Well, he went to bed without a thought. Or at least it seemed that way to me. I felt like saying- "Don't you know what tomorrow is????? It's the beginning of the rest of your adult life! Aren't you scared??!??" But no, it's just kindergarten, mom. Calm down.
I'm ashamed to say I don't do this often enough, but after he went to bed, I couldn't resist going into his room, and saying a prayer over him as he slept. I prayed for God to use his little life, to help him remember all we've tried to teach him- especially all those valuable Bible lessons he's taking into a public school, to choose God for his heart at a young age- the sooner the better. I prayed that God will always help him remember how much I love him no matter what. To give him a sense of value, no matter what other's think of him, and to remember that it's only what God thinks that matters. To protect him from hurt, and sickness and sadness. But I don't know if that last part is a good prayer. Those things grow us. But I still want to protect him.
When Martin and I went to bed, I had my good cry. I kept asking Martin if I was nuts, or over-reacting. He assured me that Moms everywhere probably go through this- the emotions. Dealing with leaving your child behind in a big brick building that represents the world. I pulled myself together enough to go to sleep, and wake up with bags under my eyes.
He woke up with bed head, as usual, but today his hair was even more "roostery" than usual. We all laughed. It was so bad, we felt it merited a "before and after" picture for the first day of school.
He got dressed, in his new green polo shirt (his favorite color), and grabbed that Superman lunch box- it has a cape. He's excited about that new lunch box, but I can tell he's already worried what the other kids will think. He's waffled over the choice. He said at breakfast, "Mommy, my tummy feels funny." I tried to explain about butterflies. He said it again on the way up the steps to the school, and I tried to assure him he'd be fine.
He was, too. He jumped right in- ready to go. I walked back to the car, pushing Coen in his stroller, all too aware that it would be his turn before I know it. Another lump in my throat. As I walked, a peace surrounded me. I'll be okay. As long I don't think about it too much.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Vacation continues
Vacation continued...
Sunday followed and we decided to take it easy, and let the kids get in full naps and R'n'R. Trust me, this made all the difference, as they were pretty worn out. We did manage to squeeze in blueberry and raspberry picking at Chip and Leslie's house on Sunday morning. I was commenting to Suzi that is awesome to have all those berries right there, fresh, and she said, "Didn't you see the sign when you entered Maine? 'Maine- The Way Life Should Be'?"
Sunday night was a great time- Mark and Elise had everyone over for dinner. The food was awesome! We got to enjoy home-made blueberry pie that MacKenzie made. The kids played on the swing set, and in Gabby's little pool. Martin and Coen lounged in the hammock. Ahhhhh- the good life.
The next few days are blurring together now- I never can get them written down fast enough... But we visited Portland, and Portland Head Light, and Mason and Martin explored the fort at Fort Williams while Coen and I did a little on-the-beaten-path with-a-stroller trail blazing. We spent another day visiting Old Orchard Beach- the most crowded beach I've ever seen, by the way, and eating at the pier there. Old Orchard has a really cool amusement park like you see in the movies- with Ferris wheels, tilt-a-whirl- the whole nine yards. Mason saw the bumper cars, and went nuts, so we did that together- both of us screaming with laughter the whole time. Martin went for the big-kid ride and chose the log flume and Mason even liked that. I took Coen on the Bear Affair, and he enjoyed it despite his age.
Tuesday night we headed out to get ice-cream at Kimball's Farm Ice Cream. Huge ice cream- Mason and I shared a small Heavenly Mash, and couldn't finish it, while Martin polished off a hot fudge sundae. Apparently all the old cars congregate at the place on Tuesday nights, so that was fun to see- and we all enjoyed the toe-tapping oldies.
Wednesday night, Jerry and Bev had us over for an old-fashioned lobster/corn dinner. Mason got a kick (but didn't want to touch) out of the lobsters, but LOVED eating them even more. After the fact, I asked him what his favorite part was of the whole trip, and he said, "Eating lobster- eating the meat". Way to go, Jerry and Bev.
On Thursday, we headed to Ferry Beach, which was one of my favorite days. It was an inlet area, so the waves were gentle, the water shallow, and the kids could hunt hermit crabs. Another favorite for Mason, I think. Coen actually took a nap in his stroller on the beach while Martin buried Mason and the other kids up to their heads in the sand.
