Day 148: Mean Mommy

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I made my kids take ski lessons today and was the meanest mommy on the planet!

They have indoor ski places in Holland that I thought sounded like such a good idea. When we were talking about what to do for Christmas Break, I asked the kids if they wanted to go skiing because there are fabulous places to ski in Europe like Austria and France and I thought we should go there. But everyone voted no on that idea. None of us like to be cold, and the thought of skiing didn’t sound attractive. Now, I was afraid that I might be rubbing off on them and that because I don’t like to be cold, they were just saying that. We hardly ever choose to go to the snow in California when we have vacation time because yours truly really hates to be cold, and why suffer with three kids and a long drive in traffic to Tahoe if everyone is going to be miserable? At least, that’s the vision that floats in my head, and you know I could very well be wrong.

So now we’re in Holland and I learned of this place where I could bring the kids and the weather was controlled and the conditions would be just right, so why not try it?? I was pumped for them, to give them this opportunity to learn something new and just for a day and without a long journey and with their friends, even. Guess what I got? Guff. I got guff from 2 out of 3 of them. And not just a little guff. There were tears involved and they were rude and angry and demanded their rights to not go and I couldn’t make them and blah, blah, blah.

We went anyway. I thought they’d change their mind when we got there. But no… more words and frustrated feelings. And they were mad at me and I was disappointed in them, but I pushed on anyway and paid for the lesson and tickets and equipment and said goodbye, enjoy, have fun!! And told them how our family values adventure and trying new things and that they have to at least try it. And I wagered the bet that they might actually like it once they tried it and I was really hoping they would, so I would feel better about pushing them out of their comfort zone. I don’t like to make them do what they don’t want to do. I’m not one of those moms that feels like I know best and that they should do exactly what I say or want. I usually tend to listen to them as little people, unless there is danger or they are being rude. But today I felt like I had to push their boundaries a bit and I had to step out of my comfort zone. And boy, was I uncomfortable with all their unhappiness and the scene they were making. But in the end, all was good.

They put on their boots, gathered their lift tickets and gear and hit the slopes with Braum, their ski instructor, while I watched from behind the glass with a capuccino. I cheered them on by waving my arms in the air and was so happy for them when they decided to leave the bunny slope and take the lift up to higher ground. They all loved it and didn’t want to leave. They stayed way past the time we had planned and I felt content, for them and for me. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do and good will come from it. I hope they learned something today. I know I did.

Indoor skiing in Holland

unhappy skier waiting for the dread to begin…

Happy after 30 minutes of lessons! Phew!!

Happy, little skier!

The non-complainer who actually tried both boarding and skiing with a smile on his face all day.

19Dec2012

Day 146: Backies

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This is me and Patti Beth after coming home from a Christmas party in Amsterdam. We took the bus and when we were coming home, the bus didn’t stop at my stop even though I pressed the button. PB’s stop was two stops away from mine, and she had her bike at the bus station. So she gave me my first bike ride straddled on the back of her bike at 12:30 am! They call these “Backies” but usually the back rider sits side saddle. I chose to straddle so we’d be more balanced.

We only fell while trying to get on the bike on the slippery, wet bricks. But then we were ok, laughing all the way! This picture was taken after our safe arrival back at the bus stop!

What a great way to end day 2 of vacation. I’m so glad we stayed in town.

17Dec2012

Day 145: First Day of Vacation – Let’s Go to the Movies

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Today was the first day of winter break, and we set an alarm clock for 6:30 am!! My Mom and Dad had an early morning flight back to California. I was fine with the transition until we got to the airport before the sun rose. Looking in my mama’s eyes made me cry. And then again more tears flowed as I hugged my dad goodbye. We are going to miss them being here with us!!

Luckily, my friend Jane was thinking ahead and planning outings for this week. We met up with Jane, Kim, Cami, Patti Beth and a couple other new friends and their kids to see our first movie at a theater in Amsterdam.

