A Much Needed Bit of Relaxation and Exploration: RI style

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Charlestown, RI for a few days with my little men to enjoy some sun, family, and find new places to play down there.  I know I will be spending a little bit of time down there again this summer, so it was time to scope it out and see what was around.

Our first day down there, my mother in law and I took the boys to Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, RI.  Dan and I had hiked this last summer, but a lot of the trails had changed after Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the coast this past September.  Pierce was a bit uneasy about hiking down the cliffs and into the coves, but Carter loved it.  By the end, Pierce finally climbed one part, and then told us he was okay with not doing that again. There is also a lighthouse here, that is open for the summer months.  I did promise Pierce we would go back so he can see what the inside looks like.  We spent half of our day here, and it was the most peaceful, tranquil, calming place I had been in a long time.

The second half of the day we spent at Ninigret Park in Charlestown.  This is a fascinating park, offering something for everyone.  There are trails, a bike course, a little pond, a senior center, and of course a playground.  It was a bit chilly, since the winds had started coming in strong, but they still had fun.  There were two separate playgrounds; one for toddlers, and one for the big kids.  There was also a see-saw, and two excavator toys for kids to use.  Despite the wind, there were a lot of other children here which gave my guys a chance to run and play.  I had taken them here last summer, but it is nice having two that can play together now.  :)

On the second day, we started off bike riding at Ninigret.  However, 30 mph winds cut right to our bones, and I decided we were going to check out Providence Children's Museum (part of our bucket list).  The description I had surmised before based on their website, does not do this place justice.  One lesson learned; arrive early or there is NO parking.  Being in the heart of Providence, the lot is small and by 10:30, the place was full.  That did not stop other people, and even though there were a lot of people there (school vacation week), the museum never once felt crowded.  This was the first children's museum that literally had something for EVERY child.  They even had a separate play area for those who are not walking yet.  I also loved that there was staff everywhere enforcing the age restrictions and making sure that everybody followed the rules.

My guys fell in love with the spatial relations center.  There were various latches on the walls, with different patterns and textures hidden behind them.  Also included in this section was a play table to build 3-D geometric shapes, 3-D cutouts to fit in the holes, a shadow center, and huge building pieces to try to make a life size cube (think life size Tetris).  They also fell in love with the playground made for ages 4 and under.  Pierce was able to dress up as a beaver, a blue jay, and also mine for rocks in the tunnels.  Carter practiced his new climbing skills, and loved the boat that was in there.

This museum also had a huge outside center.  We ventured out there and found some tunnels, a playground, and musical instruments.  However, with the wind we did not stay out there too long, since I left their coats in the car.   We also had a blast playing with tubes that sucked up scarves and yarn balls that then plopped them on your heads...or you could try to catch them.  And lastly, the water ROOM was amazing.  There were pumps, levers, dam building, and a separate water table for the little guys.  This review really does not do this place justice, and is really one of those places you have to check out on your own.  It is completely worth it.

Spatial Relations Center

Pretending to work in the factory, just like the French Canadian immigrants did.

Tubes!

Construction Center

WATER!

Light Table

While we were leaving Providence, I ended up getting lost, but found a neat little park on the waterfront.  It was called India Point Park, and had bike trails with a little playground.  As I was turning around, Pierce begged for me to stop so he could ride his tricycle, so of course I did.  Why not?  We had a little bit of fun in our winter coats on the playground, but it really was designed for the much older crowd.  However, walking (or riding) along the river was gorgeous.  We found swans, boats, a drawbridge, and just had fun.  I want to go back in the summer to explore here a bit more.  My guys were tired, and only lasted about 30 minutes or so at the park.  However, I did purchase my first Del's lemonade of the season, since the truck was right there.  :)

The rest of our time in RI was spent going to various beaches that we normally travel to.  It was a bit shocking to drive through Misquamicut and see the devastation and loss of houses and businesses all of these months later.  I visited the fishing area that my father loved and found that most of it was washed out to sea (Camp Cronin in Point Judith).  If you climb over the massive rocks and dodge some of the left over debris, you can still make it over to the jetty to check out incoming boats.  And lastly, Pierce decided that he needed to go in the ocean at Salty Brine Beach, after he watched other kids his age do it.  I figured after the water reached his toes he would never go in again, but he kept touching the waves and running away.  He thought it was awesome.  Carter, did not like the sand.  At all.  Hopefully by summer he will be used to the feel on his bare feet.

To my boys:  thank you for being such amazing children.  I love that you have the traveling spirit and the love of nature that you do.  Please hold on tight to that and never become jaded.  The world is your classroom; use it.  Learn as much as you can from it.  There may be some evil in this world, but remember that there is always way more good.  Be the change you want to see, live the life you wish others would live.  You are our future.  I will love you boys always...and don't you ever forget that.

