Well folks, the kids are finally, officially, for the long term, sharing a room.
As our full May approached, Darren and I looked forward to our guests but dreaded the inevitable loss of sleep that always resulted when Loud Luci moved out of her room and into Jesse's. At bedtime, she would do every song and dance to ward off sleep and to have us waiting on her and losing our tempers. This behavior also annoyed Jesse who just wanted to drift off into dreamland as he sucked his fingers. And just as we thought we'd left the misery of the night behind, Luci would do her typical LOUD morning wake-up call around 6, once again annoying everyone else. Give us a few nights of this and Darren and I are very tired and annoyed with our high maintenance daughter.
But truly after some great company (both sets of Grandparents and Rex and Connie Kennemer), lots of practice, and a bit of maturing, Luci is proud to be sleeping like a big girl with Jesse and can be coaxed (a.k.a. threatened) into behaving tolerably. It was cute to see how excited she was to return to bed every night in Jesse's room. And now, though the system is not without a few little kinks, I am happy to report that the kids are sharing a room quite well.
Perhaps Jesse should be given some credit. One morning (at 6:45) when Luci was repeatedly yelling my name and Jesse's, Jesse yelled back at her, "Luci! Do you want to grow? Do you want to grow? Then you have to sleep or you won't grow!" This went on for 5 minutes until Luci sheepishly said yes.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
A Sweet Mostly Palatable Friday
Friday.
My parents were here (they left this morning) so they watched Luci with Darren while I was able to have an adventure with a friend. My friend Virginia, who is a foodie, led me on a tour through Chinatown as we both set out to find really yummy chinese food. Ginny had it all planned out so it was a pleasure for me to just relax, have some good conversation, and enjoy the secrets of Chinatown. We ate a little bit here and there but the highlights were a chocolate covered something we shared from a bakery , and the shrimp and leek dumplings we ate as we shared dim sum at the Great Eastern Restaurant, I think. (I will be sure to make a clear identifications so I can obtain these foods in the future.) Wow--only a few months to enjoy what I've been missing all these years. The antithesis to this enjoyment was walking into some meat/poultry shops and seeing the rotund frogs sitting in a bucket and the game birds crammed so there is no room to move in their cages, this to precede the hacking off of their heads for the viewers and purchasers. This might be bad to see but not so bad for the animals who would endure brief pain after days of terrible containment. I don't think it takes an animal lover such as myself to feel compassion. And as we walked out I said to Ginny, "I'm sure glad God is a God of justice because it is apparent that ALL of creation is suffering." She said,"It's true, we're all suffering and then we make each other suffer." We proceeded to the best fish store ever that I am definitely taking my kids back to and we awed at most of God's creation reserving "That's gross!" for the slithery eels. This was a journey to be replayed, and perhaps edited, next time around. Thanks Gin and my parents and husband for giving me this opportunity!
I disembarked from my journey at the 24th Street BART station and jumped into a van with my family (this includes Grandma, Grandpa, and Peanut) to head up to our farm for strawberry picking. It was a long journey which we will never do again to the best strawberries I have ever tasted. I really never knew they could taste so good. Eating each one warm from the sun was like eating strawberry pie. I ate more strawberries than I ever had and wish I had eaten more because it did not make me sick. The kids showed surprising restraint as they bent down underneath their sunhats and accumulated berries in their baskets. After about a half hour they sat under the tent at the picnic tables and partook. It was nice because nobody else was picking at that time. So it was a peaceful family and nature time. Also a great opportunity to show my parents the Eatwell Farm that we always talk proudly about. We even saw the hens that lay our eggs and Jesse screamed "Cock-a-doodle--doo!" into the roosters' faces.
