Thursday, August 23, 2012

Swan Song of Summer


Ahhhhh August.  So bitter sweet.  After weeks of traveling and getting things done around the house, this is when summer really kicks in for me, but then I see the end in sight and panic.  I know I shouldn't complain.... I mean, I have about 3/4 of the month off, but it carries with it an element of chaos.  John dives deep into prepping for Wilderness TREK, training the leaders, and then as incident commander and master of ceremonies for the week that students are out in the field.  I start to think about the upcoming school year, but do nothing about it...... it's the same old feeling every year.  

This year, we got to break up John's TREK chaos with our dear friend's Adam and Colleen's wedding.  This was such a fun event.  We got to hang out with so many of our adult friends with no child care worries because Uncle Tom and Aunt Cara had it all under control with the kids (even though they did get to see what happens when you keep our No Nap Nelly up late-- it's not pretty, sorry Scotty).

Cal, Hazen and I went on a little road trip to CT again this year to visit the two sets of grandparents and some cousins while John was in the thick of leader training.  Just when we were getting back into our groove at home, I sort of wondered why I was uprooting everything to travel again........ But, it's always nice to see family. 


We were treated to good food, fun company,  a few field trips-- to a nature center and children's museum. 

Hazen and Bumpa checking out bunnies

Tractor Rider

Checking out the enormous toe biting pig at the Nature Center

Dance Party with Grandma
West Hartford Children's Museum

Cal swinging like a Chimpanze at the Children's Museum
Picking flowers with Nana

After our visit to Connecticut, we got to have a lunch date and hike with my cousin Lindsay and her husband Silas and then caught up with Bo, Gretchen, Henry, and Lila for the Farmer's Market in Richmond.


In other news, Cal managed to trip and smack her nose on the coffee table.  There was lots of blood and swelling, but as she has proved to be in the past, she was seriously brave about the whole thing.






And so the summer, as I know it, ends.  We've had lots of popsicles, swim lessons, walks, and playground visits.  I love that I have this time with my kids.  It's going to be really hard to break away from this unit. I love my job and I know I'll love being back once it's all happening, but right now, I'm feeling pretty sad about having to break away from lazy mornings, unscheduled days, and having time to get things done around the house.  I cherish my summers, but look forward to cooler days, frost on the pumpkin, apple picking, and snow, lots and lots of fluffy white snow. 






Thursday, August 9, 2012

18 Months


Look who is 18 months!   Weighing in at 21 lbs and 13 oz. and 31.75 inches tall, he's turning out to be the real little peanut of the family (5-10th %ile for weight and ~50th %ile for height).  He's walking, climbing, and has a great affinity for balls-- any type, he's not discerning.  He's talking more and more everyday, but a bit overshadowed by the verbal turtle of a sister he lives with.

Mr. H, Dr. Paul, and our medical assistant Cal



He's showing more and more personality everyday-- screeching, belly laughing, and just being silly whenever possible.  He and Cally are getting along really well (note the picture above when he walked over to give his crying sister a hug.  Cal brings him a stuffed animal anytime that he falls down or is upset, but she's been know to order him here and there (he's getting training for being a good boyfriend later in life).


But really, he's just an easy going, snuggle bug who seems to go with the flow of this chaotic life.  I am having so much fun with this little dude this summer and feel so lucky to have him in our lives!


Hiking down from Maple Ridge........ poor neck support on that pack!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Bates Burning Man


This year, we were lucky enough to host the 5th annual gathering of John's Bates Buddies and their families.  On Friday afternoon, the festivities commenced.  We had 19 guests for the weekend arriving from California, Colorado, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut and other parts of Vermont.  Folks set up their tents in our side yard, kids and parents reconnected, and food was a constant throughout the weekend.  


While the primary focus of the weekend is friendship and merriment, a tradition was begun two years ago at Nicholas and Ruth's Farm in Maine where work projects were integrated into the mix.  On Saturday morning, after a relaxing breakfast, the tools started coming out, John began putting these willing bodies to work, picking away at our long list of projects. 


As I stained siding, some of the folks moved a pile of brick and wood, other folks began siding our back porch and still others began work on our front porch. 



All the while, the kids were having a ball -- ranging in age from 18 months to 17 years old, the 8 kids got along like they were regular playmates.  Thanks to some creative parents, a slip and slide was made, bubbles were blown, and some naps were even taken.  Most importantly, everyone was fed and hydrated on what turned out to be a VERY hot and humid day.

 


We broke for a trip to Browns River where everyone cooled down and capped the work part of the day off with a Cajun feast and one of John's infamous bonfires.  We had gobs of corn from fellow Bates Buddy, Rachel Nevitt, and her family-- as well as greens and tomatoes and various other veggies. 



Yes, the old butternut tree was on fire, AGAIN!  It certainly wasn't the kind of fire where you have kids roasting marshmallows, but it got rid of a huge pile of wood and was a lovely backdrop for great conversation and merriment.

On Sunday, the guys went back to work and the gals and kids set out working on their own project......... A very special project.

These amazing people spent hours leaving a mark of their love by making these natural sculptures for our garden and yard.
 

While the guys continued to work on the house, the ladies and kids set off to Rachel Nevitt's farm in Hinesburg.  We got to meet her Angora Rabbits, brand new baby piglets, and tour their unusual house (built into two silos)



 

Upon our return, the guys were still working to finish the siding on the back porch and front porch.




I am so grateful for all that this amazing group of people did for us this weekend.  We absolutely love our house and look at the exterior of it with such pride.  I will remember each and every one of the people that swung a hammer or fed the workers so that this work could be completed. Most importantly, my kids were exposed to a whole lot of love and fun this weekend. 
  

When the last of our guests headed out on Monday late morning, I had a huge pit in my stomach.   I spent the last few weeks anticipating this weekend-- baking, cleaning, food shopping and wondering how everything would actually come together.  I should have known that with a community of people that come to this event, I had nothing to worry about.  I feel so lucky to have married into this fantastic group of friends.


My hope is that Cally and Hazen will also have strong friendships like the ones John and I both have from our days in college.  Our summer has been so full of love and support from people that we met when we were mere teenagers.  They have been there through thick and thin.  We feel so blessed.