Scraping Snowballs

So yesterday the boys got to play in snow for the first time ever. First, after I'd put Jarom down for a nap, I took Keahi outside for a quick run in the sprinking drift of wet snow/rain. He shrieked with delight and wanted to keep playing forever. After going back inside and supposedly having quiet reading time, he kept running out to update me on the progress of the snow and was pretty disappointed when it finally stopped.

(Keahi catching snowflakes on his tongue.)

Luckily, after dinner it started snowing more steadily and we got to get dressed up in snow gear (Keahi had insisted on full snow pants and jacket for the earlier snow/rain sprinkle as well) and throw snowballs at each other. I can't describe how thoroughly the boys enjoyed themselves. Without mittens their hands must have been freezing but neither complained or wanted to get back inside. There was only a thin layer on the cars, but it was enough to have a pretty satisfying snow party. We only managed to drag them back inside with promises of hot cocoa. A perfect ending to a very, very busy day.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Up until a couple of weeks ago, Keahi firmly believed that Santa was made up. He said it was just a pretend person and I had to have several talks with him about not outing Santa with his friends. Then, suddenly, he came home from school announcing that Santa was real. Astonished, I began asking him questions about his sudden 180.

"So, you changed your mind about Santa?"
"No.....um, yeah." He looked at me with these bright, hopeful eyes, begging me to tell him that a jolly elderly man would be bringing him extra gifts this year. As we talked more about what he thought about Santa, his opinion seemed to solidify as he came up with an answer for each confusing detail.

According to Keahi:
-Santa's sleigh is magical so he can get all the way around the world (and Keahi knows a bit more about geography and distance than the average 4 year old, having learned all about continents, countries, etc and having been on many, many, many airplanes), including to the scientists who live in Antarctica. It goes really fast....but slower than a space shuttle since that's the fastest way to travel.
-Santa comes down chimneys and is always careful to avoid lit fires by bracing his legs against the inner walls of the chimney. He had trouble with how Santa gets UP the chimney though. I've only read him Twas the Night.... after this discussion and I'm not sure he caught the whole touching the side of his nose thing. Though I think he'd question that. Better to believe it's something to do with magic. That apparently covers everything.
-When there's no chimney, he comes through the door, of course. And I'm supposed to let him in to our apartment.
-But since I said I'd be asleep, Santa has a master key that opens up all the doors in the world. Hmmm, there's a scary thought.

Oh, and a talk with his friend Jada who told him you have to be good to get presents totally baffled Keahi who does not know the Santa Claus is Coming to Town song--the best part of the lore for parents. He told her he was going to be sleeping so how was he supposed to be good.

This past Monday when we had FHE and I asked Keahi what was the greatest gift Jesus gave us, he jumped up and shouted, "Santa!"

My smart little boy who questions everything and never believed in magic has jumped on the Santa wagon. Poor Iz might have a heart attack. So when we go to Tammy's house this week and Keilani gets gifts from Santa I guess we'll have to give him one as well or he'll wonder if he's being punished. Great. One more thing to do.

The First Snow of 2008

On Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 10pm we here in Park Slope had our first snow. It was just a sprinkle but it was enough to coat the tops of the cars and throw a few snowballs and induce a winter glow--okay, to be honest it was more like giddy exuberance--in my heart. It was magical to watch the tiny white specks float down on us and scoop it up to throw at each other like kids. I imagine a few of our neighbors were shaking their heads at the middle aged (yikes!) couple frolicking in the tiniest powdering of snow. But I don't care because it was worth it to throw a jacket and scarf on over my pajamas to enjoy our late night adventure. Seriously, I love this whole changing of seasons thing. I love Hawaii. It's beautiful. But the more I live elsewhere the more I discover so many other kinds of beautiful. Tall, naked trees, stripped of their autumn brilliance against a dark sky with snow drifting down definitely makes my top ten. I almost got the kids up to see it, we were that excited. But, the thought of cranky kids in the morning and trying to get them back to bed after waking them up to smother them in jackets and pushing them out into the cold night stopped the errant idea. But after we told Keahi about it in the morning he's even more anxious to see it for himself. I don't particularly want a ton of snow all winter, but I'm crossing my fingers for one good storm to cover us up once. I just really want one white Christmas to remember back in the rainy greenness of paradise.
(First snowball thrown by Iz.)

