It's been a week, people. I've tried, I really have, but this positivity thing? Well, it's HARD. Stress level is high, insomnia is unrelenting, workload is unmanageable, schedule is full, and this weather...today we finally saw the sun for the first time in 435,988 days, I think. I went into a weird place of survival in my head this week. Numb, I guess. I don't remember most of it, and that's with taking a day off in the middle of the week to nurse a nasty eye infection. I am beyond exhausted and keeping my chin up and my head above water and all those other metaphors are really hard work.
As is my pattern, I take this out on those I love. Thursday, unfortunately, it was Aidan. I stayed after school to try to catch up, knowing he had chess club. What I didn't know was that he had a tournament (read: later than usual.) I had to get Rowan to swimming lessons (read: his last session, where he gets his "report card.") Somewhere in there I had to get food in them. I ran around til 5:30 and scratched the surface of my work load. I finally cut him off at 5:40, and actually he had just lost. He was crushed. I tried to be sympathetic, but was secretly relieved to be able to go. On the way home, I found out that I had switched the kids lunches and neither of them had eaten the "main course" of their lunch: dinner problem solved! (Another symptom of this week: can't get my shit together.) But when we got home there was the letting out of the dog, and the "I have to poops," and the finding of the swimsuit, and I can't remember what it was, but I snapped at Aidan, "WHY haven't you eaten yet??? We have to GO in 5 minutes!!" He had some valid excuse, but I watched myself, out of body experience, roll my eyes and give a big hissy fit of a sigh. As I did it, I thought, "Well there goes my MOTY award." and "No wonder he gives me sass, here comes a dose right now that I FULLY deserve, cause he learned it by watching me." But he stayed calm, apologized and starting eating. I got all teary and apologized too. He said, "It's okay, Mom, I get it. I've been there. I can see that you are stressed out."
Geez, I don't deserve these guys sometimes.
We got to swimming on time, by the way. And Rowan passed his current level. And I really don't think Aidan is scarred for life. But I am now counting down the days....
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
I Choose....
New Years comes at the wrong time of year for me. I find it hard to reflect and renew in the middle of winter, even with the proximity of the solstice. Spring is my time. I find myself turning both inward and outward at the same time, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead. This seems to be more intense this year, I think due to the Winter of Our Discontent, as I will respectfully call it.
I write freely about the successes of this past year: Rowan making strides, a family vacation, the funny stuff. This year has been good to us in so many ways, but definitely had its own challenges. Most of these came in the form of financial stress and work. No doubt, my workplace was a "do more with less" kind of environment this year. Many days, I would come home barely able to function on a basic level for my family. I probably drink more wine than I should. I tackle insomnia nightly.
Why am I confessing this now? Seven weeks. Aidan counted. Seven weeks left in this school year. It usually is a wild, hang on to your hat time of year, but I sense it is going to be crazier than usual. I am filled with a mix of emotions - a "double dip" feeling as a friend of mine would say. It feels EXACTLY like being at the top of a very big hill on a roller coaster: exhilaration, dread, fear, anxiety, excitement. I realize I am at a point of choosing which of these emotions to embrace. This may not seem as easy as it sounds. Along with the challenging environment has come a good share of negativity, negativity that I admittedly have gotten sucked in to.
I am nearing the end of our spring break, and two days ago, experienced that sort of stomach-drops-out-of-you dread. I really forced myself to look at the "why" of the feeling. I was able to hold my chin up as I talked myself through it for two reasons: I've made it this far, what's seven more weeks? And...some really solid accomplishments, perhaps under appreciated by Those I Wish Would Notice And Care, but I am very proud: new lessons tried and succeeded, presenting at the AEM conference, participants in art shows, winners in art contests, Empty Bowl, leaps and bounds in my use of technology this year. It seems that somehow in my just barely keeping my head above water, I swam farther than I thought. So on this eve before the eve before The Return, I am making a choice. I choose celebration. I choose fun. I choose positivity. I know I'll be tested and The Ride might get scary, but in the end, summer will come and before you know it I'll be packing up and letting it go, faster than I can imagine.
