- All the advance prep and on-time airport arrivals in the world can't get you on a flight if the airline is understaffed and the staff on hand gets a kick out of saying no. (I'm not going to mention the airline in question, but I will tell you that its name starts with an F.)
- Not everyone takes pity on small children whimpering, "But Mommy, you said I could go on an airplane today," or "I really, really, really want to see my cousins! I miss them so much."
- The name of the airline ends with -rontier. But that's all I'm telling. No more hints.
- A long-overdue haircut and mani/pedi can make a bad day better.
- Just because you can still do a cartwheel doesn't mean you should.
- El Salvadorian food is delicious.
- El Salvadorian food is even more delicious when the tab for a decadent dinner for four (plus leftovers) comes to $17.75.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Things I learned today
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Survivors
While the cousins were visiting, we went to the fantastic old amusement park that I've talked about before. It has a 100-year-old roller coaster, which (cover your eyes, Caity), Xavier thoroughly enjoyed. Seriously. It's scary. I've told the story of how I was once driving by the park and saw workers tossing pieces of white lumber back over the fence beneath the roller coaster, which, I should point out, is constructed of white lumber. Also, there was the time my friend Mark and I got summoned to the office for taking pictures of the rides, and I really, seriously, thought they were going to smash Mark's camera until we insisted we were just taking pictures of the signs and not of the rides themselves. Instead they made Mark sign a statement saying he'd delete all the photos and never ever ever ever share them with anyone. Most especially not people with any amusement park regulating agencies.
But it's also FUN! And CHEAP! Yay!
So it's noteworthy that the children all survived their adventure, but also significant is the fact that Greg and I survived it. As we were leaving to go to the park, our 5-year-old next-door neighbor (who is probably more accurately described as Sidamo's roommate for all the time they spend together) was hysterical at the thought of missing out on all the fun. Easily swayed by little boy tears (and probably a little delirious from exhaustion), we decided to bring him along.
Which, if you're counting, means we went to a deathtrap of an amusement park with FIVE children. And we returned with FIVE children. Including TWENTY limbs. Miraculous.
Our one faux pas was arriving with an almost-dead camera battery, but it's probably for the best that neither of us was focused on taking pictures, leaving us both able to focus on counting children—and children's limbs.
Here are the couple of pics we did get, though, on a decidedly more innocuous ride.
But it's also FUN! And CHEAP! Yay!
So it's noteworthy that the children all survived their adventure, but also significant is the fact that Greg and I survived it. As we were leaving to go to the park, our 5-year-old next-door neighbor (who is probably more accurately described as Sidamo's roommate for all the time they spend together) was hysterical at the thought of missing out on all the fun. Easily swayed by little boy tears (and probably a little delirious from exhaustion), we decided to bring him along.
Which, if you're counting, means we went to a deathtrap of an amusement park with FIVE children. And we returned with FIVE children. Including TWENTY limbs. Miraculous.
Our one faux pas was arriving with an almost-dead camera battery, but it's probably for the best that neither of us was focused on taking pictures, leaving us both able to focus on counting children—and children's limbs.
Here are the couple of pics we did get, though, on a decidedly more innocuous ride.
Clearly the sunscreen issue remains unresolved.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Transitions
Sidamo finished up at his preschool last week, and it's been sad for all of us (especially him). We really grew to love the teachers and other students, and Sidamo grew tremendously while there. When we first started taking him, he was terribly shy and wanted me to stay with him all day. By the end of his year-plus there, I narrowly averted a broken nose more than once as the door to preschool slammed behind him. He turned into one of the leaders in his class, and it was just such a beautiful thing to see.
This week we have him enrolled in an Ethiopian culture camp that has been … fine. Sidamo has gone back to his old habit of clinging to me in the morning and begging me not to leave, but then telling me after camp that he had a good time and wants to go back. (For the record, when he begs me not to leave—especially at a camp that's all about getting in touch with his adopted side—I don't. Today I stayed for two hours until he felt comfortable staying by himself.)
Next week (the week before Sidamo's new school starts) we go to visit my sister in NY and stay with her and her family at their beach house. We've been looking forward to it for months. Meaghan offered to sign Sidamo up for camp with Catherine and George, and initially I thought it sounded like a great idea. But then last night Greg and I were talking about the fact that this might be too many transitions for Sidamo in a row—ending his old school, going to a week-long culture camp, going to his cousins' camp, and then immediately coming back and jumping into a brand-new school.
