Not in California

So we're home now.  Back in the Midwest - the land of tornadoes and drought-stunted corn.

Day 36 and 37 of our California Extravaganza (last Wed. and Thurs.) were full of packing, cleaning, and traveling home.  Our first flight left an hour late at five in the evening, getting into Vegas with no layover.  We just got off the plane and walked to the next gate and got on that plane.  This second flight was three hours and ten minutes and I am so pleased to tell you that it was great.  The boys were fabulous and the time went by quickly.  Peter cracked me up because he is friendly and talkative to pretty much anyone who will give him audience.  A mom and her twenty-something daughter sat next to him on the long flight and they played games, shared jokes, and told each other stories.  I sat across the aisle with Charlie and Reuben where we played with little Strawberry Shortcake figures from my childhood (I had dug them out to give to Carly, but forgot to pass them on to her - Charlie thought they were great fun), drank soda through straws, and all crammed into the lavatory when Reuben needed to go.  Let's see if I have any pictures...

 Sodas with lids and a straw have a very high entertainment value.

 

"I want to see."

 His assortment of small figures, including a few Strawberry Shortcake girls,
two Cabbage Patch babies, and random bugs and animals.

 Reuben put together his very first Lego kit all by himself.

Zero help from me.

I was very proud.

 One of the Shortcake girls had a watering can in her hand and Charlie used it to water everything.

For a long time.

I think I remember resting my head on my seat at this point.  It felt nice.

We arrived at our home airport at one in the morning on Thursday.

Charlie was awake the entire trip.  Rube declared himself tired and slept the last hour.

I think we were home and to bed around 2:30 or 3am.

This is Thursday, later in the day.  After we slept, but before we unpacked.

Charlie brought Paul a stack of books to read.

First things first.

A friend called to invite Peter and Reuben over for a movie party at 10 am.

Still in my pjs, Paul and I used this time to go through the garage and the boys' room and toss stuff out.  They were gone five weeks in California.  Let's get rid of stuff before they remember they have it, you know?  Ever do this?  It was great.  And the trash truck picked it all up before the boys got home.  And they haven't missed a thing.  Ok, not true.  I did find Rube searching for this one monster truck that we tossed, but he quickly moved on.

So that same night was the Homeschool Back to School Night where we have a pitch-in meal (that's Midwestern for potluck), sign up for classes, and buy/sell curriculum.  While chatting with another mom about her new baby, the tornado sirens started.  I couldn't believe it.  Barely home from 36 days of perfect California weather and now I'm seeking shelter to save my life.  I didn't though.  I just sat there like a person in denial and told the storm to just take me.  Whisk me back to California, dear tornado.

I spent Friday and Saturday cleaning our house and preparing for our official first day of school.

We are homeschooling this year.  Did you gather that?

We did lessons almost everyday in California, but it was very unstructured and go-with-the-flowish.

It was really nice.

But now it's serious.  I've got some educating to do.

So yesterday was our first day of routines and book learning.

We started with chocolate cake for breakfast.

 Reuben helped me make it.

 It is an oatmeal chocolate cake, so that totally makes it breakfast worthy.

And mixed in with all the chocolate chips on top were very healthy walnuts.

Strawberries on the side and a cup of milk = an excellent breakfast.

 Charlie loves the first day of school too.

 Cute, cute boy.

 My big boy.

Then outside for the First Day of School pictures.

 Charlie, too, wants to be in the pictures.

And in the middle of everything we're doing.

Of course.  He's two.

He has his own set of dry-erase markers and a little white board.

When we build with linking cubes for math, he squirms on to my lap to 'play' too.

 And when I am unavailable to get him a snack, he tries to get his own.

He's a busy guy.

Which means I'm a busy Mama.

A happy busy Mama.

We've had a good first two days

and as Headmistress of our prestigious academy

I am declaring tomorrow a half day.  (Meeting with a church)

And Thursday too.  (Charlie's 2 year-old checkup)

But Friday, we're just closing school for the whole day.  (Going to the State Fair with our Turkish friends)

See how fantastic this homeschooling thing is?

Love it.

I shall close with a sample of Peter's artist expression titled First Day of Scool, as you will see.

Perhaps a bit more emphasis on spelling this year?

Or I could just lament about how irregular and inconsistent our language is.

Yeah, that second one.

Talifornia

Day 32 - Saturday, August 4

If I didn't have my calendar I would not remember everything we've done on this trip.  It is telling me that on Saturday my parents and Dave's family came over.  The oldest four kids went to the bowling alley with David and Granpa where they successfully knocked over pins.  I heard that The Ramp was called in to help with getting the ball all the way down the alley.  I'd show pictures (I've never seen The Ramp) but I was not there.  I stayed home with the womenfolk and small children.  My mom taught me her new exercises which have left my inner thighs with that good hurting feeling.  Once the bowlers returned, all entered the pool to splash around and whatnot.  A Papa John's dinner was enjoyed, children were transferred into pajamas, and all departed.  The boys who belong to me traveled north to my parents' house where we all slumbered.

