Happy Pagan Holiday

Violet had a very specific request this year regarding her Halloween costume. She wanted to be a bat, and she wanted to have all of her be black, including her face, which she wanted to have a black mask just like the Red Robin at the Red Robin restaurant where we went with Auntie Karen and Baby Amelia. Okaaaay. And just how do you ask for that kind of fabric at the store?

Stella just wanted to be a mermaid. And, as usual, she was pleased with whatever I did as long as it was pretty and sparkly.

We went to downtown trick-or-treating. It was a balmy fall day - 66 degrees - lovely. Crisp leaves, outstanding autumnal decor - this picture was at the Kennebunk Inn.

The only problem was; no one told us that downtown trick-or-treating was the day before Halloween. The town gets a big dope slap for that one. Why trick-or-treat on a Friday night when Halloween is on a Saturday?

So we headed over to Duffy's, the new decent pub/restaurant in town. And it was nice just to be together, in a restaurant, both kids sitting on their chairs and being restrained. It was nothing short of a miracle. And they have help-yourself-popcorn.

And then we trick-or-treated the residential section all the way home. Sort of. We hit almost a dozen houses before the kids were done.

With a little encouragment the kids made it the whole half a mile to Grandy's house, where in Violet's words "Bubby said I could take whatever I wanted." Violet's bucket was twice as full as Stella's if that gives you any idea of what she wanted.

And now the kids are in bed. We sorted the goods when we got home, and Violet and Stella did some shockingly good trading. Stella can't have the candy with milk chocolate, so Violet offered up Smarties, Skittles and a sucker in trade. I was impressed.

Something has happened to Jason, though. It's not the pensiveness - he is often pensive. He just seems different somehow. Maybe a little protective of his candy bowl? The trick-or-treaters were actually skipping our house.

I'm her mother. Of course I'm biased.

But tell me this isn't the most darling thing you have seen all day.

We were out exploring the Maine countryside, looking at a hydroelectric dam, when Stella had her first experience with a pile of dry leaves.

 

 And her first experience with milkweed pods. What do you see in there, Stella?

"Spider"

No, Sweetheart, it's not a spider.

Okay, then!

And Auntie Karen, this is for you.

Sweet, sweet girls

Last night as Stella was lying in bed in the dark waiting to fall asleep we had a conversarion that went like this:

"Mommy I have tell you somefing."

"What, Stella?" 

"I seeping. You take my picture I seeping?" 

"Yes, Stella, I'll take your picture when you're sleeping."

 

Despite the less than ideal lighting in these, I can't help but post them. They're classic Violet. All of them.

And Uncle Kentie, they love their jerseys. I'm sorry it didn't help.

School Days

 

Violet started Kindergarten yesterday. Two years ago when she started at Bear Hugs, her teacher, Miss Jen, told me that I would be amazed at how much she would change, and she was positive Violet would go to a regular Kindergarten. I didn't admit them then, but I had my doubts.

 

We all walked with her to the bus stop. Later she would tell me that riding the bus was her favorite part of the day because she got to do it twice.

 

She met Josh, the other kid who gets on at her stop. When she saw him again today, they were like old friends. He is in 4th grade, mind you. 

Violet: Hey Josh, how do you find a lost rabbit? You make a noise like a big carrot!!!

Josh: heeeheeeheee

 

EEEEE! Here it comes! Here Comes The Bus! Yes, it's a short bus but Violet is quite happy with it. The aide is named Bernie, the driver is Cheryl, and her seatmate is Kimberly. She is first on the bus and she sits by the window. Oh, and it is Van 4.

 

Violet waves goodbye to Jason and Stella and off they go.

 

Someone is not too happy about all this. Aw, don't get your panties in a bunch. Stella goes to school, too (though not on a bus, much to her dismay).

 

Her first day was a full week before Violet's. Violet and I drove her to school so Violet could be the big sister and show her what to do.

 

Violet: "And you go down the path this way, but don't go on the wall and don't go on Mr. Rob's grass..." as though Stella has not done it a thousand and one times before when we dropped off Violet. Stella has been chomping at the bit for about a year to go to preschool.

 

Stella settled herself right in and started on her 'work'. Violet gave her a hug and kiss goodbye. What this picture doesn't show is the roar of crying toddlers. Stella was one of the few who wasn't bawling. Even Miss Jen's daughter Kellsie, who has been in every class since she was born and lives upstairs, had eyes brimming with tears. It was downright awful, but it made my leave taking that much easier (and quicker, definitely quicker!) Stella was the one crying at the end of the day as I was dragging her away.

 

 I can't believe my kids are so big. I find that the time during which Stella is in preschool goes by ever so quickly (I have a lot of bon bons to make up with dontcha know).

What throws me is the days when Stella and I have nothing to do. No schedule, no driving every which way to therapies, no lunch on the run. It is very, very weird, and I think we are going to get used to it pretty easily. We all heart Kindergarten.

Hello, Bill

I know I'm late with this, but you are seriously lucky to get any kind of a post at all, right? Violet is currently sleeping (it is 4:27pm and she has been asleep for about 70 minutes) and Stella is watching a Snow White double header. Me? I am supposed to be making dinner, so don't you dare tell them I was blogging instead.

So, Bill.

Sunday morning I wanted to get the kids out of the house for a couple hours so Jason could have some breathing space. It was a complete whim to take the kids to the beach. It isn't something I generally do. At 8 am on a Sunday morning, I mean. Um, yeah.

See how deserted the beach was?  This definitely won't be the last time we go at 8am on a Sunday morning. We were out so early I even brought them to Parson's Beach, which is a nice quiet beach with a serious lack of parking. Hence the quietness, I guess.

What I hadn't realized was that Hurricane Bill was making his way up the coast. I stole a little map from Stormpulse so you can see just how close Bill was. It was perfect, actually. Just far enough away to be completely safe, but close enough to make some big fancy waves. If you look closer, I put a little red dot in our approximate location.

It is very hard to get a good shot of waves. I mean, sure that looks like waves, but nothing special.

 

But there was a cop standing on the shore telling people not to swim, and the surfers were all out there pretending to be out of earshot.

And when a big one came in, boy, did it ever come in. Careful, there, Violet.

After this particular wave came in, Stella wanted nothing more to do with the water. I can't say I blame her. I was holding onto her with one hand, snapping pictures with the other, and she was literally being pummelled by the wave. But look at that amazing shot! Scrapbook worthy, even.

 

Luckily there were plenty of treasures to be had on the beach, and Violet is now looking forward to winter at Parson's Beach. I promised her some seaglass, dredged up by all the winter storms.

And just to let you know, Stella has now fallen asleep next to me on the couch.This picture isn't from today - it's from last week, but the only thing that has changed is the dress. It's hard work being a princess, you know.