Crazy heat wave; crazy summer storms

This weekend, we had crazy, crazy storms, that left a ton of people without power (still!) and downed trees, closed roads and generally made everything a wholesale mess.

Friday night, it rained so furiously, water was finding its way underneath our roof shingles, allowing rain to drip into our attic. The rain was coming in sideways so forcefully, it even pushed water into our basement -- through tiny, imperceptible cracks in a high wall.

We never lost power for long, and thank God we didn't, because this series of storms coincided with an unrelenting heat wave. It's been 100+ degrees here for the past several days. Since our AC still isn't fixed, we made do with borrowed window units that whirred loudly and cooled the air just enough for us to not be entirely miserable.

Other folks have not been so lucky. Stores have been closed for days because of lost power. Roads are closed. Some people are being told they won't get power back for a week or more! My boss said he and his wife were so desperate to get out of their dark, hot house yesterday, they actually went to see "Magic Mike" at the movies. If you knew my boss and his wife, you'd know how incredible that is -- and you'd understand, then, that we have surely come to the Apocalypse.

Last night, another thunderous storm barreled down on us, waking me from a semi-good sleep. I was worried about the roof, and the cracks in the basement wall. And I worried the children would be awakened by the racket. But my three slept through it all, peacefully, and aside from needing lots of water all day long, and sweating through their clothes at naptime, they seem completely unaware of the craziness going on around them.

What a tremendous gift, youth. Oblivious to the ramifications of leaky roofs, broken air conditioners, downed trees, oppressive heat waves and noisy storms, their lives are unaffected by the wrath of Mother Nature and the fallibility of modern technology. 

Shirtless, they played all weekend, read, laughed and loved -- and reminded Lester and me that none of what was going on was really all that bad.

We were safe. We were hot, but not miserable. We had all the things we really needed (food, water, a million books to read). And, most of all, we were together.

Summertime sweeeeeet.

We had a great long weekend with friends and family, cookouts and crab feasts.

And now it's back to work. Bleh. Well, actually I love my job; I just hate getting up in the morning after a long weekend of long nights and early mornings and staying up way too late drinking sangria. :-)

This weekend, the boys really, really enjoyed playing with their cousins in my parents' backyard and I caught glimpses of what life will be like when they're a bit older, and more adventurous. Summers are going to be a lot of fun!

Speaking of summers, I am easing our family into the concept of "summer vacation." We have not gone on a vacation since the boys were born because it just seemed like way too much. And by way too much, I mean way too much everything. Too much effort, too much stress, too much planning, too much money.
But I really want us to be a family that vacations, so this year, I am planning a 3-day trip to the beach, with two nights in a hotel. Yikes! I get the chills just thinking about the drama that might ensue on this trip, but I am determined to do it and have FUN, darnit!

Next year, we'll actually do a road trip to somewhere in New England (also to the beach, but also to visit my Mom's family and eat lobsters!) and maybe the year after that, too. And then three years from now, when the boys are 5 and Clair is 3, we'll think about doing a big vacation. Disney? Road trip? Not sure.

Starting next year, Lester and I will also plan a short trip for just us, too.

So that's my plan and I'm quite excited about it. Today, during lunch, I"m going to start looking for hotels/deals for this summer's long weekend. I can't wait!!

Meanwhile,until we become pros at vacationing with three small children, we'll hang out in my Mom's backyard, with my Dad on the grill and my Mom doling out popsicles and all the cousins and family fun we can stand. And all will be summertime sweeeeeet.

Here's one of my FAVE pics of Lester ever. I'm posting it here because he is on the beach -- foreshadowing our summer trips -- and also because he looks soooo debonair. Check out this hottie! I'm such a lucky girl!

And here is an adorable pic of Ms. Clair -- who really is the world's happiest baby. Seriously. She makes my heart melt!

Did I say I was lucky girl? 'Cause I really, really am.