Back to School

Grade 4 for Cally, Grade 2 for Hazey, and my 38th first day of school!

End of Summer

I can't believe we've never hiked the fire tower at Mt. Elmore.  But with one more week left before school started and another hike to go on, we decided to do this classic. 

It was probably the easiest of our hikes that we went on all summer, but so rewarding with the climb up the actual tower.  We ran into a crew of adults on a Smugglers Notch Resort tour and half of the adults were too scared to go up the tower.  The kids were gung ho, but Zephy only made it up a few of the flights. 

And the swim at the beach after the hike was well earned:

We also snuck in an afternoon or stream studying with the EPsCOR kids:

And while John and I went on a mountain bike ride, the kids came up with this project to work on with Anna, the fabulous babysitter:

Fun ride with my bike buddy:

 And one more fire before school starts:

Our summer wouldn't be complete without a visit to both sets of grandparents in CT.  This year, I asked the kids if they would rather go to the zoo or Playland, an old school amusement park in Rye, NY.  They chose the latter. 

I gave the grandparents a pass on the visit.  I figured it was too much to ask them to spend the day schlogging around an amusement park.  But, Grandma wouldn't have it.  She wanted to go.  And Bumpa, of course, suffers from F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out), so even with a hurt heel, he came along. 

Thank goodness they joined us.  It turns out, the kids have very different approaches to their amusement park visit.  Hazey is a total thrill seeker and can't get enough of the roller coasters and fast spinning rides.  Cally likes rides, but of the more mellow variety. 

 

Something else that is fortunate is Hazey going back to school shopping with Grandma the day before our visit, because his new shoes gave him just enough of a lift to get him onto the Dragon Coaster, which he LOVED.  Bumpa and I were not quite as enamored by the ride.  That wooden beast is painful on the back. 

 

The ferris wheel was closed for a little while, but it opened up for the kids and grandparents to take a ride. 

And the bumper cars were a real "hit".  Unfortunately, Hazen didn't meet the height requirement. 

All in all it was such a fun experience.  The kids and the grandparents, alike, had a really fun time.

The weather didn't really cooperate for a beach day on Tuesday, so we made our way to the Maritime Museum and Imax movie in Norwalk instead.  Bumpa knows the place well and the kids had a great time. We also saw a wonderful movie about panda bears and black bears.

We did get a beach day on the day we headed to Farmington, which made everyone happy.  But first, Grandma unloaded bags and bags of toiletries, perfumes, and lotions to the kids.  Here Cally is giving Hazen a pedicure. 

Next stop was Grandpa and Nana's house in Farmington.  As is always the case, the grandparents provided a great feast and we were lucky enough to have dinner with Lynn, Mark and Chris.

Of course, Hazey doesn't miss an opportunity to get dressed up:

Nor goof around:

It was great to have the chance to see the grandparents before the insanity of a new school year creeps up on us.  We are so lucky!

Scary

Both kids chose a camp to participate in during the same week this summer.  The plan was for me to work a few days and have a little "Katy Time" while they did something they were passionate about.

Cally chose to do a musical theater camp at the Flynn Theater.  The week was to be spent preparing for a Frozen Pilot.  While a little nervous to be there the first day, she loved it immediately.  She got the role as young Anna and she felt challenged by learning her lines, getting off script, singing, and learning some dance moves.

Hazen choose to do a "real" rock climbing camp.  He wanted to be outside, not inside.  Metrorock had a great camp, but it was for kids ages 8-14.  I was able to convince the manager of the club to let him in because he was a little over 7 and a half.   I was pretty sure Hazen would be great as long as he had positive older role models.  He had a great time.  He climbed, he caved, he did via ferrata, hiked, and swam.  And he slept well when he got home.  

Meanwhile, my "Katy Time" was thrown a curveball.  The previous week, I'd gotten a last minute appointment for a mammogram.  It had been over a year and a half and I'd recently gotten the news that another good friend from high school was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Upon leaving my appointment, the nurse said they'd call within 5 days if they had any concerns, otherwise they'd send me a letter.  It having been six days since the appointment, I assumed I was clear, but I was wrong. I got the call in the middle of the morning on Monday that there were a few spots of concern on my image. 

This news hit me like a ton of bricks.  I had had a call back after my first mammogram, so I knew that this was usually just a precautionary measure, but it still rattled me.  It took me a half hour to get in touch with the mammography scheduling nurse.  She said she could get me in for a follow up imaging on Tuesday, but couldn't get the secondary ultrasound on the same day.  I'd need to come in on Wednesday, too.  Otherwise, she had both on the the same day the following week.  I grabbed the two separate appointments because I needed to get to the bottom of this. 

