Finally the sun is out in Portland! And on a SUNday no less, so that's good for our family's one day together. Papa made sausage and eggs and waffles this morning, before grabbing Mayan from Grandmas house. (She'd had a sleepover there.)
The Rose Festival is happening downtown and today was the last day of fleet week and the dragon boat races. I had been wanting to take a run on the waterfront, so it worked out great: I ran along the Eastbank Esplanade while Blake explored the events with the kids for an hour.
Next, we headed to a park in Northeast for a friends birthday party. Bubbles, cupcakes, foam swords, and playground fun. Before we headed back to the Southeast, we grabbed some coffee and sruised our favorite vintage/consignment shop. I got a cute vintage Hawaiian short robe and an antique iron Christmas tree stand (I've been wanting one forever!! I hate the plastic ones.) Now Mayan and Geo and I are chilling at home while Blake does a few piercings, with Izzy.
When he returns, I am taking the girls out for a "Team Building" activity. The girls have been stuck in pretty yucky dynamic for a while now, just a cycle of irritation that has been really painful for Isadore especially who really craves her sisters attention and approval. They had a helpful therapy session last week where they named what was happening for themselves and tried to have some empathy for the other, and brainstormed some ideas on how to shake out of it. Roles can really stick when we get locked into them every day for "family survival"...the plan is to give them some opportunities to have some fun together just the two of them, without either Blake and I involved. (Anusuya also reminded them that one thing that their friends will never be able to fill for them is the commonality of coming from the same family....such a good point.)
First idea is to have our friend Savannah take them to the thrill ride park, but that date isn't set for a few weeks out. Yesterday, I got the idea to design a scavenger hunt for them to do together, clustered in an area where they are familiar and relatively safe (the blocks around Nomad.) They will take the camera phone and have to find and capture the image of the 10 items on the list, then report back to me when they finish. I hope it doesn't blow up in my face! If they are successful, I'll take them out for a treat. I'll be sure to post the pictures on the main blog.
In other news:
School is out this week! WOW. I can't believe we made it..our first year of "real" school. It's amazing to look back and she the changes over this year. So many challenges, but so much shaping into new roles based on this experience. I am so grateful that Trillium has been such a good fit for them both so far. Mayan is bummed to not see her friends everyday, but I promised to help her see them as much as possible. She will be in 5th grade next year, Izzy will be in 2nd, and Geo will be in preschool 2 days a week.
Blake met with the financing department at Legacy Hospital and they have set a date for him to have his hernia surgery (he's been dealing with it for over a year now.) We don't know yet how much it will be exactly but their is a chance they will cover a good portion of it, and the surgeon is actually a good client whom Blake has a really good relationship with. Late July is the plan, the week after our family reunion in Fort Bragg.)
Blake treated me to a three month yoga pass, so I am hoping my summer is full of yoga, yoga, yoga....and running, writing, and adventures with the kids. I am still waiting to hear about my financial aid for school (arg...) but I should be registering for at least 2 classes in the Fall. Marylhurst offers a really special program that allows you create your own major depending on your area of interest. My prior learning assessment professor recommended that instead of majoring in English Lit and Writing I create a Writing and Communications degree...which would save me a ton of money as I have enough past experience to write a bunch of communications essays for credit. So I meet with an adviser in Interdisciplinary Studies in a few weeks.
Finally, we had SO MUCH FUN at the coast with Grandma and Grandpa, and Meshem and family! Yurt camping is possible my favorite thing, plus campfires and s'mores and kid fun on the beach....it was so memorable.
Okay, off to to the hunt with the girls. Love to you all!!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Weekend of April 27-29th
(I know its Thursday and but I was waiting to post this with pictures but i never had the chance to upload them....)
It was an exciting weekend, with George's birthday and all. The party at Playdate PDX (a giant indoor play structure) was AWESOME, and a bunch of our little friends were there that we haven't seen in a while. George got to fully embrace his boyness: motorcycle helmet, light saber, projectile Star Wars guns, toy planes....and a giant cake shaped like an eyeball. (He has a thing for chocolate eyeballs since he saw some on Halloween.)
