I keep thinking I must be getting close to my 3 year anniversary of these posts, but I am too lazy to actually do the math in my head. This week has been exhausting in a good way (work!!) and a bad way (when did my children go deaf??????) and next week looks exhausting too (NO REALLY, WHY ARE THEY DEAF????) so basic math is one of those things I can’t be bothered to care about. I really am just that lazy and stupid.

Sunday:

My very make-shift newborn set up in a client’s apartment. I’m pretty proud of my fake-studio skills.

BABY FEVER: LEVEL CODE DOUBLE RED ACHIEVED

Dancing to the band at Hot Summer Fun on the roof of the Mohegan Sun parking garage

Monday:

One of those Top 10 for Kids is probably a bad idea.

Surreptitious grilled cheese eating

For someone who BEGGED for mac and cheese, that face is not happy enough

Tuesday:

She said her first day of school sign says “Caroline goes to big girl school”

A pumpkin mocha iced latte, that’s what

Hand stamping some thank you cards to go in my fancy professional type photographer packaging

Protecting Brutus from a thunder storm

Then we went to the beach…

Then we went to the country….

Wednesday:

…so it’s not surprising Wednesday looks like this….

…and this. (They both went to school Wednesday and I went to work, there are just no iPhone photos.)

Thursday:

The definition of “partly cloudy” – and pretty good for a family session

Greek food, get in my face

Sun-streaking

Friday:

Because that’s what stickers are for.

The pavilion at Rocky Neck all opened up for a wedding

Well done Connecticut (with an assist by Long Island in the background)

Saturday:

Model poses

She would ride the carousel ALL DAY if they let her

I promised him a bouncy house but it was gone, so I finally FINALLY bought him the light up bubble gun he’s asked for at every fair and carnival and festival and parade we’ve been to for the last year.

We successfully ate ALL THE THINGS this weekend, so I’m totally stuffed and feel like I could sleep for a million years. Considering it’s 6 pm on Sunday and Caroline just put herself to bed, I think the feeling extends to the whole family. Even E, I guess, although we’ve literally only seen him for 15 minutes since Tuesday, so who knows. I’m hoping next week gives us a little more family time, even if there is less deliciousness.

I think I mentioned this is the best weekend to live in Eastern Connecticut a time or two hundred in the past couple weeks. Last year we were in South Carolina so we missed it (although I wouldn’t exactly say I was missing it, Bob). This year, E had to work all weekend but I was DETERMINED to do ALL THE THINGS with the kids. I’ve spent the summer learning to drag them both around plan fun outings with two kids on my own and this was sort of like the Olympics of solo-parenting. Three food festivals plus a town fair – and for the record, I only cheated on my diet a tiny bit.

The kids did a GREAT job the whole time. There were zero tantrums and only minor threats needed for cooperation. Evan did a ton of walking so I could use the stroller as a single (although I still got stopped at least once every 15 minutes to talk about my City Select) which was like a vacation for my arm muscles after pushing it as a double for 20 months. I feel sort of really actually completely terrible that we had so much fun while my husband toiled away at a job that’s driving him crazy. I know it hurts him that he’s missing so much. But I keep telling myself it’s not the kid’s fault that Daddy has to work so much and they shouldn’t be punished. I don’t even want them to REALIZE their grown ups are stressed and tired and miserable. All they should worry about is how they’re going to have room for ice cream AND funnel cake for breakfast.

Another breakthrough from this weekend: I threw out all my shame regarding hauling my giant camera around and acting like I had a press pass allowing me to shoot whatever the heck I wanted. Which means I took an epic number of photos. I’ll try to keep this post down to a semi-reasonable number but I’m going to add a break after a couple so the page isn’t INSANELY long. And be sure to check Facebook for the whole album – I mean, if you’re interested in gingers and food porn and New Englandy stuff.

Friday:

I gave the bread to the kids and ate the insides. Go paleo!

They both got COVERED in powdered sugar eating cookies

We walked home across the Chelsea Parade (it’s a big empty square of grass where the militia used to muster) and the light was SO PERFECT.

(more…)

I seriously don’t even REMEMBER the beginning of this week, it’s been so busy. Which is good, since I’m still solo-parenting these munchkins and the more I wear them out the easier bedtimes are. You will notice a distinct lack of couch naps in this week’s photos.

Sunday:

Those are my children, that is not our stroller.

Hockey Fans

Why don’t pirates eat peanut butter sandwiches? Because they can’t open the jAAAAAAARRRRRRGH!

Monday:

Adorable tunnel vision

Too much cute on one swing

Obsessed with Chuck the Truck

Tuesday:

She’s worried about falling behind now that Evan is in school, so she’s working on her math skills.

TOO MANY PICTURES, MOM.

Cart safety experts!

Wednesday:

Tiny gymnast

Practicing his balance beam skills in the real world

Gorgeous evening for a walk

Thursday:

Are you done Mom? School is way more exciting than you.

This Paleo thing makes grocery shopping interesting.

Modeling the latest knitting fashions during our yarn store playdate

Friday:

Visiting her friends at the duck pond. “HAI DUCKS! KACK KACK!”

My view of Friday’s playdate. I guess my kids are over there somewhere.

I’m pretty much useless these days.

Saturday:

Ferris Wheel stink eye

Skeptical of a guy holding a frog

I think it’s time to move the kitchen stool

And now it’s 8:15 on Saturday night, I’m in my jammies and eating cheese like it’s my job. We have ANOTHER full day tomorrow followed by a week of our new, busy lives and I sort of feel like I’m going to blink and it will be Christmas so I better start planning even MORE fall things to do but I’m pretty sure if I try I actually will keel over from exhaustion. True story: I fell asleep sitting up on the couch today and woke up to Evan shouting from the bathroom to come wipe his butt. Exciting days, y’all.

