Friday, February 27, 2009
BTW
Gavin has been walking for about 2.5 weeks! So much for keeping updated with all the major milestones. Man I am lazy. I couldn't even be bother to type out By The Way in the title of this post. I'll do better. After I take a nap.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The photo shoot that wasn't
Gavin always looks handsome to me. I should have cropped my back-side from this. Oops.
This sums up how Claire felt about the whole thing.
The only one where they are sort of both looking in the same direction.
Fake smile from me because I was mostly irritated.
We've been tossing around the idea of having someone take photos of the kids, possibly on the beach. After some consideration, we decided to scrap that idea and do a photo shoot of them ourselves. My mom has a real knack for photography and since my kids are so
perfect and well-behaved, it would be like Annie Leibowitz meets Anne Geddes meets completely free. Hmm.
We took them to Selby Gardens since we have so many beach pics already, and S.G is a lovely setting where I am sure lots of great pictures have been taken. Not so much ours. Despite the double-barreled bribe/threat approach (if this goes well, we can go to the playground/if you keep that up we won't be going to the playground. (complete with the annoying mom standard: Well, I guess you just don't want to go to the playground then...)) the children just weren't up for it. Claire did her best, but the fake smile reigned and any suggestion that it wasn't her usual smile was met with some very fierce faces indeed. Gavin couldn't keep his hands out of his mouth, to say nothing of the various leaves, berries, seeds etc he found scattered about the place. And getting them together, looking at the camera at the same time was virtually impossible. We did get a few nice shots, but not the portfolio we envisioned.
I haven't done any portraits of Gavin. I'm not really the take a portrait every month type of person, nor can I afford it, but I've had at least a couple of Claire done over her four years. I prefer natural, relaxed settings over a studio, but after this experience, maybe getting them into a small, restricted space where they will have no choice but to look perfect and adorable and will gaze into the camera, Claire's hand protectively across Gavin's shoulder, him leaning gently into her - a perfect beacon of brotherly-sisterly love, quite unlike this:
perfect and well-behaved, it would be like Annie Leibowitz meets Anne Geddes meets completely free. Hmm.
We took them to Selby Gardens since we have so many beach pics already, and S.G is a lovely setting where I am sure lots of great pictures have been taken. Not so much ours. Despite the double-barreled bribe/threat approach (if this goes well, we can go to the playground/if you keep that up we won't be going to the playground. (complete with the annoying mom standard: Well, I guess you just don't want to go to the playground then...)) the children just weren't up for it. Claire did her best, but the fake smile reigned and any suggestion that it wasn't her usual smile was met with some very fierce faces indeed. Gavin couldn't keep his hands out of his mouth, to say nothing of the various leaves, berries, seeds etc he found scattered about the place. And getting them together, looking at the camera at the same time was virtually impossible. We did get a few nice shots, but not the portfolio we envisioned.
I haven't done any portraits of Gavin. I'm not really the take a portrait every month type of person, nor can I afford it, but I've had at least a couple of Claire done over her four years. I prefer natural, relaxed settings over a studio, but after this experience, maybe getting them into a small, restricted space where they will have no choice but to look perfect and adorable and will gaze into the camera, Claire's hand protectively across Gavin's shoulder, him leaning gently into her - a perfect beacon of brotherly-sisterly love, quite unlike this:
Yes, I always have high hopes. And yes, we did go to the playground.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
25 Things Redux: Sugarluxe Artist Chandra Michaels Edition
So this thing has been around the world and back, even garnering a snarky article in Time Magazine. Whatever. I find it gratifying to know details about people, no matter how inconsequential, and enjoy the order and conciseness of lists...so different from the way I actually live my life.
I am changing things up just a little here by posting a 25 Things list about someone else, specifically Chandra Michaels, the artist behind brand Sugarluxe, and a wonderful friend. Sure, she's done her own FB list, but this one will show how she looks through my eyes.
So, here goes:
1. It's not just an act. She really is that nice.
2. It's not Photoshop. She really is that beautiful.
3. The combination of the above traits make her prey to more stalkers and crazies than I can remember.
4. She is very loyal. Having been betrayed by close "friends" before (hey, jealousy...), she is intensely devoted to those who stand by her...even if she is often too busy to be in day-to-day contact.
