July 21 - 27: The Tedfords Visit

As I mentioned at the end of my last post, Chris' family is visiting.  And they are all staying with us.  It certainly made things a bit chaotic, but it also was nice to be able to spend so much time with them.  Plus having extra people to entertain and watch Bennett was certainly helpful. 

So how exactly did we fit 8 extra people in the house?  Well 3 of them (Michael, Rebecca, and Elizabeth) were sleeping outside in a tent.  Chris' parents were on an air mattress in the living room.  Bennett was on his old crib mattress in our room so that Suzanne could have his bed.  Rosaline and Dekota were on an air mattress on the floor in his room.  Having Bennett in our room was a bit entertaining for us because we could see how much he moves around in his sleep, rolls off the bed (he doesn't normally do this), sleeps with his hands down his pants, gets up to use the potty, etc. 

For meals we ate what we could outside so it wouldn't be quite so cramped.  Adults were around either the porch table or the dining room table, and the kids were at a card table, either on the porch or in the kitchen, depending on where we were.  Food was set up buffet style on a counter in the kitchen.


On Monday we headed off bright and early to Battleship Cove.  For some reason we had to get there right when it opened.  As much as I thought this was silly, after we had been there for a few hours and more people were around, I was glad that we had been there when it was a little more quiet.

Storming the beaches of Fall River

Getting 4 kids to look at the camera at the same time is challenging!

Getting Bennett to pretend to sleep is also challenging.

Hugs from Grandpa

We finished up around lunch time, but decided to head home for a late lunch rather than pay the inflated prices for food on the ship.  Bennett took a nap in the car and woke up just as we were turning onto our street.

After lunch, we played the first (of what would be many) game of croquet for the week.  Growing up when we played croquet we always set the wickets up wherever we wanted and I'm not sure we had well defined rules.  This was NOT the case in the Tedford family! Given the space available in the yard we had some obstacles around the garden and the slide, but I think that just added to the fun.

On Tuesday we started off at home.  Chris had a dentist appointment so the rest of us just hung out.  After lunch we went bowling.  You're probably wondering why bowling is so special, but Candlepin Bowling isn't something generally found outside of New England.  Bennett was a bit antsy because he was overdue for a nap, but getting him to sit and relax with so much activity going on around him is next to impossible.

This next picture probably doesn't mean much of anything to most people who read this blog, but I was surprised to see it, and when I texted it to Andrew he was surprised as well.  This character is Dennis the Menace, from the comic book, Beano.  When we lived in England we read Beano.  Not sure why he was on a gumball machine style game that distributed bouncy balls.  None of the other graphics on the machine were related to the comic at all.

Bennett fell asleep on the way home and then he was successfully transferred to his bed so that he could continue his nap.  In the afternoon there was more croquet and also some ladderball after dinner.

We had nothing planned for during the day on Wednesday, but there was a request for some shopping, so we headed off to Shopper's World to hit of AC Moore and Barnes & Noble.  We also took the opportunity to go to the baby/kids resale shop to try to sell a couple of things.  While we were there we picked up a birthday present for Bennett as well as a few bags of Legos.

In the evening we went to a Lowell Spinner's game.  We had great seats- 2nd and 3rd row- right on the 1st base line.

Bennett did about as well as expected at sitting still and watching the game, which is to say, not great.  However, we did go to SwampLand, the kids play area, and he had a blast on the inflatable slides and obstacle (octopus) course.  He tried the bounce house but wasn't a fan of that.

 

 

Being forced to meet the mascot.  He wasn't a fan.

We made it until the 7th inning when a thunderstorm came through.  We got to our car right before the rain really started.  The game was slow moving though, so it's probably a good thing that we had to leave early.  I'm not sure how much longer Bennett would have lasted.  Plus Thursday was going to be a long day so we were all happy to get home.

Like I said, Thursday was a long (but fun) day.  Chris and I had to be at OSV at 7:30 for a secret activity that I alluded to back in March.  I wish I could say more, but this was definitely special treatment that we were getting, and it's not an activity that they want to open up to the general public.  As such, it was requested that I not broadcast what we were able to do.  Anyway, it was really neat being in the Village before it opened and seeing some places that most people don't get to see.  Plus it was a nice chance to chat in a more relaxed fashion with some of the interpreters.  We asked what they thought of us coming every week and they quickly replied that they didn't think it was crazy.  I wonder if they were just being nice, but based on the fact that they volunteered to do this activity with us, plus some other things, leads me to believe that maybe they were being truthful. 

We met up with everyone else just before the Village opened.  Between the pass that I got from the library (thanks Andrew!) plus a deal that OSV is offering for kids to get in free with a paying adult, we definitely were able to save some money.  For the 8 extra people, they only paid the equivalent of 3 adults, rather than what would have been 5 adults and 3 children.

