The Taylor Tattler: The Taylor Nine at Pigeon Lake

Last summer we talked with Robb & Michele about going away together for a vacation next summer. We agreed that we would rent a cottage at a housekeeping resort together for a week & have a family vacation. This plan of course was made before they got pregnant & gave birth to twins. But, we went ahead as planned. When we first arrived & I saw the cottage I was worried that I would be out of my mind within 48 hours, but things went surprisingly well. Everyone got along really well & the kids had a blast. Robb had to work on the Friday so the Taylor 5 headed out on Thursday. Although we were sad they had to go, I was secretly hoping that my two children would sleep better without so much activity around.

My most memorable moment for Sydney was on the Wednesday when she informed us in a very cross voice that "I don't like being 3!" This of course was prompted by our request (requirement) that she take a nap. She was hitting a wall- staying up too late & getting up too early. Sydney was getting up in the morning as soon as she heard us get up with Jason (which was a much too early hour of 6:30am). I think she was afraid she was missing something because she could hear us talking with Michele who was also up with one of the twins. Max on the other hand we had to wake up every morning. She also saw some kids riding their bikes without training wheels & also decided that this was another reason she doesn't like being 3- she wants to ride her bike like a big kid.

Jason's most memorable moment was related to his new saying "All done". The cottage did not have a bath- only a shower. Jason has showers often, but this shower had really high pressure, but only came out in little fine sprays so it was like a needle hitting your back. Each night trying to shower Jason he would say in a very fast, panicked voice "All done, all done, all done..." until the shower was over. It is kind of cruel to be laughing about his "torture", but his voice was so cute during each episode. He also woke us up one morning with "all done" and he has also taken an aversion to teeth brushing which is often done to a chorus of "all done". He still doesn't have a lot of intelligible words, but there is no mistaking this phrase!

Here are some shots with some further commentary.

Bonding with (Grinny) Grace and (Mad) Maddie
Jason LOVED holding the twins. Maddie gets a bad rap for being the more difficult one, but she gets a special place in my heart because she reminds me of Jason (i.e. has no problem telling you what she wants or doesn't want).

Lots of time to play

Jason's in back yelling, "I'm open!"

Happy kids make happy parents

The big kids head off to the park
The best part was we could watch them right from our cottage

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"I don't want to take a nap!"

Looks like Mom & Dad knew best

Rub-a-dub-dub

Gracie's in the...sink

Time at the beach

A trampoline in the water- pretty cool

Date Night

Part of the plan of spending a week together was also the trade off of babysitting services. So, Brad & I had all 5 kids from 4pm to 11pm. Since Maddie had given Michele 2 nights in a row where she did not go to sleep until 1am, it was my goal to have both girls in bed before they got home. I am happy to say that I did succeed, but I am very thankful that I never had twins. These two do not work together...when one falls asleep, the other wakes up. They rarely are asleep at the same time so it is VERY busy with them during the day. Hats off to you Robb & Michele!

Finger paint helps them not to miss Max