The Cutlers' Rollercoaster Summer

I sit here tonight, as I typically do on my last night of vacation, feeling... well, everything.  But somehow this year, everything is magnified.  What a summer we've had - the good and the bad. 

We started off the summer with absolutely no plan.  No reservations, no house rental, just the gift of time together, and intentions to make the most of it.  And that we did!  We went to Maine a lot, which was nice.  It's hard to be anything but relaxed by the lake - very easy to keep one's priorities straight.  And Nicholas just loves it there.  He reminds me of myself when I was little!  Our weeks in Maine every summer are responsible for some of my most prized childhood memories.  Swimming, walking in the woods, trips to Freeport, berry picking - who needs Disneyland!  And the sunset... unbelievable.

We did also manage to do some other fun things.  We went to Delaware with the G's, which was such a great trip.  The kids had a ball riding bikes and splashing in the water.  We also went with them to Maine for one weekend, and took a day trip to Storyland.  I've decided that Jenna is Nicholas's surrogate sister.  They fight like cats one minute, then can't keep their hands off each other the next, hugging and smooching away...  Ahh four-year-olds - they're never boring!

Nicholas also went to camp this summer!  He went to Camp Sloper for a week and absolutely loved it.  He walked in there with his backpack slung over his shoulders, lunchbox in hand, and smelling of sunscreen.  Of course we were all emotional about it, but he didn't think twice.  He is getting so grown up.

But perhaps the best times of the summer are the ones I don't have pictures to document.  Picking vegetables in the garden, bike rides up and down the street, walks downtown to get ice cream, reading books in bed, playing rescue bots for hours at a time - these are the times that will stick in my memory.  It's amazing how different this summer was for him.  This summer, hanging in the yard with Mommy just wasn't cutting it.  There was less time swinging on the swingset this summer, and I don't know if the cover ever came off the sandbox.  He was much more interested in playdates with friends, playing spy with the walkie talkies, and going on bike rides.  You know, big boy stuff.

In a few weeks we will be back at school and back into our routines.  We will be getting to bed earlier, waking up earlier, rushing around to get meals and groceries, and squeezing as much quality time as we can into the two measley weekend days.  Yuck.  Nicholas will be turning 5 soon.  Yikes.  But I guess it's okay because the other day he told me, "Mommy, I'm never going to move away.  I'm going to live with you forever - even when I'm a grown-up."  Sweet, isn't he?

Ugh.  It's getting late and I'm running out of things to say, so to all you teachers out there- Happy New Year!  Here's to a year of good health and happiness for all.

The Graduate

 Last week, my little guy graduated from preschool!  He did such a great job singing with his classmates and accepting his diploma.  We were so proud of him.  He grew so much this year, and looking at his file of work from the year, we could really see how far he's come.  He's growing up so fast - I hate it!  Great job, Nicholas!  You have made us so proud and we love you more every single day!

Tough Guy

So...it had to happen.  Today Nicholas began his day with an epic wipeout on his bike.  He has only one speed - warp.  And we tried to warn him that at some point, he'd crash, but it didn't slow him down.  Apparently he smacked into the fire hydrant and took a nasty tumble into a neighbor's driveway,  Poor little guy.  He's got scrapes on his elbow and knee, but is handling it like a trooper!

A Milestone Day...

OK... How many of you out there can remember the first time you rode a two wheeler bike?  I can!  I was on my "Cactus Flower" yellow and white bike with the banana seat on Crissey Lane.  Mary had her hand on the back of the seat and was running behind me... or so I thought.  I got halfway down the street and when I looked back at her, I realized that she wasn't there, and I'd been riding solo the whole way.  It's a moment I'll never forget.

A month or so ago, I was in a panic because Nicholas was not at all interested in riding his bike.  He was absolutely petrified of falling.  He was relying heavily on the training wheels and was at a constant tip.  He wouldn't even get on the bike without crying.  So, while in LL Bean getting him a new helmet, I mentioned this to the salesman in the bike shop.  He told us about a new concept in kids' bikes - it's called a Glide Bike.  It's a bike with no pedals.  They had one in the store, and Nicholas was flying around the store in no time!  The seat on the bike is low enough so his feet touch the ground.  This way, he can catch himself if he starts to fall.  His feet are both propelling and stopping him - he's in complete control.  So, we immediately ordered one for Nicholas and within 48 hours, he was gliding away - feet up, happy as a clam with perfect balance.  In fact, he was getting frustrated on our street because it's so flat - he wanted a hill to get some speed!  How could this be??  And more importantly, why the heck didn't I think of this genius idea?!? 

