A Cozy Dip

Last night Kuba was restless and had a difficult time going to sleep.  After endless reminders to get back in bed, he popped back into our room, climbed onto the bed between Anna and I and stated, "I just need a cozy dip."  He wriggled under the covers between us and smiled. 

3 Things He Doesn't Love

As we were driving home tonight from Morfar's campsite, Kuba piped up with three things he doesn't love:
1.  Candy
2.  Money
3.  Computers
     
I am not sure what prompted the confession, but this was a proud confession for sure.  He has gleaned these decisions over time from who knows what observations, conversations, and experiences he's had, all leading to the above conclusion.  He completed the conversation by saying that it's not that he doesn't like candy, or money, but that they are not that important to him.  When I asked him to name something that was important to him, he answered:  "You!"

Oh,  mothering.  It's so good sometimes. 

Big Moments

This is a big moment in our lives.  Anna's opening up a new business and the open house is next week.  It's going to be a change in all of our lives for sure.  Anna's flexible schedule will not be that flexible anymore - but luckily both boys are in school.  Here she is sitting on her new couch, in her new space, with her business partner.  We have all been madly preparing for the opening and both boys have been eager helpers.  I think we all feel nervous, excited, and curious about how all this will unfold.  In the meantime, I had to mark it in this blog.   I have many firsts for the kids, and this is essentially another first for them- first family business. 

Vacation Magic

This family of mine is pretty awesome.  And I especially feel this when we are on vacation together.  In fact, I sort of think of our family vacations as magic;  like they are some kind of enchanted glue or even a crystal ball.  They seem to highlight, crystalize, and clarify how well we love each other and how good it is to love so big.  They sort of accentuate the best in all of us.  They even seem to knit us together and darn some thin spots in our fabric.  Hell, I think the boys even seem to grow faster on vacation.  This family vacation in Maine was no exception to my concept of vacation magic.  Even though we shared our family time with 8 other family members, the magic of our smaller nuclear family was not diluted.  We still flourished as a family of four.  Maybe it was just traveling in the car together that cast the spell?   One thing I know for sure though is that we all felt generous of spirit and flooded with love for each other.  This is good.  Really good magic. 

Island Hike

Today a whole gaggle of family went for a long (3 hour!) hike along the rocky Maine coast to their destination beach.  The hike was hard.  Full of awesomeness, and these 4 kiddo's were champions.  Hannah found 4 cast-a-way bouys, and remarkably they found a beautiful bright blue ball.  The kids climbed gigantic rocks and wound their way through rock crevices and up and down mini rock mountains.  It all ended at a spectacular sandy beach were the 55 degree ocean water was no match for hot and tired children. 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Matinicus Continued

Here it is Wednesday already - midway through the week.  The weather has been remarkable and the beaches are so sandy I almost can't believe this is Maine.  The boys have absolutely been having a blast.  Cousins, uncles, grandparents, and an island in Maine - all for the taking.  They have been spending a lot of time with their Uncle Claes and Uncle Pete.  Reveling in uncle time. 

Things we have done:
Gone to Marky and Sandy Beach.
Hiked to the end of a great trail that took us out to a rocky point. 
Went to a tiny (and I do mean tiny) Wednesday market sale.  We didn't buy anything.
Ate lobster and other amazing meals.  We have been Eating too much really.  Flank steak, pork loin, grilled chicken, pesto, home baked apple crisp, etc. 
Soaked up the sun and got sunburned.
Watched 2 turkeys walk around the house each day.
Spotted a bald eagle.
Picked wild strawberries.
Read.
Played beach games.
Hiked over rocks.
Collected rocks.
Made piles of rocks.
Had a bubble gum bubble blowing contest.
Played lots of games: blokus, boggle, pounce, and a 3000 piece puzzle which has taken over the kitchen.  No kidding.  We are eating meals in other chairs b/c we can't sit at the table unless you want to mess up the puzzle.
Gone bike riding.
Read.
Taken outdoor showers.
Drunk a lot of coffee and iced tea.
Explored the coastline.   
And relaxed.  Really relaxed. 

HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR:  Napping in the hammock, the beautiful rental house, the stupid turtle in the puzzle, sunsets each night, being together. 

 

Matinicus Maine

July 6, 2014 we all boarded the Jackie Renee to Matinicus Island off the coast of Maine.  Twelve of us Thelemarck's set off on a weeks vacation.  The boat ride was about 80 minutes long and it was wet, wild, and wavy.  The kids got soaked, especially Kuba because he refused to put on his raincoat.  It was quite the ride.  Just 2 of us felt seasick which was remarkable because it was so rough on the water.   

We pulled into the harbor and the tide was out.  This meant we had to haul 13 very heavy boxes of food, 4 coolers, and everyone's suitcases straight up about 5 feet to the dock.  And we had to do this quickly as the boat was afraid it wouldn't make it back out if the tide went out any further.  It was a team effort.  The harbor was charming and full of lobster boats.  This is a small island with only 13 families that live here year round. 

We were driven to our house except for a few who walked and biked the short distance. 

We have a pick-up truck for the week.   

 

We have a stunning house with the best view you could imagine.  There is a steep set of 23 steps that lead down to the rocky coast.   The rocks are amazing and as the tide goes out it sounds so much like a rain stick.   Kuba thinks it sounds like fireworks.  I just think it is beautiful and musical. 

 

We have a hammock and a great canvas swing that hangs on the porch.  Here Anna is swinging with Anders while Kuba plays nearby. 

We have been exploring the coast directly below the house and taking long walks as we find our way around.   Today we made it to Sandy Beach and it truly was sandy and so beautiful.  We had more than a 180 degree view of the water.   It was hot and sunny today with more good weather on the way.   We plan to go to Marky Beach tomorrow, which is  the only other large sandy beach on the island.