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picnic in the park + other non-issues

01 May 2013



Theo was there, I swear it.


We went to the park on Monday night and we took some Wendy's with us so I guess you could say we picnicked in the park. The apple pecan chicken salad is my favorite. After 30 minutes of no one sitting and eating at the same time, Julia collecting a gallon of pebbles and delicately sprinkling them all over a sleeping Theo, Simon and I taking turns chasing Sebastian who sprinted off to harass fellow park goers, see about a street with some cars, and attempt to maul/play with a dog that was his size twin Simon suggested that I make it a regular thing while he was at work during the day. You know, a little something to add to my Costco/cafeteria rotation of outings. I'm just going to assume he was suffering from a severe and temporary case of crazy because let me think abo ......... no. But the weather is finally warm and my heart is taking a page from any politicians day-of-election speech and is "cautiously optimistic" that it will stay this way. But - we're headed to Wichita tomorrow and the forecast is predicting snow tomorrow and on Friday - day of the nuptials.

If you were to figure out a way to climb into the complex mind-o-Grace here are some things you might find spinning around up in there:

+ So after Mary's wedding this weekend Theo, Simon, and I are going to a work conference in New Orleans for Simon and the kids are going to stay with Simon's parents. For FIVE days. I'm not freaking out because I'm worried about the kids well being - they'll be better taken care of than they are at home and Sebastian will forget I exist. I'm only worried because Julia can be a little emotional (and by little I mean -- Les Miserables on repeat all day every day sometimes/alltimes) and really likes her Graceservant I don't want to be banned from ever visiting them with her in tow again. And as much of a stoic b as I can seem and would never sneak into their rooms to watch them sleep or anything I left them with a sitter this morning and came back early because I missed them and I took an extra dose of mush with my morning meal. All this to be reassured ... it'll totally be okay, right? (and ... does anyone know of a super responsible sitter there in New Orleans that can drive and knows their way around babysitting a 4-month-old? thought I'd ask ... )

+ this just in - Simon's other sister has volunteered to potty train Julia in our absence. I'm feeling equal parts grateful, guilty, and giddy about the prospect of returning home to a mature and independent new woman.  No pressure, Elizabeth. 

+ Theo turned four months and Sebastian turned 18 months yesterday. Sebastian's new trick is to spank his diaper when he senses that he is about to get in trouble - less work for the disciplinarians. Theo's new trick is to continue to not roll over. Characters in the making. Here's a clip from this morning complete with my grating voice.

+ Sebastian has been sort of notcrazy this week. It's been weird. He brought Theo his blanket and bottle while he was being bathed today, has been making sure Theo has had enough to drink, retrieves Princess J's stuff to get her to stop her tantrum, and is sure to wake up early in the morning and from his naps so that we can read. Yesterday he wanted Pride and Prejudice to be the story du jour and that is just the way he rolls. 
 
+ I should not be typing this blog post. I should be packing and folding the massive loads of laundry staring at my right shoulder.

+ So that's what I'm going to do - for once. Did you see that? A Wilbur just got his wings.

Hasta la something.


41 comments:

  1. I'm just here to reassure you that Basher and J will be fine with Simon's parents. It's always hard to go, but once you are in NO, you will have such a nice vacay! And I find that my kids are ALWAYS WAY better behaved for the grands than for me. ALWAYS. Because the grands are the grands, and I am not. And your SIL?? I would shower her with all kinds of gifts if she tackles the potty training for you. Wow.

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  2. Will pray for you while you're leaving the kiddos with Simon's parents! It can be heart breaking to be away from them!!

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  3. oh my gosh at that video!!! those patton bros are so sweet :)

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  4. I may be a horrible mother for asking you this, but will they watch Theo too? I dream of one set of grandparents watching the kids for a week, but nobody offers. Then again I start to go berserk being away from them for more than a night. So I guess they are really doing me a favor :-)

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  5. Damn... I missed anonymous the other day. They ruin all the fun. Anywho, my husband and I had a Wendy's lunch picnic in "park" by my office (read: picnic table, pond, some ducks). It totally counts.