5. Busy though may she be, Chandra still knows how to make a little girl's whole week by coming to the big gymnastics show.
6. She has always been attracted to rock-n-roll bad boys. Even when they are 80, she will look at Bob and see him on stage with his guitar, swinging his long hair around, making the groupies swoon.
7. I watched a guy at a store actually fall over in his attempts to get a better look at Chandra as she walked by. It was damn funny, and sort of surreal. (Especially since we were in Michael's. Why was he on the prowl at a Michael's anyway?)
8. Many people have the mistaken assumption that things have always fallen into her lap. Sure, the combination of beauty and talent is a blessing, but there is a hell of a lot of hard work, more sacrifice than most people are willing to make and long, long dedicated hours behind all the "luck" she is perceived as having.
9. This may be a love fest, but I am not one of the aforementioned stalkers/crazy people.
10. The first part of her name is pronounced like chance, the last part should be easy enough. It's not Shondra. Not Chaundra. Not Shandra. It's not hard, but so many people just can't seem to get it right.
11. Chandra is not crazy about swimming, but can rock a bikini.
12. She will make an awesome mother in the as yet undetermined, but not-too-distant future.
13. Chandra has a dry and quirky sense of humor. And she thinks I am funny, so clearly she is really, really smart.
14. She sees more in people than they see in themselves. And draws it out of them.
15. She lived in Joe Walsh's house when she was out in LA, a fact belied by her questionable affinity for pop music.
16. Despite appearances, Chandra is not perfect. The next part of the list is not so pretty...
17. She should eat a healthier diet and not get so wrapped up in work that she forgets to eat at all. "Baco" Bit sandwiches are not part of any food group. Nor are packets of sauce from Chick-Fil-A.
18. She has more medical stuff happen than anyone else I have met...from the terrible to the mundane. On the plus side, I have inherited any number of cosmetic products after they turned her face bright red and splotchy.
19. She is a workaholic. At least now she is working insane amounts for her own business's success, but even back in the old days of corporate drudgery, she put in way more time and effort than those corporations deserved or appreciated.
20. Umm, I can't think of anything else in the not-so-perfect category and number 17 and 19 are not so bad since the results are thin and successful...hmmm.
21. Chandra is a really good friend. One time when I called her to tell her about some bad news I received, she was in such a rush to come support me that Bob had to tell her to slow down and put on some pants.
22. I feel so incredibly proud when I see Sugarluxe items being worn by people out and about. Also when I see Sugarluxe items for sale in national retail stores. Sure hip boutiques have more cachet, but there is something about knowing the artwork is being seen by every Tina, Diane and Harriet in one of the gazillion Bed, Bath and Beyond stores across the country that makes me puff up with pride, like I had something to do with it!
23. February 14th marks the 4th anniversary of Sugarluxe. Cheers!
24. Chandra is celebrating by offering free Sugarluxe goods throughout the month of February. Check the Sugarluxe blog to find out more.
25. After this admittedly sycophantic but, and I say this with the utter conviction of the subjective, undeniably true list, I should automatically be a recipient of some sweet Sugarluxe bounty. Alas, Chandra's high-faluting ethics will prevent her from just naming me the winner and I will just have to throw my name into the sparkly tiara and hope I score. Uh-oh! Maybe I am one of the stalker/crazies after all...
I am changing things up just a little here by posting a 25 Things list about someone else, specifically Chandra Michaels, the artist behind brand Sugarluxe, and a wonderful friend. Sure, she's done her own FB list, but this one will show how she looks through my eyes.
So, here goes:
1. It's not just an act. She really is that nice.
2. It's not Photoshop. She really is that beautiful.
3. The combination of the above traits make her prey to more stalkers and crazies than I can remember.
4. She is very loyal. Having been betrayed by close "friends" before (hey, jealousy...), she is intensely devoted to those who stand by her...even if she is often too busy to be in day-to-day contact.