Did you take any camera phone photos this week? Link up with one or lots using the linky below and grab the code (so it shows on your blog too!) over at Amy’s . It’s really fun!

From Wikipedia: The Big E, also known as The Eastern States Exposition, is billed as “New England’s Great State fair”. The Big E serves as the de facto state fair for all six of the New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Each of the New England states is prominently represented at the fair. The Big E is the sixth largest agricultural fair in the country, and the largest in New England.

From my experience: A huge ass fair where people lose their damn minds and stand in line for hours for a baked potato. Also, giant slurpies, beer, fried things, horses, crazy people, rides of questionable safety, good times.

We went on Friday, which was a Good Idea because although it was busy it wasn’t unable-to-move busy like it was last year on a Saturday. The weather was fantastic and the kids were 99% angels and even Mr. I Don’t Wanna Go There Are People There And I Hate People had a pretty good time.

Each state has a building showcasing the best stuff from their area. Maple things and seafood are in all of them.

What is this, a carousel for ANTS?

Best baby ever. We just fed her kettle corn the whole time and she barely made a peep.

No corndog no!!! Oh wait, that looks delicious. NOM NOM NOM.

I had the veggie platter for lunch and called it a healthy choice because it wasn't fried butter.

Duck Quack Quack

To make the day even more extra awesome, we met up with one of my long-time internet friends Leah (long time meaning since before I had any kids at all and her oldest kid was only a teeny weeny baby), who normally lives in Chicago but was visiting her family in Massachusetts. Little Evan immediately decided her son Calder was his new best friend, which meant he was allowed to borrow his dinosaur toy. Calder was too busy feeding popcorn to Caroline and sucking down the rest of my slurpie to care, so they got along GREAT.

Dinosaur RAWR

Driving buddies

This ride went WAY TOO FAST around the corners. Obviously Evan is terrified.

Choo choo train

Hey girl.

The boys practically mowed down the ticket taker carnie to be the first ones on and secure their spot in the engine. Calder then invited a cute little girl to sit with them. Mad skills for a 3 1/2 year old.

Hands up the whole time. This kid is fearless.

Isn't it nice when people you know online turn out to be awesome in real life too?

At one point, Leah had to go get some poutine (because, obviously) and I watched her sleeping baby and Calder. When he asked where his mom went I said “To get some food. You just stay here with the random person your mama met on the interet.” “Ok” said Calder. The people in line with us looked a little more concerned, but they must have thought I was joking. AHAHAHA jokes on them!

I love you Big E. See you next year!

So I was just linking to last year’s post about our trip and awwwwwwing over Baby Evan looking like a baby when I noticed I wore the same boots last time. I wonder if I came home and thought “Wow, those were a POOR CHOICE. Next year I’m wearing sneakers!” Because that’s what I thought this year. I win at forgetting things. Wait, what was I saying?

I went to bed at 9 pm twice this week but could NOT figure out why I was so exhausted. I mean, sure, the baby has been getting up twice a night while we transition her to her nursery. But why would that make me tired? I’m a stay at home mom! I obviously don’t DO anything all day. I must have gotten a super heavy box of bonbons this week.

Oh wait, or maybe I did a zillion and one things.

Sunday:

Splits!! And I just spent 15 minutes trying to remember what it's called when you do a split with your back leg bent like that. I still don't remeber.

I think he likes his hat

 Monday:

Caroline wants to know if Twist is actually ON meth or just ACTS like he's on meth

If you're wondering where I find the time to craft new decor for my upcoming Halloween party, the answer is "There's PLENTY of time in the day when the baby gets you up at 5 am"

Those are my teeths. Why does posting this x-ray feel like posting a naked picture?

Special lunch with a very handsome daddy

Tuesday:

My toddler can't hold his pee for five minutes until we get to a bathroom but he knows that Tuesdays are TRASH DAYS

I ran out of this red yarn to finish Caroline's fall coat, so let's just hope it doesn't get cold before next week.

Husband: What's for dinner? Me: I don't know. Let me go check Pinterest. Pinterest: Buffalo chicken rolls and parmesan fries.

Wednesday:

It's cute she's helping, until she grabs a knife. She ALWAYS goes for the knives.

I wore real clothes AND real bra. It gave me a mild case of mastitis. That'll teach me to be fancy.

This is the cart of groceries I had to abandon at BJ's because I forgot my wallet. AGAIN.

THE CUPCAKES.

Thursday:

And this is why my family is going to survive post-zombie apocalypse. We've got skills.

Friendly's for lunch??? NO WAY!

She plays with this toy correctly. It blows my mind that she understands it already.

 Friday:

Women's shoes and a guitar. Future rock star??

Evan almost got whiplash on this ride at the fair...and he LOVED IT.

Fair food, you are in me.

Pink cheeks from a long day of fun

Saturday:

Geez, what a lazy ass

Yes, those are my feet. Yes, I went for a run. Yes, I could have been sleeping. Yes, I am an idiot.

On my way home I found this in the trash. I carried it 5 blocks. Expect to see a LOT of play kitchen inspiration on my Pinteret boards.

And now it’s time to feed everyone lunch, read a little bit and then nap for AT LEAST three hours. Tomorrows plans are the same. You might call it boring and lazy, I call it saving up my energy so we survive the winter. IT’S SCIENCE.

Did you take any camera phone photos this week? Link up with one or lots using the linky below and grab the code (so it shows on your blog too!) over at Amy’s . It’s really fun!