To those that were at the Boston Marathon:  I'm sorry you had to witness such an evil event.  I'm sorry to those of you that lost loved ones, lost limbs, and forever had your lives changed.  Don't be bitter for too long.  That just gives these "men" what they want.  Strive for change, embrace what you have, and love who you are.  May we all remember those that helped each other that day, and let that comfort us as we look for answers.  May love forever surround you and support you as you go through the next part of your life.

Greetings my friends!

Hello there!  I have been super busy with the family this weekend, just to keep myself distracting and to not think, so I did not have time to update.  Here are the highlights of the weekend.  :)

Yesterday, Dan and I took the kids to Moodus, CT for the Thunder in the Valley muster.  We met my mom there, and of course saw all of our fife and drum friends.  It was so nice to be around free spirited, up beat people.  Those are the friends that have accepted my family and loved us through thick and thin, and I cannot express how much I love them for it.  Carter stayed with Dan and my mom at the end of the parade route, while Pierce insisted he carry his drum and march with us.  I had a bad feeling about that plan, but I was also trying to avoid the meltdown.  I should ahve paid more attention to that feeling, since I ended up marching the entire parade with a very tired Pierce and his base drum on my shoulders.  And yes, I did fife the ENTIRE parade.  It as a rather delicate operation, but it happened.  Furthermore, it really was not that bad...I am kind of used to having one of the kids on me at all times.  :)

After the muster, we came home and did bath time immediately.  Both of the boys were disgusting, and since Carter dumped an entire cup of Woodchuck Cider on himself, he stunk the most.  From there we had family movie time, and the kids went to bed.  I also followed their lead, once Dan and I figured out what the heck we were going to do today.

This morning I realized just how empty our fridge was, and made the boys more oatmeal and pumpkin butter.  They gobbled it all, again, and even Dan tried it too!  I have a feeling that is going to become a fall staple in our house.  While Dan got the boys ready for our adventure today, I brought a whole bunch of stuff up to the top of the driveway to give away.  It is all baby stuff, and it needed to go.  Seeing how empty the basement is without it was a breath of fresh air.  I also figure that since most of the stuff was given to me, it is only fair I give it away. 

I drove the family the hour to Jacob's Ladder in Beckett, MA today to hike the Appalachain Trail through there.  We headed southbound, which enabled us to climb the staircase up and over I-90.  The boys LOVED having the big trucks go under us, and watch them come out the other side.  We also had to go past a waterfall to get to that point, and Pierce was in heaven.  We attempted to let Pierce hike, but he was tired and the terrain was quite rough in places.  It honestly would not have been so bad if there were not wet leaves and slippery rocks.  All in all, we had a blast though.  While on the trail, Dan had Carter on his back, and he was able to convince Carter to sing the entire alphabet with him.  It was great!  It is amazing just how intelligent both of our kids are.  And I think Pierce is starting to understand my slogan of, "The world is your classroom - use it."  Dan and I hiked a total of 3.2 miles, before we drove to the Lee Outlets and grabbed a bite to eat.

Arriving home, yet again I faced how empty the fridge was, and decided we needed to figure out meals for the week then go grocery shopping.  Luckily, Meme and Papa were home and volunteered to watch the boys while we shopped.  This enabled us to restock a house in just a bit under an hour.  Yippee!  Since we had groceries, I got down to business cooking tonight to start prepping us for the week.  The first item on the list: an oatmeal bake with raspberries, chocolate chips, and banana slices.  It took no time at all, and Carter helped me stir...and eat almost all of the raspberries.  Here is the recipe:

http://alwaysamrsforeverakidd.blogspot.com/2012/01/gluten-free-baked-oatmeal-casserole.html

And it is gluten free for the Pierce dude.  I cannot wait to dig into that in the morning, and I am sure the boys are looking forward to it as well.  One of Pierce's rewards for an entire day of no accidents is popsicles.  I am sick of buying them, so tonight Pierce and I made:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Nutella-Cool-Whip-Popsicles/?ALLSTEPS

It ended up Pierce finger painting in cool whip, but I can atest that the flavor is AMAZING and I cannot wait for them to freeze.  However, if you ask Pierce, he made them.  lol.

Tonight tucking Pierce in, I thanked him for an amazing day hiking and minimal whining.  he looks at me and goes, "No momma, thank you for always doing fun things."  Each day I am becoming a firmer believer that I am doing the best job I can, and the boys know it.  I think Pierce totally appreciates what I am doing and knows I work hard to make his days fun. 

Today is the technical 1 year anniversary of my dad passing away, and of course that has been weighing on my mind.  Dan and the boys made it so that despite the day I had a lot of fun, and I was able to relax a bit.  And I thank them for that.  I came across this poem a long time ago, and it is fitting for today. 

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye


Goodnight everyone.  Have a great week, and I will do my best to update at least every other day.

