Martha's Vineyard Day 3

The weather has been PERFECT. Sunny, dry, and warm but not hot. We arrived on Saturday and unpacked while the kids ran around the back yard playing. We walked to Edgartown which is a block away. Hit the shops, grabbed some icecream with Charlotte. Sunday we hit the beach. Sunday night mom and dad walked to David Ryan's for a few cocktails. Monday more of the beach. We have been having a great time and are looking forward to the remainder of the week. Still in store is the annual gentleman's fishing competition, lobster bake, and of course woman's shopping extravaganza.

Here are a few pics.
Yes that is a crown sticker on my head. I am a princess.


Giant ant hill or princess castle.


Uncle Ian reading to the kids.


Charlotte and Gramps playing in the ocean.


Woo Hooo!! Jumping into the fox hole!


Maeve LOVING the beach!

Get the straight jacket out!

If she were an adult she would be institutionalized. However since she is 2 1/2 we assume its just the terrible two's. The good news is that she turns 3 in three months so we can expect this behavior to suddenly cease. Correct? I mean the terrible two's will be over right? Someone please tell us it gets easier at some point?


Now we know why everyone says TREASURE THE MOMENTS WHEN THEY ARE BABIES! So that is just what dad did tonight. He held baby Maeve and she fell soundly asleep. Polar opposites.

Gearing Up

Shorts and flip flops - check. Pack and play - check. Toothbrush and toothpaste - check. Beach toys - check. Butterfly kite - check. That's about the extent of dads list of stuff he is responsible to pack for the upcoming trip to Martha's Vineyard. He is very thankful that mom is in charge of packing the girls stuff. He would of course forget some key element needed to make a successful vacation. So instead he sits back while mom gets everything ready, packing and double checking that she has all the gear needed for a week away.

His job will be to try and stuff bag upon bag into the minivan and then unload it once we arrive. No easy feat knowing how women like to pack. Certainly there will be some justification for packing 12 dresses for Charlotte, 9 pairs of shorts, countless t-shirts, shoes, more shoes, oodles of toys, makeup, hair products, and sweaters. Women enjoy packing. They like the idea of being prepared. Men on the other hand, well they like the challenge of making due with what they have. The less is more theory. Maybe that is one reason why guys loved watching MacGyver. He could survive any situation with a rubber band, paperclip, and a match. Its a beach vacation. Give dad one pair of shorts, some sunblock and a t-shirt and he is good for the week. No sweaters, no shoes, no 11 different outfits.

(actual picture of stuff for the girls only)

But he keeps quiet, lets mom pack her stuff. He will spend an hour packing it into the car and an hour unpacking and lugging the overstuffed bags into the house. That's what he does. Its part of being a responsible husband.

Do I have anything in my teeth?

Mom made some delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes this week. Not only did dad love them, but they were a hit with Charlotte as well.

Charlotte kicking back enjoying her chocolate red velvet cupcake:


Do I have anything in my teeth?


Ahh yes she is related to Wanda and Wayne (inside joke for Tiffany)

Luckily dad was away and didnt have to witness the aftermath effects of the Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Maeve really wanted to try some. But as Charlotte says, "Maeve too little". Instead we let her enjoy some tummy time.

Holy Reproduction Batman

Saturday we joined forces at Lisa and Ryans house for an impromto mini Quinnipiac reunion of the girls. Kids, kids, and more kids. They oozed out of every corner and every room. The house was infested with kids.

Despite the large numbers of kids, they got along remarkably well. There were no fights, no major arguments, no temper tantrums that we were aware of. The beer flowed. The cocktails were poured. And all was well with the parents of the mini kid army.


The kids enjoyed watching a free concert performed by Izzy. The guitar playing was much to be desired, but the rendition of Twinkle Twinkly was fabulous. The audience was estatica at the performance.




The trick to getting all the moms and kids into one shot? Do it early, before the kids are fired up and before the moms have their cocktails.


