Yesterday, Monday, was raining so we all decided to go to see "Rogue One," the new Star Wars movie. Rachel insisted that Auntie Rachel and Daddy sit next to her, so I was relegated to the aisle seat (I really didn't mind; the Rachels don't get to see one another that often, so the more time and space they can share, the better).
It really was an amazing movie, but we all felt logy at the end of it, and both Rachels said they wanted naps. I had to go to work, so after a quick stop at Trader Joe's to get me salads, we came back home, I made hot chocolate from scratch because the Rachels both decided they wanted to watch the very first "Star Wars" movie, and we had a quick Skype session with Tia Daniella and Valerie before I left for The Post.
As we were walking back from the movie to the car, RD (as opposed to Auntie Rachel, who is RJ), and I got into an earnest discussion about how to eat various junk foods. She says she eats popcorn (like she did in the movie) by holding it in her mouth before it disintegrates on her tongue. Then I said that I eat Cheetos by letting them melt in my mouth, and she said that she eats Doritos by licking the cheese off and eating the rest. I mentioned that that was totally gross.
"The fact that we're talking about ways to eat food shows that we have a lot of time on our hands," she observed.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Happy New Year!
One of my new year's resolutions is to write more on this blog, and I apologize to everyone for shamefully neglecting it. Um, I've been a little bit busy. As blog entries happen this year, I will fill everyone in on what has been going on.
We welcomed in 2017 with style, and in a way that I hope will create lasting memories for Rachel. A few highlights:
--Our friends Jeff, Crystal and their not-quite-3-year-old, Julia, joined us for a New Year's Eve/last night of Hanukkah dinner at our house. They arrived at 6, and we had a lot to do before then -- last-minute errands, food prep, setting the table, etc. I reorganized our tablecloths and cloth napkins and was pleased to discover, as was Drew, that we could return $65 worth of linens to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Then I laid a lovely Hanukkah-themed tablecloth down on our table, which we expanded to two leaves to fit everyone, and the cloth fit perfectly. Yay! We roasted a capon and I made latkes and brussels sprouts, with the welcome assistance of Rachel Jones, who is staying with us through next weekend. Jeff bought a homemade chocolate peanut butter cheesecake that he had made in his pressure cooker, and I don't even like cheesecake but it was FABULOUS. Little Rachel was lovely with Julia -- at one point, when Julia said she wanted to go to the potty for the 3rd time and poor Crystal and Jeff had barely started eating, Rachel offered to take her upstairs. And when they were getting to leave, Julia said to Rachel, "Go upstairs and take nap?" And Rachel very quickly and wisely said, "You can go to your OWN house and nap there!" I tell ya, that kid will be a great babysitter someday.
--Then, after we had gotten a good head start on cleaning, the second wave arrived -- Moriah and Lenore. I work with Moriah at The Post (she's an education reporter and is constantly telling me how smart Rachel is) and Lenore is Moriah's friend. They were all dressed up to party, but stopped over for dessert and brought pecan pie. They had my homemade cookies (I had baked five different cookies to distribute to friends and neighbors but still had a lot left) and we chatted a bit. Rachel had been asking all night, "When are the YOUNG people coming?" and she had a great time dispensing relationship advice to Moriah and Lenore, who are single but recently have had their share of boyfriend mishaps.
--About 15 minutes before they left, the third wave arrived -- Jamila, a friend of Rachel Jones's, and her friend Daniela, who is from Brazil and is a PhD candidate at the University of Texas in Austin but is visiting Daniela for the weekend. They were similarly dressed up in shimmery outfits, and at one point, Jamila (who has met Little Rachel before and is charmed by her), took it upon herself to teach her to salsa dance. We captured it all on video, and it is HILARIOUS. They had a great time, and when Jamila and Daniela mentioned that they hadn't eaten dinner, we pressed them to try our leftovers -- we had enough capon, latkes and brussels sprouts to feed them -- and they were so grateful! They loved the food and the homemade cookies.