On Friday, we ran a marathon of a day- leaving Maine around 10ish, and heading to Portsmouth, NH for a tour of the Red Hook Brewery, before heading to Boston to catch our evening flight. Our 7:10 flight turned into 7:20, and actually left the runway about 8:05. Not too bad, for Boston, or so I hear. Still, there were several passengers on that flight running to make connections, and several who missed them. Not us, we were home-sweet-home.
Sunday followed and we decided to take it easy, and let the kids get in full naps and R'n'R. Trust me, this made all the difference, as they were pretty worn out. We did manage to squeeze in blueberry and raspberry picking at Chip and Leslie's house on Sunday morning. I was commenting to Suzi that is awesome to have all those berries right there, fresh, and she said, "Didn't you see the sign when you entered Maine? 'Maine- The Way Life Should Be'?"
Sunday night was a great time- Mark and Elise had everyone over for dinner. The food was awesome! We got to enjoy home-made blueberry pie that MacKenzie made. The kids played on the swing set, and in Gabby's little pool. Martin and Coen lounged in the hammock. Ahhhhh- the good life.
The next few days are blurring together now- I never can get them written down fast enough... But we visited Portland, and Portland Head Light, and Mason and Martin explored the fort at Fort Williams while Coen and I did a little on-the-beaten-path with-a-stroller trail blazing. We spent another day visiting Old Orchard Beach- the most crowded beach I've ever seen, by the way, and eating at the pier there. Old Orchard has a really cool amusement park like you see in the movies- with Ferris wheels, tilt-a-whirl- the whole nine yards. Mason saw the bumper cars, and went nuts, so we did that together- both of us screaming with laughter the whole time. Martin went for the big-kid ride and chose the log flume and Mason even liked that. I took Coen on the Bear Affair, and he enjoyed it despite his age.
Tuesday night we headed out to get ice-cream at Kimball's Farm Ice Cream. Huge ice cream- Mason and I shared a small Heavenly Mash, and couldn't finish it, while Martin polished off a hot fudge sundae. Apparently all the old cars congregate at the place on Tuesday nights, so that was fun to see- and we all enjoyed the toe-tapping oldies.
Wednesday night, Jerry and Bev had us over for an old-fashioned lobster/corn dinner. Mason got a kick (but didn't want to touch) out of the lobsters, but LOVED eating them even more. After the fact, I asked him what his favorite part was of the whole trip, and he said, "Eating lobster- eating the meat". Way to go, Jerry and Bev.
On Thursday, we headed to Ferry Beach, which was one of my favorite days. It was an inlet area, so the waves were gentle, the water shallow, and the kids could hunt hermit crabs. Another favorite for Mason, I think. Coen actually took a nap in his stroller on the beach while Martin buried Mason and the other kids up to their heads in the sand.
On Friday, we ran a marathon of a day- leaving Maine around 10ish, and heading to Portsmouth, NH for a tour of the Red Hook Brewery, before heading to Boston to catch our evening flight. Our 7:10 flight turned into 7:20, and actually left the runway about 8:05. Not too bad, for Boston, or so I hear. Still, there were several passengers on that flight running to make connections, and several who missed them. Not us, we were home-sweet-home.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Family Reunion
Day 3- Family Reunion
We were up very early on Saturday. We were all going to caravan to Skowhegan for Grampy's grave service, and follow with a family reunion.
It was a good drive, and the kids were starting to become weary of the car, and all the travel. Not too mention the weather. We stopped at one point for Asa and Mason to use the facilities at a local country store, but upon finding there were none, the used nature's instead. Gotta love Maine.
The service was short, and Coen was fussy, so I stepped to the back with him, so that Martin could absorb everything. The Buteau family is so resilient, and there were light moments- including when Lucas almost sat on the urn box. Could've been bad, but we all chuckled about it.
Afterward, we drove a good ways to Susan's house. Mason was thrilled to see her above-ground pool (there's lots of those up there, too), and ready to hop in right away. Martin and Mason jumped in, and Coen and I sought out shade. We had forgotten our stroller at Suzi's but fortunately, Tobey and Micki loaned us a spare one. Otherwise, it would've really been a long day toting him around in the heat. Suzi was worse off, though, being pregnant.
One thing I noticed was that people couldn't talk about Martin's Mom, Lorraine, without tearing up. The talk about her was so positive, and she's left an undeniable void behind. Everyone talked about how she was the "family historian". It was nice to be around all the people that will always remind Martin of her.