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  6. Oh, that happens to me too. I want some time to myself but then I miss them. Anyway, five days is a long time but they´ll be okay. Have fun, Grace :)

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  7. Oh, that happens to me too. I want some time to myself but then I miss them. Anyway, five days is a long time but they´ll be okay. Have fun, Grace :)

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  8. So while you're gone, Julia will get potty-trained? That sounds like the best arrangement ever!! When it works, you'll have to get her to bestow some of her secrets on the rest of us. It seems like some people just have a knack for that kind of thing. My sister-in-law does not. I remember my youngest nephew was like 3 and a half when he was finally potty-trained and it took FOREVER. I doubt she'll be volunteering to help me when the time comes.

    And that video was too cute.

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  9. My parents live in Baton Rouge, about an hour and half or so from New Orleans! Small world-hope you enjoy your stay there, they love to get into New Orleans and sightsee, etc...f you want, I can ask them if they know any babysitters in that area.

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  10. Awww...loving me some Bash/Theo love, there! I am going to Washington DC with my 13 year old and leaving the two littles with the hubs for five days in June. I'm hyperventilating over the prospect right now in anxiety. I can't imagine how stressful it would be to be in your shoes. Oops. I mean, everything will be fine. Just fine!

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  11. Isn't that the craziest? You desperately need alone time but then...somehow...for some reason...you miss the little stinkers??? The great conundrum of motherhood.

    Btw, my girl didn't roll over until around 5 months...and it was with much effort. Now she's all up to speed with physical development (for the most part). So no worries. Some babies just like to worry their mothers more than others ;-)

    Um...and I hope you thoroughly enjoy your well deserved break! I don't know how you keep up with those three!!!

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  12. Enjoy your vacation...and I'm wicked jealous. And, I want to borrow some grandparents that are willing to watch kids for 5 days.

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  13. your kids are just ridiculously adorable. sometimes in moments of desperation i'll flip on your vimeo channel in order to distract my 11mo while i shovel food into his face (i know, parenting at it's best). have fun on vacation!

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  14. Glad I'm not the only one who goes through withdrawals. Can our daughter tag along for potty training bootcamp? Because I give up.

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  15. Oh my gosh, the tag. Priceless. Hope the weather holds out for the wedding because May snow= maaajor side eye directed at Mama N. Safe (& sane) travels!

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  16. Holy cow you get a mini vacay AND a potty trained toddler? You totally 'win' on best in laws! Have so much fun! It's a billion times harder leaving then being away (at least for me) and the days leading up to leaving (all three times in almsot 6 years I've done that) are the absolute worst, but once you are gone? It's totally doable.

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  17. So glad you're going to Nola! Have you ever been? If not let me know and I'll give you some unsought advice/suggestions on where to go. I love and miss my Gulf Coast so you'll have to enjoy it doubly for me.

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    1. I saw that you already found a babysitter... but if you need a pinch hitter, I live in nola and would love to help! Martha can maybe vouch for me being responsible... :)

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  18. If you successfully outsource potty training, you'll be able to get a parenting book contract just off of that success.

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  19. Yes! We just left our 3 year old for the first time ever, and I was so excited to get some alone time for a few days, but the first day I cried like 3 times. Oops. And if you're serious about the NOLA babysitter thing (are you? you a hard one to read...) my brother's (now ex-) girlfriend is from there and could probably hook you up. She was a high school Spanish teacher there, so I'm assuming she knows lots of other responsible adults.

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  20. Oh New Orleans is such fun! Y'all will have a great time!

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  21. ummm NEW ORLEANS IS THE BEST. have so much fun. i love that place.

    alsoooooooo theo is really, really cute. i was just surfing the 'ol camp patton vimeo archives and a few back? theo kicking around the floor? i want to nibble on his arm chunk.

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  22. The kids will be fine! have fun!!! I'm kinda, sorta, jealous! :)

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  23. The kids will be fine! have fun! I'm kinda sorta jealous. :)

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  24. hahahahaha Graceservant

    Have fun on your many travels!

