Family Photo Shoot gone wrong

Clair needed a family photo for her preschool class, so we arranged to head into Frederick and get some photos taken downtown by a friend. I was so excited because we don't get family photos anymore. I take loads of pictures of the kids, but no one gets ones with me in them. I had visions of greatness in my head. I planned the outfits. I ironed. I arranged the day, the weekend around this. I was stoked!

We get into Frederick, we walk around for a while. We connect with Jim and decide that the first photo will look nice just in front of one of the fountains by the creek. We go to sit down and try to get settled, and i see Jim's face turn worried, whilst simultaneously hearing a big splash, a big cry, and "there goes Clair!"

She fell face first all the way into the fountain. She was soaked, head to shoes, a mess! She was scared. She was covered in yucky water. I pulled her out straight away, stood her up, and just stared. I was angry she messed up the photos with her need to do it herself. I was sad for her being upset. I was disgusted that she was covered in that horrendous yucky water. Oh poor Clair. Oh poor me!

David ran to the car to get some extra clothes. We stripped her down right there and got her dried off using Max's extra clothes. We got her warm and her spirits lifted. I apologies to Jim and he insisted we might as well try a few more photos. So we did. We persevered and got a couple nice photos. I couldn't wait to get her home and get her cleaned up! She had to walk around in no shoes. David carried her mostly. She's a brave, determined, independent sole. She needs to learn to slow down and let me help her. I'm afraid she's really going to get hurt with this "I do it" attitude. I love this girl so much!

Settling In....

It's been a long time since I've written. We moved and things have been pretty out of control. I haven't had the chance to feel like a great Mom in the moments, more less reflect at the end of a day. It's hard making time to keep track of how things are going. But the kids keep growing, and amazing me each day.

They have each settled into the new home, new neighborhood and new routines quite well. They love the neighbors across the street and are starting to appreciate others in the neighborhood. Clair still hasn't found a buddy yet, but I have no worries that she will, soon.

They are getting the hang of walking to school and only being on Ms. Sarah's schedule instead of a bus schedule. I like the relaxation that provides. There is a little more time in the mornings.

Everyone's rooms are nearly set up and functioning. They are starting to think about putting their marks onto things. They have been flexible and patient over the past few months as I have worked through boxes and David has worked through projects. The list is long.

Over the past couple week's I have tried to take time to play with them at times. I still haven't gotten in my game of hide and seek in this house yet. And, I think this house would be the BEST house ever for that game. I must play it with them one afternoon.

We moved and had some very immediate trips - Gino's wedding, A trip to Hershey Park for the day, and a trip to the Beach. Just before the beach trip, we dealt with a car accident. Thankfully everyone was okay. It was David, Max and Clair who got hit. It was very traumatic for the kids and especially Clair. Max seemed to handle it more in stride. The truck hit clair's seat directly and boy was she mad, as she had every right to be. The beach trip was taken up by car shopping drama which continued upon our return. It wasn't until the second weekend in October when we woke up on a Saturday and just enjoyed our new home. It was nice.

I love the space, the cleanliness, the sunshine, the views, and generally feel it's a very good place for us. I'm so proud of how the kids have adjusted. I'm so proud of how much help they have been when asked - especially Ellie. She's learning to organize her huge humongous space. It's a process for us both. Max has helped with boxes. Miss Independent is a great errand runner, now that she can remember which direction to go for which rooms. That was touch and go for a couple weeks almost. It was cute watching her learn her way around.

It has been a tough journey since putting our house on the market, but as we get settled I can see this home providing a foundation for the rest of the kids childhood. I hope that they look forward fondly. I suspect Clair won't even remember Old Log Court, but I will always remember it fondly. I believe Ellie will too. I'm not sure where it will be for Max, but time will tell.

Even Lady Grey has settled in and knows her way around. She's sitting here telling me it's time for bed.

Conversation with Clair at Bedtime

Clair doesn't like to be alone at night, and most times. She's chatty, really chatty. She loves to talk. She is especially good for chatting whilst lying in bed at times when she should be falling asleep.

A couple nights ago she started a conversation, "Mommy, I like to kiss Zvi at school."

Me, fully of shock and surprise, as well as slightly amused and not sure how to react, "What?"

"Yes, he leans over and I kiss him. He likes it."

Me, "How do you know he likes it Clair?"