So while driving to camp this morning I called Meg and told her what I was thinking. Sidamo was in the backseat and was uncharacteristically quiet as I described my worries about how he might feel going to camp, what insecurities it might stir, and how I wanted him to feel empowered to make his own choice about it—no pressure from anyone. We agreed to just take it day by day and let Sidamo decide what he's comfortable with.
When I hung up the phone, I looked back at my sad-seeming boy and said, "You probably heard me talking about you and all the changes you've been going through."
"Uh huh," he sighed, as he stared out the window.
"I was just telling Aunt Meg that I want you to be able to enjoy your vacation and do whatever you want to do. If you want to go to camp with George, you can. If you want to stay with Mommy and Daddy and Nora, that's great too."
"Uh huh," he said, still not looking up toward me.
"So what are you thinking about that? Do you have any questions?"
"Well, I have one question."
"What is it?" I asked, ready to field whatever he had for me—and feeling immensely proud of fostering such open dialogue.
"Why are squirrels diseased?"
Ready to field almost any question, I guess. Still immensely proud, though.
This week we have him enrolled in an Ethiopian culture camp that has been … fine. Sidamo has gone back to his old habit of clinging to me in the morning and begging me not to leave, but then telling me after camp that he had a good time and wants to go back. (For the record, when he begs me not to leave—especially at a camp that's all about getting in touch with his adopted side—I don't. Today I stayed for two hours until he felt comfortable staying by himself.)
Next week (the week before Sidamo's new school starts) we go to visit my sister in NY and stay with her and her family at their beach house. We've been looking forward to it for months. Meaghan offered to sign Sidamo up for camp with Catherine and George, and initially I thought it sounded like a great idea. But then last night Greg and I were talking about the fact that this might be too many transitions for Sidamo in a row—ending his old school, going to a week-long culture camp, going to his cousins' camp, and then immediately coming back and jumping into a brand-new school.
So while driving to camp this morning I called Meg and told her what I was thinking. Sidamo was in the backseat and was uncharacteristically quiet as I described my worries about how he might feel going to camp, what insecurities it might stir, and how I wanted him to feel empowered to make his own choice about it—no pressure from anyone. We agreed to just take it day by day and let Sidamo decide what he's comfortable with.
When I hung up the phone, I looked back at my sad-seeming boy and said, "You probably heard me talking about you and all the changes you've been going through."
"Uh huh," he sighed, as he stared out the window.
"I was just telling Aunt Meg that I want you to be able to enjoy your vacation and do whatever you want to do. If you want to go to camp with George, you can. If you want to stay with Mommy and Daddy and Nora, that's great too."
"Uh huh," he said, still not looking up toward me.
"So what are you thinking about that? Do you have any questions?"
"Well, I have one question."
"What is it?" I asked, ready to field whatever he had for me—and feeling immensely proud of fostering such open dialogue.
"Why are squirrels diseased?"
Ready to field almost any question, I guess. Still immensely proud, though.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Cousins
Our niece Zoe and nephew Xavier came for a 5-day visit last week, and we had a blast. It was so much fun to have them on our turf, all by themselves, for a spell. Their mom, my sister, moved away from our home state of New Jersey a few years ago, which means that when we take our trips "back home," I don't get to see Caity and the kids. It's been a while since we've been able to really reconnect with Zoe and Xavier, so I decided to remedy that by bringing them out here.
First things first: They're both tall. Xavier, 12, is already an inch taller than me, and Zoe, 10, is not far behind. Not cool. My kids have agreed to never outgrow me, and for that I thank them. They're also both very smart, very sassy, and very funny. I'm still giggling from this exchange:
Me: I'll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom.
Zoe: You go to the bathroom a lot.
Xavier: Old ladies always go to the bathroom a lot.
Me: Hey! I'm not even that old!
Xavier: Yeah, I bet the word "ye" doesn't think it's old either.
It was a week of all sorts of zingers, but my ego is slowly recovering. Sidamo and Nora had so much fun with their cousins and luckily are still too young to pick up on any of the making-fun-of-mommy behaviors.
We did all sorts of fun things (the zoo, the nature/science museum, horseback riding—pics below, an amusement park, etc.) but their favorite thing was visiting our friends with eight children and a Wii. Their least favorite things: eating vegetables and walking places instead of driving.
Zoe loves horses, so we took a trip up to Karolyn's house to ride Beau. He was, as always, a great sport. Zoe was a natural. She and Nora will have lots to bond over in a few years.