I write freely about the successes of this past year: Rowan making strides, a family vacation, the funny stuff. This year has been good to us in so many ways, but definitely had its own challenges. Most of these came in the form of financial stress and work. No doubt, my workplace was a "do more with less" kind of environment this year. Many days, I would come home barely able to function on a basic level for my family. I probably drink more wine than I should. I tackle insomnia nightly.
Why am I confessing this now? Seven weeks. Aidan counted. Seven weeks left in this school year. It usually is a wild, hang on to your hat time of year, but I sense it is going to be crazier than usual. I am filled with a mix of emotions - a "double dip" feeling as a friend of mine would say. It feels EXACTLY like being at the top of a very big hill on a roller coaster: exhilaration, dread, fear, anxiety, excitement. I realize I am at a point of choosing which of these emotions to embrace. This may not seem as easy as it sounds. Along with the challenging environment has come a good share of negativity, negativity that I admittedly have gotten sucked in to.
I am nearing the end of our spring break, and two days ago, experienced that sort of stomach-drops-out-of-you dread. I really forced myself to look at the "why" of the feeling. I was able to hold my chin up as I talked myself through it for two reasons: I've made it this far, what's seven more weeks? And...some really solid accomplishments, perhaps under appreciated by Those I Wish Would Notice And Care, but I am very proud: new lessons tried and succeeded, presenting at the AEM conference, participants in art shows, winners in art contests, Empty Bowl, leaps and bounds in my use of technology this year. It seems that somehow in my just barely keeping my head above water, I swam farther than I thought. So on this eve before the eve before The Return, I am making a choice. I choose celebration. I choose fun. I choose positivity. I know I'll be tested and The Ride might get scary, but in the end, summer will come and before you know it I'll be packing up and letting it go, faster than I can imagine.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Keep On Keepin' On
So, as usual, long time no blog. That is usually a good thing! Nothing much to blog about except that our little flower keeps blossoming. The setbacks and struggles I anticipated for Kindergarten just don't exist. Here I am staring the end of the school year in the face and I still just need someone to pinch me.
Fall conferences came and went with the news that he was fitting in great, making friends, participating, high level reading group, blah blah blah...wait, what? High level reading group? I knew the kid could read, but only because he's been busted reading words off signs and such, not because he had ever read a word TO me. I was commended for "working with him" on all the sight words, because he knew them all. (Yeah, I never worked with him.) Mister sneaky Pete, doing all that secret downloading without letting me know. We got a similar report this winter. Meanwhile our family took our first long vacation via plane with no issues. We survived Winter from Hell. I am so proud and relieved.
I still see the quirks, but I doubt many other people do. He appears "shy" but I know it's sensory. He gets "stuck" on things, but is more easily "unstuck" than he used to be, and his fixations are more appropriate and allow for flexibility (right now it's Star Wars and space.) He tolerates sound, but has this amazing sense of smell and pronounces his olfactory observations loudly and specifically: "Mom, it smells like tacos and mud in here!" The only behavior hiccup we had at school was a couple months ago with the potty talk and him trying to set other kids off. A consultation with Lynnie and advising his teachers to immediately remove him from the group if he even starts nipped that in the bud.
He's even taken another big step forward in his maturity and being "out there" to others. Reports from adults at school that he is interacting with them more (smiles, talking, joking around.) A car trip last weekend, he got hungry and I stupidly forgot to pack snacks, perhaps shutting the years of "hangry" meltdowns out of my head. When I informed him we didn't have any his answer was "okay." WHAT??? We went to MOA and he ate HOT food with a FORK. (Both these things are miraculous. I mean, really miraculous.) He was talking and laughing with strangers. We went to the Disney store and went to Mecca...I mean, the Star Wars section, and he never bugged me to buy him anything. Plus the fact that everything that comes out of his mouth is so darn stinkin' cute right now...
