Weekend Recap

It was another very busy summer weekend in Rhode Island and the Russells are exhausted! We crammed a lot of events into three days and the warm weather and lack of sleep have really taken their toll. Bob is currently asleep on the sofa "working from home," Madelyn is upstairs napping, and Jameson is passed out on the floor on his Winnie the Pooh couch. Aaaaah, the sound of silence!

Friday was a lot of fun. I spent the day with Brandee, who is all done with school for the summer and the kids were thrilled. We all went down to Gooseberry Island Beach to meet some friends. They really enjoyed showing Aunt Brandee how far they could go into the water. It's a remarkable change from last year, when Jameson would start screaming and squirming out of my arms as soon as my feet hit the sand. It was great and the kids had a blast until it started raining and we packed up and headed home for naps.

Later, we joined a bunch of other families from the mom's club at Narragansett Beach for the air show preview and it was awesome. I've lived in Rhode Island all of my life and somehow never knew about this, but the entire air show practice is on display over the water, kicked off by paratroopers landing on the sand! Jameson was in absolute awe and was adorable pointing out the planes to his little sister, who was glued to Brandee the whole time. (It's really cute; she's been waking up from her naps screaming "Brandee! E!!! Odin!!!!" over and over.) Anyway, both kids got soaked and sandy but were very very happy.

Next, we capped the night off at Amy and Chad's house where the kids ran around and played while Bob and I enjoyed some adult beverages and conversation. We left way too late, but it was a lot of fun. I love having so many friends with kids to hang out with; it's an awesome support system and they've all really begun to feel like family.









On Saturday night, we took the kids to see Water Fire in Providence, and as always, it was a remarkable experience. This one was especially fun because APC was sponsoring and had a corporate tent where we were served food and drinks and there were games for the kids to play. It was wonderful to get a chance to hang out with my friend Renee, a fellow APC wife, especially since Bob was bopping around talking to "work people," leaving me with two kids! Jameson missed Renee's son Ian, who was home with his Grandma, and spent the rest of the night asking me where Ian and Ian's mommy were. Madelyn, as always, acted like a starving child and devoured everything in sight--including a huge cone of cotton candy that my mom gave her (thanks, mom!) She kept taking off for the cotton candy machine and begging the guy for more. She stayed up in her bed talking for about an hour after we got home (after midnight again). It would have been really cute if I wasn't absolutely exhausted. (As a side note, I just wanted to add that Madelyn learned to RUN today and I am very very scared...)

We tried to have a mellow day of R&R on Sunday, but that, of course, did not happen. I did get to sleep in, but we were off to the beach again before lunch time, and as always, I'm glad that we went. Jameson became quite the dare devil in the water and will now wade in all the way to his neck! (He and Bodhi helped each other out on this one, playing a game of who can go out further with each other.) Madelyn spent most of her time eating and raiding Amy's food bag. I feel like half my day is spent shoveling food into this girl's mouth. Can you say growth spurt? Bob, who refused to wear sun screen so that he could get a "base tan," (and I'm not saying that in an I-told-you-so kind of fashion, just stating the facts) got absolutely roasted and could barely move by night time.

Next, we were off to Ryan and Rachel's welcome home party in Warwick and got to meet their adorable son Zachary for the first time. It was really nice to catch up with that group a bit; we haven't seen much of our Coventry crew in a while! Everyone is starting to catch up with us and there were babies (and thoughts of babies-to-be) all over the place!

Strawberry Shortcake, Anyone?

Yesterday morning, the kiddos and I went off on our first strawberry-picking adventure of the year with the Hip Mamas. We did a lot of picking last year. I'm pretty sure it was about once a week that Kristen and I were taking the kids to one farm or another to pick a fruit of some sort. I have wonderful memories of our many trips to Sweet Berry Farm in search of strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, raspberries, and blackberries. The kids got to know which path led to which fruit and made a game out of reading the arrow signs with pictures of the fruit we would be picking that day. Haley made up songs and got the boys to sing along with her while they walked. Something about the drive over the bridge and down the dirt path that leads to the farm stand seemed to lull us into a state of serene bliss.

