Doug and I LOVED the Jello Pudding Pops of the 80s. For whatever insane reason, they're not made anymore. With some pudding and a popsicle mold, we tried to make our own.
It didn't work. They tasted just like Fudgesicles, and they didn't have the thin coating of ice that made the pudding pops so awesome. But they still tasted good.
We had friends over for an after dark playdate on Friday, and I told Jake he could have a couple friends over. That turned into four and Friday night brought five nine-year-olds who were ready to party.
We kicked Emma out of her half of the room and brought her mattress into Owen's room so the boys could have the whole upstairs. It worked out really well . . . both she and Owen liked having company and the boys could have the whole top floor. We had a brief moment of insanity when she found out they were tossing around her stuffies (no one touches Emma's stuffies), so we addessed that and things were then okay.
They had a blast. Football with Doug (five on one), basketball, TV, and running around outside with flashlights until shortly after 10:00. Then they came in and moved into the basement to build with LEGOs and KNEX. We sent them upstairs at 11:00 and had lights out at midnight. It was silent by 1:00 and we finally went to bed.
They were up around 7:00 and waited until 8:00 to have a ball battle in the basement. I came down later to find all of the toys and bins restructred into two forts and ball pit balls EVERYWHERE. They were all gone by 1:00, and we collapsed on the couch until the kids' begging to go to the pool got us up again.
I think it was a success. Jake pouted that no one would have any fun because we don't have video games, but no one seemed to miss them. He did come to me afterward upset that someone said our rules were "dumb" (no playing bloody video games and no darts) and there was "nothing fun to do" at his house. We talked about it a bit--I think most of it was just fatigue because everyone seemed to have fun. I reminded him that we've had the same kids over again and again and they never say no . . . they must have a good time even though we deprive them of hours of video games and the chance to impale each other with darts.
Jake's room, on the other hand, didn't fare quite as well.
I took some notes of some of the things they said . . . I think as they get older, their conversations will change. And I call them conversations lightly, because they all seemed to talk and yell at each other all the time but I'm not sure that they actually listen or respond. Boys are a different breed.
At night, Emma was busy with her friends, but by morning, she wanted to be included so badly, but everytime she tried Jake (VERY nastily) told her no. Finally, one of his friends piped up and said, "Jake, just let her play." And then another . . . "Yeah, Jake, let her play." And, "You're always bossing her around." You know it's bad if they call him on it, so Emma played. She chased them around outside--couldn't catch them, but was on their heels. She built LEGOs with them ("I promise I won't touch anything . . . I just want to build too) and ate breakfast outside with them. Once, Jake asked, "What's the stupidest show you've ever seen?" No one answered as they were all buildign and talking but Emma said, "Dora the Explorer really bothers me. She yells all the time!" For the first time, Jake didn't yell at her but had to agree.
It was a good time.
Breakfast by the numbers:
5 9 year olds
1 5 year old
1 2 year old
2 thirtysomethings
18 eggs
12 slices of French toast
1 pack of bacon
4 jugs of juice to choose from
3 boxes of doughnuts
It was pure carnage. When one of the boys came to the table, he said, "This is HEAVEN!" They came, they ate, and then they were off for more play. And they all said thank you.
We hardly ever buy doughnuts but went to a bread outlet for the first time and they were a dollar a box. I couldn't pass that up and it was a party, so Owen reveled doughnuts placed on the table. He only took a bite or two of each one--so wasteful, but at a dollar a box and with a ton of kids running around, I didn't make an issue of it.
I think he liked them just a little.
Jake had a sleepover last night. The boys are currently outside playing World War III (charming) which means they run around the house as Emma chases them. Jake is graciously allowing her to play, calling her a "one man army." She never catches anyone, but she gives them a run for their money--she's really fast. Emma is in heaven being included and Jake, for once, is not being mean to her.
For now.
Last week, the kids spent most of the week in Bethlehem with my parents. As usual, they had a blast getting lots of Owen free attention and good food. Before I picked them up, they enjoyed:
I met them at Cracker Barrel for lunch and to take them home. We were going to do Roadside America after that, but everyone was tired and lunch took forever, so we came straight home. I was so happy to have them home again, and I loved listening to everything they did. Owen was very happy to have them back as well . . . I think he was a bit lonely for them.
The kids and I are on a mission this summer to stop for ice cream at as many locally owned ice cream shops as possible. We're trying to avoid the chains like Friendly's and Cold Stone Creamery (though we did go there with a gift certificate one of my soccer players gave me).
