Priscilla

We said goodbye to Priscilla on Sunday, March 29. The void that she left is huge, and heart-breaking. WE LOVE YOU, P. 

The weekend and birthday party plans

The weekend was busy because we had plans, and I had a plan to settle on Gianna's birthday party venue!

Saturday we went to a local arts festival.  We walked around in the early morning, and some people were still setting up. It was nice to be out before the crowds.  Gianna and Bode were able to run free (kind of). We could look at the art without rushing or worrying about crowds swallowing up our children. 

Sunday, we went to a playground instead of  our usual walk.  The children were so excited! We haven't really been to a playground since we moved here.  It was small, and I soon realized that our "babies" are getting pretty big.  The playground was geared toward the 2-4 year old set, I think. I mean, it is meant for all children but it's on the small side.  It reminded me so much of when we lived in CA, and had a park that was 2 minutes from our house (that we went to every single day!). It took me back to the days of 2 year old Bode and Baby G!  I wanted to scope out the playground for Gianna's birthday party.  But I quickly realized that it would be really hard to entertain a bunch of 4 year olds at this tiny park! I was a little disappointed, but glad to come to this realization before the invites went out!

(overwhelmed)

Gianna and Bode also went to a birthday party for their friend Kate on Sunday afternoon. It was at an inflatable jump place (we had Bode's 3rd birthday here and these children seem so much smaller!).  I have also held off on deciding on the venue for Gianna's birthday party because I was half expecting Gianna to decide that she wanted her party at this place.  Gianna said nothing of the sort.  If anything, she didn't seem happy. She didn't jump very much, instead stood around and watched others. She was definitely overwhelmed by all the jumping,  sliding, lights, and noise.  So that was helpful for me, too.  She did enjoy the cake though. Some parents laughed because  after she finished her cake, Gianna took pretzels and used them to scoop up any remaining frosting that she could find. Smart girl.

(still overwhelmed)

Gianna sez, "When's cake?" (still overwhelmed)

I decided to have Gianna's party at another place, a smaller  'play gym' where the children can all run around and play games (under the guidance of 2 teachers). The idea of a birthday party at a gym doesn't do much for my aesthetic. I really want a "pretty" party for Gianna. But I guess all that matters is that the children have fun.  I can have a pretty home party for her on her actual birthday, too. 

This is the last real week of school. Next week, it's all about wrapping things up. Next Thursday, we have a picnic, and the (dreaded) "Rainbow Bridge" ceremony where the children cross the bridge into another grade.  I know that I will cry! (Yes, it's all about mememememe.)

Speaking of tears, tomorrow is Gianna's school birthday party.   I will bring a fruit plate to share with her friends.  While we enjoy our fruit, Miss Kelly will tell a story about Gianna (and I've been warned by other mothers that these stories bring tears (to the mothers, not the children!).

I'm off to iron my handkerchief (sniff). Happy Tuesday, friends.

xo

Easter

Gianna dressed up in her Easter dress (A dress gifted by her Nana over a year ago. It's been a loooong wait on that dress for Gianna!).  Bode rolled out of bed and put on his favorite Earth shirt and leggings.  Everybody wore Easter Bunny ears.  And everybody (except Nico) immediately started eating the candy out of their baskets. The Easter Bunny left jelly beans,  chocolate bunnies, and 2 Peeps in Bode and Gianna's baskets, along with a jump rope.  Nico got a basket with a ball (that had an Easter Bunny on it). 

While the children were looking through their baskets, RWF was outside hiding eggs. At one point, Bode looked out the window and yelled, "Hi, Daddy!" and I quickly told him to sit down and "count your candy!" or something silly like that.  I don't think he knew what RWF was doing, but I didn't want him to catch on...because it's supposed to be an Easter Bunny thing, not a Daddy thing.