They left around 11, and Drew and I finished almost all of the cleaning. We had a fire gong, and Rachel Jones and I had some whiskey that we downed at the stroke of midnight, and Little Rachel shrieked, "Happy New Year!" (We had allowed her to stay up after she promised to get washed changed into her jimmies and go right to bed and go to bed early tonight, which we are holding her to if it kills us.) We all hugged and kissed, and then Rachel Jones and I decided our new year's resolution was to "Own It." She went up to bed, then I helped Drew a bit and then I went up to bed, and that was the end of a wonderful, chaotic, heartbreaking, life-affirming 2016.
Bring it, 2017! I'm ready for ya.
We welcomed in 2017 with style, and in a way that I hope will create lasting memories for Rachel. A few highlights:
--Our friends Jeff, Crystal and their not-quite-3-year-old, Julia, joined us for a New Year's Eve/last night of Hanukkah dinner at our house. They arrived at 6, and we had a lot to do before then -- last-minute errands, food prep, setting the table, etc. I reorganized our tablecloths and cloth napkins and was pleased to discover, as was Drew, that we could return $65 worth of linens to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Then I laid a lovely Hanukkah-themed tablecloth down on our table, which we expanded to two leaves to fit everyone, and the cloth fit perfectly. Yay! We roasted a capon and I made latkes and brussels sprouts, with the welcome assistance of Rachel Jones, who is staying with us through next weekend. Jeff bought a homemade chocolate peanut butter cheesecake that he had made in his pressure cooker, and I don't even like cheesecake but it was FABULOUS. Little Rachel was lovely with Julia -- at one point, when Julia said she wanted to go to the potty for the 3rd time and poor Crystal and Jeff had barely started eating, Rachel offered to take her upstairs. And when they were getting to leave, Julia said to Rachel, "Go upstairs and take nap?" And Rachel very quickly and wisely said, "You can go to your OWN house and nap there!" I tell ya, that kid will be a great babysitter someday.
--Then, after we had gotten a good head start on cleaning, the second wave arrived -- Moriah and Lenore. I work with Moriah at The Post (she's an education reporter and is constantly telling me how smart Rachel is) and Lenore is Moriah's friend. They were all dressed up to party, but stopped over for dessert and brought pecan pie. They had my homemade cookies (I had baked five different cookies to distribute to friends and neighbors but still had a lot left) and we chatted a bit. Rachel had been asking all night, "When are the YOUNG people coming?" and she had a great time dispensing relationship advice to Moriah and Lenore, who are single but recently have had their share of boyfriend mishaps.
--About 15 minutes before they left, the third wave arrived -- Jamila, a friend of Rachel Jones's, and her friend Daniela, who is from Brazil and is a PhD candidate at the University of Texas in Austin but is visiting Daniela for the weekend. They were similarly dressed up in shimmery outfits, and at one point, Jamila (who has met Little Rachel before and is charmed by her), took it upon herself to teach her to salsa dance. We captured it all on video, and it is HILARIOUS. They had a great time, and when Jamila and Daniela mentioned that they hadn't eaten dinner, we pressed them to try our leftovers -- we had enough capon, latkes and brussels sprouts to feed them -- and they were so grateful! They loved the food and the homemade cookies.
They left around 11, and Drew and I finished almost all of the cleaning. We had a fire gong, and Rachel Jones and I had some whiskey that we downed at the stroke of midnight, and Little Rachel shrieked, "Happy New Year!" (We had allowed her to stay up after she promised to get washed changed into her jimmies and go right to bed and go to bed early tonight, which we are holding her to if it kills us.) We all hugged and kissed, and then Rachel Jones and I decided our new year's resolution was to "Own It." She went up to bed, then I helped Drew a bit and then I went up to bed, and that was the end of a wonderful, chaotic, heartbreaking, life-affirming 2016.