Months after we started making the trek "all the way to Middletown," we brought some other friends there with us who, for whatever reason, just didn't get what was so special about that place and made some comments about the drive, the scarcity of peaches at that time of the year, etc etc. So, I think it may have been the journey that hooked us, and our walks from the car to the orchards were probably an eye catching glimpse into the wonderful world of walking meditation which we have since discovered. I remember coming away from there thinking aloud to myself, "Wow, this is the life..."

Anyway, strawberry picking today at Schartner's didn't have that same happy, relaxing tranquility to it. I wouldn't say it was better or worse, but our day just had a totally different tone. We met up with a big group of people that ended up being a bit scattered across the field, so it was fun to walk around, pick berries, and bump into friends...kinda like a cocktail hour minus the drinks.

Jameson and Maddie were happy to be in the presence of play group pals. Both kids were hungrily picking strawberries and stuffing their faces like they hadn't eaten in years. I brought two big containers to fill and had grandiose plans of strawberry shortcakes, strawberry bread, and strawberry ice cream. The first container was about a quarter of the way full before Jameson had to pee and tried to pull his pants down in the middle of the field. So, we had to pack up and leave before the newly discovered art of peeing outside was showcased for a group of fifty onlookers who would probably be none too pleased about urine in the strawberry patch. I did see a port-a-potty on the way out, but no way were we going there again.

More Boats, Please!

I had really been looking forward to Tuesday--the first summer concert of the year at the town docks. (We frequented this series last year with the kids and it was great; Jameson ran around and danced, we attempted to feed him picnic dinners, and we spent some nice quality time with my Grandma who really enjoyed showing the kids off.

That was back when Madelyn was still in the sling and Jameson was still in his hitting phase, so I'm really looking forward to her being able to dance and for him to have fun without getting put in time out every ten minutes.) So, I had us all packed up, dinner and all when Bob got home at 6:00.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans and we found out when we arrived that the concert had been canceled. Jameson was bummed because I told him earlier that there would be music and friends, so we sat and watched the HUGE clouds passing by and all the boats racing back to the dock before the storm and ate our dinner.

Bob hopped out for a few minutes and took some pictures of the clouds. It was actually a pretty spectacular site and I'd say that we had just as much fun watching boats as we would have watching a band. After each one passed, the kids would both yell "More boats, please!" as if we could control the ebb and flow of the town docks. I'm pretty certain that they think I have super powers and can make just about anything appear--milk, peanut butter and jelly, the bathroom...

Next Time, Won't You Sing With Me?

Jameson sings the ABC's to his sister, who eats it up!

Too Early

Madelyn woke up at 5AM (for the second time; I brought her into our bed half asleep when she woke up the first time at 3AM.) She kept saying water over and over again and, when I didn't respond, she slid down the side of the bed, walked to the stairs, and was halfway down them when I caught up to her. Apparently, she was resorting to self service!

My Sweet Little Girl

For the past few weeks, Madelyn (who has always been very lovable) has been really affectionate; hugging, kissing, telling us she loves us, wanting to hold hands with her brother, and just being downright adorable. She goes off and plays by herself a lot, but all of a sudden will break away from what she is doing and run at me at a pretty fast clip with her arms up, screaming "hug!" with a huge smile on her face. She wraps her arms around me, gives me a kiss, and goes back to what she is doing. I call it her emergency hug, and I just love it.

Jamesonisms

Every time I drive past McKay's Front Porch, Jameson points and tells me "My nana take me there other day. We sit on lots of chairs." I never knew what he was talking about, being that I had no memory of my mother ever taking him there, so I called and asked her about it today. Apparently, she brought him there a year ago and let him sit on the chairs. He wouldn't have even been two yet. He obviously has no sense of time since he thought that it was the other day, but that boy has the memory of an elephant!

Last week, my mom told the kids that she had a present for them and gave them each a little toy tractor; a blue one for Madelyn and a red one for Jameson. Today, we drove past a construction site on the way to Nikki's for play group. Jameson was so excited that he yelled "Mom, you seeing this?" I pulled over and let him ooh and aah at the tractors for a minute or two (even though we were running late. You have to stop and smell the roses every once in a while, right?) As we pulled away, he told me, "At my house, we have two tractors. One blue, one red!"