The movie was in 3D and was produced in English with Dutch subtitles, popping out in 3-D as well. The movie was really cute and I’m glad that we had something to do to get us out of the house. After the movie, we walked along the Singel and I had heard about a great, Indonesian restaurant, called Sampurna that was on the flower market. We decided to try and it and enjoyed a noisy family meal that included Sayur Lodeh, Rendang, Bami Goreng, Rice, Satay Ayam, and Krupruk!! Trying to take 3 kids to a quiet restaurant and expecting them to sit still and quiet is a joke! Once the food arrived, all was well again and we all enjoyed our delicious meal.

Today was good after all. Mom and dad arrived safely in Los Angeles and are very excited to see my nieces and sisters and brother and their own house and own bed again! Welcome home, Mama and Pops! Slaap lekker!!

17Dec2012

Day 144: One Last Hurrah

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My mom and dad leave tomorrow, after being with us for 2 months. I haven’t been together with my parents for this long since my college days. And living under one roof, as one big, happy family wasn’t all that hard. We’re all ready for the change and to get back to “normal” and our own space, but we’ve all really enjoyed the shared journey and are thankful for the experience.

Tonight we had a going away party for them. While mom and I were out shopping for the dinner tonight at our local Jumbo (the Dutch supermarket that is actually open on Sunday!), we were given a fun surprise! As I was gathering my groceries after we paid, a man comes up to me with a big red box and a huge smile on his face. He said something to me in Dutch, but my translator(aka my mom) had already left for the parking lot. I told him I didn’t speak Dutch and he said that was ok, and “Congratulations! You are the 1000th customer.” He handed me the sealed and decorated box and I left with a smile that matched his. I love winning things and being lucky, no matter what it is. I just love the shear joy of it and the excitement.

The box was filled with various items including snacks, cookies, shampoo and soaps, non-alcoholic drinks, and Christmas decor. I loved it!

Our company arrived just as we got home. We enjoyed a great afternoon and early evening with loved ones, and a simple Dutch dinner of soft rolls with deli meats and cheeses, along with salad and fruit and chips. A simple dinner, and a simple evening at home, that was simply perfect. We all are going to miss my parents and can’t wait to see them again! xoxoxo

13Dec2012

Day 141: Let There be Light

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For all my friends who have lost loved ones, whether through death or divorce or broken relationships, I wish you peace for your soul, love for yourself and light to lead you forward out of the dark.

** I hit the Publish button before I meant to, but the message is still the same, and I think I’ll leave it just the way it is.

12Dec2012

Day 140: Art & Technology & Community in Third Grade

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One of the many things I love most about the kids’ school is their access to art and technology, as well as their community values. Today the 3rd grade had an open house celebration to demonstrate what they’ve been learning and to bring our community together. The parents brought food for a potluck lunch. The kids shared their power point presentations and shadow puppet plays for our entertainment. You would be amazed.

Each 3rd grader created their own power point presentation slide show, picking their own backgrounds and fonts and content. They’ve been doing an investigation, called Believe It Or Not, which has taught them about the world’s various religions and beliefs. They visited a Sikh Temple on a field trip two weeks ago, and have been learning about different values and traditions. Today’s presentation had them share their thoughts on what their own values and beliefs were and they made connections between their own beliefs and those of others. Charlie shared his connection with community groups such as Green Team, an environmental and recycling club on campus, and Boy Scouts, and Christianity and God. He talked about what these values looked like and gave us examples, such as being kind, helping others, and turning off the lights when not needing them.

Not only was I impressed with what his class is thinking about and investigating and sharing and understanding, but also that they were able to create a slide deck with 6 slides to communicate their thoughts so clearly. Each student created their own presentation on their own Macbook air, linked to their own website on their school community site. How cool is that? Each kid had to stand up in front of a small group to present their findings. The parents had a rubric chart to give the kids feedback, that they would then incorporate into their learning review. How cool is all this?

The kids went outside for recess and the parents socialized and had coffee together. Afterwards, we moved down to the drama department to meet the drama teacher and to watch the shadow puppet shows. two clases were divided into groups of 4 and we were able to see 10 small shows. The students created their own art puppets too. Each group introduced the title of their fable, and then hid behind the screen and did their show. Afterwards, they came out and took a bow. I was so impressed.

