I commented to Darren the other day that this is the best summer of my life, probably an exaggeration but I am enjoying the kids so much. And I wonder if it will be my best watching them because they love and smooch each other so much. Jesse has recently gotten into saying "Oooohhh" when Luci cries and bringing her a parade of toys. Luci likes to make Jesse her baby, covering him with a blanket and patting his head--Jesse loves being mothered.
I was laughing to myself today, when at 1:15 today Luci, Jesse, Peanut, and I took a walk around the block. Jesse brought the dirty broom from the front steps, sweeping the bits of trash he found into the street and Luci carried her pink piece of chalk so we could draw spontaneous hearts and circles. We were one part city clean-up crew and one part graffitti artists.
A double pleasure occured today when we were enroute to gelato with our friend Fish and we bumped into our recently old neighbors Brent and his mom Ephralynn. I did not know where they had moved to nearby and was able to find out. (I knew it was somewhere around the corner but walking around recently with Jesse and calling "Brent" had not worked.) It was a joy to have our gelato time followed by a visit to Brent's new house where the boys rough housed on Brent's top bunk. Watching Jesse play with boys is one of my greatest joys because it is so rare, outside of school.
Had dinner at Naan 'n' Curry, ran over Bernal with Pea, and read a couple chapters of Anne Lamott's new "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith" and am finding it so great to hear someone speak so truthfully and insightfully. I especially enjoy the stories about her dog and the trials of parenting. Her perspective is validating and encouraging. And now I'm off to take a hugely anticipated shower with hopes that I will not hear the Luci who apparently should not take any more naps starting tomorrow.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
From the Mouths of Babes?
Two days ago when Jesse, Luci, and I were eating Darren's leftover gumbo, which is delicious and we all love, Jesse and I had this conversation:
Jesse: "So the hunters hunt this chicken?"
me: "Well, yes" (I wanted to keep this conversation short because I fear details of the reality of meat will either lead to severe jesse sorrow or nasty details of chicken factories that I would like to only relay in bits and pieces over time.)
Jesse: "Well, I don't like that the chicken had to die for me to eat this chicken because I like chickens."
me: "Well, honey, that's why I like to eat meals without meat most of the time, like beans and other things."
Jesse (after another yummy bite): "Well I'm gonna ask God to kill the hunters because I don't like them hunting the chickens."
Jesse: "So the hunters hunt this chicken?"
me: "Well, yes" (I wanted to keep this conversation short because I fear details of the reality of meat will either lead to severe jesse sorrow or nasty details of chicken factories that I would like to only relay in bits and pieces over time.)
Jesse: "Well, I don't like that the chicken had to die for me to eat this chicken because I like chickens."
me: "Well, honey, that's why I like to eat meals without meat most of the time, like beans and other things."
Jesse (after another yummy bite): "Well I'm gonna ask God to kill the hunters because I don't like them hunting the chickens."
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Jesse
A quote from Friday upon returning home from school, said witih complete seriousness:
"We should really have junk, because I ate really well today and I really love junk, so we should eat some junk."
After I pray that Jesse "have wonderful dreams that feed his soul", Jesse says, "What are wonderful dreams? Are they when you eat something really yummy?"
"We should really have junk, because I ate really well today and I really love junk, so we should eat some junk."
After I pray that Jesse "have wonderful dreams that feed his soul", Jesse says, "What are wonderful dreams? Are they when you eat something really yummy?"
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Whew!
So much to say and it feels like I've missed many anopportunity to blog about exciting details of our life...But then again I've been busy just living it and I'm glad about that.
I'll just do a few words to recap our life these day, kinda like the "popcorn" prayers we used to do at church. Sorry to those who don't know what I'm talking about.
Jesse's summer school started this week which included a train ride to and from and exciting park in Burlingame
We've now enjoyed a month of friendship with Jesse and Luci's new friends Pretty (almost 4) and Strong Claire(almost 2) and her mom Lisa. We met at and hang together at Wednesday night dinner and church on Sunday. Shared ice cream at Dolores Park today!
Boxes are being packed and given away or stored iin prep for our move.
Jesse wants to move to London in "like 2 days" so Christmas and his birthday can come quickly.
I am doing the preschool search as much as I can from here, and it's a tad difficult but hurray for state-funded preschool!
Darren and sidekicks have finished a several day long training for InnerChange's summer exchange interns. I'm excited that 3 are going to my beloved Starlight in Boston.
Luci's not so great at using the toilet. Don't think I'll be proclaiming "Potty-trained" for a while.
John and Deanna Hayes, who have gone ahead of us to London, have settled into an apartment in Tower Hamlets and I finally feel that the move is upon us. It's exciting to have a neighborhood pinned down and I am already researching it from afar, throught the internet or chatting with the Hayes.
