Category Archives: Life

Life

On This Day Six Years Ago…

Six years ago this morning, I found myself eagerly anticipating the birth of my first born (well, after the Epidural kicked in anyway. Before then I was eagerly anticipating a little pain relief).

What we experienced over just a few hours was a ton of excitement, then worry, then deep concern, then surgery, then immense joy. It seemed appropriate that, from the moment he was born, Thomas started us on the roller coaster that I’m sure will continue well beyond his teenage years.

A few facts about Thomas at six:

  • He changes his toy obsession from moment to moment. Right now our house is being overrun by Super Heroes. Lat week it was Cars and Wonderpets. Makes it difficult to shop for his birthday.
  • He is currently going through a stage where he will sing everything to me, opera-style. It’s really sweet for the first 10 or so minutes. (blame Wonderpets)
  • He is incredibly sensitive and often surprises me with his empathy.
  • He is smart – and getting smarter every day (and I’m only a little biased).
  • He has grown so much over the past year. From learning to ride his bike to blowing us away with his ability to learn everything from Math to Japanese, this kids amazes us every day.
  • He will NOT be celebrating his birthday with a cast on his arm.

Happy birthday baby (I’ll still be calling you that when you’re twenty). We are so proud of you.

The Outtakes

I was going to come on here to share a few wonderful photos of my children on their first day back at school – and then share some of the outtakes just for fun. But then I looked through my photos and realized that the outtakes were the norm and that, really, our life is just one long series of outtakes these days.

The first day back went as well as could be expected. I only had to leave one screaming child in the arms of a caregiver (Samuel) and was able to peel Thomas off my leg within 5 minutes, so I consider that a successful drop off.

Thomas’ first day of Kindergarten (that’s Prep, for my Aussie readers) was just an orientation so they only needed him for an hour – just enough time for me to grab a coffee and read a few emails on my first day back at work before I had to go and pick him up for his assessment. He did extremely well at assessment and declared himself to be “possibly the smartest kid in the whole school.” So I guess his confidence level is right up there with his math and reading scores.

Excited for the rest of the week – a birthday to celebrate, a real first day of Kindergarten to prepare for and a whole lot of work to do. Two weeks of vacation doesn’t do any favors for the inbox.

For now, enjoy some of our first day outtakes photographs.

 

 

Five Things Friday: Reads From My Nightstand

P.S. Nightstand = bedside table for my Aussie readers.
P.P.S. Is it rude to begin a post with a P.S.?

I love to read.

Of course I have two children, a full time job and a very busy life so it takes me a lot longer to get through a book these days than in the time BC (before child). (Note to authors – short chapters make my life so much easier). Oh, and I’ve just started watching True Blood from the beginning so I think that may take up some of my precious reading time for the next few months.

At any given time, I have 5 to 10 books sitting on my bedside table just waiting for me to read them. Sometimes I start a book and then leave it to focus on another for a while, so you can find me reading 2-3 books at the same time (well, not at exactly the same time, but you know what I mean…).

For this week’s five things Friday I thought I’d share five books that are sitting on my bedside table right now.

1. At Work by Annie Leibovitz

This book has been on my wishlist for a long time and finally caved and bought it a couple of weeks ago. I’ve made my way through three chapters so far and I’m really enjoying it. Easy to read and the perfect mix of history, biography and photography.

2. NutureShock: New Thinking About Children by PO Bronson and Ashley Merryman

I started reading NurtureShock soon after we had Samuel in the hope that I would better understand the sibling relationship and avoid many of the parenting challenges that come with having multiple children. I haven’t picked it up for a couple of years but I think that now may be the perfect time to crack it open again given issues we’ve been having with our youngest child. I’ll take all the advice I can get.

3. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Started reading a few months ago after a friend’s recommendation. Couldn’t really get into it back then but I think I’ll try again after I finish…

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I actually have the whole trilogy sitting on my bedside table and have just commenced book 1. Thoroughly enjoying it so far and doubt I’ll have any trouble finishing the first book before the movie comes out in a couple of months.

5. The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
 I’m not a big reader of self help books but this one sounds intriguing. Of course it’s been sitting unopened for at least a year and a half so I have no idea if it’s worth reading but I have every intention of reading it cover to cover… after I finish The Hunger Games trilogy.

