Catching up

It has been an eventful couple of weeks since school began.  I haven't been very good about documenting things though.  Harry seems to like 3rd grade and his new teacher.  I actually went in and volunteered yesterday and it was fun to see some familiar and new faces of the kids in his class.  It is really the only time that I am like a rock star for Harry.  That is nice.

Harry won a giant cake at a cake walk at a local event - he was very proud

So far there is less homework this year (or Harry has been pretty good at getting it done)
 so there's been plenty of time for afterschool play

We are back to normal routines and that means life is busy.  Mornings are spent getting folks launched for the day.  Then on some mornings Robert and I have time to play and relax after everybody else is gone, but 2 mornings a week it is just me.  We spend time at the library, we read, do puzzles and play imaginary games.  This week Robert has been catching Pokemon a fair amount.  Last week he was playing with Star Wars characters.  He also likes to get out a wand and play Harry Potter.  As you may note, these are all highly influenced from the interests of his older brother.  He does have some "typical" 3 year old fascinations - trains, monsters, blocks.  But if Harry is around, he wants to do and be like his big brother.

The American Flag is a wonderful toy right now - it is just fun to swing and wave and walk around with.

Daddy is also a favored companion and if the only way to be with him is to follow along as he mows the lawn, well that is what will happen.

As for our various injuries from last Saturday, they are healing.  I haven't been a spry as usual and haven't been to the gym this week, but the PT said I could ride a stationary bike now and so I think I will try that next week.  My ankle is still swollen and sore, so I am a bit constrained in what I can and what I want to do - when I am on my feet too much it gets progressively uncomfortable as the day goes on.  Hopefully it will be over soon.  Robert's wound is healing nicely and he has a bit of a black and blue eye, but it isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

healing nicely

my latest fashion accouterments 

A nice Saturday outing or?

School's been in session for 3 weeks and is going well.  We thought it would be fun to do something different this weekend as a family.  We'd never been to Battleship Cove in Fall River and figured that would be something the boys would like.  It has a battleship, a destroyer, a submarine and a gun ship.  You can walk around and explore on all the ships.  It was pretty neat, but as sometimes happens we didn't come away unscathed.  I have spent much of today and yesterday with my foot on a pillow and ice on my foot because I sprained my ankle (not in the museum even, but before it when I was chasing after Robert and I stepped wrong).  Something had scared him and he was headed full tilt for the parking lot.  While we explored the ships, I thought it was a bit more sore than other times I have turned my ankle, but then the real event of the day happened and I was no longer focused on myself to realize what I had done.

The reason I wasn't is as follows.  Robert and Harry were climbing into a gun emplacement when Robert took a dive and got a pretty good gash above his eye and below his eyebrow.  As with most head wounds it bled well and Mommy, Daddy and Robert were all pretty covered in blood by the time we made it out of the little first aid station on the battleship.  Robert was pretty upset and we were pretty sure that it was time to go and bring him to the ER.  In the ER we found out that it was indeed a pretty good gash and he had to have 4 stitches.  He was very good, but it was not pleasant and by the time we headed out, everybody on the first floor or so of the hospital knew that he was not a happy camper.  Harry was moved over to the family room and the hospital social worker said he had his fingers in his ears.  

Poor Harry was quite upset when it happened too.  I think the crying and the blood freaked him out a bit.  Fortunately after we were in the car on the way to the ER things seemed more normal.  After the ER everybody was a bit hungry/thirsty so Robert got to choose a special snack.  He chose a donut from Dunkin Donuts and so we headed there.  Today everybody is acting like themselves and Mommy is the one who is wondering why she didn't have her foot checked out at the ER too.

The boys with Battleship Massachusetts behind them

In the bunk-room on the Destroyer

Reading the posters about the ships

Waiting for the doctor 

Robert's wound

My Garden

This year we planted a raised bed garden in the yard.  We put it where we hoped it would get a good amount of sun.  Here are some pictures of what it looked like at first and what it looks like now.  There is a big difference.  There was a time when I thought nothing would come of it, but miraculously we have eaten, tomatoes, squash, sage, parsley, basil and are anxiously awaiting the ripening of our peppers.  I am pleased with my efforts (which really were minimal) and hope to undertake this again.  There is something about growing your own food that is very satisfying.

My family will be amused - the big boy tomatoes have been for Kevin and others and the little marazano ones I have been using in sauces and bruschetta and guacamole and the like.  The squash has been grilled and baked and the like.  Robert loves the garden and periodically picks something (usually not ripe) and so some tomatoes have ripened on the window sill.  It has been a fun project and I look forward to trying again next year.

The Garden in late May

The Garden in mid September

Back to regular routines

Chilling and looking at a catalog

I admit wholeheartedly that I am the one who thrives with routines.  I do think they are extremely helpful for my children, but I need them just as much, if not more.  School began last Wednesday and I feel like I have been set free.  I know what to expect during the weeks and on the weekends.  On the weekends besides church we don't usually have anything specific that needs to be done.  In fact we often do something fun on Saturdays as a family - that really is our family day when we are all around and together.  Sundays are work days until the early afternoon and then often just loll around time.  It just isn't like summer when every week or even every day is different.  I do alright with that, but I don't thrive.  I am a routine girl, pure and simple.

First Day of School - both boys

Well we are officially a family with two children in school.  Robert is a preschooler and just got back from his first morning.  His favorite part was the singing.  Harry had a good day yesterday and a tiring one.  He was snoozing on the bus on the way home.  His favorite part of the day was library.  He came home with four books - all graphic novels and all finished by the end of the day.

Our proud 3rd Grader

Walking to the bus

Our proud preschooler