Today the kids and I went Letterboxing. Rachel LOVED it!! Ben was asleep most of the time but enjoyed a bit of a walk in the woods and Rebecca, well she is good all the time.
We found 4 letterboxes, all in Deering, and all simple. It was a great introduction to the sport. It was also fun to look at all the other stamps from people who came before us. Kinda hard to imagine that these little boxes are hidden behind stones, and in logs practically in our backyards. She has asked to go again, so Chad and I are going to use this as weekend entertainment and an opportunity to hike a bit (I am out of breath already) but it will be fun for all of us.
If you are interested in Letterboxing, all you need is a notebook, a stamp and pad and, of course, the directions to the hidden treasures. They are hidden all over the US and it is a great family activity that we can do for years. Check it out! www.letterboxing.org then click on the map. Happy Hunting!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Chad's keychain vs. my keychain
There is a profound statement to be made here. I think it says a lot about the differences between Chad and I. Can't put it into words, though. The picture will have to do.
Mother's Day
Finally downloaded a picture of my mother's day flowers. Aren't they beautiful!! They were picked by all three of my kids. *warm fuzzy*
Rachelism
On a drive to Claremont to return some goodies to WalMart Rachel called to me from the backseat.
"Mom, I'm dehydrated. Can we stop and get some water?"
Chad and I laughed about it all the way home. That's my girl!
"Mom, I'm dehydrated. Can we stop and get some water?"
Chad and I laughed about it all the way home. That's my girl!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Mr. Wheat
Last night we got a call that our tenant and friend John, AKA "Bucky" had been in an accident on his bike and was in critical condition. He had initially been taken to Concord Hospital, but then airlifted to Dartmouth. Not good. They had called his brother to come as they needed to have a blood relative there....they didn't know if he would last the night.
The good news is that he did. He is in ICU but that is all I know as I can't get in contact with anyone. It is making me crazy.
To know John is a unique experience. He sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an auto accident at age 22 when he was driving drunk. Talk about a consequence. He remembers who he was and all the things he used to do (he was an artist) and now he can barely scrawl his name. He is slow. Not that he has a low IQ, but that you'd better take a seat when talking to him as it will take a while for him to form his thoughts and then physically say it intelligibly. The brain injury effected his balance and also the way he learns (ie. in order to learn something he has to repeatedly practice it, not just be told what to do, or what not to do). He is "overly friendly" and can be inappropriate by today's standards. Harmless, but he definitely invades your personal space. Again, this is a result of the TBI.
Add to this that he is a NICE guy. Genuine, honest, trustworthy and will do an honest days work. He will help you however he can and loves to listen. He just wants to be loved.
We were over at the trailer today as our guys were repainting the front of it white, and suddenly I was just overwhelmed with grief. The unfairness of it....the shock of having such a serious outcome from a bike accident. It is really bothering me. Consuming me. I need to know he will be alright. I told Chad to mow the lawn, and I felt like I wanted to go get a load of mulch and spread it for him. He is a great tenant and keeps the place looking wonderful.
Chad said, "You know he may never get back here...he may have to go into residential placement." Yes, I do know that. I am just thankful he survived the night. I know it but....I can't allow it. John is not our best friend, but he has been our friend, our employee and our tenant for a long time. More than a decade. We have seen him through his highs and lows, encouraged him, coached him and laughed with him. True, he has never been over for dinner. He doesn't come to birthday parties and we don't exchange Christmas cards (although this year I might!) but the thought of him not living in "Bucky's Box" is just not acceptable. Wierd.
We love you, John....Bucky....Mr. Wheat. We're praying for you! Come home soon!
The good news is that he did. He is in ICU but that is all I know as I can't get in contact with anyone. It is making me crazy.
To know John is a unique experience. He sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an auto accident at age 22 when he was driving drunk. Talk about a consequence. He remembers who he was and all the things he used to do (he was an artist) and now he can barely scrawl his name. He is slow. Not that he has a low IQ, but that you'd better take a seat when talking to him as it will take a while for him to form his thoughts and then physically say it intelligibly. The brain injury effected his balance and also the way he learns (ie. in order to learn something he has to repeatedly practice it, not just be told what to do, or what not to do). He is "overly friendly" and can be inappropriate by today's standards. Harmless, but he definitely invades your personal space. Again, this is a result of the TBI.
Add to this that he is a NICE guy. Genuine, honest, trustworthy and will do an honest days work. He will help you however he can and loves to listen. He just wants to be loved.
We were over at the trailer today as our guys were repainting the front of it white, and suddenly I was just overwhelmed with grief. The unfairness of it....the shock of having such a serious outcome from a bike accident. It is really bothering me. Consuming me. I need to know he will be alright. I told Chad to mow the lawn, and I felt like I wanted to go get a load of mulch and spread it for him. He is a great tenant and keeps the place looking wonderful.