5. Busy though may she be, Chandra still knows how to make a little girl's whole week by coming to the big gymnastics show.
6. She has always been attracted to rock-n-roll bad boys. Even when they are 80, she will look at Bob and see him on stage with his guitar, swinging his long hair around, making the groupies swoon.
7. I watched a guy at a store actually fall over in his attempts to get a better look at Chandra as she walked by. It was damn funny, and sort of surreal. (Especially since we were in Michael's. Why was he on the prowl at a Michael's anyway?)
8. Many people have the mistaken assumption that things have always fallen into her lap. Sure, the combination of beauty and talent is a blessing, but there is a hell of a lot of hard work, more sacrifice than most people are willing to make and long, long dedicated hours behind all the "luck" she is perceived as having.
9. This may be a love fest, but I am not one of the aforementioned stalkers/crazy people.
10. The first part of her name is pronounced like chance, the last part should be easy enough. It's not Shondra. Not Chaundra. Not Shandra. It's not hard, but so many people just can't seem to get it right.
11. Chandra is not crazy about swimming, but can rock a bikini.
12. She will make an awesome mother in the as yet undetermined, but not-too-distant future.
13. Chandra has a dry and quirky sense of humor. And she thinks I am funny, so clearly she is really, really smart.
14. She sees more in people than they see in themselves. And draws it out of them.
15. She lived in Joe Walsh's house when she was out in LA, a fact belied by her questionable affinity for pop music.
16. Despite appearances, Chandra is not perfect. The next part of the list is not so pretty...
17. She should eat a healthier diet and not get so wrapped up in work that she forgets to eat at all. "Baco" Bit sandwiches are not part of any food group. Nor are packets of sauce from Chick-Fil-A.
18. She has more medical stuff happen than anyone else I have met...from the terrible to the mundane. On the plus side, I have inherited any number of cosmetic products after they turned her face bright red and splotchy.
19. She is a workaholic. At least now she is working insane amounts for her own business's success, but even back in the old days of corporate drudgery, she put in way more time and effort than those corporations deserved or appreciated.
20. Umm, I can't think of anything else in the not-so-perfect category and number 17 and 19 are not so bad since the results are thin and successful...hmmm.
21. Chandra is a really good friend. One time when I called her to tell her about some bad news I received, she was in such a rush to come support me that Bob had to tell her to slow down and put on some pants.
22. I feel so incredibly proud when I see Sugarluxe items being worn by people out and about. Also when I see Sugarluxe items for sale in national retail stores. Sure hip boutiques have more cachet, but there is something about knowing the artwork is being seen by every Tina, Diane and Harriet in one of the gazillion Bed, Bath and Beyond stores across the country that makes me puff up with pride, like I had something to do with it!
23. February 14th marks the 4th anniversary of Sugarluxe. Cheers!
24. Chandra is celebrating by offering free Sugarluxe goods throughout the month of February. Check the Sugarluxe blog to find out more.
25. After this admittedly sycophantic but, and I say this with the utter conviction of the subjective, undeniably true list, I should automatically be a recipient of some sweet Sugarluxe bounty. Alas, Chandra's high-faluting ethics will prevent her from just naming me the winner and I will just have to throw my name into the sparkly tiara and hope I score. Uh-oh! Maybe I am one of the stalker/crazies after all...
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Clowning Around
We went to Circus Sarasota yesterday. Sarasota is rich with circus history as it was the winter headquarters for Ringling brothers for many years. Lots of Ringling this, Ringling that around town. The local high school even has circus as part of its curriculum. (To be clear, there are not a bunch of carnies running around town. That I've seen anyway.)
Circus Sarasota is an not-for-profit organization that seeks to preserve some of the city's circus legacy through an annual performance and education and outreach throughout the year. Fortunately, it's not the we-poke-animals-with-sharp-sticks circus, but rather showcases really incredible human tricks. This year's featured performer is well-known (by some) clown Bello Nock who is from an old Sarasota circus family. He has been out with the big circus for a while, but is back in Sarasota for this year's show.