I was on the phone with John in tears.  He, of course, grounded me and reminded me that I'd be just fine, told me he'd go to all appointments, and offered to come home and give me a hug. 

Then I jumped on my bike and rode and cried.  I wasn't ready to be done being a mom.  I wasn't done raising my kids.  I wasn't done on this planet.  I cried for Melinda, my high school friend who didn't get to see her kids grow up, I cried for everyone I know who has had cancer, I cried for mortality.  I cried because I really, really like my life right now.

My phone rang half way into my ride.  It was my dad.  I normally don't pick up the phone when I'm riding, but I needed this.  John had called him to tell him what had happened.  The thoughtfulness of these two amazing men in my life made me cry harder.  I am so lucky to have the most sensitive and caring husband and father.  Neither of them made me feel crazy for worrying, but they also made me feel like I was going to be just fine.  

I had plans to meet Claire for lunch and felt like I needed that more than ever.  Of course, John had texted her to tell her about my scare.  She, too, was another amazing pillar of support that I so needed.  It reminded me of how fortunate I am to have so many great friends.  

When I picked up the kids, I suddenly felt less bothered by the little things they were doing.  I thought twice before scolding them about not picking up after themselves.  I gave them bigger hugs. 

John and I made a date out of my first appointment.  We met for lunch and then walked over to the hospital.  It turns out men aren't allowed beyond the outside waiting room at the Breast Center.   The way it works is the nurse takes you back for a second scan, has you wait in an interior waiting room (women only), and then they bring you into a living room style conference room. 

The nurse said the radiologist felt better about this scan, but that I still needed to come back for an ultrasound the next day.  I felt so much better, but still needed to get the second test behind me. 

Everything was fine after Wednesdays appointment and they said I didn't need to come back for a year.  I felt such a sense of relief.  I have more time to raise my kids, make the best of each day, and work towards my goal of making the world a little bit better (still not exactly sure how). 

So, I didn't get the productive week of working and riding bikes that I had hoped for, but I got a heavy dose of reality which put a lot of things in perspective.  I like to think I live for the moment and make the best of most days, but this reminded me to Carpe Diem just a little bit more.  

Meanwhile, Back in Vermont

It's great to be home!  We so missed our four legged friends, especially, Zephy.  Being home means spending some quality time with her.  But it also means, a full week of "Mom Camp".  It happened to be Hazey's half birthday on Monday, so we biked the causeway with Lindsay, Maggie, and Ollie.  It was a hot day and perfect to just jump in the lake to cool off.

Per Hazey's request, we invited Scott, Cynthia, Tom and Cara over for a barbeque and ate homemade Maine Blueberry Pie.  This was all capped off with a fun sleepover with Ollie. 

I know, I know, most people don't make a big deal about half birthdays....... but these kids are winter babies and I have so much more time to bake and play in the summer.  So, I make a big deal about these milestones. 

I'd been hearing a lot about the movie RBG-- a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg.  Several folks told me Cally would love it. So, we went on a girls date with Auntie Cara.  It was such an inspiring story and Cally was thoroughly engaged.  It made me so proud to bring her on such a mature date.  She continues to wow me with her curiosity and concern for others.  I love this gal!

Having been on Mom duty a lot this summer, I managed to make time for me to do get back on my mountain bike and go on some great rides, thanks to Annika Mahoney (our new favorite babysitter).

Mom week also means sleeping in!  This guy wasn't up before 9am any day this week!

It's great to have another mom who is always up for an adventure with her kids.  Lindsay and her kids also joined us at the Smugglers Notch caves and a hike to Sterling Pond....... where we saw a Moose!

caving!

Moose!

Found our friend's sticker "Better Baked in Vermont" on the sterling chair!

 These kids have so much fun together!

Strong Hikers!

 We also made it to a Lake Monster's baseball game.  As a reward for doing the ABCD brain study that Cal is a part of, she "earned" two free tickets.  I forgot how long and slow baseball is!  Fortunately, there was some fun people watching and between inning entertainment.

Friday was Festival of Fools in Burlington.  We stumbled upon it last year and now it is a favorite part of our summer.

We wrapped up the work week with a family date to the "Spot on the Dock"

We had made plans to hike Mt. Mansfield with the Pearce/Montgomery family, but found ourselves sleeping until 9:30 on Saturday morning and thought we missed the boat.  When I told the kids it wasn't going to work out, they were so disappointed.  Fortunately, our friends were willing to delay a bit so we were able to join them.

 We made it down from the exposed ridge, just before a huge, unexpected thunderstorm began.

 And finally, we wrapped up the week with a visit to High Meadow to see the folks at "Farm Party".  The kids loved playing with all the older buddies they have met over the years.