Kids Snapshot and Chicago/Michigan Trip July 2016

Paul to Elise very enthusiastically the other day "Elise...we need to make a machine that makes cookies for the whole world after I'm done pooping."

Paul - I have to remember he's come a long way.  When he's on, he's the kind of on I imagine the ideal relationship and interaction to be with your 4 year old son.  Doesn't get any better than the times he's on.  Up for anything, helpful as can be, positive attitude with every activity we do, knows and follows the rules, and fun to chat with.  When he's off though, o man, it's my biggest personal challenge with keeping my patience and calm and perspective.  It could be the littlest thing that sets him off .  He seems to only wear soccer shirts and soccer shorts and his soccer shirt must be tucked in (like the Timbers he says).   He has the bad habit of biting his nails.  It seems like he has his fingers in his mouth 24x7 these days.  He's got natural athletic ability with a great attitude which is super fun to watch.  He'll ride 4 miles on his bike while Nate runs because he wants to, regularly asks me to race him wherever we are, and will easily play an hour of Tennis with me.  

Elise greets me every morning with an amazing hug.  She is always up for giving one of her big hugs. Elise is simply such a sweet girl, incredibly independent, and can be very social.   She does get very easily scared these days....don't take her to an IMAX theater, fireworks show, or any room without a light on.   She LOVES Oma. They have a very special relationship.  She'll sneak downstairs to Oma whenever she can. She even said no to going out for dinner with the family and preferred to stay home with Oma.  She is also very much into drawing and looking at books like her sister.  She often asks me what words she randomly writes like "ARQAR."  She doesn't show much interest in playing sports but she enjoys watching and cheering on Paul - hope that one isn't a phase.  

Lily is 7 years old and overall very independent,  yet keeps me guessing on which Lily I'll get.  I might get the super happy and helpful Lily doting on her siblings, picking out clothes, wanting to do a sleepover with them, making their cereal or I'll get the argumentative Lily in the mood to torment and taunt her siblings and say no to anything I suggest from please brush your hair to choosing a family adventure for the day.   She has such an athletic build - super muscular arms that she hasn't had to really work for.  She hasn't grasped the lesson that things which don't come easy might still be worth doing.   Lily is an avid reader and drawer. As social and independent as she is, she balances it with a lot of alone reading time.  It was fun to watch her approaching people and chatting away with customers at New Seasons selling jam with me for the twin's preschool. She also had no problem asking workers to help her find the items on a shopping list I gave her. She'll also retreat when she's uncomfortable in whatever group setting we are in and read quietly alone for the entire time.  I wish it was easier to get more alone time with her.

As for July, we spent a chunk of it visiting family in Chicago and around Michigan.  Here are a few pics from our trip.

Spent the 4th on Lake Michigan with my side of the family.  

 Getting ice cream on the 4th of July after a cute parade in Saugatuck, MI

 4th of July sunset on Lake Michigan

Fireworks show by master of ceremony, my brother.  Very happy Lily and Paul.  Terrified Elise didn't stick around for the show....nor did I...but heard it was awesome.  

Attempt at a family shot.  Get the timing right with time of day or you'll give up and just do this instead.  

Elise with cousin Emma and Aunt Lolo.  

We then visited Nate's grandparents Wally and Doris at their lake house on Klinger Lake.  They are in their 90's and stubborn still refusing to ask for help while hosting us.

Next stop - Ann Arbor to visit Nate's parents and sister.  His Grandpa Wally happened to be in a car show too.  

Attempt at a cousins shot.  Paul wasn't having it.

Lily and her cousin Sophia

Had a blast surprising Manju at her work in our old stomping grounds of the Detroit suburbs.  

Got out for a very fun dinner, just adults.  Last time we did that was in 2008 in NYC.  

 Kids had no problem having a blast playing with Manju and Abi's toys.

Fun picture of all our kids together.  Nala (6), Lily (7), Shivan (7), Paul (4), Maya (3), Elise (4)

 Made our way back to Chicago at the end of our trip to check out Millenium Park and the new very cool Maggie Daley park behind it while hanging with Lolo, Oma and Opa again before flying back to PDX.

