A trip to the Museum

July 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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We had a successful and long trip to the Boston Museum of Science today. We started a bit later then I anticipated and didn’t arrive until almost 11 a.m. but we got a full day in since we didn’t leave until almost 5 p.m.

Many of the exhibits were over the heads of my kids aged 7, 6 and 3 they were still in awe of the sites and experiences and enjoyed the exhibits they could touch and feel. I worked hard to simplify complex questions of “what is this?” when one child asked while I was half reading the information and half watching the other two that were running off to the next thing.

I think my two older kids would have enjoyed the exhibit about the live fish tank if I could have kept my, by then very tired 3 year old, from just hitting the yes and no light up buttons that defeated the purpose of any lesson. Don’t worry, he fell asleep during the Star Wars Planatarium Show. After my dear 6 year old got mad that his ticket said “Far, Far Away” and that’s SHREK not STAR WARS….. it wasn’t until the show started that he finally sat and said “ohh”.

I was even more relieved when I looked around the dark room and saw many other parents with their eyes closed catching their breath while the kids sat and watched an educational movie integrated into the Star Wars theme and decided I’m not the only one that feels like I can take a minute and relax and enjoy the quiet, stationary, moment.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

Kids at Weddings

July 19, 2007 | Leave a Comment

My brother in law had his second wedding this weekend. We were told to include the kids because it was a very small casual affair and while it was, you have to remember that even small and casual- bringing kids to a wedding is not easy.

The Bed and Breakfast was an hour and half away and not knowing the timing of events I was sure to pack snacks and drinks in a cooler because anyone knows that a hungry or thirsty child is not a fun child. My husbands family thought I was over kill…. but hey they wouldn’t be the ones dealing with unhappy kids.

Well, once we arrived into this ocean side town we realized the Bed and Breakfast was directly on the street in a downtown intersection AND the hardest part, the B & B was actually under construction. Don’t get me wrong, I understand and I am sentimental to the point of marriage but being 35 weeks pregnant on a 85 degree day in the sun and trying to keep two boys from playing in the yard of dirt and keeping them from bouncing eachother off the wooden planks that are balancing on bricks took some of the “love” out of the day for me.

After arriving on time for the wedding, a miracle for my family in itself, we were surprised to see the bride/groom and their children that were the wedding party all still floating around in sneakers, shorts and tank tops. For my husband and his other brothers who don’t care for dressing up this was a “what the heck?” moment as they stood fully dressed and comparing the new clothes they all had to buy to look nice for the day. For me, it was nice to see my husband in a casual dress up mode since he does not need to do it often. No fear, the bride & groom finally went to get dressed 15 minutes after the ceremony was supposed to have started.

The sheer fact that my kids thought it was fun to shuffle around the yard and see the cloud of dirt rise and oblivious to the fact that it was then covering the food table and other guests was enough to make me edgy. Add the fact of trying to keep them off the sidewalk or three foot cement wall during the standing only ceremony directly on the street just made me tense.

The rest of the day was spent trying to keep the kids out of the dirt and watching my kids pick at the food I packed with dirt covered hands that most likely left a pound of dirt in their stomachs. While of course, all was good to them and they played with their cousins while the adults gobbled their food in the shade of a small tent.

A cd player carried a tune on the deck and the kids enjoyed dancing until the mosquitos started to bite and the sun started to dim and we could give the final heave ho into the car for the ride home.

Overall, it was a nice day and the bride and groom seemed to enjoy their “new beginning” as they kept referring to it. I know it’s selfish of me to think about my families inconveniences because it’s a day that is really about the bride and groom but oh well I’m thankful it’s one thing off the list.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

Go Ahead… Call My Bluff

July 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

We spent the day doing odds and ends and preparing for my brother-in-law’s second wedding to be held over an hour away tomorrow. Me… always wanting to be prepared for worse case, decided to make a trip to the local buy in bulk store to pack a cooler with snacks, drinks and anything else I deemed practical. Not knowing what the timing or food situation is going to be and knowing that my young children will not be as patient as one would hope if they are hungry.

So we pulled into a parking space and I started to unload everyone when my dear 6 year old son decided he wasn’t going in because he doesn’t like this store- “it doesn’t have Pokemon Cards”. I made a couple attempts at trying to reason that it was going to be quick and they could even pick out a special snack for the long ride or to share with the cousins. No Dice.

Well, we’ve all seen the parents that pull kicking and screaming kids thru a store against their will and when we must, we must but today I didn’t feel it was an emergency to get into the store so my response was “Fine, I’m not fighting, I’ll go later when Dad is home and I can go alone”. The other two re-buckled into their seats and Drew of course was still buckled because he refused to leave his seat in the first place. And believe it or not, as I was pulling out of the parking space the child started screaming and crying and saying he wanted to go shopping. Hmmm…. dilema…. do I stick to my guns or do what’s easier? Will he then be difficult in the store?? Think, think, think…

So I decided to drive straight home and state that he made his decision and I’ll try again later. It was by no means a quiet ride home and of course, you doubt yourself and decision but I’m also the mother that has asked customer service to watch my cart while I removed a full blown tantrum child to the parking lot to sit in the car until we could regain control then return to the store and pick up where we left off.

