Mike left yesterday to NC on his first vacation alone in, well, about 5 years, maybe? It's surprising to say it, since I leave every week, but it's the first time I've been alone with both kids for more than a few hours. And last night was the first time I've ever put both to bed!
Jake, Abby and I have been enjoying being by ourselves a lot. Last night I had pre-prepared their favorite dinner (pasta wheels with ground turkey) and unveiled a special new kind of ice cream (fudge swirl) that even Abby seemed to like. That was followed by a very calm evening and today is much of the same. We all went to drop Jake off at school, which threw Abby's morning nap off, but she's sleeping early now. We've had a few rough edges, mostly when there's some part of Jake's routine I don't know about and he gets a bit weepy before telling me, but for the most part, all is well.
Honestly, I love how quiet the house is, too.
We have some social engagements for this afternoon and tomorrow and we're all looking forward to them. Mike is visiting his friend Ken and staying in my fancy hotel in Durham. I spoke to him last night after his quiet 4 hour drive and nice dinner and he sounded SO HAPPY! He deserves it!!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Snow Day!
We woke up today to a true winter wonderland - 8 inches of snow on every single branch as far as the eye could see!
Jake was beside himself, running from room to room to see the snow from every window. Despite our weekly stint of driveway snowblowing when we lived in Setauket (when he was just a wee babe), and a pre-nap and pre-melt quick snowman when he was 2, this was really his very first significant snow experience.
He made snowballs, angels, helped cleaned the cars, dragged sticks around, went sledding at Gram's house, and spent about an hour with the neighbor boys digging and kicking the hard snow pile left by the snowplow this afternoon. We tried to do another snowman but the snow today was too powdery. We also had hot chocolate breaks and I made him a mini snowman of marshmellows as part of his lunch. It was a great day!
We suited Abby up (against some protests) and took her out in the morning. She refused to wear her mittens and thought the snow was mighty cold on her hands (which it was). She didn't smile much but when I asked her if she wanted to go in she shook her head no and made the sign for more. Finally, her fingers turned bright red and I took her in. She spent the rest of the day smiling at Jake from inside. I think walking is a good pre-requisite for really enjoying snow.
It was blindingly sunny in the afternoon and the whole house was lit up. A magical snow day for all of us!
Jake was beside himself, running from room to room to see the snow from every window. Despite our weekly stint of driveway snowblowing when we lived in Setauket (when he was just a wee babe), and a pre-nap and pre-melt quick snowman when he was 2, this was really his very first significant snow experience.He made snowballs, angels, helped cleaned the cars, dragged sticks around, went sledding at Gram's house, and spent about an hour with the neighbor boys digging and kicking the hard snow pile left by the snowplow this afternoon. We tried to do another snowman but the snow today was too powdery. We also had hot chocolate breaks and I made him a mini snowman of marshmellows as part of his lunch. It was a great day!
We suited Abby up (against some protests) and took her out in the morning. She refused to wear her mittens and thought the snow was mighty cold on her hands (which it was). She didn't smile much but when I asked her if she wanted to go in she shook her head no and made the sign for more. Finally, her fingers turned bright red and I took her in. She spent the rest of the day smiling at Jake from inside. I think walking is a good pre-requisite for really enjoying snow.
It was blindingly sunny in the afternoon and the whole house was lit up. A magical snow day for all of us!
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Waiting for the Snow
Here's Jake, this afternoon around 3:30, after lining up all his farm animals on the window to watch the snow just starting to fall. Such excitement!
And here he is an hour later, on the back deck, "collecting" snow. This has become his default snow activity, mostly because he can do it even when we get a scant 1/2 inch, usually the norm. He brings out cups and tupperware containers, fills them with ice or snow, and then brings them inside to watch them melt and apportion them to even more containers. It is amazing how satisfying this activity is for him.
By 6pm, there was a real inch or so of nice wet snow on the ground and Jake and I went out after dinner to get the snowshovels out from under the house and build a small snowman. He was so excited. The snow is real this time - we didn't tell him but it's supposed to be 5-8 inches by tomorrow! We are so excited that he'll FINALLY get a real snow day this season. He tried to make snow angels tonight too but it was not thick enough.
