June 2 - 8

I had to work late on Monday and then was stuck in some crazy traffic on my way home.  Meanwhile Bennett and Daddy were outside planting grass seed and watering.  When I finally made it home Bennett was super excited to see me, which was nice.  Especially since I wasn't that late.


No nap on Tuesday, but Bennett had a chance to run around for a while at home while Daddy mowed the grass and I watered the garden.  Due to our outside activities dinner ended up being a little late.  Bennett and I also got packages in the mail containing hats for our upcoming walk for Boston Children's Hospital.  Walkers who received over $450 by a certain date got the hats.

Seeing how on Wednesday it was my turn to take Bennett to speech, of course he dind't sleep late.  In fact, he even tried to crawl into bed with my while holding a bagel.

Coloring before speech and then he framed it on the fridge with magnets.

It was another day with no nap.  When we got home from school Bennett helped me wrap Rosaline's birthday presents and then he played with his Duplo train track and with the Lego fire station.

I got an exciting email asking if I would agree to film a short interview about the Children's walk.  Eek. 

On Thursday Bennett did nap.  Not sure if it was because of this or because of not getting a chance to run around, but he was awake until almost 10:00.  Because it was raining we had to stay inside and Bennett watched Peter Pan.  Then after it ended he pretended to be the crocodile and then he was Mr. Smee.  He also must have been hungry (still in that growth spurt?) because he ate almost as much as we did for dinner. 

On Friday after school and work we decided to load up the truck with the old bush that we took out a few weeks ago.  Luckily Andrew and Gentry are awesome and they were willing to let us bring the bush to them to add to their bonfire pile.  Unfortunately it won't be until next year until they can get a permit for said bonfire.  While we were there Aunt Gentry gave Bennett a camel that she got for him while she was in Israel.  Didn't you know that there was a camel that lived at the OSV farm?

Bennett also had fun climbing into Daddy's truck and then jumping out.  We tried explaining that this isn't allowed anywhere but Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry's house, so hopefully he remembers that.  This video was after he had jumped out a number of times, so I think he was getting pretty tired.

Saturday was the start to a busy weekend!

At soccer Bennett started off ok but then quickly lost interest.  We only have one more week left and I don't think we'll be signing him up again any time soon.

We then headed off to Sturbridge.

The first thing we did was head down to the farm so that Bennett could meet the calves.  They do this all the time now, but we thought he might like getting to get close to one.  Instead he wondered why there were ropes on the calves. 

Betsy's calf now has a name.  Her previous calves have both had theme names and they wanted to continue the theme.  Rainy was born on a rainy day and Summer was born on the solstice.  So the new calf is named Chance because there was a "chance of rain" the day he was born.

We were also excited to discover that they are now doing a 10am milking!  Betsy and Button are still being milked twice a day, but they've started milking Bonnie once a day at 10 so enable a different audience to watch the milking.  This is nice for us because we're never around at 3:30 as it conflicts with naps.

Bennett also got a chance to feed the chickens some bread dough scraps.

The fun part of the day was that it was the Antique Car Rally.  In OSV's early history one would drive throughout the village stopping at the various buildings.  So now, once a year, cars that are from 1946 or older are invited to come and drive around the village.

Bennett's favorite car was this truck that had been turned into a traveling market.  He told many of the interpreters that "my favorite car is the one with the fruits and vegetables".  Of course since most of them were working inside, they had no idea what he was talking about!

On the way out we stopped inside the firearms exhibit and Bennett pretended to be Phil.

In other OSV news, they finally have pigs again!  However, they are in a different pen and have actually dismantled the old one.  Rhys acknowledged that this messes us our farm at home.

We also learned which of the cows will be sold.  Summer and Rainy are being sold (one to a 4-H family, and one to the guy who drives the stagecoach) and next year Isaac and Chance will be leaving.  One will be sold and the other will be butchered offsite and the meat kept for the food program.

At the tinshop Bennett got to help Phil put together part of a lantern.

And we were impressed with one of the interpreters at the farmhouse when she spoke to Bennett by name.  We know her name (because she's pictured in the calendar) but we've never seen her that much.  Did she just pick up on us saying his name?  Do the various interpreters talk about us amongst themselves so she knew who we were?

And to prove how much Bennett picks up on, while we were on our way grocery shopping later that afternoon, Bennett drew a picture on his magna doodle of Rhys milking Bonnie and he included many of the things he saw.


On Sunday we headed into Boston.

Our first stop was the Make Way for Ducklings statue in the Public Garden.  Luckily we were there pretty early so not many people were around.  Later in the day I'm sure it would have been mobbed with kids.  And that night Daddy read this story to Bennett and pointed out the streets we had been on, etc.

