The PhD of McD
This past weekend we were in Vermont celebrating Ryan's PhD graduation. It was epic, and it makes me so happy that we've been able to get most of the crew together at least once a year. The McD's set the bar ridiculously high with the house they rented for us to crash in. I mean, WOW. Each of the 12 bedrooms had it's own really nice bathroom. Team Shea stayed in a huge room with a queen bed, a bunk set, and another twin. There was plenty of room for Lil's pack and play, and we had friends sleep over each night. :)
About half the crew arrived on Thursday night and (as expected) partied it up and had lots of great conversations. Friday was a low-key rainy day, and Friday night the rest of the gang piled in for Welcome Feast and ensuing festivities. We divvied up cooking duties in the spirit of past party trips, but the cooks outdid themselves this time. Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I'm partial to the amazing french toasts and eggs, but Paul's lasagna recipe was a show-stealer. Cathe arranged for an actual chef to handle Saturday's dinner (for about 30 people). And because she is pretty ridiculously smart, she also hired a babysitter. That was really fabulous because it allowed us all to hang out and socialize AND avoid dish clean up. :)
Saturday was the actual Commencement Ceremony, which was 2 hours north in Burlington. Cathe, Naomi and I went to represent, and the rest of the crew enjoyed a sunny Saturday in the mountains. Everybody wins! We came back for cocktail hour and the prepared dinner. The icing on the cake Saturday was that we threw together a post-dinner Talent Show, which heavily featured songs from Disney's Frozen. Naomi and I did a fun rendition of "Love is An Open Door", Shakes nailed "In Summer", and we managed a "Let It Go" singalong. Sarah snuck away from Kira and wooed us with "For The First Time In Forever". Cati impressed us with her juggling skills and ability to fold a fitted sheet, the Arcolanos yucked it up with some great jokes (including my personal favorite - Interrupting Cow), and Ryan and Cathe both pulled out impressive Beastie Boys raps. I tried to get Becky to show us some pregnant lady ballet, but no dice. I'm still a little sad about that one. Some day, Becky, you will be forced to show us your swanlike dancing. I was hoping to see it when you're pregnant so that I wouldn't feel *so bad* about my less than graceful state. :)
We exposed the seedy underbelly of parenting and I think that sharing the house with other parents was actually a great way to pick up new tricks, and led to fun/deep conversations. For example, I am totally stealing the "white noise treatment" that Shakes had going in their room. Genius when traveling! Unfortunately (but not unexpectedly), the wee ones woke up around 6:30am each morning, and pairing that with 2 am bedtimes and copious libations wrecked me. Note my super tired (but happy!) eyes at the official Commencement. I naively assumed that the minor cold/cough I had going into "vacation" would get better in Vermont's fresh air. Instead I spent the past 24 hours trying to keep my lungs in my body. :) E.P.I.C.
About half the crew arrived on Thursday night and (as expected) partied it up and had lots of great conversations. Friday was a low-key rainy day, and Friday night the rest of the gang piled in for Welcome Feast and ensuing festivities. We divvied up cooking duties in the spirit of past party trips, but the cooks outdid themselves this time. Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I'm partial to the amazing french toasts and eggs, but Paul's lasagna recipe was a show-stealer. Cathe arranged for an actual chef to handle Saturday's dinner (for about 30 people). And because she is pretty ridiculously smart, she also hired a babysitter. That was really fabulous because it allowed us all to hang out and socialize AND avoid dish clean up. :)
Saturday was the actual Commencement Ceremony, which was 2 hours north in Burlington. Cathe, Naomi and I went to represent, and the rest of the crew enjoyed a sunny Saturday in the mountains. Everybody wins! We came back for cocktail hour and the prepared dinner. The icing on the cake Saturday was that we threw together a post-dinner Talent Show, which heavily featured songs from Disney's Frozen. Naomi and I did a fun rendition of "Love is An Open Door", Shakes nailed "In Summer", and we managed a "Let It Go" singalong. Sarah snuck away from Kira and wooed us with "For The First Time In Forever". Cati impressed us with her juggling skills and ability to fold a fitted sheet, the Arcolanos yucked it up with some great jokes (including my personal favorite - Interrupting Cow), and Ryan and Cathe both pulled out impressive Beastie Boys raps. I tried to get Becky to show us some pregnant lady ballet, but no dice. I'm still a little sad about that one. Some day, Becky, you will be forced to show us your swanlike dancing. I was hoping to see it when you're pregnant so that I wouldn't feel *so bad* about my less than graceful state. :)
We exposed the seedy underbelly of parenting and I think that sharing the house with other parents was actually a great way to pick up new tricks, and led to fun/deep conversations. For example, I am totally stealing the "white noise treatment" that Shakes had going in their room. Genius when traveling! Unfortunately (but not unexpectedly), the wee ones woke up around 6:30am each morning, and pairing that with 2 am bedtimes and copious libations wrecked me. Note my super tired (but happy!) eyes at the official Commencement. I naively assumed that the minor cold/cough I had going into "vacation" would get better in Vermont's fresh air. Instead I spent the past 24 hours trying to keep my lungs in my body. :) E.P.I.C.
Thanks for the amazingness. And I think we may have reinvented The Commune to start with a summer cabin rental. I sure wouldn't mind spending a month or 2 in a gorgeous mountain retreat. Stay tuned!
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