We've got tape ready in the videocam and Abby's snowsuit all ready for some great snow play in the morning!
And here he is an hour later, on the back deck, "collecting" snow. This has become his default snow activity, mostly because he can do it even when we get a scant 1/2 inch, usually the norm. He brings out cups and tupperware containers, fills them with ice or snow, and then brings them inside to watch them melt and apportion them to even more containers. It is amazing how satisfying this activity is for him.
By 6pm, there was a real inch or so of nice wet snow on the ground and Jake and I went out after dinner to get the snowshovels out from under the house and build a small snowman. He was so excited. The snow is real this time - we didn't tell him but it's supposed to be 5-8 inches by tomorrow! We are so excited that he'll FINALLY get a real snow day this season. He tried to make snow angels tonight too but it was not thick enough.We've got tape ready in the videocam and Abby's snowsuit all ready for some great snow play in the morning!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bubbling Beauty
Abby seems to be recovering, finally, from her multiple bouts of illness. She's down to just one symptom: a perpetually runny nose. Otherwise, she is her usual bubbly self!
She also moved to the big tub a few weeks ago and loves bathing there. Sometimes Jake joins her but usually she has it all to herself. (She falls over if the tub is full to his level, so usually she bathes first and then I run more water for Jake.)
Her most common activity in the past 3 days? Standing up slowly from a squatting position and then beaming as she balances standing straight up, for longer and longer each time. We're trying to get it on video - it is adorable. Even Jake starting clapping and cheering for her. She is clearly so very proud.
She also moved to the big tub a few weeks ago and loves bathing there. Sometimes Jake joins her but usually she has it all to herself. (She falls over if the tub is full to his level, so usually she bathes first and then I run more water for Jake.)
Her most common activity in the past 3 days? Standing up slowly from a squatting position and then beaming as she balances standing straight up, for longer and longer each time. We're trying to get it on video - it is adorable. Even Jake starting clapping and cheering for her. She is clearly so very proud.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sick, Sick, Sick
So, we're going on 3 weeks of Abby being sick here and I've had quite enough. I'm sure she has too! We've had colds and congestion and ear infections and two different antibiotics and crying all day and hives from head to toe and crying all night. Poor little thing. I'll feel more like writing when we get to the end of this lousy spell.
On the other hand, I just got word from a friend of mine in SF that her daughter was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with leukemia. They are moving back to the city to do her radiation therapy and trying to reorganize her older sister's life. Puts things in perspective - a few hives and a few nights of lost sleep suddenly seem really quite ok.
Still, we're tired. Wish us well soon!
To go with our feeling of general wackiness in the universe, here's a funky photo Jake and I made with the webcam last weekend. He loved the special effects options.
On the other hand, I just got word from a friend of mine in SF that her daughter was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with leukemia. They are moving back to the city to do her radiation therapy and trying to reorganize her older sister's life. Puts things in perspective - a few hives and a few nights of lost sleep suddenly seem really quite ok.
Still, we're tired. Wish us well soon!
To go with our feeling of general wackiness in the universe, here's a funky photo Jake and I made with the webcam last weekend. He loved the special effects options.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Taste of Spring
It was 67 degrees here on on Sunday! We all spent the afternoon outside with two other families on our neighbor's back deck and yard. The three big boys helped rake paths in the woods and got all muddy rescuing boats from the creek; the two babies explored the sandbox (a first for both of them; much sand was ingested) and snacked. What a lovely break in our long, illness-filled winter!
James with a truck
Abby, sharing
Drake, standing
Drake and Ashleigh
Abby, serious at the sandbox
Jake, running the path in the woods
Happy Gram!
Aren't these photos amazing? Kudos to Mike, who sees the world best in black and white. And has found a way to get cheap and quick digital scans from his film camera!
These two were on the same roll. I love them. (just click on them to enlarge - they're worth it!)
James with a truck
Abby, sharing
Drake, standing
Drake and Ashleigh
Abby, serious at the sandbox
Jake, running the path in the woods
Happy Gram!Aren't these photos amazing? Kudos to Mike, who sees the world best in black and white. And has found a way to get cheap and quick digital scans from his film camera!
These two were on the same roll. I love them. (just click on them to enlarge - they're worth it!)
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