And so it begins

Julia emptying out my purse! And so the purse obsession begins. She alreay steals my shoes... Soon nothing will be just mine!

Sometimes you just have to laugh

Both Emma and Julia have become quite the little people this summer. Emma is still completely enthralled with "princesses" and dressing up in anything of mine. And now, Julia is starting to follow suit, putting on my high heels and taking off all of her clothes ... hmmm, hopefully this is a short lived trend for her!

This morning I woke up a bit groggier than usual (could be from Rob and I spending the day at Sharpe Hill Vineyard and tasting 10 wines!) so that meant whatever Emma wanted to play I just obliged. Today it was "Makeup Doctor". Yup, that's right. She chose and named this new game. She asked if she could put make up on me, I quickly said "no thank you sweetie" so she put back my blush and eyeshadow but then spotted my body lotion. She said, "Mommy, how about I put this magical lotion on you to make you look better". HMMMM ... well OK, that could work. I felt pretty tired so maybe she's onto something.

So for 30 minutes I sat on my carpet in my bedroom, while "Dr. woohoo" (her new pseudo name she created) gently squeezed out shea butter and oatmeal lotion. She started with my arms and all the while saying things like "Oh, you have a hurt arm. This magic lotion will make it all better." Then moved onto my face "Oh, your face is broken. This magic lotion will make it all better." And then she decided that I needed a full "medical" check up and said she was off to get her tools, a Screwdriver and a stethoscope. This is when I sat up ... what do we need a screwdriver for? She says, "I will put the screwdriver in your mouth so then you won't have a hurt mouth". I think my little 3 year old got a bit confused but I had to chuckle. So I said, "well I don't think I need a screwdriver, that's what Daddy uses to fix things around the house". She then assertively looks at me and says "The Doctor will fix you. Lay down." And then squeezed more lotion out and rubbed it all over my forehead. But from there this is what made me laugh. She got the stethoscope out and said "Now don't cry. This only sounds loud" (This is funny because this is Emma's big fear, she hates new noises and she was preparing me!) So I did what any good Mommy would do ... I began fake crying. She then said "No no, it's ok." and rubbed my face (so sweet), but then the more I began to "cry" she got annoyed and then simply put her hand over my mouth! She said "I need to hear your arm. Be quiet!". How can you not laugh at that! She tried to be comforting and then like any 3 year old decided, ok Mommy I don't like the game you made so I am going to put my hand over your mouth to keep you quiet.

Never a dull moment with the mind of a 3 year old.

Parents vacationing ...

Earlier this week we had a wonderful opportunity to go on a mini vacation ... with out the kids! So in essence, the 2 day vacation that we got actually felt like a full week away! I know that probably sounds terrible, right? Well it is the simple truth. Vacations with kids and vacations with out kids are polar opposites (any parent out there knows what I am trying to say!).

For example, our June vacation to the mountains ... in our minds we thought, "woohoo, a full week of fun and relaxation" and what we got was "a full week of rain, entertaining the two toddlers, meltdowns, and lots of ice cream breaks for Mommy and Daddy (as a measure of serenity)". Well that's not to say we did not enjoy our family vacation, we really did, because we got to really spend quality time together and do a lot of the family things we can not do at home most weeks (long bike rides, playing memory games on the floor, taking a big family bath together each night -- this was by far the best thing we did on our vacation with kids, it really got them calm and was so fun to all splash around in the HUGE jacuzzi tub) and we also learned that when you do plan a vacation with kids make sure there are some "stand by" activities around (e.g. arcade, movie theatre, mall) because we were very much isolated up in the mountains so the week of rain we had definitely made it much harder to entertain the kids ... and ourselves.

But, I digress, back to the wonderful wonderful little nugget of stolen peace we got to have this week. April and Timmy so graciously invited us to join them on their Martha's Vineyard getaway. Initially, I was hesitant to say "yes" to the invitation because both Rob and I knew we could only go for 2 nights (with our with out kids) so we had to make a choice -- bring the girls or go by ourselves. It took Rob 0.2 seconds to make that choice -- with out kids! I, on the other hand (and April too) had a lapse of sanity and had thought, "oh how wonderful to bring the girls back to the Vineyard a second year" ... but my logical, practical and fun loving husband said "no way, we already brought the girls on vacation this year, let's just go and have a good time".

I love how guys can just cut right through all of the "hallmark moment emotions" and just know what they want. Well, Rob was right. Our mini vacation was amazing. The girls did wonderful at Renee's for 2 nights, slept excellent and really did not notice we were gone. I guess Julia did start to get more "cranky" by the end but according to Renee that just meant she would look around and say "Momma?" and turn her hands up as if asking "where the heck is my Mom?" and then two seconds later she'd do it again but for "Dada?" ... and then she'd move on and play for hours.

So, while we were away from our girls, we got to let go of all responsibility. However, the Ferry ride showed me, again, how completely different Rob and I handle stress and freedom. Rob was so at ease, reading through his fantasy football draft materials, but I, though I trying very hard, had a few things lingering on my mind:

"I hope the girls sleep well. What if they get sick? What if they get hurt ... and then "What if this boat sinks, why is it so rocky? How long until we get to the Vineyard -- 1.5 hours?" "I don't know if I can do that". So, in order to quell my anxiety ridden mind, a glass of wine and a number of texts later we arrived on island. I got my sea legs back and we headed to Vineyard Haven via bike.

