It was a hot day spent down by the water, swimming in the lake and eating hamburgers. Unlike our first full day, the sun was shining, the air was warm, where else would you want to be but by a lake. Jack surprised us all by swimming to the island while being followed closely by Thing3 in a kayak, along with mom. Thing3 attempted the ride back, but felt more comfortable holding on to the kayak, providing an excellent workout for mom, needed or not. As for Jack, he is in training for the lake Ontario swim.
Back on shore, or near the shore, the non-gilled people were having their own fun soaking in the rays or splashing in the shallows and making rock formations. Unfortunately all swimmers had to be on the look out for the not so elusive Zebra Mussels as they were waiting, patiently, to strike at any moment. By the time everyone had departed the waters there were three casualties with cuts to their feet, which may have been from rocks but Zebra Mussells sounds more dramatic. In fact it was said that a giant Muskie was spotted eyeing up small children just down the lake.
Our evening was spent making fire and eating smores, with a little movie time thrown in to wind down the evening. With Jack suffering the affects of a rare lake water disease, he had a rash, his night ended early as he feel asleep on the couch. The Things would have stayed up until midnight given the chance, but the evil overlord, dad, stepped in and said "to bed all, I need time with your mom". At that I carried Jack to bed, which was not an easy task as he is heavier than he looked, and proceeded to tuck in Thing1 at the same time. The others were tucked in, now allowing alone time for the grownups. Alone time ended, never really began, with each of us tucked in with a Thing, on different levels of the cottage, which is kind of how alone time goes at the cottage with kids.
The next day, today (Wednesday), showed promise with an all day breakfast, for lunch. Everyone excited by breaking the norm and walking on the wild side, who new it would be topped by a visit to the local zoo where train rides toured the wild, make believe, jungles of Africa. There was of course the giant slide that was fun for all ages, including myself, and the water park, providing 30 minutes of fun times. After a much anticipated stop at Walmart, where we aided in the rescue of a little girl separated from her Grandmother, we headed back to the cottage, just in time to beat the storm. It was expected to be a big one, somewhere, and we wanted to be prepared. A game of Sorry, teeth brushed and everyone tucked in and we were prepared, prepared to open the bar for a light cocktail. With said cocktail in hand we, my wife and I, sat in the study overlooking the lake and watched the lightning strike. There is nothing quite like a thunderstorm with lots of lightning. With that said we expect the storms to pass bringing sunshine and smiles to the day ahead.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Our Week Away, Part 2, Jacks All Wet
Waking up in the morning allows everyone to get a fresh start and find their happy place to move forward. Or, it provides opportunity to carry on from the night before and accomplish the things that were not done prior to bed. Either way it makes for an interesting day ahead, filled with joy, laughter, heartache, headache, and a little disappointment for some.
While Jack was eating his breakfast he informed me that he read in the morning because he was awake prior to everyone else. Now seriously, read, what kid reads in the morning and allows everyone else to sleep? Based on my kids if you wake up first you either turn on the television, pull out your handheld game, or wake up the parents for breakfast. I must admit my kids are not bad in the morning, with the exception of Thing4 who gets right in your face and asks when she can have breakfast, no matter the time. Reading a book has yet to cross their minds, although it is only Thing1 that can read so I should cut them some slack.
Following breakfast and some play time in the basement we ventured down to the lake where all the kids were looking forward to a little swim. I will admit up front that I am a swimming pool person and always have been, I don't go in the lake, never have, and do not have the urge to start now. I'm sure there is a name for it, other then chicken of course. My kids impressed me recently when all four of them swam in the lake with their life jackets and never once complained about the weeds or the feel of the bottom. My wife and I couldn't be prouder of them for what they were accomplishing and looked forward to getting back and seeing them swim in the lake again. Well, thankfully Thing3 did not disappoint as he joined Jack in the water and together they swam all around, coming out, drying off and going back in again for more. The other three joined me in holding down the patio furniture and watching the tandem swim together.
