My Happy Place

Everyone should have a happy place, somewhere that instantly makes your heart feel lighter.  Mine is Bainbridge Island (although Maui might be a close second).  Many of my idyllic childhood moments took place on the shores of Pleasant Beach or traipsing across the island. 

Yesterday I woke up, excited about the predicted beautiful weather ahead.  After making a few suggestions about possible adventures for the day, we quickly settled upon a trip to Bainbridge Island.  The kids are often pretty good about mobilizing when they sense the need to act quickly and we were out the door in less than 40 minutes from the time I stepped out of bed.  Thanks to my childhood visits, we skipped the downtown Winslow tourist scene and instead made for the less crowded parts of island.

Ferry rides are so exciting!

The kids did their part by taking car naps throughout the day.  We picnicked at Battlepoint Park, where I fondly remember chasing rabbits as a kid.  The awesome playground was a big hit.

Of course we made time for a little nature exploration. We found a large bush with a major tent caterpillar investigation.

From there we headed to Fort Ward.  The kids loved scampering along the rocky beach.  Robin was excited to find so many "balls" and delighted in throwing the rocks.  We found plenty of crabs and moonsnails as we turned over rocks.

We then hiked the loop trail and checked out the forts.  The kids did great and Robin excitedly cheered us on as we walked.  Eileen tired after a while and needed carrying.  This is resulted in Robin playing peekaboo with her over my shoulder.

I've been teaching a nature science unit to Linus' kindergarten class.  I used the opportunity to do some plant identification.  It took some convincing before I convinced Linus what we saw was a nurse log.

We ended our adventure by meeting up with my aunt, Eileen, for some frozen yogurt.  The kids loved playing in the fountains.  Eventually, little Eileen was just relaxing on a statue and becoming drenched.  We didn't have changes of clothes for them, but sometimes you have to just let go and enjoy the moment.

The ferry gods smiled upon us and we got to load a boat earlier than expected.  The kids were cooperative throughout the trip for the most part.  I went to bed completely blissed out from a wonderful day.

Mother's Day meant sleeping in, morning snuggles, flowers, a latte, and french pastry in bed, more lounging in bed, a trip to the farmer's market, and an afternoon of pampering at a spa.  There was a moment this morning as Linus' serenaded me in bed that I began to tear up because I could see just how much my kids love me.  Sometimes a mama needs that.  It's been an amazing, rejuvenating weekend.  I hope I can hold onto the feeling as we continue with our insanely busy month and head towards summer. But at the moment, life is good.

Conversations in the Car

One of the biggest adjustments to moving to the suburbs has been spending a large amount of time in the car.  I miss being able to walk everywhere, or when driving was needed, the destination was only 5 minutes away.  I spend a minimum of 1.5 hours a day in the car compared to maybe 1.5 hrs every two weeks.  Craziness.  The one upside to all this driving in the car is the conversations I have in the car with the kids.

In the past week alone our topics of conversation have included World War II, racism, antisemitism, origins of the universe, what it means to be "born sick" (sparked by Hozier's Take Me to Church), priestly celibacy, and why people are homeless.  My morning commute to school has become a series of mental exercises.  I love that my kids are deep thinkers.  The tricky part is coming up with satisfactory answers that are both accurate but not too overwhelming or complicated.  Some days I am more successful than others.

This morning our conversation somehow turned to the gospel writers after Eileen asked who St. Luke was.  I was able to answer he was the patron saint of dentists.  This was not enough information for the young minds riding in back.  After a bumpy start, I explained that the gospel writers recorded the life of Jesus for different groups of people.  This of course made no sense to the 4 year old and 6 year old.  Linus called me out and asked if that meant that they just made stuff up.  Shoot.  I had to think fast.  I then called upon Harry Potter to rescue me.  I told Linus that writing the gospels was like if he and I were trying to tell people about why they should love Harry Potter.  He and I would probably tell them different parts of the same story that we thought were most important for someone to hear.  Even if we did not say the same thing, we would still be telling the truth.  Harry Potter for the win!  Fr. Brad, our parish priest and lover of all things pop culture, would be proud.

Sometimes I wish I did not have to spend so much of my day driving back and forth, or that I could just get lost in my own thoughts while driving, or just listen to music of my own choosing.  But when I think about the quality of some of our conversations, I am grateful for these moments.  I hope my kids continue to talk to me and I am able to use these times to help craft their world view, making them more compassionate and informed people.

As I pulled into the school parking lot, Linus saw a sign for the Give BIG campaign.  I quickly explained what it was.  He told me that if it was up to him, he would give money to Children's Hospital because they help Robin.  Done.  I think I am on the right track with that kid.

Round the Campfire

Every kid who grew up in the 1980s coveted the Sears Catalog Holiday edition.  I would flip  through the pages, coveting all the cool toys, fantasizing what it would be like to own them.  I imagined how much more fun my life would be.  I dreamed of the day I would have a disposable income and be able to buy whatever I wanted.

