Going in Circles

When my alarm went off this morning, I didn't want to get out of bed.

But I did.

I was at my desk by 7:45, checking my email and doing various tasks. At 8:31 my phone rang. It was the Hoos. I was about to tell him how impressed I was, assuming he was placing his daily call to me after dropping off the girls. This would definitely have been an early day for him.

Fortunately, I didn't.

Instead the Hoos told me that he had locked himself and the girls out of the house. In the pouring rain. Somehow he grabbed their bags, set the alarm, and walked out the door, holding two adorably rain-gear clad munchkins, without his house keys. Only realizing his mistake after pulling the door shut behind him.

As soon as he called I jumped into the car and headed home (a 25 mile drive). My benevolent boss told me to take my computer and just work from home. The Hoos and the girls sought refuge in the garage and they had an adventure, riding the tricycle and kiddy car around the garage in circles, taking turns.

Sadly, this is the third mishap in three weeks involving the garage. First, my car died in the garage; last week, one of the springs on the garage door opener snapped, locking my car inside (my big, strong husband was able to rescue it, but we haven't gotten around to replacing the spring yet); and now this. At least the garage was a friend this time, offering my little family shelter from the storm.

Whipped and Wiped

Yesterday I basically spent the entire day alone with my daughters. From the time they woke up until the time they went to sleep it was just me and them. I was so tired last night I thought that perhaps a truck had run me over when I wasn't looking.

It didn't help that i had planned a very ambitious day. We spent the morning at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, looking at all of the animals on their working farm (plus an otter and some "exotics"). The kids were free, so for $8 we could walk the grounds, play on the playground and enjoy the morning. Since LP mostly likes animals from a distance, I carried her a bit while pushing Dee in the stroller. Fortunately, by the end of the excursion she was walking more and even trying to talk to the animals. Although Dee slept most of the time, she did wake up right around the time we approached the car to leave. So we found a bench and sat examining pine cones while I nursed. The only meltdown came when we had to leave.

The last Thursday of every month, from 5-8, the Stepping Stones Children's Museum here in Norwalk is free. I have been meaning to go for ages and just never remembered. I decided yesterday was the day to follow through on my plans. First we spent some time at the large playground adjacent to the museum (any opportunity to expend toddler energy should be taken advantage of). We than went to check out the museum. It was very nice, although probably a little old for LP. She loved the waterplay room and the outdoor bubble display. I was able to give Dee a bottle while LP played. Be forewarned, you are not allowed to bring strollers to all of the exhibits, so a Bjorn might be the way to go if you have an infant.

All in all a good day. I am really starting to be thankful that school starts again next week for my little ones. even if I will miss them horribly.

Update: Orientation

LP and I brought Dee to her orientation today. She looked so small. Especially since the two boys in her class are huge. Thomas was no train - he was more like Thomas the Tank! Adorable, but quite healthy!

Miss Louise, her main teacher, seems really nice. She is an older woman with quite a bit of experience. Hopefully with Dee being such a good girl she won't be ignored and will be given lots of love and attention.

A half hour after arriving, the three of us were off to the playground to reward LP for being such a good helper. Dee snoozed and LP and I surveyed the empty playground. I was on the phone with the Hoos and said, "I think there are mice on the playground! Seriously there are brown things moving around!" Turns out, they were newly hatched baby turtles from the pond in he woods behind the school. The teachers that came out shortly after us ended up collecting at least 8 turtles to return to their habitat.

Now we have to pass the rest of the day without any more excitement. Here's hoping!