That Time That The Readers Saved The Day...

So, Monday morning I woke up feeling inspired.

"Today," I proclaimed in the mirror, "I'm going to get stuff done."

I was going to take Brian to Science Camp... I was going to run errands... I was going to rearrange... and I was going to get Brian to swimming - and not just get him there, I was going to be early.

The first thing on the list after breakfast was to rearrange the room that Brian sleeps in.  (That will be revealed tomorrow!)  Brian wanted a change - I think he was inspired by the playroom redo!  He's still sleeping in Gavin's room and does NOT want to leave.  But he also doesn't want to change too much of it.  We had a long talk about Gavin's room... and his room across the hall... and how we don't know what to call either room anymore.  Brian decided that Gavin's room should be called the "Brian-Gavin Room."  And so it will be.  I'll write more details about the room decisions tomorrow.

So there we were - moving furniture and laughing away in the "Brian-Gavin Room" when I realized it was 11am.  We had to get going to Science Camp!  I got both kids ready and buckled into their carseats when I felt like I forgot something.  I ran inside and stood in the kitchen for a moment and even said out loud, "What did I forget?"  I landed on nothing - but before I went back outside, something made me look at the calendar.  There it was... in pen:

Monday:  Science Camp 10:30am.

Science Camp was over. 

So back out to the car I went - unbuckled both kids - and hung my head.  I told Brian the truth and apologized to him and he sweetly said, "That's ok, Mom.  I forgive you!  It was a mistake, right?"

I felt awful.

So I took to my Facebook page and turned to my readers.  I thought they could help me come up with some simple Science experiments we could do together that day.  Sure, I could have googled it myself... but I knew it would turn into a handy reference list that I (and many of my readers!) could go back to for new ideas!

Boy, did they save the day.  I have over 350 comments with so many different experiments!  We chose two to do that afternoon.  The first was making "Tie Dye Milk" with whole milk, food coloring and Dawn dish soap.  It was pretty hilarious.  If it looks like Brian has a bit of OCD in this video, I can assure you - he doesn't.  But he is a little bit like his Mommy in that he doesn't care to get messy.  Not the worst trait in the world.  Ha!  And I think you'll enjoy Hope stealing the show in the background.  Oh, and the experiment is cool, too...  

...and take two...

Next we did a "Dancing Raisins" experiment.  You pour Ginger Ale (or any clear soda, I suppose) in a glass container - and then you drop some raisins in. 

 The bubbles catch under the raisins and lift them up - and then they drop back down - and so on and so on.  Take a look...

It turned into a fun afternoon.  Until we were late for swimming.

But then I woke up Tuesday morning and proclaimed, "Today I'm going to get stuff done - and get to swimming early!"

We started off the morning at the movies!!  Our local "Movie Tavern" has "Flapjacks and Flicks" every Tuesday and Wednesday in the Summer.  The movie playing was "Turbo."  Brian was a little bummed because he wanted to see Disney's "Planes: Fire and Rescue."  When we got to the theater to buy the tickets we were told that, due to an error, "Turbo" wouldn't be showing.  BUT... for the same $5.00 price, would we mind seeing "Planes: Fire and Rescue" instead?

SCORE!!

It always takes a couple minutes for Brian to get used to the loud volume.  (Quite frankly - it takes me longer!)  The movie was adorable and we had a great time.  Hope was great and ended up falling asleep about twenty minutes after the movie started and woke up when the credits were rolling!

When we got home, Brian and I sat and played Legos in the "Brian-Gavin" room while Hope played happily in Gavin's bed!  I zipped her in with some toys and she was thrilled.  Then Brian wanted me to read his book, "I Love You, Stinky Face!" to her.  The safe bed would come in handy later in the day as we worked on a secret project for Hope.  (You'll see!  All will be revealed tomorrow...)

