Happy Independence Day!

Ironically we spent a lot of the 4th of July with French people.  :-)

When I was a kid we visited London over the holiday, and for a brainless moment I wondered where were are all the fireworks?  Because you know the Brits love to celebrate American Independence!  Ha.

Tyler and I and the kids are all a little grumpy this summer.  It should not warrant even the slightest complaint, the fact that we are all here together most of the day.  It should be a wonderful blessing.  And it is.  But adults are used to a certain amount of productivity in a day, and children are used to seeing one or both of their parents head out somewhere in the morning, and then return in the evening tired but happy to see them.  We are all here though, and it's frustrating that taking care of the kids isn't any easier, we're not getting more done, I'm not taking any breaks, etc.  Tyler's summer internship is not using enough of his skills or time, so that in itself is unsettling for him.  Ideally we should both be able to exercise, address a hobby, and both take care of the kids, because there are two of us to switch on and off.  But instead we're going on weekend mode every day, because that's what we're used to doing when we're all together.  What should we do today?  What fun thing would the kids like?  All this to say that on the morning of the 4th I was not ready for a special family celebration, I was ready to leave the house independently!  I did.  I took the trash out.  And the 5 minute walk was honestly enough to recharge.  The day got better as it went on.

Norwood has a children's parade in the early afternoon, where they can dress up as historical characters and decorate their bikes, strollers, wagons, etc.  Lincoln, naturally, was Lincoln.

I made a paper top hat and we taped it to his helmet.  He also had a makeup beard, but it was hard to see underneath the straps.  

Another kid had the same idea!  Abraham, meet Abraham!

After parading around in the heat, everyone was pretty sweaty and tired.  We went home, and after several of the kids took naps... 

we went to the pool in our complex.  

It was really fun to play in the water with 6 kids; our friends are happy, kind people, and we usually feel the better after spending time with them.  For the latter half of the evening, we had the pool to ourselves.  Lots of squealing, sharing, "NO RUNNING!" and laughing.  I don't have pictures of the actual swimming, but here's some boys taking a break.  

Life is good.  

I'm happy to be an American.  

And I recognize that freedom and independence are wonderful but not easy, like most responsibilities.  

They require intelligence and creativity to work well. 

Plagiocephaly

Hazel's head is ever so slightly crooked.  It's common now that parents are encouraged to place babies on their backs to sleep.  It's also common with multiples.  Hazel was always lower in the womb (Baby A), with her head scrunched at the bottom.  Chances are she was born with a flat spot, and favored it while sleeping over the first few months.  I didn't notice it until she was about 3 months.  The doctor suggested I try to reposition her every time I laid her down, and to give her lots of tummy time to help the muscles in her neck.  I did my best.  I didn't get a referral to see a neurosurgeon until much later, and here we are at 11 months.  He recommended that we use helmet therapy.  Ideally we would have put her in a helmet around 4 or 5 months, because that's when her head was growing the most and it would have taken less time to reshape it.

(Example)

Her forehead bulges slightly out on her right side, and her ears are off center. The difference in the oblong measurements of her skull is 13mm.  We won't be able to get it to a perfect 0 (no one is perfect anyway; asymmetry is the rule of the human body, after all) but the hope is to get down to a 4.  

It's emotional, and I am questioning everything.  Is this vain?  Will she be uncomfortable and hot and stinky for nothing?  What if it's too late?  Is her head really misshapen enough to warrant months of head gear 23 hours a day?  If we didn't do it, would she wish we had later in life?  

The decision has been made, though.  Now I just have to stick to it for the next few months.  She gets a half hour break in the morning, and a half hour break at night, during which we bathe her, wash the helmet, dry them both, and then put it back on for bed.  She doesn't mind it, and one time even tried to put it back on after I took it off.  She sleeps as soundly as ever, too.

Hazel, honey, the good thing is you won't remember this.  I hope you'll agree it was the right thing to do.  For now, all of us, especially your big brother Lincoln, are supporting you!

Washington D.C.

My dad recently changed jobs.  He was sent to Washington D.C. for a training, and decided to come visit us in Massachusetts during one of his free weekends.

While he was here, he mentioned that he was staying in a 2 bedroom condo all by himself, within walking distance to the National Mall.  Our ears perked up.  You have an extra bedroom?  We can fit into one bedroom!  All five of us?  No problem!

So it was that, on the spur of the moment, we decided to drive 7 hours to visit our nation's capital.  Free lodging is an excellent incentive.

The trip ended up being just as fun as our one night stay in New York City.  We travel well, this crew of five.

I'm so grateful that my dad was willing to have of us stay with him.  The condo was amazing.  We had our own bathroom, a full kitchen, a living room to let the kids play in, and even a rooftop overlooking the city.

