In the middle of August we went up to Baker Pond in New Hampshire for our (what's turning out to be) annual trip. This year Cathy & Tim, Dave & Amy & Laura & Michael, and Christopher & Joshua & Mary all joined us. We totally lucked on the weather, as it was the first warm sunny days that they’d had all summer. (I’m declaring this the “Summer that Wasn’t” since it’s either been raining or cold or ridiculously hot for all but about 10 days. Uggh!)
We had a fabulous time at Baker Pond, swimming in the pond, kayaking, playing tennis, collecting berries (Ethan: "Let's put them in the container! Every one, put your berries in the container!" Then, walking home, Ethan opened up his mouth, and poured the entire container of berries into his mouth and swallowed. I wasn't fooled, though -- I only put berries in containers when there are more than I can eat.)
Just like the past two years, it was really wonderful to have all the kids for Ethan to play with, and to be able to talk with other interesting adults. We also had some great food between Joshua the serious cook and Tim the former B&B manager.
Mark and I feel like we’re going through another stage of bonding with Ethan. He’s been a lot more scared of random things, and looking to us to pick him up and comfort him. I was sick last week, and Ethan couldn't seem to get enough of me (I was talking with a fellow mom about this – seems that if you’re sick, they just want more of you, even though you have nothing to give, and you're just crabby with them.) Last night Ethan told Mark that he didn't look like him, and that he looked more like me. Mark asked him what he meant, and Ethan pointed to Mark's graying hair. (Ethan worries a lot about us getting older. He's also really afraid of old people.) Mark just told Ethan that of course he was his dad, and lots of people get gray hair, and he isn't really that old. Mark said Ethan was fine with that, and moved on to the next topic. Today our friend Tom offered to take Ethan to the amusement park, and much to my surprise, Ethan just wanted to stick to his normal routine and have me pick him up. Maybe it's also partly because Ethan starts second grade on Thursday. I can't believe it!