Make Way for Bennett

Our reason for going to Boston though was for the Walk for Boston Children's Hospital.   Once again we walked with Fiona, Alicia, and John.  (But not John from Peter Pan- a different one.)

Team photo

Bennett is slowly starting to grow into the shirt.  You would think that at an event that has lots of kids they might have some smaller shirts for them to wear.

2014 - 2013 - 2012

We got there early, just before 9, and it was already HOT!  We did some activities like sitting in this giant inflatable chair, played with bubbles, and Bennett had his arm painted.

I also was interviewed for a wrap-up/promotional video that they made.  I had been contacted earlier in the week asking if I would be willing.  Sure!  I must not be a good interviewee though because my segment is really short.  Bennett decided to be shy but there is some cute footage of him playing with the bubbles.  He had taken all of the bubble wands, maybe about a dozen of them, and was waving them around.

We started the walk early.  Partly to beat the heat, and partly to avoid some of the swarms of people.  It felt like we finished much more quickly that we did last year.  In fact, we finished before they were ready for us- they didn't have the medals ready, lunch wasn't ready yet, etc.

Once again Fiona held Bennett's hand the whole way again.  Very cute, and it kept him moving.  Maybe this would help at Sturbridge to keep him from dawdling and constantly asking to be picked up.

 After lunch we headed home.  Since it was so hot we set up a pool in the backyard.  Bennett had a blast playing in it and didn't mind the chilly water.

Pretending to take a nap.

And to round out the day we we went out for icecream after dinner.

I'd say it was the epitome of good summer day- Bennett was sweaty, sticky, had grass stains on his knees, a scraped leg, and ice cream dripped on his legs.

Also, here are some random OSV stats for you.

• Our membership renewal date is May 31st.
• From June 1, 2013 - May 25, 2014 we visited 52 times.  
• We started weekly visits on June 22, 2013.  Assuming we also visit this coming weekend (either the 14th or 15th) we will have visited every week for the past year, not counting weeks that they only were open for paid events (Christmas by Candlelight).  Since we've also gone more than once on some weekends, this will bring our total for the year to 54 visits.  I'd say we got our money's worth from the membership!

Cleaning the Oven, 1830's style... and more!

On the way out the door Bennett requested his hat.

Membership at OSV definitely has its perks!  To begin with, the cost of membership pays for itself in two visits.  We've now gone for 16 consecutive weeks.  Sure, that might be a bit excessive, but our price per person is now approximately $2.64.  (14 weeks where we only had to pay for 2 people, and 2 weeks for 3 people.  This is because Bennett was free before age 3.)

But if it hadn't been for the membership we wouldn't have gone so much and then I likely wouldn't have had the opportunity that I had this past weekend.  But first, a little more about the day in general.

It was Apple Days this weekend so there were lots of apple-centric activities.  In fact, more than we were able to experience.  It also was Friends Day, with a few events just for members.  The sawmill was also rededicated after having some repairs done over the summer.

In the Spring we had received a mailing requesting a donation for the sawmill.  Seeing how we love OSV and Chris loves saws it was kind of a no-brainer that we would support this campaign.  As a "thank you" donors were invited to hear Norm Abram (This Old House, New Yankee Workshop) speak.  Norm is one of the trustees of OSV and we had seen him on a visit around this time last year.  The talk was interesting as they discussed some of the repairs to the sawmill and other buildings, but it really was a chance to drum up support for a new fundraising campaign that they were kicking off.

While we were listing to Norm speak Bennett was off gallivanting with Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry.  They made mulling spice sachets, sampled heirloom apples, played on the playground, visited the Cider Mill, and stopped to get a morning snack of cookies.  Wow, that was a busy hour! 

When Chris and I got out of the talk I texted Andrew to see where they were.  He said they were at the playground and would then be going to the Cider Mill.  So we slowly made our way to the Cider Mill, stopping to ask Rhys (one of the interpreters) who we should contact to try to get some information about a Christmas present that we want to make for Bennett.  When we got to the Cider Mill we didn't see Bennett, but we did see Dave (another interpreter) who was working with Blue, the ox.  We chatted with him and then asked if he had seen our son.  Yup, we are now at the point of being able to ask them these sorts of questions.  He hadn't seen Bennett, so we headed back towards the rest of the village.  And that's when we saw them at the "cookie store" having their snack.  Turns out when they had been at the Cider Mill Dave was addressing a much larger crowd so probably didn't notice Bennett.  Or maybe he only recognizes him when he's with us?

We then made our way down to the Freeman Farm.  We checked out all of the animals and then made our way into the Farmhouse.

Checking on Summer (the calf) inside one of the barns.