Day 33 - Sunday, August 5

Worship at The Grove with my parents and Aunt Jo.  Followed by lunch there with a surprise visit by my cousin Scott.  Back to my parents for naps, a movie, and visiting.

Day 34 - Monday, August 6

My mom came down and we met Nicole and kids at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  It was a full day and we were exponentially exhausted due to the hotness of the sun.  But so neat.  Great park.  I recommend it over the regular zoo.  And the tram ride was excellent.  Thanks, Nicole.

Day 35 - Today - Tuesday, August 7

Oh man.  I'm thinking we are in The Zone to go home.  We all woke up tired and a bit grouchy/sensitive.  I packed a lunch for us to take to the beach - our last trip to the beach.  When I tossed Peter his swim suit to put on, he started crying.  "I don't want to go to the beach."  It wasn't that selfish cry kids sometimes do when they're being difficult, but I think more of a I'm so, so tired from all the going and doing, I just can't take anymore.  So we stayed home.  Bummer to spend one's last day at home, but that's what was needed.  The boys all took turns napping, we watched a show, Peter finished his history book, and Reuben was introduced to the idea that long o can be spelled o-e.  Then to David & Nicole's for a last hurrah dinner and cousin play time.  It was sadly cut short due to the wildness of the boys.  I think they are just done.  But unfortunately they are not done.  They are going to need to pull out their sunshine and butterflies for our long day of traveling tomorrow.  Back home.  Our "regular home, where Dad is staying" as Reuben put it today.  Oh man, on an airplane with Charlie again.  It's a special treat.

Salifornia

Day 31 - Friday, August 3

We almost had a day of nothingness.  But then we didn't.  And it was nice.

We started out with pie for breakfast because it was pumpkin pie and that's nutritious.

I made a pumpkin pie because several weeks ago (I love that I've been here long enough to say that) I made Mom's Italian Meat Pie and that required me to buy 2 frozen pie crusts because they didn't have any singles, see?

 So I had this extra pie crust and Peter suggested I make a pumpkin pie with it.  So I did.

And we ate it for breakfast for two days.

The end.

In his excitement, Charlie kept saying, "Pie!  Pie!"

But then he transferred his pie to my plate, one forkful at a time.

And then Peter really needed to go to the library.  So we did.  Read books, completed puzzles, breathed in the splendor of the stacks around us, and checked out some materials to take home.  Books on CD have been a staple as we travel around.  We discovered Beverly Cleary's series about The Mouse and the Motorcycle.

Then we picked up In-n-Out and went to the beach to meet up with David's family for a picnic dinner.  Peter caught a few waves with the boogie board.  Let's see if I have any photographic evidence...

Picnic complete with a boogie board table.

 P and R playing in the twilight waves

 Not playing in the waves

 Boogie board pep talk by Uncle David

 Peter going out

 Getting ready to jump a wave

 Riding in

 Yeah

 Meanwhile back on the shore

Dave scooped up some sand crabs to show Reuben,

who has a severe fear of crabs.

One night on this trip Rube came into our room upset because there was a crab in his bed.

There was no crab and he was still asleep.

And then this guy appeared and the kids flocked to him like the Pied Piper...

 He had a metal detector and was looking for buried treasure.

 Reuben to me:  Why didn't you pack my metal detector, Mom?

And that was Friday.

And here is my uber cute niece, Cadence, today...

Char Char

A short break from the usual California update for this post because...

My dear sweet little Char Char joined our family on this very day last year.

And I've been sentimental about it all day.

And I thought The World should know about it too.


We walked into the room and he was standing on the couch smiling and we just went right over and held him and played with him and he was just fine with that.

I remember first seeing him and wondering if it was him.  Is this our son?  We had a few pictures of him, but here is this child now for real.  This child who was just a stranger a few seconds ago will leave with us in an hour an be our son.  It's so crazy.


A whole year.  Charlie has adjusted and fit into our family so easily.  It is wonderful.

He is wonderful.

And I am so thankful we get to be his parents,

that we get to hold him, teach him, love him.

I get to smile when I see him smile.

I get to laugh when he does a funny dance.

I get to hug him when he says 'night night'.

I get to take his picture and then look at it and melt at his cuteness.

I prayed and trusted God to match us with just the right child.

I thank God for his perfect timing and perfect ways.

I thank God that Charlie's birthmom continued with her unexpected pregnancy and gave him life.

I pray that she would know Him and accept His love.

I pray that God would give her peace and somehow know that her son is loved.  That he is cherished.  Treasured.

I hope that we can meet one day.















Oh how I love him.

Ralifornia

Day 29 - Wednesday, August 1

Lessons in the morning, then to Dave & Nicole's house for the afternoon and evening.

 The two-year-olds in a rare moment of peace and unity.

They're two, you know.

And that's how they've been acting.

