It all started with Elaine

I have a mom-friend, Elaine, who is a pilot for a major airline. If you and I saw Elaine together and I asked you to guess which of the following were most likely true about her: 1. She decorated the home of Bill Gates or 2. She flew an Apache helicopter into Mogadishu to drop off some Navy Seals*, you would guess #1 and you would be wrong. This is one of the things I love about her — she does not look like the bad-ass that she is. A few years ago, she offered me a buddy pass if I ever wanted to go to Europe.  I didn’t think I’d ever have the opportunity to take her up on it.

A few months ago, Ryan told me he wanted to go on a 2 week surfing trip with a friend from work. I was a little surprised but then answered ‘sure! and where will I go for two weeks?’

And here I am in Europe for two weeks. I flew (business class — the best! I slept and overate!) to London and met my friend (and former neighbor) Kate who lives there. We visited three years ago with the kids. I arrived last night and we took the Eurostar to Amsterdam today.

*I don’t know if she has ever actually done that but it’s possible.. definitely more for her than for me

Reunion

This weekend, we gathered with three college friends of mine and their families. We were 7 adults and 4 children. We went to Lavender Hill Farm on Vashon Island. The weather was like spring in Hawaii. My college pal Robert and husband Mario presented all the kids with beautiful kites. We hiked to the water through a forest and flew kites. We ate great meals, relaxed and had fun.

Jack's first overnight away from home

Saturday night Jack went to a small birthday party at Great Wolf Lodge. The parents told me I could come (the other boy's parents were going to go) if I wanted but that they would be happy to take Jack without me. I asked Jack what he wanted and he was clear: he wanted to go without me.

We received many photos for the 24 hours he was gone. He seemed to have a great time. He called me to tell me how things were going. It was non-stop activity and when he got home, he completely freaked out from fatigue.

How's your love life

Sonia: I love Indy
Mom: oh?
Sonia: It's strange to be a kid and really love someone
Mom: hmm
Sonia: Allister loved me but I didn't love him
Mom: How does Indy feel?
Sonia: He doesn't love me
Mom: yet?
Sonia: I don't know

Sonia and Indy

Late

We are always late for school. This morning, in an effort to end this trend, I woke the kids up 15 minutes earlier than normal. As usual, I was yelling at Sonia to get dressed. We are late because of her. She dawdles and it is annoying to me so I yell (after asking nicely at least 10 times). This morning we had this conversation:

Me: SONIA GET DRESSED

Sonia: Mom, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Me: What are you talking about?

Sonia: YOU ARE THROWING A FIT. You get what you get a you don't throw a fit.

The logic of her statement is sound. I call it speaking sharply in an effort to make the children do what they are supposed to do in the morning. She calls it a fit because I am yelling and she finds it annoying.  I would define fits similarly. She often uses my own tactics on me for behavior she finds annoying or bothersome. Then we get stuck in an infinite loop. It is hilarious and irritating at the same time.

Unrelated:

We went to the dentist last week. Jack was very anxious about the visit as he did not want to hear he had more cavities. He doesn't! I have found religion and we are now vigilant about teeth care.

Sun Peaks

I have decided that my children will know how to ski. We live in the Northwest and when they are older, it will be a great way for our family to have fun in the winter. Also, I know it's something Jack will love. He seems to enjoy meditative activities without a lot of distractions (ie swimming) so I know one day, he will love skiing. It's a way he can be social (going with other kids) without having to be too social (you can't really talk when you are going down a mountain).

We traveled many, many hours north last week for 3 days of skiing at a lovely, very family friendly resort - Sun Peaks. The kids took lessons for two days and Ryan and I skied. We skied with the kids on the bunny hill the third day. I was pretty excited to see them skiing. They can't really turn but they can point their skis down the hill, make a pizza shape, and go. Jack generally uses snow banks to stop himself.

Oh Canada! You have great skiing!

Sonia says

Sonia: Mom, when I grow up, I am going to live in Hawaii. You can live with me and you won't have to work at all.

Mom: So you are going to cook, do the laundry, clean and take care of me?

Sonia: Yes! You can just lay in bed all day.

