Slides, Naps, and Kites. In that order.

Labor Day was spent doing anything but labor.  And I didn't feel one ounce of guilt (for once).  It started out gray and chilly, two already non-motivating factors. We all slept in a bit, which for this early bird family, means just before 8am. First item on the agenda, breakfast! Sunday breakfasts out are a bit routine for us.  Although lately, we've been less than impressed with our local offerings.  Fast forward through another disappointing experience (although the food was great, the only redeeming factor) and by the time breakfast was done, the sun was out, shining and the day was looking up.  

We head to a nearby playground that's actually tucked away inside the former naval base. Realizing we hadn't been in about a year, we wondered how G would like it and what he would try first.  Naturally he gravitated toward the biggest slide. 

After about fifty times down this slide, we moved onto the swings.  

Soon enough, it was already time for a snooze.  Heading back home, I had such a headache that I just couldn't shake.  Garrett went down immediately for his nap and T said to me "why don't you take a snooze too?"  Really? Me?  But there's laundry to do.  There's vacuuming to do.  There are litter boxes to do.  There are dishes to do.  In other words, never-ending chores.  But it was my day off too.  G was sleeping and would for at least  the next two hours.  So I thought, I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes.  No sooner did I snuggle into the down comforter, all three kitties making there way to snuggle with me, and I was passed out.  For the next two hours.  Wow. When was the last time I did that? Yeah.

G must have been feeling it to because he ended up napping for just under three hours.  The day had shaped up into quite the beauty and we wondered what to do, now that it was already 3pm.  As the breezes swept through the house, the answer was obvious.  Break out the kites!

We live in such the perfect kite-flying yard.  I've always loved the simplicity of flying kites.  From my DC days flying kites on the National Mall, it's been one of those tranquil activities that makes you feel like a kid again.  And it seemed like the perfect time to let G try it out on his own.  We had a blast.  First I had the reins...I let it go waaay up there.

Then I brought it in a bit.

And then it was Boo's turn.

He did pretty well. Until he realized that letting it go and watching it bob across the yard into the bramble bushes was even more fun.  As was watching Momma go trampling through the prickles to retrieve it. The things I do for this kid. Gabs had fun watching too.

It was the perfect afternoon.  An early dinner, a trip in town for Gelato and a run around the Brunswick Mall completed our non-laborious Labor Day.  It couldn't have been better.

Fare thee well, Summer.

Here we are.  All of a sudden  leaping into Fall, with hoodies, cozy pjs, and evening cups of tea.  So typical of New England, we go from high temps in the 80s to cool, crisp nights, and chilly days.  I do love autumn, but it signifies so much---the dread of seeing the school bus come lumbering down the road (I still get that urge to flee feeling when I see it round the corner), the return of students to campus, apple and pumpkin picking, Halloween, and then of course winter and the holiday season.  Simply put, summer is too short.

We've had a fantastic one though, but this weekend, Labor Day, marks the end. We're making the most of it.

Earlier this week, campus had a picnic for faculty and staff to sort of 'welcome' us back into the academic year.  Bates knows how to put on a good party, that's for sure.  The day started iffy, with showers in the morning.  Magically, it ended beautifully and we enjoyed a fantastic bbq with linen-covered tables and as always, an amazing spread.  Since this was a totally family-friendly event, Terry and Garrett joined in the festivities.  My favorite was watching G locate his best daycare buddy, wondering out of context what he was doing there...then watching the two tear down the quad in a full sprint chase. G's favorite part? Making his own whoopie pie.  

Next up on the week's agenda was enjoying a picnic in the park.  Every Wednesday this summer, Brunswick has hosted a live concert with a variety of local bands in various genres.  We went to the one a couple weeks ago that featured children's night, and this past Wednesday was the last one--a blues band.  Our picnic consisted of Subway subs and hilarity.  G loves these concerts.  He totally grooves and finds ways to make it fun for himself.  This time, it was using the ridiculously long tail of a kite that T had in his car to run circles around and around.  Another little boy and girl soon joined in with him and we watched as the kids just entertained each other for at least half an hour.  One word to describe these kids--energetic!

 

Finally, the long weekend.  Saturday was a beautiful fall-ish day. We had breakfast at our fave Freeport spot, the Fresh Batch, and met a friend to go to Wolfe's Neck Park.  Gorgeous spot, great for small hikes and just a tranquil view of the sea.  We brought the Gabs with us.

Then today. Sunday.  Awoke to the three D's--damp, dreary, and drizzly.  We had nowhere to be until later in the afternoon, so it was time to get creative with some indoor play.  Bring out the paints!

Knowing we had a bbq to go to in the afternoon, and in trying to figure out what to bring, it occurred to me that filling the house with the enticing scent of chocolate chip cookies baking is the perfect activity for a rainy Sunday.  Garrett had a blast helping, and sampling the finished product. He did have a teeny bit of cookie dough and proclaimed "It tastes good!"

Then he got to sample.