We were sad to see the cousins go at the end of their visit, but we're hoping to get to visit them sometime soon. I do wish we lived closer to my now-scattered family so the cousins could grow up involved in each other's lives. Sometimes the world is just a little too big.
First things first: They're both tall. Xavier, 12, is already an inch taller than me, and Zoe, 10, is not far behind. Not cool. My kids have agreed to never outgrow me, and for that I thank them. They're also both very smart, very sassy, and very funny. I'm still giggling from this exchange:
Me: I'll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom.
Zoe: You go to the bathroom a lot.
Xavier: Old ladies always go to the bathroom a lot.
Me: Hey! I'm not even that old!
Xavier: Yeah, I bet the word "ye" doesn't think it's old either.
It was a week of all sorts of zingers, but my ego is slowly recovering. Sidamo and Nora had so much fun with their cousins and luckily are still too young to pick up on any of the making-fun-of-mommy behaviors.
We did all sorts of fun things (the zoo, the nature/science museum, horseback riding—pics below, an amusement park, etc.) but their favorite thing was visiting our friends with eight children and a Wii. Their least favorite things: eating vegetables and walking places instead of driving.
Zoe loves horses, so we took a trip up to Karolyn's house to ride Beau. He was, as always, a great sport. Zoe was a natural. She and Nora will have lots to bond over in a few years.
Sidamo's angry about something. Xavier is trying to cheer him up.
Seems to have worked.
We were sad to see the cousins go at the end of their visit, but we're hoping to get to visit them sometime soon. I do wish we lived closer to my now-scattered family so the cousins could grow up involved in each other's lives. Sometimes the world is just a little too big.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Squirrel eggs and life lessons
Sidamo: Look, mommy! I found a squirrel egg in the grass!
Me: That's a mushroom.
Sidamo: No, I'm sure it's a squirrel egg.
Me: Squirrels don't lay eggs.
Sidamo: Then how do they get baby squirrels?
Me: Same way people get baby people.
Sidamo: By adopting them?
Me: That's a mushroom.
Sidamo: No, I'm sure it's a squirrel egg.
Me: Squirrels don't lay eggs.
Sidamo: Then how do they get baby squirrels?
Me: Same way people get baby people.
Sidamo: By adopting them?
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Gleesome threesome
Sizzle and her folks, who joined us for last year's camping trip, met us for two days of this trip, making it even more fun. The three kids had lots of fun, lots of laughs, and just a few tears together, and we enjoyed the company of the other grown-ups. Greg enjoys fishing with Pete, and I enjoy having Jess to talk to (and keep me sane) while the big boys are down at the water.
Oh, I guess this is where I should note that the little boy caught his first fish this time around. Using a real hook instead of his plastic magnetic one (or Nora's pine-cone lure), and an actual worm (much to the dismay of his fly-fishing father). The fish didn't actually make it to shore, but he did have the thrill of the bite and the adventure of trying to reel the wriggly guy in. And I won't pretend I'm not a teensy bit pleased that no fish were killed in the making of this blog post.
Back to the gleesome threesome, though. How cute are these kids?
Just all hanging out.
Shooting the breeze as the sun sets over the Rockies.
Telling funny jokes, and reveling in their great fortune of finding such good company.
Truth be told, it was kind of a Sizzle and Damo show. Quintessential love triangle: Sizzle loves Damo (sorry, 16-year-old Sizzle, if you're back here checking out the blog, but it's true). Nora loves Sizzle (puts her head on her shoulder, tries to touch her just a little too much). Sidamo loves Sidamo. So I guess maybe there's a side missing on this triangle, but you get my point.
Poor Nora seems to be the odd-kid-out in a lot of our social interactions. I don't know whether it's the fact that her big brother has such a huge personality, or if it's just normal for toddlers to all glom onto the biggest kid in sight, but Nora is more or less invisible to her friends with Sidamo is around. Worse is the fact that when Sidamo is around his friends, Nora becomes the target of their jokes and pranks and not the adorable little tyrant she's clearly destined to be. As the youngest of three, this brings up some childhood soft-spots for me. My sisters would point out all the ways in which I had it made (thanks again, Meg, for giving me your lobster tail at Mommy's prodding), but I distinctly remember that feeling of being the one no one played with willingly.
Youngest siblings, unite.