Tuesday redeemed Monday.  I was even early for Brian's swim class!  This week the instructor lifts him up in the air and drops him into the water.  He has to get his way to the top... turn himself around... and float on his back.  I'm hoping to capture a video of him during class so I never forget this, but so far the lighting has been too dark. The first time he went under it felt like a year until he came back up - and then, through the glass, I could see him struggling and could tell he was yelling out.  The instructor was right there next to him - but they really are hard core and try not to intervene unless they absolutely have to.  Eventually Brian did get himself turned around and on his back.  And then the next time he did it - he was a little better.  I thought for sure he was going to come out of the pool upset with himself for struggling - and saying he didn't like what happened.

I was wrong.

He came out of the pool confident.  "Did you see me, Mom?  Wasn't I awesome?"

"Yes,"  I answered.  "You were so brave."

Hey!  I joined Instagram!  Well, technically, I "re-joined" Instagram.  Yesterday I went to sign up - only to realize I already had.  A long time ago.  Whoopsie!  I even chose a name:  Kategavinsmom

Here was my fist picture on Instagram:

My niece convinced me to do Instagram...so I went here to sign up only to realize I've had a profile here for some time and forgot. Story of my life. Since I chose the username "KateGavinsMom" I figured my first Instagram photo should be in honor of him. Also the story of my life. Almost everything I do is in honor of Gavin.

The Check is in The Mail...

This week has been busy - and emotional - and surprising - and exhausting.  A week at the beach can throw everyone off a little.  And, of course, there's the mountain of laundry awaiting when we get home.  How did we amass so much laundry?!  On top of that, Ed's away on business all week and Brian has activities.

Science camp started this past Monday at the YMCA.  Brian and I were excited when we saw that his Science teacher is his Tee-Ball coach from last year, Miss Michelle!  He'll be going to this class every Monday morning through August.  He loves Science - and had fun the first day - so I'm expecting he'll enjoy this.

His swim class is going well... at least I think!  I can only peer in the window until the last five minutes when we're all allowed in.  I'll tell you, this instructor is HARD CORE.  He will kick you and your child right out the door if you don't follow the rules.  I'm not looking for Brian to come out of this class with a clean breast stroke - I want him to come out of this class able to save himself from drowning. And this drill sergeant makes me hopeful (and slightly terrified!) that that will happen.

Brian and I have been doing a lot of reading this summer.  One fun thing we started was reading chapter books together.  He's not reading yet, but we're working on recognizing sight words.  Don't get the wrong impression - I'm nothing close to a "home schooler" or even working hard on this reading thing... we're really just having fun.  But I did decide this week that it was time that Brian had his very own library card.  

Up until now, I've only used mine.  Having his own card made things a little different.  There was more of an ownership of the entire process.  He carried his library book bag and collected the books he wanted us to read together.  Then he bravely (he can be shy!) brought them up to the librarian and handed him his card before he started handing him the books one by one.

That same day, we took a trip to "Flynn & O'Hara" uniform store!!  This was a big deal for me.  My brothers, sisters and I all went to the same store growing up for our school uniforms for grade school and high school!  It was a completely surreal experience to be the parent shopping for the uniforms for my own child.  Not a whole lot has changed since I was a kid.  It was busy, time consuming as we tried on different sizes and styles... and boring.  When Brian complained that he was bored... all I could do was agree.  And then I said, "Welcome to your reality for the next nine years, bud.  Nine years at LEAST!"

He was so good, though, as we tried things on.  This is his "Spring/Summer" uniform.  

And this is "Fall/Winter" on the top - and "Summer party" on the bottom.  Before I could put his pants on to make it the "Fall/Winter" style, he said "Mommy!  Take my picture!  I look so cute!'  I couldn't argue with that...

Brian is changing before my eyes this Summer.  It's so hard to believe he's going to be entering Kindergarten in just six short weeks.  I know he's going to do so well.

Poor Hope is having a rough week.

Wait - let me change that.

Mommy is having a rough week because Hope has developed this rash all over her body!!  She's handling it much better than I am.  She was getting little patches here and there when I started feeding her solids.  I knew this could happen and really just blew it off.  But when we were in Ocean City, it became a "thing."  I can't tell if it's eczema, contact dermatitis or a food allergy.  I have experience with all three because of Gavin, unfortunately.  I don't believe it's food... and I would think if it's contact dermatitis it would be gone by now (she was held a ton and in an unfamiliar environment at the beach).  So maybe it's eczema... we'll see.  I've been keeping her moisturized non stop and I'm taking her to the pediatrician in the morning to get his assessment.