Then, as a perfect way to end the day, given that it finally cleared up and became sunny and lovely, was a bbq at a good friend's house.  G had an absolute blast.  From almost the get-go, he was off and running, playing with his buddies, but also making new friends with older kids.  I've noticed this about G.  He's totally into playing with the older ones, and isn't afraid or shy to get right in there and stake his spot.  Love that about him.  He and his friend A are up to their usual shenanigans. 

There were some free-range chickens in the next yard over.  I wish I captured the sound

effects that G was making as he was trying to chase these chickens.

Tomorrow we all have the day off.  It promises to be sunshiney, cool, and delightful.  How will we say goodbye to summer? 

Dog Days and Thunderbirds.

The end of August is upon us. School's will soon be in session, our beach days will start to wane, and we'll be digging out the fall clothes before we know it.  It's been an awesome summer.  How does LL Bean celebrate the final days of August? By hosting the Dog Days of Summer--a day long event dedicated to Maine's favorite four legged friend.  So, when faced with what to do yesterday, I remembered this was happening, and took Garrett and Gabby for a stroll around Freeport while visiting the vendors dedicated to all things dog.

Gabs was in her glory.  Forget the 30+ pound kid attached to my back, everybody wanted to pet the Gabby and she lapped it up.  We saw all kinds of dogs--big ones, little ones, fat ones, skinny ones, fluffy ones, all kinds.  All someone has to do is give Gabby a rub and she immediately does her famous 'lean in', making friends immediately.  It's times like these I'm reminded how much I love this girl. 

Garrett had a ball looking at all the dogs, watching them do tricks, and even making a few new furry friends of his own.  He loved pointing out all the different kinds we were seeing.

I tried desperately to get a group photo.  Neither G's wanted to cooperate.

After all that dogness,someone was wiped out.  Wouldn't take a nap however once home, so off we went again, this time to Brunswick for some errands and happened to go at the time when the magnificent Thunderbirds were doing their tricks.  This weekend was the Great State of Maine Air Show, held at the former Brunswick Naval Airbase.  We happened to be across the street from the base as the Thunderbirds went racing by at breakneck speed, sounding like explosions in the sky.  Garrett watched in awe and loved it.  

Sunday brought a day off for the whole family.  Another picture perfect day, so it was a no-brainer that we'd be heading off to the beach. First though, breakfast was in order.  Recently, we've become disappointed with our local spots. Crappy service + cold food x many times = us writing them off of our go-to places.

A couple weeks ago, I saw a write-up in the local rag about a renamed lobster joint in Brunswick that also happened to serve breakfast.  I admit, this place has intrigued me for years when it went by another name, but we never had the occasion to stop.  When I read that they indeed served our favorite breakfast items, I wanted to try it out. G had a pancake in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head, which made him giggle.  It was great. Can't wait to go back.  

Then off to Popham we went.  The tides jived with our timing, and we arrived to an endless span of sandy goodness.  Plenty of space to walk, run, and jump.  First though, a little playtime.

After a few hours of soaking up the sun, we headed back into town to try and catch some of the airshow without having to pay the exorbitant fee.  We got some lunch and headed to the Brunswick bike path, finding a gorgeous shady spot and relaxing by the water while watching the sky for tricks.  Garrett had more fun wrestling with Daddy.

In other big news, we hit a milestone this weekend.  G peed in his potty for the first time. I couldn't have been prouder.  This has been something that has been so daunting for me.  In the 2 plus years of G's existence, I feel like I've (we've) mastered the things that have come our way and it's been an easy ride.  But the idea of potty training has completely left me baffled. I know, it shouldn't but it does. I was lamenting this to a friend recently and he put it in perspective for me.  He said "I've never met a grownup who didn't eventually figure out how to use the bathroom."  So true.  That simple statement relieved some of the pressure and anxiety I've been feeling about this whole thing and just decided to go with the flow. Ha, no pun intended.  

I guess part of me has not really known when to allow G to sit and use the potty.  Should he just be walking around without a diap all the time, sitting when he feels like it? Where, in our already pretty structured routine, do I make room for this, and make it feel like there's no pressure or expectation coming from us?  Last night it came after bath.  He actually asked to use it.  So on he goes, his legs dangling gingerly from the froggy potty, while he intently watched Sesame Street. Within minutes, he stood up and said "I'm done!" And he was, having successfully peed and stayed within the boundaries of the froggy cup. 

Same exact thing happened tonight.  He had his bath, immediately asked for the seat, sat down and I heard it happen right away.  He gave me such a grin of accomplishment, my heart melted.  Our sweet baboo is growing up fast and the lesson that *I* take from this? G is on his own schedule.  It'll happen when it happens, and I need to relax and just enjoy the ride.  He knows exactly what he's doing, what he needs and how to communicate it to us.  Thanks for that lesson, G, I will do my best to remember it as we forge ahead in your childhood! 

Next up...how to teach him to stop saying the "F" word when he sees a picture of a fox...