Halfway to Seven

Last week was Ethan's half birthday.  Big deal, you say.  I think the last time I celebrated one of my kids' half birthdays was back in 2009, when Adam turned six months old.  But apparently, six and a half IS a big deal, especially for our master of delayed gratification, who chose to set aside one of the birthday presents he received on his sixth birthday for his six-and-a-halfth birthday.  All wrapped and appropriately labeled (To be opened on July 18th), that present sat on a shelf in Ethan's closet for six months.  I had completely forgotten about it, and I daresay that most kids would have either a.) opened it on January 19th or the first day they looked in their closet thereafter, or b.) completely forgetten about it like I did.  But not our Ethan.  He is nothing if not determined and diligent, and he wouldn't dare forget anything that was owed to him.  So on the eve of his sixth-and-a-halfth birthday (because, god forbid, I made other plans for the actual night), he opened that long awaited present, and so began his six-and-a-halfth birthday celebration.  Ethan awoke on the 18th asking what I was cooking for his half birthday breakfast.  Again, I really hadn't planned any hoopla whatsoever around this "special" day, so I paused, scrambled to come up with something fun and creative, and arrived at, "How about green eggs?  Except I don't have any ham.  So it will just be green eggs.  No ham."  Luckily, he thought this was a fantastic idea, especially if we used all his green garden treasures to make the eggs green (extra bonus!  no food coloring added!).  After breakfast, he asked what we were doing to celebrate his half birthday, and I told him we were going to the beach with the Doyles - yay!  Despite the fact that, had I asked him what he wanted to do on his special day, he would have most likely said something very much like, "Spend the day at the beach with friends.  And oh, wouldn't it be cool if Molly and Jack could come?", the fact that these plans had been made on his half birthday with neither his initiation nor his blessing made them completely unacceptable.  More quick thinking ensued - what if we brought bagels to the beach - your favorite!  YES!  What if we stopped for ice cream on the way home to celebrate your half birthday?  YES!  YES!  OK, so all this kid wanted was a little celebration around turning six and a half.  And I was willing to play along.  We had a great day at the beach, full of "Happy Half Birthday Ethan!"s from humoring friends, and ice cream to boot.  I had to chuckle when I asked the kids if we should go for ice cream and Ethan prompted me to tell them why we were going for ice cream.  I stammered a bit - um, because it's hot?  Because we like ice cream?  Because you ate a good lunch?  Oh right, because it's your half birthday!  Silly Mommy.  From now on, I plan to make half birthdays a whole bunch of fun.  Because why not?  We all like to be celebrated once in awhile, and twelve months is a heckuva long time for a kid to wait.

Green eggs with three candles, because that's half of six of course

I guess six-and-a-half means understanding the concept of a half, and being able to demonstrate it with your fingers!

And six-and-a-half is still delightfully silly.

Although Ethan often seems so big, I love that six-and-a-half is also still so little sometimes.  Here's our little guy loving the carousel at Storyland (more on that fun trip later).  In fact, he still loved every ride at Storyland, even thinking some of them were "kind of scary!".

But yet, at six-and-a-half, Ethan is big and responsible enough to truly care for his very own garden.  Here he is tonight, about to pick his first tomato of the season.  

And at six-and-a-half, Ethan still loves to play pretend - the pretend play just gets more and more real.  He and Adam set up a farm stand on Sunday night, and demanded I actually pay them for the veggies I needed for dinner.  

I am totally 100% in love with six-and-a-half.  I'm excited to see what seven brings, but for now, I'll celebrate six-and-a-halfdom right alongside my biggest little guy.  Because he reminded me just how very special it is.

Summer Vacation: Part 1

Before the Stockwell Fourth of July extravaganza, almost a month ago now, the four of us spent a fun and relaxing week up in Rockport at the "Duck House".  We experienced Mother Nature's Jekyll and Hyde tendencies, with four hot, humid, sun-filled days at the beginning of the week followed by four windy, cold, rain-filled days at the end.  The nice thing about mid-coast Maine is that there is plenty to do, rain or shine, so we had no problem keeping everyone busy and smiling.

The day we arrived, there was a Summer Soltice Festival in downtown Rockland, full of street games, kids' crafts, and music.

From there, our sunny days were spent at the pool, where our little fish were thrilled to be able to jump in/climb out/jump in/climb out to their hearts' content.  The temps were so balmy that even Mom and Dad partook in the jump in/climb out game in water that is generally way too cold for grown-ups to enjoy.  But before going to the pool every morning, there was the requisite vacation hang-out-in-our-jammies time.

Tons of vintage toys for little boys

Coffee and puzzles for Mom and Dad...and Luna.

We also spent our sunny days getting our mountain goat on.

Mt. Battie.  And yes, Adam is hiking in jeans.  Don't ask.

At the summit.

Beech Hill Preserve 

Signing the log book at the top after completing "The Quest".