If I Had My Life to Live Over by Nadine Stair

When we went out for ice cream at Brickley's tonight, I saw a copy of this poem on the wall and it made me smile. I guess I liked it because I've been making a really concerted effort at not having any regrets and to really enjoy all of the wonderful things that are going on right now. It's really easy to get caught up in all of the things that we should be doing, but I love the way that Bob and I are able to just sit back and enjoy. I think that we are raising two very neat little people who, I hope, are enjoying the series of moments that make up our lives.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd
have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over
again, I'd have more of them. In fact,
I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments.

One after another, instead of living so many
years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never go anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot
earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter next time.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

By Nadine Stair (age 85)

What a Great Weekend!

I'm in the last five minute stretch at the end of a pretty fun weekend and about ready for bed. Our family spent a lot of time with the Parks family the past few days and it was really nice.

On Saturday, we had good intentions of going to the strawberry festival at Smith's Castle, but we got a late start and it didn't work out, so we ended up at the beach in the afternoon. The kids had a blast swimming, flying a kite, playing in the sand, and eating fun beach snacks. We absolutely loved it. Later, we had a cookout/margarita night which was a great way to decompress.

Today, Chad and Bob were hard at work finishing Amy's new kitchen, and I'm happy to report that (with the exception of some small cosmetics) it is done! We went to the Wakefield block party and had ice cream at Brickley's to celebrate. It was delicious! Madelyn, after almost a month of practice, is quite the connoisseur of ice cream cones and wasn't even messy when she finished, but was begging for more. That girl can eat! She constantly has food in her mouth, and expects everyone around to be feeding her. In fact, at the block party today, she was approaching perfect strangers with ice cream cones and cookies, asking in her most pathetic voice, "Bite?" as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.

The pool project is now at a bit of a stand still, which is perfectly fine with me. Some day, we will have a pool, and I'm looking forward to that day, but it's nice to have a break from it. For now, life is a beach...quite literally. We had a great time there on Saturday, so I think there will be a lot of beach runs in our future. All I have to do now is figure out how to get them to nap on the sand and I'll be in business!

A Day With No Nap!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh. It was a rough one, and I am now really dreading the days when my kids no longer nap (I took a poll at play group the other day and it seems that it may be sooner rather than later for my darling Jameson. Please, sweet heart, don't grow up...) In my house, nap time is a time for many things. It's a time for me to get caught up on chores, to talk on the phone, to read a book, to just sit still for a minute, or even, sometimes, to take a nap myself.

Today, there were none of those things. We were busy most of the day, so I suppose I have only myself to blame for the thrown off schedule and the lack of rest. We had fun, though, so I guess it was totally worth it. We had playgroup this morning at Amy's house, and we ended up hanging out there for most of the day which both the kids and I really enjoyed. Then, we were back home for a short while before animal class at Wonder Junction which is always a wonderful time--I'll write more about that later. Afterward, we walked over to Yellow River with Amy, Bodhi, and Dharma for some yummy Chinese food and an all-out three-way wrestling match between the three bigger kids under the table. I'm certain that the wait staff was thrilled when we finally left.

And now, at 10:20, the kids have only just gone to sleep--how it is that they went without a nap all day and stayed up later than usual ceases to amaze me, but how those little bodies work is a complete mystery to me anyway...

Halloween in June

We had about an hour to kill this afternoon and Jameson was getting really antsy about when we were leaving for Wonder Junction, so I pulled out a box of old Halloween costumes that we seem to have collected the past few years.

Bob was home from work today, so he ran around with them a bit while they pretended to be a puppy dog, a monkey, a lion, a care bear, a pumpkin, and a giraffe. It was especially cute to see Jameson pull off his costume and ask in a very high-pitched voice that I can only assume he is copying from me, "You wanna wear this costume baby, you wanna wear this one?" She would do this dramatic head nod. It was really very sweet and loving the way he shared with her and how patiently he waited; he has become such a great big brother. He would help her into the costume and make sure that she could peek her little face through so she could make bear noises, monkey noises, giraffe noises (which are up for huge debate in our house) and lion noises. That's right...I literally live in a zoo.