Chad said, "You know he may never get back here...he may have to go into residential placement." Yes, I do know that. I am just thankful he survived the night. I know it but....I can't allow it. John is not our best friend, but he has been our friend, our employee and our tenant for a long time. More than a decade. We have seen him through his highs and lows, encouraged him, coached him and laughed with him. True, he has never been over for dinner. He doesn't come to birthday parties and we don't exchange Christmas cards (although this year I might!) but the thought of him not living in "Bucky's Box" is just not acceptable. Wierd.
We love you, John....Bucky....Mr. Wheat. We're praying for you! Come home soon!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Becoming Best Buds
Ben and Rebecca are quickly becoming two peas in a pod. Wherever he is, she is. If he leads, she will follow. Today they were playing together out on the little slide in the backyard. Then she followed Ben over to the big slide. They pick flowers together, they beat the snot out of each other.
Everytime Becca wakes up from her nap, Ben tells me to "stay there" and runs up to greet her. He will occasionally climb in the crib with her and lie next to her, snuggling in the blankets. Of course, he also wakes her up before she is ready- argh!
This morning I had one snuggled up on either side of me (Rachel was away at camp) and they were rubbing each others hands, and patting each other lovingly. My heart grew three sizes watching them.
At noon Ben was on the outside of the kitchen door and Rebecca was inside and Ben was playing peek-a-boo with her. She laughed...and laughed....so cute!
This afternoon I got home from grocery shopping and asked Chad where all the kids were. He said that Ben and Rebecca were in the backyard together. We couldn't see them from the window so I walked out onto the deck and found them over by the kitchen set. Rebecca was in a denim dress, sitting in a chair swinging her leg while Ben was "cooking" in the kitchen for her. It was so cute!!! I wish I had had my camera.
Chad went out and took a look and he said, " They are going to be just like you and John." I thought that that was the best compliment ever. *smile*
Everytime Becca wakes up from her nap, Ben tells me to "stay there" and runs up to greet her. He will occasionally climb in the crib with her and lie next to her, snuggling in the blankets. Of course, he also wakes her up before she is ready- argh!
This morning I had one snuggled up on either side of me (Rachel was away at camp) and they were rubbing each others hands, and patting each other lovingly. My heart grew three sizes watching them.
At noon Ben was on the outside of the kitchen door and Rebecca was inside and Ben was playing peek-a-boo with her. She laughed...and laughed....so cute!
This afternoon I got home from grocery shopping and asked Chad where all the kids were. He said that Ben and Rebecca were in the backyard together. We couldn't see them from the window so I walked out onto the deck and found them over by the kitchen set. Rebecca was in a denim dress, sitting in a chair swinging her leg while Ben was "cooking" in the kitchen for her. It was so cute!!! I wish I had had my camera.
Chad went out and took a look and he said, " They are going to be just like you and John." I thought that that was the best compliment ever. *smile*
Friday, May 15, 2009
I Wish I Was More Like Her
I am blessed. Not only is my oldest daughter smart and pretty, she is also excited about change and always ready for an adventure. Two things that I am not.
She left this afternoon for the Brownie/Girl Scout 3 day/2 night Camperee at Camp Chenoa in Antrim. She has been talking about this trip for two months. She has "practiced" packing, "practiced" falling asleep without me singing to her, and "practiced" how to get dressed in the morning with 5 other bunkmates present. So cute!
This morning as she left for school she told me that I needed to get her all packed and ready to go so that when she got off the bus this afternoon she could hit the road. I was also told that if I did not do as she said, then she would disown me and would not be my daughter anymore. She loves me. Really. It radiates from her. Yah.
So at 4:15 I drove her to the elementary school and put her bag in the leader's van, she buckled herself in and away she went without so much as a wave. She loves me. Really.
To get myself ready for the evening I went out and bought a new phone as the battery in our old one was not reliable at all. You see, she may call me tonight. Because she needs me, and she misses me, and- well, she loves me. Really.
At 8:51PM the phone rang. It was Amy's mom AKA Grandma Cote. Apparently Amy was calling to check in on her kids at home (she is at the Camperee with her daughter's troup tonight) and the only place she could get any reception was standing on a table. Could Grandma please call me and pass on a message? Of course!
Are you ready? Wait for it.......
She is having a blast. Big surprise, huh? She is sitting at the bonfire singing her heart out. She has already seen a deer, heard an owl and some coyotes (in the distance).
I am so proud of her. Seven years old and away from home for two nights. I never could have done it. Never did it. I was nervous every time I went to camp at Deering and I was in high school! That is some special girl I have there. I wish I was more like her. I love her. Really.
She left this afternoon for the Brownie/Girl Scout 3 day/2 night Camperee at Camp Chenoa in Antrim. She has been talking about this trip for two months. She has "practiced" packing, "practiced" falling asleep without me singing to her, and "practiced" how to get dressed in the morning with 5 other bunkmates present. So cute!