Well, today Nicholas saw his old bike in the garage and wanted to give it a try.  And this is what happened.  What an amazing day. We are so proud of our little dude...

Making The Most of Spring

What a beautiful weekend.  And with everything we're dealing with these days... that's saying something.  The weather is cool and crisp.  The trees are popping.  The spring flowers are in bloom.  And somehow, we are able to see the beauty in life.

We spent some time in Maine last week during my brief, but much needed April break.  It was a different trip, because Todd and I have never opened up the cottage before.  Everything went great, and by 1:00 we were sitting on the dock eating lunch, ready for another great season in Maine.  It's so quiet up there right now.  Absolutely no one is around - except the year-round people, but they are few and far between.  It's so incredibly peaceful.  We were greeted almost immediately by two loons right in the cove - singing away, welcoming us.  It was amazing.

I spent a lot of time this weekend working in the garden.  It's therapeutic, for sure - pulling weeds, taking something ugly and making it beautiful.  In fact, I'm finding myself cleaning a lot lately, which sadly is not like me.  Somehow, I didn't get the immaculate gene from Mom and Dad.  Typically I walk down the hallway and say, "Oh look, a tumbleweed of dog hair... I'll get it later."  But as of late, I'm scrubbing things, and plotting to reorganize every room in the house.  And thinking all the while, if only everything in life was this simple - put in some hard work, get a little dirty, and voila - problem solved.  I'm beginning to realize, however, that not everything in life is this simple...

Today, Nicholas and I spent the afternoon at the park among the daffodils with Nana.  What a beautiful day, and as my mom mentioned more than once, we can't remember a time that the daffodils were more spectacular.  Nicholas insisted on playing a rousing game of hide-and-seek among the daffodils - which was both ridiculous and touching at the same time.  Definitely a special afternoon for the three of us.  And yes - we're looking forward to many many more afternoons just like it for years to come.

Goodbye Old House

I stole that quote my my Nanny.  It was the last thing she said as she walked out of her house in Rocky Hill years ago.  I couldn't help but say it tonight as I walked out of our house on Sunnybrook Hill for the last time.  Although, I must admit, my grandmother was obviously a much stronger woman than I am, because I don't remember her being in a puddle of tears when she said it.

The circumstances are different here.  Mom and Dad are not leaving their house because they can't take care of it.  They didn't have to leave, they wanted to.  They have moved to a beautiful new home, and are on to new adventures in life.  But still... saying goodbye is always something that I've struggled with, and this one could just take the cake as the toughest.  Christ, I cried when I sold my last car! 

I went tonight to take one last walk through the house, and was already emotional as I pulled in the driveway.  It's amazing how each room holds different memories, and how flashes of my life were flying all over the place as I walked through.  It was almost hard to concentrate.  The fish tank in the den, the Christmas tree in front of the window in the living room, the broken grout in the tile by the fireplace that I used to take apart and put back together like a puzzle (never should've fixed that mom & dad...), the dart board in Mary's room, hiding in the crawlspace in Dad's closet (Oh... by the way Mom and Dad, not the best place to hide the Christmas presents... maybe you didn't know I liked to go in there!), the giant snowmen in the front yard, and the countless pool parties in the back.  And in the dining room, I immediately pictured my Poppy sitting at the head of the table telling us the stories about his childhood after dinner.

A lot of people would say, "It's just a house, Kristin.  It's bricks and plaster and nails and wood."  I understand this, but to me, it's much more than that.  My parents were able to create a warm and loving home for my sister and I within those walls.  Ours was that house where everybody wanted to be.  Every weekend growing up, the house was buzzing with friends, family, or countless high school kids that came to see my dad, or attend a Key Club meeting.  It wasn't a house, it was a home.

I know that the new owners will love living in that house.  It's a wonderful place to grow up, and the thought of a young couple moving in and starting a family is pretty cool.  The last thing I saw as I was walking to the car was a bunch of crocuses sprouting in the garden.  I thought, how poetic - new life.  I wish the new owners well.  And tonight I can smile because I know that my family will continue to create wonderful new memories in our new family home.
 

Speechless...