After a Timmies lunch and a somewhat quick stop at the grocery store, which was interesting to say the least, we headed back so that I could teach all five kids a lesson in nerf gun battles. Wow, was I wrong. They proceeded to take out their frustrations on me, landing almost every shot on some part of my body. When Jack missed me one time I heard him complain about his aimer, site on the gun, being off. I think, if allowed, they may have gone for the camouflage look just to get a little closer to me. I did manage a couple hits myself, but was eventually ruled the loser.
We finished a gourmet dinner, hotdogs, a visit to the spa, okay it was just a shower, dished out strawberries and popcorn and visited the theatre for a little mid evening movie. I thought about Home Alone, but these kids need no ideas, so we settled on Dr. Doolittle. At the end of the movie all kids ventured off to bed, with each of them sleeping in their own bed, with two being in the basement, and three upstairs. I only hope I don't have kids calling on me from multiple levels, although I feel this will be another good nights sleep in preparation for another chance at a good day in the sunshine. Fingers crossed, I am off to toast a successful bedtime.
While Jack was eating his breakfast he informed me that he read in the morning because he was awake prior to everyone else. Now seriously, read, what kid reads in the morning and allows everyone else to sleep? Based on my kids if you wake up first you either turn on the television, pull out your handheld game, or wake up the parents for breakfast. I must admit my kids are not bad in the morning, with the exception of Thing4 who gets right in your face and asks when she can have breakfast, no matter the time. Reading a book has yet to cross their minds, although it is only Thing1 that can read so I should cut them some slack.
Following breakfast and some play time in the basement we ventured down to the lake where all the kids were looking forward to a little swim. I will admit up front that I am a swimming pool person and always have been, I don't go in the lake, never have, and do not have the urge to start now. I'm sure there is a name for it, other then chicken of course. My kids impressed me recently when all four of them swam in the lake with their life jackets and never once complained about the weeds or the feel of the bottom. My wife and I couldn't be prouder of them for what they were accomplishing and looked forward to getting back and seeing them swim in the lake again. Well, thankfully Thing3 did not disappoint as he joined Jack in the water and together they swam all around, coming out, drying off and going back in again for more. The other three joined me in holding down the patio furniture and watching the tandem swim together.
After a Timmies lunch and a somewhat quick stop at the grocery store, which was interesting to say the least, we headed back so that I could teach all five kids a lesson in nerf gun battles. Wow, was I wrong. They proceeded to take out their frustrations on me, landing almost every shot on some part of my body. When Jack missed me one time I heard him complain about his aimer, site on the gun, being off. I think, if allowed, they may have gone for the camouflage look just to get a little closer to me. I did manage a couple hits myself, but was eventually ruled the loser.
We finished a gourmet dinner, hotdogs, a visit to the spa, okay it was just a shower, dished out strawberries and popcorn and visited the theatre for a little mid evening movie. I thought about Home Alone, but these kids need no ideas, so we settled on Dr. Doolittle. At the end of the movie all kids ventured off to bed, with each of them sleeping in their own bed, with two being in the basement, and three upstairs. I only hope I don't have kids calling on me from multiple levels, although I feel this will be another good nights sleep in preparation for another chance at a good day in the sunshine. Fingers crossed, I am off to toast a successful bedtime.
Our Week Away, Part 1
We arrived. It was expected to be an incredible week, but one never can tell how events will turn out. After getting the kids out of the car, after two and a half hours, and allowing them to relieve themselves I promptly took to arranging sleeping quarters for everyone. This should be an easy task, given that we were limiting ourselves to two rooms four beds, although I did not take into consideration that Thing1 would only sleep with Thing3, but Thing3 only wanted to sleep with Thing4 and Thing2 wanted to sleep with no one. Our guest, who will be referred to as Jack, is a friend of Thing1 and he was happy to sleep anywhere as long as it was on his own, and rightfully so. After all my kids don't sleep straight, they use the whole bed not caring who gets in their way in the night.