Great May

Ever since Lily was born, May has been my favorite month of the year and that's saying a lot because I'm a HUGE fan of celebrating my Birthday in November and milking it for however long I can. May is filled with Lily's Birthday, Wedding Anniversary, and Mother's Day; the usually great weather in May is the cherry on top.  

So, yeah, May was especially good to us this year.  Nate and I are still on a high from our 47 hour long anniversary getaway.  Thanks to Nate's parents, we actually got away.  We didn't go far but it was our longest time away from the kids since Lily arrived.  10 years!  It seems short until we consider all that's happened in the meantime... transatlantic moves, kids, ups, downs, and all arounds.  Here's to the next 10!

Lily is now our 7 year old.  She continues to LOVE art.  She is also busy practicing her cartwheels, hand stands,  splits,  riding her bike, singing, reading Harry Potter, pestering me for roller skates, and enjoying her Highlights magazine (particularly for the jokes).  Lily can be grumpy and downright mean at times but then flip and be this engaging and friendly Lily the next moment.  I guess she's 7 going on 16.  At least at age 16, I have a hunch I won't be fighting with her to BRUSH HER HAIR.  

Paul and Elise simply crack me up.  They are playing together more than ever making booby traps and pirate ships and castle parties.  They are also into creating plays for us to watch which never amount to much besides introducing each other but I love every second of it.  Nate was sternly disciplining Elise the other night and Elise said "God is gonna hit you."  Wow.  Paul was telling some long winded story the other day and he ended it by saying "I'm so high up that I'll catch an eagle and then I'm gonna bake it on the stove."  Love this age.  

Here are a few pics from May

Lily giving Paul a piggyback ride on our walk home from school because he was complaining of being tired.  Lily will do something sweet like that but then later bonk him on the head and say she hates him.  

Love this card Lily made me for Mothers Day.  My face flips open to be another expression.

Gorge hike as part of our anniversary getaway.  IT.WAS.WONDERFUL

 Lily got spoiled (as did we as guests) with a 2nd Birthday party with our great friend Dot who also celebrated a big Birthday.  It was super fun to watch them plan it out together in advance.  And I have no clue why she decided to dress like a prairie girl for it.

Checking out Laurelhurst Park.  It had been a while.

Right before Lily performed at a retirement community with her choir.  Proud of her.  She says she's so nervous like a broken record but the moment it's time to just do it, she rocked it.  Stood up proud, sang loud, and smiled.

 First family bike ride along the Springwater Corridor and crossing Tillikum Bridge.  That day will be remembered as Elise's big moment because she overcame some biking fears and rode about seven miles!

 Lily's German-themed 7th Birthday Party.  She has pretty much lost her German language but not her love for Gelbwurst, Pretzels, Fleischsalat, and Leberkase.

Good Health Took A Little Vacation

Since about the last blog,  my Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer and operated on to successfully remove the damn thing while my Dad had pneumonia and skin cancer.  Besides my Dad having what's hopefully only a bad cold now, we're over this hiccup and sooooo ready to move on.  My parents had to delay their return to Chicago because of all this so it's nice to see that they are ready and able to make it back this weekend in time to celebrate Mother's Day with their other, less favorite, children.  So much stress, worry, and emotion over all this and just like that, I sum it up in a paragraph with a bow around it.  So over it.  My parents are very aware of just how blessed and lucky they are not only with their returned good health but also all the love and support they got from friends and family.  But yeah, we are all ready to move on.  

No matter what got thrown at us, April was still full of lots of sweet moments.  

Visiting Oma at the hospital after surgery.  We were taking her to the hospital garden.  Give her grandkids and flowers and she'll be just fine.

 Just love this picture.  The look of the picture reminds me of a moment in the Munich hospital with my Mom and Nate holding Paul and Elise as newborns while Lily sat on Daddy's lap. Family comfort.

 Oma is home.  Elise is in her usual spot.  She's like a cat with Oma.  Just wants to cuddle on her lap.

 Love this shot of Elise in Oma's hat and jewelry

 Lily after a school fundraising run.  Same lucky headband as last year.

 Enjoying the the seesaw playground at Washington Park.

 Paul and Elise having a silly moment waiting for bagels.

