3

Today, Scout turns three.  This means that this blog can no longer be about one mom's highly imperfect journey parenting a two-year-old.  

So, do I think that today will be any different then yesterday, last week or two months ago? No.  I think Scout will continue to strip naked at the drop of a hat, pee in teacups, draw on herself, swear and talk like a pirate.  But, I also think she will continue to be the best known kid on the airplane, a cheerleader for her parents when they are running races, a friend who kisses others "boo boos," a girl who is truly iridescent, and a daughter whose cry will always break my heart.  

Happy 3rd Birthday, Scoutzilla!

With a little luck and help from Starbucks, I think that we can make it to your 4th birthday.

Scout celebrating her 3rd birthday at Build-a-Bear

Differences

It is often hard to believe that two children born and raised by the same parents could behave so differently.  My children looked very similar as toddlers.  Both Jackson and Scout had "slightly" larger than normal heads (a Rybarczyk family trait that I, personally, LOVE), bright blue eyes (Wade claims came from him) and golden blonde curly hair.  That is where their similarities came to a SCREECHING halt.   Jackson is essentially an "easy" child to parent.  He is very well behaved, quiet and can entertain himself.  I will also add that Jackson is messy (a trait that I am convinced comes from Wade) and highly anxious.   Now, Scout is a very different story.  She is a "challenging" child to parent.  Scout is not well behaved, quiet, or entertained by her toys.  In fact, if Scout is EVER quiet or entertaining herself something VERY bad is happening in our home.

So, why all the talk about differences.  On our last Friday of summer vacation, I had the "crazy" idea to take three children Jackson, Scout and Tucker (my nephew) to Splashtown (don't worry, I wouldn't embark on such a perilous journey without a little help from Starbucks). At Splashtown the differences between Jackson and Scout were blinding.  Jackson wanted to know where I was at every moment, despite my best attempts to keep he and his cousin informed.  Also, Jackson was fearful of some of the water rides. And, to be honest, I see nothing wrong with a healthy sense of fear.  But, I worry when Jackson's fears reduce him to tears.  I also worry when a child like Scout has NO fear.  Scout wanted nothing to do with me at Splashtown.  She would try to "run" away every chance she got and because Scout is small she could maneuver through the crowds better than I.  You may be asking yourself where Scout was headed when she was running away?  Scout was insistent that she could ride the Tornado.  A water slide that was funnel shaped, about a mile off the ground and appeared to make adults pee their pants with fear.  

I guess the bottom line is that I would like Jackson and Scout to be less different. Jackson could really use some of Scout's no fear attitude, and Scout really use some of Jackson's overly cautious demeanor.  

(I tried REALLY hard to take pictures of the three kids at Splashtown, but I firmly believe that I would need professional photography equipment comparable to that of National Geographic to photograph Scout running around Splashtown; however, I do have a few pictures from the cottage this weekend.)

Jackson "goofing" around in the kayak

Finally,  a photo of Scout without a lollipop in her mouth

Mommy & Scout before our kayak voyage

Mother's Day Weekend

Happy belated Mother's Day!  Mother's Day weekend at our home started off just like any other typical weekend.  Scout, with her boundless energy, climbed out of her crib around 6 am and headed out to find her first victim.  With Jackson at a sleepover, that meant me.  Together, we walked downstairs for some good quality TV time with Blue's Clues (whose clues?).  After Scout was settled with Blue and Joe, I started to make a ridiculously complicated raw carrot cupcake recipe.  I LOVE the idea of raw food, and I truly believe it is the best food for your body, but all of the recipes are sooo time consuming.  After about an hour and a half of work, this is what my final product looked like:

Delicious, but complicated Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Next, it was off to Searsport to visit my mother for Mother's Day.  However, every trip to Searsport, recently, has involved a stop at the Co-op in Belfast.  So, we arrived at the Co-op to load up on some of my favorite snack foods and eat lunch.  It was no surprise, to us, that while we were eating, Scout would try to steal the cell phone of some poor, unsuspecting woman.  

The cell phone thief & her new friend

Scout & Daddy eating lunch

Finally, we arrived at my mother's house.  The weather was amazing, so we headed down to the beach where the kids thoroughly enjoyed the frigid ocean water. 

                                    

The day was incredible! And to top it off, my mother and I dined on ginormous lobsters for dinner (the kids and Wade wanted pizza).

Aren't they beautiful?

The weekend fun did not end on Saturday.  On Sunday, after an 8 mile run with the girls, we stopped at Starbucks before heading out to Wade's parent's camp.  The weather was far better then expected, and we got to enjoy some time on the dock polishing our "piggies."  However, all good times, and pedicures, must come to an end, and they did when a very curious Scout fell off the dock into the water!  

"I LOVE Boston!"

Scout will happily tell you that she LOVES Boston, and I think that I can safely say that the residents of Boston LOVE Scout.  She was a big hit!  From the moment we hit the expo, Scout was high-fiving sales associates, charming people with her big blue eyes, and receiving "free" samples of every chocolate refueling confection.  

Outside the Expo

After the expo, we headed off to Wade & Ward's aunt and uncle's home, outside of Boston, which would serve as our "home" for the next couple of days.  The weather was gorgeous, so all of the kids spent time playing outside.

Coloring with chalk & sporting a Jet Blue sweatband from the expo

Scout, Ward & Izzy on the trampoline

Early the next morning, we were anxiously watching weather reports, packing bags, and getting four kids ready for the trek to mile 23 of the Boston Marathon.  We started our journey in Grafton and took the T to North Station.

Waiting for the T

Immediately upon arrival in Boston, we headed to Starbucks for an emergency caffeine fix.  And, although, people, who shall remain nameless, tease me about my LOVE of Starbucks, Starbucks did help us find our way home later that day.