Bring it, 2017! I'm ready for ya.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Sleepover list
Here is a list of things that Rachel drew up for what she and Valerie planned for their sleepover:
Sleepover to Do List
1. Pillow Fights
2. Karaoke
e. Dress Up
4. Movie (maybe)
5. Makeovers
6. Reading
7. Snacks
8. Talking
9. Games
10. Electronics (I was pleased to see this halfway down the list and not first)
11. Dancing
12. Music
13. Drawing
14. Hairstyling
15. Maybe Sleeping
16. Laughing Ha ha ha!
17. Blanket forts
18. Obtacle courses
19. Gymnastics
20. Nail Polish
21. Watch TV
I think they did most of it.
Sleepover to Do List
1. Pillow Fights
2. Karaoke
e. Dress Up
4. Movie (maybe)
5. Makeovers
6. Reading
7. Snacks
8. Talking
9. Games
10. Electronics (I was pleased to see this halfway down the list and not first)
11. Dancing
12. Music
13. Drawing
14. Hairstyling
15. Maybe Sleeping
16. Laughing Ha ha ha!
17. Blanket forts
18. Obtacle courses
19. Gymnastics
20. Nail Polish
21. Watch TV
I think they did most of it.
Fourth of July!
We had a fantastic 4th of July celebration, filled with family -- PopPop, Tia Daniella, Darryl and Valerie joined us. Some highlights:
--Tia Daniella, Darryl and Valerie arrived on Saturday night and we met them at Capital Brewing Company, a great restaurant and brewpub that we like. The girls were very cute, saying "please" and "thank you" as they ordered, and generally charming the waiter.
--On Monday, I was interviewed by Wisconsin Pubic Radio for a story I wrote in June about efforts to write LGBT people into American history. Before then, PopPop, Daniella, Darryl, Valerie, Drew and Rachel and I went to the American History Museum because it threatened rain. Afterward, I met them in time to grab a quick dinner (in the rain) and watch the fireworks (in the fog, and the view wasn't so great because the lights were obscured and the ground was too wet to sit). One of these holidays, we will have the perfect weather we had in 2014, when we sat on a blanket near the Reflecting Pool and watched the fireworks unobstructed. That night, the girls had their first sleepover at our house.
--On Tuesday, PopPop, Daniella, Darryl, Valerie, Rachel and I visited Uncle Dan. We brought a pizza and salad, and we spent four hours sitting and talking and catching up. (Daniella said she wished we had had more time together.) It was really a great visit, and Dan seemed happy to see us. That night, we went out with Richard and Drew, and the girls had their second sleepover.
--On Wednesday, Daniella and Darryl came to pick Valerie up and we said our goodbyes -- but not before the girls had a chance to paint downstairs and Valerie played in the backyard to take a break from the TV show they were watching -- it may have been "Teen Titans."
Anyway, the girls had a great time.
--Tia Daniella, Darryl and Valerie arrived on Saturday night and we met them at Capital Brewing Company, a great restaurant and brewpub that we like. The girls were very cute, saying "please" and "thank you" as they ordered, and generally charming the waiter.
--On Monday, I was interviewed by Wisconsin Pubic Radio for a story I wrote in June about efforts to write LGBT people into American history. Before then, PopPop, Daniella, Darryl, Valerie, Drew and Rachel and I went to the American History Museum because it threatened rain. Afterward, I met them in time to grab a quick dinner (in the rain) and watch the fireworks (in the fog, and the view wasn't so great because the lights were obscured and the ground was too wet to sit). One of these holidays, we will have the perfect weather we had in 2014, when we sat on a blanket near the Reflecting Pool and watched the fireworks unobstructed. That night, the girls had their first sleepover at our house.
--On Tuesday, PopPop, Daniella, Darryl, Valerie, Rachel and I visited Uncle Dan. We brought a pizza and salad, and we spent four hours sitting and talking and catching up. (Daniella said she wished we had had more time together.) It was really a great visit, and Dan seemed happy to see us. That night, we went out with Richard and Drew, and the girls had their second sleepover.
