September recap

This week marks the 4th week Alexa has been in school and also brought an end to September. And what a busy month it was!

We started off with a weekend family trip to Boston. We were supposed to go camping but the weather forecast didn't look very promising (rain, rain, rain). Everyone had a good time and got to see a lot of sights. The biggest hit by far was the zoo. The kids loved all the animals and we were able to catch up with some friends (meeting for the first time after talking for nearly 3 years online!).
That was followed up by a ferry trip to see the US Constitution which was closed. Instead we got to walk the US Cassen Young.

waiting for the next ferry back to Boston

After that is what school prep week. Alexa had her screening and open house. The open house was...interesting. My dad and stepmom came over to watch the twins so that Alexa and I could partake in our 2 minute bus ride to school. We got to listen to the driver and her rules before heading into school. Once inside we were shuffled to the library and had to sit in tiny chairs and listen to the principal while the kids got to play with the teacher.

watching the wrong way for the bus

The first week was just a half day followed by all day the second week. The twins love seeing her get on the bus. And are always happy to see her when she gets home. Most days she's happy to go although there have been a few "I don't wanna go" ones. One day she had started cutting her project before listening to directions. She was terrified the next day that she'd get in big trouble and "have to sit like Cole did". Turns out that Cole was being more than a little naughty that day...hence a time out of sorts. I think she learned from that lesson.

She's also doing soccer which has mostly been Chris's responsibility. I did suck it up and take her this past Wednesday to practice. Jake wouldn't leave the car and Liz wanted to play soccer with the big kids. Once I finally was able to pry Jake from the car (without fits) and go watch her practice the skies opened up on us and we had to run for the car. Everyone ran except one. Alexa took her sweet time wandering back in, stopping to pick clover along the way. She kept saying on the way home how her coach kept waving - no kidding...he was waving you in!

We also celebrated several birthdays in September although most of them were away and so could only send birthday wishes. Mine was a quiet one, just the way I like it). I did get a delicious Blizzard cake from DQ (made with my favorite - chocolate extreme).

We also had a wedding! My little brother married his longtime girlfriend and I was lucky enough to be asked to officiate. From what I saw it was a beautiful ceremony. The reception was bit chilly once the sun went down but thankfully hot soup was on the menu. We did stay for some of the dancing but forgot to get some cake. Just as well...there were so many other goodies to snack on. Jake did get to taste the frosting before the reception - that naughty boy stuck his fingers right in. Alexa made some friends and her and Liz both had fun dancing. Jake kept trying to sneak in the bathroom to turn the sinks on.

Overall a busy start to fall. And if the next few months go as fast as this last one I'd better get going on plans for the holidays and Alexa's 6th birthday!

haircuts!

We took advantage of an overnight trip to Portland to stop in at Snip Its. If you've got kids I really recommend seeing if there is one near you. I've always found that haircuts occur with a lot more ease courtesy of the place being kid-oriented with hairdressers who know how to handle kids. It was needed as both Alexa and Jake were getting a bit shaggy and Liz's was always in her face.

Jacob before

Jacob after - clipped to big boy style

Alexa and Elizabeth before
Alexa and Elizabeth after

summer

So as I sit here at the computer listening to the hum of the fan and the AC (we've got a big room to cool down!) I face my list. This is the list I made up just before school got out of all the fun things we'd do this summer. Sadly though there aren't very many items accomplished on this list.

Sure we've made lots of library visits and a few playground trips. But between the rain and the humidity in the last week it's hard to find the motivation to do anything. Add in the various illnesses that have hit and I suppose I should be glad we got done what we did.

For us summer vacation is drawing to a close. Alexa's first official day of school is September 8th. But the week before she's got her kindergarten screening and open house. We are going to manage to squeeze in a vacation of sorts - a 3 day camping trip next weekend. This weekend we are supposed to do a trial run with the kids at sleeping in the tent (more for the twins than Alexa). But the weather isn't sounding all that promising (not that I get to actually see the weather, rather I hear it second hand). We'll see - it's should be cozy that's for sure.

Honestly I much prefer the fall. Cooler weather, crisp smells, and you can still enjoy being outside without freezing or boiling/sweating (or better yet not being eaten alive by bugs). Of course this fall is going to be different than the others with Alexa gone from 8am-3pm. I'll be working a little (hopefully) and just enjoy the twins still being little.

gardening

My parents and grandparents (well paternal ones) have always had huge gardens. I remember being told it was time to go out and weed, doing more than my fair share of whining over it. And as a kid I wasn't really too keen on the end result either.

One episode of weeding that sticks in my mind is the nasty spiders that were in our tomato patch. I don't recall what type they were beyond nasty. The idea was to get them on a stick and then pelt dirt, rocks, apples at them till you managed to knock them dead, all the while avoiding them actually getting to you. My phobia of spiders doesn't start there but definitely was contributed to.

In the summer of 2006 we had a small garden at the house in Gorham. In it I managed to grow lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Lacking in a green thumb I was very proud. I always managed to work on it in the evening or during naptime.

Last winter I talked to my aunt about the idea of taking over a bit of the garden on her father-in-law's yard. We decided to make it a "family patch". Sherm was worried about how I'd be able to garden having 3 kids.