Bode and Gianna were so polite to each other during the Easter Egg hunt. They turned into acquaintances before our eyes, saying, "Here, you go first..." and each of them deciding that a blue one was meant for Bode, and a pink egg was meant for Gianna. "Here, Gianna, I found a pink one for you!" I don't know where they got that but it was so funny. And they would give each other eggs so easily...not worrying about how much each one had.  Well, except at the end, when Bode announced, "Mommy, I have MORE eggs than Gianna, right?" (He didn't but we all eventually agreed to agree that everyone had the right amount of eggs.)   

I made a simple Easter dinner (late lunch) of ham, roasted potatoes and green beans. Nobody wanted deviled eggs and so I left those off, too.  I thought a lot of my mom while I was cooking.  I really miss her every day, but a lot more during holidays. For his first real Easter meal, Nico ate everything except the ham. He had nothing on his tray except for the tiny bites of ham I had put there. He kept screeching at the table.  I kept offering things but he  would answer "No," and then screech again. Exasperated, I said, "I don't know what you want!"  Finally, RWF took a slice of ham and gave it to Nico.   Nico immediately started eating it, caveman style. He then demanded another piece once he had finished his first slice of ham.  

It was interesting to watch our children morph from mild-mannered, cheerful beings into screechy, whiney monsters! (Not judging anyone but this is why I do not give my children candy! It was actually painful as the day wore on and RWF & I swore again and again, "no more candy!") The plastic eggs containing candy were not opened until the 2nd day. It was Gianna who discovered that opening the eggs revealed - surprise! - more candy. (we certainly weren't going to tell them!)

Gianna ate much more candy on the sly (no surprise there) whereas Bode hoarded his candy and did not eat much (no surprise there, either).  I think Gianna had 3 jelly beans left, and Bode's basket was still filled with all kinds of candy. 

We let them eat and keep their candy for 2 days.  And then, it magically disappeared (into the trash).  Monday night, I went around the house and gathered all Easter items and stored or threw them away. The next morning, I was bracing myself for whining and questions, but nothing happened. It was almost as if they were 'done' with Easter, too.

RWF and I both really, really missed family this year.  We talked a lot about our New York Easters and decided that we needed to invite family over for a visit every year.  You're invited! Make your plans now!

Happy Easter & happy Spring!

xo

Reading

We have been going to the library and picking out a new "chapter book" (as Bode calls it) every week.   Bode is on a Roald Dahl kick. So far, we have read "James and the Giant Peach," and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." 

Last night, we started "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," and I think it will be a winner just like the other Dahl books we have read.

Once Bode is ready for a new author, I want to introduce him to "Charlotte's Web." And of course,  the whole "Little House" series will be on our family reading list.

I loved all Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books as a kid (and still do!).  But I think I want to wait on those for when my children are independent readers.  Some things are best discovered on your own. I have to admit,  I will try my best to influence their reading material!

Did you love reading as a child? What were your favorite books and authors?  I'm excited to see what types of books and authors that our children read as they grow. I hope that they are always readers!
xo

A good meal

Yesterday afternoon, Bode, Gianna and I were sitting around the kids' table coloring when Bode announced, "Mommy, I want to donate Gianna."  I laughed out loud.  But he was serious.  "I want to know what it's like on my own," he continued. "No you don't!" I protested.  "Yes, I do. I want to donate her to somebody else."  At the second mention of being given away, Gianna started wailing.  "I don't want to be donated!" she cried.  I switched seats so that I could hold her and reassure her that she was not being dumped into some roadside donation bin.  Then I addressed Bode.  "Bode, you don't mean that. You wouldn't last  5 seconds without Gianna."  "I want to know what it's like on my own.  I want to be the only one."  he insisted.

I changed the subject to dinner, and the donation of Gianna was no longer discussed.

We made Ginger Chicken with Asparagus.  I found it in one of my food magazines, and it wasn't even a featured recipe. It was an advertisement for McCormick Ground Ginger (I guess I might as well mention the brand since I tried the recipe?).  I used real ginger. And my two monkeys/sous chefs helped out.  Not only did they help me, but they demonstrated such good will to each other, sharing and talking while they chopped and stirred.  All was well, and dinner was delicious.