Also on my nightstand:

  • The Marilyn Monroe issue of Vanity Fair from earlier this year (or maybe it was last year…)
  • The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly
  • A large selection of random childrens’ books

What’s missing? I would love some more suggestions.

Five Things Friday: A Little Light Entertainment

It’s been a busy week – one that began on Monday and feels as though it should have ended at least a couple of days ago. I took a TON of photographs for work and now have them sitting on my computer ready to edit. Sadly, I have not had the time (or frankly, the weather thanks to the never-ending Portland rain) to take many personal photos but I hope to rectify that over the weekend with a few sightseeing adventures around town.

So, as a lead in to a (hopefully) relaxing weekend, today’s edition of five things Friday shares a few random, whimsical fun websites/articles/blog articles from around the web, including one that literally made me cry with laughter.

1. The top 15 most popular damn you auto complete texts of all time.
Not appropriate for children but will make adults cry with laughter (well, this adult at least).

2. A Popsicle roundup
I’ve been meaning to make Popsicles all summer and this list makes me feel like this might be  the weekend to do it. Now to locate those popsicle thingy’s in the basement…

3.  GINGER & PEARL {TWO LIVES, ONE LOVE – A RETROSPECTIVE}
Would love to create a photo story like this one day. It’s why I have such a passion for photography – sharing stories about real people with amazing images.

4. TESCO virtual supermarket in train station
I could do with one of these in my living room now that New Seasons no longer offers online shopping.

5. Hypothetical Wes Anderson film festival
Love the design elements, right down to the fake movie trailer.

I hope to be back on Monday with  stories and pictures from our upcoming weekend adventures. Until then, I leave you with a group portrait from last weekend taken in a wonderful old window in the Portland Pearl district. Kei wasn’t left out on purpose – he was at home painting our back room which is now ready for furniture (hooray!). Just a few short hours until I park myself on the new deck and settle in for a weekend of fun. Enjoy!

 

Because Nothing Says “Welcome to America” Like Giving a Two-Year-Old a Flammable Object

Mayumi and Karin were fortunate to arrive in America just days before that big, loud holiday we call Independence Day. It afforded them the perfect opportunity to immediately experience some of the basics of American culture – BBQ, Beer and Fireworks.

We hadn’t planned on a July 4th get together (our deck is still a work in progress)  but, when our friends canceled their weekend getaway plans, we decided to host an impromptu, low key event in our front yard. Leftover pasta salad, pre-made Kebabs and a little grilled Salmon made it a quick and easy spread for 9, so we were able to truly enjoy each others’ company and the fantastic sunshine.

As much as I want our deck to be finished, there is something wonderful about hanging out in our front yard. It seems if you sit there long enough you will have the opportunity to say hello to every single neighbor at one time or another. Some of them stayed for a Popsicle, others to watch our small (legal and child-safe) fireworks display and then others said a quick hello before moving on to their own July 4th celebration. The best part was that Mayumi and Karin were able to meet nearly everyone without having to endure a big party or millions of household visits. And when they went to the park on their own the next day, they were surrounded by our friends instead of a bunch strangers.

Of course the highlight of any July 4th get together is the fireworks. While our neighbors impressive show (purchased across the border) did not start until after dark, we held our own mini show at the child friendly time of 7pm. Sure, the sun was in the middle of the sky, but fun was had by all nonetheless. And the kids were in bed asleep by 9pm. Perfect!

And then after bedtime the real light show began. It’s the wonder the kids were able to sleep at all.

 

And Then the Sun Came Out…

After weeks (months!) of rain, the sun finally decided to show it’s face in Portland this weekend. We celebrated by continuing to show Mayumi and Karin around the city. In hindsight, probably not the best choice for the 4th of July/Portland Blues Festival/first nice weekend of the year. Still, we had a great time catching the train downtown and then navigating the  the crowds, to sneak in a little waterfront fountain time and a walk to Pioneer Square. (Note to the Tourism Center: you need to stock more maps and materials in Japanese).