So far, we've been to:
Last week, we hit Ice Cream Corner. The kids had sundaes (a deal at 2.25), I had my usual (a small dish of chocolate peanut butter), and Owen had a vanilla baby cone. It was .25 and it was tiny--the perfect size for a toddler. What Jake could have eaten in one bite it took Owen twenty minutes to eat . . . and many wipes. I wish all places had such tiny cones.
While it's probably not the most healthful mission, we are certainly having a lot of fun!
Owen's playgroup meets every Friday, and last week we went to Gelder Park. We've never been there before, and we have added it to our list of favorite places. It was AWESOME!!! So many things to do on the structure. And the slides were REALLY tall.
Really tall. At one point, Owen thought that climbing up and then jumping down the steps was fun. I held my breath the entire time, but he never fell.
There were tons of nooks and crannies for climbing and even a rock wall that Jake could enjoy.
There was a zip toy that Jake could reach and had some fun with. He also liked riding his bike around the path. It was a long path, going all around the ball fields along the tree line, and I gave him permission to ride it at will wherever he wanted. He liked having the freedom to come and go, and from time to time I'd see him hop on his bike and pedal off and then return to play with the kids.
One of Owen's friends brought chalk, and there was a lot of art. Rollercoasters, hopscotch, and a frog bog to jump on. When I asked Owen what he was drawing, he of course replied, "Rollercoasters!" Jake enjoyed following the rollercoasters the little boys drew.
And of course, there was a lot of swinging.
We had a picnic lunch before going for ice cream and playing in the creek for a while. There was one picnic table sunken into the ground which was perfect for the kids. The weather was just gorgeous and we spent almost five hours outside enjoying every minute of it.
On Monday, we went to Hersheypark. We hung around the house for most of the day and did a Costco run and then had an early dinner before heading to the park.
We got to the Boardwalk around 6:00. We did the lazy river. Emma and I shared a tube, and she loved it when I steered so she'd go under all the fountains. We spent the rest of our time there in the pool. Emma, Jake, and I did one round of waves in the really deep end--totally awesome. Loved the feeling of free falling, and Emma kept trying to swim past me even deeper and laughed every time I pushed her back. Owen stayed in the smaller waves for most of the time with Doug as he's hooked on Daddy lately.
Then Jake and Emma rode the waves down the side of the pool. Jake got some good rides in and Emma just ran out to about three feet and then just let the waves push her down toward the shallow end. She must have done that ten times. It was actually a little chilly by the end of the time there, so we were glad to get dressed.
We ran into the Jolly Rancher, and all the kids gave him a hug. Jake will still do that, and Owen will hug them, stand, and look up at them, patting their sides and just loving on them. I'm sure they don't know what to do with him, and we usually drag him away with the promise of a ride.
After the kids and Doug had ice cream, they went on some dry rides.
Owen had some requests, and Doug and Jake went on the bumper cars. We didn't get Owen a bracelet, so they wouldn't let him on the swings . . . and that was the beginning of the end. He screamed the whole time Emma was on the ride, fussed during our trip to the bathroom, and was finally happy on the Tiny Timbers.
He screamed because he didn't want to get off and fussed all they way down to Founder's Circle before going on some more rides. I took the kids on the Scrambler, and we marveled at a spider web and how the spider was able to hang on while the ride was in motion. Jake and I waited while Doug took Emma and Owen on the merry-go-round, and I enjoyed some rare cuddle time with my oldest. Owen threw a fit when we left at 10:00, screaming "MORE RIDES!" all the way to the car.
It was a late night . . . way too late for them.
And Emma won a new friend . . . she played Flutterball three times (she's very willing to waste her money on games) and was able to trade up to the large bear in the upper left. She named him Snowflake (joining Snowy and Snowball and Snowman Blankie) and has slept with him every night since.
Owen, you are weaned. After 945 days and countless hours, we have "broken up." In the early days, when you nursed for hours and hours on end, it felt like you'd never stop. It's as if I've blinked and you're now two and a half and we have read the last page of that chapter of your life.
The last time you nursed was Monday, June 29, 2009. It was late at night and we had just gotten home from Hershey. "Nurse you, Mommy," you cried as we went into bed. You nursed, asked, "other side peas, Mommy" and then fell asleep shortly thereafter. I gently pulled away from you and crept out of your room hoping you wouldn't wake. At the time, I didn't know it was going to be the last time.
