Jen's Ramblings

This morning I had some people over from my mom's group to discuss starting up a new "baby school". This is something that has been going on for a little while within the group, and since a bunch of the kids are just turning 2 we decided to start another session. Basically, we are just going to meet once/week so the kids can play and make friends and do some fun stuff together. Nothing hardcore, since you can't expect much for a 2 yo, but it will be good for them to learn colors and shapes and all that good stuff together, and just to socialize with other kids their age.

Ben will probably run around the whole time, but whatever...lol. 

After everyone left from that, I headed over to another friend's house for the afternoon and the kids played some more. I think we are trying to smush a lot of these visits in before school starts and the older kids, at least, won't be able to see so much of one another.  We only have one week before Katie heads back, and some of her friends go back today and tomorrow...sad that summer is coming to an end.

Tomorrow Becky has the day off, so we are going to head over to Parlee Farms to check out what pick your own fruit they have and to visit the goats and such. Should be fun. We haven't made it over there yet this year, so it should be fun. 

Today we took one last trip to the beach before school starts and summer ends. It started off pretty cool, like in the low 60's, but ended up warming up to the mid 70's as the day went on. We went with Misty and the kids and her mom came along to help. The kids had a blast and Katie was really excited to have a friend to play with. The last time we had a beach trip planned, Misty's dog got sick at the last second so they had to cancel and I had to listen to Katie complain all day about how she had no one to play with...and apparently MOM isn't good enough!

Ben had a lot of fun, too. He actually tried to initiate play with a couple of the kids, which was cool. He went up to both Collin and River and *asked* them to play ball...meaning he said, Collin play ball, and River play ball...but neither one wanted to play (Collin pretty much ran from Ben crying as Ben chased him down yelling COLLIN PLAY BALL!...lol)...but at least I am still good enough for Ben so I played with him! He also played with an older boy for a while, too. Ben seems to be turning into quite the social child! 

Katie and Chandler were wicked cute and played the whole day SO well together. The two of them are total fish and spent a good amount of time in the COLD ocean, and even tried out boogy boarding. They totally looked like a little couple, and even helped each other up when one got knocked over by a wave. 

We stayed at the beach til 3 then took off. Ben was getting tired and I figured we had all had enough sun by then. Both kids slept most of the way home, which was good since our portable DVD player seems to have crapped the bed!

After getting home I bathed the kids and then headed back out to Target. Ben has NO shoes that fit him (his sandels had started giving him blisters b/c they were too small) so I really wanted to get him SOMETHING to wear. I ended up getting him a little pair of Cars sandals, as well as some Cars sneakers for fall. Then I got Katie a pair of sneakers and a couple pair of dress shoes for school. Usually we end up going to Stride Rite, just b/c Katie has a wide foot and it is hard to find shoes that fit right, but she tried on some at Payless and they were fine, so I got like 6 pairs of shoes for about what I would pay for 2 at Stride Rite! Score! 

Anywho, we are in the process of getting the kids ready for bed now, and then I am off to clean the playroom and pick up the house a bit since I have people coming over tomorrow. I am SO beat from today, but don't want to feel rushed in the morning to get the house looking presentable. The playroom is such a huge mess, though, as usual, so that will be a big job...and I really need to wasch the kitchen floors...so I am thinking that even though my eyes are burning and I am about to pass out, it will be a late night...ugh.

So, being all inspired by the Olympics, I have decided to start swimming again. I swam in middle and high school, but haven't done it, even for exercise, in maybe 10 years. I HATE HATE HATE actual exercise equipment, though, so I figure I should start swimming to get in shape instead. Plus, Kai has been encouraging me to find a hobby, since he has 2 and I have 0.

I ordered my "supplies" online today, as I can't very well swim in my halter/skirted regular bathing suit...I also bought a kickboard, goggles, a cap, and a float to use between to my legs in order to build upper body strength. I am excited to start. 

I just have to get over leaving Ben in the Y childcare again. At least he can talk now, so that makes me feel a little better, but still. He doesn't take kindly to me leaving him, period, so we'll see how it goes. It's that or doing it at night after Kai gets home...b/c Lord knows I am not getting my butt out of bed at like 5am to do it.

