Mama in New England

This is us, as I navigate motherhood and enjoy the amazing adventure.

We are a family of four, a cat and a dog, living outside Boston, Massachusetts. I started this blog as a way to update friends and family who are afar, but it seems to have become somewhat therapeutic & helps me laugh when I need to.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Lanie's Bed and Chocolate Inquiry

I found some brown marks on Lanie's bed and thought the worst, but then I located a mini Kit Kat wrapper on her bedside table. She felt no guilt.


Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Three Year Old Fashion

I love two and three year old fashion. It's seriously my favorite. No cares about what anyone thinks and they can pretty much pull off any look.

Here's Lanie the past few days.


With the pose.

And Vivian at age 2 with the fashion.

On the Dresser

I came into Vivian's room and asked another stupid question.
"What are you doing?"
"Sitting on my dresser."
Because I apparently will never learn.


Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Fridge Problems

Every evening the floor under the fridge was wet, so Chris finally called the repairman.



I mean, it's nice that it's an easy fix.

Monday, July 8, 2019

Scooter Crashing

I never walk to the park that is three/four blocks away, partially out of laziness and partially because I know when I do, they will inevitably get hurt, sick, or we will need the one thing that I don't have. I remember hiking home once from somewhere when Sam was around three, after he had wiped out and was bleeding and I was carrying him screaming, a scooter and pushing a stroller. Which doesn't seem like a big deal until you have to execute such a feat.



So last night the kids hadn't been out a ton during the day and I decided it would be a good idea to walk/scoot to the park to burn off some energy. All good until their "five minute warning" to go home, when they decided to do races around the basketball court. The girls on scooters got a head start.
Obviously we had a wipe out and Vivian screamed bloody murder. Her ego was more wounded than her body. To get her to feel better Sam asked her to race again. Because how could that happen twice?

Naturally she went down harder the second time and freaked out more because there was blood (and her wrist hurt). It definitely was a big fall and must have hurt a lot. I ended up calling Chris to drive us home.

Nothing a few Band-Aids and ice-cream couldn't solve in the end. Poor kid.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Women's World Cup

Viewing party of England vs. USA with a divided fan base.  The calmest moment of the game while everyone is eating ice-cream sandwiches.
Image result for women's world cup high braidsWe have been watching the Women's World Cup soccer.  I think it's especially important as the girls see Sam do so many sports to know that there are professional women athletes. This usually involves some kind of family fight, Vivian doing headstands on the couches, and Sam yelling that he can't hear. But anyway, today Lanie walked by (she was busy playing), and said, "oh, yes, when I have a braid like that I will kick the ball like that," and continued on her way through the room. Vivian left to go and ask the Google Home questions such as, "show me pictures of England," (she thinks she'll move there), and "show me photos of Long Island," and "hey Google, play calm music."
Related image

When the USA won today, Lanie passed back through and asked, "did she get it in the goal?"
"Yes," said Sam, "twice."
At least he watched the games through and saw the determination and skill level (and head injuries).

July 4th Trip 2019

Sam and Lanie at the ferry terminal.
Our trip to Long Island in photos- Chris and Vivian drove first and took the ferry from New London to Orient Point, NY. Then Sam, Lanie, and I took the train to the ferry the next day and Chris picked us up at the ferry terminal.
Fourth of July Bloody Mary on the ferry.


Viv at the swimming pool with all the miniature roses.
Making faces.


The kids making fairy lamps.


Catching frogs.

Putting out flags, including the British Virgins Island flag.


Games.

Sam standing still for possibly one of the only minutes that we were there.

Checking for ticks when we got home. That's the kids checking my giant white bum and finding one!

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Suffolk Downs

We took one last trip to Suffolk Downs, a racetrack in Revere that my Dad's family used to go to.
Chris took Sam with my grandmother when he was little a few times, so we did one last visit.

When Chris told Lanie she was going to "see horses," she got very excited and kept asking when we were going "to the farm?" We finally convinced her it wasn't a farm, it was horses running, at which point she went and retrieved her bike helmet, which she wouldn't take off. She thought she needed it in case she "fell off a horse." Better safe than sorry. She even slept in it, only taking it off after a few hours of direct sunlight when it must have become apparent that there was no horse riding to be done.


Outside after the couple of races we saw, before a big storm came in.

Lanie keeping safe.

Watching the horses run.

Sam studying the program.
Lanie finally removed the helmet.

Horses racing. Sam's reaction was, "I think they're hurting them, oh no, that's so sad!" Meanwhile he was intent on betting.

The older area falling into disrepair.

Older section.


Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Frozen Slime

In case anyone ever wanted to know what frozen slime looked like, Sam and his friend did a little experiment. I had to text this photo to his mom's friend at 7:00 am last week so her son could also see.
I asked them to start labeling the experiments that end up in the same place as food is stored, just so I'm aware of what's going on.


Folding Towels

I've been trying to be more consistent about having the kids do chores. This morning I gave Lanie some clean tea towels to fold. When I came down from the shower I saw them strewn about the kitchen floor.

Later while folding more laundry, I said, "Lanie, I noticed that the towels I asked you to fold are on the kitchen floor."
"Yes," she agreed.
"Why are they on the kitchen floor?" I asked.
"Oh, I turned into a monster," she replied.
"Oh. Well when can I expect the towels will get folded then?"
"What?" she asked.
"When will you be finished being a monster and fold the towels?" I asked her.
"On Tuesday!" she told me.


Naughty Lanie

Being a third child she certainly knows how to get a reaction, even if she doesn't know what she's doing.  Chris was driving us to my mom's yesterday while my car was at the mechanic when I heard Lanie say, "oh look, I can do it!"
Vivian started giggling uncontrollably in the backseat. We ignored them and continued our conversation when Vivian laughed harder and shrieked, "Lanie, no! You know you're not supposed to do that!"
"But I know how to do it!" Lanie replied.
"But Lanie it's BAD! It's a swear."
"Yes," Lanie agreed.

I finally turned around. She was having such a proud moment. Sam recently taught her this skill that she is well aware is against the rules.


Monday, July 1, 2019

"Party Hair" picture

Lanie drew this picture this morning at breakfast. She said, "oh. It's party hair."

I'm not sure what's going on with the eyes, Sam thought it was "freaky." Hey, a party is a party. It's good to have a sense of style!