--On Wednesday, Daniella and Darryl came to pick Valerie up and we said our goodbyes -- but not before the girls had a chance to paint downstairs and Valerie played in the backyard to take a break from the TV show they were watching -- it may have been "Teen Titans."
Anyway, the girls had a great time.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Last day of school
School runs quite late here, and it wasn't until Friday, June 24, that Rachel was finally done.
I volunteered to bring over sidewalk chalk and help supervise games at Madison Manor Park, which is within walking distance of our house, where the entire 2nd-grade class was having its end-of-year party. When I arrived at my designated time, about 11 p.m., any effort at organization had deteriorated. Kids were wheeling each other around in a little red wagon, hanging out on the play structure, playing with soccer balls in the field.
Rachel was upset that all the other kids had had their turn in the wagon and Sydney wanted to pull her around in it. No one was letting that happen, and so she came to me, teary-eyed and whining a bit that "It's not FAIR!" Having just dealt with the Sydney issue, I didn't want to barge in and insist that the other kids give Rachel a turn. So I looked at her and said, "FIGHT FOR IT!"
I walked away to talk to a parent, and later saw that Sydney and Rachel had prevailed and that Sydney was pushing her around.
The best part was when Rachel came up to me afterward and said, "Thanks, Mom. That was good advice." I was floored.
I volunteered to bring over sidewalk chalk and help supervise games at Madison Manor Park, which is within walking distance of our house, where the entire 2nd-grade class was having its end-of-year party. When I arrived at my designated time, about 11 p.m., any effort at organization had deteriorated. Kids were wheeling each other around in a little red wagon, hanging out on the play structure, playing with soccer balls in the field.
Rachel was upset that all the other kids had had their turn in the wagon and Sydney wanted to pull her around in it. No one was letting that happen, and so she came to me, teary-eyed and whining a bit that "It's not FAIR!" Having just dealt with the Sydney issue, I didn't want to barge in and insist that the other kids give Rachel a turn. So I looked at her and said, "FIGHT FOR IT!"
I walked away to talk to a parent, and later saw that Sydney and Rachel had prevailed and that Sydney was pushing her around.
The best part was when Rachel came up to me afterward and said, "Thanks, Mom. That was good advice." I was floored.
Father's Day!
We had a wonderful Father's Day visit with Grandma and Grandpa.
I met them for dinner on Thursday night before the weekend, and then on Friday we toured Arlington National Cemetery. (I had been before, but walked only a bit of it, to John F. Kennedy's grave -- only to find out it was closed for repairs. This was soon after we arrived in D.C. in 2013.)
Mom, Dad and I ended up taking a tour on wheels -- and, man, did we see and learn a lot. The weather was perfect, just like summer in Oregon, and it was longer and more informative than I thought it would be. So glad that we got to see the cemetery that way.
That night they came over for roast lamb, popovers and a berry tart. We all had a great time talking and laughing.
On Saturday, we toured Hillwood Gardens, the home and gardens of Marjorie Merriweather Post, which I had deliberately not done until I could see it with them. Rachel was somewhat impressed with the lavish interior -- Post was quite a collector -- and then we had a great time touring the outside. Rachel really impressed Drew and me with her insistence on pushing Grandma's wheelchair, holding her purse when needed, etc. It's as if she grew into the role of junior caregiver by knowing instinctively that she had to step up. What can I say? It was astonishing to watch.
We had arranged for a babysitter Saturday night, which Rachel was very happy about -- she occasionally urges us to go out on dates -- and then Mom, Dad, Drew and I went to the Oval Room, a fancy restaurant near the White House, and then back to Arlington to Buzz Bakery, our favorite cupcake place. It was great fun insisting that Mom and Dad take cupcakes back to NY with them.
On Sunday we met them for a Father's Day brunch at the hotel. Rachel wore a very grown-up maxi-length tie-dye dress and sandals, and snuggled in Drew's arms for most of the brunch. Then we said our goodbyes, with Rachel pushing Grandma in her wheelchair yet again.