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  25. I hope you guys have a wonderful time at the wedding. I can't wait to see the pictures. I will say some extra prayers for peace of heart and mind for your trip to New Orleans. Have fun!!

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  26. I feel for you. My sister took my girls for half a week when the little man was born and as excited as I was to see them go, I instantly wanted to drive the 3 hours to her house and get them back when I heard that the 15 month old was having a rough time, she cried when I talked to her on the phone because she couldn't see me, and then I cried too. Sorry, this probably isn't helping! But Julia will love the attention from her grandparents and be fine, she is older and more easily distracted :) Have fun on your trip, I am jealous!!

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  27. I'll echo everyone here and say I dream of a week where all my littles are cared for by someone else who's trustworthy, but if they're gone for more than a day, I freak out and run right back to them. Madness. Sheer madness. Have fun on your trips! And, yes, Kansas has decided we will celebrate "Forever Winter" from here on out. Yay.

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  28. A wedding AND a vacay?! You are sooooooo getting pregnant this weekend!

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  29. We left Joey with my mom and dad for a week when we went to Rome last summer (he was like 20 months I think?) and it was wonderful, and yes we missed him, but apparently he missed us not a bit and had a massive verbal explosion and spoke in full, coherent sentences when we returned. Amazing what some quality time with doting, verbal adults will do for the suffering child of an introvert. Have FUN!!

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  30. SO sweet that Gwyneth Paltrow played with Bash at the park. I did a total double take. So pretty!
    Have fun at the wedding!!

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  32. I believe my brother-in-law will be at the same conference. I have to admit, I want to tag along just so I can meet you. That's not weird, is it? ;)

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  33. I hear you, Grace! I loved having my kids around, even though I echo what everyone else said - I also craved peace and quiet for myself! Like you, I totally ran back early when there was a baby-sitter. Our youngest is now 7, and I am PROUD of you for leaving the older 2 to have some time with Simon! Your marriage needs fed just as much as the kids do....in fact, even more. The kids will eventually grow up and move out of the house, but your husband will still be there. The best thing you can do for the kids it so have a happy, secure marriage. So, ENJOY the time with Simon and baby Theo. We didn't have the opportunity to travel much, but we did do a couple of over nights (in town) and we regularly had "date night" (once/month or 2). It is the best gift you can give your kids. Now that they are older, I can honestly say that. Have fun! Can't wait to hear the stories!

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  34. First of all... I didn't have your body before kids and you make me totally jealous after 3 kiddos... your Simon is one lucky guy ;)
    Secondly, your tales of Basher make me feel slightly better about Joseph's lack of development and overflow of crazy. I feel like they would both have broken arms within 15min of meeting/plotting together.
    Third, the kids will be fine in Wichita. Maybe missing her servant will be a good "cold turkey" treatment for Miss Thang. Enjoy yourself Mama, you deserve it :) Have fun!

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  35. My sweet friend Michelle is a mother of 6 and lives in NOLA. I'm sure she could steer you in the right direction. Or another friend, Misty, mother of two, lives in Slidell. Both of these women have husbands in ministry and they are the most honest, beautiful, capable women I know. Let me know if you need us to put out an APB for a decent Theo-minder.

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  36. oh oh I live in New Orleans! (ok fine...VERY NEAR New Orleans) I will take your baby! I even have a basher-style 19 month old so he will feel right at home ;)

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  37. How fun!! The New Orleans trip... I'm from New Orleans! And I'm planning to drive over there next Friday to spend Mother's Day weekend with my fam. Beware of where you step when you're walking about, though. The streets smell oddly of urine and puke... everywhere. lol And y'all absolutely MUST go to Cafe Du Monde for beignets. We never make a trip home without stopping off for some beignets. =)

    Have fun! If you're really looking for a sitter, I could wrangle my mom into it. I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all watching a stranger's baby. No really, I think she'd like it. ;)

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