Category Archives: Thomas

Faeries, Magic and Parent-Teacher Conferences

When I asked for a little rain over the weekend, I didn’t really mean torrential downpour and gale force winds. It also would have been nice to have the sun appear for just a few hours so that I could avoid canceling a family photo shoot. But, when I asked for rain, you gave me rain. Touché, Portland. You win this round.

I’m having trouble stringing words together today so I’ll share the rest of this post in easy-to-read bullets. You’re welcome.

  • The boys are attending a day camp this week – a mostly outdoor day camp – which means a LOT of time in the rain and the wind. Thomas had to eat his lunch while standing up because it was too wet to sit.
  • Thomas has to get a bus from the camp drop off to the “wilderness” area. The ride is bumpy and curvy (and long) so, of course, he threw up on the bus. He managed to miss his clothes and said he only got a little on another kid’s shoes so I was, understandably, pretty proud. Confirmed this morning that he was part of a large group who had trouble keeping their breakfast down on the ride and, suddenly, I feel really bad for the counsellors.
  • I promise he’s having a good time.

  • Samuel is enrolled in a “magic” camp. He seemed to enjoy himself apart from one small incident when he was teased. It doesn’t take much to ruin that kid’s day.
  • When I asked him about creating spells and making magic he responded that it was fun but it wasn’t really magic because none of the spells actually worked. When I asked him about the wand he made, he replied that he really like making a wand but “really it’s just a stick that I decorated. It’s not really a wand.”
  • I would have said that Samuel is extremely literal and grounded in reality, except he made me promise to feed his toy dog that he left in the car. Apparently tiny stuffed dogs eat mice.
  • Today’s camp is all about faeries and elves, part of which will involve a faerie search in a nearby park. I predict that my child will call them out on their futile search early in the game.

  • We had parent-teacher conferences for both boys last night. Both of them are doing extremely well and are on track with all the standard testing. But I think I was most proud when Samuel’s teacher said he was “kind” (my favorite word) and a “joy to have in the class” and Thomas’ teacher told us that he likes to help the other kids with their work when they’re having trouble.
  • Love these kids.

Catching Up With The BFG

About three weeks ago (I know, regular blogging has not been my strong suit lately) the boys and I went to see The BFG at the Northwest Children’s Theater. I grew up reading Roald Dahl’s twisted stories so was likely more excited than both Samuel and Thomas combined to see one of his world’s come to life on stage.

And, in short, it was wonderful, although a little scary according to my children – even though they both knew the story and that the bad giants were clearly not going to be able to eat them through their massive foam heads.

Besides, they’re actually quite friendly in real life.

At one point Thomas kept telling me he had to go to the bathroom, just so he could leave the room. While I felt a little cruel making him stay (although I let him stand behind a piller at the back of the room), I knew how important it was that he stay for the happy ending. Because there is ALWAYS a happy ending. I just had to make it through a few loud declarations of “I DON’T LIKE THIS!” (Apologies to the people sitting near us).

I also didn’t want him to miss the fart jokes – they’re the best part.

After the show, we made our way out into the foyer to meet the cast and grab a few autographs. The boys were a little shy at first but, after getting their first autograph, Thomas was suddenly motivated to get them all. Well, motivated to push his brother forward to get them all for him.

We managed to gather autographs from every single cast member, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until I managed to capture of photo of the BFG himself. And I also knew that a photo of the BFG would be nothing without a small boy standing beside to provide scale. It took quite a bit of coaxing, but Samuel finally stepped up to the challenge.

In the car ride on the way home, the boys both told me how much they loved the play and replayed the fart jokes out loud over and over and over again.

And I think they both learned that it’s always worth watching until the happy ending.

Post-Halloween, Election Day Hangover

Today is election day in America – a day that we’ve been discussing (or talked to) for about two years now. And since I am not yet a US citizen, I can’t even vote. So my eyes, ears and brain have been bombarded with political campaigning for no reason at all. Instead I’m relying on my husband and friends to vote on my behalf. So, if you haven’t voted, go out and do it today.

End of Public Service Announcement.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming – which, admittedly, hasn’t been so regular lately.

Halloween was on a Wednesday this year, which makes it the most inconvenient day of the week to have your kids hopped up on sugar. Still, we made the most of it, first with a parade through the school. In past years the weather has worked in our favor so the parade took place around the school grounds. This year, however, the skies opened and 400 kids squeezed through the school corridors while parents stood against the walls with cameras in hand ready to catch a glimpse of their child for that all-important Halloween costume photo op.

Popular costumes this year included every type of Superhero imaginable and also Harry Potter (my own included).

And, yes, that’s a Hermione standing next to him. It’s like we planned it.

Kei and I just finished reading the first Harry Potter book to the boys (well, to Thomas. Samuel would sit in the corner and flip through his own reading material). We finished the book at 3:30pm on Saturday and started watching the movie at approximately 3:35, managing to only skip one part because it was too scary.

Samuel dressed as a Jedi in a robe that he received for Christmas last year paired with Thomas’ Karate gear. Unfortunately lights sabers were not allowed at school, but I think he still looked convincing.

Can you feel the chaos?