It was a rather disjointed visit due to wanting to see different things at specific times in opposite sides of the Village, so we started the day off walking back and forth a bit.  When we got in we went to the Small House, Friends Meeting House, Fenno barn and house, and then quickly made our way to the Sawmill to watch that demo and also to try fishing.

Chatting with one of the interpreters.  We don't know his name, but a month or so ago we saw him at BJ's and Wegmans.

Then it was up to the Craft Center so that people could forge iron hooks.  Unfortunately the forge was broken, but Derek decided they could use the Blacksmith shop instead, so we all trudged back to where we had just been.

Michael was up first making his hook, followed by Dekota, Elizabeth, and Grandpa. What was nice was when the other blacksmith who was working saw me at the side door taking pictures, he told me I could come inside (on the opposite side of the chain).  Knowing the interpreters definitely has its advantages, but I think he likely only did this because he trusted me enough to leave if other visitors came near.  Later on I wanted more pictures so I let myself back in.  :)

While the blacksmithing was going on, back at the Craft Canter Rosaline and Suzanne were working on some yarn sewing.

They came back and joined us at the farm and everyone showed off their completed hooks.

We hung out by the farm for a while, collecting eggs (Bennett and Dekota), helping to split rails (Dekota), feeding the pigs (Rosaline), learning about making raspberry shrub (which we will be able to sample on Friends' Day), and watching Victoria get ready to start some ironing.  Rosaline and I were enjoying watching that, but everyone else was waiting for us to go get lunch, so we had to leave.  This was definitely the downside of visiting with so many people- trying to appease everyone's interests.

At the Fitch House Rosaline and Dekota got dressed up.  I think they need to get a few more costumes in a variety of sizes.  Dekota's waistcoat is a bit too small.

We also rode the stagecoach.  Not everyone wanted to ride, but we did squeeze eight of us in.  I also discovered that some of the design choices that I had been making on my Derby car weren't quite accurate.  Oops.

Waiting for the stagecoach.

By this time we'd seen most of what we were going to see so we headed out, stopping on the way so that some people could dip candles, and of course hitting up the gift shop.

But remember how I said it was a long day?  Yup, we weren't headed home.  We headed off to Kimball Farm.  My work was having its summer outing which meant that Chris, Bennett, and I got to go for free.  We arrived a little before the party so sat in the car to let Bennett nap a little longer.  Then we went to get food at the party while everyone else got dinner.  After eating we coincidentally met up for mini golf.  We lucked out and were able to play right behind everyone else.

Next up? Bumper boats!  Bennett loved them.  He rode with me, with Chris, with Grandpa, and then with me again.  The other kids really liked them as well.

Then it was time for an ice cream break.  Chris, Bennett, and I went back to the corporate area for sundaes and everyone else got the "small" ice cream that they could get with their bracelets.  (Pay $35 for a bracelet which allows you 5 activities/ice cream.)

Yes, this is a "small".

Then Michael came over and joined us at the driving range.  But Bennett and I didn't last that long as the mosquitoes were pretty bad and he was also getting antsy.  So we headed back to the car.  Chris and Michael finished up, Chris joined me to head home, and Michael joined everyone else at the arcade.

Friday was supposed to be a day for relaxing a little, but it didn't really turn out that way.  I started off by going for a run and then mowing the lawn.  Big mistake since I hadn't eaten breakfast yet.  This set me back and I was exhausted for most of the day.  After I ate and showered we went shopping to buy food for the Derby.  While we were gone the remaining adults were in charge of lunch and putting Bennett down for a nap.  He wasn't settling well, but after Uncle Michael threatened him with a time out if he didn't nap, Bennett quieted down and went to sleep.  (Really?  How exactly does a time out during nap work? :) )

After the grocery shoppers were back and had eaten lunch, Michael, Chris and Dad Tedford headed off to get the tents for the Derby from the Doucettes.  I took a much needed nap.  When they got back it was time to finish up our Derby cars (which we'd been working on all week in spare moments during the day and when others were going to bed).  We also realized we needed to make Blast Cars still.  Chris cut out wedges and they got some quick paint. 

 

Saturday- It's Derby Day!  After getting dressed we went into the basement to make final touches on our cars.  Yup, this is pretty typical, but I was done with about 3 hours to spare.  :)

By now we've fallen into a bit of a rhythm which makes Derby set up seem as if it went much more smoothly than usual.  Plus having the extra helpers didn't hurt, especially since Chris' parents have been around for the past few Derbies so they are used to what needs to be done.  Also I don't think we had as much food prep this year as we sometimes have had.  So we got the tents set up, tables, etc.  I made an ice run and picked up a few things we'd forgotten.  And before I knew it everything was set up and there was time to spare.  This never happens!  Of course some people were late to arrive, but that's also to be expected.

