Less is more, and more is more

a recent impromptu picnic on a hike, a time that I remember feeling happy and not stressed!

Things have been incredibly busy around here.  Crazy-busy.  The kind of busy that makes me want to shout, "Stop! I want to get off this ride!"  Our family has been humming along, but I  (we) have felt the effects of too much.  Too much activity, too much stress, too much...of everything.

For the children, I've cut all activities except school (ha!) and swimming.  This swimming session ends in a few weeks, and I'm going to cut swim lessons to 1 time per week.  The children enjoy being active but I can tell that they are tired.  Bode is now 6, and I worry about how life is going to speed up for him, once he hits "real" elementary school. I want to keep things simple for him, for Gianna, and for Nico, for as long as I can.

For me, I am tired of feeling tired.  My most common feeling, and my constant lament, is "I'm so tired."  I'm tired of being such a drag, and feeling like I'm...dragging.  I have yet to make a doctor's appointment for a check-up, but I will soon. I think things are catching up with me, again.  It's difficult to move and go through the motions of moving.  I think I go through the motions because I "have to" and then as a result, 6 months or so later, I crash and the effects of everything hit me. I'm finally starting to feel like we "live" here, and starting to imagine what that means for all of us, and what I want our life to "be" here.  I am also carrying my mother around, dragging her death behind me.  After my mom died, I went to a therapist, carrying baby Nico into the office with me each week. I didn't think I could continue seeing her, the therapist, because of everything else that was going on.  I remember telling her that I had too much going on, both physically and mentally.  I'll never forget her words: "You need to deal with this now, or it's going to come out later, in other ways."  I shrugged it off at the time.  But what she said was so true.  It keeps happening: anger, sadness, etc. Yesterday I was laughing my head off with RWF about something, and an image of my mother's memorial popped into my head, and I started crying uncontrollably.  "Why are you crying?" RWF asked, surprised at my abrupt swing. And I had to tell him that I thought of my mom (I didn't share the image).  Did he understand? Probably not.  I'm not being authentic, not to myself and not to anyone in my family.  I need to deal. Grief is the worst.

  

We (RWF and I) have been under a great deal of stress about our living situation (i.e., the house).  We have been struggling to find a house for our family.  I've been unhappy where we are at, but it might just be the place to stay. This subject's a bore, so I won't go into the details. It's something that we need to resolve.  There are other, more personal stressors involved, too.

That is one, and other, reasons I have not been updating the blog. It is the same (boring) issues and stressors.  Thankfully, the children are doing great, and growing like crazy in all kinds of ways. I need to get back to recording their personalities and funnies.  As far as the 52 project...I have been taking pictures weekly, but I have not been uploading them here. I cringe at the idea of trying to back-date all the photos in order. 

We are making some changes around here.  Hopefully, with the subtraction of some things, and the addition of some other things, life will be a bit more manageable. I hope to be back to recording our lives soon.

Happy weekend to you.
xo

Lately...

I've been searching high and low for a (new) house.  It has been frustrating, disheartening and just plain exhausting.  It takes a lot of time to search houses.  We usually look at listings in the evening, after the children are in bed.  If I find something of interest (and the right price),  I'll drive by and scout out the area the next morning while the children are at school (with Nico riding in the car).  That is usually where the interest ends.     As you probably know, most photos of houses portray their best features.  It isn't until you drive up and see the junkyard across the street, or the broken-down fence attached to the yard. Also, Portland is weird, in that houses are just jammed together. And not only are they jammed together, but you will find houses behind you, in front of you and beside you.  For example, the front of our house faces the back of another house (and the back of our house faces another house...).  So we look into our neighbor's backyard.  It's just weird to me. I have not had much luck finding a mix of a good house and good location (and price).

So the search continues!

Gianna is going through a phase.  My little chickadee is spreading her wings, both metaphorically and physically.  She is more brave, riding her bike down the big hill like her brother. And she is being a bit...sassy.  I think it is because she is on the cusp of turning 4.  She has been talking back to me.  Most of the time, I remember that this is not Gianna, but a phase that she is going through at the moment.  Other times, I lose it and yell right  back at her.  But no matter what, we always have quiet time together where we talk about things, and work things out. 

Kate & Gianna at the May Day celebration

This morning, she woke up and went into my bedroom before 6 AM.  "Is it time to wake up yet?"  she whispered in the loudest voice possible (to "whisper" in).  I pulled back my covers to invite her in, and she jumped in and snuggled up next to me.  Without any preamble, she started telling me about her girl friends at school. They are a threesome, and they are so cute together. Two of her friends, Kate* and Ella, were not liking each other yesterday, and clearly this was something on Gianna's mind.  I got a flash of when she is older, and things like this are happening. I hope that she can always talk to me.  Even though lately she can be hard to handle, she brings me to my knees almost every day by (spontaneously)  declaring, "I'll love you forever!" or "I want to love you forever, Mama!"