We had ringside seats...front-row view of all the action. Gavin was so good throughout the performance. It held his attention for the most part, and he sat quietly on my lap. Claire was spell-bound. She ooh'ed and aah'ed, screamed and laughed. When Bello fell from the trapeze and appeared to be landing right on top of us, my protective mothering instincts took over and I covered Gavin's eyes. Because that would protect him from being squashed by a clown, right? Weird.
In the intermission, Claire got her face painted. She has always said no to getting her face painted, so this was a first. There were so many options to choose from, including lots of cats/other animals. Nope. Claire chose the one called "Showgirl". Considering she spends most of her day pretending she is a cat, or sometimes a puppy, I was really pushing for an animal but "Showgirl" it was. It turned out really well, although at a certain angle, she looked a bit like Spock. Several grandparentish folks gathered around as she was getting it done and I got compliments on how lovely she is. And here I thought I was biased...I guess not. :)
It was a wonderful afternoon and just a great performance. Nice to know that the proceeds go back into the community, so not only did we enjoy ourselves, but we are also total do-gooders.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Nostalgia...
So being at the job yesterday made me nostalgic, as my last post probably indicated. Don't get me wrong, I love not working...sure the kids drive me a little bonkers sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way at this juncture in my life. And, hey, I am not working! On purpose!
Besides seeing my girls every day, I miss the funny emails that went around. We still email, but it's more - what a shame we haven't gotten together lately, when can I see you next etc, etc. Nowadays, it's emails with a purpose. When you are emailing people you see all the time, you have more luxury to share stuff just for fun. Because if you need to tell them something important, you can just pop your head over the cubicle because you share a wall, after all.
Anyway, I saved TONS of these types of emails. Spent a good part of my last few days at work making sure I had 9 years worth of personal emails safely archived from my work account. The one I am going to share has always made me laugh upon re-reading.
Few things about that:
1) I wrote the email, so this is completely self-indulgent. Like: Look at me! Aren't I funny? (yes)
2) The story in the email is totally at my expense, so that makes the self-indulgence OK.
3) This was several years pre-Claire. However, in anticipation of having kids, I had already wrapped on a few layers of post-baby bulge. Usually I procrastinate, but I got to this nice and early. (this is relevant)
4) The words in italics have been changed to protect the innocent. (Mum, this means you!)
5) This was a re-cap of the Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic, circa 2003.
Subject: Sad Story - feel free to console me effusively
Besides seeing my girls every day, I miss the funny emails that went around. We still email, but it's more - what a shame we haven't gotten together lately, when can I see you next etc, etc. Nowadays, it's emails with a purpose. When you are emailing people you see all the time, you have more luxury to share stuff just for fun. Because if you need to tell them something important, you can just pop your head over the cubicle because you share a wall, after all.
Anyway, I saved TONS of these types of emails. Spent a good part of my last few days at work making sure I had 9 years worth of personal emails safely archived from my work account. The one I am going to share has always made me laugh upon re-reading.
Few things about that:
1) I wrote the email, so this is completely self-indulgent. Like: Look at me! Aren't I funny? (yes)
2) The story in the email is totally at my expense, so that makes the self-indulgence OK.
3) This was several years pre-Claire. However, in anticipation of having kids, I had already wrapped on a few layers of post-baby bulge. Usually I procrastinate, but I got to this nice and early. (this is relevant)
4) The words in italics have been changed to protect the innocent. (Mum, this means you!)
5) This was a re-cap of the Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic, circa 2003.
Subject: Sad Story - feel free to console me effusively
So, after waiting and waiting for Neil Young to come on, we left after two songs. I was literally falling asleep. (Damn Willie for letting all of his relatives play)
We are walking back to our car and the following conversation ensues:
Guys in parking lot: Hey man, you going to Austin?
Shane: Yes.
Guys: Yo, can we get a ride?
Shane: No.
Guy: A**hole...yeah, I am sure your car is really full.
Other guy: Yeah...full with your wife's bum !
Shane: Eat poop.
Me: (middle finger extended) FORGET YOU!
The entire rest of the weekend:
Me: So, Shane. I think we need a king-sized bed.
Shane: Why
Me: For my BUM.