Poor guy had been sick for a week, a fever and cough that had started last Friday, and the cough got really bad--croupy, up all night. I took him in on Wednesday and Dr. Janel thought it definitely sounded like pneumonia (possibly pertussis, but I have doubts). Antibiotics helped right away, so he was feeling so much better for his birthday, but the side effect, because its a liquid abx that is bubblegum flavored and full of red dye #40, is that he is really aggressive. Being around him has been really hard. Basically, he just becomes a really whiny, emotional jerk. Its sucks for us, bit for him mostly. Today was his last dose.
Sunday: Another special treat: a riverboat cruise with unlimited brunch buffet. We'd never been on the Willamette River (our sailboat was on the Columbia) and it was really enjoyable. Oregon is so PRETTY!!
Blake's big news, is that after WEEKS of deliberating over getting a particular new car, he finally decided to purchase a new (to him) Mercedes E320 Bluetec (very sophisticated diesel) sedan. His old car, which he had had for 2 1/2 years (the longest he's had a car since I've known him) was having some issues, not with the engine but leaking water and broken buttons. I think the breaking down was really reminding him of his own physical breaking down....an after so many years in a successful business, having a car that reflects that can be really fulfilling. Judge George and I both fielded a lot of "should i or shouldn't i?" conversations. I think we worked out a smart approach to making it work out financially, and it is a very sexy, gorgeous car...with only 21,000 miles on it. Some rich old guy keeled and hardly ever drove it, Grandma said it was too much car for her!
So then to make it even a cooler experience, D and G went out that same day in Fresno and test drove a SUV Mercedes Bluetec, and bought one too!!!! Those boys and their Mercedes.....
Let's see, girls updates...
Isadore went home with my friend Savannah on Friday after the party, and spent all the next day, through dinner with their family. They have a really special connection--Sav has two boys (one is 19, the other is 5) and her and Izzy both have these really sweet spunky personalities. Sav gets her "daughter fix" and Izzy loves the attention (good for her to get out of the middle child mix here sometimes)...and she gets along really well with Liam, the 5 year old, because they are both very physically active, and he's a really chill kid. She came home in such a good, refreshed mood.
We've decided that Isadore is going to actually be in second grade next year...when we enrolled her in school she is only a 2nd grader by 6 days. (If she'd been born when she was supposed to in late Sept it wouldn't be an issue...) and while she is academically ready to go on to 3rd grade, Trillium does 3-4-5 classes and she is NOT ready for that. Her teacher and I discussed it and if she stays in his class next year (its a 1st/2nd mix) she could be a good leader, which she needs. So we are considering this first year her 1st grade year instead. I feel really good about it...we love her teacher!!
Mayan had been going through a ton of changes lately. The food deprivation due to her sensitivities was getting really hard to handle and was pushing her to her limits, especially at school where kids bring all sort of crappy food that is "non-Mayan friendly". We decided to take a break, and other than gluten (this is avoided by ALL of us now) she can take some time to eat how ever she chooses, and can learn to identify how those foods makes her feel herself. She has been much more relaxed since this change, around food specifially and that's good. But once the food kicks in, she can get pretty anxious and aggressive. We are just working on getting her to retreat into her own space when this happens. She and I read the Hunger Games together and then saw the movie ...she's pretty much obsessed and talks about it all the time. We are hoping to enroll her in a TrackersNW week -long summer camp that has a focus on wilderness survival, which she is SO into right now.
It was an exciting weekend, with George's birthday and all. The party at Playdate PDX (a giant indoor play structure) was AWESOME, and a bunch of our little friends were there that we haven't seen in a while. George got to fully embrace his boyness: motorcycle helmet, light saber, projectile Star Wars guns, toy planes....and a giant cake shaped like an eyeball. (He has a thing for chocolate eyeballs since he saw some on Halloween.)
Poor guy had been sick for a week, a fever and cough that had started last Friday, and the cough got really bad--croupy, up all night. I took him in on Wednesday and Dr. Janel thought it definitely sounded like pneumonia (possibly pertussis, but I have doubts). Antibiotics helped right away, so he was feeling so much better for his birthday, but the side effect, because its a liquid abx that is bubblegum flavored and full of red dye #40, is that he is really aggressive. Being around him has been really hard. Basically, he just becomes a really whiny, emotional jerk. Its sucks for us, bit for him mostly. Today was his last dose.