Taking cars from each other, hitting, screaming, taking cars from each other.

One day they won't be two and then they'll see how much fun it is to have a cousin your same age.

 Meanwhile, the five and up crowd played all kinds of card games together.

Here's my Mom, aka the pre-dinner entertainment.

She led them in singing as they waited for plates of food to magically appear before them.

Ten points to Mom.

  My brother grilled some yellowtail fish that his father-in-law caught.

Nicole made very flavorful veggie side dishes.

My mom provided the watermelon

and my cousin Ben (who was not in attendance) crafted our beverages.

It was super delish.

 Nicole and I

 My Mom and DAY-vid

as Grandma would say.

Baby Hallee loving on Mom.

Three cheers for so much wonderful family time.

Day 30 - Today

Lessons in the morning then to Oceanside Pier.  Reuben really needed to get a gift for our neighbor Caden, who's eleven.  Something beachy.  So we went to the pier thinking there would be a souvenir shop.  And there was.  Halfway out on the pier.  Reuben chose a large dried sea star.  Perfect.  Caden will love it that Reuben thought of him.  Now we have to get it home unbroken.  Ha.  I better take a picture of it.

After strolling the pier, shopping for Caden, and watching the pier fishermen, we went down to the sand.  Right away I noticed a four-year-old girl crying in a scared-like manner.  This other guy and I deemed her separated from her family and led her to the police.  That opening experience, my unfamiliarity with this beach, Charlie's out-of-sorts state of mind, and the largeness/crowdedness of it all made me feel unsettled and uncomfortable.  So we did not stay long.  They played on the playground and we left for Target.

Target.  I feel lame for feeling like Target is such a special treat.  But at home I have to drive an hour to get to one.  Here they are all over.  We stocked up on food for our airplane trip, should we decide to board it and say fare-thee-well to this place.  I make no guarantees.  But just in case, we have snacks.

Since the boys were denied an afternoon of oceanic play, they swam in the pool for a couple hours where Peter practiced his breaststroke and butterfly.  His new favorite athlete, Michael Phelps, has inspired him I think.  Pete and Rube are now pajamed up and watching the Olympics.  I'm looking forward to the women's gymnastics tonight.

Hi Honey Snookums Sweet Man of My Life

Hi

Hi

Qualifornia

Day 26 - Sunday, July 29

To The Fields for worship at my brother's church.  Their hip pastor used such phrases as, "We're all jacked up..." which made me chuckle as I thought about Paul saying 'jacked up' on the stage of our very conservative country church back home.  Would not, um, be received so well.  Or at all.  No.  That would be bad.  Nor could he trade in his suit and tie for flip flops and shorts.  Different cultures.  Same country.  Isn't that amazing?

Then a lunch of this and that from Trader Joe's.  Some good cousin playtime.  Then an afternoon of lessons and an evening of Olympics.


Day 27 - Monday, July 30

We spent this day at a botanic garden for my Mom's birthday.  The weather was lovely, the gardens were lovely, and we were all - you know - just lovely together.

Charlie's favorite part - the electric trains

He yelled, "Choo-choo!!!" and squealed quite a bit.

Lunch at Juanita's,

because that's where we eat in this town.

Then back to the gardens in the afternoon for more exploration, play, and plant appreciation.

We spent the evening watching the Olympics.
Happy Birthday to my Mom.

Day 28 - Tuesday, July 31

Another fantastic beach day.  After the part when the guy yelled at me.  Sheesh.  I was stopped at a stop sign.  He was standing on the street corner with his two small kids wanting to cross the street.  I smiled and signaled with my hand for him to cross the street.  As in, "I see you, man with kids, and I recognize that you are trying to cross the street.  I've been in your shoes and appreciate it when others have waited for me to cross the street.  You go ahead and I will sit here and patiently hold up traffic so you can safely cross."  Unfortunately he read my friendly gesture as, "Relax lady! Relax!  I've got my hands full here!  Don't you dare gesture for me to hurry up and cross!  Relax!  #@*%"  And his facial expressions were mean and nasty.  I was so taken aback and felt horrible.  He totally misunderstood my smalltown helpfulness.  And he was so mean to me.  I hoped that I would see him again at the beach so I could clarify how nice I really am and that I was trying to help him.  But I didn't see him.  And he might have just yelled at me some more.

When we settled in to our spot in the sand, the boys were kind of uninspired and laying around and I thought about just going home.  Then their cousins and friends arrived.  And it turned into the best beach day.  Peter and Reuben were the bravest they've been so far.  They went out farther into the ocean and figured out how to bodysurf with the waves and how to jump with them.  Peter ran back in several times to tell me how much fun he was having.  We stayed for a long time and just enjoyed being there.

Back home for lessons.  Back out for Taco Tuesdays at Rubio's.  Peter's request, as he is now a lover of fish tacos.  Unexpected.  Back in for an evening of Olympic viewing with my parents.  Tada!