This morning as she left for school she told me that I needed to get her all packed and ready to go so that when she got off the bus this afternoon she could hit the road. I was also told that if I did not do as she said, then she would disown me and would not be my daughter anymore. She loves me. Really. It radiates from her. Yah.
So at 4:15 I drove her to the elementary school and put her bag in the leader's van, she buckled herself in and away she went without so much as a wave. She loves me. Really.
To get myself ready for the evening I went out and bought a new phone as the battery in our old one was not reliable at all. You see, she may call me tonight. Because she needs me, and she misses me, and- well, she loves me. Really.
At 8:51PM the phone rang. It was Amy's mom AKA Grandma Cote. Apparently Amy was calling to check in on her kids at home (she is at the Camperee with her daughter's troup tonight) and the only place she could get any reception was standing on a table. Could Grandma please call me and pass on a message? Of course!
Are you ready? Wait for it.......
She is having a blast. Big surprise, huh? She is sitting at the bonfire singing her heart out. She has already seen a deer, heard an owl and some coyotes (in the distance).
I am so proud of her. Seven years old and away from home for two nights. I never could have done it. Never did it. I was nervous every time I went to camp at Deering and I was in high school! That is some special girl I have there. I wish I was more like her. I love her. Really.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Still laughing!
The other day we were in the car going....ummm...somewhere...and Rachel is jabbering away in the way back as usual. I could hear about every third word, as usual, and was trying to nod and make appropriate responses every few seconds even though my mind was kinda blocking her out (love ya, Rachel!).
Anyhoo, she caught me. Then she called me on the carpet about it. "Mom! You are not listening to me! I said...blah, blah, blah....."
"Yes, Rachel....yep....OK....Uh huh"
So she says, "Mom! I am strong like bull. I will come up there and you WILL listen!"
I chuckle. "You strong like bull, eh?"
"Yes, me strong like bull. I will take you out!"(she makes horns on her head with her index fingers and grunts)
We are laughing and saying "strong like bull" in our deepest and most bullish voices. Then, I got it....an apostrophe! (That is my FAVORITE phrase from the movie Peter Pan with Robin Williams. Captain Hook says, "An epiphany, Sneed. You had an epiphany." "That's what I said, an apostrophe!") But I digress.......
So Long story really long I said in my best bull voice....."You are strong like bull but worse! You smell like bull!!"
Honest to goodness I thought Rachel would fall out of her seat she was laughing so hard. Too funny! Anyhoo, the conversation went downhill fast with her jumping on the smelly like poop bandwagon, but I still chuckle at the look on her face when I said that. Guess you had to be there!
Anyhoo, she caught me. Then she called me on the carpet about it. "Mom! You are not listening to me! I said...blah, blah, blah....."
"Yes, Rachel....yep....OK....Uh huh"
So she says, "Mom! I am strong like bull. I will come up there and you WILL listen!"
I chuckle. "You strong like bull, eh?"
"Yes, me strong like bull. I will take you out!"(she makes horns on her head with her index fingers and grunts)
We are laughing and saying "strong like bull" in our deepest and most bullish voices. Then, I got it....an apostrophe! (That is my FAVORITE phrase from the movie Peter Pan with Robin Williams. Captain Hook says, "An epiphany, Sneed. You had an epiphany." "That's what I said, an apostrophe!") But I digress.......
So Long story really long I said in my best bull voice....."You are strong like bull but worse! You smell like bull!!"
Honest to goodness I thought Rachel would fall out of her seat she was laughing so hard. Too funny! Anyhoo, the conversation went downhill fast with her jumping on the smelly like poop bandwagon, but I still chuckle at the look on her face when I said that. Guess you had to be there!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
When it rains....
What a day. Chad is working for about the 11th weekend in a row, Rachel is exhausted but refusing to give up that she wants to be back at Alyssa's house, Ben has a really stuffy nose and has not really eaten anything all day (I know, you are shocked, right?) and Rebecca......poor kid. Apparently Ben took some conditioner out of the playroom shower and poured it into the play kitchen sink with a bowl full of water to try to "wash" his dishes. Wonder where he got that idea (Rachel). Then poor, poor Rebecca comes along, Miss Innocent, and sticks her hands in and -since she is tired- rubs her eyes. Thank goodness Chad was home. Talk about scream!!!! He washed her eyes out while I tried to figure out what was actually in them. (The coconut smell eventually gave it away.) The fisher price kitchen went heave-ho out the back door (guess I don't know my own strength!) and, in the end, Becks is fine. Five minutes later I had everyone in bed, but Ben didn't want to give it up and he cried until he threw up all over the bed. Wonder where he got that idea (Rachel) *joke!*
Ahhhhhh....now I am decompressing on the net and will then go up to see which bed I will end up in tonight. At least Ben's has fresh sheets!