I'll just do a few words to recap our life these day, kinda like the "popcorn" prayers we used to do at church. Sorry to those who don't know what I'm talking about.
Jesse's summer school started this week which included a train ride to and from and exciting park in Burlingame
We've now enjoyed a month of friendship with Jesse and Luci's new friends Pretty (almost 4) and Strong Claire(almost 2) and her mom Lisa. We met at and hang together at Wednesday night dinner and church on Sunday. Shared ice cream at Dolores Park today!
Boxes are being packed and given away or stored iin prep for our move.
Jesse wants to move to London in "like 2 days" so Christmas and his birthday can come quickly.
I am doing the preschool search as much as I can from here, and it's a tad difficult but hurray for state-funded preschool!
Darren and sidekicks have finished a several day long training for InnerChange's summer exchange interns. I'm excited that 3 are going to my beloved Starlight in Boston.
Luci's not so great at using the toilet. Don't think I'll be proclaiming "Potty-trained" for a while.
John and Deanna Hayes, who have gone ahead of us to London, have settled into an apartment in Tower Hamlets and I finally feel that the move is upon us. It's exciting to have a neighborhood pinned down and I am already researching it from afar, throught the internet or chatting with the Hayes.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
School's Out
Jesse's school year officially came to an end on Friday and while I was looking to spend some more time with this week, before his summer school starts, I was wondering how the kids would be occupied. Would the kids mostly get along blissfully? Would I be extra tired at the end of the week. Well, so far so well.
Yesterday, as I was planning an excursion, it was clear that Jesse was not interested in going anywhere or doing much. He was content to read book while sucking his fingers, or play imagination games from the couch while sucking his fingers, or cover him up on the couch so he could sleep like a baby. He did all this in a good mood and it ended up being a great morning with the kids as they played together and we did basic things. We went grocery shopping and that pretty much made it a morning.
Then in the afternoon, Jesse's friend Judah came over with her mom and little brother and we all hung out while the kids played in their kitty cage, which is the pack-n-play with a sheet over it. Good times.
This week consists of a bunch of playdates which I am looking forward to, I really enjoy Jesse's little friends (they become Luci's too) and their moms--the change of pace is refreshing.
Peanut did get neglected yesterday though. She was home with us but she wasn't out running around until I went to Mariah's surprise 25th birthday party, stayed for a bit with me as we played BINGO, and ran home with her. Would have loved to run longer but I was ready for bed and didn't feel like running around my neighborhood too late. I mean Peanut is my protector dog, of course, but she would lag behind with her ears back when we stumbled upon shady characters, until she could figure out a way to dart around them. I know she'd take a chunk out of someone if they laid a hand on me, but I'd like her to look and act just slightly more intimidating.
Today holds a playdate with Jesse's beloved Uma at a nearby park. Tommorrow is his regular time with his other girlfriend Bree. Then, hurray for a BOY named Cooper on Thursday. If only there were more boys.......
Yesterday, as I was planning an excursion, it was clear that Jesse was not interested in going anywhere or doing much. He was content to read book while sucking his fingers, or play imagination games from the couch while sucking his fingers, or cover him up on the couch so he could sleep like a baby. He did all this in a good mood and it ended up being a great morning with the kids as they played together and we did basic things. We went grocery shopping and that pretty much made it a morning.
Then in the afternoon, Jesse's friend Judah came over with her mom and little brother and we all hung out while the kids played in their kitty cage, which is the pack-n-play with a sheet over it. Good times.
This week consists of a bunch of playdates which I am looking forward to, I really enjoy Jesse's little friends (they become Luci's too) and their moms--the change of pace is refreshing.
Peanut did get neglected yesterday though. She was home with us but she wasn't out running around until I went to Mariah's surprise 25th birthday party, stayed for a bit with me as we played BINGO, and ran home with her. Would have loved to run longer but I was ready for bed and didn't feel like running around my neighborhood too late. I mean Peanut is my protector dog, of course, but she would lag behind with her ears back when we stumbled upon shady characters, until she could figure out a way to dart around them. I know she'd take a chunk out of someone if they laid a hand on me, but I'd like her to look and act just slightly more intimidating.
Today holds a playdate with Jesse's beloved Uma at a nearby park. Tommorrow is his regular time with his other girlfriend Bree. Then, hurray for a BOY named Cooper on Thursday. If only there were more boys.......
Monday, June 04, 2007
Monday Lunch
I don't know if the point is that I'm weird or my kids are agreeable, but I just made them cherry arugula sandwiches with parmesan-romano cheese and they made a good stab at eating them with no complaints, just yelling for the grapefruit they wanted for dessert.
We did eat a TLC oatmeat/dark chocolate chunk cookie in the car on the way home from Costco. Now that's more like it!
We did eat a TLC oatmeat/dark chocolate chunk cookie in the car on the way home from Costco. Now that's more like it!