(My first snowball.)


(We're really smashing snowballs into the air--but it sure looks as if it's snowing hard.)

(This is what it really looked like.)

O Christmas Tree!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, our family loaded up into a zipcar and headed north to find the perfect Christmas tree. I had looked around at different farms and settled on the one that offered a free breakfast--of course. Two hours later in beautiful Duchess County we arrived at Bilmar Nurseries. We were welcomed into the warm Christmas Shop and greeted by the friendly dog who begged for a bite of our breakfast--which included huge waffles and OJ. Then we climbed into the hay wagon for a ride to the tree fields. I'm kicking myself that I didn't take pictures of any of the previous details--especially the 3 old fashioned fire engines that also carried people to the fields. One was dalmation patterned. So fun.

But at least I did get pictures of our family picking out our first tree and cutting it down. At first, Keahi was dead set on one particular tree at the bottom of the hill. He even tried to guard it from poachers while Iz headed up the hill to look for more possibilities. He cried out to us as we ventured farther into the field, "Stop! Someone might take my tree! Or you'll forget where it is!" But with some coaxing we gave him a choice between 2 more suitable ones and he picked this beauty. A lush, healthy 7 footer of a perfect specimen. He even got to help cut it down and the boys tried to help drag it back to the wagon. It survived being dragged and tied to our car (being driven at about 90mph or so) and into our apartment unscathed. We even found a bird's nest nestled in the branches. Presto! Instant table centerpiece.



Since we spent so much on the tree itself (mostly it was the rental car cost), we had to go cheap on decorations. So paper ornaments--including the star made of wrapping paper, 1 box of silver balls, and popcorn/cranberry strings which Keahi helped make and Jarom helped eat off the tree completed our first real tree. I think it and our suji wire mantle for the stockings turned out pretty well. I'm definitely feeling the holiday spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving

Now I know it's already December but there are a few November things to cover including Turkey Day. We were going to go to the Johnston's house in New Jersey for dinner but things got more complicated what with the terrorist threats against Penn station and the extra 2 hours to get there on top of the 45 min to the parade. I felt torn over the threats because my first reaction was What? how is it that someone from NJ had to call and tell me about it and I hadn't heard about it from anyone here. But then after watching several clips about it and seeing the multitude of AK toting men in uniform sweeping the station, I reconsidered. I mean, how stupid would I feel if I ignored it all and then a bomb did blow up the station while I was there. Assuming, of course, that I and my family were all still alive to feel stupid about it. So at the last minute (about 10pm the night before) we canceled on our friends. Now what to do.

Luckily the local market is open till midnight so a quick trip later we had the fixings for a pseudo turkey dinner--the largest chicken in the store. We had rosemary lemon chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. And Iz made a wonderful pumpkin roll for dessert. Not bad for a last minute meal.



I also found online a fun template for pilgrim hats. I think the boys look adorable. Then a few days ago as part of our advent calendar scripture/activity the boys made a list of things they're grateful for. Keahi's first thought was Derek and Carson. His family came in second. I guess I should be grateful to be included at all. Watching shows made both boys' lists, of course. And Keahi insisted on pink paper which meant that Jarom's had to be pink as well. Who are these boys who like pink when their mother had an abosolute horror of the color as a kid.



But I skipped right past the New York milestone. We got up early and took the train to Manhattan to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Within five minutes I'd filled my quota for crowds for the next year, but even though we were way in the back we got to see lots of massive balloons and only slightly smaller floats. We lasted about half an hour before fighting the crowds to get back to home sweet home. But it was a great experience and one we wouldn't have missed for the world--unless, of course, the terrorists had blown up Columbus Circle station. That would have complicated things.