The company stocked a FULL liquor cabinet in the dining room.  I mean, this is the most alcohol I've ever seen in one place outside a pub.  None of us partook, because really, traveling with three little ones is enough buzz for anybody, but still, it was funny to see the spread.  I brought enough food for three meals, and was proud of myself for that fact, especially considering the effort it takes to prepare meals even at home.

There was a coffee shop at the bottom of the building.  Did you get that?  A coffee shop, right there, mere steps from your front door.  Linc and I may have taken advantage.

I don't know why, but to me that seems like the ultimate luxury.  We stayed three nights, and walked everywhere.  We didn't use our van until the last day, after we'd packed up and cleaned up our traces from the condo.  (Except, my dad later lovingly mentioned, Lincoln's little fingerprints on the windowpanes.)  Those windows overlooked a tree-lined street, and each morning we watched the pedestrians on their way to every-which-where.  I did not allow the windows to be opened, not even a crack, because no one survives a 9 floor drop to the cement.  And yes, that's where my thoughts go when my kid is standing at a window.  That is also the reason they weren't allowed on the roof.  My dad really wanted to let at least Lincoln take in the view, but my nerves said no, absolutely not.  I'm adventurous, but everyone has their limits.

Tyler and I snuck up there, though.

What we did allow Lincoln to do, was ride his bullet bike all over the city.  I think every pair of little feet deserves a set of wheels when sightseeing.

It was a good idea: lending him the entertainment and endurance to make it through each of our three days.

We packed the Bob with everything else.  This is our Metcalf-mobile!

When the babies weren't sleeping, and we weren't walking, we did our best to get them out of the stroller.  Ezra crawled in random D.C. parks, at the Lincoln Memorial, and even (uh...illegally...whoops) at Arlington.

And Hazel smiled at everything, taking it all in.

Tyler and Lincoln went to the library before we left and checked out books on George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the capital.  Now when we read to him at night, Lincoln points and says, "I was there!  We went there!  Look, it's the Washington Memorial!" at all the appropriate monuments and museums.

It was really special to sit in the Lincoln Memorial.  Linc said, "That's me!" and then chased his brother around the floor.  What a beautiful, majestic place.

I loved the marble columns and quotes everywhere.

And this silver tree.

Lincoln loved the General Motors section of the National American History Museum.

But he got a little grumpy at the WWII Memorial.  We stayed there for quite a while, while I fed the babies.  I enjoyed watching veterans visiting, taking pictures, talking. 

Thank you Dad for this opportunity!  I'm sure it was the first of many days in D.C. for our future presidents.  

Lincoln Lens

Snapshots taken by my three year old:

And snapshots of the three year old:

his favorite place to "hide" during hide and seek

 choosing his own outfit

taking his friend Zoe on a a walk through her living room

trying out some green eggs and ham

One morning I was too slow getting Hazel her breakfast.  When I came back into the dining room, I found Lincoln sharing his.  Thanks big brother!

Silly kids!  Liam, Zoe and Lincoln.  A play date with their dads while the moms went out!

A candid, with our French friends.  When we get together, there are three "big kids" and three "babies."  We have fun.   ;-)

Clapping for Uncle Evan

On Friday, I took the kids to Castle Island.  While we were playing at the beach, I received text photos from my parents of my little brother graduating.   Liz texted me at the same time,  telling me to guess where she was.  Connecting the dots, I called her instantly to see if she was indeed with my family at the ceremony.  She had attended to watch her own brother graduate, and when she saw my family, stayed on to watch Ev walk.  It just so happened that I called only a few minutes before Evan's name was announced, so I stayed on the phone.  Liz held up her cell as close as possible, and I was able to hear the announcer call out, "EVAN ROBERT LAWRENCE!"  And then a huge wave of cheering, of course.  I joined in, probably sounding crazy to my fellow beach goers, and Hazel instantly started clapping.  Ezra looked at her, and put his hands together too, and clapped for the first time.  Go, Evan!  He has his associate's degree now, and he hasn't even finished high school!  He is incredibly smart, mature and outgoing, and we are so proud of him!  Ezra especially so.  ;-)

Easter!

Here are a couple videos from an Easter/Passover event at Tyler's school.  With special appearances by our friends the Draschils and the musician Jeff Jam.





We also had friends over for dinner for the first time (officially) since living in Massachusetts.  Thank you to Ami, Matt, Liam, Zoe and Jim for making our home a little fuller this holiday!

Off to church in the morning

The scene before our guests arrive.

Lincoln and Zoe being cute while Liam is scouting out the Duplos.

Eating hummus in their Easter outfits.

Next time I will try to take more photos when our buddies are actually here.  But thanks again, guys!  It's good to have friends as family when you're so far from home.

In our free time.

Tyler found this video on our camera last week and teased that he was going to put it on my blog.  On viewing it, I found nothing embarrassing, so why not?  Tunnel dancing is completely normal behavior!