Oooh, how I LOVE you!

Next, we began our "death march" to mile 23 of the marathon.  While the walk was not a problem for Jen and I, it did cause some problems for Tucker and Jackson.  Jackson tripped and fell in the middle of the street, and Tucker, depending on what version of the story you heard, twisted his ankle 3 to 9 times.  However, thanks to Jen, we had an awesome spot awaiting our arrival on Beacon street.  The kids were able to refuel and cool down while the adults watched elite runners pass by on the street below.  It was truly an amazing experience.

Scout & Izzy refueling and waiting for their dads 

Finally, Jen received the text that Wade and Ward had reached the 30k mark.  We anxiously gathered our belongings and headed to the street to cheer the guys on.   Unfortunately, my pictures are horrible.  Trying to find Wade and Ward in the crowd was nearly impossible, and when they arrived it happened so fast.

Mark hugging Wade

Ward (with Tucker) holding back the flood of tears

Now, it was a race to the finish for the guys and the families.  Learning our lesson from our 3 mile trek, we hopped on the T to reach the finish line.  Scout, once again, made fast friends.  She was extremely fascinated with the man standing in front of us, and I was extremely apprehensive about this stranger.  As it turns out, he couldn't have been nicer.  Scout's new friend, Angel, entertained her for at least 3 stops of the T.

As worried as I was about Scout in Boston, I must agree with her new saying, "I LOVE Boston!"

Now, if only Wade and Ward could qualify again for next year...

LOVE

I am so happy to be at home with my family (and Starbucks).

Travel & Challenge Complete!

Traveling with Scout is extremely difficult.  In her two short years, she has been on an airplane twice.  Both trips have included many tears (hers and mine), other passengers rolling their eyes (and cursing their fortune for being on our plane) and numerous trips to the bathroom (to hide).  This weekend I am traveling without Scout, and I can't believe how much I miss her!

Clean Foof Challenge: The finish
I must confess that I thought the challenge would have ended for me yesterday.  I had convinced myself by the time I hit the Portland JetPort with my mother and brother, I would be RUNNING to Starbucks (I still LOVE you); however, I did not, and the challenge continued.  I strongly encourage others to try this challenge.  I no longer crave sugar every hour, and when I was overly stressed this week, I did not eat everything that was not nailed down.

Day 6:
Breakfast: Larabar & banana
Snack: Figs & dates
Lunch: Salad
Snack: Apple & pistachios
Dinner: Salmon & steamed veggies
Water: 100 + oz ( I lost count after 100)

Apology Letter

Dear Family,
      I am sorry that I SUCK at being a mother (Sorry, honey, because this blog is for Scout, I am listing mother first) and wife.  Specifically, I am sorry that for the past two night I have not made dinner, I missed Scout's first pee on the potty and my child was the last child to be picked up from daycare today. I will not be winning any parenting awards this year. 
Love,
Your tired and overwhelmed mother & wife


PS Starbucks I still love you and miss you.

And now for the Clean Food Challenge Update: Day 3 & still going strong????  

I'm not sure about the strong part, but doing the challenge with a friend, Stacy, and blogging about the experience is keeping me on track and honest.  Yesterday and today,  I would have eaten anything, if given the opportunity.  However, my commitment to the challenge kept me focused and probably saved me a few hundred thousand extra calories.

Breakfast: Banana & Larabar

Snack: Almonds & apples slices

Lunch: Cheesy Quinoa w/ chickpeas & spinach (Again, made by Stacy. You may be asking yourself what I would do without Stacy's food?)  Stacy got the recipe from Chelsey's blog.

Dinner: Veggie/chicken soup and Mary's Gone Crackers

Dessert: Cashew pear "ice cream"

Water: 50 oz (I know that it is pitiful!  I am going to try to drink as much as I can before bed.)

I LOVE cashew pear "ice cream,"so I thought that I should share the recipe.  It is totally clean and raw.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw cashews

1 diced pear

1 or 2 Tablespoons of water

1 vanilla bean

Directions:

Finely chop the cashews in a food processor.  Add in the diced pear and water.  Process until smooth.  Scrape and add the innards of the vanilla bean, and process until incorporated fully.  At this point, I usually freeze the "ice cream" for a couple of hours before eating. YUMMY!

Healthy Eating

One advantage Scout will always have over Jackson is her exposure to healthy foods during her infant and toddler years.  Scout was breastfed, and I made ALL of her food.  I LOVE the fact that she was exposed to avocados, roasted red peppers, goat cheese and chickpeas at an early age.  I truly believe her exposure to a variety of fresh, nutritious food has made her a more adventurous eater.  She enjoys eating green food and frequently grabs vegetables off of my plate!

With a two-year-old and eight-year-old, I am always looking for ways to improve my health and energy level.  I exercise on a regular basis, and I try to eat well, but I am totally an emotional eater.  I eat when I am happy, sad, excited (I think that you get the picture).  And with Easter right around the corner, I am tempted by my all time favorite candy treat! 

I LOVE you Mini Eggs...

That is why I am participating in Emilie's Clean Food Challenge.  Basically, the challenge is a cleanse for your body.  I will not consume dairy, sugar, alcohol, gluten or processed food.  You may be wondering  what the heck is left to eat?  I will eat LOTS of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, non-gluten-containing grains and drink a TON of water.  

Prepping for this challenge has turned my kitchen upside down.  I woke up bright and early this morning to make an awesome veggie stew (with chicken),  almond carrot body rock balls, pear cashew cream, and kohlrabi chips.  

Roasted Kohlrabi

                                                                

Kohlrabi Chips

Scout "Helping" Mommy

To keep myself honest, I will try to post a little meal recap each day.  Let the challenge begin!

PS Goodbye Starbucks, I still love you, too!