Derek has Left the Building

So last week Thursday was Derek's last day here in New York and he spent the day and most of the night with us. He and Keahi lived it up with lots of toys and a few good tiffs to round out the day. The next day when I picked Keahi up from school, his teacher told me he had been very "serious" all day. Apparently he was missing Derek. Gee, I guess I'll have to find him a new friend now. So here's my tribute to Derek and Keahi.

Entering the Thirty-something zone

So I realize it's been weeks since the blessed events and still nothing to document it but I guess I'm slipping in my old age. As of the 7th and 19th, Iz and I have hit the 30 milestone. Yikes! Both days were commemorated appropriately--though, as you'll see, sadly lacking in the picture department--and full of laughter, songs, and presents--but light on cake.

Israel's b-day:
Sadly he still had to work at the hospital on his special day, but at least it was a friday. I feel bad that I let his birthday sneak up on me since I was more focused on Halloween with the kids the week before. But I asked around for ideas and the one that stuck was going to a show on Broadway since we have to take advantage of all the newyorkish things available while we can. And what's more new york than the oldest running show on Broadway--Phantom of the Opera. I know, it's a bit of a girly thing to do for Iz's b-day but I told him we could do something equally manly on my birthday like go to a hockey game or watch some good ol UFC action. And I also have to fess up that I didn't cook anything special for dinner or make a cake since I had a dentist appointment and other assorted excuses. But we did have a couple of pretty tasty burgers from a nearby dinner and red velvet cake for dessert. And while Phantom may not have been exactly Iz's tastes, the break dancing in the subway station and standing in Time Square more than made up for it. Plus, he just looks really good all dressed up. One of the many reasons I love him. And here's a few more--though not the traditional 30 for 30 years cause I still have to cover my birthday and that would be a long post. But here's a quick selection:

-He likes musicals.
-He’s musical. Sings. Plays the sax.
-He'll make a complete (loveable) idiot out of himself to get me to laugh.
-He accepts me with all my flaws and rarely ever complains about them.
-He's definitely the fun parent.
-He’s very smart without being arrogant about it.
-He’s curious and interested in so many different things.
-He’s athletic without being aggressively competitive or easily frustrated with less talented players.
-He’s the kindest person ever with telemarketers. I am so rude in comparison.
-He cuts the boys’ hair. Mine, too.
-He thinks I am beautiful.
-Well, just look at him. And he smells nice, too.

Cailin's birthday:
So we didn't do anything particularly manly for my day. We ate leftover pizza and watched Quantum of Solace. Daniel Craig is definitely my favorite Bond. Much less wimpy than Brosnan. Anyhow, instead of spending a bundle on a show, Iz got me 2 great gifts. If you're wondering about the odd perspective in the pictures, Keahi took several and these are the ones with our heads still in the frame. I don't play my brain age every day but when I do I spend hours on it. I know, I'm obsessive. And I haven't read the book yet though Iz is about 2/3 through it. Overall it was a good day--particularly because I didn't have any extra kids to watch. The last week had been particuarly kid heavy as was the previous 2 days and the day after. Wednesday was the only non-4-kids day. It felt like a breeze. Plus I didn't have to make dinner and I neglected the laundry and dishes for the day. But while my birthday was good, after midinight it got less good. As in spending the wee hours spewing from both ends--crude, I know, but that's the way it was. At least the stomach flu waited till after the movie to kick in. And a few days (and pounds, though those came right back) later, I'm good as new. So after the whole thing, I feel like shrugging and asking what's the big deal about 30. And then secretly hyperventalating that I'm no longer in my 20s and anticipating in horror being called ma'am. Yelck.