My parents were here (they left this morning) so they watched Luci with Darren while I was able to have an adventure with a friend. My friend Virginia, who is a foodie, led me on a tour through Chinatown as we both set out to find really yummy chinese food. Ginny had it all planned out so it was a pleasure for me to just relax, have some good conversation, and enjoy the secrets of Chinatown. We ate a little bit here and there but the highlights were a chocolate covered something we shared from a bakery , and the shrimp and leek dumplings we ate as we shared dim sum at the Great Eastern Restaurant, I think. (I will be sure to make a clear identifications so I can obtain these foods in the future.) Wow--only a few months to enjoy what I've been missing all these years. The antithesis to this enjoyment was walking into some meat/poultry shops and seeing the rotund frogs sitting in a bucket and the game birds crammed so there is no room to move in their cages, this to precede the hacking off of their heads for the viewers and purchasers. This might be bad to see but not so bad for the animals who would endure brief pain after days of terrible containment. I don't think it takes an animal lover such as myself to feel compassion. And as we walked out I said to Ginny, "I'm sure glad God is a God of justice because it is apparent that ALL of creation is suffering." She said,"It's true, we're all suffering and then we make each other suffer." We proceeded to the best fish store ever that I am definitely taking my kids back to and we awed at most of God's creation reserving "That's gross!" for the slithery eels. This was a journey to be replayed, and perhaps edited, next time around. Thanks Gin and my parents and husband for giving me this opportunity!
I disembarked from my journey at the 24th Street BART station and jumped into a van with my family (this includes Grandma, Grandpa, and Peanut) to head up to our farm for strawberry picking. It was a long journey which we will never do again to the best strawberries I have ever tasted. I really never knew they could taste so good. Eating each one warm from the sun was like eating strawberry pie. I ate more strawberries than I ever had and wish I had eaten more because it did not make me sick. The kids showed surprising restraint as they bent down underneath their sunhats and accumulated berries in their baskets. After about a half hour they sat under the tent at the picnic tables and partook. It was nice because nobody else was picking at that time. So it was a peaceful family and nature time. Also a great opportunity to show my parents the Eatwell Farm that we always talk proudly about. We even saw the hens that lay our eggs and Jesse screamed "Cock-a-doodle--doo!" into the roosters' faces.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Fullness-a week in Review
So much has flown by and for the most part I've enjoyed it. Here's a recap of our days.
Jesse, Luci,and I took our friend Shirley home from Wednesday night dinner. It was an eventful journey as my kids were ready for bed and only elevated their voices to speak. I was so annoyed with them and welcomed Shirley barking at them. First she said "I'm so glad I don't have kids", as she clenched her head in her hands. Then she said "Stop kicking the seat" and when Luci asked for music she said "She can't do that right now, your mother's first priority is to drive." Inside I felt like I didn't want my kids' feelings to be hurt but mostly, since they weren't listening to me and their voices were killing my head, I was thinking "Yes, Shirley, way to put them or scare them into line." Though I have to admit that she made only a small impact. It was a hilarious ride.
Thursday was a change of plans. I made my chicken casserole for Fish as he was coming over to dinner. And made a chocolate pot de creme for dessert. He got mixed up and didn't make it but we had my friend Andrea and her daugher Bree (Jesse's most long-term friend) over for dinner and the night. Luci and Jesse shared a room again (an opportunity always afforded to us by having guests) and it was proven once again that they don't share a room too well, thought admittedly Bree was the early riser who had a domino effect.
Darren took Jesse to his first Giants game on Saturday. We all headed to Dolores Park from which the two of them took off on the train. Jesse was so excited he wanted to skip playing on the playground and head straight to the game even though it was early. Apparently, at the game, Jesse tried flagging down everybody who came by selling food. I asked him how the game was later and the first thing he said was, "I was hungry a lot." Luci and I stayed at Dolores and took part in the Cinqo de Mayo festivities--primarily the food, which consisted of tamales, pupusas, dulce de leche coffe samples from Starbucks, and gelato, and Peanut frolicked in the grass. What a beautiful day!
Sunday was worship and relaxation but also church busyness, as church was preceded by a deacons meeting and concluded with a deacons lunch. That evening was a respite from the moods and busyness that accumulates--we got to go see David Wilcox with our friends Rick, Cathy, and Scott. Dave Wilcox is an enjoyable storyteller.