Tonight Ben walked up to Katie and threw a toy truck at her head....then he took off running. Once he was a safe distance away from her he goes, Sorry Katie, Sorry Katie...haha. Funniest thing ever...well, at least for today. I don't even know where he learned "sorry" since I haven't taught him that word, but I guess he picked it up.

He also used his biggest sentence yet tonight. He said, I show Katie ball basket, mama. He had put a ball in a basket and had taken it over to his sister and then had to tell me all about it..too cute. I can't believe he is only a week and a half away from being 2!!! What happened to my baby!

Now that Kai is uploading pics of our Germany trip to the gallery, I have begun to update my other blog.

http://travelsindeutschland.blogspot.com/

In case you want to read about it!

Today we got back from a super fun weekend at Jellystone Park in Ashland NH. I use the words "super fun" b/c on Friday we got a postcard from Katie's new teacher and she wrote that they would be having a super fun year...yeah...she is must be like 12. Bubbly writing...super fun....greeeat.

ANYWHO, our weekend was really fun. We got there around 4:30 on Friday, which was later then I wanted, but Kai did have to work and we never leave on time for anything, anyway. Everyone else had already arrived, but not by much. The kids immediately started to play and didn't let up. I think they were all so happy to have a constant stream of friends. I am sure Katie will wake up tomorrow and be totally bored, asking for a playdate. 

The campground had a lot of ammenities. A spray park, pool, river...and they also hosted games and such for the kids. We never made it to the river, but the kids really enjoyed the spray park, and Katie saw around the pool a little, before deciding it was too cold. 

My one complaint is that it was really cold. A lot colder then I expected at night, and I had even brought extra blankets. Thankfully I had packed the kids flannel, Christmas pj's and so they were toasty warm...me, not so much. The first night I was freezing and in a lot of pain b/c the air mattress is just no good for me and I was having back pain that shot down my legs, and it was excruciating. Not fun and I didn't get much sleep. We also had a hard time getting the kids down b/c our tent happened to be thisclose to the campfire everyone gathered around at night...

Thankfully, on night #2, Misty offered to let the kids sleep in her cabin (they fancied it up), which was heated and had beds. Katie was happy to get to sleep on a top bunk, and we moved Ben's pack and play over which made putting him to bed a sinch on night 2. She even got up with them this morning and kept them for a while. 

Last night I too changed sleeping arrangements, and spent the night in Kai's truck. I just couldn't do cold and hurting again, so instead, being that without a bed I wasn't going to be able to stop the pain, I chose to be in pain but be somewhat warm. The truck did prove to be warmer, although just as uncomfortable as the air mattress, but I did sleep somewhat better being that I wasn't freezing to death. I did have a lot of weird dreams, though, so I didn't get as restful a sleep as I would have liked, but what can ya do. Next year we are doing a cabin b/c this old lady needs a bed!

I actually have bruises on both my hips b/c of how I slept this weekend...not good! I also think I am going to need to invest in an actual camping cot for when we do other camping trips, b/c I just cannot do the ground anymore. My body is screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

After we left the campground we stopped for a yummy lunch at the Tilt'n Diner, a favorite of our's, and then we headed home. Now I am enjoying some quiet time before retiring for the night to my nice, comfy bed...which isn't all that comfy, but will feel like heaven after this weekend.

Hopefully we will have pics up soon from this weekend...Kai is still working on getting up all our Germany pics in the gallery, but eventually we will have the others up as well.

Today we had a busy day trying to get ready for our camping trip this weekend, as well as squeezing in some fun. First we headed to the toy store to pick up a bday gift for a friend, and made a pit stop at the Dunkin Donuts next door. Katie was begging to go, and since she actually behaved herself while I was shopping we treated ourselves to a donut.

After running a few more errands we headed over to Great Brook Farm.  We got to see all the animals, feed them, and then to continue our sugar-fueled day, we got ice cream. Well, I didn't get any, as I am not a big ice cream fan, but Katie got some and Ben enjoyed some frozen yogurt. He has milk issues, but yogurt doesn't seem to effect him as badly...although he did have a little bit of a red butt tonight...