Can I push the pause button on him, please? Though, really, I am starting to worry less and look forward more...
I'm going to change the focus of this blog to being less about raising a child with SPD to just plain old fun Fitzpatrick Adventures. Aidan and Rowan do continue to inspire and teach me, and will ALWAYS be my greatest teachers in life, through both the good and the bad. I recently realized if I don't start being more intentionally present with them, *poof* they will be gone before I know it. They are growing up WAY too fast. Look forward to more adventures soon!
Fall conferences came and went with the news that he was fitting in great, making friends, participating, high level reading group, blah blah blah...wait, what? High level reading group? I knew the kid could read, but only because he's been busted reading words off signs and such, not because he had ever read a word TO me. I was commended for "working with him" on all the sight words, because he knew them all. (Yeah, I never worked with him.) Mister sneaky Pete, doing all that secret downloading without letting me know. We got a similar report this winter. Meanwhile our family took our first long vacation via plane with no issues. We survived Winter from Hell. I am so proud and relieved.
I still see the quirks, but I doubt many other people do. He appears "shy" but I know it's sensory. He gets "stuck" on things, but is more easily "unstuck" than he used to be, and his fixations are more appropriate and allow for flexibility (right now it's Star Wars and space.) He tolerates sound, but has this amazing sense of smell and pronounces his olfactory observations loudly and specifically: "Mom, it smells like tacos and mud in here!" The only behavior hiccup we had at school was a couple months ago with the potty talk and him trying to set other kids off. A consultation with Lynnie and advising his teachers to immediately remove him from the group if he even starts nipped that in the bud.
He's even taken another big step forward in his maturity and being "out there" to others. Reports from adults at school that he is interacting with them more (smiles, talking, joking around.) A car trip last weekend, he got hungry and I stupidly forgot to pack snacks, perhaps shutting the years of "hangry" meltdowns out of my head. When I informed him we didn't have any his answer was "okay." WHAT??? We went to MOA and he ate HOT food with a FORK. (Both these things are miraculous. I mean, really miraculous.) He was talking and laughing with strangers. We went to the Disney store and went to Mecca...I mean, the Star Wars section, and he never bugged me to buy him anything. Plus the fact that everything that comes out of his mouth is so darn stinkin' cute right now...
Can I push the pause button on him, please? Though, really, I am starting to worry less and look forward more...
I'm going to change the focus of this blog to being less about raising a child with SPD to just plain old fun Fitzpatrick Adventures. Aidan and Rowan do continue to inspire and teach me, and will ALWAYS be my greatest teachers in life, through both the good and the bad. I recently realized if I don't start being more intentionally present with them, *poof* they will be gone before I know it. They are growing up WAY too fast. Look forward to more adventures soon!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
You Think You Know a Guy....
This guy.
I don't even know what to say.
The stress over kindergarten has been mounting for two+ years. It would keep me up at night, wondering: will he make friends, will he listen, is he capable of sitting still, will he even TALK to his teachers?
And then the first day of school came, and with it the Scariest Moment Ever (for me): dropping him off in his classroom for the first time. Another kid was in tears, clinging to his mom. It didn't bode well. We found Rowan's spot, put on his name tag and looked at each other. "Now what do I do?" he asked. "It looks like you can play with these pattern blocks that are at the table, buddy." "Okay." Then a huge realization washed over me: he is not anxious, sad or scared in any way. He wasn't even thinking about saying goodbye. I sat there for a moment, dumbfounded, awkward silence as my kid just turned this Scary Moment into a non-event. "Um, well, okay then. I guess I'll go." "Okay," he replied. A quick hug and a kiss and he never even watched me leave.
