries and chocolate milk. Then I had to think of what the baby girls would eat, and what I should order to cover in case they didn't eat what I ordered them. I left the kids in the car - with the mini van doors open for plenty of air, I'm not a completely thoughtless mother - and walked up to the window to order. I waited a couple minutes, waved to Quinn in the van behind me, turned back to the window... no one came. I poked my head inside the door, and saw a guy filling ice. "Hi, are you taking orders at the window?", I asked excitedly. "Oh, sorry, we don't open until 11:30", he answered (it was barely 11). I was pissed - "then, why is there an 'Open' sign outside?" I shot back. I had been looking forward to our lunch all morning, our replacement for the way cooler and more spontaneous activities, like the marathon or re-enactments, not wanting this to be just another boring day, and here he was ruining it further. I left the building and told Quinn that they weren't open yet, and he started crying again, so I promised we'd find another "outside lunch place".
I was wracking my brain, trying to think of where else would have outdoor seating, ever, not just because it is only April. I knew there wasn't anywhere in Sudbury that would, and there aren't really any restaurants like that in Stow (and our favorite Stow restaurant is closed Monday's anyway), so we proceeded to drive to the next Dairy Joy, one in Maynard. I didn't know if they were even open yet, and it wasn't very close by, but off we went. We arrived at 11:23 (it didn't escape me that the other Dairy Joy was to open minutes later, but it was too late for them), but they didn't have food until 12. Ugh!! So, we drove into downtown Maynard; not a bustling metropolis, by any means, but I knew there were restaurants there. I spotted a "Halfway Cafe"; it didn't have outdoor seating, but we'd been to the one in Watertown countless times and the food was good, so I parked in front and jumped out to check their hours - it said they opened at 11:30, but the door was locked. Damnit! All my efforts for an outside lunch had been thwarted, and I couldn't continue to drive around; I was hungry, these kids were hungry and getting cranky. The only option we had left, which I knew Quinn would be thrilled with, was the McDonald's just down the street. We hit the drive-thru, and we hit the road to go home, I planned we'd have a picnic there (I sucked down a chocolate shake on the way, for my troubles).
We got home, I set up the twins' little seats on the small front porch, and Quinn and I set up on the top step. We were in the shade but the day was hot around us, a warm breeze blowing the baby girls' blonde hairs around, rustling Quinn's brown tossled hair. The girls kicked their little feet and chewed away with their little teeth, and Quinn made quick work of his McNuggets and french fries. We chatted about our wild goose chase this morning, I explained twice what a 'wild goose chase' meant, while the girls honked to tell me what a goose says. It was so simple, so joyful, just so wonderful to be there with them. I let my pursuit of extraordinary Patriot's Day activities and a different definition of "special" fade away, and just enjoyed being there with my three babies, in that moment, and savored how truly special every day I have with them really is.
The Boston Marathon is run on Patriot's Day, which is pretty exciting. I remember when I worked in the city, it meant a rough, long commute home by train, but a good excuse to take a lunch break, to venture out and watch some of the racers as they crossed the finish line. The Boston Red Sox also play their first home game of the season on Patriot's Day, usually starting in mid-morning. I did get to be a "bleecher creature" one Patriot's Day many years ago; they lost that game (today's, too), as they often do, but it was still really exciting to be there, and then head over to Copley in time to see some of the first marathon runners cross the finish, before celebrating on their behalf by hitting the bars.
And let's not forget the true meaning of the Holiday - there are amazing re-enactments in Lexington and in Concord, of Paul Revere's ride out from the city, to battles in each town, and a parade in Lexington. I've never had the luxury of attending any of them, being one of the unlucky one's who never had Patriot's Day off, but this year, I was determined to go to something.
I knew that taking three wee ones into the City to watch the Marathon was going to be a marathon of my own, one I would surely lose very quickly upon setting out, so that was out. No Red Sox tickets, and I wouldn't take three kids to that alone anyway (my hubbie never has the day off). So, I planned to drive the kids up to Concord, normally 15 minutes away, for the re-enactment at the Old North Bridge. We set out in the car ( and we were leaving almost on time!) and found that the driving route was closed for the festivities, and I knew that going around was going to make us late. To make matters worse, as we were going, I was telling Quinn about the soldiers and the pretend battle they were going to be putting on a show about, and he started crying and saying he was afraid of soldiers and that he didn't want to go. I didn't have any fight in me this morning, I couldn't take the whining before even getting out of the car, so I let him win that battle. Decided on a mundane trip to the grocery store (which, in my defense, was long overdue and weighing on my mind), followed by a trip to the Dairy Joy to eat lunch outside in the 90 degree day.
