Wonder Woman and Batman. Wonder Woman tiara and bracelets designed by Thomas (cut out and stapled by me). The purple ribbon is a Magic Lasso. Angry expressions are part of the character (apparently Super Heroes are always angry/intimidating).
Here they are in the invisible jet – not that I can see them of course. I was instructed to take a picture of the empty “sky”.
It’s nice to look back at these photos I took on Sunday and laugh at the innocent naivety of children who think they were actually experiencing a snowstorm.
No kids, that wasn’t a snowstorm.
A snowstorm is what your mother is experiencing right now as she sits in an office in Bellevue, WA, obsessively watching the weather reports for signs that the roads will clear up just a little so she can return home today.
Of course if I lived in Ohio right now I’d be saying “that’s not a snowstorm…”
This year we decided to enroll Thomas in Karate lessons. The lessons fall during his after school program at 2:30pm so it has been difficult for me to get away on a Friday and watch him in action. Thankfully he has been very willing to show us his moves at home, but still it’s not quite the same as seeing him in full “Gi”, the official name for the white shirt and pants. (It’ short for “Karatagi” – I had to look that up).
One thing that was apparent as soon as I started taking photographs is how very small he is when you stand him next to a couple of 4th grade girls.
I supposed it’s a good thing he’s developing a few self defense moves if only to protect him from giants.
Thankfully there are some kids on his level.
Thomas has told us a few times that he wants to quit Karate. The problem is that it’s during his after school care time and going to Karate means that he misses out on snack time and outside time and basically anything-that’s-fun time.
It’s only once a week (although for 90 minutes) and I plan to keep encouraging him to stick with it for a few reasons:
Of course, the only thing that’s motivating Thomas right now is the promise of a yellow belt at his first belt test and a new fascination with Ninjas.
The best part about having kids who are obsessed by superheroes right now? The ability to use it to selfishly manipulate them.
Need to go somewhere? Let’s use the “Bat car”. Time for bed? Time to use the “Bat Toothbrush.”
I’m sure they’ll catch on soon and the plan has it’s flaws (“I’m NOT BATMAN! I’m Superman!) but I’m determined to get as much mileage out of it as I can in the meantime.
So, after the opening of a few dozen presents, the eating of a fatted calf and the taking of many naps, the most eagerly anticipated day of the year has come and gone. I’ve been a little quiet around here while we enjoy a some time with this guy.
And these two.
We’ve also managed to squeeze in some bad guy thwarting…
And approximately 1542 costume/identity changes.
And, did I mention the presents?
So a belated Merry Christmas from the Ishidas – hope yours was filled with as much joy as ours. Back with more photos and stories from our Portland adventures with the Fisher-Flavels soon – right after I finish becoming acquainted with my new Kindle. 🙂
We designated Saturday our Christmas shopping day. We had to. It was clear that Christmas was in full swing – even Happy the Elf had made his first appearance in our house – so we could put it off no longer.
First hurdle – locate the Christmas Tree lot. We had one in mind that we visited last year but sometimes Portland streets all start to look the same and we had a little trouble remembering it’s exact location. Finally, a gmail search led us in the right direction (LOVE undeleted emails from 12 months ago) and we soon found ourselves surrounded by Noble Firs – my tree of choice.
Samuel wanted me to take a photo of him with no hands – that kid can be a little weird.
I have hands now!
We finally chose our 6 foot tree – a process that I was WAY more into than anyone else. Me: “How about this one Kei?”
Kei: “Whatever – that’s fine”
Me: “Will you at least LOOK at it? This is a big decision”
And, while Kei tied it to the top of the van… (I guess he’s useful for something, just not choosing the tree)
…I counted the number of blown bulbs on the Xmas lights while simultaneously trying to stop my children from running into traffic (I’m great at multitasking).
When we got home, it was time for lunch and Samuel’s nap. And, because we all had to be awake before we could decorate the tree, I endured at least two hours of Thomas asking if we can decorate the tree yet. He was incredibly excited (and more than a little annoying).
Finally, we put on some Christmas tunes and hung some lights. And when I say “we”, I mean “I” because Kei had not quite awakened from his nap on the couch. I know, I know, we were supposed to wait but the whining got to me. I can only take so much!
The kids hung the first ornaments…
And then “helped” with the rest while I worked hard to protect the most delicate pieces. Thankfully, no ornament casualties this year.
And then we took a few family pics in very bad lighting (it’s the only kind of lighting we have at this time of the year in Portland after 4pm).
Thomas took the next one – not bad!
and this one too
And this one of Samuel and, uh, my chest.
The tree is trimmed, the elf is sitting on the shelf and the Amazon orders are shipping. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…
The Christmas decorations came out of storage on the weekend – which means we also resurrected the Reindeer ears…
Thanksgiving was a little early this year which meant I was able to get a great head start on Christmas festivities. Instead of trying to squeeze everything in to a short three weeks, I have been granted a few extra days in which to fit every little Christmas activity on my list – not the least of which is actually getting my shopping done well in advance of the big day.
That’s the plan anyway. We’ll see how it goes.
But there’s one thing I can already mark off my list – a trip to the North Pole. A couple of months ago I bought tickets for the family on the Polar Express. The day after Thanksgiving seemed perfect to me at the time and, in most ways it was. Good weather for the drive to Hood River? Check. Two kids who were all studied up on the Polar Express movie and book? Check. A mother who was ready to move from being overstuffed with Turkey to being filled with the Christmas Spirit? Check.
There was just one thing we hadn’t counted on – a sick Daddy who was destined to be bedridden for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, the Polar Express doesn’t allow for exchanges or refunds so we made sure Kei had a glass of water by the bed, and our slightly smaller family made the trip through the Gorge to the Polar Express (actually Mt Hood Railway) station.