While trying to figure out sleeping arrangements and making beds I decided to send the kids to explore the cottage and show Jack around, buying me plenty of time to finish. After completing the beds and preparing a late night meal I went in search of the kids, following the voices. With all the places to explore and see, all the kids had chosen one room and then pulled every toy out and played with it, or at least moved it around a little. Thing4 was mad because nobody would share, Thing3 was mad because nobody would let him play with them and the other two Things were mad at Thing3 for being a bully. Jack in the meantime did not appear mad, upset, concerned, distraught or anything else. In fact I think he was a little amused at what was happening around him. The stories he will have to tell when he gets home.
So with hands washed, butts in seats, I presented them with their late night meal, which took me four and a half minutes to prepare thanks to a food fairy that left it for us, chicken and noodles. "I don't like this chicken" was the first response from Thing4, followed by "whats for dessert" by the same person. I would have had greater success if I had just given in and gave them all the treats left by the food fairy, although that would have meant another two hours of running around, and it was already 9:30.
After playing for fifteen minutes we all sat down for a little calm down time before going to bed. There is nothing like Franklin the Turtle to help soothe the wild beast, unless of course the networks have redone the animation of the show and the kids don't like it, then you have a whole new controversy to deal with. We agreed the new Franklin is not very good, or as they wanted to say, but didn't, "it sucks", and then headed off to bed. After everyone was tucked in I agreed to read the first chapter of a new mystery book, that takes place in Disney World, as long as everyone was quiet. The two oldest boys were asleep before I finished, with other two not far behind. Of course there always has to be one person that rocks the boat and this time it was the only girl in the cottage, Thing4. She said she was not tired, until I lied her in my bed where she promptly fell asleep.
So here I sit, with everyone asleep, debating what I should do. A good movie, a cold beer, a light workout in the fitness room, write a short blog to allow the parents of our guest to know what has transpired in day one, or go to bed. I have finished the blog, it's too late to workout, the beer is still cold and I think my wife packed some snacks, so I guess I know where I am off to. Goodnight all, tomorrow is a full day and expected to rain.
While trying to figure out sleeping arrangements and making beds I decided to send the kids to explore the cottage and show Jack around, buying me plenty of time to finish. After completing the beds and preparing a late night meal I went in search of the kids, following the voices. With all the places to explore and see, all the kids had chosen one room and then pulled every toy out and played with it, or at least moved it around a little. Thing4 was mad because nobody would share, Thing3 was mad because nobody would let him play with them and the other two Things were mad at Thing3 for being a bully. Jack in the meantime did not appear mad, upset, concerned, distraught or anything else. In fact I think he was a little amused at what was happening around him. The stories he will have to tell when he gets home.
So with hands washed, butts in seats, I presented them with their late night meal, which took me four and a half minutes to prepare thanks to a food fairy that left it for us, chicken and noodles. "I don't like this chicken" was the first response from Thing4, followed by "whats for dessert" by the same person. I would have had greater success if I had just given in and gave them all the treats left by the food fairy, although that would have meant another two hours of running around, and it was already 9:30.
After playing for fifteen minutes we all sat down for a little calm down time before going to bed. There is nothing like Franklin the Turtle to help soothe the wild beast, unless of course the networks have redone the animation of the show and the kids don't like it, then you have a whole new controversy to deal with. We agreed the new Franklin is not very good, or as they wanted to say, but didn't, "it sucks", and then headed off to bed. After everyone was tucked in I agreed to read the first chapter of a new mystery book, that takes place in Disney World, as long as everyone was quiet. The two oldest boys were asleep before I finished, with other two not far behind. Of course there always has to be one person that rocks the boat and this time it was the only girl in the cottage, Thing4. She said she was not tired, until I lied her in my bed where she promptly fell asleep.
So here I sit, with everyone asleep, debating what I should do. A good movie, a cold beer, a light workout in the fitness room, write a short blog to allow the parents of our guest to know what has transpired in day one, or go to bed. I have finished the blog, it's too late to workout, the beer is still cold and I think my wife packed some snacks, so I guess I know where I am off to. Goodnight all, tomorrow is a full day and expected to rain.
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