Car Wash: $6; Happy, Smiling, Giggling, Clapping Babies in the back seat: Priceless

We went to Warwick to go shopping for new shoes for Madelyn yesterday. On our way back to the car, Jameson told me (while pointing at a Lexus) that he wanted THAT car; not our red car. Our car is too dirty. So, I told him that maybe sometime we would go to the car wash.

We finished up our errands and I told the kids that we were all done, time to go home. Jameson, in his most pitiful voice from the back seat said, "Mom, you told me car wash today." (I most certainly did not say anything about today.) So, I made a u-turn and drove back to the car wash at the gas station. What can I say, I'm a sucker for that sad, pleading face he puts on. Just don't tell him that! It cost me $6 and took about three minutes to get my car washed, but the effect on the kids was absolutely priceless.

Jameson was just thrilled. I should have unbuckled his car seat and let him bounce around the car. He was squealing with delight and wiggling all over the place trying to get a better look at the brushes out the windows. Madelyn was a bit apprehensive at first, but took cues from her brother and was clapping, smiling, and giggling in no time. I really love being their mom.

Diapers

Luckily, Jameson has been potty-trained for about a month now, so I'm down from 10 to about 5 diapers a day, which is a really wonderful thing. Madelyn is, in turn, fascinated by the potty and uses it here and there, but nothing to write home about, really.

Today, she picked up her doll, flipped her over, and smelled her bottom. Then, with a very disapproving face and a shake of her head, told her "New diaper. Yuck!"

The Two Most Handsome Boys...

This morning, as I was combing Jameson's hair after his bath, I told him,

"Jameson, you are the most handsome boy in the whole world!"

To which he replied, "No, my daddy is!"

Tom Petty---AAAAAHHHHHH!!!

Brandee, Evan, Bob, and I went on a double date to the Tom Petty concert in Hartford on Wednesday and it was an absolute blast. When I pitched the idea to my sister back in March when we bought the tickets, (my 3rd anniversary present to Bob) I told her that it would be fun--we'd have a "Trainer girl" sing-a-long. And we did! The only thing that would have made it better would be if mom, dad, and Brent had come, but it was a really fun sisters-and-husbands trip just the same.

Standing there among a group of college-aged girls who kept jumping up and down and shrieking "Tom Petty--AAAHHH!!!" every time he started to play, I suddenly felt very grown up. I've been feeling that way for a while now--a little disconnected from my friends who I used to party with. The whole concert experience, (getting a babysitter, worrying about Madelyn getting to sleep, hanging with my sister and our husbands on a field full of drunk, stoned, gamed-out concert riff raff, driving back in the middle of the night... ) reminded me that the past three years of motherhood really have changed me.

I guess I'm not any better or worse, just different. These days, I care about and prioritize much different things than I did before. Fun things are totally different. And I think that different is a wonderful thing. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Tom Petty concert...but I would have probably been just as happy to go see the Toe Jam Puppet Band at the beach with the kids.

"Skiman!!! I Love You!!!"

A video of my father as Loon Mountain's infamous "Skiman" found its way to you tube last winter, and Jameson often asks to watch the clip. He sits in front of the computer and chuckles and excitedly yells "Ski Man!" at all the appropriate times with the boys on the tape.

This morning, he brought a magnet to the breakfast table with his fruit loops, which he proceeded to fly through the air like a superhero saying "Ski man...I love you!!!" over and over. It took me a few tries to figure out what he was saying, so he finally pointed to the magnet and told me, "This my daddyo. Him skiman." Then he shrugged his shoulders and carried on with what he was doing. "You got it mommy?"

It's gonna be a HOT one!

We're on day four of a ferocious heat wave and we've been hunkering down at the Morelli's, weathering the storm so-to-speak. Their house is air conditioned and they completed their backyard oasis last year, a quaint spot that Kristen has affectionately dubbed "Lake Paulo." I would be lying to say that I wasn't the tiniest bit jealous, but lucky for us, they're happy to share. We had a great time swimming in the pool and making good use of the barbecue grill. We were there for a day and a half, and the kiddos were bummed when it was time to go. I think they're going to be really excited when, someday, our pool is done.