Altogether, it was a lovely weekend.
I met them for dinner on Thursday night before the weekend, and then on Friday we toured Arlington National Cemetery. (I had been before, but walked only a bit of it, to John F. Kennedy's grave -- only to find out it was closed for repairs. This was soon after we arrived in D.C. in 2013.)
Mom, Dad and I ended up taking a tour on wheels -- and, man, did we see and learn a lot. The weather was perfect, just like summer in Oregon, and it was longer and more informative than I thought it would be. So glad that we got to see the cemetery that way.
That night they came over for roast lamb, popovers and a berry tart. We all had a great time talking and laughing.
On Saturday, we toured Hillwood Gardens, the home and gardens of Marjorie Merriweather Post, which I had deliberately not done until I could see it with them. Rachel was somewhat impressed with the lavish interior -- Post was quite a collector -- and then we had a great time touring the outside. Rachel really impressed Drew and me with her insistence on pushing Grandma's wheelchair, holding her purse when needed, etc. It's as if she grew into the role of junior caregiver by knowing instinctively that she had to step up. What can I say? It was astonishing to watch.
We had arranged for a babysitter Saturday night, which Rachel was very happy about -- she occasionally urges us to go out on dates -- and then Mom, Dad, Drew and I went to the Oval Room, a fancy restaurant near the White House, and then back to Arlington to Buzz Bakery, our favorite cupcake place. It was great fun insisting that Mom and Dad take cupcakes back to NY with them.
On Sunday we met them for a Father's Day brunch at the hotel. Rachel wore a very grown-up maxi-length tie-dye dress and sandals, and snuggled in Drew's arms for most of the brunch. Then we said our goodbyes, with Rachel pushing Grandma in her wheelchair yet again.
Altogether, it was a lovely weekend.
End-of-year report card
Here is what Rachel's teachers had to say:
--Ms. Burke: It was a pleasure watching Rachel learn and grow this year in second grade! She has shown great growth both academically and socially. She is very responsible and always eager to learn. Rachel is reading above grade level and successfully participated in literature circles. While I know she is a voracious reader, please continue to encourage her to read independently over the summer. Rachel demonstrated mastery of second grade math concepts and showed an improvement in her perseverance when given challenging material. She also learned the basics of multiplication as well as various strategies for solving multiplication problems. This is a skill that students are expected to master in third grade, so practicing her times tables up to 5's over the summer would be a great way to keep those skills fresh. Rachel had a great end to a wonderful year and I have no doubt that she will continue to thrive in third grade!
--Mr. Aubrey (phys. ed): Rachel worked well with her peers this quarter. She was creative and competitive during our Bean Bag Bocce unit. I look forward to watching her improvement next year.
--M. Mautawalli (art): Rachel is doing a wonderful job in art class expressing herself effectively. I really liked the tin can flower pot Rachel created in art class.
--Ms. Burke: It was a pleasure watching Rachel learn and grow this year in second grade! She has shown great growth both academically and socially. She is very responsible and always eager to learn. Rachel is reading above grade level and successfully participated in literature circles. While I know she is a voracious reader, please continue to encourage her to read independently over the summer. Rachel demonstrated mastery of second grade math concepts and showed an improvement in her perseverance when given challenging material. She also learned the basics of multiplication as well as various strategies for solving multiplication problems. This is a skill that students are expected to master in third grade, so practicing her times tables up to 5's over the summer would be a great way to keep those skills fresh. Rachel had a great end to a wonderful year and I have no doubt that she will continue to thrive in third grade!
--Mr. Aubrey (phys. ed): Rachel worked well with her peers this quarter. She was creative and competitive during our Bean Bag Bocce unit. I look forward to watching her improvement next year.
--M. Mautawalli (art): Rachel is doing a wonderful job in art class expressing herself effectively. I really liked the tin can flower pot Rachel created in art class.
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