I am deeply ambivalent about Christmas

Christmas was lovely

We visited Phx for the first time in a few years this Christmas. It was lots of fun. We loved the sun. My mom cooked great meals and threw a fun Christmas Eve party featuring her famous lasagne. The kids loved playing with their ADORABLE cousin, Beaux. I hadn't seen my sister in 2 years. She made a deep impression on Sonia who later declared when she grew up, "she was going to look exactly like Aunt Katie. I'll wear black. We will be twins."  We visited the sweet new home my brother and sister-in-law recently purchased. We ate pizza then attended the Zoolights program at the Phx Zoo. The lights were spectacular and we were all impressed by the lights that seemed to dance with the Christmas music (they were coordinated to do that .. how does that work?)

I have finally decided (these things take me a long time) that it is important for us to be with my family at Christmas. It is worth the airfare and the hassle. We really only gather once a year and I am grateful for the occasion.

I want to cancel Christmas

I said this while Ryan, the kids and I were standing in the Disneyland-like security line at Sea-Tac a few days before Christmas. It seems the holiday anticipation makes my children miserable. The general population seems rushed and cranky and these two vibes hit me hard while standing in that line.  It's an annoying holiday at best. Our church had a service called Blue Christmas a few days before we left for Phx. It was for people for whom "Christmas can be a time of sadness." I attended the service and was confused that it wasn't packed. It was so comforting to be with people who are sad during the holidays. We cried together. I'll be there every year.

Aloha

Time passes differently in Hawaii. An hour seems like a minute. It is just so beautiful here, the weather is perfect and most living occurs outside (my favorite place). Also, being on vacation is great -- no errands, no to-dos, no schedule.

Yesterday, we visited the North Shore. Ryan surfed at a famous surf spot --Pipeline. It was very sunny and very hot and after a couple of hours, the kids and I were cooked. We headed into Haliewa for lunch at the Grass Skirt Grill and shaved ice at Matsumoto's ( I think it was voted best shaved ice in the world -- it's that good).  We drove along the coast and stopped again at Swanzi beach for a smoothie at Uncle Bobo's. It felt like the eating tour of Hawaii. There is a lot of great food here. 

Later, we visited the Kailua farmers market where an entertaining Hawaiian played local music on his guitar. Sonia danced. Ryan and I ate delicious poke. Jack ate quickly and avoided the music.

Pipeline

kids are wiped out from the heat - happy to have shaved ice

Today, Ryan took the kids to the science center near the Bishop museum and I visited Shangri La, Doris Duke's Hawaiian home. It is now a museum of Islamic art with one of the most impressive collections in the world.

the guest entrance

We headed to a shady park in Waikiki for a picnic but the kids were really whiny. It may be hotter than our last visit. They seem cranky since we left the Disney resort... perhaps we should have expected that one. Anyway, we headed back to the beach near our home in Kailua. It was very windy and even cloudy. It was a great break from the heat. Sonia played in the sand. I watched the kite surfers.  Ryan and Jack played in the water until Ryan was stung by a portugese man o' war.

I wish I could have captured this guy flying. He could sail over the water for 50 yards at a time at least.

Halloween photos (very late)

I had the best Halloween costume of my life thus far:

Sleeping beauty on the left - Maleficient on right. The children (and some adults) were frightened.

The kids also dressed up

Happy 8th to Jack

We are spending Jack's birthday at the Disney Aulani resort on the west side of Oahu. It has been a lovely few days.  The kids are both proficient swimmers so they have been free to wander independently around the pools and slides. It's been quite a luxury not to have to make meals or run errands and spend all of our time lounging in the sun.

Jack has enjoyed his birthday. He got to choose what he ate (mostly sugar) and what he did (a lot of screen time). We convinced him to swim a lot too.  He and Sonia have also loved Auntie's Beach House which is essentially a free child care center. They have gone there for a few hours each afternoon and had dinner there.

Yesterday, while they were with Auntie, I visited the spa (without my camera so here a few from the web)

entry

Stonehenge showers

It also had 5 outdoor hydrotherapy tubs and steam and dry saunas inside. Everything at this resort is perfect. If someone thinks you are having an experience that is less-than-perfect they are trying to fix it before you consciously know it's a problem.

Example: yesterday we went to the "character breakfast" We didn't know that the buffet breakfast was themed. It was and this meant that Disney characters were walking around greeting the children. A Hawaiian woman was also walking around serenading people at their tables with Hawaiian music. I heard one child ask her if she was Santa Claus. While other children were enjoying the festivities, Jack freaked out, left the table, and walked as far as he could go on the property. When the waitress returned, I asked if we could take Jack's food to-go since he could not handle the gaiety. She said no -- they didn't have to-go boxes since it was a buffet. I said that was fine. I understood. No problem and then I ate his food.