Well, we had some lunch and everyone had some quiet time then some play time and when I asked mid-afternoon if anyone would like to try it again all three kids were headed out the door with their shoes on before I could grab my pocketbook. The brief shopping trip went off without a whine from anyone and everyone was helpful in the store. Maybe I did make the right decision to make my point, will it last? I don’t know, but for today it worked and tomorrow there will be a new challenge awaiting.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

I’m Bored….

July 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

School Vacation is ticking away and I hate to admit but summer heat and humidity combined with my ever growing tummy and swollen feet makes my patience tick away a little quicker. I’m the first one to admit that packing the kids up in the car to head out somewhere, ANYWHERE is easier then being around the house with the sibling squables and the infamous “I’m bored” whines.

Since we just returned from the Maine coast late Sunday night I was able to get away with having a Monday “catch up day” - the kids had dentists appointments first thing in the morning then came home and hang out while I caught up on the unpacking, laundry and other delightful chores.

Tuesday.. My daughter had a playdate so the two boys were lucky enough to make the visit to my pre-natel appointment. They were to intrigued by playing with the stirrups on the table trying to figure out what they were for and rolling around the room on the chairs to even lift an eyebrow at hearing the heart beat of their new brother or sister. Boys….

Wednesday we did errands in the morning to the grocery store and finished the day with an afternoon at the movies seeing ”Ratatouie”

Thursday- Mommies work day- I had quite a bit of catch up work to do so I set up all their little tents, had them pack their compasses and snack rations and set out for a journey filled with adventure… AND BY GOLLY! It worked!!! They played with eachother for a solid couple hours without fighting and I loved the feeling of getting some work accomplished while listening to their little imaginations work off each other.

Tomorrow is Friday.. hmmm… I found a clay recipe that I will pre-mix tonight after they go to bed (I do normally let them help, but this project is enough without starting it fighting over who gets to stir with what spoon) Then I will pack them all off into the yard with paper bags to collect leaves and sticks and stones. When they return with their loot they can make their own fossil rocks with the pre-made clay.

I expect this to be a good project, but in reality it will most likely only last about 20 minutes before the I’m Bored Whine starts again.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Paper Mache Paste

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

My 7 year old daughter loves getting crafty with Paper Mache and pretty papers. Make up this easy paste and cover a form with either tissue paper or strips of colored paper.

You will need: 3 cups cold water, 1 1/2 cups flour and a few drops of peppermint oil.

In a heavy saucepan, stir flour into cold water and cook over low heat until it starts to thicken into a cream like paste.

Cool then add a few drops of peppermint oil and let the creativity start!

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Play Dough

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Home made Play Dough doesn’t last as long as the store bought but it’s cheap and making it is half the fun! Perfect for birthday party favors, I like to make a big batch and use cookie cutters to shape theme related shapes, wrap and tie and give away- cheap, clutter free and what kid wouldn’t play with it?

2 Cups of Flour, 1 Cup of Salt, 1 tsp cream of tarter, 2 tbs oil, 1 tsp food coloring, 2 cups water

Mix above ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until dough pulls away from sides of pan.

Remove and cool on wax paper until you can handle and knead. Then your ready to play, play, play!!

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Flubba Recipe

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Flubba is a favorite “goo” in my household. An activity that all kids help prepare and they will sit at the counter and play for a good hour at least and is easy clean up and will last for a couple weeks.

Bowl 1 : 2 cups elmer’s glue, 1 1/2 cups of water and a few drops of food color

Bowl 2 : 1 cup water and 2 tsp Borax powder soap

Gradually add contents of Bowl 2 to Bowl 1. Mix and knead with both hands- it starts out super soupy then moves into the “goop” stage as you mix.

WARNING: Do not let children eat this contains glue and soap- seems common sense, but I have to say it!! ALSO… THIS DOES NOT COME OUT OF CLOTHES EASILY!!! Make sure your kids are in painting or play clothes.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Fourth of July

July 10, 2007 | 1 Comment

We just returned from Northern Maine where we spent the Fourth of July holiday. The kids enjoyed their time at the “beach house” as they spent their days between their home made forts in the woods and the rocky beach. Overall, sibling fights were down to a min as they were to occupied joining us for coastal walks finding “treasures” of rocks, lobster bait bags and sea glass and lazy trips in the kyaks when the water is calm as we gazed at a large number of dead jelly fish and count lobster pots. The nights that are so still and dark we can lay on the porch and see thousands of stars overhead.

We were amazed to watch the bald eagles and two new babies soar above and swoop fish out of the ocean and visit friends next door to pluck lobsters out of their pound for dinner. Of course, we had the curious questions about sharks and whales in the water and how does the tide move in and out…. we tried to keep things straight and simple as you could see their little minds trying to comprehend… so much to absorb!

Of course, all this fun and wonder is shortly forgotten as we sit in 8 hours of traffic on the way home with three kids under 7 and 2 large dogs in the rain with the pee emergencies in stopped toll traffic, every snack eaten and suggested game poo-poo’ed. BUT again, like any lapse it’s quickly forgotten once we return home and the longing for the cool salt water breeze starts again.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life