The kitchen was pretty busy, but as soon as we walked in the door Victoria (see, I told you we are learning all of their names) recognized us and said hi.  She was about to sweep our the bake oven and asked for a volunteer.  I said I would and she replied, "I had a feeling you would want to."  I think that this is an opportunity that likely wouldn't have arisen if we hadn't been to visit so much.  Since we've watched this process numerous times before, I didn't need much instruction as to what to do.  When I was done she said I had done a good job.  I said that she had to say that.  She clarified that she only had to do one quick sweep to finish, so it was in fact a good job.

So how do you know if your bake oven is at the correct temperature?  After sweeping out all of the coals you need to let it cool down a bit to the correct temperature.  Each individual has their own count to let them know what the right temperature is.  I think Victoria said that her count was 15.  Basically, you put your arm in the oven and start counting.  The count is the number that you get to before you have to remove your arm because you can't stand the heat anymore.  So I gave it a try.  At this point, my count was somewhere between 4.5 and 5.  Victoria then tried it and her count was a 7.  Hmm, I guess she can stand the heat a bit more than I can.  

During the talk earlier in the morning we had learned that there had been a fire at the farm.  Turns out it was back in 2007 and it had burned all the wood around the fireplace and most of the ceiling.  However, it had allowed them to discover that there had been a drying rack and initials on some of the wood from when it had been at the sawmill.  The fire had been caused by a hairline crack in the bake oven, so always have your fireplaces checked before using them!

In non-OSV news, on Friday we had Bennett's annual Cardiology visit at Children's.  On the way there we told him that we were going to "Children's".  He asked, "the Children's Museum?"  Nope, sorry bud.  But understandable how he would get them confused.

Checking out the ball maze/thing in the lobby.

First up, after height and weight checks (14.1 kg and 100 cm), was an EKG.  He wasn't really a fan, especially about being asked to lie down.  I'm sure it also didn't help that we had the CNA that we REALLY don't like!

Next up, after about a 30-45 minute wait back in the waiting room was an ECHO.  We hadn't realized that he would be having one.  Again, he didn't like being asked to lie down, especially since the lights in the room had been dimmed.  We were completely shocked.  Bennett stayed so still.  Of course to get him to do this I had to pull up the most horrible of shows for him to watch on my phone.  He knows it as Grandpa's Toys, but it's really Wee Sing's Grandpa's Magical Toys.  They have the VHS at school and the kids all love it.  As an adult though, it's absolutely horrible!

Sorry for the super dark picture, but the room was dark.

Then after the ECHO it was back to the waiting room for another half hour or so before being brought back into a room, waiting for the Fellow to see us, and then more waiting for the doctor.  We had brought a whole slew of toys and books, but Bennett was getting pretty tired of waiting!

The Fellow came in and she interacted well with Bennett.  We asked her our questions and she gave us her answers but said she would check with Dr. T as well.  Then finally Dr. T came in, for what was about a 5 minute visit.  And that's being generous. Bennett was a bit aprehensive about Dr. T but overall did ok.

So now for the update...
No change from last year.  He still has "moderate" tricuspid regurgitation.  No immediate concerns for surgery- maybe he'll need it in a decade or two, but there's really no way to predict.

And as for our questions?

• He does not need antibiotics before dental visits.  (Apparently this is common procedure for many heart patients.)

• No worries about amusement park rides, at least not for now.  At this point, the rides that he would be allowed to go on wouldn't cause a problem, but in general, those warning are more for patients with a different type of defect.  I guess we can ask again in a few years when he's more interested in serious roller coasters.
• He's been cleared to play varsity sports!  Yes, we really did get a letter that says this.  We needed a note for the public school (where he gets speech therapy) stating if there was anything that they need to be aware of.  So if you read between the lines, this means he's just fine and they don't need to be concerned.

After lunch at the hospital we headed home.  Bennett took a nap in the car, and then slept a bit longer at home and then shortly after he woke up it was time to take him to the pediatrician for his 3-year check-up.  Again, he's doing great.  Their stats measured him at 32.2 lbs and 39.25".  They also tried giving him a vision test.  He did moderately ok with it, but wasn't fully cooperative.  He got a flu shot (in fact, we all got them) and then we were told to come back in a year.  Although it's a good thing that we don't need to come back for a year, this actually makes us a little sad because we love our pediatrician so much.  And we saw him so much the first couple of years (monthly for the first two winters, not to mention other visits) that it feels strange to go so infrequently.  In fact, we haven't had to go for any extra visits in the past year other than a check-up 6 months ago.

On Sunday Bennett went with Nana to visit Auntie Hanna at college.  Apparently feeding the ducks is a highlight of Wheaton.