The kids, minus babies:

Just another Thursday

Ever catch your kids staring at you dumbfounded with how ridiculous and uncool you are saying stupid phrases to them that once long ago drove you crazy when your parents said them to you? I told Charlotte the other day she was "cruisin' for a bruisin'". First of all, I hated hearing that when I was a kid. I used to think it made my dad sound so uncool. But with fads the way they are it may be back in style and be a cool saying (although we have no way of knowing what the cool sayings are these days). Again the other day I caught myself upon returning home from a drive with the girls saying, "Home again, Home again, jiggity jig". Yet another phrase that is forever entrenched in my brain that was repeated over and over upon returning home from long rides in the car, usually at night as a way for my dad to wake us kids up. It worked and I am perpetuating the phrase unconsciously.

Charlotte also has her own phraseology. She wears her Snow White nightgown incessantly; she refuses to part with it.To bed. While eating. She even tries to wear it into the bath. She love Snow White. But when you point to the picture of Snow White on the dress and ask her about it throws her hands out and says, "Snow White. I never seen that movie". Crazy, you have seen it a zillion times.

Overnight she has grown up. She is now sleeping soundly in a big girl bed. She is moved into her new big girl bedroom which she loves. Naps are a breeze as are bedtime. Mornings are still a little early, but we can live with that. She has learned not to wake us up until after "six ohh ohh" as she says. Potty training is done. She goes potty all day without even telling us. Tonight dad emptied the potty and was amazed with how much pee was in it. We no longer use diapers except for nap and bedtime to prevent any accidents.

Maeve continues to be herself, the second child. Smiling. Sleeping. Eating. Smiling. She is content and we all love to snuggle up with her. Charlotte gives her lots of kisses and loves her little sister so much. Maeve stares wide eyed at Charlotte in awe of her big sister. These two girls seem to get along amazingly well. We know it wont last but are hopeful that dads amazing parenting skills pay off. If they don't, well we know he will just blame mom.

Maeve

Poor Maeve has just been overshadowed by her big sister lately. However, she really should be taking top headline of the blog because she is so good. Sleeping like a champ (I think we have managed 8pm to 7am a couple of times), smiling and laughing at everyone who gives her any attention, and just being a great kid. She doesn't fuss, she doesn't scream (unless she is really hungry), she just acts like what we would consider the "perfect" baby. We are sure it wont last forever, but for now we appreciate how great she has been and can't begin to express how much we love this little kid.

Sitting up in the bumbo seat:


Cousin Chase stealing a kiss from his little cuz:


Charlotte trying to get in on the picture too:


Ahh, see why we love her so much?

Not to interupt the blog, but there was just an Amber Alert for Kitty.
Kitty was last seen stuck on an electric cow fence at Robin and Matts house (sorry not one person guessed it correctly, no prizes for you). Kitty was not harmed in the taking of the picture, however she did scare the organic cows.



Charlotte enjoyed feeding the cows:


Hey give me that corn husk:


Thats mine baby cow!:


Let us not forget the chicken. Grace loves this chicken:


Dad can see why. This is one friendly chicken:


Grace and dad showing Charlotte that the chicken is safe:


Can you get samonella from Chickens?


Saturday Nanny, Grandpa, and the Ritcey family joined us in an adventure at 6 Flags Lake George NY aka Storytown. Charlotte loves amusement parks. She loves rollercoasters and all rides that would usually scare the bejesus out of a 2 year old. We have a feeling she will be racing motorcycles by the time she is 5.

Ride it like you stole it!


Woo hooo! Evil who?


Charlotte and the Ritcey boys stealing the big red car from the Wiggles. Those Ritcey boys are bad news!



Dorothy and Henry apprehend two of the car thieves:


Nanny in the getaway truck with the driver:


Charlotte trying to get away again:



Luckily Charlotte, Liam, and Chase all returned the vehicles to their rightful owners. Thankfully they were not forceably removed from the amusement park. However their parents were punished for having car thieves for children. They were forced to be dropped from a 165 foot height and swung out over the park.

Strapped in their suits, walking to their punishment:


Being hoisted in the air:


Hoisted 165 feet up.


Dropped to the ground in a freefall:


Diapers should be handed out:


Charlotte making sure Grandpa doesnt fall out of the swing! Wave good bye to everyone Grandpa!