About 1 minute later a man with an ear piece comes to the table to say he was sorry Jack had freaked out and not eaten. He would make sure we were not charged for the meal. I pointed out that I had already eaten the food so that was not necessary. He insisted. What else could he do? Nothing. Ask the characters to stay away from Sonia as well? She was also nervous.

So, it is nice to be somewhere where everything is perfect. It is also a little weird. I am used to my unpredictable, messy world.

I am 8!

Flipper while walking to the slide

slightly crooked picture of the entry to the resort's restaurant. We sat at the table just to the left of the entry and just stared at the ocean the whole time. how can this place be so amazing?

We swim every night. It is fun.. until the children are so exhausted they become monsters. Then we know, it's time to go.

Dude, I miss my dad

Today would have been my dad's 88th birthday. I miss my dad. What else can I say?

Sonia is 5

To celebrate Sonia's 5th birthday, we partied all weekend. First, we had a party with Sonia's preschool buddies at our usual park. I failed to take any pictures, per usual. However, luckily, I got one from a mom pal:

Then, we went on a boating adventure with friends. We motored around Lake Washington on the beautiful 80 degree day. We swam -- we even "tubed"

We got home around 9pm. Big day. Then Sunday we had brunch with all the grandparents at Vios. Jack hit the boat show with his dad and Grandpa while I made Sonia lay down for a couple of hours since we had one more celebration planned.

We had our next door neighbors over because they are Sonia's favorite people - especially the gal in the striped dress. We enjoyed pizza and cake and lots of play.

School is going to start in 10 minutes and both kids are still asleep. Ryan said it was too much but he is not the extrovert in the house and also, he does none of the planning. I used to socialize more and I think these parties are as much fun for me as they are for my kids. Birthday parties are one of the only ways that adults gather in a social setting these days. That said, this year, I did not tell Sonia who to invite. I did not invite any of my friends. Next year, I agreed we would tone it down. I told half the parents not to bring gifts and there were still too many gifts. 

In any case, Sonia enjoyed her 5th birthday. We are so glad she is here.

An ad for visiting Cortes Island

You must visit. You must. Stay at Cedar Moon. It was grand. All fun, all the time.

On ferry going home - our only group shot

Kids playing on beach behind the house

Ryan and Jack at Cedar Moon

Attempting to take photos at Squirrel Cove

Our family with our Swedish exchange student -- jk that's my friends' oldest

Ho hum sunrise

Ryan relaxing with our other Dad pal

our backyard

Squirrel Cove

All the kids

C-A-N-A-D-A!

We love Canada! We are in Cortes Island for 7 heavenly days. We are with another family -- a friend of mine for the last 20 years, her husband and 2 kids who are the same age as mine.  It is just lovely and glorious and stunning.  This is the view from our house:

We step outside and walk 20 feet to get to water when the tide is high. Whales swim by every evening. I now know what a whale sounds like when it is surfacing. Beauty is everywhere. 9's all around.

More on 9's and 1's

A friend once told me about an article she read describing life as a parent as "all 9's and 1's." Before kids, most of your days are 7's (on a 1-10 scale). After kids, 9's and 1's. This past week: all 1's. One of Jack's cavities developed an abscess. All night on Thursday, he cried because of the pain. I had given him Tylenol but it did nothing. It was awful. Thankfully, we got some antibiotics to treat the infection on Friday and his pain has subsided.

Later on Friday, I took the kids for a haircut and was informed in the middle of Sonia's haircut that she had lice. On subsequent inspection at Lice Knowing You(TM), I learned we all had it. Super! 5 hours and $400 later (seriously), we were lice-free. I may open my own Lice Knowing You franchise as they are seriously raking in the money.

So, that happened. On Friday morning, pre-lice discovery, I thought "I hate my job." It reminds me of the Peace Corps slogan "The toughest job you'll ever love except when you hate it which is some of the time" (slightly amended to meet my needs). The weight of being responsible for these little people feels like tons of bricks on my chest after a sleepless night comforting a crying child.

But last weekend: 9's. I took Sonia camping in the North Cascades while Ryan and Jack went fishing outside of Olympia. Jack has seemed much happier after having Dad to himself. Sonia and I loved being outside with friends in the American Alps(TM).

pre-louse-removal. Kids are happy. My face looks different.. more like Ryan's face in the background

Camping!

North Cascades kid-friendly hiking trail