We made it through the store in a little over an hour, record time; the kids ate their way from the produce section (grapes), to the deli (free slices of cheese), to the sample lady part way through the store (granola and yogurt), filled in with the pretzels and Kashi crackers I had brought along myself. We even only had to go back through two aisles before finding the shoe that Sierra had thrown off without my noticing - that's better than the last time when she threw it off in Aisle 3 and four workers had to help me scour the store to find it, or the "My Little Pony lost in the produce aisle" debacle the trip before (searched the entire store as Kelsey cried her eyes out, only to find that it had been turned in to the Lost and Found, and thankfully the woman working there noticed the other Pony in our cart and stopped me to return it...) I even bought two of those insulated Hot-Cold bags to keep our cold groceries in while we enjoyed our lunch out under the sun.
We headed to the Dairy Joy and parked in front of their new "Now Open" sign, while I looked at the menu and helped Quinn decide on his usual, a hot dog with french fries and chocolate milk. Then I had to think of what the baby girls would eat, and what I should order to cover in case they didn't eat what I ordered them. I left the kids in the car - with the mini van doors open for plenty of air, I'm not a completely thoughtless mother - and walked up to the window to order. I waited a couple minutes, waved to Quinn in the van behind me, turned back to the window... no one came. I poked my head inside the door, and saw a guy filling ice. "Hi, are you taking orders at the window?", I asked excitedly. "Oh, sorry, we don't open until 11:30", he answered (it was barely 11). I was pissed - "then, why is there an 'Open' sign outside?" I shot back. I had been looking forward to our lunch all morning, our replacement for the way cooler and more spontaneous activities, like the marathon or re-enactments, not wanting this to be just another boring day, and here he was ruining it further. I left the building and told Quinn that they weren't open yet, and he started crying again, so I promised we'd find another "outside lunch place".
I was wracking my brain, trying to think of where else would have outdoor seating, ever, not just because it is only April. I knew there wasn't anywhere in Sudbury that would, and there aren't really any restaurants like that in Stow (and our favorite Stow restaurant is closed Monday's anyway), so we proceeded to drive to the next Dairy Joy, one in Maynard. I didn't know if they were even open yet, and it wasn't very close by, but off we went. We arrived at 11:23 (it didn't escape me that the other Dairy Joy was to open minutes later, but it was too late for them), but they didn't have food until 12. Ugh!! So, we drove into downtown Maynard; not a bustling metropolis, by any means, but I knew there were restaurants there. I spotted a "Halfway Cafe"; it didn't have outdoor seating, but we'd been to the one in Watertown countless times and the food was good, so I parked in front and jumped out to check their hours - it said they opened at 11:30, but the door was locked. Damnit! All my efforts for an outside lunch had been thwarted, and I couldn't continue to drive around; I was hungry, these kids were hungry and getting cranky. The only option we had left, which I knew Quinn would be thrilled with, was the McDonald's just down the street. We hit the drive-thru, and we hit the road to go home, I planned we'd have a picnic there (I sucked down a chocolate shake on the way, for my troubles).
We got home, I set up the twins' little seats on the small front porch, and Quinn and I set up on the top step. We were in the shade but the day was hot around us, a warm breeze blowing the baby girls' blonde hairs around, rustling Quinn's brown tossled hair. The girls kicked their little feet and chewed away with their little teeth, and Quinn made quick work of his McNuggets and french fries. We chatted about our wild goose chase this morning, I explained twice what a 'wild goose chase' meant, while the girls honked to tell me what a goose says. It was so simple, so joyful, just so wonderful to be there with them. I let my pursuit of extraordinary Patriot's Day activities and a different definition of "special" fade away, and just enjoyed being there with my three babies, in that moment, and savored how truly special every day I have with them really is.
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