Step 1:

Hand the monkeys kid-friendly knives (found on amazon here) and have them chop the asparagus into bite-sized pieces. 

Step 2:
While the monkeys are on veggie detail, chop 4 chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Then mince ginger and garlic.

Step 3:

Have the monkeys pour soy sauce, oil, and broth into a measuring cup.  This teaches them pouring skills as well as how to measure ("Fill it to the 2, Gianna.").  Have one monkey add the minced ginger and garlic to the marinade. The monkeys then take a very, very long time taking turns stirring the marinade.  This goes on forever until you realize that the poor neglected chicken breasts are never going to marinate for an hour if you don't rush this bit along.  Tell the older monkey to pour the marinade over the chicken pieces.  Put the chicken in the fridge while it marinates.

Step 4:  

When the two chimps joke about eating the raw asparagus, dare them to eat one.  They will think that they are being funny and daring, eating the raw asparagus. But you know better. You just tricked them into eating a raw vegetable!  

Step 5: 

While they consume half the (raw) asparagus, ask the monkeys if they want white rice or brown rice.  When the eldest monkey states that he wants brown rice, ask him what the difference is between white and brown rice.  Be secretly pleased and think, "He's so smart," when he answers that brown rice is chewier and more grain-y than white rice, and then remember that yes, he is a smart alec when he adds, "Oh, it's also BROWN. And white rice is...WHITE!" Like, duh.  Then start water on stove to make brown rice.  

Step 6:

Realize that the baby chimp has woken up from his nap and has been crying for attention for how long (???) while you were reading recipes and the other monkeys were stirring the marinade (forever).  Run to baby chimp's room and find him like this:

Hug, kiss and pat baby chimp over & over until he ceases to cry.  Then take him out of his sleepy sack,  change his diaper and put him in pants/socks. Bring him out to the kitchen to bond with his other chimp family members.

Step 7:

While chicken continues to marinade, try to ignore the crazy monkey behavior that occurs in the "witching hour" known to all mothers.

Note: baby monkey is fine and not psychologically harmed from crib abandonment

Step 8:

Take chicken out of fridge.  Continue to ignore crazy monkey behavior but direct all monkey behavior out of the kitchen while you heat up oil in large skillet.  Once monkeys have vacated kitchen, sauté  chicken and then asparagus.  Mix asparagus into chicken mixture so that everything is coated in yummy gingery sauce. Plate chicken/asparagus/rice onto divided plastic plates for all monkeys to eat.  Once food has cooled slightly, call monkeys back into kitchen to sit at monkey table and eat dinner.  Enjoy the meal that was prepared as a family (a family that loves each other very much and would never donate one another!).

Happy Friday!

xo

You oughta be in pictures!

We have been here for about 2 months now, and I am already thinking about how we are losing touch with family.  It's not like we saw everyone every day so I don't know why I am worried.  I guess the (mental) distance of being alone on the West Coast is prevalent in my mind right now.  

I am especially sensitive to conversations with Bode and Gianna.  The other day, Bode received a letter from his Aunt Melinda. I read it to him. He was looking straight ahead, just listening and thinking.  After I finished, he said, "I don't remember Aunt Melinda. Who is she?"  Knife in my heart. I gasped and said, "When you were just a tiny baby, she came out to see you! You were her little soba noodle! She patted you on your po-po and helped you fall fast asleep!"  He looked blankly at me.  I dropped the defensive front (a la "How dare you! She's my sister!") and tried a different tactic. I started with a physical description, and then said, "She's visited you in New York a couple of times." Then, a smile played on his mouth and he said, "She was the one that built the fort."  I cheered, "Yes! Yes! You two built the fort together in the woods!"  He smiled again and said, "I remember."

