deCordova Museum

Trip with the kids today.  There were activities set up around the park for special needs schools and centers, which the children happily participated in.  Of course what was supposed to be a misty, overcast day turned to blazing sunshine, but they enjoyed.

Vivian weaving a bracelet.

Sam weaving a bracelet.

Kids in Alice's Garden at the park with Vivian refusing to smile.

Lanie in a sculpture.

Kids working on a dragon sculpture.

Canandaigua Lake Trip

Quick trip to visit Chris's old friend who rents a lake cottage each year near Rochester, New York.  We drove to Syracuse and spent the night and then onto Canandaigua the next morning.  The bigger kids had a ball, and Jack had his first overnights in doggy boarding.  Lanie did her thing which included a lot of tantrums because she was off schedule, but she enjoyed splashing and throwing rocks in the water.  Jack was very relieved to see us when we picked him up today and apparently was well behaved while we were gone.

This is Lanie's traveling style.

And this.

Just trying to sleep in the bed at the hotel while the kids were horizontal.

Sam in the lake.

Vivian in the lake.

Pool Time

The pool in our town is perfect for the ages the kids are at.  It's zero entry and so Lanie can splash without being submerged (though she does forge ahead until she is gulping water).  Vivian is just starting to swim (doggy paddle) independently, and Sam just passed the test to swim in the deeper pool.  The drawback is, it gets crowded and I get nervous chasing Lanie and trying to watch Vivian and Sam in two different locations.

Kids playing while Lanie floats along with the swim instructor.  (note all the other kids are with their mom's, but she wants the instructor, I am only there to adjust wardrobes such as sunhats).

Garden

Our little garden is yielding some vegetables!  We have cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, beans, and a solitary eggplant.  Rabbits ate our kale and some other plants.  There wasn't much here except evergreen shrubs when we moved in and the soil isn't great.  The soil has a lot of clay and it also hasn't rained much this summer, so I am pleasantly surprised.  Vivian has helped me with the garden so she's excited.

How Vivian was Made

I asked Vivian where she came from today, "the crazy girl factory?" and then this was her explanation:

Summer Fights

Only a few days into the big kids not being in camp, and next week, Lanie will also be home, and the fights are escalating. 

The day actually started out with dropping off Lanie at Samantha's, who took care of Vivian for 3.5 years.  Vivian said, "yay! We're at Samantha's, I am going to say hi!" Lanie immediately yelled, "Mom! Vivian say, "I see Samantha!  But it is mine Samantha!"  

"Lanie, Samantha took care of Vivian first, you can both see her.  She's not yours."

"NO Momma, MINE Samantha!"   

What I was actually thinking  in my head was in thirteen years, "Mom! Vivian said she liked him!  But he's MY boyfriend!"

Sam and Vivian play really well together, and are good companions, but when they're in the mood they also know how to push each other's buttons. 

Here is a photo after each of them instigating until Vivian couldn't take it anymore.  They had both been sharing the armchair, trying to relax with Jack, but really they had took turns pushing and pulling and yelling at each other to "not squish the dog!"  I swear Jack loved every moment of it.  I was trying to work on my online class, hoping they'd sort it out and go and play without me intervening.  When I looked up and saw this, I had to take a photo, which obviously made Vivian more upset.

 

 

She's screaming, "stop looking at me!" so Sam is grinning at me instead.

Spinning Turtle Ride

My favorite part is when Lanie says, "what's happening?" as the ride starts.

Storyland

I took the kids to Storyland in New Hampshire on Thursday.  Despite the constant, "how much more time until we are there?" and "when do we get to Italy again?" (Viv), and intermittent torrential downpours and thunderstorms, as we drove through the White Mountains, we arrived (not in Italy, at Storyland). 

The first ride the kids went on, I was with the girls and asked, "where's Sam?"

The antique cars with Vivi driving and Lanie and I as passengers.

Vivian pointed to a car as he drove by solo.

The kids had a great time and were really well behaved and happy.  Vivian (and by default Lanie) got to have tea with Cinderella, and Sam spent a lot of time riding bigger kid rides with my friend and her son, although at times he was definitely terrified.

Rollercoaster with Sam in the back, relieved it's over.

Girls and I on the train.

Water area.

Water area submarine.

Camera captured an action shot of Sam on the roller coaster.

Ferris well type ride.

Vivian sipping tea at Cinderella's tea party.  

Lanie and Vivian hugging Cinderella after the tea.

Vivian at Cinderella's castle, in her very fancy outfit.

Lanie loved the train ride.

Dinner view.