I enjoyed the community feeling at the potluck lunch today too. It reminded me of our hospitality lunches we put on for the staff back home. But this time it was a lunch for the parents and students and teachers, right before we break for the holiday. The parents gathered money and signed a card for the teacher, and the students presented the gift to the teacher, just like we do back home. I love this new little community too, and all that it has to offer, and hope my friends back home are enjoying the last few days of classroom parties and celebrations too. Enjoy the moment my friends, with the craziness and busy-ness of all the holiday fun. xo

9Dec2012

Day 137: Christmas at Keukenhof Castle

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Sometimes I think writing this blog helps me to not be lazy. For example, today would have been a good day to just stay inside. But that would be a boring way to spend the day, and even more boring to write about. Plus even when I think I want to be lazy at the house doing nothing, I’m always doing something so I might as well do something I want to do versus the nothing I think I want to do…if that makes any sense?!?

Jeff and I went for a 40 minute run in the rain. The snow has melted but the rain kept coming. Part of the trails and streets were covered in ice and frozen and other parts were slushy or dry.We had to slow down in a few spots so as not to fall. I am surprisingly enjoying running – it gives us another thing to do together, which is what I was wishing for back in January. Who knew we’d have to move to Holland to discover time to work out together? I’m not complaining!

Later in the day we took the kids to the Keukenhof Castle. The Keukenhof is known for their flower gardens in the spring. And at Christmas time, they have Christmas markets which is like a county fair along the little roads near the mansion.

Inside the mansion, you could pay extra for a walking tour of the first floor. Good thing is that they didn’t charge for kids to go in – just adults. Each room was decorated with grandiose floral arrangements and art.

It reminded me of the Mother’s Day tea party at Filoli Gardens that Marcia and I enjoyed this year.

Although Filoli would be like champagne and Keukenhof would be like apple juice. Night and day difference in the quality and detail of the exhibits.

Outside, there were tents set up with vendors selling their wares. There was a very childlike circus and miniature ponies.

I liked the Wiener trick slide and seeing Santa Claus.

I tried the Gluiwijn – or warm wine for the first time, which was interesting. They had fire pots burning along the walkways to keep people warm – something else you wouldn’t see back home!!

They were unprotected and crowds could easily run into them.

I was the only one who wanted to visit with Santa Claus!! Can you believe that? Luckily they were all good sports and joined me anyway. I told Santa that it might be just him and I, but soon the rest didn’t disappoint! Santa is a newer concept in Holland and he even asked us if we knew when he arrived. They had a Coca-Cola elf assisting Santa who would take our picture with our camera.

There wasn’t a professional photographer charging us 30euros for a 5×7 which was really nice.

At the end, we all enjoyed another Oliebollen, and this time they were still warm! What a treat!

Merry Christmas!!

8Dec2012

Day 136: What’s Good About All Day Basketball Tryouts?

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We had to set an alarm on a Saturday morning. Christian had to be at school by 7:45 am to catch the team bus to the Hague for a mini-basketball tournament. Juliana had to be at school by 9 am for her all day mini-tournament at her school. They have had try-outs for the last two weeks and after today, the coaches were supposed to make a decision. I felt it to be important that we were there to watch and cheer and support our kids, so Jeff and I split up to make this happen.

Since we have one car, Jeff came back after dropping off Christian to pick up Charlie, Juliana and I and to drop us off at school by 9 am, before he left for the day to watch Christian. Charlie and I stayed to watch Juliana play ALL DAY! Well, actually, Charlie got lucky as his friend’s dad came to pick him up for a play date around lunch time and kept him until after dinner. I was lucky too (I guess) to be able to make new friends and chat with “old” friends while we sat on hard, cold bleachers all day, cheering on our kids!!

I love kid sports for several reasons, but my favorite (selfish) part is probably the community feeling of being together and cheering on our kids, collectively. I get just excited for my friends’ kids as my own. I cheer loudly and get excited and feel the pain when someone gets hurt and want to jump up at the ref when a call is incorrect and cheer loudly when my kid scores or passes and assists. I feel passionately about the whole thing… except when I have to sit there for 6 hours! Today dragged on a little longer past my comfort zone, but I did have fun nevertheless.

