Responsibilty

As a mother, wife, dog owner, home owner, bill payer, employee, board member, parent rep, friend, sister, daughter, aunt... I feel as though responsibility is a heavy weight on my shoulders.  For some reason this week has felt especially responsibility-ladened and, because of this,  I have managed to sleep maybe a total of 20 hours.

Today was my day to exercise.  So at 5:30 I got out of bed and ran.   Because this was the responsible thing (and because I hate missing my morning).  I made my mental to-do list in my head while I ran.  While having a cup of coffee, and putting my to-do list onto paper, I heard chattering from upstairs.  After a few minutes I went to investigate.  Oliver and Henni were snuggling together in bed and Oliver was telling her a story about a unicorn.  At that very moment the do-list disappeared.

Yes, there are things that need to get done, but what really matters?  Does it matter if the floor is mopped today?  Or what about the bathroom?  Does it need to be cleaned today?  The answer - no.  What really needs to be done is fun.  Imagination.  Play.  Love.

The kids just went to sleep.  The house is a disaster.  Toys are everywhere.  The pile of laundry that needs to be folded is threatening to collapse the house.  Either Davis brought home another dog today or the house needs a serious vacuuming.  It isn't clear if we can pull together a breakfast of anything other than basil, artichoke hearts, cheese, and peaches.  But today we rode bikes to get bagels, we played with Charlie, we went to the playground, we went swimming, we painted, we played trucks, we played babies, we played with friends, we read... and I am headed up to go to bed.

Today was, I think, one of the most responsible days I have had in a long long time.

Summer Daze

A couple weeks ago we spent the week in Maine.  Typically our visits to Maine involve leaving the house by 9, 10 at the latest, and adventuring for the day.  While some may find this type of vacation exhausting, I find it relaxing and love that it maximizes the day - the whole day.  This year, because of weather and schedules our vacation was different.  A couple days into the vacation I commented that it was 10 and the kids had not yet had breakfast and we hadn't left the house.  Ok, commenting might be nice - I was stressing out about this.  Davis turned to me and told me to relax.  He pointed out the kids had slept in, both he and I had gotten in a run, we had done some serious tree-house planning, the kids were happily playing together, and we were on vacation. I took a deep breath and decided to wrap my head around this new type of vacation.

Our vacation included a super fun afternoon out on an island with Jon.

Shopping (and making some calls)

And the very beginnings of an elaborate tree house.  Oliver was a super big helper with the tree house.  He proudly pointed out to anyone interested (and not), that he "dragged the 2 by 6s into the woods like a skidder."

We also spent time with Papa in the garden.

And got in a few hikes.

And spend more time on islands

And made s'mores.

Back at home, we've continued to enjoy these last few days of summer before school starts.

We've been getting strong and showing off our muscles,

And have been using said strong muscles to kayak on the Parker River,

And to relax poolside (surely muscles are needed here),

And to carry our chairs up and down the beach.

We've also done some surfing.

While I am starting to come around to a more relaxed approach to vacation - I do like squeezing in as much fun and adventure as possible, especially with the days being as beautiful as they have been.

Hello Mrs. President

Parenting is tough work.  One of the most challenging parts of parenting is figuring out how to raise children in such a way that they are thoughtful, respectful, gracious, full of love, full of ideas, and full of fun.  There are days when I am pretty sure Davis and I have failed.  And then there are days when I am so proud of Oliver and Henni and the people that they are - and are becoming - that I think we may be on the right track.

Yesterday I came home from work and, in the summary of the day's activities, was told the most amazing story.  Oliver, Henni, and Hollie were doing a large floor puzzle of the United States, and Oliver asked Hollie to explain to him why South Dakota had a picture of men's faces carved into a mountain.  Hollie explained Mount Rushmore to Oliver.  His response - But, I don't understand why there are no women.  Dear, wonderful Hollie explained to Oliver that there have been no female presidents.  Oliver was shocked by this and silent for a few minutes.  He then looked up and told Hollie that Henni should be the first female president.  He said that he is pretty sure she has the skills - tough as nails, fair, and she knows how to draw a line in the sand and not let anyone over it (trust me, she is very good at this).

I love that Oliver was shocked and appalled that there have been no female presidents - and I love that he believes Henni should be president.  I am all for it.

Oh Baby!

Carolyn, Tim, Catie, and Alex welcomed Abigail last evening.  All are doing well.

Henni and Oliver are so excited that in the span of just a couple days they went from 2 to 4 cousins. They are looking forward to meeting the little ones and teaching them their crazy ways.

Baby!

Much to everyone's surprise Elizabeth and Kevin's little one arrived yesterday - 5 weeks early!

The little guy (no name yet) is doing well, but is in the NiCU so he can be monitored and kept warm and cozy.  Because he's in the NiCU, Oliver and Henni weren't able to meet him when we went to visit yesterday.  Henni was especially disappointed because she is desperate to meet him and "teach him how to play."  Rest up sweet baby...Henni has plans for you!

Go

I clearly remember telling someone that Davis and I were ready to have kids because 1) we liked to go to bed early and 2) because we got up early.  Looking back, that person I was talking to had incredible restraint.  Children are 24/7.  They have no off switch.  When your child is born, you are not given a tranquilizer gun to use on yourself, or your children.  Rather than announce the time of birth, the midwife, doctor, parent - or whomever catches the baby, should just yell "Go"!  Yes, "go!."  Because, as soon as the baby is born the lifelong marathon, complete with happiness, exhaustion, love, trials, tribulations, biting, and bodily fluids begins.  

Liz and I were talking the other day about time without children.  Neither of us could really recall what a weekend without children would be like (meaning a weekend that didn't include buying gifts for children because we were away, calls from husband's about where certain lost toys...).  And we were utterly perplexed about what weeks on end with children would be like, and we were even more perplexed about how we thought our lives were busy before our kids were born.

I am starting my training for this year's half marathon.  Although carving out the training time is tough, I am embracing the time by myself.  Time to think.  Time to not have anyone climbing on me.  Time to run away (in an appropriate way).  Time to have fun.

Dr. Scott, paleontologist from Dinosaur Train, says we should all "Get outside.  Get into nature.  Make [our own] discoveries."  At our house we try to do this as much as possible.  While getting outside, getting into nature, and making discoveries can be time consuming and challenging - it does, somehow, slow time - in a wonderful way which nothing else can.

This past week my small friend got out there with a vengeance.  They competed in the Old Town Country Club Olympics.

And Oliver competed in his first race - the High Street Mile.  He was a very social runner- he'd run over (and sometimes back) to say hi to a friend, and then sprint ahead.  He also loved stopping at the half mile for water and trying to strike up conversations with other runners about the run thus far.  Given the social nature of his run, I was quite impressed with his 11:07 time.