We spent a little over an hour there, which we techinically shouldn't have since you only get to park free for 30 mins if you are getting ice cream. Otherwise you are supposed to pay $2, but I didn't gave any single dollar bills for the machine, so wer risked it. Once we were done we headed home thinking Ben would take a nap and I could get some stuff done for our trip...yeah, right. What was I thinking. He had just had a chocolate frosted donut, of which the FROSTING was the only part he ate, then he ate the entire kids sized yogurt I got him...in a sugar cone. Clearly I was delusional thinking he would fall asleep.

Of course, he did get super tired and crabby at 4:30, and although I knew it wasn't a good idea, I put him down for a nap b/c he was just beside himself. He slept til almost 7pm, so needless to say he had a late night. Katie also fell asleep watching her favorite show, Fetch with Ruff Ruffman on PBS, so she wasn't exactly tired at bedtime either...oops!

Anywho, now both the kids are in bed, as well as Kai, and I am up baking cupcakes and trying to get everything packed for tomorrow. Pepsi has been my bff tonight b/c it is keeping me awake...something I am sure to regret tomorrow morning. I am trying to get stuff done b/c I want to take the kids to the 4H in the morning, and therefore cannot be running around the house trying to get stuff ready then. I just really want to take them b/c I know they will have so much fun, even though we already have a busy weekend planned. But at least they will get tired out for the ride up to NH.

Well, back to baking and packing... 

I don't even know why I bother listening to the weather. Today they made it seem like it was going to be cool, in the low 70's, but let me tell ya, it was freaking hot when I took the kids to the playground! I even put Ben in pants, thinking it might be a bit chilly for him. Um...no.

But the kids did have fun playing outside. Not that it seemed to tire them out, as both went to bed around 10:30 and were running around like maniacs up until then.

(sidebar: I just freaked myself out when I turned around and thought I saw Freddy Krueger in the window...turns out it was just my reflection melded with the reflection of the computer...I am so weird sometimes)

Anyhow, tonight we we shopping for food for our camping trip this weekend. We are going here and it looks to be really fun. We are going with a bunch of friends, which will make it even better. Still trying to work out how we are getting up there, though, as Kai doesn't want to take any vacation time and I want to get there early...so the kids and I might just drive up ourselves earlier in the day and meet Kai later. It isn't cheap to camp there since it is a "resort" campground and not our usual, in the woods camping, so I think we need to take full advantage in order to get our money's worth...so we'll see. 

I am also feeling quite ambitious and really want to take the kids to the 4H Friday morning before we leave. I love the 4H and the kids do, too (well, Katie really liked it and I am sure Ben will be thrilled to see animals) and since we are gone all weekend Friday morning is the only time we have to go. Mornings are tough for us, so we'll see what happens...but I really want to try and make it.

Tomorrow we have another low-key day. I feel like tomorrow should be Friday, though...for some reason this week seems extra long. Ah well! 

I cannot tell you how good it was to get out last night. I felt like I really needed the break, although I wish it had been longer! I went with a few friends to a small Vietnamese restaurant in Nashua. I love Vietnamese, so I was pretty excited! We had some yummy food, some nice conversation, and I was home BEFORE 10pm!!! AAAAH! A little early for my taste, especially since BOTH kids were still awake! Not cool! So I ended up hanging out with them, and having a book reading marathon, before I finally put them to bed. 

Today we have nothing planned, which is good. It means the kids can have a slow paced morning, which is always good for them. Neither one likes to move fast straight out of bed...which will be a problem 2 weeks from today when Katie starts school!

Where did the summer go? How are we 2 weeks away from school starting?! It feels like she just got out. Now September is right around the corner. Blah. We didn't get enough summer at all, and now it is practically winter, and I am kinda depressed about it. I guess we have to make the most of these last 2 weeks. It will kinda stink having to get back into the whole school routine and making Katie go to bed earlier and get up earlier. Never fun. I just wish summer were a little longer. Hopefully we won't have so many snow days this year...those kept us in school til the last week of June this year...and that really sucks away your summer, too.

Yesterday we had a playgroup at the house, and it turned out really well. For once, it didn't rain (yay!) and all the kids played great together. I set up the pool outside and the kids were able to swim and run around and burn off some energy.