Clair, casually replies, "Because he smiles." and moves on with the next part of her story.

I proceeded to suggest hugs or handshakes were more appropriate. She proceeded to explain why a hug won't work, "becuase he doesn't lean over far enough for me to wrap my arms all the way around him."

Then she asks, "what's a handshake?"

I think she was disappointed when I showed her that move.

Clair has school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So each day this week I've asked her about Zvi. She hasn't kissed him this week. Yesterday's report was that he didn't get close enough. Today's report was that she didn't kiss him or give him a handshake even though he got very close. But instead, she reported that Zvi Pooped in school today. Yes, luckily, it was in the potty!

This girl is going to keep me on my toes. She's smart, social, and knows what she wants. What a combination for life, if only her stubborn unsocial momma doesn't make her hide those qualities. I'm trying hard to respect them as they are so her and I love her so much!

Reflections as we move from Old Log Ct.

This evening I finally tackled the corner cabinet in the kitchen that has held baby bottles and pacifiers for 8 years now. I knew I needed to throw them away instead of move them. I’ve thrown loads of stuff away as we moved, old clothes, old toys, art work, knick-knacks, etc. However, throwing away the baby bottles is what made me actually shed a tear. This move is the end of the baby error. We are moving into our big, grown up house with our complete family of 5. I’m so thankful for Ellie, Max and Clair. They are everything.

As we build up to this move, I’ve been completely stressed out because of the inability to plan and control this. The builder is delayed and that has royally messed things ups. That said, I also haven’t been able to control my reaction to this situation; I’ve been a mess. I am sorry to my family for this.

Today I was determined that in the midst of this chaos, I would do something fun with the kids to help remind them (and me) I’m their Mom who loves them and likes playing with them. I think we accomplished this. The kids and I tried out the local trampoline park this morning after a treat at Starbucks. It was a nice time. I jumped with them. Ellie did lots of flipping. Clair and Max bounced around. It was a grand morning.

We briefly returned to packing in the afternoon. During this time I asked Ellie to clean out here art cabinet. She was moving so slow, examining each treasure she found. I kept trying to rush her forward, without much success I will say. I could tell it saddened her. I wanted to be able to give her all the time in the world; and I just don’t feel like I can. We talked about this a little. I asked her if I was mean. She just looked at me. I told her she could be honest. She said, “Sometimes.” I tried to explain why I rush through everything. The reason I gave was because Mommy is always trying to get a lot of stuff done because I’m a Mommy and I have to work. As I said it, I realized how silly and unreasonable it must sound to an 8 year old, and Ellie is a smart and patient 8 year old. I worry about the precedence I’m setting for my kids. I want them to live a life that isn’t as rushed as mine.  I am worried I will never slow down until I have too, and that my kids will reflect and do the same. I pray they choose a more relaxing path. But then again, perhaps the rush could just go away and I could just get less accomplished. I need to find that balance because in all honesty, I need more mornings playing with my kids. I don’t do it enough.

After packing we did visit some friends for an evening of swimming and relaxing. Everyone had a great time and I am so grateful for that opportunity and to be pulled as a family from the work and the crazy that is at home with boxes everyone.

So, back to moving….

I have such mixed emotions about moving. This house has so many memories for me. It is where I brought two of my three children home from the hospital. It is where they all learned to walk. It is where we have had late nights, many Christmases, visits from Granmpa Bob, where Vonita and Stanley and Grandma and Grandpa were able to come to some of their first birthday parties. This house is where they have started school, road their bikes on the same paths that I did, made friends with people I’ve known for 25 plus years, and so many more little things. Not to mention, this house was a home to me as a teenager in the midst of all the crazy I felt. There was a corner in the bathroom that had not only my kids’ heights as they age, but also Robert, Gino and Mikey’s. I am saddened to leave all this behind. Yet, in the midst of it all, I am trying to remember why I started this journey of looking at housing and thinking about moving – allergies, out of the woods, less projects, be near town, my office, David’s space, etc. Right now it all feels crazy. But as we embark on this train that started rolling many months ago, I pray for God to guide me as a Mom and our family. I pray that this choice we are making is the right journey.

Max says he’s excited.

Ellie is excited, but doesn’t want to leave the fish.

Clair doesn’t want a new house, doesn’t want to leave the fish, and no longer wants to sleep in her bed. This is hard for her.