A bit different from the norm...

Let me begin by saying that we have had a fair amount of fun since Wednesday.   I knew it was going to be a rainy day today, so it was a must to spend the whole day outside yesterday.  I would have to say Pierce's statement of the morning took the cake though.  "Momma, I want to be a grown up.  This way I can go to work with Papa and I don't have to stay home."  I think once we spent 3 hours at Rockwell Park yesterday just playing, he changed his mind.  Carter also changed his mind about crawling.  He decided it was too cold to crawl along the ground, and held onto my hand and pretty much walked the entire time.  He also attempted to climb the rope structure like Pierce did. 

Later that afternoon we went for a walk in Woodbury, in search of a tower to check out the fall foliage.  We met up with some awesome friends, and had a great time...but we never found the tower.  Let's just say the moms were talking too much, and missed a turn somewhere.  On the bright side, we did have an amazing tour of Woodbury's Main St.  :)  We came home, ate dinner, and did bath.  I started making homemade pumpkin butter at 6 pm, and of course my sous chefs had to help.  At 9 pm, we had 2 small containers of pumpkin butter that are to die for.  Here is the recipe:

http://ohsheglows.com/2012/09/11/all-natural-pumpkin-butter-from-scratch-many-ways-to-use-it/

Even the boys gobbled it up this morning with their oatmeal.  Mommy did too.  And we had pumpkin butter sandwiches. 

Today I was determined to get out of here and do something fun with these guys.  We have been sticking local all week, and they have put up with a lot and no routine.  Our escapades landed us at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.  We had so much fun, and there were so few people there that we were able to touch everything and see everything up close and personal.  We touched sting rays and nerf sharks, saw all sorts of fish that are in Long Island Sound with us, and just ran and explored.  Pierce was not in a stroller, and he did great!  I am starting to trust him more and more out of the stroller, and he is appreciating it. 

Once we left the aquarium 4 hours later, we came home, picked up Daddy, and went to Home Depot.  I am addicted to pinterest, and have all sorts of projects laying in my head.  I found a coffee table today at Goodwill (we arrived before the aquarium opened), and it is perfectly round.  I am going to sand it, paint it with chalkboard paint, and have that be the arts and crafts table instead of using the kitchen table.  We also finished pricing out the lumber costs to make Pierce an elevated bed with cubby holes underneath, and a train table.  The boys LOVED Home Depot.  I think it was a huge jungle gym for them, and at one point we found Pierce on top of the stacks of plywood. 

Now we are home, and the boys are in the bath with Daddy.  I can hear Pierce making waterfalls with the bucket of water, and Carter protesting any water going near his head.  While it is awesome, I cannot help but think of a year ago tonight:  I lost my father.

I am not sure how many people that read this knew my dad, but here are the basics.  My father was 52 years young.  For 12 years prior to passing, he struggled with dialysis and kidney failure.  What ended up killing him in the end was liver cancer.  I remember my father being this HUGE guy growing up.  He was the father that all boyfriends were afraid of, just due to sheer size.  However, he had a heart of gold, and was the best person I know. 

One year ago tonight, I watched this shriveled shell of my dad take his last breath and slip off into the great unknown.  I still have the horrid sound of the coroner zipping the body bag as they took him out of my mom's house.  That is when I also lost myself.  I have focused this year so much on acting like it didn't phase me that much, and that it is all part of life.  What nobody realizes is that I have made myself so busy to try and forget about it, I have neglected myself.  I have lost friendships over me not being myself, and I have almost lost my family.  I am finally at the point where I am just angry with him for leaving my mom and I in a world, where we did not have enough of his knowledge yet.  I still reach for the phone to call him, and it has been a year.  Pierce asks about him all the time, and insists that he sees him and that he is with us in the car, at the house, wherever we go.  I have my mixed feelings on it, and it depends on the day I am having. 

I know I am usually not this straight forward and revealing in my blog, but I needed to put it on "paper."  PLEASE, cherish the ones you have near you.  Remember when your child is having a tantrum or you are having a bad day, it is only a bad day or moment.  It is not a bad life, and you never, EVER, know what is going to happen tomorrow, or if there will ever be a tomorrow.  Life is the most precious thing on earth, and we, as a society, take it for granted as we zoom down the highway, skip those pesky physicals, and decide to not take care of ourselves.  The pain I have felt this year, is nothing I want any of you guys to feel.  The reality of it is, that we will lose a parent, loved one, or sibling some day.  As I leave you tonight, please do not feel bad for me.  It is something I have to deal with and learn to accept.

 To my mom (I know she reads this), thank you for everything in the last year.  We have grown so close, and I treasure that relationship more than you know.  Please do not think of yourself as a burden, or anything other than the amazing mom and friend that you are.  You have gone through Hell and back, and I am proud to call you mom.  I love you.  And please do not ever forget that.