Back from Pond Island 2009

We had fairly nice weather this past week (7/18-7/25), considering how the weather has treated us. Mostly sunny, with a spattering of morning fog and a bit colder than seasonable. Our day to leave the weather was the worst and we did leave by lobster boat. Very rough seas and raining pretty steady. Quick tidbits to help me remember the year.

five plus hour car ride::tim horton’s pit stop in Newport, ME::a ONE skiff load including luggage and family::clarify, ONE skiff load, without the kayak::accommadations at the Big House::kids actually wanted the second floor which surprised their mother::cocktail party at Bungalow::two hikes around the island::picnic lunch with Susie at Majors Head::all island lobster feast at Big House::red tide warnings hence no musselling::morning kayak rides with dad, tough but unregretfull ;o)::having friends visit for the first time::having lobsters twice on the island::seeing your middle child love to row a boat just like you did::playing croquette and winning, that is a first::forgetting to bring in the flag::rough wet ride off with Leland the lobsterman::six plus hour ride home cause the passenger husband wants to go through Pinkham Notch and not through Gorham and Jefferson::repeat six plus hour ride home

The View From Here

Well we have made to our summer digs and the kids are in camp. All I can say is rain, rain go away! Can it be possible for it to rain every day for the rest of your life?

Bretton Woods where are you....

Last Day of Kindergarten

Wiley Coyote and Bugs Bunny help!

We are going through adjustments. Whether it be with changing hormones, on many levels, challenging school work, adolescence, or living with one less parent more often than we want, times are sometimes turmultuous in our house.

Kids are kids, and parents need their space too. Well, I do, maybe not all parents. But we had it out tonight. And this is sort of an apology to my kids, to my outburst and to my poor explanation of why I said what I said. I love you all, and you all mean the world to me. I am adjusting to always being alone, trying to find a voice that you actually listen to. Most of the time I feel invisible, screaming without anyone hearing me. I can’t seem to find a voice that makes you jump, truly listen, the “you know I mean business” voice.

And this was my lame attempt at a good old fashioned cartoon graphic of what I remember a good old fashioned collision was like on a good old fashioned cartoon.

The sugar isn’t agreeing with us….

Okay, I tried. Really I did. What was supposed to be a fun family holiday craft has turned, well, out of control. As a child my aunt and cousins(my aunts kids) and therefor my cousins…see the sugar is screwing with me…would always make a gingerbread house. And when we went to visit, we could tear off a mint jelly candy or an M&M, a piece of gingerbread, and I was envious.

Well, not anymore. What a bloody mess. I would win the Ugliest Gingerbread House contest for sure. And as far as having any patience, well, screw that too! Thank my stars it was only $7 for this kit. Double thank my stars that I didn’t go through the effort of making everything from scratch. Which I believe my aunt did. I applaud her, standing!! Let’s have a fudgin ovation!!!!

So before I absolutely lose all of my christmas spirit, I am putting this gingerbread house to rest. And for heavens sake, we have licked and licked our way to this point. So much so, my boy has wierd things going on with his eyes….something like what I would think a charging bull might look like. Or the Grinch the day after Christmas in this economy. And Maddy’s voice is up an octave, no three octaves and Kaylee is double talking….

So we are washing our hands, literally and spiritually and physically of gingerbread house making! Get your last licks in kids! Greg, enjoy your tomten!!

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent Thanksgiving in NH with Nana and Grampa and Jeff and Aimee and Seamus….and a bun in the oven….not my oven, mind you, but my SIL Aimee’s! Thanksgiving morning we hiked, can’t believe it, but we did!!

….and our turkey tasted so good. These are little crafts from George and Maddy….

….and then we skiied! Can’t believe we did that too!

giant jenga and belated bday wishes

**Oh, November 18th came and went….this blog has seen better days….but all is well. The priorities have changed since starting this endeavor but we are still hanging on, post by post….I may have a little “santa” craft that might make an appearance soon.**

Yellow Belt

Time Slips By

Like so many of my posts, I must say, I can’t believe it has been 4, FOUR, months….

Alot has happened and now things sort of seem to be right back to the full swing of normal kid schedule craziness. I miss my summer get-a-way, but I am sure before I know it I will be up in the mountains or on a beautiful island.

summer camp ended….

George tried something new

I lost my grandmother

school started and George is officially all grown up….sad

And now we are just passing by Halloween…

Pond Island 2008

Overall a beautiful week was had by all. There was a very definate drought until the last night when all the islands rain tanks were overflowing. So it is a bit of a downer when you really have to watch every drop of rainwater…no showers, washing dishes, washing hands, fire hazards….but really a fabulous week of family and memories.

:: grampa rowing us out :: two silly sea urchins :: rope swings at the Big House lawn :: a preppy little golfer :: and her preppy little brother :: fresh coat of paint on the Big House :: all my ducks in a row on the boardwalk :: rock climbing at Campbell :: my own little Popeye, the sailor man… :: red sky at night, sailors delight(though it be DRY) :: cribbage, lots of it :: off to the Bungalow :: painting with Ruth, and Kaylee, oh…and someone turned 65, could it be…..NANA? :: Kaylee working on her “now famous” island man :: lubbers :: annual trek to the lighthouse :: punch bowl :: hiking the island with family :: more rock climbing… :: and the beautiful sunsets ::