Sunday: Another special treat: a riverboat cruise with unlimited brunch buffet. We'd never been on the Willamette River (our sailboat was on the Columbia) and it was really enjoyable. Oregon is so PRETTY!!
Blake's big news, is that after WEEKS of deliberating over getting a particular new car, he finally decided to purchase a new (to him) Mercedes E320 Bluetec (very sophisticated diesel) sedan. His old car, which he had had for 2 1/2 years (the longest he's had a car since I've known him) was having some issues, not with the engine but leaking water and broken buttons. I think the breaking down was really reminding him of his own physical breaking down....an after so many years in a successful business, having a car that reflects that can be really fulfilling. Judge George and I both fielded a lot of "should i or shouldn't i?" conversations. I think we worked out a smart approach to making it work out financially, and it is a very sexy, gorgeous car...with only 21,000 miles on it. Some rich old guy keeled and hardly ever drove it, Grandma said it was too much car for her!
So then to make it even a cooler experience, D and G went out that same day in Fresno and test drove a SUV Mercedes Bluetec, and bought one too!!!! Those boys and their Mercedes.....
Let's see, girls updates...
Isadore went home with my friend Savannah on Friday after the party, and spent all the next day, through dinner with their family. They have a really special connection--Sav has two boys (one is 19, the other is 5) and her and Izzy both have these really sweet spunky personalities. Sav gets her "daughter fix" and Izzy loves the attention (good for her to get out of the middle child mix here sometimes)...and she gets along really well with Liam, the 5 year old, because they are both very physically active, and he's a really chill kid. She came home in such a good, refreshed mood.
We've decided that Isadore is going to actually be in second grade next year...when we enrolled her in school she is only a 2nd grader by 6 days. (If she'd been born when she was supposed to in late Sept it wouldn't be an issue...) and while she is academically ready to go on to 3rd grade, Trillium does 3-4-5 classes and she is NOT ready for that. Her teacher and I discussed it and if she stays in his class next year (its a 1st/2nd mix) she could be a good leader, which she needs. So we are considering this first year her 1st grade year instead. I feel really good about it...we love her teacher!!
Mayan had been going through a ton of changes lately. The food deprivation due to her sensitivities was getting really hard to handle and was pushing her to her limits, especially at school where kids bring all sort of crappy food that is "non-Mayan friendly". We decided to take a break, and other than gluten (this is avoided by ALL of us now) she can take some time to eat how ever she chooses, and can learn to identify how those foods makes her feel herself. She has been much more relaxed since this change, around food specifially and that's good. But once the food kicks in, she can get pretty anxious and aggressive. We are just working on getting her to retreat into her own space when this happens. She and I read the Hunger Games together and then saw the movie ...she's pretty much obsessed and talks about it all the time. We are hoping to enroll her in a TrackersNW week -long summer camp that has a focus on wilderness survival, which she is SO into right now.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Easter Weekend
Blake started our Sunday with a delicious duck egg, corned beef, and asparagus scramble. I found a gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread that Mayan can eat so toast was a super treat!
Next, we went to the Oregon Buddhist Temple...April 8th is Buddha's birthday. The kids had been working on a Muppet themed program for the last few weeks. The plot: Kermit is wandering through India wondering about rainbows, and someone points him toward the path of enlightenment...many cute moments ensue. Mayan played Muppet B (Animal's girlfriend, she dubbed her look) and Izzy and Geo were in the young kids group--Kermit and his friends come upon them and they sing a song. So cute!!
We asked a passerby to take this family shot of us when we got home. A sunny moment in front of our new home, I love it...
Then the Easter bunny came by!
Coconut macaroons and Surf Sweets jellybeans make great birds nests:
Our three spring sweeties!
George has his very own egg hunt out front. He is a boy on a mission....
Grandpa might have given him a few hints....
The last one....getting warmer...
Then we had a massive feast with the parents: roasted leg of lamb, scalloped sweet potatoes, Indian carrot salad, and steamed artichokes with garlic aioli. It was thoroughly pleasant. Oh, and strawberry shortcake, how could I forget.....