Me: It's not that big is it?
Shane: No. They were just losers.
Me: Silent.
Shane: Are you thinking about your bum again?
Me: silently re-enacting the scenario where I go over and ask them if that is how they talk to their mother and tell them what huge losers they are. Alternative re-enactment: me and/or Shane beating them with our big golf umbrellas. Or running them over in the car in which they originally wanted a ride.
This still makes me laugh. And makes me sad that I missed most of Neil Young's show because even without kids, I couldn't hang at the picnic for 8 hours until Neil Young came on, and seeing him was why we bought the tickets in the first place.
Friday, January 30, 2009
For my ladies...
I finally went back to my old work today, the first time since I left in July. I went to sort of say good-bye to Gracie. Not say good-bye, good-bye, but to say farewell to her in that context. Monday is her last day.
Lisa got let go in the biggest round of lay-offs, which were shortly before Christmas. Gracie got a month's grace period (ha!) to teach someone else ALL the things she does and generally wrap things up. Now Jori is the last one standing. Hang in there, Jor!
I know I left on my own accord, but it was more or less with the expectation that everything else would remain exactly the same, and I could show up and we could pick up where we left off. Granted, not very realistic, and now not remotely possible.
I like to think we were really fortunate in that we actually liked spending 8+ hours a day with each other. I know I did (and if you are G, L or J...please lie and say you did too!) We will see each other occasionally outside of work, and we email and FB, but it'll never be the same. We supported one another through marriages, heartbreak, divorce, births, deaths, shared a lot of tears and lots and lots of laughs along the way...oh yeah, we also got a hell of a lot of work done. I am feeling some grief right now for what's gone, and feeling thankful that it was ever there to begin with.
I miss you guys. You are my golden girls. (Jori, please convey this sentiment to Lisa and Gracie since they never read this! : )
Lisa got let go in the biggest round of lay-offs, which were shortly before Christmas. Gracie got a month's grace period (ha!) to teach someone else ALL the things she does and generally wrap things up. Now Jori is the last one standing. Hang in there, Jor!
I know I left on my own accord, but it was more or less with the expectation that everything else would remain exactly the same, and I could show up and we could pick up where we left off. Granted, not very realistic, and now not remotely possible.
I like to think we were really fortunate in that we actually liked spending 8+ hours a day with each other. I know I did (and if you are G, L or J...please lie and say you did too!) We will see each other occasionally outside of work, and we email and FB, but it'll never be the same. We supported one another through marriages, heartbreak, divorce, births, deaths, shared a lot of tears and lots and lots of laughs along the way...oh yeah, we also got a hell of a lot of work done. I am feeling some grief right now for what's gone, and feeling thankful that it was ever there to begin with.
I miss you guys. You are my golden girls. (Jori, please convey this sentiment to Lisa and Gracie since they never read this! : )
Thursday, January 29, 2009
25 things list from FB
Here are 25 things you have been dying to know about me, whether you knew it or not...
1. I was born in Iran, but I am a Canadian citizen, but I have lived in Texas for 21 years.
2. I lived in 6 countries by the age of 11. (Iran, Nigeria, England, Norway, the US, Canada)
3. I like to think I am relatively smart, but I just can't master affect vs. effect. When you read something from me and I use the word 'impact', you'll know I couldn't figure out whether to use affect or effect.
4. I hold grudges. I don't do much with them, but they are there. (Oh not you. I forgave you for that long ago.)
5. I am usually late. It's not because I disrespect you or your time, it's because I am relentlessly optimistic about how long it will take me to get ready and get there.
6. I am trusting to a fault, but if I find out someone lied to me, I'll...believe what they tell me next time too.
7. I have a hard time making decisions. Well, maybe I don't have such a hard time. Actually yes, I do, I definitely do. Wait, maybe it's not that hard...
8. 2004 was both the best and worst year of my life. Worst: I lost my closest friend. Best: I had my daughter.
9. My closest friend's middle name is my daughter's first name.
10. I went to Japan as an exchange student in high school and took 4 semesters of Japanese at UT. Unfortunately, at this point, I would be extremely hard-pressed to string together a single sentence in Japanese. (So please don't ask me to!)