 Elise: "Mom, we can see birds with our binoculars"  Paul: "Yeah, Mom, it's so cool"

March 2016

I really enjoy this phase with Lily, Paul, and Elise and I know how fondly I'll look back on this time with my 6 and 4 year olds one day.  Overall,  It's been an up and down ride since the last blog post. 

 The ups being a lot of laughs with my family either from silly behavior or jokes my kids keep trying to tell.  Dinner time has definitely evolved a bit more into half manners reminders and half good family conversation.  Elise can now ride a 2 wheeler so we are now a complete Mather family bike gang in the hood.  Elise also checked out clean at her 6 month abdominal ultrasound appointment.  Lily got the Tennis spark for the first time during Spring Break.  She is showing a great attitude and lots of energy on the court.....love it.  We also celebrated Nate's work success on Intel's dime with the whole family at our favorite restaurant, Screen Door.

  

 The downs have been my struggle with teaching my kids to be kind, keeping a positive attitude, and being well mannered while still liking myself in the process.  I'm in a phase of binging on parenting books which I've enjoyed more than I expected.  Collapse of Parenting, Soul of Discipline, Simplicity Parenting, and You're Not the Boss of Me, are currently on my nightstand.  I've also been heartbreakingly disappointed with a few friends.  I just don't understand why I'm not hearing from some friends like I used to.  What I want to remember about this that I might pass on to my kids as a lesson learned is that sometimes, it really isn't about confronting them and hashing it out.  Sometimes, other's actions do speak louder than words and if you feel like you've put yourself out there with no response, accept the new dynamic and appreciate the friends that do want to stay, the friends that truly love, support, and motivate you.  

   On a happier note, Easter, today, was full of tradition and such delicious food.  Watching the kids copy Opa do his traditional Soll Eier prep and seeing the kids admire Oma's beautiful and tasteful Easter table setting and decor makes my heart skip a beat.  It's been a year and a half since my parents moved to Portland in our first floor apartment and it's still going awesome.  The real victory is that my husband thinks the same thing.  My parents are definitely there for us and we can definitely say we're there for them.  Always.  Love you Oma and Opa.

Wildwood Hike in Forest Park

 Very Proud Elise riding her 2 wheeler.

On a Mommy/Lily rollerskating date because Lily earned 10 stickers for being a good host or guest.

 Eating at our friend's Dot and Troy's new beautiful apartment.

 Spoiled with Dot's delicious Boeuf Bourguignon.  Honored to be their first house guests.

Enjoying a family dinner out at Screen Door celebrating Nate's work success

 Easter Family Pic

 My kids really do look so alike

 If you look closely, you'll see Paul crying next to Opa.  I can't remember what the reason was but this pic just cracks me up.  

 Easter Egg Hunt

 Oma helping Elise prepare her Soll Eier which is olive, oil, ground mustard, vinegar, and salt.

For Lolo

I read this quote recently that sums up an important part of the last month.  "The only thing better than having you as my Sister.....is my children having you as their Aunt."  Lolo - of all the things you could have done on your one month off between jobs, you chose to come spend time with us during an ordinary week for us.  For all the energy, noise, and love my kids show you whenever you're here, that's easily how much I love you and grateful I am to have you as my Sister, Best Friend, Godmother, and Aunt to my kids.....so yeah....A LOT! Thank you for visiting us.  Come back soon!

Elise anxiously awaiting Lolo's arrival

New Pajamas from Lolo......again. Thanks to Lolo, the kids have a different set of pajamas for every day of the year.  

Just like our Holiday season, the start to 2016 has been low key and unfortunately also sprinkled with some sickness. Here are a few memories from the last few weeks.  

Wurst Fest! 

Kids will join me during my cheesy old home Pilates video from time to time.  Cracks me up.

 Opa and Paul.  Paul is becoming more and more of a teaser and jokester just like his namesake

 Dress Up Fun

 Our dear friend Dorothy invited the kids over for a fancy Tea Party.  I have never witnessed my kids better behaved at the table than here.  I guess I just need to bring out my finest China to get them to be super careful.

 Opa always buys too much meat.  Better too much than too little.

 Daddy and Elsa providing face painting at a friend's Bday party.  He sews and face paints. Hands off ladies.

Mommy, you are under arrest for saying no to me.