Rob and I have recently really started to enjoy biking. Rob is becoming more of an avid mountain biker than he or I had ever anticipated, so we were thrilled at the idea of taking our bikes to the island. We did ride everyday which was amazing to see the island and made us feel really accomplished too. Rob actually rode 30 miles on day alone!

We arrived to the Condo at VH and it was picturesque. An in ground pool, hydrangea bushes all flowering, and April and Timmy looking oh so Vineyard casual with beers and cheese and crackers waiting for us. Both Rob and I were a bit sweaty from our ride so what else was there to do but to JUMP into the pool! It was perfect. Something funny happened ... I jumped in and a little habit from childhood took right over, I held my nose, but not with one hand, with two hands. Now, it being MY habit I had no idea that this is actually NOT the way most people do that. I guess most people do not even hold their nose, never mind use two hands to do it! So yes, April, Timmy, and Rob got a big chuckle out of my inability to jump into the pool with out doing the 2 hand nose hold! :)

Our vacation had begun. It was surrounded by lots and lots of yummy food and drinks ~ Zapotec for Sangria and tacos, Offshore Ale for Blueberry Beer Growlers and a smorgasbord of Appetizers, including our favorite steamed mussels, a trip to MV Bakery "Back Door Donuts" for the best ever Apple Fritters.

We enjoyed 2 late nights of card games with, of course, more beer and a delicious BubbleTini. I do have to note that Timmy was quite surprised to see that once April and I were together we are like energizer bunnies and we do not miss an opportunity to stay up and play. We all had the best time and it was exactly what these parents needed to come back fully charged for the end of the summer.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention this ... we spent and entire day at the beach and did not have to chase any children!!!!! No making lunches, changing diapers and/or putting on baby sunblock while they kamikaze their way off the blanket, no building sand castles, no sand in their eyes, no jumping out of your chair 50 times to make sure they don't dart for the ocean ... Rob and I actually grinned in contentment when we saw a parent chasing after their little one with the harried flare we all have at one time or another, because for today we did not have to do any of that!

So, yes I highly recommend finding time to vacation with out kids ... just a quick little getaway is really an amazing way to relax and gain perspective. And believe me, although I had a great time, both Rob and I were so excited to get back and pick up and kiss our little ones!

Mini vaca

We are off to the vineyard! Thanks to April and Timmy for inviting us. Looking forward to a mini vaca!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ...

Wishing Mom and Michael a wonderful 13th Anniversary!!! We love you guys so much and hope you did something fun! Big hug and kiss!

100 things to do with your kids in Rhode Island

100 things to do with your kids in Rhode Island

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Preschool preview

A big step for our little lady ... Emma met her first pre-school teacher today!

We went in for a classroom visit first thing this morning and I have to say, Rob and I were far more nervous than Emma. We walked through the doors, me holding Emma's hand and Rob holding Julia. Emma took one look around and saw the little cubbies for backpacks and coats, so she Emma assertively tried to push her backpack (a fluffy pink Tinkerbell backpack that Auntie Caroline gave to her, which Emma jammed full of toys) into an empty one. We then had to remind Emma that she was not starting school today, we were just there to visit.

There were about 15 toddler sized kids playing calmly in different table stations and play areas and with out a single word spoken by Rob or I to push Emma to explore, she walked up to a table, pulled the pint sized chair out, and engaged in puzzle building with a little girl named Natalie. All the while, Rob and I stared in amazement and were "meeting with Mrs. O'Neil" but I could barely hear what the teacher was saying because I was so enamored with my 3 year old being so comfortable with this new school! Emma can be quite shy so I was pretty surprised that she let go of my hand and did this all on her own. But it also gave me such pride to know she's doing exactly what she's supposed to be doing. My Mom has always said you raise your children to be their own person and you know you've done your job when they don't need you for everything. I know exactly what she means now, I was happy not to have to pry Emma off of my leg to go and take a look around and I was happy to see her play so naturally because that's exactly what she should be doing. She was doing this so well that after 40 minutes we had to give her the cue that our visit was going to end. Again, a new fear came over, she was having such a good time there is no way she's going to leave here peacefully! So we cued her and said "our visit it going to end soon" she looked up at us and said, "but I want to do my art", we validated, "I know, but today was just a visit, the next time you come you will get to do an art project" and POOF surprise, she said "Ok, Mommy. But when do I get to come back?" I said, "You start school on September 1st." Emma looked at the art easel and said "Ok, I will see you September". It was adorable. She then walked up to her teachers and said good bye, she held my hand and said "I really like my new school".

So, we now know Emma is ready to begin preschool, we are not naive to think there will never be a toddler meltdown about going to school, but today was a really nice beginning.

Portraits ...

Here are some of our favorites from the girls "photo shoot"

Such big girls!

Some days I cant believe how big the girls are getting. Today Julia climbed right up to the picnic table and began coloring like a big girl. I didnt even have to say "not in your mouth" about the crayons! She has been in bliss with the paper and crayons, taking out colors then putting them back in the case all while sharing some story in jibber jabber! It is pure bliss to be able to here watching her have so much fun.
Yesterday i had another flash of how big Emma is getting. We had her first real dentist appointment! You really never know how these things will go. But sometimes your kids surprise you and are perfect little patients! Emma was wonderful and love Ms Rene's tools: mr. Tickles the toothbrush and Mr. Thristy the saliva vacuum. Emma followed instructions to the T and left the dentist with 4 prizes! She also told me what to expect for my cleaning in full detail over and over for an hour!