Trying to get Little Birchie to smile!!
Mazen will be doing three different camps this summer (one of them is a grandparent camp in the Adirondacks with Karen!) But before his busy summer of fun began, I wanted to give him a week with no plans so he could veg out, 1990 style. While it was a little more chaotic than normal having him home a lot this week, it was also fairly relaxing. I shifted my schedule around so when he was here I was “just” a mom, and it was really nice that he didn’t have to get up for the bus at 6:10am! He came into my room on Wednesday and proclaimed that he “slept in like a teenager” until 7:30.
Learning to blow bubbles
Matt and I took him to get his passport renewed on Tuesday. (That vest!!)
He was also very helpful with Birch! This was the Brothersitting scene while I took a shower:
We did several crafts and had a lesson in mixology.
We played basketball (aka I rocked Birch on the porch and we counted Mazen’s dribbles) and took B on a walk.
We had a big animal party with lots of pillows.
And we had a playdate at a friends’ house – BBQ chicken sandwiches and couscous salad.
The main thing we DIDN’T do was go to the pool. It was a bit on the chilly side this week, but Matt and Mazen went a few times. It was too cold for me and Birch! Plus I’m a little scared to take B to the pool mostly because he still has to be held a lot of the time. I’m really, really glad Mazen can swim though! I can’t imagine taking a baby and a sort-of swimmer to the pool at the same time. We played in the “hot tub” instead:
Meals
Daily Harvest Chai Smoothie with Granola
Egg salad with cucumber, peanut sauce, strawberries, and chips
Thai crunch salad and black bean burrito
(Both from Plenty!)
Homemade pizza with salad
I hope you guys have a great weekend, and a Happy Father’s Day!
Melissa says
Sounds like this summer is off to a great start and the grandparents camp sounds great, I’m sure Mazen will have a lot of fun!
Tonya says
Not only are you and Matt great parents to Mazen, but that kid has a team of love behind him! Grandparents galore and now he has a stepdad with a whole family that embraces him as well! Tell Karen we said hi!
KathEats says
<3
(Oh how funny your comment is in contrast to the one I deleted before it that said I was a neglectful parent and Mazen is loved by no one! You see what you want to see based on your own projections, I suppose!)
Lynda says
Wow, I can’t believe somebody wrote you a negative comment on your parenting! I was going to echo what Tonya wrote. I think it’s great that you and Matt co-parent so well and Thomas is a great step-dad. Good for you and all the loving people in your family’s life 🙂
KathEats says
Thank you
Tonya says
haha wooow! Jerks are gonna jerk. what can you do? (shrug)
Tracy says
I’m scratching my head and wondering how someone saw neglect or lack of love from this post! I was thinking the opposite for sure. Mazen has quite the team of love and support. Bravo to you and all Mazen’s extended family!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Aww, so cute! Fun with the whole family!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Rachel says
A mesh or water safe baby carrier makes handling the pool with a baby and another kiddo much easier! I recommend the small business Sleeping Baby Productions, but you can also find them on Amazon, etc.
KathEats says
Brilliant!
Angie says
That camp looks awesome! He’s going to have so much fun. I agree, Mazen is lucky to have such an extended family that loves him! I recommend the mesh baby carrier too. My kids are almost 4 years apart and it was a lifesaver when my youngest was a newborn. It’s hard to keep an eye and stay in the pool with a baby and an active swimmer. Sounds like a good summer. It’s hard to find a balance between spending the whole summer but not getting bored.
KathEats says
I just ordered a mesh ring sling!
Allison says
I want Karen to be my grandmother. Just saying.
KathEats says
🙂
Jamie says
That picture of Birch in the bath with his orange cup should be framed!! So so so cute.
KathEats says
Thank you!!
vicki says
Kath, there are some truly bitter people out there! You and Matt are doing an Awesome job with Mazen. He has so many people who adore him xxx
KathEats says
Thank you <3
Mary says
Grandparent camp sounds awesome!! I lost all of my grandparents at a young age so what a cool thing that he (and Birch!) has such healthy active and loving grands in their lives. I have a slew of nieces and nephews and with no kids of our own, it’s fun for us to spoil them and be the cool aunt and uncle that live in Cali and can take them to Disneyland, the La Brea Tar Pits, Santa Monica Pier, etc. 🙂
PS: Sorry about the haters, but you know what they say: “Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate”
Denise says
Just chiming in to say that I agree that Mazen is one lucky kid to be so blessed by parents, stepdad, grandparents and extended family who all adore him! And he’s lucky that you are generous with letting them all spend time with him–it’s all positive…can’t imagine how any interpretation of all that could be negative…glad you deleted that comment out of left field! Keep doing what you’re doing!!
Kate says
So cool that Mazen is going to the grandparent camp in the Adirondacks! I live in the foothills of the Adirondacks (Glens Falls) and we LOVE exploring them. If they have time to do some exploring solo, Raquette Lake is beautiful and there is a great place in Tupper Lake called the Wild Center (https://www.wildcenter.org/) . Of course, Lake George (the Queen of American Lakes and where we spend our summers) is worth a visit too!
KathEats says
I don’t think they are going to have time to visit the other places, but thank you for the recs. And did you know I went to Lake George one summer with my family! I was in high school. We had a great time.