Yesterday, I decided to stop. I wanted a couple nights without the kids here in case it was upsetting for you. Last night, you fussed for a minute, cried a little, and then pushed me out of your bed, hugging Daddy and wanting only him. You fell asleep in about fifteen minutes.
Tonight, you wanted us both. You cried to nurse but were okay when I read you your little Hersheypark photo album. Then you wanted Daddy and I to lie with you . . . you gripped us in your little death grip hug over and over. After about a half hour, I said goodnight and left the room. Ten minutes later you were asleep. A bit harder tonight than last night, but I think your nap today threw you off.
You've been through a lot of changes in the past two months. Your own bed, your own room, and now no more nursing. I try to keep that in mind when you seem clingy and whiny. You are dealing okay with it all, but we've noticed an increased need to be hugged and held when you're feeling tired or unsure. You've always been like that, and I guess it's just your personality.
I think this was a good time to wean. You are very verbal and can express yourself and can understand what I tell you more than before. I am ready to let go, though it is bittersweet. Nursing you was one of the most amazing things I have ever done, and it totally changed me as a person. We had a very close bond, and it's amazing how that bond is not disappearing but simply changing and evolving. You are still very much attached to me, and I feel good knowing that my presense puts you at ease and brings you comfort.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little emotinal. And you're a little emotional, but we'll be fine. My instincts tell me it's time, and when I told you how proud I was of you for going to sleep without nursing last night, you smiled and hugged me and seemed very proud of yourself.
Know that even though you are getting older and bigger and turning into a boy more and more everyday, you are still my baby.
Where did June go? Between school, soccer, VBS, and other assorted activities, June is but a memory and an undocumented one at that. Most of my computer time has been eaten up--getting up to go to the gym at 6:00 means no more late nights on the computer and having all the kids home all the time keeps me on the go.
Last week was a blur.
Monday
The kids started VBS. I dropped them off and spent an hour there doing work to coordinate the mission project. Owen and I ran some errands and then went back to pick up the kids. We came home, cleaned up, and got ready for a water playdate I hosted for MOMS Club. The kids played and we had a potluck pizza dinner, and by the time everyone left at 7:00, I was ready to crash.
Tuesday
After dropping the kids off at VBS, Owen and I ran more errands until it was time to pick up the kids. We came home, had lunch, and spent the afternoon at the pool. We didn't get home until almost 6:00, and I was hosting a dinner meeting for the new MOMS Club officers at 6:30. That went until almost 9:00, and I crashed shortly after getting all the kids to bed.
Wednesday
Was insane. I dropped the kids at VBS and came home with Owen. I had a long conversation with Jake's principal on the phone, and then I had to do some research before picking up the kids. We came home and they played while I cleaned up and made dinner for a friend while decorating cupcakes for Emma's soccer party. We piled in the car, dropped off the dinner, and headed to the playground for her party. We came home, got everyone showered, and had them all in bed at a fairly decent time.
Thursday
My only morning at home. We dropped the kids off and came home to hang out and play. After lunch, we spent two and a half hours at the pool. I was supposed to go a friend's business launch, but Doug was late from work, Jake fell in the tub, and Owen cracked his head on the dresser so I stayed home to make sure everyone was okay and do laundry. And collapse into bed.
Friday
I dropped the kids at VBS and ran to Target to get some things I needed. Then hit the grocery store to pick up food and ice for the VBS picnic. I made it back to church in time for Mass at 11:00. Owen was INSANE. He moved constantly, talked to loud, jumped off the kneelers, repeated random words at random times, and generally wore me out. His only cute moment was holding out his hand to shake with the people behind us. He did enjoy the singing. We had lunch at the picnic and then I had to walk all the mission donations to my car. It took four trips, and Owen came along for each and every one, watching as I stacked everything in the passender seat beacuse the trunk of the car still wouldn't open. We were hot, tired, and cranky. We finally got home at 1:30 and sorted all the donations. Doug got home around 2:00. He and Jake went to see Transformers 2 while Emma and Owen played outside and "helped" me garden. They also helped me pack for their trip to Bethlehem . . . Emma loves organizing her outfits and filling her suitcase. Owen just likes dragging the suitcase around. I picked up some McDonald's for lunch and we had a quiet evening at home.
Saturday-Sunday
We spent the weekend at home and came back Sunday evening. I'm still tired. But I'm still getting myself up at 6:00 every morning to go the gym (M-F), and I haven't missed a day yet. I'm pretty proud of that.