Monday was the fulfillment of a dream! Or shall I say 2? We had a playdate with Uma and her mom at Precita Park. It was a scorcher of a day so much so that Jesse was officially introduced to the man with the ice cream cart, a much feared introduction as I know this knowledge could have infinite repercussions. On the way to the park I found a old push lawnmower, something I had been looking for on Craig's List! We'll see if it works......
Tuesday--a perfect finale to all this writing. After a week of back-up in the bathtub the plumber paid us a welcome visit,something Jesse was sorry to have missed. As we climbed our stairs freshly home from school, he said "But can't the plumber come even when something's not broke? Like he could just come over to babysit! Earlier Tuesday, Luci swallowed a penny at the fruit stand. And when I questioned her of the deed, she yelled "Sorry, Mommy!" before I could finish my words. The guilt seemed evident to me but it was nothing like the proof of a shiny penny I found in her diaper today.
Looking forward to Jesse's birthday festivities. I can't believe he's turning 4!
Jesse, Luci,and I took our friend Shirley home from Wednesday night dinner. It was an eventful journey as my kids were ready for bed and only elevated their voices to speak. I was so annoyed with them and welcomed Shirley barking at them. First she said "I'm so glad I don't have kids", as she clenched her head in her hands. Then she said "Stop kicking the seat" and when Luci asked for music she said "She can't do that right now, your mother's first priority is to drive." Inside I felt like I didn't want my kids' feelings to be hurt but mostly, since they weren't listening to me and their voices were killing my head, I was thinking "Yes, Shirley, way to put them or scare them into line." Though I have to admit that she made only a small impact. It was a hilarious ride.
Thursday was a change of plans. I made my chicken casserole for Fish as he was coming over to dinner. And made a chocolate pot de creme for dessert. He got mixed up and didn't make it but we had my friend Andrea and her daugher Bree (Jesse's most long-term friend) over for dinner and the night. Luci and Jesse shared a room again (an opportunity always afforded to us by having guests) and it was proven once again that they don't share a room too well, thought admittedly Bree was the early riser who had a domino effect.
Darren took Jesse to his first Giants game on Saturday. We all headed to Dolores Park from which the two of them took off on the train. Jesse was so excited he wanted to skip playing on the playground and head straight to the game even though it was early. Apparently, at the game, Jesse tried flagging down everybody who came by selling food. I asked him how the game was later and the first thing he said was, "I was hungry a lot." Luci and I stayed at Dolores and took part in the Cinqo de Mayo festivities--primarily the food, which consisted of tamales, pupusas, dulce de leche coffe samples from Starbucks, and gelato, and Peanut frolicked in the grass. What a beautiful day!
Sunday was worship and relaxation but also church busyness, as church was preceded by a deacons meeting and concluded with a deacons lunch. That evening was a respite from the moods and busyness that accumulates--we got to go see David Wilcox with our friends Rick, Cathy, and Scott. Dave Wilcox is an enjoyable storyteller.
Monday was the fulfillment of a dream! Or shall I say 2? We had a playdate with Uma and her mom at Precita Park. It was a scorcher of a day so much so that Jesse was officially introduced to the man with the ice cream cart, a much feared introduction as I know this knowledge could have infinite repercussions. On the way to the park I found a old push lawnmower, something I had been looking for on Craig's List! We'll see if it works......
Tuesday--a perfect finale to all this writing. After a week of back-up in the bathtub the plumber paid us a welcome visit,something Jesse was sorry to have missed. As we climbed our stairs freshly home from school, he said "But can't the plumber come even when something's not broke? Like he could just come over to babysit! Earlier Tuesday, Luci swallowed a penny at the fruit stand. And when I questioned her of the deed, she yelled "Sorry, Mommy!" before I could finish my words. The guilt seemed evident to me but it was nothing like the proof of a shiny penny I found in her diaper today.
Looking forward to Jesse's birthday festivities. I can't believe he's turning 4!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Things Lu-lu is doing these days
About Luci...