Now I am an adult and my Sears catalog dreams have been replaced by Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids.  My kids covet the Halloween edition.  I do have some disposable income, but I can hardly afford all the things I love.  I don't get to be Rachel on that episode of Friends where she essentially transforms her apartment into a Pottery Barn catalog.  Instead I like to walk around U Village, visit all the stores, and fawn over all the cute, fun things. And sometimes I walk into The Land of Nod and watch my children begin to play with the display items.  And I watch as all three joyously play together.  And then sometimes,  despite my best efforts, I can't resist the urge to impulse buy.  And that is how I became the proud owner of a stuffed campfire.

Of course we had to rush home, set up the tent, and put on our jammies.  The kids excitedly played.  There was no fighting, just fun.  I can't buy everything I want, but today I satisfied the child inside me.  Mean mama that I am, I ended the camping fun in favor of bedtime, but not before I sang our family's version of one of the kids' favorite camp songs.

"Round the campfire, embers glowing bright.  We have met in comradeship tonight. Round the boughs of whispering trees.  Guard our golden memories.  And so before we close our eyes and sleep, let us pledge each other that we'll keep.  Dimock Family strong and deep.  Til we meet again."

From the Mouths of Babes in April

Eileen:  Statue of the Liberty!  (Eileen runs around the house, holding an object and yelling this, much to her brother's annoyance)

Eileen:  Whinus  (how she pronounces Linus' name and makes me giggle to myself)

Eileen:  Yesterday at school I went potty in a honey bucket and I liked it.

Linus:  Mama, lets just hope you survive...(menacing face and sly smile)

Me:  If you want to learn to ride a bike, you have to try longer than 2 minutes.
Linus: No thanks. I'm more interested in being an American Ninja Warrior.

Tiptoe Through the Traffic

As hard as it may be to believe, I have never been to see the tulips in Skagit County despite living in Puget Sound my entire life.  Some years it's been too wet, other years too busy.  I didn't even know that visiting the tulips was a thing until I was an adult.  I must of missed that episode of Evening Magazine every year.  The gaping hole in my life experience is now filled.  I finally went to see the tulips.

Dave has been working incredibly long days every day.  My father works nights and sleeps during the day.  I decided we were due for another adventure and I invited my mother to come along for the ride.  The kids were ready, enthusiastic, and dressed appropriately without any help.  Things were looking good, and then we attempted to get to Mt Vernon.....

So.much.traffic.  First there was heavy traffic in Everett and then starting a few miles south of Mt. Vernon traffic went from slow to a crawl to a standstill.  At the some point, another car had the idea that all of us trying to take the exit to the tulips should just pull off to the shoulder.  And then we sat and sat and sat.  Having not done my due diligence, I missed that the third weekend of April is the Tulip Festival street fair.  Not only was there traffic to see the tulips, but most of the downtown Mt Vernon streets were closed, parking was insane, and pedestrians were everywhere.  This did not bode well for getting a quick bite to eat.

Once we did make it off the freeway and somehow found parking, we wandered around until we found a diner with a cheap brunch.  And then we were on our way.  Leaving town towards the fields, there was no traffic.  In fact, Tulip Town was not that crowded at all.

Tulip Town is kind of like going to one of the commercial pumpkin patches with decidedly less bling--no cow train rides, tulip chunking with a catapult, or tulip mazes.  It's just a large area of tulips (about the size of a soccer field), many sections with the flowers chopped off.  There is a trolley that you can pay extra to ride that will drive you around this square patch.  You aren't supposed to go in the rows.  Small sections are cut out so you can take the obligatory photo where you look like you are in among the tulips. 

 My mom struggled with using the camera.

Linus picked out a bouquet of flowers to commemorate our trip.

Leaving the tulips proved even more difficult.  The road leading back to town was clogged.  After twenty minutes and not budging, I turned on my route navigation, set it for HOME, and just headed south, ignoring all attempts to get me to the main road.  It took a long time, but we eventually found our way back to the freeway.  My mom and I thought the route we took was quite scenic and lovely.

The kids were not impressed by either the scenic drive or the tulips.  The Dairy Queen in Marysville on the way back went over much better.  Robin couldn't get enough and was moaning as he tried to climb across the table to get at Linus' blizzard.

I finally visited the tulips.  I'm glad I went.  The tulips were pretty and the kids were well-behaved.  I had fun, but I gotta say, the whole thing is a little overrated.  The next time I go (which won't be for a few years), I'll just swing by on a weekday after a fun adventure in Bellingham.  I think I can safely say that no one is going to be receiving a Christmas card from us with a picture of the family nestled in among the tulips.

Easter Eggs and Candy and Cookies and more Candy

My stomach hurts.  Yesterday was Easter.  I woke up this morning and my body wanted to know what I had done to it.  My body apparently can no longer consume mass amounts of candy and sugar with no ill effects.  If I had not had lunch plans, it would have been a pajama pants sort of day.  Despite fighting an urge to detach my stomach from the rest of me,  I can look back fondly over our Easter Holiday.