It's rare, but the past 48 hours have literally rendered me speechless.  I've been sitting here trying to think of something clever to write, but nothing's coming.  I listened to the weather reports.  I saw the snowfall predictions.  But I guess I never truly accepted the fact that I would be buried under 3 feet of snow when I woke up on Saturday morning.  But alas... here we are.

Like everyone else in the Northeast, we have spent the past two days trying to find our house under all of this snow.  Todd has been working non stop on the yard, once he was able to get home that is.  He worked during the storm, but when he finally got the chance to come home, our road had not been plowed.  So, he got a ride to the nearest plowed road and walked the rest of the way.  Thank goodness people on our street had cleared their sidewalks or I'm not sure his plan would've worked out.  Walking in this snow is nearly impossible.  I tried to get from the back yard to the front yard on Saturday and gave up after 3 steps, completely exhausted.  Thank goodness for the sliding door, because just getting out of the house would've been interesting!  There's still only been one pass made on our street.  I don't think I'd even call it one lane.  Let's put it this way - if you broke down in the middle of our street right now, you'd better have a moon roof because you probably couldn't get your doors open to get out.

No school again tomorrow.  I figure we'll be shooting off 4th of July fireworks from the soccer field in the back of my school.  I think we have one day left in June.  Considering the fact that kids basically start acting like they're on summer vacation on June 1st... it could be a VERY long month.

Nicholas and Toby have been troopers in the snow.  Truthfully, I think the both of them are frustrated by the whole thing right now.  It looks so fun, but it's just an insane amount of work to play in it.  Nicholas said to me, "But Mommy, the snow is too deep for me to play in!"  And he is right.  Toby is not satisfied to stay in the shoveled areas either.  He insists on climbing onto the deep piles and trying to run.  He can usually get a few steps before his skinny little legs shoot down into the snow.  Poor thing...

 Todd just read something that said we could get another big storm this weekend.  It's got to be someone's idea of a sick joke.  Here's hoping...
 

Winter Fun

I have to admit, every year around this time I question my decision to live here... I am not always the biggest fan of winter.  Cold hands, dirty cars, and brown snow on the side of the road - yuck.  But then I remember how fun it is to be a kid here.  Growing up in New England is amazing.  We get to experience every season - tulips and daffodils in the spring, hot summers at the beach, jumping in leaf piles in fall, and yes - even snowmen and hot cocoa in the winter.  And we are trying to show Nicholas everything that winter has to offer.  I won't raise a couch potato!

So, we have been keeping busy with lots of winter fun lately.  Auntie Mary, Auntie Jenny, and Susanna got us a really cool snowman kit for Christmas, and we were able to make an awesome snowman in the backyard a couple of weeks ago.  Nicholas loves to build things in the snow.  The other day, when the temperature finally rose above freezing and we got a glimpse of the grass/mudpit underneath, he was devastated to find that his masterpieces had melted.  And by masterpieces I mean mounds of snow with a bunch of sticks coming out.  It's modern art.

We also tried our hands at ice skating!  Todd and I used to go ice skating all the time in high school, but although Todd used to skate in college, I probably haven't been on skates in 15 years.  I really wasn't sure how helpful we would be to Nicholas.  To be honest, I was more concerned about one of us landing on him and crushing him!  But I think we actually can be very proud of our performances if I do say so myself.  When we first got there, Nicholas was what Todd called a hot mess.  He just could not keep his feet underneath his body.  But once he figured out how to keep his legs still and just glide, he was much more successful.  Todd has big dreams of a future for him in the NHL, or at the very least a college hockey scholarship, so I think we're off to a great start.

Nicholas also went skiing!  Ahhhh... good 'ol Mt. Southington.  I have fond memories of ski club in elementary school - my friends and I going up the ski lift with a pocket full of Sugar Babies and flying down hill 5 (or "bombing it" as we used to call it).  I can't believe he'll be doing that someday soon. 

Nicholas's daycare provider used to teach skiing for a living out west, so when he was with her last week, she got him out there and up on skis!  I wish we could've been there to watch him, but she was great about sending us lots of videos.  I attached one below. (I think I finally figured out how to do that!)  I think after watching it, you'll agree that he's the coolest 4-year-old ever!

 So for now, I guess we'll stay here and make the most of the winter weather.  Once this kid graduates college though - we're going to the beach!  How does everyone feel about visiting us in Hawaii??