*****Some extra*****
Today, Izzy's class put on a Watershed Convention, and she worked so hard on her Johnson Creek Watershed diorama and teaching poster. Nice work, Bimbi!
Blake and I are planning an overnight stay at Breitenbush hot springs this Sunday...a mini-retreat in the woods. I've been wanting to take him there ever since my first visit a year ago, and thanks to our tax refund we are making it happen. It's a bit nerve-wracking, since its so remote we will have no phone service or contact with the outside world. Grandma is going to take Mayan over night, and my awesome friend Savannah (who I normally go to Breitenbush with) is taking the other two. Bless their hearts, we really need the break!
Realizing we were leaving town to drive along mountain roads made us ponder our current will, which really needed revising as it hadn't been touched in 4 years. We thought really hard about it, stayed up late a few night in deep discussion and today revised our guardians and changed a few details about the trust accounts. It's a horrible thing to think about, really no body should be raising our kids but us, but planning the just-in-case is the responsible thing to do....but still...YEESH. Gives us some peace. We will sure to drive veeeeeery carefully.
XO
L
Next, we went to the Oregon Buddhist Temple...April 8th is Buddha's birthday. The kids had been working on a Muppet themed program for the last few weeks. The plot: Kermit is wandering through India wondering about rainbows, and someone points him toward the path of enlightenment...many cute moments ensue. Mayan played Muppet B (Animal's girlfriend, she dubbed her look) and Izzy and Geo were in the young kids group--Kermit and his friends come upon them and they sing a song. So cute!!
We asked a passerby to take this family shot of us when we got home. A sunny moment in front of our new home, I love it...
Then the Easter bunny came by!
Coconut macaroons and Surf Sweets jellybeans make great birds nests:
Our three spring sweeties!
George has his very own egg hunt out front. He is a boy on a mission....
Grandpa might have given him a few hints....
The last one....getting warmer...
Then we had a massive feast with the parents: roasted leg of lamb, scalloped sweet potatoes, Indian carrot salad, and steamed artichokes with garlic aioli. It was thoroughly pleasant. Oh, and strawberry shortcake, how could I forget.....
*****Some extra*****
Today, Izzy's class put on a Watershed Convention, and she worked so hard on her Johnson Creek Watershed diorama and teaching poster. Nice work, Bimbi!
Blake and I are planning an overnight stay at Breitenbush hot springs this Sunday...a mini-retreat in the woods. I've been wanting to take him there ever since my first visit a year ago, and thanks to our tax refund we are making it happen. It's a bit nerve-wracking, since its so remote we will have no phone service or contact with the outside world. Grandma is going to take Mayan over night, and my awesome friend Savannah (who I normally go to Breitenbush with) is taking the other two. Bless their hearts, we really need the break!
Realizing we were leaving town to drive along mountain roads made us ponder our current will, which really needed revising as it hadn't been touched in 4 years. We thought really hard about it, stayed up late a few night in deep discussion and today revised our guardians and changed a few details about the trust accounts. It's a horrible thing to think about, really no body should be raising our kids but us, but planning the just-in-case is the responsible thing to do....but still...YEESH. Gives us some peace. We will sure to drive veeeeeery carefully.
XO
L
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
3.28.12
Smack in the middle of Spring Break. I've dedicated myself to making sure the kids have fun things to do, can connect with their friends--old and new, and have a relaxing week with little pressure. They really need that.
Today I am rolling around the minivan, picking up all of Mayan's closest friends to take them to an amusement park and roller rink. I'll admit I'm a little nervous to be in charge of a carload of 9-11 year-olds, plus George. I haven't even met all of her friends, but I know how important it is for her to form these bonds outside of school and for me to get to know these kids that she spends time with. Send me strength!
Sadly, after one gorgeous day of blue sky and warm temps, we are back to overcast, winds and periodic rain. Damn!
My brother contacted us yesterday, and they are coming through town on their way to the coast tomorrow. I am really looking forward to hosting them for one night. The last time we did that was for Dad's retirement party in September, and we had so much fun staying up late chatting and drinking wine. Blake will also take Meshem along to band practice that evening, for some musician time. I love that they have that connection.