She loves her tweety bird pj's and in the morning during her diaper change, she says, "Please, can I wear my tweety bird a little bit?" I think she thinks it's a costume.
She can actually keep a hairstyle for longer than 5 seconds. We've had 2 days of almost all-day pigtails. Cute!
She still loves her green and white gingham butterfly dress. Soon the buttons will not be able to close. But it is a constant request nevertheless.
Still collecting, in descending order of importance--flowers, sparklies (this includes glitter, sequins she rips of my clothes while I'm wearing them, shards of glass most of which are worn down by being trodden upon in the Mission but it makes me MAD, and anything with a hint of light in them), leaves, rocks, marbles and beads from the sidewalk.
She's enjoying the movie Annie and singing Tomorrow as well as a song from the Wiggles that includes "Shh, shh, shh."
She talks about friends now, wanting to see them, and her class at church. She pretty much stopped crying when I leave her in her class about 4 or 5 months ago.
She adores running to the front door when Daddy comes home and demands to be tickled. Jesse and Peanut make the same demands.
Starting to be a little better at night. She's been corrected by her dad's stern command of "No more crying". Seems it was just what she needed to correct a really bad habit of crying when waking at night.
She is a kitty 25% of the time. When she knows she needs to eat more at the table, she meows and this allows her to eat the spoonful in front of her. Sometimes her wake-up call in the morning is a "Meow". It is very high pitche and squeaky.
A deep voice of a lion is used to roar when she's chasing her brother.
She says daddy broke her light every night at bedtime, ever since the bulb burned out of her night-light 2 months ago.
She's started using the toilet here and there and went pee-pee for the first time there last week.
She's a handful, that's for sure. Some things haven't changed. But I think I glimpse a bit of politeness developing!
She loves her tweety bird pj's and in the morning during her diaper change, she says, "Please, can I wear my tweety bird a little bit?" I think she thinks it's a costume.
She can actually keep a hairstyle for longer than 5 seconds. We've had 2 days of almost all-day pigtails. Cute!
She still loves her green and white gingham butterfly dress. Soon the buttons will not be able to close. But it is a constant request nevertheless.
Still collecting, in descending order of importance--flowers, sparklies (this includes glitter, sequins she rips of my clothes while I'm wearing them, shards of glass most of which are worn down by being trodden upon in the Mission but it makes me MAD, and anything with a hint of light in them), leaves, rocks, marbles and beads from the sidewalk.
She's enjoying the movie Annie and singing Tomorrow as well as a song from the Wiggles that includes "Shh, shh, shh."
She talks about friends now, wanting to see them, and her class at church. She pretty much stopped crying when I leave her in her class about 4 or 5 months ago.
She adores running to the front door when Daddy comes home and demands to be tickled. Jesse and Peanut make the same demands.
Starting to be a little better at night. She's been corrected by her dad's stern command of "No more crying". Seems it was just what she needed to correct a really bad habit of crying when waking at night.
She is a kitty 25% of the time. When she knows she needs to eat more at the table, she meows and this allows her to eat the spoonful in front of her. Sometimes her wake-up call in the morning is a "Meow". It is very high pitche and squeaky.
A deep voice of a lion is used to roar when she's chasing her brother.
She says daddy broke her light every night at bedtime, ever since the bulb burned out of her night-light 2 months ago.
She's started using the toilet here and there and went pee-pee for the first time there last week.
She's a handful, that's for sure. Some things haven't changed. But I think I glimpse a bit of politeness developing!
God Provides "Peter and the Wolf"
By now many of you know about "Peter and the Wolf", the musical compostion and enclosed story. Jesse has loved it ever since its inception into our lives. Don't even know where it came from, second-hand at Chloe's perhaps. I believe we've had to retire it twice in Jesse's short life-span because it gives him serious nightmares. And this is hard scientific fact. There were moments when I thought "Nah, it couldn't be that" but put it to the test and you will get Jesse moaning and crying all night long. But he loves it. And it is stored away, always approached with trepidation by both parent and child. Jesse says, "I don't think I should listen to that--it will give me really bad nightmares. Nevertheless, he can quote it jollily and ask me to tell him the story on the way to school. Fear not, merely talking of it has no correlation to nightmares.