I think it’s hard for everyone, and yet we will press on. To new adventures down the street! I can only imagine if we were moving far away. I’d probably need some medication J

Summer of 2016 Trip: Iceland, Scotland and Ireland

The big trip.... where to start. First, I wish I would've written down more stories. But, since I didn't, I did make a quick list of highlights, low-lights and lessons learned from our 3 week international adventure with our young family - Ellie 8, Max 6, and Clair 3. There's a good chance I won't go back to tell any stories, so here goes the bullet-ed list. (Let my project manager shine!)

Highlights:

• Each and every playground from Iceland and throughout Scotland was a treasure to the kids. Kids traveling can take such little culture and make something of it. Instead, it's doing the everyday fun things with Mommy and Daddy, whilst seeing how they are different in different places that really does make them happy.
• Falkirk Wheel was impressive with it's engineering and the kids enjoyed the activities there such as walking on water, driving water boats, and of course a playground.
• Cilzean Castle followed by dinner in Ayr by the sea was definitely my most memorable day with the kids. David was so excited to take the kids there and made sure they had loads of time to explore caves, rocks, water puddles, and the ocean underneath the castle. It was picture perfect and really adventurous. Ellie and Max enjoyed puddle jumping in their wellies and seeing in the caves. They were so proud of themselves. Clair went with the flow and enjoyed the exploring as well. I enjoyed taking loads of gorgeous photos. Grannie enjoyed showing the kids a special place she used to take Dolan and David. Great fun and highly recommended.
• Kids spending extra time doing the day to day with Grannie in Scotland was special. They each enjoyed an opportunity to bake something at Grannies. Ellie made amazing chocolate chip cookies, Max Spider man cookies, and Clair some delicious fairy cakes. 
• The moderate temperatures for July couldn't have suited our family better. We hate the heat and were glad to be out of the hot and humid Maryland temperatures for July, enjoying 60s and 70s.
• We visited a new country, even for David and me. Seeing Iceland and exploring the city and the country side treasures was truly energizing. The kids didn't blink much about the fact that signs were in another language. The only really challenging thing was that it didn't really get dark, and Clair wanted to be away with the sun was awake.
• My return to Dublin after 12 years was such a great time for me. I loved exploring the city and seeing what's changed and what hasnt. I loved having crepes as my still favorite little crepe shop in the world each morning. I loved familiar shops. I loved touring the city on a bus. I loved backtracking around the city and visiting my old stomping groups. 
• Seeing everyone was fantastic - Grannie, Millar, Dolan, Sarah, David's friends in Glasgow - Dorian and Family, Farah, Helen, Bobby and Aoife
• The looks on the kids faces when they enjoyed something new, or remembered something from a previous visit.
• Reminiscing about David's childhood and family. Giving the kids a chance to know their Scottish heritage.
• Grannie wanting to babysit freely and often. David and I enjoyed a couple nice evenings out. 
• Learning that although visiting is great, I am glad that our family didn't relocate to Glasgow right now. It's not for me. I was happy to come home as well!

Low lights:

• Losing my new iPhone was really depressing. Despite everyone's best efforts, the phone was lost somewhere between Grannie's flat and ours after a long day in Edinburgh. Many photos and videos not backed up were also lost. That is sad.
• The frustrations of travel, along with my germophobic tendencies and the uncharted territories meant that I often lost my cool with the kids stepping out. I regret that. I hope this isn't what they remember about the trips. 
• I didn't sleep well; that was hard.
• Clair didn't sleep well; that was hard and a big part of why I didn't sleep well.

Lessons Learned:

• I need my systems - things have a place, the kids know that things have a place, the kids need my systems to keep me sane. I need my systems to keep me sane. It's hard thinking about the details of the mondane and coming up with a new system for where to put the shoes, dirty clothes, tooth brushes, bags, stuff, etc. every couple days. We didn't move as much on this trip as the one 5 years ago, but it was still too much for kids this age.
• Living in a place with 1 bathroom with this family at this stage is not only painful, but risky at best. There are too many people with weak bladders and undeveloped warning systems!

What did I miss the most?:

• My bed. I love my bed!
• My car. And the silly little back up camera that makes parking so darn easy.
• Country music. There is none, even in Scotland, to be found!
• Iced Coffee. There are too many places that don't have ice there. Really? Really?
• My washer and dryer to keep the clothes clean. Yes, that's a sign of young kids and a old sole. 

