Woodstock Day 1

We arrived at our new Woodstock House yesterday afternoon. Within minutes, Vivian was in her bathing suit and in the pool. Stella thought she wasn't going to go in but even she got in after a bit. And we hadn't even turned the heater on yet! We are all really excited to be back here. Last night after we dropped David off at the train, we went to our favorite Rhinebeck restaurant (yes, we already have one even though it was only our second time in Rhinebeck). The girls were disappointed not to be able to have the same waitress we had last time who they loved but were happy to be there nevertheless. We had a good dinner (though truth be told, not as good as last time and we also missed Daddy!) followed by homemade ice cream sandwiches. And then even though it was already 8pm, we drove to the Stop and Shop to do a quick grocery expedition. Vivian was happy because the carts had little cars at the front that she could ride in and Stella was so happy to push her around the store. We finally got home and into bed around 10pm. I ended up falling asleep in Vivian's bed which was a good thing because in the middle of the night she called out "Mama" and I answered "yes". She called out "Where are you?" and I answered, "right here". She was SO HAPPY to discover me in her bed and cuddled right up to me for the rest of the night. It is so funny to have one daughter who NEVER EVER EVER wanted anyone to even sit on her bed and one daughter who would like you never to leave hers. This morning Vivian was a little bit nervous about camp. Mostly she seemed concerned that her counselor might have fuzzy hair. I can't quite figure this out. I think maybe it is an image of Miss Viola Swamp in her head or something. Stella was actually pretty excited to get there which was a change from her old self. She was only nervous for a moment as we were walking in because we got there late and her group was already swimming. But on my way out (after dropping off Vivian) I swung by the pool and Stella was already happily playing with another girl. The moment I walked Vivian into her bunk, she was swept up by a couselor from last summer whose name is Chloe. Vivian didn't even say goodbye. She was off to yoga. I am just happy that the girls are happy. In the car on the way to camp, in a moment of glee, Stella just shouted out "I love having a little sister!" Being the mother of these two amazing girls is the best part of my amazing life. Following Stella's lead I just want to shout, "I love having two little girls!"

Woodstock 2.0

We are up in Woodstock for the week before we go to Martha's Vineyard. I decided not to send the girls to camp this week so we could just spend time together and hang out in a relaxed way. Yesterday we went to Zoom Flume, the water park. We decided to become season pass holders because it is just too much fun there. Stella is kind of a daredevil and went on lots of water slides herself while Vivian and I hung out watching the bottom waiting for Stella to come out. On one of them, after Stella came out Vivian made her frustrated "ahhhh!" sound and said that she was watching the wrong slide. Then she asked Stella to go again so she could watch again. There was one slide that Vivian could do by herself and she and Stella did it several times. Eventually Vivian made Stella go first because I think it made her feel brave to be up at the top alone. And by the end she even let the guy spin her tube as he gave her a push down.

Vivian had such fun in the various pools and sprinklers jumping in the water and getting her face wet. And when she discovered places she could stand, her eyes lit up as she declared it her first time standing in that spot. At the very end of the day, Vivian and I were playing in a big pool area near where Stella's waterslide let out. Stella wanted one more turn on the slide but only when I reassured her she would still have time to play in the sprinklers with Vivian after. As Stella disappeared up the ladder, Vivian looked around and said, "I think I was here before with Grandma Helaine." Obviously a memory from last summer came over her. It was very sweet.

Today we spent the day at the Fiber Flame doing craft projects because there were crazy thunderstorms that kept us from our original plan -- going to a swimming hole. I was struck a few times today by how grown up both girls seem. Vivian stopped me in my tracks for a moment when I saw her getting paints with one of the helpers. In her apron, she just looked so grown up. I am also always struck by how independent and social Vivian can be. At one point she asked if she could go outside and I knew it was because she wanted to talk to two girls she saw out there. And indeed she quickly struck up a conversation with them.

I think friendliness and sociability has come to Stella with age but it is also something she has learned from Vivian. Stella especially loves to strike up a conversation with grown ups. Yesterday she began talking to someone on line behind us who ended up being a fourth grade teacher and who commented on being impressed with Stella's chattiness.

Both girls seem to have memorized pretty much the whole show of FLY BY NIGHT. They are constantly reciting scenes and songs. I know they lived the show but I must say I am shocked and impressed by how much they learned only seeing it around four times. I will always remember what a wonderful time they had visiting the actors in the dressing rooms and how sweet and enthusiastic they were about watching the show. And always grateful to the actors for being so kind and welcoming. The last time Vivian saw Allison, she ran up and hugged her legs and said so etching like, "I am never letting go of you." Later she asked me "when are we seeing Allison until" and I told her we didn't have a plan. Without missing a beat, Vivian responded, "well we can make one."