Vacationland...

One might guess how great our summer has been by taking a quick look into our recycling/transfer station (an entire post dedicated to exactly what a transfer station is may be forthcoming) pile.  Just added this week:  one pair of training wheels. Yes, not only have I successfully potty trained three children, but, two now can ride on a bike without the aid of plastic wobbley wheels. I am not quite sure why, but it's right up there with the walking, talking and learning to read as far as excitement and milestones go. I wouldn't quite put it in the league with sleeping through the night, but make no mistake it's very, very good. Our little boy can ride on his own.  And in the very same week he learned he can totally swim on his own and is rid of his various flotation devices. That makes two classic summer milestones in any little boy's life done in one week, and a lot less crap for us to pack. I think I see a triathlon in his future, we'll give him to the Fall.  Hooray for Eli.

Father and son riding off into the sunset....

AG in the swimming spirit....

Along with the swimmies and training wheels are EMPTY bottles - yes more than one - of sunscreen. UV rays beware, my children have enough block on to protect them through their college spring breaks. I love that sunscreen bottles, sand toys and picnic blankets have replaced fleeces and umbrellas in my trunk. I know, I know, I won't be bashing Seattle skies so much in February, but I am hoping this will fuel me through at least March when I am tired of snow and blustery winds, have baked my 10th loaf of pumpkin bread of the week and write this blog with my hands peeking out from piles of heavy down comforters. Live in the moment.

I just threw a bandaid box in the recycle pile today. Plenty of skinned knees in these parts - and while I am not happy to report the boo- boos, I am happy that the kids have  doubled their outdoor playtime, and trippled their risk taking in doing so, and while I am not a fan of seeing my five year old going head first down a driveway on a skateboard, I am more happy he is doing something he once thought he'd never try.


Thanks to some very generous friends we explored more boat time these past weeks. The novelty effect of being off the land just does not wear off. It's kind of like an iPad.

We have mostly spent beach time at ocean beaches, we tried a lake with the kids for the first time.  It was quiet and serene. I did quite literally feel tension (you know of which ice cream shop to hit on the way home) melting from my shoulders.

My timid Cam swam out to that slide and loved going down!

This past weekend we had friends drive all the way from Brooklyn to spend one night with us to officially welcome us "home,"  despite their very crazy work schedules.  Not only did they make the 7 hour trek after hard work schedules, they did so with a three year old AND an infant. Seriously good friends whom we got to share good food and laughs with.  After so many years away, it was comforting to know we did not miss a beat with one another, and our friendship only sweetened by getting to love each others' children.  All of this can only be enhanced by the fact that the two of them have prescription pads and are medical professionals who answer the phone at all hours to hear about cuts, fevers, bumps, rashes, etc..... Really they couldn't get any better as far as friends go.

A good excuse to bake a cake.

His excitement of being the recipient of this item to lick easily outweighed that of learning to ride his bike and swim combined. For real.

My sweet friend above, enjoying a quiet moment, while her baby naps in the car parked in our driveway beside her. Apparently not a common practice in Brooklyn, and most definately not in front of a giant red barn......perhaps another reason why each Maine license plate says "Vacationland."