The weekend began quite innocently, with Ella and Kat heading off to swim lessons on Saturday while Ben and I moseyed around at home, napping and generally being lazy. We knew a storm was rolling in but didn't expect much--after all, we seem to be lucky when it comes to the weather. When the ice storm of 2008 hit, we were without power for about 12 hours, and had a fireplace, a gas stove, and running (hot) water. The tornadoes last June didn't touch Barre, and even this August, Hurricane Irene didn't even flicker our lights.
Which, in hindsight, means we were past due.
The snow started falling around 3 p.m. and was steady right from the start. We bathed the kids and got them into bed, and I settled in to sync my iPhone while Kat fell asleep on the couch. Around 9:30, the power went out. "Super!" I thought sarcastically, and used my iPhone to light the way to the living room, where I joined Kat on the sofa and we dozed for a while. After all, we didn't have any flashlights. Or extra water in the tub. Or even extra food.
In the morning, the power was still out, which was no big deal, since the snow had stopped, the sun was rising, and our friend Brendan was still slated to visit that afternoon. It was a little chilly, so we played Hullabaloo to keep warm and then played outside in the two feet of snow blanketing our front yard. Ben hated it (makes sense, since he couldn't even walk in it!) and Ella loved it. Then we ate PB and J for lunch (which I NEVER do if I can help it, but it was actually kind of yummy and adventurous...) and waited for Brendan to come by.
Anyway, to make a long story short, we ended up heading over to Eagle Hill for the night, figuring it would be better than staying home in the cold, especially with the kids. Of course, when we got there, they didn't have power either, only a few generators keeping the kitchen and dorms running. I think I was expecting to show up and be showered with warmth and Internet and cable TV and hot water and some kind of yummy, fabulous meal. It didn't quite turn out that way--instead we had grilled cheese for dinner in the dark dining hall, and then showered in a handicapped stall in a dorm where every student was hanging out in the common area right outside. Then we went up to the infirmary for the night, where I spent a cold night sharing a twin bed with Ben. Ben, who would not sleep. (More on Ben later....)
In the morning, Kat headed to her classroom to teach the little cherubs, while the kids and I headed back to Barre for more stuff--clean clothes, etc. We had to turn around several times and I was shocked by all the damage I saw. Hardwick was a trashed mess, and even the gas station was closed! As I drove, I was sure we'd be stranded at Eagle Hill for days. I started worrying about how I would get to school, and what I would wear, and if my children could live on grilled cheese and water, and on and on... But as we hit the center of Barre, I noticed that the BP station was open...and Subway, and the little diner on the corner. Hope sprang eternal in my breast, and as we pulled onto Union Street, I started cheering. Our lights were on! I definitely did the happy dance, both in my brain and then literally as we got out of the car.
Okay, so we didn't have it that bad, I realize. I still have co-workers who don't have power or heat. My school is going on the 5th day (yep, that's all week) of no school due to power outages and unsafe roads. All in all, we are lucky. But you'd better believe that next time, I'm filling the tub. And finding the flashlights!
Of course, that doesn't end the week. We got our power back on Monday. Tuesday, I took a feverish, cranky Ben to the doctor, who informed us that he had double ear infections and a swollen throat. When we got home, my mom, sister, and niece came by to spend the night, as well as one of Kat's co-workers. Yesterday, Ella and Ben went back to school (with a delay) and we had to say goodbye to Benny's teacher. (SOB!) Then, last night, we had a house full of folks--my mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, two nieces (both 2) and one nephew (2 months). Plus our family.
No biggie--all of these things could have happened separately, and it would have been okay. But put them all into one week, and we start getting a little crazy.
But karma is not done with us yet. As you are probably well aware of, we have been blessed with two lovely children. Physically adorable, with big blue eyes and cute little dimples and funny, chattery voices. For the most part, they go to bed early and do what is asked of them.
However...I've mentioned before that Ben has been showing us hints of the terrible twos...and he has been in rare form this week. I don't know if the fact that he hasn't felt good has anything to do with it, or that things are different at daycare, but he has turned into the wicked incarnation of his former sweet self. Hitting is the big thing, and the worst part is, he'll go over and say "sowwy" and give a hug to the recipient of the smack, and it's so damn cute that you (I?) just want to forgive him. Then, there is the running away naked, the fussing at bedtime and all through the night, and the lack of eating. It's really hard to be the perfect stern parent when he looks at you with those big blue eyes and his little under-eye dimple pops out and he grins with his mouth with all the gaps where his teeth haven't come in yet...then he wallops you. He also shouts "NO" and "MINE" and grunts and screams and throws things...
Did I mention I'm going on my FIFTH day off from school? That will make for a whopping NINE days home. So I might ramble a bit. Or scream. Or go bake some more sugar cookies....
Anyway, I'll leave you with this--it is the essence of my son at this point in time. Just let me know if you want to borrow him. Or his sister. At least you won't be bored....
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