Climbing a rock wall at Walker Park.

Helen came along for the fun too, while the Moms were having a spa day and dinner out, thanks to some awesome Dads.

And our sunny days were filled with many walks and bike rides around the beautiful grounds up there, 

out to the lighthouse, to the dumpster for daily trash runs, or to the abundant fields to pick wildflowers. 

Then the weather turned and we hunkered down.  We played lots and lots of games (Ratuki! is kind of addictive and super fun), ate some delicious food, went to the movies, bowled, visited the transportation museum, and played arcade games.  We snuggled and read and just enjoyed each others' company.  Although this sun goddess usually defines a good vacation by the number of beach or pool hours logged, I must admit that I loved the cozy, relaxing quality of our rainy days too.

Mom's attempt at Papi's world famous fried haddock.  Scored a 4 out of 10 from the boys (ouch!) yet they gobbled it right up.

Nervously wiggling that loose tooth again while watching his ball travel down the lane.

This one stayed focused on bowling for 6 frames or so before realizing he much prefers pinball and other arcade games.

I see a lot of this in my future.

Fun at the Owls Head Transportation Museum.

Pretending we're gold rushers.

Monsters University!

We feel so lucky to have not one but TWO amazing summer vacation destinations right here in our own state of Maine.  We'll spend Summer Vacation: Part 2 at the lake a little later this month, and in the meantime, there is much to catch up on here at the homefront (or in the garden, if you're Ben).

On the Fourteenth Fourth

Sixteen years ago this past weekend, I experienced my first Stockwell Fourth of July.  Not only was it my first Fourth with the Stockwells, but it was my first anything with the Stockwells.  I remember driving up alone, getting increasingly excited to meet Ben's extended family and witness this event I'd heard so much about.  Then I remember arriving to this most idyllic place, full of strange faces, then asking one of them where Ben might be, and being told he was...building a teepee.  So an adorable little girl (then about the age my boys are now, now a grown woman) led me up a wooded path, past cabins and memorials, to the top of a hill, and sure enough, there were a bunch of Stockwell men erecting a teepee.  And it only got wackier from there.  There was the mandatory newcomer  jump in the lake in full costume (mind you, that costume was a large moving box wrapped up like a present - I'm lucky I didn't drown), porch parties, KrazyBall, more faces and names than I could ever possibly remember...and I loved every minute of it (although I did learn that costumes that inhibit one's ability to swat away black flies are not a good idea).  Since that first Fourth of July back in 1998, I've been lucky enough to join these wacky Stockwells for 13 more (I think we've only missed two) of their version of our nation's birthday, and I can honestly say I've loved every single one more than the last.  And suddenly I'm the mom of those little kids who lead newbies around the compound, showing off all of its glory.  I know everyone's name, face, and from whom they directly descend (and then some).  I am part of this magical place now, and yet have the unique (or unique to us out-laws, at least) perspective that comes from not having always had this, from not being lucky enough to grow up amongst my cousins on a beautiful lake in Maine.  And as such, I hope to never ever take one bit of this treasure for granted.

This, my 14th Fourth of July in Waterford, was filled with:

Bedtime story hours

(Editor's note: Ethan and Adam are both looking up at a picture of their great-grandpa Howie while I read a book from Howie that is inscribed to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Chills.)

Fishing, fishing, and more fishing.  Apparently fishing is a big hit among 4-6 year olds.  Especially when it involves real worms.

Special grandpa/grandson sunset fishing trip.  The boys caught five fish total (looks like Caz caught two of those).  

Parades.  Here we are marching in the town parade on the 4th.

And here are the leaders of the family parade on the 6th.

Superkids.

With SuperMom and SuperDad.  SuperDad was also SuperJudge this year (hence the clipboard).  We bought him off and got the "Best Bedtime Story" award.  I guess it fits - we read a lot of superhero stories at bedtime (or anytime) in this house.

Dock jumping!  And skinny dipping!

And learning to dive.

Finding all our old favorite rocks and naming new ones. 

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins.  And popsicles.

Amazing sunsets.  And being able to enjoy them on the dock while listening to little voices recapping the excitement of the day before bed.

The first annual "Donuts on the Dock" party, rekindling Howie and his siblings' old traditions.

A kids' carnival!  Now seriously, what other family just up and puts on a carnival for the kids?!  Face painting, manicures, crafts, obstacle courses...

crown making...

water balloon launching...

And what would the Fourth of July be without some sparklers?  This was our boys' first experience with this sort of fun, and their early timidness quickly turned into pyrotechnic enthusiasm.  

The grown ups think sparklers are all fun and games but the little ones take playing with fire very seriously.

And the absolute highlight of the weekend (for my boys): TUBING! 

Adam shows pure excitement to get out there while Ethan nervously wiggles his loose tooth.

First trip on the tube and we have some full-force tubing addicts.

Happy happy 4th of July!  Summer has arrived!