Sean, Suzanne, Martin and I decided to head out earlier than everyone else, because the kids were just worn out, and melting down. They all three were out seconds after we got in the car, and they slept almost the whole 1 1/2 hours back to Gorham. We would find that the whole week would be this packed, with the kids dropping into bed at night... exhausted from all the excitement.
We were up very early on Saturday. We were all going to caravan to Skowhegan for Grampy's grave service, and follow with a family reunion.
It was a good drive, and the kids were starting to become weary of the car, and all the travel. Not too mention the weather. We stopped at one point for Asa and Mason to use the facilities at a local country store, but upon finding there were none, the used nature's instead. Gotta love Maine.
The service was short, and Coen was fussy, so I stepped to the back with him, so that Martin could absorb everything. The Buteau family is so resilient, and there were light moments- including when Lucas almost sat on the urn box. Could've been bad, but we all chuckled about it.
Afterward, we drove a good ways to Susan's house. Mason was thrilled to see her above-ground pool (there's lots of those up there, too), and ready to hop in right away. Martin and Mason jumped in, and Coen and I sought out shade. We had forgotten our stroller at Suzi's but fortunately, Tobey and Micki loaned us a spare one. Otherwise, it would've really been a long day toting him around in the heat. Suzi was worse off, though, being pregnant.
One thing I noticed was that people couldn't talk about Martin's Mom, Lorraine, without tearing up. The talk about her was so positive, and she's left an undeniable void behind. Everyone talked about how she was the "family historian". It was nice to be around all the people that will always remind Martin of her.
Sean, Suzanne, Martin and I decided to head out earlier than everyone else, because the kids were just worn out, and melting down. They all three were out seconds after we got in the car, and they slept almost the whole 1 1/2 hours back to Gorham. We would find that the whole week would be this packed, with the kids dropping into bed at night... exhausted from all the excitement.
Day 2- Kittery and Gorham
Day 2-
Started the morning by enjoying our free breakfast buffet. Gotta love breakfast buffets- cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, danishes- kids (and adults) love everything on there. Martin and I gawked at a fellow diner who we could swear was Jesse Jackson, but we'll never really know. We decided to go ahead and hit the road so that we could beat the crowds heading for the "Haaaaamptons". Suzanne had mentioned that traffic could be unbearable on Friday afternoons heading from Boston- north.
We made it through the traffic easily, and decided to stop in Kittery, Maine where we stumbled upon our favorite thing- an outlet marketplace. We headed into the Trading Post, first- you know, one of those places with all the stuff kids love- lobster and moose everything to represent Maine properly. I found a funny post-card to send to Tim. It showed two lobsters- one in a trap, and the other wearing a t-shirt that reads, "I'm with stupid." If you know Tim at all, you'll know he has a t-shirt like that. Anyway, we managed to make it through with our major purchase being the postcards.
We walked about a mile to experience the local Burger King fare. An older woman chuckled as she watched Coen pitch his sippy cup one, two, three times- it finally spilled all over. She laughed and said, "You've got your hands full, don't you?" Hmmm. Maybe.
We finished out the day by finally making it to Sean and Suzanne's house. Sean was playing golf, and Suzanne was working, so we were met by Elise, Gabby and Lucas. It was hot- don't let it fool you that we were in Maine. Later that night, we munched on tacos, while the kids squabbled over the toys. Tobey, Micki, Asa, Keenan, and I think Jerry and Bev stopped by to welcome us. Lots of good family fun.
Bedtime was a challenge, because we tried sleeping in Lucas' double bed with Coen in our room, and thought the boys would be all about sharing the other room. Not so much. I think Lucas missed his bed, and he was too excited to sleep. Finally, Lucas joined his mom and dad in their room, and we settled in, and the house- brimming with our 3 energetic kids, was up on it's ear very early the next morning.
Started the morning by enjoying our free breakfast buffet. Gotta love breakfast buffets- cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, danishes- kids (and adults) love everything on there. Martin and I gawked at a fellow diner who we could swear was Jesse Jackson, but we'll never really know. We decided to go ahead and hit the road so that we could beat the crowds heading for the "Haaaaamptons". Suzanne had mentioned that traffic could be unbearable on Friday afternoons heading from Boston- north.
We made it through the traffic easily, and decided to stop in Kittery, Maine where we stumbled upon our favorite thing- an outlet marketplace. We headed into the Trading Post, first- you know, one of those places with all the stuff kids love- lobster and moose everything to represent Maine properly. I found a funny post-card to send to Tim. It showed two lobsters- one in a trap, and the other wearing a t-shirt that reads, "I'm with stupid." If you know Tim at all, you'll know he has a t-shirt like that. Anyway, we managed to make it through with our major purchase being the postcards.