Yesterday, on the way to school, Gianna announced that "Rebecca" was a cousin.  Having no idea who "Rebecca" is, and even though it was a game, I corrected her.  "No, Danielle and Elizabeth are your cousins. And who else is your cousin?"  Silence.  "He's a boy,"  I prompted, "...and you like to sit with him when he visits."  Gianna immediately started giggling and said, "Andrew!"  She giggled some more and said, "He wants my purse. He always says, "Hey Gianna, can I have your purse?"  Bode and Gianna laughed about this some more.  I smiled, loving that this memory of Andrew still causes giggles.  What they don't know, and probably couldn't fathom, is actually how many cousins they actually do have in their family!

I love that Bode differentiates his two grandmothers by hair color.  I only love it because it showed me (at the time) that he had a vague sense of my mother, even though he hadn't seen her in a long, long time. It gave me hope that there is a memory there, somewhere.

Last night, I decided that I'm going to make a photo book of family members. Honestly, I never thought that these photo books were relevant to our family, because the children see their relatives a few times a year.  Now, I want to document everybody.  I want the children to have a reference to refer to when they receive a package, a letter, or a phone call.  So that in between visits, they can 'see' their family whenever they want to 'see' them.

I am in the process of reviewing photos to see what I can take from our archives.  But it would be really helpful if family members would take a head shot and email it to me! (hint) 

So long, February! Hello, March!

xo

Snowmageddon 2014

Ai yi yi!  The snow here is unbelievable!  It is so beautiful outside, with the snow falling steadily and the wind (!) blowing it around our house.  I'm so glad that I don't have to be out there...though really, the city has shut-down completely. Everything has been canceled and everyone is asked to stay off the roads during this winter storm. Thursday night, RWF sat in his office forever (even though everyone  else left at Noon!) because he wanted to avoid all the traffic.  Late that night, after he had been home for a couple of hours, he got a couple of texts from colleagues, stating that their trip home from the office had taken over 4 hours!  That is some crazy drive time.  

Portland is not set up for this kind of weather, so everything has been pretty much shut down since Thursday.  RWF worked from home on Friday (as I'm sure most of Nike, Intel, and other businesses did).  Access to the main road from our neighborhood has been barricaded (because it's on a hill).  I had to run out to the store yesterday for milk & other essentials (I had taken a longer route around and gone to a store I normally don't shop at).  There were very few cars out and even those were creeping along so slowly. We still have snow tires on our 4 wheel drive car, so I felt comfortable driving (but was still safe, and I refused Bode's request to come with me, for safety reasons). The store had been ransacked, and had very little milk (!) and no bananas.  It just seems crazy.  (When I talk about this shut-down like, "I just can't believe how everything's shut-down, it's just a little snow...." RWF laughs at my know-it-all, "been-there, done that" attitude. Ha ha)

We are having fun though.  We have a steep hill in our backyard (it's actually a roadway/drive to the last house behind us) and we've broken out the sleds!  It has been so much fun sledding down the hill, over and over, with Bode and Gianna.  RWF and I both have taken turns going out with them.  Nico doesn't have any proper footwear, so he can't go out. I also don't want Nico out in the cold, It's not anything that he needs to be out in right now. 

Last night, I made chicken enchiladas, black beans (in the slow cooker), and rice for dinner.  We sat at the dining table in front of our big window with candles lit, enjoying the snow scene, each other's company and food, in our warm house. It was a very nice evening.

These pics were taken when it first started snowing. Bode was so excited and could not wait to go outside.  Priscilla was a very happy, bouncy dog, running around and enjoying the cool temps, too!

These photos were taken Friday afternoon:

Bode, my little dare-devil, would scheme all kinds of ways to go faster down the hill. Gianna went down by herself a couple of times, but preferred being with me. I felt like a kid, laughing and whooping it up as Gianna and I flew down the hill in the red sled. We got going pretty fast, and I would take my legs out to brake just as we neared the fence. Exhilarating!

Our only plans for the rest of the weekend are to stay home, stay warm and enjoy the slower pace of life.  We're not going out. There will be no skiing this weekend, either, because of the roads. I have enjoyed having my little family home together, "grounded" for the time being by the city and the weather. Life will be back to its regular pace on Monday, when the snow melts and everything goes back to "normal."