After the parade, I made my way back and forth between the two classrooms to participate in the festivities. The two classrooms are at opposite ends of the school and on different floors, so I also managed to sneak in a little cardio.

Later that same day, it was time for a costume refresh and a little Trick or Treating. You’ll notice that Harry managed to develop a scar on his forehead for authenticity and that the Jedi is now fully loaded (and very serious).

Kei impressively pulled together a Ninja costume in about 10 minutes by strategically tearing up an old black T-Shirt. Thomas declared him the craftiest Ninja ever.

Despite the fact that I had vowed to not wear a costume this year, I found myself pulling out the striped tights. I couldn’t help myself. (our neighbor took this picture)

We stopped by our neighbor’s house for our annual fill-the-kids-up-on-pizza-before-candy potluck and then, because my witch shoes don’t allow for long walks around the neighborhood, I headed home to hand out candy.

This group of trick or treaters were told they couldn’t have candy until they let me take a photo. Don’t worry, I know their parents.

I love Amelia’s effort to get into the picture here.

By the end of the night, Harry was starting to look a little disheveled and both kids were exhausted – both signs of another successful Halloween.

Mother Nature’s Payback

…we’ve been rained-on. A LOT. I mean, we were bound to have a wet October after a beautifully long summer, but this record rainfall is ridiculous. And, I know that the weather on the East Coast makes our situation pale in comparison and I sound awfully whiny, but I could do with just a teeny tiny bit of sunshine. Too much to ask?

After a full season of sunny soccer games, our last game showed us what we’d been missing out on. Apparently this is how real soccer is played. A certain seven year old was not impressed. Being the mother-of-the-year that I am, I told him he was born in Oregon and this is pretty much how it will be every year from now on so he should try to suck it up and enjoy a chance to play in the mud.

I said this from under my big golf umbrella.

Samuel seemed to enjoy it until he fell in the mud. Unfortunately mother-of-the-year forgot to pack spare clothes.

At least I had something pretty to look at…

… while I wasn’t watching the game intently, of course.

And, to prove that Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate. Here is what it looked like at Samuel’s game a week ago.

I spent the rainy afternoon editing soccer photos to share with the teams and came across this one that reminded me of a sunnier, happier time.

Sorry, I know we had a good Summer and I should be grateful – and I really was dealing with this change in the weather quite well.

But then some big jerk went and stole our golf umbrella after my husband put it down during a visit to the library with the kids and I lost all of that early-Autumn spirit. Seriously? Stealing an Umbrella during a torrential rainstorm in Portland? I know there’s a lightening bolt out there with his or her name on it.

Good thing Halloween is tomorrow. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’m hoping I’ll generate enough “spirit” to carry me through the next few months of rain.

And, while I’m being all optimistic, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my Sister-in-Law Emma. Thank you for having your birthday on Halloween so I never forget it. It was very considerate of you. 🙂

 

Welcome to the Weekend: Friendship

It’s finally Friday. This week has not been particularly difficult, but it felt long. The weekend promises more soccer – a game tonight and another tomorrow – a birthday party and a Mummy and son trip to the Childrens’ theater to see the BFG (which, let’s face it, I am way more excited about than Thomas and Samuel).

I’m kicking off the weekend with an entry in this month’s I Heart Faces challenge on the topic of Friendship.

As these two get older, not only are they looking more alike, but they are becoming the best of friends – with highs and lows of course. One minute I catch them in a very sweet moment – like when Thomas was teaching Samuel how to write a few Japanese Hiragana characters this morning – then the next, they’re bickering about something ridiculous. (“He’s only copying you because he thinks you’re awesome, Thomas”).

It’s no secret that I always wanted to have a little girl but, when I see how strong the bond can be between brothers, it makes me pine for that third baby just a little less.

Photo Challenge Submission

Seven

Amidst the back-to-school, start-of-soccer and general-life craziness, I completely neglected to wish my first born child a public Happy Birthday. Or maybe it’s just that, subconsciously, I refuse to accept the fact that I am now the mother of a seven year old. It’s likely I’ll have a breakdown when he reaches double digits.

At seven, Thomas:

  • Is not too old to want lots of cuddles (and even holds my hand every now and then).
  • Can switch from serious to silly in a matter of seconds.
  • Loves to sing – his favorite songs right now are Life’s a Happy Song from the Muppet movie and Call Me Maybe (the second one pains his father, I’m sure).
  • Is addicted to Avatar: The Last Airbender and is enjoying a revival of Star Wars now that his little brother is watching it for the first time.
  • Loves playing with his little brother (except when he’s bickering with his little brother).
  • Enjoys playing Soccer – and scored a goal that his mother managed to capture on video during his first game – which also happened to be on his birthday. (please ignore my screeching voice on the video).
  • At school – enjoys Math but gets frustrated with reading and writing (although loves being read to).
  • Reads and writes Japanese in a way that makes me fear the day when he and his brother will be able to speak to each other without me understanding a word of their conversation.
  • Prefers to wake up in the morning by having his head stroked until he opens his eyes and gives you a big hug.
  • Is still my baby…although this photo of him seems to contradict that. He looks like such a boy.

And one for comparison…

Off to cry into my coffee now.