Anyhow, as I review my 3 decades living on this planet, I feel like I've learned a few things and figured I'd share them with all of you.
Wisdom gained over 3 decades:
--1st decade: I'd rather be too cold than too hot since you can keep putting more clothes on to warm up but there's only so many things you can take off when you're hot. (one of many interesting conversations I had with Leah Shlachter as a kid)
--2nd decade: College is cool. I should have taken more time to enjoy it.
--3rd decase: Life is whizzing by faster every year and I'd better try to do more with what I've got.....and being a mom is way harder than I thought it was in previous decades.

Barf Bowls

Jarom and I have had the stomach flu this past week and as you can imagine it's been jolly. A regular bowl full of jelly. Hmmmm...that's perhaps more accurate than I'd originally thought. It's made me grateful for simple things like a sink in easy reach of the toilet for simultaneous emissions. Or for tile flooring instead of carpet. (Looking forward to potty training also makes me grateful for this.) And I'm particularly grateful for the relative ease with which the boys puke out their guts. I remember the first time Keahi ever threw up was during the night our first semester in Grenada. He didn't bother to get out of bed and come to me or cry out at all so the next morning when I went to wake him was the first I knew about it. The sight of his inflatable Thomas bed covered in dried up, half digested dinner--not to mention the state of Keahi's hair and clothes--was both intensely gross and strangely sweet. He got up and we washed him and the bedding and went about our day. After that I made sure to give him a Barf Bowl whenever he felt sick and he was excellent at using it--especially for a 2 year old. And now little Jarom, also 2 now, has also shown remarkable self control. Last night during dinner (of which he had maybe 3 bites before requesting a banana), he started drooling and scraping his hand through his mouth like he tasted something bad. He said, "Barf, mommy, barf." I wasn't sure if he was serious but I went and got a bowl for him. As soon as I placed it on his high chair table he leaned forward and spewed the meager contents of his poor little tummy directly into the bowl. When he felt he was finished he pushed the bowl away, let me wipe his mouth, and continued to eat his unfinished banana. He seemed much happier after that. So when Keahi tells me his stomach hurts or Jarom cries, "Baaarf!" I know to respond immediately and thank my lucky stars I got any warning at all.

Quote of the day

This one was a bit too long to put in the sidebar so here's the story:

Jarom usually doesn't like bread--I know, whose kid is this--so when we were at Subway on Monday I had few hopes of him eating the outside of his sandwich. But he got the idea that it was a bridge so I made up a song variation of London Bridges and sang: "Brooklyn bridge falling into your mouth, into your mouth, into your mouth. Brooklyn bridge falling into your mouth, all the way to your stomach." And I'd trail my fingers down from his mouth and tickle his tummy. He loved it. And after the second time I sang it, Keahi piped in with:

"You mean all the way to his anus!"

True, that's more accurate. Though I'm more concerned with the filling of his tummy than what happens afterward. And it would be nice if Keahi learned how to whisper his little jokes.

1st trip to the Brooklyn Children's Museum

It rocked. The hour long walk to get there on the other hand did not rock. I don't know what we were thinking. Keahi has been spoiled with his buggyboard and complained about any walking he had to do and dragged his feet so much that I wanted to scream. Oh, wait, I did. At him. And guess what, it didn't work. Threatening, cajoling, reasoning: nothing. But once we got there, suddenly his legs perked up and he, Jarom, and Caleb were up and running. It's a good thing Iz had the day off or I never would have attempted this on my own with 3 active boys. We only saw a tiny portion of the newly renovated space, but I think the boys all agreed that they're favorite part was this water play area with levers and things to manipulate and splash with. And Caleb loved dumping cups of water on Jarom's head...and Jarom loved it, too. After the water play, we headed up to the space science area where Keahi made a rocket and learned about eating and using the potty in space. The bulls-eye target you attach to your rear was particularly entertaining. But the rocket launching was definitely the big closer. Now we have to get a film canister and some alkaseltzer to recreate it at home. With our family pass, we'll definitely be going there again.....by bus.

