maybe a tie

I recognize that this is going to sound dumb, but I like big storms.  I love hunkering down with no obligations or plans except being together with the only rule to stay safe.  I recognize this is because I have never truly been in danger and i am very grateful for this.  So, these past few days were really fun to me... but Sandy definitely left some blows.

Here's the story of our battle against Sandy...

Sunday night after naps, Emily and Brayden came over to escape their house surrounded by huge trees to ride out the storm.  A. and K. are so excited that they are having not only 1 but maybe 2 sleepovers that they declare hurricanes the most fun ever...  A. as a result must have project after project after project to stay entertained and not trying to pick up one of the boys and squeeze them.  So, we start project 1) spider eggs. Immediately after we finish, she starts crying, throws a fit, and subsequently gets sent to her room because the boys weren't included in the project.  Though the eggs turned out well, We'll give that point to Sandy. Score: Sandy-1. Team Collins-0

hard boiled eggs cracked and then sat in black food coloring.  Once peeled they look like spider webs.

The rest of that night went well and all kids slept really well.  We'll count that as a score for us.  

Score: Sandy -1. Team Collins- 1

The next morning, it was 0900 and the kids were already getting a little stir crazy.  They took all the couch cushions off and jumped, jumped, jumped for about 30 minutes.  Well, A. and K. jumped, Brayden counted to 3 then said jump while subsequently lifting his shoulders up and then doing a trust fall into the cushions.   The rain had just started here and we had power.  We'll go with no score on this one.

 While the kids were entertained, I thought it would be a good time to call all my patients and tell them that Sandy has cancelled therapy for today.  However, I realized I left all of the important things in my car.  So, running in the rain it is...  Sandy-2, Team Collins -1

 A- got jealous in my running in the rain and decided that she also should brave the storm.  But, only as a true superhero and one that enjoys water.  So, Ming Ming wonder pet made her jaunt outside.  She wanted to do it again later as the storm got worse yet opened the door, heard the wind and ran to the complete other side of the house.

 The rest of the day was pretty normal, filled with projects (more on this in another post), snacks, naps,and either pajamas or nonmatching clothes.

Brayden clearly overwhelmed by the Collins kids put himself and his mom in timeout for no reason. 

 We will give the overall score for the afternoon to the Collins team- Sandy -2, Team Collins-2

Right before dinner, we decided it was pumpkin time.  Every kid loved it, the pumpkin seeds were awesome, and our pumpkins turned our really well.  

Note that there were no more kids at the table yet there were pumpkins and wine glasses.  They needed some independent play time!

 This score definitely went to team Collins- Sandy- 2, Team Collins- 3

Finally, some nice Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin for some relaxation as dinner cooked.  Even K. sat still for awhile.  Team Collins is doing really well!!
Sandy-2, Team Collins- 4

Then, after dinner, Sandy delivered her sucker punch.  As we were putting the kids to bed the power went out as loud gusts of wind were passing by the windows.  A. subsequently screamed and did not want to lay down.  K. laid down but was up at least every 30 minutes over the next few hours as the wind would slam into the windows.  Brayden broke our hearts with his requests until he finally said, "momma downstairs, please."  So, we ended up sitting by candle light with 2 kids on our laps until around 10 pm.  Now I kind of give this one to Sandy but how sweet are tired cuddly kids in pajamas by candlelight.  The only problem was the ping ping ping that we began to hear coming from our bay window.  That ping ping turned into loud splashes in 3 buckets, bubbles on the wall, and finally a car ramp to guide the water away from the wall and into the bucket.  We'll give Sandy 2 for this one.

So, we ended up with power back by 4 pm the next day, lots of time with our family and friends and some really awesome pumpkins and eggs.  We will count our blessings and think about all of those that did not fare as well.

PS. yes, I know K. had a different haircut from beginning to end.  more on that next post.