There was no school Friday.  After lunch, we baked Easter cookies made with robin egg candies.  Then our friends, Colleen, Ari, and Vivian came over to dye Easter eggs.  The brilliant part of this plan was that it meant off loading half the eggs (the kids don't like hard boiled eggs) and some of the cookies.

Hopped up on sugar, the kids were feeling the need to become the Easter bunny.  Eileen has taken to walking around the house at all times with a basket full of plastic eggs (which of course is a source of conflict with her brother).  Linus and Robin claimed the bunny ears.  Inspired, Linus took it a step further and used markers all over his face when I wasn't looking.

The hospital scrubs are from the previous activity of animal hospital.

Saturday meant more Easter candy and cookies.  Thanks to attending Catholic school, Linus has been very aware of the religious aspects of Easter.  The Stations of the Cross seem to be weighing very heavily on him.  Linus has taken it upon himself to educate the rest of us.

The kids woke up Easter Sunday ready.  The Easter Bunny brought the kids garden stuff.  Linus tried to argue that the Easter Bunny had really meant for Robin's shovel to be for the whole family.  Right.  It only took moments for Robin to figure out the wonder and joy of unwrapped candy in baskets. 

We managed to snap a few pictures before mass.  It's never an easy task.

We got to mass way too early.  Robin was none too impressed.  Having discovered a joy of hats, he claimed Linus' as his own.

Mass wasn't too bad.  I did not love the music, but who doesn't appreciate a homily about zombies?  After mass was another church organized egg hunt, so more candy!

We came home.  I prepared a yummy fancy brunch--lemon brioche french toast with raspberries, maple sausages, frittata, oj.  My mother and brother joined us.  The kids were eerily well behaved and quiet during brunch.  I think it was because I let them use the good china.  Maybe I should break it out more often......

Settlers of Catan followed brunch.  After being denied a win that was mine, I took a nap before starting dinner.  The kids and Dave took advantage of the beautiful weather.  Linus and Dave created some sort of game while Eileen wandered around.

Grandma spent the afternoon playing with Robin.  He is finally starting to really like her, or at least not cry at her mere presence.

After an afternoon of snacking on candy and cookies, I prepared a delicious dinner--honey balsamic roasted brussel sprouts, carrot souffles, red wine and cranberry glazed roast over mashed potatoes.  My younger sister had arrived by then. 

Dinner was followed by more candy and cookies.  It was actually a very chill Easter.  I've managed to throw out some of the candy gotten through egg hunts.  The baskets are up out of reach due to the sugar crazed children that woke up this morning.   I think this is the last year I can get away with just eating all the kids' candy while they sleep.   All I know is that right now my stomach is begging me to take a break from the sweets.  The hard part is trying to listen.

18 months

My little baby Robin bird is 18 months old today.  I love this boy so much.

Robin has been through so much over the last year and a half.  He is deathly afraid of scales at this point, crying the moment he sees one.  However, he is fine being poked and prodded.  He likes his therapist which is great.  Robin is fine being around bigger kids, but he gets overwhelmed and scared when around other toddlers.  He recently discovered the cuteness that is little babies.  His therapist and neurodevelopmental doctor have both suggested he get more playdates with peers. Poor third child, I need to focus on his social calendar more.

Books are one of Robin's favorite things.  Linus is happy to read to him.  In the morning I frequently find Linus in the crib reading to Robin, either his favorite board books or Calvin and Hobbes.  He and Linus are developing a special bond.  Robin gets so excited when Linus hops in the bath with him.  Linus invented a game called "Wild Waves."  All Linus has to do is say the words and Robin gets into position.

More than books, Robin loves music.  He perks up when he hears music and rocks his body back and forth.  We've started taking him to library storytimes.  Robin breaks into the biggest smile as soon as the singing and movement starts.  We are both sad that Nurturing Pathways is on break right now between sessions.

What Robin loves most of all (besides his mama), is being outside.  It's hard since he can't walk to just let him go play in the backyard.  We have to be careful when we say the word "outside" around him.  On rainy days, he points longingly through the window at his swing.  His word for outside is "atch-chai."

Despite being of small stature, Robin is trying to prove that he is a big boy too.  He likes to help empty the dishwasher, handing you things one by one.  He knows when and where to throw garbage.  He will crawl over to the sink and wait for you to open the cabinet so he can put stuff in the garbage himself.  Robin is always a big help when it comes to loading the washer and dryer.

I can't stress how much I love this one.  He is such a happy baby.  He loves to joke and giggle and wrestle.  And the snuggles, oh the snuggles.  He is the best snuggler and I love how he twirls the hair at the back of my neck.  Sometimes he just crawls over to give me a kiss.  Even on the longest, hardest days everything seems okay when it's just him and me in a rocking chair, snuggling and singing before bed. 

18 months.  He won't be a baby for long, but I am determined to soak up every second of it.  There are many more doctor's appointments in Robin's future.  No matter what happens, he is still the perfect addition to our family.