Yesterday I spent all day with the boys and their friends taking them to paint pottery, out to lunch at cactus cantina, to get ice cream, to play restaurant. It was a dream day. The more time I spend with them having fun the happier I am.
The boys and their friend Lucy had so much fun making April Fools tricks by chilling straws in cups full of orange jello and offering people a cup of orange juice only to surprise them. It was so cute. They also were really excited to “switch the babies” and put Nell in Scottie’s crib and vice versa so their father would be tricked.
I am now keeping lists of fun and kind tricks to play each year.
Charlie (with Lucy) “Mommy you know that thing you have that makes paper? It fell with a really loud kaboom”
ALB “that’s called a printer”
During tonight’s ghost tour of Williamsburg (more like ghost observations than stories and all having to do with staff, managers and shift bosses leading one to question out guides work ethic) Teddy got to carry the lantern from one site to the next. Teddy was so proud of himself and we were so proud of him. Except for Charlie. “Why does Teddy get to carry the lantern?”
ALB “Because Teddy called out ‘me’ when they asked for a volunteer and so he gets to do it. ”
Charlie “but why don’t I get to do it?!?!?”
ALB “because sometimes Teddy gets to do something special and sometimes you do. Now it’s time for us to be happy for and proud of Teddy.”
Charlie “I don’t want to be happy for and proud of teddy.”
Charlie went on to get a turn himself and teddy helpfully showed him how to carry the lantern. Charlie also enthusiastically kept pushing up front to the guide to ask questions and make observations about ghosts “I saw one with red eyes! Do you think ghosts are real?”
He also asked our carriage driver “Were clothes in te olden days warmer?”
The answer was that they were warmer in the winter (wool) and cooler in the summer (cotton).
I hope the boys remembers this trip. It has been so much fun to show them
Things* and to spend time with Hannah and Milly and Greg and Carolyn. I wish we could see them all the time.
*a big full moon, a hot tub in the spa, a menu at a French bistro, colonial soldiers…
Everyone liked the hotel pool. The spa guests,however, didn’t like us so much when two mini swimmers screamed as loud and as long as they could when I took them out of the pool.
Nelly begged for a doll so Scottie got one too. Scottie slept with her new doll. Nell slept with a Dora swim diaper. “Dora! Dora!”
Today Charlie insisted on watching a reenactment rehearsal two times through so we could see the actors really get their lines down.
During the fencing demonstrations and revolutionary city reenactments Charlie was intently interested and Teddy slightly scared.
“Is this real?”
“Are these soldiers from a long time ago?”
“Who is fighting England?”
“Can I get a toy gun and a sword?”
“No?can i ever get a toy gun? Ever?”
“I rode that horse before!”
“I’m scared”
“Hold me”
“I know who that guy is fighting for. America. To save America.”
“Those guys are wearing wigs. Why? Why do they look like ladies?”
Everyone sat through the Seder. For the most part- at one point teddy was missing and then came in from grandpa’s study and said “I was doing some work. Downloading things and licking envelopes and putting stickers on them.” $35 worth of stamps used to complete this office work.
Teddy and Charlie have proven to be funny and kind. Phew.
I have a t shirt that says “eat more kale. ” The other day teddy said he wanted to make a shirt that says “Eat more crushers” Charlie said he wanted to make one that said “eat more candy.”
I got t shirts and fabric markers and today they made their t shirts riffing on mine. Funny. Then Charlie insisted on making one for Oliver because he wanted to make sure his friend had one (it said “eat more cookies” with picture of cookies and lacrosse players on it). And he was very concerned that it be something Oliver like.