The new masthead says it all: New Englapalooza was a complete gas. Five states in 10 days, clear(ish) weather, gracious hosts, sweet corn, sunblock, and a car with enough sand in it to gag a bedouin. The boys are starting to look the way boys should in summertime: tan lines, freckles, and bug bites.
Oh, yes. The bugs. We've had a really wet spring in the northeast, so the bugs have had an extraordinary opportunity to grow large and conversational. They're like pets, coming and going as they please. But when you show enough temerity to invade their space, which is Everywhere Else, they are not shy about exacting their pounds of flesh, a few ounces at a time.
The masthead is a silhouette of Robert, the Seven-Year-Old Wrecking Machine, on a rope swing in New Hampshire. I owe that swing a debt of gratitude, because after Day 8 Robert announced he was ready to head back to the city. Because he missed sitting around watching Star Wars and building LEGO warships. Dad the Ogre had to state calmly but firmly that we had a plan, and we were sticking to it. I understood, though, because eight days is one of the longest stretches that Robert has ever been out of Manhattan, and he's already taking on telltale characteristics of the Entitled Applecentric. On Day 4, he lamented that there was no place to get a "good bagel."
Enter the rope swing. It was Robert's first encounter with one, and he began slowly, gingerly gliding into the lake from the second step. By the end of the day, however, he was up at the top step, flinging himself outward, limbs splayed, blaring out the Indiana Jones theme. Suddenly, we were leaving too soon, and Dad the Ogre had to take him back to the city. Where the only rope swings presumably have someone's neck in them.
So now we're back. And it's no longer 75 and breezy. And I no longer have a designated spot to park my car. And I'm feeling very grateful, because I'm not sure how many times the three of us will be able to take off for such a long stretch. But the good news is that Mama has a new full-time job, so the boys will be with me all day, every day, for the next four weeks. Look for us to be out and about, marveling at how docile the bugs are.
That sunset is beautiful! It's Michigan colors :-)
Posted by: E | July 31, 2009 at 14:49
That is a phenomenal picture. Absolutely amazing. Glad to hear you had a great time!
Posted by: Carolyn | July 31, 2009 at 15:30
Love the picture and am always thrilled to read how well you capture the exhilaration of loving your kids. I'm just outside Boston and I am here to say that no, you do not exaggerate the bug situation. Counting down the days until fall!
Sara
www.shinyredhouses.blogspot.com
Posted by: Sara | July 31, 2009 at 17:58
I love that picture.
Your tale of Robert reminds me of when we took Tacy apple picking in Rockland County. She stood in the orchard and cried because she wanted to ride the Central Park carousel instead.
Posted by: Julie @ The Mom Slant | July 31, 2009 at 23:41
Gorgous!
I live in TN and it's been in the 90's for what seems like forever.
When my now 11 year old was a toddler, was crawling along her floor to catch the cat who'd made his way into her room at bedtime. Before I caught the cat, I came face to face with the biggest beetle looking bug I'd ever seen, complete with long pincher looking things on either side of his head. I flushed him/her down the toilet before I removed the cat. I still wonder how that bug from Hell got upstairs.
Posted by: ame i. | August 01, 2009 at 18:30
So glad you and the boys had a great time. It is good for children to realize that there is so much pleasure in very simple things like a rope hung from a branch. My grandchildren are coming to visit me and I hope to share some of those simple things with them this next week. Thinking of you and wishing you the best
Posted by: carosgram | August 02, 2009 at 10:25
Rope swings were the bane of my childhood. I never wanted to let go at the right time and usually ended up careening back towards the shore and banging my head against the tree.
Good times.
Posted by: Chris Hoke | August 03, 2009 at 19:58
I love how you love your boys. Sounds like a spectacular vacation.
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Posted by: samantha | August 06, 2009 at 16:32
Okay it's 105 here today and we have a tree swing in the front yard...so come on down!!!! Congrats to mom on the job and go you...more guy time!
Posted by: dot | August 09, 2009 at 18:13