Third Time Is Not The Charm

At least for us and the Great Vermont Corn Maze. We set out with high hopes of finishing this year, encouraging ourselves that the third time is the charm. The first year we went Hadley was a little over a year old and was starting to get fussy, so we took the emergency exit. Last year Malia was less than a month old. She slept through most of the maze, but after two hours we knew she would be waking up soon and needing to eat. The occasional downpours of rain last year also led to us to get the clue to get out faster.


We were determined this year though. After only five minutes in the maze we found the boat. For those of you who don’t know, they place a boat somewhere in the maze, which has absolutely no purpose and is not an indicator of how well you are doing.

After only seven minutes Hadley announced that she had to go pee pee. This is after we repeatedly asked her before going into the maze if she needed to go to the bathroom. We knew there was no other choice, so Hadley and Gideon headed off the path into the corn to take care of business. Hadley was delighted by her first outdoor bathroom experience and continued to talk about it throughout the rest of the maze.

We found several route markers and the “Other Bell of Frustration.” This year there were two bells of frustration, but we only found one. The novelty of the maze ended for Hadley after about an hour when she kept saying she wanted to go home. Gideon helped by carrying her on his shoulders for a while.

At two hours we knew we were nearing the end of the kids’ patience. Hadley was complaining and Malia was starting to get fussy as she was tired. We decided that this wouldn’t be our year and again took the hint to get out.

After getting out of the maze we saw the map and realized we were very near the exit twice, somehow though we kept ending up back toward the middle. We didn’t make it this year, but I think Gideon and I will try it next year without kids. Maybe that will be the secret to our success.

Malia is ONE-derful

Dear Malia,


I was watching you walk around tonight, and I cannot believe you are one year old. I have no idea where all of the time has gone. I thought time went quickly with Hadley, but time absolutely flew with you. You had a large part of time going so quickly as you have reached all of your milestones so early.

Before you were a year old, you learned to stand up, walk, and clap. We have always cheered for you when we clap for you, so to you clapping and cheering go together. It is so cute to see you clap and hear your little yay. It melts my heart every time.

Even though the time has gone by quickly, I wouldn’t change anything about the past year. It has been so much fun watching you grow and develop.

You are so laid back and such a joy to be around. At the same time you are very mischievous. You love chasing the cats, aggravating your sister, and seeing what you can do to get in trouble. You are also a daredevil. There isn’t anything you won’t climb on and very few things that scare you.

I love your personality and everything about you. To me, you will always be my Squish, my Pretty, and my Puppy. I can’t imagine loving you more, but I know tomorrow I will love you even more.

I can’t believe it’s been a year, but I can’t wait to get to know you even better and to love you even more.

Festival of Fools

Gideon has been busy with homework, so I decided to take the girls to Burlington’s Church Street for the Festival of Fools. It is a performing arts festival of street performers from across America. We went last year when I was pregnant with Malia, so I thought it might be fun to go again.


They must have advertised better this year because it was much, much busier this year. I’m not a big fan of crowds usually, but being by myself and trying to keep two mobile girls from wandering off was really difficult.

The performers were typical street performers, nothing spectacular but still fun to watch. We saw aerial artists and a small circus perform. Hadley was able to join in the fun as after the aerial artists performed as they allowed kids to try out the pulley systems for a small donation.

We also walked around the farmer’s market sampling the local jellies, salsas, and baked goods. The first time I took Hadley to a farmer’s market I got her some fresh bread. Now she associates bread with farmer’s market, so I had to make sure to find her some bread.

We planned on getting ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s but the line wrapped around the block. Instead we went to Lake Champlain Chocolates for ice cream. It isn’t quite Ben & Jerry’s but it is still good.

Normally the girls fall asleep as soon as they are in the car after a big day. Neither of them did though, so it made for a really long car ride home. Although we had fun, I know it is not something I will be attempting in the future by myself.

Helping to paint the community art project

This art project travels around the country for people to help paint

One of the performers

Watching the aerial artists

Getting her harness put on

Flying high

Watching Circus Wacked

Circus Wacked

The lady sitting beside us.  Malia walked over to her and sat in her lap.

Finishing up her ice cream