Nana & Grandpa to the Rescue

Months ago, I had this grand plan of getting a group of my girlfriends together to run a relay race called 100 on 100 (100 miles on Route 100-- a beautiful road through the center of Vermont).  I knew the date of the race, coincided with John's big Trek send off, so I needed to arrange for someone to watch the kids for at least half the day on Saturday-- and maybe more if John got pulled into a student evacuation.  When I called Peg to see if she and Art would be willing to help out, they didn't hesitate to say "sure".

As it turns out, I couldn't rally a full team of six, so I bailed on the race idea-- which was actually a huge relief because I didn't have to think about squeezing runs into my summer.  However, I told Art and Peg they were more than welcome to still come and could help me out by watching the kids for a little while so I could do some curriculum work at school.

Fast forward to four days before the race...... A colleague e-mailed to see if I'd be interested in being the sixth person on a team he was running on.  I was intrigued.  John told me to go for it.  So,  I called Peg to make sure she and Art would still be up for it and she enthusiastically encouraged me to do it, too. 

Art and Peg arrived on Thursday with back-to-school outfits and books for the kids, a meal for us to eat, and plenty of love to share.  The kids couldn't wait to see them!

Grandpa enthusiastically played ball with Hazen, while Nana read book and made cookies with Cally.  On Friday, I went into work for half the day, so they took the kids and their scooters to the playground and then hunting for books at the library.

On Saturday, John and I left at 5:30am for our various "events".  Nana and Grandpa made the kids breakfast, dressed them, and went to a great community event at the Jericho Center Green.  They made fairy houses, butterflies, and ate delicious local food. 

All the while, I was running various sections of our beautiful state.  I ran three legs (5.5, 4.2 and 6.2 miles respectively).  It wasn't easy (probably because I haven't run more than 4 or 5 miles in a single day since May).  But I did have such a great experience. 

Nana and Grandpa gave me the break I really needed in order to recalibrate my life and get ready to start teaching again.  They roll with Hazey's 2 year old irrational ways and seem to really love being here with the kids in this beautiful place.  Just when I think I'm losing it as a parent, they make me feel great about the kids we are raising and the job we are doing.  Thank you so much for loving us and being willing to help in so many ways.

August,sweet August.......

One of the most exciting things to come home to was our egg laying ladies!  It's like Easter everyday.  At first there was an egg every other day, then an egg a day, and more recently we are getting three eggs a day.  The one white hen lays white eggs and the brown chickens lay big brown eggs.  The one original chick (a.k.a. "Chicky Baby") isn't laying yet.   

Upon returning from Nantucket, John was thrown right back into the thick of Trek preparations. August is always a hectic work time for him, but the kids and I tried to eek out some fun and relaxation during the last couple of weeks of summer that we had.

We managed to make it to the Addison County fair with the Harris/Plimpton crew, as well.

Hazey pointing out an "enormous" rabbit buck

Cally making friends with goats

Cal enjoying a pony ride (Hazen decided to pass again this year)

Checking out a balloon animal made from a somewhat creepy old clown

Loving the tractor display!

Getting wacky on the merry-go-round

Fired up to be on the fire engine ride

 

Upon getting off this rinky dink roller coaster, Cal said, "Mom, I'm NEVER doing that again"

 We did end up leaving the fair early.  Medora took the photo below.

There was lightening lighting up the sky and thunder rumbling, but they never stopped the rides.

While John was training his leaders, I brought the kids to a great music festival in Huntington.  Claire Mahoney and I hauled chairs, cocktails, and eats in the wagon and hardly had to think about the kids while we listened to great music in a beautiful setting.  It was lovely.

We also made it to some swimming hole hiking adventures:

And capped our last unstructured day of summer off with a trip to Circus Smirkus with the Mahoney girls:

While Dad was busy, he did manage to squeeze in some quality time with the kids through the stretch of insanity. 

And the kids even joined the Trek leaders for "Funky Bowling Night"-- costumes and all.

As much as I loved our whimsical, unstructured part of the summer in early August, I think the kids and I are sort of all right with a little impending structure on the horizon. 

Nantucket

It's been years since I've been to Nantucket.  When Bumpa made the announcement that this is where we'd be going for our annual Meyer gathering, I wasn't sure what to think.  It seemed like it would be a hassle to get there and I wondered if the expense of bringing cars and everything over there would be worth it.......... Well, John and I both concur that our week in Nantucket was the most relaxing and refreshing vacation that we've been on since having kids.  The island has maintained so much of it's beauty, has amazing beaches, and we couldn't have asked for better weather and company!

 

As luck would have it, when we made our car reservations on January 15th (the first day the reservation website opens for the year), we got on the 7:15am ferry out of Hyannis.  Jamey and Paula were kind enough to let us crash in their garage guest room, so we only had to wake up at 5am to make the ferry.  

 But, it was a gorgeous day and my high school buddies, Stephen and Andrea Matthews and their lovely sons (age 6 and 9) were on the ferry with us. 

And it was a gorgeous day, so we were happy to get to spend the day at the beach.  But first we had to pick up sandwiches at my favorite sandwich place, Something Natural-- right around the corner from where I lived 22 years ago?!?!?

We had a great morning at Cisco beach and then loaded the kids in the chariot for an afternoon nap/bike ride before checking into the rental house in Siasconset.

The rest of the crew arrived after dinner, so we were happy to get settled and to bed after such a long day.  As soon as Hazey and Cal saw Grandma the next morning, they had her do their nails-- as she always does.  It's become somewhat of a ritual.

The kids were so happy to be together with their cousins.  And they LOVED wave crashing and digging and searching for critters at the beach.

 Over 50 years ago, these two ladies became great friends at Skidmore College.  Nancy introduced us to Nantucket many years ago and we spent many beach days with her family as we grew up. 

Nancy was also staying in Siasconset with two of her children and was kind enough to show us their favorite beach on the island.

 

Our mornings were spent at the beach, playing in the surf, combing the beach, and relaxing with everyone.  Then we returned home for lunch and the biggest treat of all:  a daily babysitter from 1-4pm?!?!?!  I think everyone appreciated the break, but this was the most amazing treat for John and me.  Everyday we had a relaxing adult lunch on the lawn and either biked, body surfed, played tennis, or ran.  The kids loved the sitters and having time together and no one had to feel guilty about wanting to have some adult time.

And one of the days, the babysitter stayed until 10pm so the adults could go on a "date" at Cru.  It was so great to eat delicious food in a beautiful setting.

The setting of the rental house was amazing..... ocean views and a vast yard for playing:

The living room was perfect for cocktails and conversation.

 

And who can resist an ice cream cone every now and again.

On our final night together, we brought the kids to Jetties beach for dinner out and that was fun in an entirely different kind of way.

 

 A trip to Nantucket wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Whaling Museum--

 

Thank you Grandma and Bumpa.  As you can see, had such a great time in Nantucket.  Sure the kitchen was small, there were a few insect outbreaks, and Hazen was louder than he should have been when sharing a roof with 12 other people, but those details will fade quickly and the great memories that Cally and Hazen shared with their cousins will last a long, long time.  We are so lucky to be able to gather as a family annually.  John and I drove home with a sense of calm that we hadn't felt in a while.  Sure, that faded just as soon as we re-entered our real world, but we can't tell you how much we appreciated being away from it all for a week.