Fast forward to three hours later, and his teacher walks into my classroom. Oh shit, I think, this can't be good. She beams at me. "I just want you to know, he does not stand out to me as different from any of the other kids. He is happy, playing with the others, participating and talking to me." My knees buckled. Disbelief, relief, but still a bit of anxiety. Honeymoon period, I think, It won't last.
Rewind to six weeks before school starts. "Are you excited for kindergarten?" I ask. "Yes," he says, "But I WON'T sing."
Fast forward to three weeks into school. Mrs. K, his music teacher, informs me he SANG in music. He also was spotted dancing. Later that week, he sings a completely made up song to me. This is the first time he has sung to me. EVER. That same week, reports are the same all around: following rules, sitting still, listening, participating, making friends. I still live in a state of disbelief.
Fast forward to four weeks into school. At lunchtime, in the lounge, I happen to sit with the para who works in his room. She tells me about an afternoon on the playground, where Rowan has climbed to the top of the fireman pole, a skill he set out to master this summer at Lynnie's. Apparently, a few kids noticed and made a Big Deal about it. He did it again, a few minutes later, with ALL the kids watching. Later that week, I sit with him for 5 minutes at lunch. The kiddo sitting across from me exclaims, while pointing at my son, "THAT kid is a REALLY good climber!" Rowan beams.
Fast forward to last week. I am directed to go observe some primary classes to learn some transition techniques, specifically Rowan's teacher. I go in to watch. I see it first hand: my son, who I worried about, cried about, lost sleep over is sitting attentively, raising his hand, participating, following directions, clip at the top of the rainbow chart. I ask his teacher later, "Is is always sitting that still and attentive?" She looks right at me, "Always," she says with conviction.
So here we are, close to a quarter of the way into the year, at a place I never imagined we would be. And if we were in this place, I figured we would have had to work MUCH harder at it than we have. And I still sit in a state of suspended disbelief. (And the teachers at North Star must think I am a crackpot, for all the warnings I gave them.) What's bugging me the most is what a hard time I am having of accepting that it all seems like it's going to be okay. I was thinking para, IEP, behavior interventions, 504 plans...and we aren't even close.
Proud, relieved. Those words don't even come close to describing how I feel as I accept this Happy Place for my child. A sense of accomplishment, for all the interventions, strategies and services paid off. Lynnie, Lynnie, Lynnie....I give you SO much credit, for making my child know how to be a human being, and helping him and me figure out where and how he fits in the world. I live in the midst of a miracle and am overwhelmed with gratititude.
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| In addition to owning the kindergarten experience, this guy pulled an entire wagon load of groceries home by himself. |
I don't even know what to say.
The stress over kindergarten has been mounting for two+ years. It would keep me up at night, wondering: will he make friends, will he listen, is he capable of sitting still, will he even TALK to his teachers?
And then the first day of school came, and with it the Scariest Moment Ever (for me): dropping him off in his classroom for the first time. Another kid was in tears, clinging to his mom. It didn't bode well. We found Rowan's spot, put on his name tag and looked at each other. "Now what do I do?" he asked. "It looks like you can play with these pattern blocks that are at the table, buddy." "Okay." Then a huge realization washed over me: he is not anxious, sad or scared in any way. He wasn't even thinking about saying goodbye. I sat there for a moment, dumbfounded, awkward silence as my kid just turned this Scary Moment into a non-event. "Um, well, okay then. I guess I'll go." "Okay," he replied. A quick hug and a kiss and he never even watched me leave.
Fast forward to three hours later, and his teacher walks into my classroom. Oh shit, I think, this can't be good. She beams at me. "I just want you to know, he does not stand out to me as different from any of the other kids. He is happy, playing with the others, participating and talking to me." My knees buckled. Disbelief, relief, but still a bit of anxiety. Honeymoon period, I think, It won't last.
Rewind to six weeks before school starts. "Are you excited for kindergarten?" I ask. "Yes," he says, "But I WON'T sing."