We walked about a mile to experience the local Burger King fare. An older woman chuckled as she watched Coen pitch his sippy cup one, two, three times- it finally spilled all over. She laughed and said, "You've got your hands full, don't you?" Hmmm. Maybe.
We finished out the day by finally making it to Sean and Suzanne's house. Sean was playing golf, and Suzanne was working, so we were met by Elise, Gabby and Lucas. It was hot- don't let it fool you that we were in Maine. Later that night, we munched on tacos, while the kids squabbled over the toys. Tobey, Micki, Asa, Keenan, and I think Jerry and Bev stopped by to welcome us. Lots of good family fun.
Bedtime was a challenge, because we tried sleeping in Lucas' double bed with Coen in our room, and thought the boys would be all about sharing the other room. Not so much. I think Lucas missed his bed, and he was too excited to sleep. Finally, Lucas joined his mom and dad in their room, and we settled in, and the house- brimming with our 3 energetic kids, was up on it's ear very early the next morning.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Boston Fan
I was almost dreading it- our first airplane adventure with our now full-sized family. But, no need. Vacation this go round consisted of 8 days, two kids, 971 miles, and US Air. Final destination: Gorham, Maine.
If my account is long, I apologize, but this is my way of journaling everything. Lots of it will probably end up in my scrapbooks.
I didn't relish the idea of Martin and I toting both kids, two car seats, one stroller, three bags to be checked, and three more to be carried on- onto the shuttle bus, into the airport, onto the plane, back off the plane, back through another airport, and onto another shuttle bus- four times. But, we made it. And with few gliches, and little crying in-between. I made the trek to the pediatrician's office before we left- no ear infections, but she armed me with ear drops for pain, just in case. I used them in all three sets of ears, just in case.
Mason thought the airplane ride was thrilling, and it was fun to watch his reactions. He squealed with laughter on takeoff- causing a few passengers to chuckle. On landing- he said, "WHOOOOOAAAAH!" He's been on a plane before, but he'll definitely remember this one. Coen only had one fussy spell, and Martin handled it well enough that I didn't even know about it until afterwards.
Day One- Thursday
On Thursday morning, we arrived in Boston. Martin called ahead to the Doubletree in Cambridge, and we were so happy to hear our room was ready. He manipulated Boston streets pretty well, and we were at the hotel in no time. I was impressed with the fact that the hotel gave out kids' backpacks with frisbees, binochulars, cards, coloring book, crayons and more. That was a blessing when you're trying to travel as light as possible. And there's just something about playing solitaire in your hotel room that says, "I'm relaxed, and bored... for once." Our room was great, and we had a nice view of the river, the city skyline, and those infamous rowers- "Stroke, stroke"- rowing looked like it would be fun.
Anyway, I digress. We headed out to find some lunch. We took quite a few detours around Boston- thanks to the construction, and ever changing street names. Finally, we paid the $32 to park at the aquarium (we thought we'd visit the aquarium, until we saw the cost of parking). Finally, we walked to Faneuil Hall , and weaving our way through Quincy market was tough- due to the short legs of a kindergartener, and a stroller, not too mention my growling stomach. But the smells were awesome. Talk about the best food court EVER! Hot dogs, pizzas, lobster rolls, seafood, candy, I can't even remember what all. However, with few places to sit, we opted for Bertucci's- which was yummy, and more convenient for the kids.
We watched the kids break-dancing on the streets- which amazed Mason; listened to the street music, and toured Faneuil Hall. Then Martin realized that we weren't really all that far from the USS Constitution. Right. I should've known better. I was fine, but fretted the whole way about the kids being too hot, and worried about the sunscreen wearing off. Mason's little legs couldn't handle too much more, so he took a ride on Martin's shoulders. Now, I'm not sure how far it ended up being, but I think maybe 2 or more miles.
Once we made it, we finally stopped in at the museum about the Battle of Bunker Hill. Our first souvenirs of the trip were wooden drumsticks for both boys. Everyone heard us coming after that. It was worth the walk, seeing Mason on "Old Ironsides". "Raise the Sails!" he shouted, unraveling the ropes that the sailors on the ship maintain. I stopped him before it went to far, but it was perfect. We didn't go below deck because it was so hot, and not feasible with the stroller.