11. If someone said I was turning into my mother, I would take it as a HUGE compliment.
12. My dad still does my taxes.
13. I have always relied on the kindness of strangers. (Not really)
14. I have Verdi's Rigoletto and NWA's Straight Out of Compton on my I-Pod.
15. My sister is, and always has been, the coolest person I know. (But you, dear reader, are a close second)
16. I have always, always wanted a horse. One day...
17. I am sorry that I don't keep in better touch with my friends. I do think about and love them all.
18. I still feel like a kid most of the time and can't believe I am 37 with two kids of my own. I am the grown up! Ha! That's funny!
19. I have a seriously irrational fear of being shot while driving under an overpass.
20. I am also scared of sharks, having seen Jaws at a shockingly early age (like 3 or 4). My parents thought I was being responsibly looked after at a friends house. It really impacted me. (see #3)
21. My most embarrassing moment was when I came out of the bathroom at a New Year's party and sashayed across the entire dance floor, doing a few smooth moves along the way, only to be told my skirt was tucked into my bright blue panties, earning the me name "Blue Buns" from other hilarious party-goers. Oh, I also blush easily.
22. I am not having any more kids and that makes me both sad and relieved.
23. I love to read. I'll read just about anything and recently had a shaming lapse in good parenting when I bought a Barbie movie on i-tunes so Claire would watch it and be quiet so I could finish my teeny-bopper vampire book. (The Twilight saga, such rubbishy goodness)
24. I want to do more camping and hiking. And by more, I mean: I want to camp and hike.
25. I was in a "synchronized swim" competition at the company picnic. We were called The Splashmatics and we were awesome. Watch us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOOmcX8Mdg
1. I was born in Iran, but I am a Canadian citizen, but I have lived in Texas for 21 years.
2. I lived in 6 countries by the age of 11. (Iran, Nigeria, England, Norway, the US, Canada)
3. I like to think I am relatively smart, but I just can't master affect vs. effect. When you read something from me and I use the word 'impact', you'll know I couldn't figure out whether to use affect or effect.
4. I hold grudges. I don't do much with them, but they are there. (Oh not you. I forgave you for that long ago.)
5. I am usually late. It's not because I disrespect you or your time, it's because I am relentlessly optimistic about how long it will take me to get ready and get there.
6. I am trusting to a fault, but if I find out someone lied to me, I'll...believe what they tell me next time too.
7. I have a hard time making decisions. Well, maybe I don't have such a hard time. Actually yes, I do, I definitely do. Wait, maybe it's not that hard...
8. 2004 was both the best and worst year of my life. Worst: I lost my closest friend. Best: I had my daughter.
9. My closest friend's middle name is my daughter's first name.
10. I went to Japan as an exchange student in high school and took 4 semesters of Japanese at UT. Unfortunately, at this point, I would be extremely hard-pressed to string together a single sentence in Japanese. (So please don't ask me to!)
11. If someone said I was turning into my mother, I would take it as a HUGE compliment.
12. My dad still does my taxes.
13. I have always relied on the kindness of strangers. (Not really)
14. I have Verdi's Rigoletto and NWA's Straight Out of Compton on my I-Pod.
15. My sister is, and always has been, the coolest person I know. (But you, dear reader, are a close second)
16. I have always, always wanted a horse. One day...
17. I am sorry that I don't keep in better touch with my friends. I do think about and love them all.
18. I still feel like a kid most of the time and can't believe I am 37 with two kids of my own. I am the grown up! Ha! That's funny!
19. I have a seriously irrational fear of being shot while driving under an overpass.
20. I am also scared of sharks, having seen Jaws at a shockingly early age (like 3 or 4). My parents thought I was being responsibly looked after at a friends house. It really impacted me. (see #3)
21. My most embarrassing moment was when I came out of the bathroom at a New Year's party and sashayed across the entire dance floor, doing a few smooth moves along the way, only to be told my skirt was tucked into my bright blue panties, earning the me name "Blue Buns" from other hilarious party-goers. Oh, I also blush easily.