Fast forward to three weeks into school. Mrs. K, his music teacher, informs me he SANG in music. He also was spotted dancing. Later that week, he sings a completely made up song to me. This is the first time he has sung to me. EVER. That same week, reports are the same all around: following rules, sitting still, listening, participating, making friends. I still live in a state of disbelief.
Fast forward to four weeks into school. At lunchtime, in the lounge, I happen to sit with the para who works in his room. She tells me about an afternoon on the playground, where Rowan has climbed to the top of the fireman pole, a skill he set out to master this summer at Lynnie's. Apparently, a few kids noticed and made a Big Deal about it. He did it again, a few minutes later, with ALL the kids watching. Later that week, I sit with him for 5 minutes at lunch. The kiddo sitting across from me exclaims, while pointing at my son, "THAT kid is a REALLY good climber!" Rowan beams.
Fast forward to last week. I am directed to go observe some primary classes to learn some transition techniques, specifically Rowan's teacher. I go in to watch. I see it first hand: my son, who I worried about, cried about, lost sleep over is sitting attentively, raising his hand, participating, following directions, clip at the top of the rainbow chart. I ask his teacher later, "Is is always sitting that still and attentive?" She looks right at me, "Always," she says with conviction.
So here we are, close to a quarter of the way into the year, at a place I never imagined we would be. And if we were in this place, I figured we would have had to work MUCH harder at it than we have. And I still sit in a state of suspended disbelief. (And the teachers at North Star must think I am a crackpot, for all the warnings I gave them.) What's bugging me the most is what a hard time I am having of accepting that it all seems like it's going to be okay. I was thinking para, IEP, behavior interventions, 504 plans...and we aren't even close.
Proud, relieved. Those words don't even come close to describing how I feel as I accept this Happy Place for my child. A sense of accomplishment, for all the interventions, strategies and services paid off. Lynnie, Lynnie, Lynnie....I give you SO much credit, for making my child know how to be a human being, and helping him and me figure out where and how he fits in the world. I live in the midst of a miracle and am overwhelmed with gratititude.
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Ride
So, this is happening.
This kid. Kindergarten.
I don't even know how to feel about this. Since I noticed his quirkiness, and got a name for it back when he was two, I feel like I've been on a roller coaster ride that leads up to this point. I know the ride isn't going to end, of course, but I feel so much weight put on this year ahead. Like this is what I've been working toward: the Big Test. I am simultaneously proud, excited, anxious, nervous, sad, weepy, terrified, confused, grateful and sick to my stomach all at the same time.
I'm gonna keep hanging on for the ride. The progress is always forward, and there is no stopping us now.
But, geez, little guy, could you stop growing up so fast??
Monday, August 19, 2013
How To Survive Your Last Day of Summer Vacation
1. Sleep in, but not too late. You don't want to kick yourself for wasting your day later.
2. Don't make a list. Don't make plans. You will disappoint yourself later if they don't get completed. That way, if your friend suggests a second glass of wine at lunch, you can say "Why not?'
3. DO NOT go to the mall. (Though a second glass of wine at lunch seems to take the edge off.)
4. Play the It's My Last Day Of Summer Break Card. This may get you lunch out with a friend, a day off of cooking/dishes, etc.
5. Get the things you HAVE to get done, done right away. Such as cleaning out your teacher bag from last year and putting in the new post it notes and planner. You'll never know what treasures you'll find! (That lost DVD, handwritten/drawn thank you notes from first graders that read: "Dear Ms. Fix, I will miss you.")
6. Exercise. Zumba your ass off. In air conditioning.
7. Negate the exercise by treating yourself to a pity cone at Super Premium Ice Cream. Pass it off as an excuse to cool off the poor kids. Really, it is for me, people. For ME.
8. Soak up the last bits of summer. The morning raspberry picking ritual. The muggy air. The breeze. The sunshine on your face. The moon. Hold on to every last bit.
