I know that there are big SUV haters out there. To you I give a giant neener neener......because instead of having to take two cars ~ two runners, two running strollers, two women, and 4 kids in giant carseats (two rear facing two forward facing) and our food for three days, we happily piled into my giant SUV for some (tempered) Thelma and Louise styled getaway. Contrary to (some) popular belief, women CAN pack, and pack well.
This is love. I am so lucky to have a best friend whose beautiful son is sharing his childhood as part of our family. They adore one another. Julia and Henry may marry, for serious.
Luke wanted to go swimming. In March. In the chilly Atlantic. Another polar bear club member may be joining the ritual, sooner than thought.
Jake was simply wind and awe struck by the entirety of it.
This photo simply IS my Julia. I have never met such a young girl so sure of herself ~ my little one is firmly and beautifully her own spirit. She loves life, and the way that she carries herself inspires me to be my most authentic self, just as she is. Julia has mastered the art of independence coupled with a compliant and nurturing spirit. She could care less what others are doing, yet she mothers all around her in a caring and sweet way. She can be fierce, and tender, and seems to have a wonderful balance of both. She is an incredibly easy child to parent, while teaching me lessons each and every day. I love her exuberance and her individuality. She knows exactly what resonates with her, enacts it, yet still exhibits a willing and compliant spirit. I wish I could be more like her. She awes me.
Luke is getting more and more expressive and creative with his writing. This one made me get teary. This kid want's to learn, and loves to learn, with very little actual guidance from me.
I want to frame this picture. This was at the Nature Sanctuary. Something about the little fervently chasing the big just melts me. The best part was right after this shot, when Luke realized that Jake was trailing behind, and turned around and came back to his brother and put his arm around him. I don't know how in the hell we are doing it, but somehow we have been blessed with children who really, really love one another. They make parenting very easy.
It was a wonderful three days in Cape May. We lucked out weather wise, catching an impossibly nice few days considering it is early March. We had to get out of dodge as Jakes room and the boys bathroom are getting painted, so it seemed easiest to simply escape. Jeannie and I didn't stop talking for a second (even when we ought to have, somewhere near the 322 exit, ahem).......and our kids had a great time playing outside in the wonders that the beach provides. I will say that this is just getting easier and easier ~ my kids entertain one another, meals are less messy, the walks are long without tired legs or double strollers, and things are just rolling. We have a long Memorial Day weekend planned, a week over the 4th of July, and the last week of July into August planned at the beach. Prior to that I hope to get down a lot in April and May, given the newfound ease of it.
I feel like I've been complainey again lately, and I apologize. I am an anxious person. I am a planner. To a T. I like things neat. I need a plan. I'm not the best at just "going with the flow".......I have always gotten frustrated by these attributes in myself, but lately I am seeing the upside. The kids are on a schedule, and the schedule means that they know what to expect, and are comfortable and secure within their world. I know what to expect, and can manipulate it when necessary to meet our needs or allow for exciting adventures. Of course they can be annoying at times, the "mom, Mom, MOM!" thing can drive me mental, but in general they are incredibly easy children. I am so proud of the way that they interact with one another, with other kids, and with other adults. I'm proud of the fact that they don't need me all day long, they rely on one another more than I could have hoped. I love the way that they love their little brother, and include him in their adventures. All in all my heart is very full tonight, so full that it is quieting my anxious mind which wants to worry about tomorrow (with a sick husband with strep) and a party to host. It will all be good. And I'll tell you what, I tend to be a bit of a scrooge about parties in general, but I could not be happier that we are having this (tiny, family only) birthday party for my Julia. She is beside herself with excitement.
To share a totally stupid aside, I let her pick her cake. We love the cakes from
Clays Bakery, and they have a ridiculous on line gallery of photos. I promised her she could pick whatever she wanted. I cringed as I saw the cakes. Princesses, Princesses, tiara's, and more princesses. Laying down princesses, standing up princesses. Suddenly Jules screamed "THAT IS THE CAKE I WANT! SUPERGIRL!!!!!!!!".
So my darlin has a supergirl cake. As much fun as I would have had cutting into the face of some snowy white Disney princess, instead I get to cut into a gigantic "S" with wings. Jules, you are my supergirl, and I'm proud to know you. I immediately went on line and broke our "one birthday present" rule............I'm a rule breaker after all, and ordered her a wonder woman costume. So tomorrow at her (tiny!) family celebration my girl gets her supergirl cake, and gets to open her wonder woman costume. Next week we will go pick out her "real" present, a bike, but until then, I simply feel very content with where these kids of ours are. They are doing just fine. It seems, that SO FAR, we have managed to not screw em up, in fact, they are exceeding my expectations by leaps and bounds.
Getaways are great. End of story.