Happy weekend.

xo

A family trip to Mt. Hood

I'm glad that I took this picture. One day, I'll think, "What did they look like back there? Where did they all sit?"

This past Sunday, we went to Mt Hood Ski Bowl. Every week,  RWF and I discuss taking the family, and every Friday night, I decide that I just don't have the energy for it.  First of all, it's a commitment because it takes a long time to get to Mt. Hood.  It's not a quick drive, and traffic can be ugly. Second, Bode's ski lessons are a two-part event, starting in the morning and then ending after 1 PM.  So by the time his lesson ends and after the drive home, it's almost dinner time. RWF and Bode have been going every weekend since we moved here.  It's been nice for them, but also kind of hard on the family (with all of us being separated for the day).

This is his "clowning around" face...he's telling us a story.

We decided to go as a family this Sunday. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision (as spur-of-the-moment you can be, packing ski gear, drinks, and snacks for a family of 5).  We had a nice drive up. The roads were empty, probably because it was Super Bowl Sunday. This also proved good for the skiing, too, as not many people were out.

The funniest moment, one that I wish I had a picture of  but I do not (hopefully, I'll always have a mental snapshot of it), was when I insisted on keeping Nico in the stroller on the way into the ski lodge.   I knew it would be rough going, getting over the icy parking lot. But I just thought I would need the stroller. And when you're stuck inside a place with two small children (one who is a walking baby that wants to explore everything), you need  containment (a stroller) and free hands. So there I was, trudging through the snowy, icy parking lot. And then we got to this snow-filled hill, our only way up to the lodge, with not a single track walked into it.  The only way up was...well, up. So as I was pushing Nico in this cheap travel stroller, the wheels kept getting stuck in the snow. I was just trying to "plow" our way up the hill. But of course, the stroller was not made for plowing.   So I kept having to stop, or being stopped. At one point, I was stuck again, and I looked at my family ahead of me: RWF loaded with bags and skis, Bode slowly climbing up, his arms full with his skis, and Gianna, making her way up, bent at the waist, trying to find purchase in the snow with her little feet.  And I looked over at the other side of the hill, where there was a moving walkway for the people using their sleds to move up the hill.  I saw one lady looking at me, stuck in the snow. She must have wondered if I was not very bright, or if I had been misled about our excursion for the day (I should have wailed, "But I thought you said that you were taking us to the mall!").  I looked up and saw RWF looking at me. He shook his head, disgusted, and muttered, "Unfreakingbelievable."  And I busted out laughing. RWF said, "Right?" We were quite the picture. The BeverlyFreakingHillbillies. I was doubled-over, laughing at the picture I must have made, pushing our cheap green travel stroller through the snow. I laughed and laughed. Bode and Gianna stopped and asked me what was so funny. I continued on, and then got stuck again. More laughter. More stuck places. Finally, RWF got exasperated, and even though he was fully loaded, he walked back down to me, grabbed the handles and carried Nico in the stroller the rest of the way up hill.

Now. I only insisted on the stroller because I didn't know what to expect of the lodge! And I thought it would be helpful to wheel Nico around. But of course, there were stairs everywhere (into and in the lodge) so the stroller really was not used. And the lodge wasn't that big. It makes for a funny memory though.

We went into the lodge, and we found that the back area was completely empty. We set up camp there, emptying our duffels of snacks and pulling out gear.  Bode started whining about the chair lift, and how he didn't want to ride it.  (Ed: there are a lot of "issues" lately with Bode, with things that he suddenly is fearful of or unwilling to do/try/use. We are holding steady right now, and just calmly accept his reluctance and do what he wants.) He told RWF that he didn't want to take ski lessons. He insisted that he didn't want to do the chair lift and he didn't want ski lessons. So RWF  told him that they would ski together. This meant that instead of Gianna skiing with RWF while I waited around with Nico, Gianna would have to wait for RWF to finish with Bode before she could go out. RWF and Bode suited up and left.  