9. Try to find the piece of paper that was sent last June (JUNE! I mean, come ON) that tells you where you're supposed to be and when tomorrow. If you are unsuccessful shrug and assume 8:00.
10. Remember you are not going back to some "ordeal." This is your job, and you are good at it. You are not having surgery, you are not moving, you are not on trial. Imagine a moment last year, fifth grade maybe, where magic was happening around you. Great art was being made, creativity and excitement all around you. Remember why you do it, and why you always go back.
*sigh* I will miss you though, summer.
2. Don't make a list. Don't make plans. You will disappoint yourself later if they don't get completed. That way, if your friend suggests a second glass of wine at lunch, you can say "Why not?'
3. DO NOT go to the mall. (Though a second glass of wine at lunch seems to take the edge off.)
4. Play the It's My Last Day Of Summer Break Card. This may get you lunch out with a friend, a day off of cooking/dishes, etc.
5. Get the things you HAVE to get done, done right away. Such as cleaning out your teacher bag from last year and putting in the new post it notes and planner. You'll never know what treasures you'll find! (That lost DVD, handwritten/drawn thank you notes from first graders that read: "Dear Ms. Fix, I will miss you.")
6. Exercise. Zumba your ass off. In air conditioning.
7. Negate the exercise by treating yourself to a pity cone at Super Premium Ice Cream. Pass it off as an excuse to cool off the poor kids. Really, it is for me, people. For ME.
8. Soak up the last bits of summer. The morning raspberry picking ritual. The muggy air. The breeze. The sunshine on your face. The moon. Hold on to every last bit.
9. Try to find the piece of paper that was sent last June (JUNE! I mean, come ON) that tells you where you're supposed to be and when tomorrow. If you are unsuccessful shrug and assume 8:00.
10. Remember you are not going back to some "ordeal." This is your job, and you are good at it. You are not having surgery, you are not moving, you are not on trial. Imagine a moment last year, fifth grade maybe, where magic was happening around you. Great art was being made, creativity and excitement all around you. Remember why you do it, and why you always go back.
*sigh* I will miss you though, summer.
Trip Log: Vacation, Summer 2013
This blog post is brought to you by Wisconsin State Parks, where you are welcome to bring your dog. Oh, but once you're here you can't actually bring him anywhere. Like the beach. Or on hiking trails. Or places you go when you are in STATE PARKS.
Day 1: Arrival at Copper Falls State Park
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny, with one small sun shower.
Critter count: Multiple tiny frogs, the first named Gilbert. An owl symphony during the night.
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 2
Number of fish caught: 0
What we did: Arrived and explored the park, swam at the beach, serenaded by Aidan on guitar. Reveled at my amazing packing ability. Those years of playing tetris in high school paid off.
Quote of the Day: (Rowan) "Dad, do police kill mosquitoes?"
Day 2: Copper Falls again
And finally, I leave you with a video, which really captures the essence of what it is like to camp with these two children. Make sure the sound is turned up and you listen all the way to the end to hear what Rowan has to say. Enjoy.
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| This dog is the poster child for the experience YOUR dog will have in Wisconsin State Parks. Sorry, buddy, thanks for being such a good sport!!! |
Day 1: Arrival at Copper Falls State Park
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny, with one small sun shower.
Critter count: Multiple tiny frogs, the first named Gilbert. An owl symphony during the night.
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 2
Number of fish caught: 0
What we did: Arrived and explored the park, swam at the beach, serenaded by Aidan on guitar. Reveled at my amazing packing ability. Those years of playing tetris in high school paid off.
Quote of the Day: (Rowan) "Dad, do police kill mosquitoes?"
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| Rowan and his micro-frog |
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| Beach at Loon Lake |
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| Aidan and his micro-frog |
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny, with one big shower of rain. COLD at night!