22. I am not having any more kids and that makes me both sad and relieved.
23. I love to read. I'll read just about anything and recently had a shaming lapse in good parenting when I bought a Barbie movie on i-tunes so Claire would watch it and be quiet so I could finish my teeny-bopper vampire book. (The Twilight saga, such rubbishy goodness)
24. I want to do more camping and hiking. And by more, I mean: I want to camp and hike.
25. I was in a "synchronized swim" competition at the company picnic. We were called The Splashmatics and we were awesome. Watch us: http://www.youtube.com/wat
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!! (skip unless you like to hear me complain)
Gavin won't eat. He used to eat anything I made for him: avocado-wheat germ-squash-yogurt, banana-zucchini-oatmeal-sweet potato...whatever combo I set before him, he ate. Now he turns his nose up at just about everything. Tonight I even made the creamiest, ooziest, cheesiest broccoli-tuna-mac and cheese ever, from scratch. (OK, I am not much of a chef so the 'from scratch' is noteworthy...although I didn't actually make the pasta) and he only ate a few bites. Earlier I broke down and bought one of those Gerber Graduates ravioli meals, thinking that surely he would bite. Nope. I thought he was eating some but I found them tucked away in the no-spill snack bowl he was playing with. Granted, they were sort of grey, limp pasta lozenges so I can hardly blame him...but MY mac and cheese? Delicious. I have tried any number of things that I think he should like or that he used to like and nothing. Grrr. I had a serious lapse in good parenting when I tried to hand feed him a noodle. He handed it back to me and I threw it onto his tray like a petulant child. Luckily he was looking the other way. Sheesh.
I know, I know, he'll eat when he is hungry, but in the meantime, he will cry a lot and wake me up and make me crazy(er).
Meanwhile, Claire was having a super-sensitive day and spent at least half of it crying for no apparent reason. Including when we had to stop playing "Flying Defeat" (a lay-on-your-back-feet-up airplane game where she defeats me...over and over again) because it was time to eat. She was lying on top of me and started crying and saying I was squishing her. When I pointed out that she was on top of me with her elbow in my throat and had just smeared a boogie on me, she lifted her tear-stained face, actually smiled and said - But that's what mommies are for! (Ah yes, the glamorous life of the human tissue) Five minutes later, cue crying because I actually wanted her to sit down and eat dinner...You made me upset, Mama! Again: Grrr. At least she liked my mac and cheese.
On a positive note, I picked the perfect day to impulse-buy an oil can of Heineken.
I know, I know, he'll eat when he is hungry, but in the meantime, he will cry a lot and wake me up and make me crazy(er).
Meanwhile, Claire was having a super-sensitive day and spent at least half of it crying for no apparent reason. Including when we had to stop playing "Flying Defeat" (a lay-on-your-back-feet-up airplane game where she defeats me...over and over again) because it was time to eat. She was lying on top of me and started crying and saying I was squishing her. When I pointed out that she was on top of me with her elbow in my throat and had just smeared a boogie on me, she lifted her tear-stained face, actually smiled and said - But that's what mommies are for! (Ah yes, the glamorous life of the human tissue) Five minutes later, cue crying because I actually wanted her to sit down and eat dinner...You made me upset, Mama! Again: Grrr. At least she liked my mac and cheese.
