Lexi Funnies

Lexi and I got to enjoy some one on one time today since camp is over and school doesn't start until next week.  We've had fun, and she makes me laugh.  To especially funny things she said today:

After I asked her to put a little ornament back in the book that it came from:
Lexi: "I can't, there was a stick there before but now it's gone."
Me: "You mean a sticker?"
Lexi: "No, a stick, you know, like a wack."
(I think it might be mean that I haven't really explained to her that the word is "wax", and one piece of wax does not become "wack", but it's just too cute!  She needs something to learn in Kindergarten!)

Later, while shopping at the Gap for back to school clothes, I complained about how expensive a very cute shirt was.  She replied in a very grown-up tone, "Yes, they must have worked very hard on that one."  I agreed and bought it anyway.  :)

Lexi was very excited about her back to school shopping, and had a blast picking out clothes and then trying them on in front of the big mirror.  Her little poses and faces were cracking me up.  We're going to enjoy the heck out of this last week of summer, and after that she will officially be in public school.  She's gonna rock it!!

Lexi Turns 6

Dear Lexi,

On Friday you turned six years old.  There is simply no way for me to express clearly enough how proud of you I continue to be.  It's been a big year for you.  You've overcome a lot of challenges, grown and learned so many things, and I know that in the grand scheme, this is only a small preview of what is to come.  In the last year you have become an amazing swimmer, a beautiful dancer, a proficient reader, and just the most creative little girl.  The best thing about you is that you are a sweet, loving girl who is nice to everyone.  You have lovely friends, and a little brother who simply adores you.

In two weeks you are going to Kindergarten.  It's a big step for both of us (I always think these things are harder on the moms, than the kids), but you are 100% ready.  A new school, new schedule, new teachers, it's going to be a lot of change, but we are all excited to watch you totally rock Kindergarten, and I know you're going to be great.  It will be sad to say goodbye to some of your sweet friends from preschool, but I know we'll keep in touch with some of them, and many more wonderful friends are just ahead.

On Friday night we had a wonderful little party for you at the pond with your friends.  Everyone had a blast (despite a small passing thunderstorm), and Daddy and I were so happy to watch you run around and play with your friends.

On Saturday we spent the day together as a family.  We went on a long hike (your pick) through Weir Hill, where we stopped for a long time at the water so that Daddy could teach you how to skip rocks.  After our hike we went home for lunch, and spent a little time playing some of the games you got for your birthday.  We couldn't possibly leave out a trip to Benson's, so off we went so that you and Zach could share a fresh native peach frappe.  It was a perfect little day spent with our perfect little family.

Daddy and I feel so blessed every day because of you and your brother.  Happy birthday my sweet girl!!

Love,
Mama
Full album of the weekend can be found here.

Angle Pond 2011

This summer we spent our customary two week vacation doing something very new and different.  Rather than spending the last two weeks of summer in a house on Salisbury Beach, which we've done for years, we rented a house on a small pond in Sandown, NH called Angle Pond.  Last year we decided that a lake house could have some nice benefits for the kids who are now learning how to swim, and also for the rest of the family.  I'm so glad we made that decision because after two weeks on the pond, we all agreed that we preferred this vacation over the beach.  The house was perfectly sized, and fit all of us comfortably, even allowing plenty of space for when Auntie Amy came with all the cousins.  There was a very large yard, and then a few steps to the dock which gave us access to a simply beautiful little pond.  We spent two weeks relaxing, swimming, running, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating.

The day we arrived I had been feeling a bit anxious about whether everyone would enjoy this new location, and whether it would be safe for the kids.  When we arrived, my fears were quickly put to rest when we saw how lovely the property was.  Zachary walked out the back door, took one look at the pond and said, "Gigi, look at that big pool!"  Of course we had to set a few rules and limits, and Amy and I spent some time on the first day setting up some ropes to keep the children away from the wall that dropped 6 feet to the rocky water below, but once that was done there were very few moments of anxiety for the rest of the two weeks.  

The cousins (Ben 8, Cassie 5, and Sophie 3) and Auntie Amy stayed with us for the first few days.  This was a wonderful treat for all of us, as the five kids play beautifully together, and I love having a chance to "play" with my sister too!  One of the highlights of their first visit was an afternoon of fishing.  I still crack up when I look back on the scene of Amy standing on the dock with Ben, Cassie and Lexi fishing (read: flailing fishing hooks all over the place) while she tried to bait hooks, remove fish from hooks, remove hooks from hair, all while little Sophie clung to her leg fussing that she wanted to go inside.  I was just a useless bystander capturing the whole thing of film because I know nothing about fishing.  However, after awhile she had to take Sophie up, so she got all three kids situated and left me alone with them.  She had not even made it to the back door before Cassie declared that she needed a new worm on her hook (gross) and Ben caught a fish and needed it removed from the hook.  The fish came first so I bravely marched right up to it, and just as I was about to grab it Ben remarked that it scratched him.  Scratched you??  The fish??  I had no idea that fish fins were sharp.  I tried to convince Ben that this would be a good time for him to learn to take the fish off the hook himself, but he refused and shoved it closer to me.  I begged Amy to come back and help me but she just laughed and kept walking.  Not sure what to do, we lowered the fish back into the water so it wouldn't die on the hook waiting for one of us to man up.  As soon as the fish was submerged it swam right off the hook and got away fast.  I guess when faced with two human dolts who have no clue what to do for you, it's every fish for himself.  We spent many more fun hours with the cousins doing other things as well - canoeing, swimming, etc.  It was a very loud, and very fun few days.