Meanwhile Chris and I rearranged his room.  Bennett is ok with change as long as you don't try to move things around while he's there.  Otherwise he just tries to put things back where they were.  We decided it was time to make the transition to a big boy bed and this meant moving the crib/toddler bed out of the room and rearranging the rest of the furniture.  When he got back he kept asking where his little bed was.  Luckily the appeal of Curious George sheets is good and he seems to be doing ok in the new bed.

When I put him to bed that first night he didn't want to lie down, but that's not completely abnormal.  I left the room and I think he fell asleep pretty easily.  He woke up at 5:45 the next morning fussing and when I went in to him he asked for me to lie down with him.  I did, but it was extremely uncomfortable for me, so I hope we don't make that a regular occurrence.


And finally, here are some other pictures from the week.

I was wearing a headband and he decided that he should wear it instead.

A drawing of a "haunted house"

A drawing of carrot/ cucumber from the garden.

Walk Day and Graduation Day- warning, picture heavy!

A huge thank you to everyone who supported us as we raised money for Boston Children's Hospital!  (Official Thank Yous will be sent out in the next week or so.)  The walk was on Sunday and the weather was perfect.  We got there early so that we could try out the games, face painting, etc. and then headed out before the crowds.

The "official" team photo in front of the Hatch Shell.



I added our team name to the back of the shirts. 
Cutting out the stencils was a bit tedious, but freezer paper stenciling is pretty easy.



Bennett liked playing in the bubbles.

Getting his face painted for the first time.  He wasn't so sure what to make of it.



Hmm, would Bennett be a tortoise or a hare?



Bennett and Fiona pre-walk.




And we're off!



Perhaps the cutest moment of the day was when Fiona took Bennett's hand as we started off and then held his hand for the entire walk!   He asked a couple of times to be picked up, but we suggested that he take Fiona's hand instead and he kept on going!



Bennett and Fiona are just 2 of those 500,000 patients!


Another way they raise a little more money is by selling these "honor flags".  They are pretty inexpensive (only $20 each) so I'm surprised that more people don't buy them.  Alicia thought in the future there should be an "add-on" option on the donation pages so that donors might be able to more easily purchase them.

With our flags.

After the walk we went to the playground that was next to the start/finish line.  There was a climbing structure with a nice big slide.  This is not an easy climbing structure!  It got even worse at the top where you had to maneuver between two small platforms that had widely spaced netting between them.  Bennett kept wanting to go up again but Daddy couldn't handle it anymore.  I think twice was two times too many for his liking.

Instead the kids tried out this spinning disk.  Bennett seems to love all of these "thrill" type activities.  Can't wait to go to an amusement park with him!



Hugs as we said goodbye.

 Now let's review what happened the rest of the week.

I have a helper in the garden.  He also tried watering it one day recently by taking a microfiber towel, dipping it into his pool, and then dripping/squeezing the water out over the plants.  Not a very effective method, but it kept him happy.

He's also been very interested in puzzles.  Of course his favorites are a set of four Curious George puzzles that we have, but those are only 12 pieces each so they aren't very challenging.  We also have a few 24 piece puzzles that he enjoys.

I'm not sure how it happened, because I certainly didn't get any older, but Hanna somehow turned from the three-year-old that I first met into a high school graduate!



During the processional.  I wonder if they are smiling because someone else was taking their picture.  I was so far away they would have had no idea that I had a camera aimed at them.  (Yay zoom lenses!)

 And speaking of growing up, when did this happen?  He looks so much older to me in this picture.  (Taken during a mini run-around break during the ceremony.

A note to all people who will be on stage at a graduation, especially those who will be handing out diplomas or shaking hands with the graduates and thus having your picture taken:  Please be aware of the school colors and don't dress in conflicting colors.  The school colors were maroon and white.  The person handing out diplomas was wearing an orangey-coral.  It looked horrid next to the maroon robes!  (It doesn't look quite as bad to me in this picture, but in real life it was horrible!  Even Chris agreed.

Of course the wind picked up just as Hanna had to cross the stage, so she was fighting with her cap and her hair the whole time.

Throwing caps.  It looks really cool, but it must be a pain to try to find your cap again.  I asked Hanna how hard it was to find her cap and she said she only did a mock throw.  Smart girl!

In typical teenage fashion, after the ceremony locating the boyfriend was more importand than locating the family.  :)



With the proud parents.

The whole family.  Ooops, Uncle Kevin is stuck behind Hanna's cap.

Bennett walked back to the house with Grandpa. (Until Bennett had to take a potty break in some bushes.)

There's a tradition in town for families to hang a banner to acknowlege their graduate.

Let's not rush things too much, but here's my "graduate".

Hope you enjoyed seeing our week!