Oh, I guess this is where I should note that the little boy caught his first fish this time around. Using a real hook instead of his plastic magnetic one (or Nora's pine-cone lure), and an actual worm (much to the dismay of his fly-fishing father). The fish didn't actually make it to shore, but he did have the thrill of the bite and the adventure of trying to reel the wriggly guy in. And I won't pretend I'm not a teensy bit pleased that no fish were killed in the making of this blog post.
Back to the gleesome threesome, though. How cute are these kids?
Just all hanging out.
Shooting the breeze as the sun sets over the Rockies.
Telling funny jokes, and reveling in their great fortune of finding such good company.
Truth be told, it was kind of a Sizzle and Damo show. Quintessential love triangle: Sizzle loves Damo (sorry, 16-year-old Sizzle, if you're back here checking out the blog, but it's true). Nora loves Sizzle (puts her head on her shoulder, tries to touch her just a little too much). Sidamo loves Sidamo. So I guess maybe there's a side missing on this triangle, but you get my point.
Poor Nora seems to be the odd-kid-out in a lot of our social interactions. I don't know whether it's the fact that her big brother has such a huge personality, or if it's just normal for toddlers to all glom onto the biggest kid in sight, but Nora is more or less invisible to her friends with Sidamo is around. Worse is the fact that when Sidamo is around his friends, Nora becomes the target of their jokes and pranks and not the adorable little tyrant she's clearly destined to be. As the youngest of three, this brings up some childhood soft-spots for me. My sisters would point out all the ways in which I had it made (thanks again, Meg, for giving me your lobster tail at Mommy's prodding), but I distinctly remember that feeling of being the one no one played with willingly.
Youngest siblings, unite.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The adventures of potty learning
It's all better when there's ice cream and a road trip involved, no?
I've been keeping this development under wraps, because as I've mentioned, Nora reads this blog and adjusts her behaviors accordingly. But now that we're three weeks into diaper-free life, I feel like it's safe (lightning, don't strike me now) to post this announcement:
I've been keeping this development under wraps, because as I've mentioned, Nora reads this blog and adjusts her behaviors accordingly. But now that we're three weeks into diaper-free life, I feel like it's safe (lightning, don't strike me now) to post this announcement:
BumGenius diapers for sale. Inquire within.
ISO: Mountain lake property
No shelter needed. Budget: $20-ish/night.
If I could define my perfect environment, it would be this: on the water, with sunny blue skies (rainbows welcome), and cool enough to require the occasional midday fleece. We found all that in our most recent camping trip.
We also found loud and drunk camping neighbors (par for the course with public campgrounds), whom I could do without. And that leads me to this ISO. If you know of anyone looking to offload a teensy bit of land on a beautiful mountain stream or lake, or creek, or maybe even pond, just let us know. We'd be happy to take it off their hands.
In the meantime, I might just make Nora start sleeping in a sleeping bag in a refrigerated room. Camping is the only time she falls asleep in minutes and sleeps solidly through the night.
Heaven on earth. Minus the drunken revelers.
If I could define my perfect environment, it would be this: on the water, with sunny blue skies (rainbows welcome), and cool enough to require the occasional midday fleece. We found all that in our most recent camping trip.
We also found loud and drunk camping neighbors (par for the course with public campgrounds), whom I could do without. And that leads me to this ISO. If you know of anyone looking to offload a teensy bit of land on a beautiful mountain stream or lake, or creek, or maybe even pond, just let us know. We'd be happy to take it off their hands.
In the meantime, I might just make Nora start sleeping in a sleeping bag in a refrigerated room. Camping is the only time she falls asleep in minutes and sleeps solidly through the night.
Heaven on earth. Minus the drunken revelers.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Famiversary!
Three years ago, we cuddled our sweet little man for the first time. And by cuddled, I of course mean insecurely attempted to hold and soothe. And by sweet little man, I mean terrified, screaming, bawling, confused toddler. We celebrate this day for all it signifies—it was our first glimpse of what this life, this family, would be. But we don't forget what else it represents: tremendous loss that no child should ever have to suffer in order to be part of a family (something I always want to tell people who tell us how lucky he is).
Even amidst the emotional upheaval, we could see what a sweet, sensitive, and smart person we were bringing into our lives. What we didn't see is the vibrant, hilarious, confident, kinda crazy kid we have grown to know and love in these past three years.
Tell me again who the lucky ones are?
Even amidst the emotional upheaval, we could see what a sweet, sensitive, and smart person we were bringing into our lives. What we didn't see is the vibrant, hilarious, confident, kinda crazy kid we have grown to know and love in these past three years.
Tell me again who the lucky ones are?
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