Holidays

We had a busy and fun weekend. On Friday night we got the impulse to go camping, because why not? And the kids wanted to go to the ocean, because they always do. So we looked and found a place still open in Maine. Called for reservations and they laughed at us and said to just show up. We badgered another family to come along and did a last minute packing job. Saturday we spent the day babysitting for 3 two-year olds. Sunday was church and then we headed up to Wells for the best weather camping....seriously gorgeous. Also serious? Hudson's bad mood. Wooooohooooo was the boy a stinker. In his defense, he has a cold (everyone in this state has one I think) but wow. Leaving him behind next time. David also came with us.
We got there, set up, then headed down to the harbor and beach for wanderings. Henri will not step foot in the ocean all summer but as soon as the temp dips, you can't get her out. Then back to camp to meet up with friends and eat supper. In the dark. Yeah, big difference between camping in June and camping in October! But the kids love flashlights so that was a big plus in their book. Requisite campfire, and then we headed to bed. Where Hudson kicked, flopped, jumped, whined, and was generally a pill until he literally dropped at 11. We'll pass lightly over the night, it wasn't pleasant.
But at 0530 Hudson crawled into my arms and slept until 0800. Being the true hero that he is, Steve snuck Henri out of the tent and took her on a donut and coffee run.
We overate at breakfast (what is it about camping that makes you a glutton??), packed up, played some shuffleboard, and then headed to the beach for hours of sand fun. Home to unpack and early bedtimes for all. We don't have many more free weekends, so this might have been the last camping trip for the year, and we couldn't have picked a nicer weekend for it!

I got asked (by a mom with twins) what it's like raising quadruplets haha. I'm guessing extremely hard! Was very glad to have Steve along to help even though they all get along famously.

How we roll. Did I mention I got another double stroller? Phil&Ted. Love!

Best way to keep the littles happy. Park date and McD's

Views from the campground

The leaves were all changing, it was just gorgeous

My lobsters

We were up the dock here. On a lower one a guy was crabbing and stabbed a few. A tourist asked me (in a very offended way) why if he wanted to kill them he didn't just throw them into the water to drown?? I had no way to respond politely to such stupidity. Just smiled and nodded haha. 

Hudson wasn't too sure about the claws

Hen was thrilled. This child always surprises me with what gets her excited and what she takes well to.

Did I mention the weather was just perfect?!

It was Sunday, so Hen rang up some prayers. I like this much more than prayer wheels or flags. More intentional and very fitting for the sea location. 

Headed to the beach on the seawall

If she sees a beach or the ocean, she's always way out front to get there

Don't be fooled. I think it was temporary euphoria from chasing a seagull.

Tide was still headed out

Pant legs rolled up after she got drenched

Hung out for sunset

Steve found an intact sand dollar! Mom can do this too. I've never found one. 

David sauntering along the seawall in the sunset

Sunset

Fire gazing

Crazy Brett. Of course I failed to get a picture of the group, but along with us and David was Brett, Kate, and their 5 kids (the twins are Hudson's age)

7am. My left arm was dead at this point

Hurray!!! Also, best donuts ever. Such a wonderful thing to wake up to.

There was some version of whiffle ball going on, one of the bases was in the ocean?

You can't see detail here, but Ella and Henri were head-to-toe sand. And very very happy

Hud was in the same boat. Sand improved his spirits

So everyone is bathed and warmed and tucked into bed with a normal week coming up. It was a good family weekend :)

We're still alive

Lately I've been trying to be good about not having my phone near me while with the kids. And if I do happen to have it/take a picture, I've been putting them on instagram. So there's not much to show for the past month, but it's been a pretty normal one :)

Barnabas continues to be a valued member of the household

This was a two week addiction

Because if you're going to eat corn, you might as well wear sheep ears and use a fork...

We've been going up Prospect Hill quite a bit this month. It's an easy walk to get to, and provides quite a good workout (especially with a kid on board). We pushed the kids in the double stroller yesterday. Major burn in the legs!

Papa sent Hudson a sticker book of trucks. He adores it, and has to match all of his to the pictures

Henri has started Irish step dancing lessons. So far she talks waaaaaay more than she dances. Hudson is a year too young, but he insists on wearing ballet flats every time I take her, and he gets to participate in the last 5 minutes of class which he loves.

Continuing with the Prospect Hill love, Steve ran it a few weeks back and did great.

A friend took me to the second day of an estate sale of a lady who'd been an interior designer. While standing in her sewing room, a bunch of bags were thrown in and we were told that whatever we could fit in a bag was $5. This great piece stretches my entire living room and into the kitchen.

What I fit into a bag

The water table is very loved, but this was probably the last year for it. Here they're making "soup"

My MIL came for a week to stay with us (yay!) and one of the mornings we went to Ogunquit to meet up with my folks who were there on a mini vacation. It couldn't have been a more perfect day, and the tide coming in made this great swimming pool for the kids complete with a school of fish..

The advantage of being so small is that you don't have to walk when going on kayaking adventures. Both continue to love the boats, and it's the perfect way to relax as a family.

Henri is now required to make her bed every morning, and she's getting pretty good at it! Bunks are tricky...

Met up with Dad after work for a walk and picnic supper

Rearranging the house a bit. There's a lot more room, but the benches are too low for the kids (though they think the new set up is great!)

On the first day of fall, despite sweltering temps, Hudson's fashion line for the season

Parks everywhere

Trying to pull lunch together so I set him up with a pan of rice. He played happily until it was time to eat....and then I spent 45 minutes cleaning it up. 

We've had a few chilly days for our walks

Even more parks

Some lovelies Steve brought home

If the walk is long enough I can still get a nap out of her. 6.5 miles in this case

The decorations I used for our wedding are back on rotation at church! 

The kids have been collecting acorns and leaves to make a decoration for the house and are quite proud of their handiwork

So, not too much going on, but not too little either. Happy Fall!