Making use of our Joovy double stroller again for the first time in at least a year. Came in very handy for toting at least two children at a time and sometimes even three.

The kids were a little hesitant about the fountain at first but as you can see, they soon got in the spirit. As difficult as it is to photograph in full sun, I love that we finally get to experience a few harsh shadows.

Oh, and temporary tattoos are big in our house. In case you were wondering about those unsightly marks all over my children.

And you can’t call it a trip to the Rose City without saying hello to at least one Beaver…

…or posing with a few local icons (Sapporo: 4,456 miles)

Such a fun day, harsh shadows included.

She Calls Him Oniichan

Thomas has really taken Karin under his wing. Sometimes she calls him Oniichan (big brother), other times Tomodachi (friend). He talks to her in Japanese and seems to understand almost everything she says. It’s sweet and more than I expected from this three-day-old relationship. They are kindred spirits.

Of course we’re also dealing with some jealousy issues from Samuel, mainly because his brother is more likely to spend time with someone who follows him around and does everything he wants her to do. Samuel is not that child, but, slowly, he and Karin have begun playing together. He calls her his little sister.

Right now all three of them are playing nicely upstairs. I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

On a side note, Samuel fell down the stairs this morning. I watched from above as he went head over tail down about 10 steps and then hit his head on the closed door at the bottom. Samuel gained a huge bump on his head, I lost about three years of my life. We drove to the emergency room but decided on the way that, since he didn’t lose consciousness and was talking and laughing by the time we got there, that we were better off spending our time watching him at home to make sure he’s OK than sitting in a waiting room.

Three years of age is a dangerous time. This is the third fall that Samuel has had in as many days. I’m pretty sure he’s having a growth spurt and it’s contributing to his clumsiness. I just hope he regains his footing soon for my own health as well as his.

It was difficult to capture it in a photo, but I assure you that the bump was immediate and very impressive.

Our Japanese Visitors

About three weeks ago I responded to a call on the Urban Mamas blog for families who were willing to host a Mother and Child (or children) visiting from Japan. Many areas of the country, particularly in the Tohoku region, have been affected by radiation from the leaking nuclear power plant in Fukushima. The effect this has had on the day-to-day lives of people who live in the region is enormous. Playgrounds are empty because parents are asked to keep their children indoors, food that once came from local farmers is now being shipped from across the country, electricity rationing means that air conditioning and elevators are turned off, even in high rise apartments.

But the thing they worry about the most is the health of their children. I can’t imagine a mother who would not want to remove her child from the potentially harmful effects of radiation, even if only for a short time.

And so we put up our hand and were contacted by Mayumi, a young mother with a two year old child who had the means and the motivation to leave. Just for a few months, but enough time to give her daughter the chance to run around outside for the Summer and heal some of the damage that may have already been caused by exposure to radiation.

Mayumi and Karin arrived today after a very long flight and Karin made herself home in no time at all. Thomas has taken her under his wing and Samuel is cautious, but friendly – which is the most we can ask for given he had to give up his bedroom and his space is now being infiltrated by a being of similar size, stature and cuteness.

I will definitely be back to share stories about Mayumi and Karin’s visit and the impact they are already having on our lives. But, for now, I have time to share just a few photos -mainly for Karin’s Daddy who is so far away and undoubtedly already missing his little girl.

 

A Weekend Well Spent

There is nothing better than returning to work on a Monday with the feeling that your weekend was well-spent. This weekend I had the perfect mix of getting some work done around the house (painting started but laundry not quite finished), time with the girls (hello, karaoke!) and family time that also included a whole lot of bike riding. No wonder I slept so well last night, although I could easily have done with a couple more hours. I’m waiting for my second coffee to kick in and get me through the rest of the day.

For my I heart faces entry this morning, I chose a photo that I took while we took part in Portland Sunday Parkways. The challenge is “whimsical” and I suppose this fits the bill…

Had to borrow a friend’s child for the photo because my two boys would rather do anything than run around under a sprinkler and get wet.

This week promises more house painting, prepping Samuel’s bedroom for Japanese guests (SO excited!), more laundry and, hopefully, a little time to squeeze in some photo editing, car cleaning and maybe even a pedicure. Bring it!