Losing Ourselves at Eight Mile

July 15 (from my journal)

8 Mile is a movie about Eminem that my father, oddly enough, had a thing for a few years back. When my parents chose 23 Pinecrest as our family retreat and clocked the distance to Loon as eight miles, the house quickly became "* Mile." Three years later, the name has stuck. It was adorable to see Jameson's face light up yesterday as he yelled "We're here, it's eight mile!" and pointed at the blue house.

It's Tuesday afternoon and we're on day two of our relaxing seven day New Hampshire excursion. I find myself sitting on the sofa, looking around at pictures from my childhood and feeling a bit sentimental. This house is an anything goes, everyone's welcome sort of crash pad which, in the last three years, has accommodated all types. It's seen happy vacationing families, newlywed couples, sick people on retreat, depressed runaways from life, fed up adults, excited budding skiers, tired hikers, and smiling swimmers. And, I think, that's exactly what mom and dad had in mind when they bought this place.

Today, we went into town and took a stroll down the strip. We got the kids a lolipop at the candy store, got ourselves a coffee at Cascade Coffee Shop, and walked down to Cascade Park where Jameson splashed around in the puddles. He is working himself up to sliding down the falls like the big boys do some day. He was totally impressed by all the water falls and has put in a request to return when he has his bathing suit. We'll have to make another trip.

Tomorrow, I think we'll drive over the Kancamangus to Glen where the Dirkes cousins are camping. Mom and dad got us a tent as the Russell family birthday present, but I don't think I'm ready to camp with two toddlers yet. I'll made a concerted effort to do that next year. For this trip, I think we'll go and hang out at the campground and catch up with our cousins. Jameson's the ring bearer in Robbie's wedding, so if nothing else, I think I should acclimate him to the family a bit. (We've been having him practice being the ring bearer in the long hallway upstairs, holding a pillow. He does a great job, so we'll see in October how he does in front of a crowd!)

Chad and Amy will be joining us with the kids on Thursday and Jameson is really excited to show Bodhi the lay of the land. He's been making a list of all the things that he needs to share with him, including his Buzz Lightyear sheets. We'll see how the four kids do under the same roof for four days!