Hopefully this list allows my adventurous side to show through even with some of the mature Points of View around Home Sweet Home!

The summer of 2016

There is so much more to share about the summer travel we did. I am slightly disappointed I didn't get to more blogs then Day 1. My excuse will be losing my phone somewhere in the middle of the trip. This meant the blogger app went missing with the phone, and writing them became more troubling. None the less, I should have. About 6 weeks later and much of the vacation is fuzzy thanks to the project that awaited us when we returned (the new house, settlement, packing, another settlement, moving, and so much more).

To summarize the vacation, 3 weeks away was a lot of work. We moved every 3 days, except for the last week in Glasgow.  Our itinerary was 3 days in Reykjavik, 3 days in Inverness, Scotland, 4 days in Dublin with the kids with Grannie, and 8 nights in a flat in Glasgow with many day trips.

For me, returning to Dublin after 12 years was the personal highlight. I still love that city and would welcome the opportunity to live and work there. I think I could easily be convinced to stay.

For the family, I think the highlight was the day at Culzean Castle outside of Ayr in Scotland. This is not far from where Bob grew up. It was nice to see the area. The kids loved being on the beach and exploring. The day was gorgeous. Everyone was happy and we had even a good meal.

The kids were troopers. Some days were better then others. I hope they look back with fond memories such as driving the boat on Loch Ness whilst looking for the monster or one of her babies, playing at the Castle, baking with Grannie, playing at the nature park, enjoying the local parks in the cities we wondered, seeing the great wonders of Iceland, and hopefully even the silly sleeping arrangements and the adventures of flying and traveling.

They did great on the planes - thanks to the movies!

The one challenge was getting Clair to sleep when it was light nearly all the time. One night in Iceland she lay in her bed for 3 hours with the eyes wide open, propped nearly by toothpicks as she was exhuasted. But each time i tried to tell her to go to sleep, she would say "But the Blue Sky is still awake Mommy." We needed that girl some black out curtains!

Maybe over time I will write a couple more stories down, but for now, the 3 week European Adventure will be know as that, and A Great Family Adventure!

Travel day 1 down

This morning we ventured out as a family of five for a long vacation over in Europe. The day started at a normal time in the US and ended at about 2 AM local Icelandic time. The kids actually did fantastic on the journey. There was a lot of TV watching. But we made it through the whole flight without any tears! Props to the kids!

Ellie and Clair were both very vocally excited about the flight. At one point Clair looked at me with this man said this plane will never leave. But it did. 

Ellie was so excited to have unlimited access to a TV with movies, that she didn't get a lunch to go to the bathroom. On the other hand Clair was there at least six times. So I think she made up for her sister not going. 

Arriving into Iceland everybody was confused by the daylight. Ellie told me she wasn't impressed by the fact it would never be dark. I was impressed. It's been something I always wanted to experience. 

It was about a 45 minute ride into town. We had a nice driver who got all her luggage in and took us till we thought was our location. We unpacked, walk down the hall, went to open the door, and the man inside are supposedly room open the door and said how can I help you?

You can imagine at 1 AM with three kids and 15 pieces of luggage and tow, I wasn't pleased. Thankfully this was a very nice man from Boston who was happy to help us find where we needed to be. He was very friendly. Turns out our place was a block across the street. After one trip with the kids and David following up with about two or three trips to get the rest of the luggage we were finally in our. 

A little disorganized trying to unpack 10 bags and find what I needed to get the children in bed quickly, but it was accomplished in about 15 minutes. Clair was out after hitting the pillow for about two minutes. I think Max and Ellie took about five minutes. It took me a long time to fall asleep, the light sky was a bit alarming really. 

The one thing clear make sure to make Clair before falling asleep was that mommy would sleep with her and daddy would sleep on the couch. She's a funny girl. They have been telling her for the past two nights that she couldn't sleep in our bed at home because she would get to sleep with mommy on vacation. She didn't forget those promises. 

I woke up at 8 AM local time thinking it was noon. I was wrong. I walked around the Street trying to find a coffee shop, nothing was open. I finally found a small supermarket that charged me at least an arm and a leg for some berries a couple yogurts water and a little chocolate. Welcome to vacation! They always told me Iceland was expensive. Today we are off to explore the town. Tomorrow we will do the Golden Circle tour, which is supposed to take you to all the great Icelandic geographic tourist spots.