After everyone left we ate lunch, which turned into quite the mess. I had given Ben a nectarine and when he was done I washed him up and threw the remainder away. Well, while I was on a potty break, he apparently went and got it out of the trash and proceeded to smush it ALL over the carpet. It was pretty amazing just how much of the living room rug he covered with it. When I came back into the room Katie said, Ben made a mess...um...no, really?! I told her that next time she sees him making a mess to tell me right away, not wait til I come back in the room!

Anyway, I tried to clean it up, but it was no use. It was really ground in and water just made it more slimy, so I emailed Kai and told him he had to rent a carpet cleaner b/c we had to clean the carpet. That mean, of course, that we had to clean all the carpets in the house since we would have the machine anyway. Kai was really good and cleaned all the rugs while I took care of the kids. It took him quite a while to do it all, but the carpets look SO good now. It was actually pretty exciting to see all the dirty water in the tank and know that a bunch of grossness was being removed...of course now I am worried the carpets will get super dirty again, so I am going to try to force the kids to only eat in the kitchen and remember to remove all shoes. It is hard b/c our kitchen is open right to the living room, so the kids always wander in there with food, plus we always have snacks and juice at playgrounds, too. BUT, I really want to implement a "food in the kitchen only" policy, just b/c I want to keep the carpet looking nice for a while!

It was good to get the stairs cleaned and all the upstairs carpets done, too...they all needed it. Kai even did the playroom, which I didn't expect, so bonus!

Anyway, today we had another good day. I took the kids to Misty's this morning for a little playdate. We had planned to hit a playground, but it was rainy this morning so we went to her house instead. The kids played, had lunch, and I got some adult conversation...always a good thing. We came home around 2 and I put Ben down for a nap and then cleaned up the house since everything got moved around with the carpets being cleaned, and some rooms needed a good scrub down anyway...i.e. the kitchen!

Tonight I am going out with some girls from my meetup group, which should be fun. I need a night away, although I am crossing my fingers Katie and Kai don't fight the whole time I am gone! Tomorrow we have nothing planned, so it will be nice to have just a quiet day for a change...I guess. Although I am sure we will venture out at some point as none of us are content just sitting around at home! 

Yesterday I went with the kids and my mom to Lake Winnisquam, near Tilton, NH. I mentioned before, but it was Becky's boyfriend's parent's place. Anyway, we had a great time. The weather was PERFECT...for once it didn't rain! We spent a few hours out on the boat and went tubing (Katie included!) and swimming and had a great time just enjoying riding around. I am old, though, so today I am in pain from tubing, but it was fun.

Becky also took me on the jetski a few times, which was really fun. Kinda freaked me out at first b/c I felt like I was going to go flying off, but I got over it. It is a REALLY nice, top of the line jetski...lol...I think it might have cost as much as our car. Really fun, though! Katie got to go on a couple rides, as well, and was very excited when Shawn let her "drive". There isn't really anything to hit in the middle of a lake, so she was able to actually steer without worry.

Anyway, I am telling you, I wish I could live the lake life year round. I love it. I think I love it more then the ocean, even (warmer, clearer, no sharks...ha). Maybe someday we can get a little place somewhere...plus the kids just love the water SO much. Someday!

Today we finally got around to taking the kids to Canobie Lake Park. We had a couple free tickets, thanks to a friend, and Katie has been asking to go practically on a daily basis. The forecast wasn't so great, but we decided to just go, mostly b/c tonight was the last night they were doing their Saturday fireworks, and I really wanted to go for that.

We did end up having to deal with 2 thunderstorms, one that produced hail, while we were there. Thankfully we were watching the skies closely and were able to seek cover before the rains began both times. After the storms passed, the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of the day, so we were happy for that.

Both kids had such a great time going on rides. Ben ws so excited to go on everything and it was really cute watching him on stuff. All I heard was, I ride neigh neighs, mommy, I ride boat, mommy, I ride truck/bus/fire truck/whatever else mommy...lol. Katie, of course, wast thrilled to finally be there and went on every ride she could. She was also excited to get cotton candy, which we had to purchase as soon as we got through the gates.

I think Katie's favorite ride was the flume. She went on 3 times in a row. We also made a quick trip to the little water area they have, but the water was super cold so we didn't stay long.

We ended up leaving the park close to 11pm. When we do stuff like this, we really do it and will close the place down. We were the last people in the kiddie ride area and I think the attendents were really anxious to see us leave...haha. But, hey, go big or go home, right? We like to make the most out of everything...just how we are.