I am still planning a birthday party for her. Location, date, and time still TBD.  (ai yi yi!)  The theme, of course, is still "pink princess."

Bode is doing well.  It's funny because he and Gianna have kind of switched places.  Where Gianna is sassy and testing limits, Bode has mellowed and seems self-sufficient right now.  It's been really fun to watch him deal with Gianna during a meltdown. It is almost like he knows what is going on, and tries to talk her through it.  One morning, Gianna wanted to wear a sundress on a cool day, and I said No.  This escalating into tears and yelling through the house.  RWF and I both tried to reason with her, and since that had not worked, we resorted to just telling her "NO."  Bode was the one who stepped in, found another dress in her closet and suggested it as a possibility. He presented it to her, "Here, Gianna, why don't you wear this pretty dress?"  It was so sweet, and also, eye opening...like, "Oh yeah, why didn't we (adults) think of that?"  Bode is now in a good place at school, and seems to enjoy the routine and his friends.  It's disappointing that the school year is about to end.  Most of the boys in Bode's class will not be returning to this school.

Speaking of school,  I've decided to stay with their current school. Both RWF and I have seen remarkable things with Bode and Gianna, and feel like this has been a good place for them.  So we are staying!  I signed a contract last week and I feel good about this decision.

Nico sez, "Your cracker bribe will no longer work!"

Nico is a happy little camper.  He loves his boots, being outside, and reading!  He has turned a corner on books, and is now obsessed.  He loves to sit and read, and will demand that I "ree" to him all the time.  Every night, I sit in the rocker with him and read three (usually more) books.  It is our special time, and I love it.  I love that he enjoys books right now. And I love that we have something "close" to do together that does not involve nursing.  I was afraid that weaning him meant that our being close was going to end (at least for awhile, because I was afraid of sending him mixed signals).  He is growing, in that he is no longer content to just sit and watch the sidelines.  Bode and Gianna have a few activities that we do during the week.  This means that Nico has to sit tight for an hour.  Well, it's getting harder to contain him.  I try bribing him with snacks and sometimes that works.  But I don't know how I'm going to get through this summer! Bode and Gianna have swim lessons every morning from June through August. They will also have other lessons, most likely gymnastics and ballet. Nico is 'done' with sitting in the stroller.

Speaking of summer, I have to figure out how to fill the hours once Bode and Gianna are out of school.  I have enrolled them in swim lessons, which are every day in the morning, but that leaves the rest of the day.  Camps are kind of out of the question, since I've committed them to swim lessons in the morning. Big "Oops" on my part, once I realized that I had messed that up. I'm still on the hunt for an afternoon camp. It would be great if I could find something for them both to do together, or at least at the same time(s). But I've found that most camps go "all day," or at least, start in the morning and end after lunch.

Everyone is doing well at this almost six-month mark of our move to Portland.  Six months!!!

I just wish that I could find a good house.  I am a bit obsessed, and I have to admit that the housing situation is coloring a lot of everything for me.  I can check the school off my list. Now the house is left.  Wish me luck!

xo

*Random trivia: Gianna's name was almost Kate.  It was number 2 on my list, after Mia (number 1!).  We tried it on her while in the hospital...it was so close that one of my sisters actually congratulated me on the birth of "Kate!" ;)

Spring Break

I dropped the children off at school today. As I was driving home, I got a bit sad because I will miss them! It was nice having them home for 11 days!

We got a lot of stuff off of our list. It was fun, and easy. I really like having a plan, and I know that Bode does, too. So we decided to keep adding to the list as we thought of things. I have added a lot of "must see while in Portland" items.  

We saw the Paul Bunyan statue, went to OMSI, went to story time at the library, went to the Lake Oswego Creamery for ice cream, took a walk, planted seeds (peas, peppers and basil so far),  went on a (road) trip to Sunriver and Bend, OR, and played in our backyard.  

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Nico walks on his own so far these days

Paul Bunyan statue

Deer on the road

 ice cream

flowers on a walk

I was having so much fun that I didn't snap many photos. It was nice to just "be in the moment" and enjoy my children.  I think we all loved being together.  (I wonder if they miss me this morning as much as I miss them?)

Happy Tuesday.

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

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

Snow day

I never thought when we moved  here that my children would be sent home for a snow day!  But that is exactly what happened today. 