Finally - I got the grand total from Gillian's "Magical Monday" event!!  Thank you, again, to everyone that went out of their way to come to support us... and Gavin's Playground Project.  The Gillian family has mailed a check for $2,900 to duPont Hospital for the future "Abilities Playground!"  Gillian's told me that this was a GREAT total for the day.  Yay!!

The love that still abounds for Gavin... it is simply astounding.  I will forever remain humbled to be his Mom.

The Newest Members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol...

Friday was our last day in Ocean City and we gave Brian a choice.  We asked him if he wanted to spend the day at the beach playing in the sand and water... or on the boardwalk playing games and going on rides.  I am not going to lie... I was so happy (and surprised!!) when he chose the boardwalk.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Ocean City Beach (and that my iPhone can take cool panoramic pictures like this!!)

 But it's no secret that I'm not a beach girl!

So off to the boardwalk we went - and the four of us had so much fun!  

Brian and I hit the bumper cars (no pun intended - ha ha!) and I let him drive.  He told me that his cousin Brendan taught him everything he knew about driving - I was impressed with his skills!!

And we made it out of there in one piece!

We went on the swings together, too.  They were different swings than the ones at Wonderland.  These swings had single AND double seats - so we got to sit next to each other, which was really fun.  

Check us out!

Brian's next request of me (I'm the main ride parent!) was... the LOG FLUME.  There was NO way I was going on that.  I have a thing against log flumes - the water part just grosses me out.  But lucky for me (and Brian) - Daddy saved the day!  Daddy also lost his hat when it blew off on the way down the flume!!

Back at the ranch, Hope had another "first!"  I decided to let her practice trying to feed herself with those little dissolvable "puffs."  They are easy to pick up (well, easier than - say - a slippery piece of banana or yam) and I don't have to worry about her choking.  And they force her to "chew" which is good practice!  She took to it right away...

This little girl loves to eat!

On Friday evening after dinner, I decided on a whim to take the kids to the beach for photographs.  Earlier in the day (okay - pretty much every day of our vacation) I was in an adorable store on the boardwalk called "Bangles n Bows."  I went on a bit of a shopping spree for Hope and Brian and had so much fun!  The owners of the store were so kind and friendly - and one of them gifted Hope with a flowered headband made of twine and silk flowers!  I brought it to the beach with me - along with a red headband I bought there, too.  It was bedtime so I really expected this little impromptu photo session to not go well at all.  I was wrong.  The children were angels and I ended up capturing some of my favorite photos of them.  Take a look...

My favorite shot of Brian...

You'll need to prepare yourself for the next series - it's over the top cuteness... 

The newest members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol!  

How could you not feel safe with those little faces watching you?

Our little princess in the sand.  The next day she would turn 33 weeks!

Here she is with her flowered headband.  I think she looks like she could be a royal flower girl!

If the pictures make it look like Hope idolizes Brian...

...and that Brian adores Hope...

That's because it's true.  They do.

Saturday morning came and it was time to head home.  My sister, Bean, and the triplets met us at "Uncle Bill's Pancake House" - a place I have always heard so much about, but have never been.  We had a bit of a wait outside... but it was worth it!!  One word:  Scrapple!!  (If you're from the Pennsylvania area, you are smiling.)

Today was super-busy.  I did about ten loads of laundry... Brian had Science Camp at the YMCA (he loved it!!)... and he started his first "Swim Fast" lessons this evening.  They are strict that the parents need to wait in the lobby, but lucky for me - they have two windows covered with venetian blinds.  I am not against spying through those blinds!  Near the end of the class, we were all allowed in (yay!) and I was able to snap one picture.  He's learning how to float on his back without help.  Lessons will be every night for two weeks straight.

Tomorrow is a big day!  Brian and I are going to get him fitted for his school uniform.  I can't believe my little boy is headed for Kindergarten.