On a positive note, I picked the perfect day to impulse-buy an oil can of Heineken.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The big show
I like this program because they are not all serious about themselves. It's lots of laughs and bubbles and learning a few moves without any eastern bloc scream-in-your-face-style coaching techniques. (For an example of that style, see my swim coach from 6th/7th grade. Yikes!). I mean she is only 4. That's for when she moves into the 5 year old group.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dammit, Mom! Put down the camera and help me!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Christmas in New Mexico
Jack and Claire discover that Santa came:
Rosy-cheeked from the fire:
,
Collecting pine cones to decorate the tree:
Stringing popcorn:
We drove to Ruidoso, NM for Christmas. It's a long drive from Austin, so we broke the trip up, heading first to Ft. Worth for a couple of nights visiting family, then to Lubbock and finally on to New Mexico, arriving on the 23rd. I am going to resort to bullet-points to mention some of the highlights, good and bad:
Rosy-cheeked from the fire:,
Collecting pine cones to decorate the tree:
Stringing popcorn:
We drove to Ruidoso, NM for Christmas. It's a long drive from Austin, so we broke the trip up, heading first to Ft. Worth for a couple of nights visiting family, then to Lubbock and finally on to New Mexico, arriving on the 23rd. I am going to resort to bullet-points to mention some of the highlights, good and bad:
- Our van got broken into in Lubbock. Thanks to the man with the pants that nothing was stolen since all the presents, my computer, even my set of keys to the car (oops) were in plain view. Someone must have come out of the restaurant and scared off the thieves. Uncle Mo didn't notice and "sat in the glass like an Uncle-head" (what Claire heard..I am pretty sure he called himself a knucklehead) Took a few hours the next day to get the glass replaced but considering nothing was taken we were damn lucky.
- The cabin was comfortable, if a little small. The owners decorated it nicely for the holidays and it had the rustic feel we were looking for.
- We had 3 kids, a Granny, 4 other grown-ups, 2 dogs and a bird...and everyone remained civil.
- You can get Christmas trees cheap at Walmart on Christmas Eve. $7.50. Who knew?
- The girls had a great time decorating the tree with minimal supplies...popcorn string, paper chain and glitter-glued pine cones. I liked the homemade look.
- Santa managed to find us in the mountains and everyone was spoiled rotten.
- Shane had his telescope and the number of stars visible from out there was insane. It almost made me dizzy. Makes the telescope view in the cul-de-sac look extremely pathetic.
- We went to Winter Park, a snow tubing tourist destination. Fun for the kids. Cold and too crowded for the grown-ups (and Gavin)
- It snowed! We got about 4 inches - just perfect for the girls to make snowmen, throw snowballs, make snow angels etc etc. We used the cookie sheet from the cabin as a makeshift sled. Hey - it worked just fine...no need for a fancy-pants toboggan!
- We managed to leave the van on for 2 days and ran it out of gas and battery. Just a simple mistake but, for once, not mine! (then we got a huge crack in the windshield...not a good trip for the vehicle!)
- Gavin had his last hurrah with his pacifier on this trip and he hasn't used it since.
- It was a Merry Christmas. Claire talks most about the Uncle-head.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Toronto Trip
Finally, the perfect way to immobilize Gavin!
Perfecting silly string technique with Auntie Sarah before the parade. As a kid with a clown looking out for her, this is an important skill to master.
Our Toronto trip was so much fun. We stayed with Auntie Sarah in her condo downtown and did very well considering there were 6 of us in a very small space, granted 2 of the 6 are rather small. Claire thought Niagara Falls were all right, but not as cool as the Rainforest Cafe in the gaud-awful tourist hell that has sprung up near the falls. Anyway, now she can say she has been to "Niagara da Falls", even if total time spent looking at one of mother natures wonders was 3.5 minutes.
One of the highlights of the trip was the Santa Claus Parade, a very big deal in Toronto. Sarah's boyfriend is involved in the parade (as a clown, the honor of which is bestowed on those who contribute to the funding of the parade. he has a great time doing it and at the end of the route the "bad clowns" head straight to the bad clown bar to warm up) which got us VIP balcony space from which to view the parade. What a fantastic experience for Claire! She had such a great time...even getting there on the subway was an adventure for my suburban daughter and when we can out of the subway it was snowing. Perfect! Even better was that the snow didn't last, so we got the effect without the mess.
We also went to the Ontario Science Centre, which was a favorite place of mine when I lived in Toronto as a kid. It was still pretty good, but somehow a little dirtier-seeming than I remember. I guess it has been 20+ years. Holy crap.
Good meals, great company and good to be back in TO. I left wanting to move back immediately. I miss my sister and we Canadians (OK...so I haven't lived there in forever, maybe "us" is a huge stretch) are so nice, eh. Of course the recent spate of colder than cold weather may have me reconsidering, but it's a possibilty, at some point, I suppose. Who knows where life will take us?
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