Critter count: A woodpecker, a herd of deer and a possible sasquatch encounter. I mean really people, we heard the weirdest noises coming out of the woods by the beach, so we drove down the road to explore what it might be. There was a bigfoot crossing sign tacked to a power pole, I kid you not. This, of course, sent Rowie into excited question mode about the "monster" that made the noise. Dan explained the sign was just a joke. My response was a cocked eyebrow and, "Or, is it?"
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 1.5
Number of fish caught: 0
What we did: Explored and hiked the falls, moved campsites, celebrated our 13th anniversary with ice cream cones and cheese curds (we ARE in Wisconsin!) from the gak stand at Copper Falls, both of us grown ups went for a jog, went for a quick swim, had Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner, which you usually can't say you did while camping, had a fire.
Quote of the Day: Dan" "Rowan, what's your favorite thing about camping?" Rowan: "Swimming"
Dan: "What's your second favorite?" Rowan: "Sleeping."
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| Hike to the Falls |
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| Anniversary Cone N Curds |
Day 3:Copper Falls State Park, again
Weather: 73 degrees, according to the thermometer. But really, 90 in the sun 37 in the shade. Which makes it really hard to decide where to put your camp chair on the beach. So then you do this funny little dance of shuffling your chair back and forth, putting your sweatshirt on, taking it off, etc.
Critter count: two cute widdle baby fawns
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 5
Number of fish caught: 0, but not for lack of trying
What we did: We split up, Dan and Aidan hiking to go find fish, Rowan and I camping out at the beach. The boys never made it down to the river, as steep slopes down would not have allowed our gimpy geriatric dog to get back up the embankment. They had a great hike though. Rowan and I lazed and swam. We had another fire and ate s'mores.
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| Too steep for Murphy |
Day 4: Off to the Island!!
Weather: 75 and perfection
Critter count: Owls, who again performed for us all night. Blueberries. Behind our campsite. They count, right? They were wild.
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 1
Number of fish caught: 0
What we did: Observed a miracle: BOTH boys slept late, which allowed us to pack everything except for the clothes they were wearing, the sleeping bags they were in, and the tent around them without interruption or whining. It was glorious. We drove to Bayfield, played at the park/picnicked, and took the ferry over to Madeline Island, explored the beach at the State Park. Without our dog. Again. (See, brought to you by...)
Quote of the day: Me: (While pointing out my lack of a razor.) "Yep, I am rockin' the French pits."
Day 5: We Love Madeline Island
Weather: 75 and perfection, again.
Critter count: two naughty red squirrels who were openly shouting profanities in front of my children, some ducks.
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 3
Number of fish caught: 1 perch
What we did: Hiked along the lake, saw the Lake Superior Water Sprite and his tribal dance, drove over to the Town Park beach where dogs ARE allowed, thank you very much. Aidan and Dan rented a canoe to fish in the Lagoon. Drove into town to experience Tom's Burned Down Bar and to eat real food. Met a fellow Jeffersonian (lives 1 block away from us) while at Tom's. Ate burgers and drank beer while the boys played with the ducks in front of the restaurant. Got up with Aidan at 2 a.m. and walked down to the beach to see the stars/persieid meteor showers.
Quote of the Day: Rowan (at lakeside restaurant) "Can I take off my clothes and go swimming?"
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| The Lake Superior Water Sprite performs his tribal dance |
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| Finally, a beach for me!! |
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| Aidan at Tom's |
Day 6: Minnesota Goodbye
Weather: 77ish and perfection.
Critter count: 0
Number of hours Rowan spent in the water: 6
Number of fish caught: 0 caught, one bonded with in the Lagoon
What we did: Decided the island wanted to hold on to us for as long as possible, so we broke camp, went back to the town park, and stayed there til 4:30. Caught the 5:00 ferry and headed home. :(
Quote of the Day: Rowan: "I want to go swim in the La-ga-goon."
And finally, I leave you with a video, which really captures the essence of what it is like to camp with these two children. Make sure the sound is turned up and you listen all the way to the end to hear what Rowan has to say. Enjoy.
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