Gianna's teacher actually called and left a message last night at 9:30 PM, giving me the option of keeping Gianna home today (but I was sleeping and did not get the message until 1:30 AM when I was up with Nico!). I didn't worry about the weather, thinking that our NY winters have been worse.  So this morning, I bundled everyone up, and we walked to the school in the freezing wind, only to find Bode and Gianna's teachers conferencing together outside about whether to cancel classes.  After some discussion (they had recently learned that the public schools had cancelled that morning due to the winter storm that is slated to hit this afternoon), they decided to close. 

So we turned around and got back into the car.  Instead of driving straight home, I drove to the Starbuck's that has a drive-thru.  We ordered a couple of muffins and bagels to share (oh, and a venti mocha for me, but that goes without saying, right?).  We had a mini breakfast picnic while discussing the school cancellation.  (Bode and Gianna felt special, I think, to be privy to their teachers discussing whether to cancel school or not.  We saw parents/schoolmates walking to the school on our way  back to the car, and Bode and Gianna gleefully shouted, "No school today!")

Bode always says he doesn't like sweets, but always manages to eat them???

So this has kind of thrown my day for a loop.  In fact, I was planning on going to the grocery store with (only) Nico this morning. My plans have obviously changed. I am NOT going to the grocery store with three monkeys. The last few times I've had to take all three children to the store have been very...trying. In fact, the other night I took all three into the hardware store to buy hose bibs and there was a TOY display right in front. Toys in the hardware store! In the very front of the hardware store! The one place I thought I was 'safe' from toys! Bode and Gianna flocked straight to the toys. Bode found a build-your-own solar system kit. Of course, he started begging me for it.  I told him that we were not there to buy toys, but to buy house stuff for the freezing weather.  This exchange went on for awhile until my patience was wearing down (it was close to dinner time, too).  Finally, with no more ammunition, I  said, "You know what? That is a Daddy thing! He would love to do that with you! Talk to Daddy about it when he gets home."  Well, this know-it-all lady checking out near us, loudly informed me, "It can also be a Mommy thing. Those things aren't just for daddys and boys, you know."  I wanted to reply, "Well excuse me, ma'am. But I did not ask for or need your opinion on this matter between me and my son." What I did say, after taking a deeeeeep breath,  was "I'm all for equality. I'm just trying to get what I need and get out of this store. Thank you."  She didn't get it. She said, "I'm just saying, he doesn't need his daddy..." Oh my god! Butt out, lady! Don't try to give me a lesson on equality. I'm all about it. I can build a solar system just as good as the "daddy" or the "man" or the chimp at the zoo.  JUST NOT RIGHT NOW WHEN I'M TRYING TO BUY HOSE BIBS IN 19 DEGREE WEATHER at 4:58 PM. THANK YOU.

Anyway. (Sorry for shouting. That obviously is still a sore spot with me.) No grocery shopping today means that I have to scrounge in my pantry to find something for dinner. I think I'm making black bean soup! Let's hope that it turns out well.

Mmm. Bagel and cream cheese.

Other plans include Valentine crafts and possibly a movie (shhh!) if "we" need quiet time. Right now, Bode and Gianna are playing great by themselves in the playroom (and Nico is napping).  I know better than to mess with a good thing...so I'll leave them alone for now.

Stay cozy, friends.

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

Gianna's last day of school

Today we said goodbye to Miss Amy, Gianna's teacher.  It was very hard!  It was very hard for me.  Gianna doesn't seem affected by it.  She doesn't understand that she won't see Miss Amy again. I tried to talk to her this morning on the way to school, about saying goodbye but she quickly became bored with the conversation.

Miss Amy and I cried, giving each other hugs.  And then Miss Amy kneeled down and hugged Gianna one last time, saying, "Goodbye, sweet Gianna, I will miss you so much!" We promised to "keep in touch" as people often say in these hard farewells.

sigh.

This little girl has no idea how much her world is changing.  Hopefully she'll handle it well.

When I picked Bode up this afternoon from school, his teacher pulled me aside for a quick chat. She asked that I arrive 15 minutes early on Friday. She told me that the class will sing a "goodbye song" to Bode. She concluded, "Nothing overwhelming, just a little song to send him on his way. I don't want to make him emotional." "Or me,"  I retorted "You don't want to make me emotional."  She kind of laughed, looking surprised at my response.  Oh Miss Lynn, if only we had more time together, you would know that this is no laughing matter.

Friends, I'm now dreading Friday afternoon! 

Happy Tuesday Wednesday.
xo