Mom left for Africa today. The kids will miss her very much--especially Madelyn who seems to be convinced that Nana is her second mother. The last time she was gone for a few days, Maddie would go hang onto the bars of the gate that keeps her from escaping into the basement and scream "Nana!" Jameson would put his hand on her shoulder and with the utmost in big-brotherly persuasion explain, "Baby, Nana not home. Her at 8-Mile." She was in Spain, but according to Jameson, if Nana is not at home, she is at 8 Mile. The last few years of her globe trotting have been a pretty amazing thing. I just realized as I typed "Mom left for Africa today" that I say it with the same vigor and zeal as one might say "Mom went to the store," but it really is a pretty cool that she's doing exactly what she said she wanted to do. She's racked up quite a few passport stamps and is the queen of foreign travel.

We're back home and winding down for bed--and winding up for Tom Petty tomorrow--woo hoo! My sister has this theory about making your life a happy one by living every night like it's a Friday and I feel like that's how this week is going so far. I'm cool, calm, happy, and ready to see what's coming up next!

A Day With No Husband...

The last few weekends have been big "working" weekends for Bob, as he has spent his days toiling away at our pool project. It has turned into a huge undertaking--probably quite a bit more than either us had bargained for, but I have been visualizing margaritas on the pool deck on a hot summer's afternoon and that's what gets me through the day!

So, the kids and I spent the second Sunday in a row off on our own at a Hip Mama event. I got the kids up, dressed, and out of the house by 11:00 (it doesn't sound that impressive, but it really is) and met some friends at Goddard Park for the Animal Planet Expo at 11:30. The kids had a great time, playing in the bounce house, going through an alligator obstacle course, petting kittens, and watching a dog frisbee-catching contest.

I must say, I don't know how single parents cope. How is it possible to do this sort of thing with one pair of arms? For example, Jameson, my newly crowned "Potty Champion," had to take a trip to the port-a-potty (his first and quite possibly my last.) I put Madelyn in the Ergo carrier on my back and squished in there with him, holding him up to the seat while repeating over and over "don't touch that!" to both of them. Jameson wanted to know what the suspicious-looking white thing in the urinal was (I don't know, but it's a no-touch!), Madelyn wanted to play with the purell dispenser on the wall, and I had to squat down on the suspiciously wet floor with the baby on my back to pull Jameson's pants back up.

I was actually about ready to call the whole thing off a few minutes later, deciding that I was totally out of my element trying to chase two small children around, both going in opposite directions, when Jameson spotted my mother out of the crowd--Nana to the rescue! She was a huge help and I was just thrilled to have her there; which pretty much sums up how I feel about my mom these days. She's always been a wonderful mother, but I never could have imagined how great she would be with my children.

Anyway, the kids are both upstairs napping and I'm going to sit out on the deck ALONE for a bit. My mother's been reading The Secret and we've been making jokes about things coming to us if we just visualize them...so I guess I'll go visualize that pool a bit more!

Awwww, Madelyn!

Madelyn has recently developed a total aversion to her high chair. I strap her in, and the first time I turn my back, she's slipped out of her harness and is standing four feet in the air on top of her food tray. I will admit that it's absolutely adorable, her standing there beaming and clapping her hands with pride--but as her mother, it drives me nuts.

So, I moved her to Jameson's little table for her meals, which they both think is great. This was a pivotal point for Jameson in Madelyn's transition to a big girl. "Mom, my baby is big now?" Yes, Jameson, sadly, our baby is big. (I haven't figured out why that's so sad for me. I've just been having a tough time with my baby girl growing up. I cried on her first birthday.)

The only problem with Madelyn at the "big kid" table is that she now wants to pick up her plate and walk around the house with it. I don't doubt that they make some sort of sticky plate or suction-cup-to-the-table bowl that would make my life easier, but I haven't actually pursued those avenues yet, being only on day two of breakfast and lunch messes.

No sooner do I put the plate down than Madelyn is toddling off toward the living room, compartmentalized dish in hand, leaving a trail of bite-sized pieces of pineapple, cubes of carrots, and tiny chunks of chicken in her wake. Jameson is never far behind, quick to be the enforcer of house rules, shrieking

"Awwww, Madelyn! You make mess! Mom, look what baby doing! Baby, STOP!!!"

Ugh. Jameson, no tattling. Madelyn, go sit on your bum. Hey, who wants to help mommy vacuum?!