Summer 2011 in pictures

We've done a lot this summer, from New York City to Maine and then Boston. We also took lots of trips to Lake George, Crandall Park, the Spa State Park, and spent a a few great days swimming in our friends pool. We also made it to the Saratoga Springs Racetrack at dawn on a Friday morning to watch the horses workout in the glow of a beautiful sunrise. We chose to release the kids from scheduled afternoon naps as that has resulted in difficult bedtimes and in the end it has afforded us the luxury of a great summer.Enjoy the view!

We spent a full day at our friend's family camp in Ticonderoga at the tip of Lake George. Luke learned to really swim in the Lake, jumped off the boat into the open water with minimal fear, and soaked up every moment of fun. Ellie warmed up to the idea of lake water and also jumped right in to John's arms off the boat. We also took the kids on the Minne-Ha-Ha, John remarked, "why do I feel like I'm on a ride at the Great Escape right now?" So true as you experience it through adult eyes.

Ticonderoga:

Minne-Ha-Ha

When John and I lived in downtown Saratoga he made me wake up super early one random weekday and dragged me to the track at about 6am to see the horses workout at sunrise. I didn't really know what to expect but once we were there I was blown away at the beauty of it. There was fog that was just rolling out at the sun was rising and all we could hear was the whoosing of the horses hitting the dirt track. It was romantic, unexpected and just a really perfect memory. John grew up at the track and knows the ins and outs of how it works behind the scenes. We decided since the kids are up early anyway we would take them for an early morning surprise. It was just as magical as that first time. A completely wonderful way to start a Friday.

We rediscovered Crandall Park on a random Saturday with Gramma Center. We saw huge fish, small fish, ducks, swans and almost saw a few turtles before they jumped in the water upon hearing us gasp at the sight of them.

Grandma Jane, Aunt Hannah, Leo and Jack adventured with us through the Spa State Park. It delighted us with it's geysers, bridges, waterfalls, and walking paths. We even saw a blue heron trying to fish for his lunch.

Random picnic at the library.

We're all a little exhausted from our action-packed weekends!

Also Luke had the tube in his left ear extracted as it was stuck in a huge mess of hard nasty wax. Possibly this is why he seemed to not be able to listen for awhile.

So that we don't forget

Every night I sing the kids two songs: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Hush Little Baby, which I change to Hush Little Luke/Ellie. Ellie sings along with me and this is how it goes:

Me: Hush little Ellie, don't say a word.
Her: I NOT sayin a word!

Me: Mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird.
Her: You not buy me dat?!

Me: And if that mocking bird doesn't sing, mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
Her: You not buyin me a diamon ring?!

It is hilarious to sing along to. Luke on the other hand pretty much instantly passes out at the beginning of Twinkle, Twinkle.

Mainely speaking

I grew up spending a week on the southern coast of Maine for nearly ever summer since I was about 7 years old. The memories of entire days spent on the beach with evenings full of restaurants and exploring the coastal towns of York, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and long evening trips to LL Bean. As kids we thought it was just insanely cool that LL Bean was open 24 hours. Returning to these somewhat hallowed grounds with my mom and my family proved nothing short of magical*.

Wells Beach

Welcome to Twinkle By The Sea

Our first walk to see the beach**

Making memories with Gamma

Inside the Scoop Deck

Memory making

The flip-side of the magic is that we were all honestly sleep deprived as the kids were up at 5:30am everyday and anytime we got in the car to go somewhere they would fall asleep, rendering our exploring to a minimum. Regardless, we managed to do a lot in our week. We saw Cars 2 which had Luke on the edge of his seat and me sord of in shock at the violence of it, John and Ellie took a nap.

We built sandcastles, boogie boarded and searched for crabs with my brother and his family.

As all the kids played together creating their canal-moat-boat launch, Ellie looked at my mom and said, "you wanna take pictures of your kids?"

Luke filled up on fish and chips and tried lobster for the first time. He is a fan to say the least. On our first Monday back home I told him we would be having chicken and broccoli for dinner and his response was, "well but Mom, that's not lobster!?"

This is him showing a kid he just met on the beach his take out container of lobster claws. The kid thought we found them on the beach. The lobster claws are still living in our fridge.

We went to the beach everyday.

We did make it to Kennebunkport.

Saw them making taffy in York and walked the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. We took two trolley rides and watched a lot of Disney cartoons.

Waiting for a trolley, Ellie fell asleep.

The Marginal Way

On another trolley ride, Luke fell asleep.

John and I spent an evening in York at Fun-O-Rama playing duck pin bowling and we both agreed it all kind of felt like a summer love first date.

Another date was had at Federal Jacks for a beer sampler and some mussels. After I boasted about how I was going to jog everyday, we only actually went twice. Still it's better than not going at all.

Fun times

Proof

The outdoor shower

Luke pointing to the back spiral staircase that he walked up all by himself, unbeknownst to us.

Our last morning and we found a surprise from cousin Jake on the front porch.

Thanks Jake for the Ugly Dolls!

*I would be lying if I didn't tell you that by Thursday John and I were both a little on edge, missing the routine of home and feeling as if the kids were running the entire vacation. My mom is pretty saintly for enduring our dual tantrum that kind of lasted into Friday. In the car one evening I told John we should listen to the country song, "You're gonna miss this." My mom laughed and I told Luke I was sorry for being grumpy. He looked at me and said, "You still love me though, right mom?" Perfect timing.

**Also just so that we never forget this, Luke gagged at the smell of the ocean and the first night we brought him to the beach he threw up his dinner. I found myself yelling, "this is vacation and we are going to have fun (god dammit!)"

Contrast

It was hot today. Too hot for a cardigan cover up so I owned my ridiculous tan lines at work and dreamed about where we were last week. Even though it was sleep deprived it was gorgeous. Proper post to come.

2:16

I had a doctor's appointment today and they weighed me. I was prepared and yet I wasn't. I haven't weighed myself in months, probably 6 months or more. I've waffled and hemmed and hawed about getting myself back to where I was pre-kids. I am not beating myself up for this, I've been there done that, far too many times. I ran on the treadmill tonight. I ran hard and exhausted myself and when I was done I felt amazing. This is the feeling I need to hang on to. The dripping sweat, racing heart, adrenaline rush is what needs to fuel my soul.

Life is but a dream

My current obsessions include:

The TV show Blue Bloods. Tom Selleck, even with this unnaturally black hair/eyebrows/stash reminds me of a hipper version of my dad. Not to be overshadowed by Magnum, Donny Wahlberg was my middle school crush, as in my bedroom was wall to wall NKOTB with a flair for all things Donny. Now he's all grown up and plays such an honorable man. It's not just a cop show, it's about family and doing the right thing with Manhattan as the background. I am hooked. Also I want to be invited for Sunday dinner at the Reagan house.

This site has me swooning and daydreaming for days on end of country picnics and summer date nights. I need to be thinner so that I can wear more of their stuff. Nice goal right? Nothing says motivation like "our belts fit best with 26" waists". After weeks of stalking their site I finally placed an order after I got over the fact that they consider my size to be "curvy plus-size". *sigh*

Ellie calls her eyebrows "rainbows" and I cannot get enough of that. She also likes to sing Row, Row, Row, Your Boat non-stop. I am crushing on how she says "mer-wi-wee" for merrily.

Luke can't wait to go on vacation, he says he's most looking forward to living in a beach house. Me too!