Of course no trip on the Polar Express is complete without brand new pair of Superhero pajamas and a dressing gown.
Now let’s look at this very same scene two years ago…recognize Samuel’s dressing gown?
Good to see he hasn’t lost the attitude…
Moving on before I get all sentimental… They grow up so fast.
Before we could leave, I had to take the traditional Jedi pose Christmas photo. There’s no wearing a bath robe without one.
The drive to hood river takes about 90 minutes – which could be an incredibly painful experience (“When are we going to get theeeeeere?”) but instead it was a blissfully quiet experience, thanks to a strategically timed nap time departure. Before the kids even knew it, we were in Hood River and I was enjoying a Black Forest Mocha at my favorite local coffee place. Thomas and Samuel enjoyed the first hit of the sugar rush that was to last for many hours to come.
We had a little time to kill so we spent it taking a look around the local toy store (why do I do this to myself? and catching a preview glimpse of Santa in one of the main street outdoor stores.
Note to retailers: when Santa is done for the day, please don’t leave his beard on the chair. It takes far too much explanation for an observant six-year-old.
When I had finally reached my limit of “can I have this mum?”, we walked back to the station and awaited departure.
While we waited, the boys watched the movie again. Second time that day if you’re keeping count.
Finally, the conductor came and called “all aboard!”
This next photo is to prove to my husband that I can pack a nutritious snack for my children. He seemed surprised when I told him that I gave them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the train. (“You took one WITH you?”). I can be self sufficient…
During the drive to the North Pole, a few shading-looking characters dropped by to say hello.
And then the waiters brought by some hot chocolate and cookies (maintaining that sugar high).
After we followed along with an audio recording of the book over the train speaker system, we finally reached the North Pole and caught a glimpse of the main attraction.
We were told he boarded the train and that he’d be around to see ever child soon. Thomas and Samuel then spent the next hour or so in this position while they waited for him to reach our carriage (we were at the back).
Thankfully we had a couple of elves to keep us company and were able to pass the time singing a few christmas songs.
And then, after what seemed like an eternity, he made an appearance.
No removable beard on this one…
They (very quietly) told Santa what they would like for Christmas – Joker’s Playhouse for Thomas and pajamas for Samuel’s Baby (bear) and Baby Bear (his other bear). He has a wild imagination with names.
While they wait for Christmas, they can each enjoy the special bell that Santa gave them and the Polar Express tickets – punched with a “T” for Thomas and an “S” for Samuel.
It was a wonderful, magical ride but not quite complete without Daddy to share it with. Maybe we’ll take him on a return trip next year.
And I even made it through a long drive home with two sugar-filled children who wouldn’t sleep. Thank you rental car satellite radio. The kids station rescued my sanity.
And, finally, just one more trip down memory lane to torture myself. They grow up so fast…
I know I haven’t been blogging much. I suppose I’m a little paralysed by the prospect of Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything I have to do over the next few weeks. Not that I’m doing anything about it. Usually having a deadline is just what I need to get things done but right now I feel incredibly unmotivated to do anything besides going to the gym.
Surprised? Me too. I think I just had to wait until technology caught up with my need to exercise. It makes it so much easier to stay on the treadmill when I only have 10 minutes left on the TV show I have streaming onto myi phone via Netflix. Right now I’m half way through season 3 of Damages, which I highly recommend for anyone needing a new addictive TV experience. I would appreciate recommendations for what I should watch next because, at the rate I’m watching these episodes, I only have a couple more weeks of workouts covered. Then what will I do?
It’s only Tuesday, but the weekend already feels like a distant memory. I think a lot of the blame lies with the Typhoon we’re currently experiencing in Portland – the one that makes me feel as though I must have moved to Japan because I know it rains here, but this is a little ridiculous.
Still, we had a dry weekend so I can’t complain too much (not that I won’t try). I spent most of it doing stuff around the house like cleaning before the cleaners arrive today (stopped myself short of scrubbing the bathroom), piles and piles of laundry (it was NOT a good week for the washing machine) and finally taking my car in to fix damage from when I was rear-ended in (cough!) March. Yes, it has taken me that long to do anything about it and I am only taking action now because my husband shamed me into it by getting the van fixed within mere weeks of his own accident. If your counting, that’s two rear-end accidents within the same year. How did we get so lucky?
In addition to all of the above, my husband took Thomas to a birthday party and came home with an extra child to stay the night (I shouldn’t let that man socialize by himself). Thankfully the child was Liam who is much better behaved than my own children and no trouble at all. Still, we decided to venture out of the house on Sunday morning to burn off a little pent up boy energy, despite the frigid temperatures.
I think these may be the last photos of autumn colors. The typhoon destroyed most of the remaining leaves and they’re now spread across our freshly raked lawn.
Liam was an absolute dream at the park and wanted to stay longer to play. My kids complained endlessly about the cold until I finally gave in to the whining and took them all home.
I have a rare day off tomorrow and plan to take Thomas and a friend to the Portland Art Museum to see the Japanese art exhibit (wish me luck). Then on Thursday we celebrate the holiday of eating with the traditional Ishida take-out Thanksgiving dinner. We have a few extra people this year, but the adults still outnumber the kids 6-4 so my plan to sit around and do very little except eat and drink still seems achievable. On Friday we officially kick off the Christmas season with a very special train ride. More on that soon.
Wishing a wonderful Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and, to my Aussie friends, I’ll do my best to try not to think about the fun you’re likely having sipping cocktails in the sunshine while I struggle to warm my hands with a hot toddy by the heater.
Nicole Ishida Photography 