Rather than add even more photos to this post, I will direct you here to see all of the Derby related photos.

After the races when things were starting to quiet down a bit we took some time to take a family photo.  Getting 11 people to look at the camera, smile, etc can be a bit tricky.  Not to mention finding a space to squeeze 11 people into is a challenge.  I think we need wider stairs!

And then that brings us to Sunday.  It was a pretty low-key day at home.  Dekota had requested that I make him a costume for a birthday or Christmas gift.  So the night before I ran out to JoAnn's to get fabric and I spent Sunday morning sewing.  I'm glad I got it done because otherwise it would have been one of those projects that I would put off for a long time.  Plus it was handy having Dekota there so that I could fit it on him.

It rained most of the day so we were cooped up inside, but by late afternoon the rain stopped and we were able to go outside for some croquet.


And that pretty much sums up the week.  I did ask everyone what their favorite activity had been.  It was interesting to hear what each person enjoyed.

Rosaline- bumper boats
Elizabeth- arcade
Dekota- OSV
Mom - OSV
Dad- OSV, specifically making a hook
Michael- Kimball's
Rebecca - Mini golf
Suzanne - OSV
Boy Chris - coming in 2nd at the Derby
Girl Chris - OSV, specifically the secret activity
Bennett - Kimball's/ Swampland

July 14 - 20

What's been interesting the past few days is how much Bennett remembers from things that happened a while ago.   The other day we were in the car and he started talking about going swimming at Auntie Mel's and how we had to bring our towels with us, and that there were stairs going in and out of the pool.  He's also been talking about how we set up the tables in the backyard for the Derby, which tables go where, etc.  And today, he mentioned Santa at Sturbridge and that we had to go back to see him.  I asked if he remembered what he asked Santa for and he correctly remembered, "a red present".

And speaking of the Derby, I showed him my car in progress and asked him what he thought.  His response was that it wasn't done yet because it doesn't have sides.  If only that was all it needed!

On Tuesday I was finally able to see a doctor about my knees.  Of course by this time they didn't really hurt any more.  However, when I explained where the pain was, etc and based on my stance, I've been given a diagnosis of  patellofemoral syndrome.  Also I have somewhat flat feet.  She wants me to not run until completely pain free (maybe another week or so?) and then when I do start running again, get into it more gradually.  I should take more time off, initially, between runs, and I should do the first week of my C25K program twice to get myself more acclimated.  Also, new shoes, Advil, some stretching exercises, and ice would all be beneficial.  If after all of that I still have problems, we can look into physical therapy, or maybe I just need to decide that I'm not cut out to be a runner.

Yay, Bennett took a nap on Wednesday!  In preparation for family visiting we took apart the Lego Firestation.  First off this cleared off the table a bit, but secondly, we thought it might be a good set for Dekota to put together when he visits.  However, seeing how Bennett plays with it regularly we weren't sure how he would react.  He surprised us by being totally cool with it, and commenting that it was ok to take it down because "It's not Christmas."  Huh?  The only thing we can think of is that this was our explanation for taking apart the Lego Winter Village that we set up at Christmastime.  He also asked if we could make cookies at Christmastime.

On Thursday we were back to not napping.  He played in the backyard for a while after school doing some weeding.  He did pull out weeds, but his "compost pile" was a mulched bed, not exactly where I want weeds put.  After dinner we put together a Lego car.  He needs a little bit of help making sure he has the right pieces, but he does pretty well with them.


On Friday Chris stayed home and started redoing our front stairs.  When Bennett and I got home he was very excited to help Daddy.  He went into the basement to get his toolbox, safety glasses, and earmuffs (which he didn't really need) and was ready to go.  Too bad there wasn't much for him to do.  Luckily there was one area that still had the old wood and Bennett happily hammered nails in.

Saturday was Fire and Ice at OSV.  It didn't seem as well attended or as well organized as last year. It seemed as if there were fewer teams competing in the bucket brigade competition, and there were only two contestants (one of which was OSV) in the chili contest.  Bennett was still excited to see the parade (small procession of villagers and fire trucks) and he did try out carrying buckets of water after the competition.

Down at the farm they were harvesting rye.  We watched for a while, talked to Dave, and Bennett remembered that the rye would need to be taken to the gristmill to be turned into flour.

After nap we went food shopping, trying to make sure that we had everything for the Tedfords arrival on Sunday.


On Sunday afternoon all of Chris' family came to visit- 8 extra people staying with us for the week.  Bennett didn't nap, so he was nice and wound up when they arrived.  Rosaline and Dekota chased him around the backyard.  Later Rosaline commented that he was tired- keeping up with a three-year-old, plus running up and down stairs (something she doesn't normally have to do), will do that to you!