We got a new computer--YAY

On Monday morning I walked about 40 minutes to Amy's place to borrow this lovely, compact (great for NY living) dolly so we could go to the Atlantic center and pick up a new computer. While Iz prides himself on being able to fix most problems that hit our laptop, the time had finally come to buy a new desktop that doesn't overheat, freeze, have a new virus every few days, and has a fully functional dvd drive. Aaaahhhh. And I love the huge screen.

So no pic of the computer but here's one of Keahi getting a ride on the dolly to the mall. Iz had planned on going during naptime but then decided to wait till Derek was picked up by his mom who was delayed till 5:30pm at which time I was not going to whip something up for dinner so we all trekked out together for subway and computer. The perfect family outing.

Jack-o-Lanterns

Before:


After:

Happy Halloween!

After picking up Keahi from school (and having missed their Where the Wild Things Are parade) we headed out to Derek's house for play and lunch. Iz met up with us there after getting home early from the hospital-YAY! I tried to get pics of the boys in their wild things costumes with limited success.

It was slightly easier to pull Keahi and Jarom away from Derek's place since I could promise them they'd see him again in 3 hours to go Trick-or-Treating. And it still took some convincing to get them out the door and home for naptime. And then we had to get them out of these lovely leaves. Keahi loved riding home with daddy.

While Laie 3rd ward's Halloween bash may be more festive than our new ward, I must say that street trick-or-treating here in Brooklyn far surpasses my hometown. There, streets might be blocked off to make it safer for the kids, but here they have to block it off for the costume parade full with oversized puppets, loud cheerful music, and tons of people showing off their costumes. We met Derek and his dad to ToT at the local businesses along 7th Ave. Keahi refused to stop at any place until we had met up with Derek who was not so fastidious and thus was taking longer to reach the rendezvous point. The boys jumped for joy and shrieked with delight at seeing each other. The glow bracelets and the fun flashlights were both big hits. I love that Derek bothers ToTing when he doesn't like sweets. I guess it's just part of the Halloween experience. Some of the costumes we saw in the parade were amazing. I loved the mini float that was only supposed to have Cleopatras riding it but ended up carting a bunch of tired tots. And we also ran into our friends the Dargers and the Wolfgrams with their boys Peterson and Caleb. So it was big fun all around.

M.O.M.S.

I think there should be a union for stay-at-home moms. I know, we don't get paid so what's a union for and how would we pay for union dues. But something's gotta be done for moms so we can get sick days, too. Other hard working citizens get days off--sick leave, personal leave, heck even weekends.
So when's my break?
I got sick Wednesday night and felt terrible the next morning. Later I felt worse when I had to disappoint Keahi and his friend Derek by canceling our playdate. I just didn't feel up to watching 3 kids when all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and shut out the world of "mommy, I want..."(I had actually had 4 boys the day before since I had overbooked myself with both Caleb and Derek overlapping--Yikes.) After Anne Marie finally got Derek out the door with the promise of pizza and trick-or-treating together the next day, Keahi cried for half an hour. "I-I-I'm saaad because I wa-wanted Derek to staaaaay!" Bad mother.
Oh, and did I mention I also yelled at Keahi in the school playground when I picked him up? Yeah, my "Keahi Sui Loong, come here right now" sure got the other moms' attention. Furtive looks and whispered comments as well. On Iosepa st. Sister Oleole's "Kupa'a, get your but home right now" reverberated throughout the neighborhood quite regularly and never got a single shocked reaction. Only you-better-get-going looks from his friends.
So I had 2 grumpy boys to mother instead of 3 hyperactive, happy ones. Maybe a lateral decision on my part.
Iz said he'd come home early to help out and he did get home about 3:30pm and he did make tuna sandwiches for dinner. I'm grateful for his help. But is it bad of me that I secretly hope for a union to proved a pool of well qualified substitutes to fill in when I'm sick? I'm not talking the kind you might have had in high school when they'd sit at the desk reading while you watched a video that may or not have anything to do with the teacher's original planned lesson. I'm talking about the ones that step right in and continue where the teacher left off so that when he/she returns to class the students are up to date, the grading finished, and a complete review provided to ensure a smooth transition to the next lesson. Because as much as I appreciate not having to make dinner, it would be so nice to have a fill-in mom to do the laundry, clean the kitchen, do the floors, read to the kids and provide stimulating and creative activities for them while making the Butternut Squash soup with Bacon and Swiss Cheese I had planned as well as the spiced banana bread--and not give the kids 2 of the 3 bananas needed for that bread. So tonight I will do the laundry and clean the floors (Iz awesomely washed the dishes and will make a pie crust for tomorrow's Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie I want to try out)and probably not get to bed as early as I should.
Moms need sick days, too.
I'll vote for any candidate that can show a serious plan for this goal. We could call it something lame like Moms Out Miserably Sick. I'd vote for that.