Gianna, Nico and I sat down after taking off our jackets.  Even though it was early, and we had eaten breakfast, I broke out the snacks almost immediately.  I find that snacks make waiting a lot easier!  We ate a bunch, and then walked around the lodge. We were upstairs, so I had to watch Nico carefully around the stairwells.  Of course, there were a couple of trips to the bathroom.  Then we went to our camping "spot" and watched the bartender build a fire in the fireplace.  Once he got the fire going, we sat in front of it and watched the fire for a bit.  Nico loved looking at the fire (and I held him in my arms the whole time).

Awhile later, we were pretty much over the lodge.  So we suited up and went outside.  There is a children's play area but we didn't have a pass (and I didn't have my wallet...but I was glad to tell Gianna we weren't allowed because it looked grimy to me!).  We walked around, watching people tubing down a hill.  I kept scanning the horizon for RWF and Bode. I was dying! I was trying to be light-hearted and fun around Nico and Gianna, but the waiting was wearing on me!!!

Finally, I spotted RWF and Bode skiing toward the lodge. I let out a 'woo hoo' and pointed them out to Gianna.  She was so excited, because she knew it would then be her turn to ski with Daddy.

Of course, Gianna was not ready to ski.  We all went back into the lodge to get Gianna ready. RWF discovered that he hadn't brought in her ski boots.  So he had to trek back out to the car and get them. When he got back, he discovered that her gloves were in the car. So she borrowed Bode's and then she went out with RWF.

Gianna, so happy to finally get to ski with Daddy. She was so patient, and so good, while we waited.

While we waited, Bode plowed through the snack bag. I knew he'd be hungry but I could not believe how quickly he ate everything! A peanut butter sandwich, a bag of pretzels, a bag of almonds, a bottle of milk were all gone in a matter of minutes.  He told me that he was still hungry!  So we went downstairs to the cafeteria.  They offered the usual junk - burgers, fries, pizza and nachos.  I asked Bode what he wanted and he did not hesitate. He wanted a cheeseburger and fries.  I figured that this is what he always got with RWF, so I just ordered it.  Well, when we got it, I knew that RWF probably did not get this food for Bode.  The burger was just...gross.  The bread bun was a doughy mound on top of a flat grey patty.  The fries were extra crispy, obviously coated in something. I know that RWF would not let Bode have something like this junk!  But we sat down and Bode ate the fries. Nico also ate some fries because he was hungry. I asked Bode if he wanted to try the burger. He looked at it warily and said, "No."  So I tried it, and it was as bad as it looked.

Gianna and RWF returned from "skiing" (it was Gianna's first go in a long time).  Gianna ate some French fries. Nobody wanted the burger. Gianna dropped a bottle of Gatorade, and it bounced off the table before splashing all over my boot and spilling onto the floor.  Without skipping a beat, I continued talking to RWF as I   picked up the Gatorade, reached for a handful of napkins and began mopping up the spill.  RWF started laughing and said, "I think we are there!" I giggled, too. He congratulated me on 'getting there' in motherhood, where a huge spill doesn't even phase me. It was a pretty funny moment, because I acted on auto-pilot, had zero reaction about the spill, and just moved through it quickly.  After everyone drank Gatorade and got their fill of fries, we loaded up like Sherpas and headed out to the car.  

Our drive home was long. I am amazed that RWF has made this road trip so much.  I told him later that I would not be making the drive every weekend.  It's too hard with a baby.  Nico did beautifully but a ski lodge is no place for a baby to hang out.  It is too long of a day for Nico and me. We struck a bargain that we would make a family trip every three weeks. So I have 2 weekends to rest up for our next trip to Mt. Hood!

The weather here is definitely of the "global weirding" trend.  We have had snow flurries all day (of course, nothing sticks). It's going to be super cold this week. 

Stay cozy!

xo