We were going to go onto the battleship, but Mason said he wanted to do that "next time we come to Boston", and then we knew the boys were about done. So, with the return 2-3 mile trip back to the car in the heat, looming over our heads, we decided that Martin would take a cab back to the aquarium while I took the boys in the air-conditioned museum. The time flew, as Mason and Coen beat their drumsticks to patriotic music in the museum store, and Mason was nuts about looking at all the old muskets, guns, cannons, and swords. It was actually fun.
We made it back to the hotel, had a quick dinner at Panera Bread, and the boys were ready to settle down for the night. Not much of a peep from them after that. We settled in to watch TV, and went to bed pretty tired.
If my account is long, I apologize, but this is my way of journaling everything. Lots of it will probably end up in my scrapbooks.
I didn't relish the idea of Martin and I toting both kids, two car seats, one stroller, three bags to be checked, and three more to be carried on- onto the shuttle bus, into the airport, onto the plane, back off the plane, back through another airport, and onto another shuttle bus- four times. But, we made it. And with few gliches, and little crying in-between. I made the trek to the pediatrician's office before we left- no ear infections, but she armed me with ear drops for pain, just in case. I used them in all three sets of ears, just in case.
Mason thought the airplane ride was thrilling, and it was fun to watch his reactions. He squealed with laughter on takeoff- causing a few passengers to chuckle. On landing- he said, "WHOOOOOAAAAH!" He's been on a plane before, but he'll definitely remember this one. Coen only had one fussy spell, and Martin handled it well enough that I didn't even know about it until afterwards.
Day One- Thursday
On Thursday morning, we arrived in Boston. Martin called ahead to the Doubletree in Cambridge, and we were so happy to hear our room was ready. He manipulated Boston streets pretty well, and we were at the hotel in no time. I was impressed with the fact that the hotel gave out kids' backpacks with frisbees, binochulars, cards, coloring book, crayons and more. That was a blessing when you're trying to travel as light as possible. And there's just something about playing solitaire in your hotel room that says, "I'm relaxed, and bored... for once." Our room was great, and we had a nice view of the river, the city skyline, and those infamous rowers- "Stroke, stroke"- rowing looked like it would be fun.
Anyway, I digress. We headed out to find some lunch. We took quite a few detours around Boston- thanks to the construction, and ever changing street names. Finally, we paid the $32 to park at the aquarium (we thought we'd visit the aquarium, until we saw the cost of parking). Finally, we walked to Faneuil Hall , and weaving our way through Quincy market was tough- due to the short legs of a kindergartener, and a stroller, not too mention my growling stomach. But the smells were awesome. Talk about the best food court EVER! Hot dogs, pizzas, lobster rolls, seafood, candy, I can't even remember what all. However, with few places to sit, we opted for Bertucci's- which was yummy, and more convenient for the kids.
We watched the kids break-dancing on the streets- which amazed Mason; listened to the street music, and toured Faneuil Hall. Then Martin realized that we weren't really all that far from the USS Constitution. Right. I should've known better. I was fine, but fretted the whole way about the kids being too hot, and worried about the sunscreen wearing off. Mason's little legs couldn't handle too much more, so he took a ride on Martin's shoulders. Now, I'm not sure how far it ended up being, but I think maybe 2 or more miles.
Once we made it, we finally stopped in at the museum about the Battle of Bunker Hill. Our first souvenirs of the trip were wooden drumsticks for both boys. Everyone heard us coming after that. It was worth the walk, seeing Mason on "Old Ironsides". "Raise the Sails!" he shouted, unraveling the ropes that the sailors on the ship maintain. I stopped him before it went to far, but it was perfect. We didn't go below deck because it was so hot, and not feasible with the stroller.
We were going to go onto the battleship, but Mason said he wanted to do that "next time we come to Boston", and then we knew the boys were about done. So, with the return 2-3 mile trip back to the car in the heat, looming over our heads, we decided that Martin would take a cab back to the aquarium while I took the boys in the air-conditioned museum. The time flew, as Mason and Coen beat their drumsticks to patriotic music in the museum store, and Mason was nuts about looking at all the old muskets, guns, cannons, and swords. It was actually fun.
We made it back to the hotel, had a quick dinner at Panera Bread, and the boys were ready to settle down for the night. Not much of a peep from them after that. We settled in to watch TV, and went to bed pretty tired.
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