Oh, and the fireworks were a big hit, too. Ben fell asleep right before they started, but ended up waking up and really enjoyed them. Katie kept saying how pretty they were, so then Ben started saying It's pretty, It's pretty...fireworks pretty...it was funny to hear him say the words pretty...

Anywho, now we are home. I thought ahead and brought pj's with us to the park so that we could change the kids before we left. They both fell asleep on the way home and promtly went to bed. I was actually a good packer today and brought rain stuff, an umbrella, changes of clothes (for myself even!), so I am pretty proud of myself. Usually I forget some critical item, but thank goodness not today.

Tomorrow we head up to the Tilton area for another lake day. Just the kids and I, and grammy, since Kai decided he wanted to go climbing instead. Apparently he has had enough family time lately. Should be fun. Katie is really looking forward to going tubing and I am sure Ben will be excited to ride on a real boat...just have to remember his life jacket!  

It's that time of year again where we have to sign the kids up for activities. It is pretty amazing how much stuff costs and we have had to go the cheap way this time around. Katie decided while we were in Germany that she wanted to try playing soccer again. She said she wouldn't cry this time...haha. Unfortunatly, at most of the indoor soccer places around here it costs $100 for like 6 weeks, and that is just WAY too much...especially when she might just end up hating it...again. Then I got the brilliant idea of seeing what the Y offered. We have a membership but I never think to look there for anything other then swimming. Well, come to find out they do have a preschool soccer program, and it is WAY cheaper then the other places, so I signed her up for that.

I also signed her up for swimming lessons again. Last night we were watching the Olympics and Katie told me when she gets bigger I will be watching her swim on the TV...so I asked her if she wanted to do 2 swim lessons instead of soccer, thinking if she had these high hopes for competitive swimming maybe she would just want to do that, but she insisted on doing soccer, so we have 1 swim lesson and then soccer. We'll see what happens. She loves swimming more then anything else, so I would like to get her into that eventually, but it's up to her.

I also signed Ben up for a mommy and me swim class. He should love that. That is the only thing I think Ben will be doing, though. He just isn't old enough to really appreciate anything else, and the Y didn't have baby soccer or anything...I might try gymnastics with him here in town, just b/c it is close and not too much, but we'll see. I mean, he isn't even 2 yet so no reason to go bankrupt putting him in stuff.

It really is crazy how much this stuff costs. It scares me to think of the cost if one (or both!) of them find a sport they really love and want to commit to...eek! Guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. 

This weekend my dad took the kids and I to Naples, ME. He has friends with a place there right on a lake, and has been wanting to take us up all summer. It was SO nice to be up there. The lake was gorgeous and the kids both loved it. Katie spent every second she could in the water, and Ben was his usual, let me see how far I can walk out before I drown, self.

The only downside was the fact that my father wouldn't *allow* me to swim about 50 meters offshore to the little dock floating in the water. Apparently he thought I would drown or get stuck or something. I mean, I just used to be a competitive swimmer and all, but I guess 50 meters was just too far for him...haha. I was like, dad, I am 31...if I want to swim out I CAN...but he was like, nope! Oh well. I hopefully will not be that controlling when my kids are grown! ha!

Between Germany and this little vacation I feel like I haven't fully settled back at home yet. In a way it is good b/c we are keeping busy, but part of me feels like I am in a total fog, just going one place to the next and I think I am about ready for the stability of home!

This weekend we have another busy couple days. Tomorrow we are going to attempt to take the kids to Canobie again, although the weather doesn't lool stellar. We might just bite the bullet and go, though. Then Sunday the kids and I are going, with my mom, to (this is long)...my sister Becky's boyfriends parent's house on a lake near Tilton, NH. They have a boat and Katie can go tubing and so I think it will be a fun day. Kai is going climbing, so it will just be us girls, but no biggee. He hasn't been able to go climbing this summer and I think he is "family-ed" out after our month in Germany..haha. And maybe I will actually be allowed to swim out over my head...hmmm...

I can't believe it is mid-August already. Before we know it, it will be Sept! Katie has been asking to go back to school, though, so I think she will be happy...but I am not ready to let summer go. I feel like it is practically winter already and I am freaking out!!!! Times like these I miss NC!