 

After the cousins left it was quieter, but we still enjoyed doing everything the pond had to offer.  I have probably never worked out so much on vacation in my life.  My dad gave me a swimming lesson every day we were there, and by the end he told me I swam a 1/2 mile.  That's impressive for someone who has never really swum at all.  Anytime anyone was swimming someone would also go out in the kayak for them, mostly to serve as a large visual for any boats going by, but also in case the swimmer needed assistance.  We referred to this as "rescue kayaking" and it was one of my favorite things to do.  I enjoyed the nice slow, relaxing pace while watching the swimmers do all the work. We also did a lot of running - some of the miles were due to some wrong turns that turned 4 mile runs into 7 mile runs, but they were all great anyway. 

Lexi absolutely loved being in the water.  If allowed she would get in the water as soon as possible and not come out until bedtime.  Often I had to insist that she come out of the water because her lips were turning blue.  Because of the difference between a pool and a pond, she was slightly less confident in her ability to swim long distances.  But after two weeks of living in the pond, and several swimming lessons from her Poppy, she finally gathered the nerve to swim all the way to the raft and back on our last night.  She was very proud of herself, as was I, and it was a great way to end our vacation.

Zach also enjoyed playing in the water, although his favorite water play time was when I gave him pond baths.  He found swimming around naked to be absolutely hysterical, and it was hard to get him out once bath time was over.  Zach also had a lot of fun just playing around in the yard.  His favorite game was "sprezilee" (or, frisbee).  He asked everyone to play with him, and clearly gets his skill from his Daddy because he had an amazing throw.

Both kids also really enjoyed boat rides of all kinds.  We took some very long canoe rides with Lexi and Zach, which only got hairy when Zach got bored and wanted to stand up - not at all concerned about tipping the boat over.  Luckily we managed to stay dry.  Lexi's favorite ride was probably the ones Poppy gave her on the "Bob".  Poppy would swim around the pond pulling Lexi who was holding on to his swim can.  She thought it was a blast, and didn't seem to notice or care that other kids were getting much faster rides on rafts attached to speed boats.  This was much more her style.

The evenings are always my favorite time when we're vacationing near water.  It seems that the water gets so calm and everyone is relaxed after a wonderful day.  We enjoyed many wonderful meals at the pond - almost all of them cooked on the grill and eaten outside. The yard and view were perfect, and it was a lovely way to wind down from a fun day.

After two weeks of fun, it was certainly hard to come home and head back to work.  But we had a wonderful vacation with Gigi, Poppy, Great Gram, Auntie and the cousins, and the best part is that we get to look forward to doing it all again next year.

The full web album can be found here.

Quotes...

On Thursday night, the day before her birthday:

My friend Rob - "Lexi, are you turning six tomorrow??"
Lexi (proudly) - "Yup!!"
Rob - "Wow.  So, do you have a job?"
Lexi - "No, I have a mom."

This morning, after being greeted sweetly by Lexi:

Zach - "Hi Lexi!  I woke up for another day!"

Pardon Me While I Brag

(Vacation blog and pictures are coming - promise!)

My children are perfect.  I know most people reading this blog agree with me, and don't need proof, but I'm prepared to supply it anyway.

This morning, while I got myself ready for work, Zach and Lexi cheerfully helped each other pick out their outfits for the day.  During this process Zach indicated that he would like to use the potty, so I helped him take of his DRY DIAPER (!!!!!) (second day in a row, folks!) and use the potty, all while Lexi excitedly counted up how many jelly beans he would earn for this wonderful new trick.  Once he was done on the potty, Lexi helped him get his clothes on, and then they sat together on her bed while she read him Rapunzel.  Not an "early reader" version either - the complete, non-princess version. 

After a lovely breakfast full of sweet discussions, Lexi helped Zach get his shoes on, and then cheered when he got his previously earned jelly beans.  Out the door we went, and we be-bopped to some music all the way to Fadia's where they blew kisses to each other and said goodbye for the day.

No, they're not always this well behaved - they both have their moments, but it truly is the norm, so much so that I often expect them to say things like, "Golly gee, Lexi, I sure would like to borrow your record player!"  My children are a pleasure, and simply wonderful to each other.  Just the other day Lexi included "A Fireman dress-up outfit for Zach" in her birthday wish list because it wouldn't be fair if she was the only one getting presents.  What a lucky mom I am to have two such beautiful and loving children.

Bad Case of the Grownups

Last night at dinner:

Zach: {HICCUP.  HICCUP.  HICCUP}  Poppy, I have a case of the grownups.

"Know What, Mom?"

I hear this a million times a day.  It's Zach's "go to" thing to say I suppose when he wants to talk but has nothing better to say...

"Know what, Mom?"
"What Zach?"
"My peoples are coming to my house."

It's started to grow on me.  I sorta like it when he says it out of blue and out of context - especially when we're either out of town, driving away, or have plans somewhere else. 

But today something weird happened.  It changed.  Today after "Know what, mom?" came, "My friends are coming to my house."  Friends??  What??  What happened to the people?

And it bummed me out.  Because I know this is the beginning of the end.  Soon he'll stop saying it altogether, and it will be another sign that he's growing up.  Why do my kids keep doing this to me??