Mom's Day

I had a wonderful mom's day this weekend. Homemade pancakes (with a little bit of help from Moo and a lot from Dad), a beautiful potted plant (tiled by Moo at Sunday School), a glorious uninterrupted nap (graciously provided by my hubbie), and an amazing 20+ course dinner! Thinking about where I wanted to go,  my only desire was to go to a kebap restaurant that overlooked the sea. We hopped on a bus before 5 hoping to get there before the evening crowds. We found a nice place that offered kebaps and was along the water.

What we didn't realize, was that there was only one menu choice for the evening - the full 'fixed' menu! It usually takes us 15 minutes of trying to hold our kids together with fruit snacks and bread while we await our meal. However, at this special place, within two minutes of sitting down, we had 11 cold appetizers laid before us with news that the hot appetizers were on the way! Woah. Deciding not to think about the end cost of this adventure, we were happy to discover our kids happily discovering several appealing dishes - cucumber in garlic yogurt sauce, hummus, and lots of bread. The main course was a humongous mixed-meat (steak, chicken, meatball, ribs, etc.) kebap served on a special platter above the other courses. I was so bummed that my camera ran out of batteries after the first round! Just when we thought we would burst, they came to clear the dishes. This wonderful restaurant also had a kids play zone - just like burger king. Fancy white tablecloths, a professional photographer taking family photos while you dine, and a play structure complete with balls to jump in. We watched the kids play while we let our food settle. Just as we contemplated asking for our bill, 9 more plates arrived with various fruit and desserts. Oh my goodness. Delicious. And we had to waddle home.

I think this is a common way to dine out with family here for a special occasion as I often see people inside restaurants with platters and platters of food. Coming from the dutch financial tradition of only ever ordering an appetizer if it is instead of the meal, this was an amazing treat. We all went home happy and full! (Until the train ride when Moo asked what he could have...as if he hadn't already eaten two plates of food).

tee hee...Lu's professional shot from the restaurant.

Trip to the Rose Garden

Click here to view these pictures larger

just your average day

 Moo has been playing this game the past few days. "There's a baby inside of me!" Then a little bit later...."Out popped sleep dog!"

 Evidence that my little girl's hair is in fact growing. Now...where do I buy those little barrettes that let everyone know she is indeed a girl?

washing up

Sometimes a washcloth at the dinner table just won't cut it.

Starbucks

"Mommy is going to Starbucks this morning and Daddy is going to play with you for a little while."
"Are you going to play at Starbucks?"
"No, probably not. I am going to do some reading and some work."
"Will you need some toys to play with?"
"Well, do you want to find me a toy?"
"Yes! I do!"
"You are a very thoughtful little man."

Choose Your Own Adventure: Wake-up Call

page 1. 

You have just enjoyed the first chance in a week of a few quiet hours talking with your spouse before bed. Having stayed up late talking, you are enjoying your sleep immensely. Suddenly, a cry erupts from your 13 month-old’s room. You wince as you reach for the clock and see that it is only 6am. Up until a few days ago, she was routinely sleeping until 7:30. You feel robbed. You realize the adventure of Friday has begun.

If you choose to roll over in the hopes you dreamed it, turn to page 2.

If you choose to succumb to her alert state and take her to the living room for breakfast, go to page 10.

page 2

The cries get louder and more frantic.

If you choose to run to her room and hope to quiet the cries before your 3 year old wakes up, turn to page 3.

If you choose to succumb to her alert state and take her to the living room for breakfast, go to page 10.

page 3

Once you rescue that little girl, you attempt to pull her into bed with you in the hopes that she will snuggle up and go back to sleep. While sucking her thumb in a feigned state of rest, she proceeds to lightly pull your hair, stick her finger in your ear, up your nose, and occasionally in your eye.

If you choose to draw her closer, hoping a tighter hold will induce sleep, turn to page 4.

If you choose to succumb to her alert state and take her to the living room for breakfast, go to page 10.

page 4

Now that she is feeling quite constrained, she commences full WWF training. She flops full tilt on your face and stomach. She begins to grunt and point at the door.

If you choose to try reading books to her quietly to re-introduce a sleep routine, turn to page 5.

If you choose to succumb to her alert state and take her to the living room for breakfast, go to page 10.

page 5

She takes an active interest in the books. She flips open the piano looking for Spot, feels the scratchy basket with Curious George inside, and Pats the Bunny. Then she grunts some more and points again at the door.

If you choose to succumb to her alert state and take her to the living room for breakfast, go to page 10.

page 10.

Ah, what a beautiful day. You had planned to wake up early today anyway. Right?

One more day

Hubbie has been gone this week teaching in another city. I have been blessed to have my language tutor stay with me most of the nights. It has been so sweet to get to know her better and to practice my language skills. She, being a university student, also re-introduced me to college life a few nights and I found myself going to bed hours past my normal crash time after a chick flick (with subtitles) or hours of chatting. She also blessed me with watching the kiddos in the morning so I could have some quiet time with the Lord AND run around like a headless chicken doing laundry, dishes, and a shower. Awesome.

Rick comes home tomorrow (now in 7 hours....a bit delayed in posting!) and I am soooooo grateful. I have missed him immensely - both in the way we just know each other so well that we have a 'parenting groove', and in his being my best friend. I'm ready for my best friend conversations to return. :)

Here are a few snapshots of how we passed the time this week...

 Lydia playing with dirt.

 Watching birdie mommy nest on our air conditioner...which is on our balcony (long story).

 Can you tell what is amiss in the above photo?
I busted out Lu's summer dresses and Moo decided to wear her bloomers as a hat.

 Animal-Safari day at playgroup - Lu was a bird (for about 30 sec)

 Moo was a dog (for about 10 minutes, until his face fell victim to the water table and he wanted it off)

 Lu's first finger painting adventure.

 I love those little hands!

 Moo spending more time on his masterpiece.

 Moo fell victim to the summer bugs...he seems to have had an allergic reaction to his bugbites - check out his left ear - totally red. The spots on his arms and legs are the size of quarters! A trip to the pharmacy later, they are diminishing.

 Fingerpainting clean-up was more fun than painting....

 At least for Lu.

 Can you see what is in this nest? I had 5 minutes when Momma was gone to attempt a photo. I can't tell...egg? baby? extra feather fluff? It's a mystery.