I didn't really think it'd be that hard. Haven't gardens been being grown forever? Haven't people been having kids forever? I've been able to get into it a few times to weed (of course so much rain has made it hard to get out!). My last trip out was cut short when Alexa set the twins free from their nap and they came barreling across the lawn to me.

So I asked my dad how he did it. His response "I waited till you'd gone back to your mom's. If I wanted a garden I had to do it without you around". So I mentioned my plans to weed today plus plant a few things (I actually managed to grow a few sunflowers, a squash, and 4 watermelon plants!). He mentioned using the superyard he'd gotten us for the twins first birthday.

I hauled it out along with a wagonload of toys. My goal - to have them play nicely on the lawn. If they got out of hand they could play in the superyard. Unfortunately Alexa decided she wanted to play in the superyard. So in they all went. Then she decided she wanted out and went into the house for more toys. The entire time Jacob and Elizabeth were quite verbal about their situation. I set them free and told all 3 to play in the grass.

It wasn't long before I had company. Jake kept circling the shed. Then tried to destroy the peach tree. When I went to stop him Liz joined in. Then they ran for Sherm's house. I caught them and shooed them back towards the garden. Apparently I am not good at herding because they both booked it down Sherm's driveway. I caught Liz before she got to the road and than had to scoop Jacob out of the parsonage's yard (thankfully he didn't notice the little golfballs in their garden marking the rows). After that (and some time in the superyard for bad behavior) the girls decided to help garden. Alexa decided she needed to plant some weeds. Elizabeth's weeding method was to dig and toss dirt.

Somehow though we all survived (as did the plants). A hosing and soak in the kiddie pool got everyone fairly clean/de-mudded. I do think that I will wait till naptime, or have another adult watch them. Gardening can be peaceful and I'd like to keep it that way.

2!

the happy 2 year olds

Last Wednesday was the actual big day with a celebration yesterday. And it was a celebration! Not only of the fact that the twins have been here for two years but that we've all survived those two years, relatively in tact.

Wednesday was spent quietly at home because guess what...yep it was raining. The story of our summer this year so far. I think they were actually up at the time they were born for a late night nursing session (that time being 12:49am and 12:50am). Alexa kept randomly singing happy birthday to them to which they really had no response. Chris ended up bringing home a surprise ice cream cake. Apparently they were much more interested in eating it when it was whole rather than sliced into pieces on plates to be eaten with a fork.

mmm...ice cream cake

The skies were blue and sunny yesterday for the outdoor party we had planned. I had hoped to be cooking by 12 but 1 seemed to work out ok also. The hamburger I had put in the fridge several days prior still hadn't thawed completely and needed a little help before patties could be made. There was lots of yummy side dishes brought by friends and family and enjoyed by all.

guests enjoying lunch...guess Chris's cooking didn't kill them!

see the lady with the purple shirt? She was a party crasher!

The cakes went quick. This was an area I was indecisive on for quite some time - whether to buy or make. Monday I decided to order 2 10' round. Tuesday I decided to cancel. I ended up making 2 9x13 and had maybe 1/4 of one cake left.

After cake it was onto the presents. I think Liz and Jake got to open 2 each. The rest were torn into by the other kids that were under the age of 6. It ended up being a bit chaotic but that's nothing new!
Both got some fun new things to play with and some beach gear and wear. Now hopefully the sun will stay out so we can use the lifejackets (thanks Missy), beach towels (thanks Nokomi), sand toys (thanks again Nokomi), beachballs (thanks Ashmores), and 2 bubble mowers (thanks Grammy Karen & Grampa Chris).

Eventually everyone had their fill of fun in the sun and headed back to their homes. Liz took a nap while Jake kept escaping out of his bed (and out of the room till I locked the door). Chris played some volleyball with Brenda and the Ashmore twins while Alexa and Ellie played inside doing "girl games".

As for the twins accomplishments...there doesn't seem to be much that they can't get into.

Liz: very good at running, quite chatty and you can understand/figure out most of what she says. She likes to be on the go. Favorite toy is any baby doll and accessory she can get her hands on. She also loves to dress up. Favorite food, well her favorite to say is "couscous" but I don't think she actually eats much of it! I can't really think of one thing that she prefers over all else! Loves to do whatever her big sister does even if it drives Alexa nuts.

Jake: still working on the running. He's got the motions down but needs to pick up the pace. Of course he looks like he's moving faster than he really is because of the hunched shoulders, serious look on face, and pumping arms. His favorite word seems to be "mine". And it's really one of the only ones we understand. This kid cannot be without his toy cars when he is at home. He lines them up on the end table and will try to fit various items behind the steering wheel. Moving onto big cars as I caught him opening the van door yesterday and climbing in behind the driver's seat (note to self...should probably lock doors or better supervise and never leave running!). His favorite food - marshmallows. He will cram an entire one in and go looking for more, stealing bites from unsuspecting sisters if he can.

2 year stats:
Jacob: 26 lbs, 33.5 inches tall. Dr. Lew and Nurse Holly were excited that he hit the 25th percentile in both categories!

Elizabeth: 24.6 lbs, 33 inches tall. Hit 25th percentile for height but still at 10% for weight.