Crazy Saturday

This past Saturday there were so many things we wanted to do that we had to pick and choose and sadly leave some fun things out of the list. So here's how our day went:

8:50am head out to the park to play ultimate frisbee which was to have started at 9am-we got there around 9:30

11:30am leave frisbee to get on the subway to Coney Island to see the Ascarium Aquarium (we were supposed to leave at 10am)

12:30pm arrive at Coney Island in the freezing gale-like winds and light rain to search for Famous Nathan's Hot Dog place. After braving the mad crowds in the one not on the boardwalk since that one was closed, we tried to eat on picnic tables outside only to be chased back to the boardwalk to eat under the canopy by the bathrooms once the rain started.

BEST BURGERS EVER. And the corn dogs the kids had were tasty, too. Ah, and the bacon cheese fries. And the lemonade. Sigh. Even if the rest of the day were to have been a bust, this would have made it all worthwhile for me.

I love the look of Coney Island. It's so retro. I feel like I've been transported into "Wild Hearts Can't be Broken" (shame on all you who don't know this chick-flick classic) and I wish we'd gotten pics of the closed down Astroland Amusement Park and all the old Freak Show posters. But here's one of a retro-style store front.

And here's another reason to love Coney Island. I can't believe Kobayashi has been dethrowned for 2 years now.

1-2:15pm See the Aquarium. The kids liked the music and the pumpkins in the Ascarium tent and the boys played a couple of games. But the Haunted house was too much for Keahi as was the 3D Deep Sea Adventure ride--the whole reason we had come. He came out crying about how it felt real and how the sperm whales were coming straight toward him. Strike two.


3pm Get back home and shower (yep, that's right, we skipped the shower after frisbee and caught the subway straight from the park) and take Keahi to the chapel for the last primary program practice before the ward party. Jarom fell asleep in the subway and stayed asleep in his stroller till it was time to go to the ward party.

Poor Iz had to make the Black Bean Salad, get the kids' costumes, and cut his hair before walking to the church a couple hours later with Jarom. In the rain.

5-7 Ward Chili and Pie Cook Off. The dishes were pretty tasty but I wish we all could have tried a bit of each entry so we could either agree or disagree with the judge's decisions. And Iz got there just in time for me to scramble to get the kids into costumes while they were taking pictures only to miss it by 30 seconds. And that was after missing out on the costume parade. Sigh. Poor things. But they were dressed in time for room-to-room trick or treat which is the main event anyways.

I was so impressed with the mom who made the Grinch costume--she also made a Cindy Lou one for her younger daughter. And a dad made this cute fish costume for his son. I couldn't get a good pic of him with the hood on but it was adorable.


8pm arrive home soaked and sore with an almost useless umbrella and my stylish-yet not so comfortable--stilleto boots. I think my feet may have died. Just a little bit. After putting the kids to bed and cleaning up, Iz and I collapsed on the couch in exhaustion. Too tired even to veg properly.

So it was a crazy busy day and we didn't get to do all the prospect park halloween activities. But it was great to spend the day as a family. And get free candy, too.