I remember fondly a recent visit (about 2 months ago) to Naan 'n' Curry that intertwined with the topic of Peter and the Wolf. We had wrapped up our dinner there and Darren was at the register paying, when Jesse started chatting it up with some refined looking 60ish women. I don't know all the words of the exchange, but it started with Jesse inquiring "Do you know Peter and the Wolf?" The women said something like "My yes." And then Jesse quizzed them on what instruments played what characters. I could see these women were in a bit of disbelief that they couldn't answer to a 3 year-old. ( I am not saying that J can actually answer his own questions but this was the impression he was making.) They looked at me astounded and said "Isn't that quite advanced for a 3 year-old?" In a flash, I thought I could say, "Well, he's almost 4 actually" or tell them that we're not a family of classical music scholars, we just take what comes our way. But I thought, no let them dote--it's fun to watch these ladies who are enamored with our family. We wound up the conversation, headed towards the exit, Luci reached for a straw and accidentally sent a glass smashing to the floor. So much for the impression of refinement! I thought it was pretty hilarious.
The other day when Darren took Jesse to a playgroung, they just happened upon a pile of books that contained "Peter and the Wolf". What luck! It feels like the fulfillment of 2 years of meditating on Peter and the Wolf. Not that we had ever even hoped for a book! It seems the words mimic the recording exactly. Jesse's favorite page is the one with the fox greedlily looking at the duck. When I read the word "wall" as "wall", Jesse pointed out that on the cd they say "wool"--his rendition of wall said with a British accent. That's when I explained that that was British English, the English that they speak in London where we are moving to. He now requests that we read the book with British accents. Jesse has said that he might get nightmares from reading the book, but so far, read in moderation, he is nightmare-free.
Jesse showed the book to his teacher Monica at school. In fact he waved it to her from across the room and said "Look!" She said, " I bet I know what that is."
I remember fondly a recent visit (about 2 months ago) to Naan 'n' Curry that intertwined with the topic of Peter and the Wolf. We had wrapped up our dinner there and Darren was at the register paying, when Jesse started chatting it up with some refined looking 60ish women. I don't know all the words of the exchange, but it started with Jesse inquiring "Do you know Peter and the Wolf?" The women said something like "My yes." And then Jesse quizzed them on what instruments played what characters. I could see these women were in a bit of disbelief that they couldn't answer to a 3 year-old. ( I am not saying that J can actually answer his own questions but this was the impression he was making.) They looked at me astounded and said "Isn't that quite advanced for a 3 year-old?" In a flash, I thought I could say, "Well, he's almost 4 actually" or tell them that we're not a family of classical music scholars, we just take what comes our way. But I thought, no let them dote--it's fun to watch these ladies who are enamored with our family. We wound up the conversation, headed towards the exit, Luci reached for a straw and accidentally sent a glass smashing to the floor. So much for the impression of refinement! I thought it was pretty hilarious.
The other day when Darren took Jesse to a playgroung, they just happened upon a pile of books that contained "Peter and the Wolf". What luck! It feels like the fulfillment of 2 years of meditating on Peter and the Wolf. Not that we had ever even hoped for a book! It seems the words mimic the recording exactly. Jesse's favorite page is the one with the fox greedlily looking at the duck. When I read the word "wall" as "wall", Jesse pointed out that on the cd they say "wool"--his rendition of wall said with a British accent. That's when I explained that that was British English, the English that they speak in London where we are moving to. He now requests that we read the book with British accents. Jesse has said that he might get nightmares from reading the book, but so far, read in moderation, he is nightmare-free.
Jesse showed the book to his teacher Monica at school. In fact he waved it to her from across the room and said "Look!" She said, " I bet I know what that is."