Despite (or maybe because of?) a hitch early in the weekend (literally 30 minutes after Andrew left for the airport I found myself stranded in the parking lot of Winslow’s Home with a car that wouldn’t start and a couple of boys who needed to be dropped off at preschool in 10 minutes)… the boys and I had a great (carless) weekend. Friday was rough, but I was thankful for many things: friends coming out of the woodwork offering their help, beautiful weather, and a reminder of why we chose to live where we do. I was able to leave the car in the parking lot, strap the baby to my chest, throw Oliver in the little stroller I had in the trunk, and run (with Milo running alongside) the boys to preschool. We were only 10 minutes late! On the walk back home (now with Emil in the stroller), my friend Bethany offered her car for the morning so I could get some food into our empty fridge. After rushing to the grocery store and a couple other places, I made it back in time to pick up the boys on foot again, feed them lunch, and meet the tow truck down in the parking lot all before 12:30. Whew.
So… we walked a lot this weekend. Saturday was one big walk, I swear. I decided to pack a couple of lunches and we walked to the zoo (7 miles round-trip, plus whatever walking we did while at the zoo), and we stopped off at Washington University to check out the twig houses. I was banking on Oliver and Emil falling asleep in the stroller after so much action, but I guessed wrong, so we had some very cranky boys by the time we got home. And I woke up pretty sore Sunday morning (carrying and pushing all these dudes all day up and down hills and such was hard work… or I’m just really out of shape!).
On Sunday, my amazing friend Ingrid brought over a delicious feast that she and Brent had slaved over all morning (soooo good) so I wouldn’t have to cook. I begged Ingrid to stay and eat with me while the little ones ran around screaming and playing dress-up upstairs. Oh, and she also brought me a pair of brand new AG jeans that she had found while thrifting that just-so-happened to be in my size!
Seriously. I am so spoiled by our friends! So even with a few hitches, I can’t help but feel extremely lucky and happy after this weekend. Andrew returns on Tuesday morning, at which point we will be getting a whole lot of Christmas cards written and mailed by the end of the week.
Really, I can imagine things being a lot worse. The weather was in the high 60’s and 70’s all weekend, and with playgrounds, coffee shops, the library, and other fun destinations within walking distance, I have no right to complain about being car-less and on my own with the kids!
Hope you had a great weekend, too!
That’s so freaking awesome that you were able to get out and do so much without the car! I sometimes feel overwhelmed toting just Gus around. It’s amazing that you get all that done with the three. Serious bragging rights! And to be honest.. I’m jealous of all your local good friends. I need to find some of those soon!
p.s. funny that you wrote about being without a car today because I did, too!
How did you find time to have all these amazing adventures on your own with three kids and no car?! Seriously impressed, with both you and your boys. I don’t mind not having a car when I can prep for it, but when it’s a breakdown or last minute thing it’s such a hassle. I drive way more than I should though, especially with the colder weather. Hope you got your wheels back!
I would run to preschool as fast as possible too – I do NOT like to miss dropping the boys off at school twice a week. 😉
So cool that you managed to make the most of your weekend – all the things you guys did sounded so great!
And the twig houses are amazing! Are they by Patrick Dougherty? He’s an artist that does similar sculpture.
xo
cortnie
You are my hero! And that’s why I read your blog 🙂
You are a superstar, seriously, that’s a boatload of walking! 🙂 I long to live somewhere more walkable in the future. I used to live in University City, right down the road from Winslow’s and loved being able to walk to the library, coffee shop, park, wherever and now with Izzy I would love to have that again, so much easier than always having to deal with the car seat. Cars are definitely helpful though, so I do hope yours is back in working order soon.
I love those fantastic and busy weekends–especially after a rough day! Glad all is well. That pine looks amazing!
Yikes, sorry to hear about the car! Seems like you handled the unexpected much better than I would have. Good thing you have some worthwhile places to visit that are actually within walking distance!
Lord, I don’t know how you did it, mama! Walking 3.5 miles to the zoo?? And getting a bunch of little people to go along and not have total meltdowns along the way?? Bowing down in awe right about now.
High five to you for being such a champ and doing so much walking with children (which I find to be extra hard) to get stuff done. And sorry about your car! Seriously though, you do have awesome friends who cook for you and let you borrow cars. So lucky!