Xoxo
L
Today I am rolling around the minivan, picking up all of Mayan's closest friends to take them to an amusement park and roller rink. I'll admit I'm a little nervous to be in charge of a carload of 9-11 year-olds, plus George. I haven't even met all of her friends, but I know how important it is for her to form these bonds outside of school and for me to get to know these kids that she spends time with. Send me strength!
Sadly, after one gorgeous day of blue sky and warm temps, we are back to overcast, winds and periodic rain. Damn!
My brother contacted us yesterday, and they are coming through town on their way to the coast tomorrow. I am really looking forward to hosting them for one night. The last time we did that was for Dad's retirement party in September, and we had so much fun staying up late chatting and drinking wine. Blake will also take Meshem along to band practice that evening, for some musician time. I love that they have that connection.
Xoxo
L
Monday, March 19, 2012
3.19.12
I am typing this from my sisters couch in Santa Monica. About to embark on a day of sunny, sisterly fun. Trying not to miss the family...I know, they drive me crazy and its only a few days but I guess its hard not to be there to keep the ship steady.
My race was yesterday, and while the run was lovely--I felt strong and the five miles went by fast--the time surrounding it was stressful! I didn't have much time between the race and my flight and we got stuck downtown. I got dropped off at the airport at 10:55 and the flight was scheduled to take off at 11:20. Only because an airline security dude took pity on me while I sobbed in line. They had closed the door, but they opened it for me and i made my dramatic, puffy-face-from-crying, smacking the people in first class with my carry-on entrance. so relieved.
I guess I can't update about the family more than that since Blake is in charge! They've given me my space to enjoy my trip and spare me the mishigas. Did I mention I miss them? Home Tuesday night.
My race was yesterday, and while the run was lovely--I felt strong and the five miles went by fast--the time surrounding it was stressful! I didn't have much time between the race and my flight and we got stuck downtown. I got dropped off at the airport at 10:55 and the flight was scheduled to take off at 11:20. Only because an airline security dude took pity on me while I sobbed in line. They had closed the door, but they opened it for me and i made my dramatic, puffy-face-from-crying, smacking the people in first class with my carry-on entrance. so relieved.
I guess I can't update about the family more than that since Blake is in charge! They've given me my space to enjoy my trip and spare me the mishigas. Did I mention I miss them? Home Tuesday night.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
BIG LOVE by Papa
Choosing this path three times now, with the best wife, friend, and woman a man could ever wish for, we navigate the peaks and valleys of our tiny blip on earth. Now that's a blessing! For a man who has long since made peace with the trappings of religion, I sure do enjoy a lot of spiritual experiences. (If Toby were here, we'd have a good talk about it, as we always do. I am fortunate to have such wonderful in-laws.)
"Keep guest post short," Leah said, so I will. On Nomad's wall it says: "Who should mind the children? That should be apparent." After a perfectly balanced family day this past Sunday, when we were both on the verge of losing it with the kids, I was again reminded what a gift being a parent is, though it often does not feel that way. This is by no means a new realization, just part of the deepening process, insight, exasperation, and everything in between. You need to have children to really feel me here....
Sunday, March 11, 2012
3.11.12
Sunday: We have been going regularly to the Oregon Buddhist Temple since June 2011 for service and Dharma School, but since the holidays and Blake recently being on-call (consistently having appointments from 11-1) on Sundays, we just don't have a day together to relax. We would probably stop going altogether but Mayan has also joined the temple's Girl Scout group (which is good for her) so we try to go every other week so she can still go to scout meetings.
Usually, Blake will leave after the service (which is 10-11) while the kids go to Dharma School and I hang out with the Sangha (the temple members.) Going as a group is stressful for us, though. They are really tolerant of children ("little Buddhas"!) but its hard to focus when George is crawling under the benches and yammering during the long chants or the silent reflection.
This is why, this morning, it was easy to convince Blake to take Mayan only while I stayed behind and snuggled in bed with Geo and Izzy (we watched a cute Disney animated film called Teacher's Pet.) Good thing Mayan did go because the students were practicing for a play in honor of Buddha's birthday on April 8th...she gets to be a Muppet! Should be pretty cute. (I'll definitely post about that!)