I liked seeing my friends and familiar faces. I had fun chatting with the other parents and hearing the stay-at-home dad’s talk about their new crock pot purchase and plans to attend the Let’s Cook Indian food session next month. I haven’t spent too much time with stay at home dad’s and have such an admiration and appreciation for them and their wives and families and am so curious about their choices. I enjoyed hearing their wives talk about their careers and travels and having time to just all be gathered for the same purpose – to support our kids and our community. I think sports are a wonderful thing and am so glad my kids are choosing to play so I can hang out with my new friends!!

I had fun watching Charlie make friends with the younger siblings and sharing snacks and playing outside in the snow. The boys went out to the soccer field and had snow ball fights and played tag before coming back in to warm up.

I love that there is a booster club and that parents volunteer to donate and sell snacks and drinks and make a little extra money for the school.

I love all of it (except for 6 hours of it at once!) and I love that Cami gave my kids and I a ride home afterwards so we didn’t have to wait in the cold for a tram, even if the commute is short. It’s great to have friends!!

Life is Good.

p.s. Good news! Christian made the travel team, and next week we find out if Juliana made the travel team, as well! I hate waiting and hope she makes it too – Travel here we come! Congratulations Christian! I’m so proud of you!!

8Dec2012

Day 135: Snow Day = No School = Joy

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Last night at around 10 pm we received a text from the kids school saying school was cancelled due to the expected weather. I was excited!

I actually like a change in my routine and actually enjoy my kids (most of the time!!) and was hoping it would really snow so that we could all play in it. My wish came true.

We all slept in and awoke without alarm clocks. I made a yummy breakfast scramble with bacon and cheese and toast for all of us. And then we headed outside to play and build snowballs and Fred – our snowman.

We haven’t been to the snow in quite awhile and it was a real treat for us. We all were laughing and playing with it for quite awhile. There is something very calming about the snow that I love. None of us complained about being cold or wet either, which was a surprise. I guess we were having too much fun to think about those things.

Afterwards, Juliana and I baked cupcakes and I made a pot of chicken noodle soup for lunch. We had a lazy, indoor day which was perfect!!

I always have wanted to watch a movie in the middle of the day and I never do because I can’t sit still and usually have a to do list I can’t ignore. But today I finally chose the movie as my to do… What a treat! I watched The Holiday after some friends said they loved it. It was cute!

And then finally at 6pm I got dressed for the day so we could join some friends for dinner. Date night was really nice and I enjoyed the adult conversation, drinks and delicious food.

Life is good!! And the snow day was pretty awesome!

7Dec2012

Day 134: Snow and Ice and No School

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We woke up this morning to see blankets of snow. Cars were covered with it as well as the streets. Never having lived in the snow, the kids and I were excited and giddy. A few snowballs were thrown before school. Luckily Jeff grew up with snow and was prepared to scrape off the windshield and heat up the car for me. I, on the other hand, hate to be cold and wonder if I’ll ever get used to it?!? And I hear its not even that cold yet!!

Jeff drove the kids to school today because the roads were icy and he taught me what to expect and what to watch out for. Everyone was driving extra slowly.

The best part of today was actually getting out of the house and going for a 45 minute run together after dropping off the kids. I didn’t want to go because it was freezing out but I also didn’t want to be a wimp! It would have been really easy to make an excuse not to go, but I didn’t and was happy with my decision. The sun was out, the air was crisp and the snow makes everything feel quieter and more still.

I loved seeing the snow covered branches and animal tracks on the snow covered pathways.

I thought the ice covering the top layer of the canals was pretty cool, especially in a shallow part near a foot bridge where under the thin ice was a blanket of fall leaves, frozen still. I also loved the sound of my feet crunching the icy, snow covered paths with each step. I’ve never run in the snow before and I found it quite mesmerizing.

Tonight it’s supposed to freeze and snow again and they are expecting 10 cm of snow. Supposedly several flights are cancelled in the morning and the kids’ school is closed tomorrow. Our first snow day. I’m excited to sleep in and surprise the kids!

Good night!

Snow covered tennis courts late in the afternoon today. Luckily we have indoor courts as well!