Ahhhhhh....now I am decompressing on the net and will then go up to see which bed I will end up in tonight. At least Ben's has fresh sheets!
Safe and Sound
Well, she's home in her own bed tonight. Safe and sound. She had a great time on her sleepover but couldn't wait to get back home and back to her normal routine. She felt shy at their house, and they had a big dog which made her a little nervous. It was a real warm-fuzzy for me to get a big hug when I went to pick her up.
OK, the real truth is that I went to pick her up at 1PM and she refused to even look at me and told me to go away! She wanted to stay there again. She wasn't the least bit shy and, in fact, showed Alyssa how to use the popcorn button on the microwave to make "breakfast" as 7AM. The dog did make her nervous for all of 3.5 seconds, then the two baby kittens caught her eye, as did the gynormous trampoline and the rest, as they say, is history. She came home kicking and screaming all the way. Crying that she already missed Alyssa and Ady and that she wanted to go back tomorrow. On and on and on for the entire 20 minutes in the car........so happy she is back!
LOL the good news is that she truly did miss me and was like glue to me all afternoon and all evening. She told me that she loved me and wanted hugs, she drew me a picture showing herself crying because I hadn't been there to sing her to sleep. She asked if I sang to myself last night instead. I laughed.....because I had.
So she is already planning her two overnights on the 15th and 16th to Camp Chenoa. I guess I don't have to worry. She'll be just fine.
OK, the real truth is that I went to pick her up at 1PM and she refused to even look at me and told me to go away! She wanted to stay there again. She wasn't the least bit shy and, in fact, showed Alyssa how to use the popcorn button on the microwave to make "breakfast" as 7AM. The dog did make her nervous for all of 3.5 seconds, then the two baby kittens caught her eye, as did the gynormous trampoline and the rest, as they say, is history. She came home kicking and screaming all the way. Crying that she already missed Alyssa and Ady and that she wanted to go back tomorrow. On and on and on for the entire 20 minutes in the car........so happy she is back!
LOL the good news is that she truly did miss me and was like glue to me all afternoon and all evening. She told me that she loved me and wanted hugs, she drew me a picture showing herself crying because I hadn't been there to sing her to sleep. She asked if I sang to myself last night instead. I laughed.....because I had.
So she is already planning her two overnights on the 15th and 16th to Camp Chenoa. I guess I don't have to worry. She'll be just fine.
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Rachel Milestone
My baby continues to grow up. In half an hour she will be picked up for her first sleepover, at Alyssa's house. She is soooooooo excited! She has been asking to go on sleepovers for two years and I keep saying no, that momma is not ready yet. How true that is.
I just finished packing her bag with PJs and clothes for tomorrow. I am bawling! I have to stop! She can't come home and find me this way or she will freak and not go (at least, my subconsious wishes she would not go, but knowing her I will get a peck on the cheek- bawling or not- and away she will go to Washington, NH) She loves a good adventure and an adventure with friends just can't be beat.
I keep saying that this is good practice for May 16th when her brownie troop is going away to Camp Chenoa in Antrim for two nights. Two nights! They should have a parent support group for this, or something.
Man! She makes me crazy but then when she finally gets the opportunity to go, all I want to do is hug her tight and stroke her hair. To sing her lullabys and tell her 123 times that it is quiet time and she needs to go to sleep. Oh, shit. Her ride is here. *wipes tears* Wish me luck!!
Well, it is 3:37 and she is long gone. The bus came at 3:30 and she floated into the house on cloud nine, grabbed her bag, paused for a split second to give me a half-hearted hug (sorta) as she scurried everyone out the door. Well. The good thing is that she left no time for any drama! Sleep tight mommy's girl. I love you!
I just finished packing her bag with PJs and clothes for tomorrow. I am bawling! I have to stop! She can't come home and find me this way or she will freak and not go (at least, my subconsious wishes she would not go, but knowing her I will get a peck on the cheek- bawling or not- and away she will go to Washington, NH) She loves a good adventure and an adventure with friends just can't be beat.
I keep saying that this is good practice for May 16th when her brownie troop is going away to Camp Chenoa in Antrim for two nights. Two nights! They should have a parent support group for this, or something.
Man! She makes me crazy but then when she finally gets the opportunity to go, all I want to do is hug her tight and stroke her hair. To sing her lullabys and tell her 123 times that it is quiet time and she needs to go to sleep. Oh, shit. Her ride is here. *wipes tears* Wish me luck!!
Well, it is 3:37 and she is long gone. The bus came at 3:30 and she floated into the house on cloud nine, grabbed her bag, paused for a split second to give me a half-hearted hug (sorta) as she scurried everyone out the door. Well. The good thing is that she left no time for any drama! Sleep tight mommy's girl. I love you!
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