Camp Daddy Closed due to missing Director

I am sorry to announce the temporary closure of Camp Daddy.  Daddy was last seen skidding towards Logan Airport with a Las Vegas or bust bummer sticker on his bottom.

Heather returned from her volunteer work in the Dominican Republic late last night.  The girls (Isabelle, Laurel and Ella) and I had a wonderful afternoon evening together at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge.  Ella was treated like royalty.  The girls ordered room service and thought it was pretty cool to look out on the lights of Boston during a snowstorm.

I can only say what an honor, privilege and joy it was to spend a week solo with the girls.  I learned so much about them.

Cousins in Hanover

We arrived in Hanover, MA after an eventful drive. The girls were having trouble falling asleep. Laurel chomped Isabelle fingure, drawing blood and creating a racket. While the screaming was going on a chunk of ice flew from the truck in front of us and smashed into the passenger side mirror... Yikes.

I am looking forward to Tuesday night being home with the full familiy.

Final Banquet

We decided to have a "final banquet" to celebrate our week together. Laurel requested roast beef with sauce, so I cooked up a Delmonico steak and made a butter/caper/parsley sauce. We all had bubbly wine (sparkling apple cider).

I've had a delightful week with the girls, it is hard to believe that time passes so quickly. Isabelle has been the woman of the house. She has shown true determination and poise in her ability to stop sucking her thumb. Since the conversation Saturday afternoon she's been thumb free. I am so proud of her. Laurel has been affectionate, accommodating and a good friend to Isabelle.

Tomorrow we head to Jeannette's and Jay's house. Saturday night, we are staying at a hotel in Boston to do the big switch. Heather will hopefully arrive by 10PM, I need to depart by 6:15AM to head to the west coast for 2 days...

See saw

Snow day. Looks like we'll stay at home. Isabelle has gone four days with no thumb sucking. I am really proud of her. (So is she) This morning I leveraged Curious George to distract the girls while I made calls. Afterwards I had a rqst for a see saw from the girls. We marched down into the cellar and 30 minutes later voila! Snow days are tough :>)

More hair...

Dinner at Tate's and Andre's

We were treated to a tasty Mexican Dinner For Xpeople at the Whiteberg's. Donna had fun putting a french braid in Isabelle's hair and "pnoies" for Laurel

Back to School

It was an early morning. I felt like a novice model builder with a 100 part puzzle to assemble. SHower, get dressed, wake kids, feed dog, feed chickens, find foor girls will like, prepare food, clean up, make bed, brush teeth, brush girls teeth, pack napsack, pack snack for Laurel, etc... Heather is pretty amazing.

In treking back and forth to the coop, I decided to breakdown and buy a heated chicken waterer. Laurel and I had a nice visit to the feed store and the Taj McChicken is now in service.

No naps again. We did do a hike in the woods around the house. The girls also sleded in the front yard. They wanted to try sleding by themselved, so I sprinted alongside so they wouldn't run into a tree.

Camp Daddy T-shirts are all ready. Pictures to follow.

Can we have another day like today tomorrow?

As I tucked Isabelle into bed, she asked the above question. She can be so sweet.

Girls were exhausted, despite the skating, no one took naps. Laurel fell asleep during stories. No wonder Heather treasures nap time so much. No word from Heather yet, we all have withdrawal.

A beautiful Sunday

A sunny morning greeted us. There is nothing like the knowledge that a good night's sleep means kids will be at peace. Isabelle held true to her promise and was THUMB FREE all night.

The girls and I headed to church then rushed home to change, eat and skate prior to nap. Both girls can now balance on the ice. Isabelle is starting to glide.

I am very proud of them both. They are angels so far.

Dinner with girls

Day 1: An Early Awakening

It is always an ominous start when the entire household is up at 5:30 AM. Heather and Anita arose early. The rest of us followed, slowly. By 6:00 AM, the ladies were off to Saco, Logan Airport and the Dominican Republic. Laurel, Isabelle, Rich and I had an early breakfast and by 6:30 we were roaring to go. 30 minutes down, 7 days to follow :>)

After a morning of playing and a few errands, everyone was ready for a nap by 10:00 AM. We decided to force an early lunch. Isabelle was a champ, but Laurel lost it after 1 bite. After 30 minutes of uncontrollable bawling, the promise (bribery) of an ice cream sandwich enabled some good food to be eaten. Rich and I quickly loaded the girls into the car and took off for Norwich. Bliss was obtained before we reached the interstate. Isabelle slept for more than 2 hours, Laurel for 2 1/2. AHA I can see reaching nighttime in one piece.

Home by 3:00 PM. House warmed up, chickens moved to the outer coop (with 7 new eggs). I now have my martini in hand, jello in the fridge (special dessert) and ready for an early night with a promise of a short movie for the girls if everyone is good.

I have been crazy enough to challenge Isabelle to stop sucking her thumb while Mom is away. The desired treasure if successful? A HOOLA HOOP. We made it through dinner. Isabelle was brave, she allowed me to paint her thumb with nasty hot pepper paint and put on the "thumb buster". Is she stubborn enough?

Kid's down by 8:00, phew...