My big accomplishments for the day were starting this blog, and going on a long run in preparation for my race next weekend. The Shamrock Run was my first ever race last year; doing it this year makes it an official tradition! Last year I did a 5K (3.1 miles) and this time I'm doing the 8K (4.9 miles.) If 10K was an option I'd have signed up for that because I have once before (Run Like Hell in October.) I'm not complaining, though, since I have not been running as much as usual and 6.2 miles would have been a stretch.
I actually like running when the weather is crappy; it keeps me cool. While it has been sunny and mid-60's most of the week, things got back to "normal" for the weekend (ie rainy and cool.) I even got hailed on around mile 3. I listened to a podcast of This American Life while I ran, which kept me thoroughly entertained.
While I did this, Blake took our moody brood to the park nearby.
Since we made some extra cash today and ate really healthily this week, we decided to get burgers and fries from a great place nearby called Foster Burger. It was our first time and even though we got there before 6pm we still had to wait for a table. Lots of families in a loud, fun environment--colorful concert posters covering the walls, gravy fries, and they serve gluten-free buns. We have been more relaxed about the kids eating foods they are sensitive too after our elimination diet in January, so Mayan was really stoked to eat fries (with black squid ink aioli...which she thought was so cool b/c it was black!) Hopefully, she doesn't have any annoying side-effects.
Blake and I both got the Kiwi Burger (lamb, fried egg, pickled beets) with a gluten-free bun...it was really good but we don't eat very many grains at all (maybe a few times a week) and not anything bread-y in over two months. We were both so bloated, we compared our "pregnant" tummies all evening. Maybe bun-less next time...
Coming up this week:
Blake has his interview for the Phlebotomy program on the 14th!! Think good thoughts!
I leave for L.A. to spend a few days with my sister next Sunday! Woot!
XO
L
Usually, Blake will leave after the service (which is 10-11) while the kids go to Dharma School and I hang out with the Sangha (the temple members.) Going as a group is stressful for us, though. They are really tolerant of children ("little Buddhas"!) but its hard to focus when George is crawling under the benches and yammering during the long chants or the silent reflection.
This is why, this morning, it was easy to convince Blake to take Mayan only while I stayed behind and snuggled in bed with Geo and Izzy (we watched a cute Disney animated film called Teacher's Pet.) Good thing Mayan did go because the students were practicing for a play in honor of Buddha's birthday on April 8th...she gets to be a Muppet! Should be pretty cute. (I'll definitely post about that!)
My big accomplishments for the day were starting this blog, and going on a long run in preparation for my race next weekend. The Shamrock Run was my first ever race last year; doing it this year makes it an official tradition! Last year I did a 5K (3.1 miles) and this time I'm doing the 8K (4.9 miles.) If 10K was an option I'd have signed up for that because I have once before (Run Like Hell in October.) I'm not complaining, though, since I have not been running as much as usual and 6.2 miles would have been a stretch.
I actually like running when the weather is crappy; it keeps me cool. While it has been sunny and mid-60's most of the week, things got back to "normal" for the weekend (ie rainy and cool.) I even got hailed on around mile 3. I listened to a podcast of This American Life while I ran, which kept me thoroughly entertained.
While I did this, Blake took our moody brood to the park nearby.
Since we made some extra cash today and ate really healthily this week, we decided to get burgers and fries from a great place nearby called Foster Burger. It was our first time and even though we got there before 6pm we still had to wait for a table. Lots of families in a loud, fun environment--colorful concert posters covering the walls, gravy fries, and they serve gluten-free buns. We have been more relaxed about the kids eating foods they are sensitive too after our elimination diet in January, so Mayan was really stoked to eat fries (with black squid ink aioli...which she thought was so cool b/c it was black!) Hopefully, she doesn't have any annoying side-effects.
Blake and I both got the Kiwi Burger (lamb, fried egg, pickled beets) with a gluten-free bun...it was really good but we don't eat very many grains at all (maybe a few times a week) and not anything bread-y in over two months. We were both so bloated, we compared our "pregnant" tummies all evening. Maybe bun-less next time...
Coming up this week:
Blake has his interview for the Phlebotomy program on the 14th!! Think good thoughts!
I leave for L.A. to spend a few days with my sister next Sunday! Woot!
XO
L
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