Reuben's Birthday

Six!  He's six now, which makes me want to quote from A.A. Milne's When We Were Six.  But instead I will show you how we celebrated our Reuben's day.

The night of September 10th, while he was sleeping,

we hung up streamers and banners and balloons.

This tradition is no longer a surprise to the boys,

but something special they look forward waking up to.

 Peter got to work making a "Reuben style" family portrait as a gift to him.

The kind of drawings where the head is also the body so the arms and legs stick out from the head and it's very cute.

 Good morning!

Let's make cake!

 He ordered a tall rainbow cake.

So here he is mixing small bowls of cake batter with various colors.

We poured it into the pan to bake

then we cut it into squares to stack up.

Look at this cake!

Like no other.

He loved it.

And we did too.

Greetings from Charlie

 Peter made him his birthday crown.

Recognize the shirt, Craig?

Korean snacks we bought last summer while in Korea to meet Charlie.

Past the expiration date, but we still ate them.

The resident Koreans enjoyed the fishy tasting fish crackers the most.

More presents - a bow and arrow set

 It was fun for all.

 Airplane card from Granny and Granpa,

along with dollars for Rube to shop with.

He loves having dollars and spending them as quickly as he can.

 Birthday card turned airplane.

 A grand finale treasure hunt to find a new BIG bike, in the basement.

I sent the camera down with Paul

as I avoid the dead-bird dungeon as much as possible.

 He really wanted a "big bike like Peter's"

and I'm a sucker for making birthdays special.

 A happy birthday Momma

 Now on to Target so he could spend his fresh birthday money.

So many Nerf weapons to choose from.

And then there's the Hot Wheels aisle.

Many moons later we left with Legos, guns, and a race track.

 Charlie's sitting right here next to me, pointing to the screen saying "Granpa, Granpa."

Not Granpa, but Rube is handing over Granpa's money to someone else's Granpa.

This was all in one glorious day.

cake making

present opening

treasure hunting

bike riding

money spending

play, play, playing

love, love, loving

Carolına and Me

The drive to South Carolina was so pretty.  I really liked driving through the Appalacia Mountains.  We drove there Thursday, met with folks all day and night on Friday, met with more folks on Saturday and drove home.  I brought my camera and here are the only pictures I took...

I only took them because Paul was so excited about it.  The guy driving the car was munching on a snack and looked quite bored.  We smiled and waved at his cameras.  So look for us on Google maps.

We didn't get to experience much of the S. Carolına culture ın our short tıme there (and my keyboard just swıtched over to typıng ın Turkısh so the dots on the letter ı have dısappeared).  But here ıs what I know - ıt was humıd and we were warned about scurryıng cockroaches and we had breakfast at a place called The Lızard Thatch or somethıng lıke that.  And I learned that USC ıs not a cool college ın So Cal but the Unıversıty of South Carolına and they play good football.  Oh!  And all theır tea ıs sweet tea - the kınd that ıs thıck lıke syrup and makes you say Whoo!  And they stıll talk about how they lost The War.  Whıch made me thankful that I grew up ın Calıfornıa and do not have to claım allegıance to the North or South - the Cıvıl War was somethıng that happened Over There.  But serıously I cannot understand the Southern mındframe of racısm and whıte supremacy and realızed I have always just consıdered myself on the Northern Team.  Thıs opınıon I just kept to myself whılst there.

But the purpose of our trıp...  We met wıth an organızatıon that helps pastors start churches around the world ın places where there are no churches.  We have already joıned an org that does thıs but ıt ıs now mergıng wıth thıs S. Carolına org so we are checkıng out thıs new org to see ıf we want to merge too.  The conclusıon- we are not so sure.  Whıch ıs frustratıng.  So we are prayıng.

Now lets talk about my haır.  I lıke ıt.  I can style ıt on Monday, freshen ıt wıth the flat ıron on Tuesday and agaın on Wednesday.  Who loves a cute low maıntenance haırstyle?  I do.  Here ıs the pıcture you have been waıtıng for.  It was taken whıle I was at the Malıbu Soap Awards thıs afternoon.  I really lıke how my wardrobe attendant matched my dress to my eyeshadow.  She ıs so good.

Cute rıght?

To bed now so that tomorrow we can traverse Turkey Run - do scıence experıments wıth Paul (who has taken over scıence for me thıs year!!!) - shop for grocerıes all by myself - and accomplısh some ıtems on my to-do lıst lıke add Charlıe to our wıll to make sure he gets hıs part of our mıllıons and maybe get passport pıcs for Reuben and Charlıe.  Whoo!

For Charlene and Peter

Hello Charlene.

And, hi Peter.

This is for them.  Because they want to know.

So we're back in the regular life of the Paul and Stacey family.  Such things are happening like...

• I had most of my hair removed yesterday.  It was one of those cleansing haircuts that took off half of a ruler or so.  No picture.  Yet.  It was my stylist's attempt to redeem my look after I cut my own bangs like a sneaky five-year-old with a pair of blunt scissors.  About a month ago I tried to do the thick bangs look.  But mostly I just ended up pinning them back.  Because the first day I styled them down and I came out of the bathroom, Paul said in aghast confusion, "Who are you?"  That really helped my self confidence.  So I just had all the rest cut off too.  So in about six months or so all should be fine and grown out.

• We are in our third week of homeschooling with three boys in the house.  Charlie is doing well as the third child.  I work with Reuben at the coffee table, Peter works independently at the counter in the laundry room, and Charlie plays with the wooden train tracks, lines up the plastic bugs, dumps out all the pattern blocks, and eats Cheerios.  When I'm done with Reuben he gets to play and I go work with The Pete.  We'll call it The Perfect System.  

• Except that this totally fails when I try to teach Peter and Reuben something at the same time.  Like Bible time.  Holy Canoli.  Charlie recognizes this as Party Time Pow-Wow on the Couch and does his best to fully antagonize Reuben, the weaker-willed of his two choices.  So today, to fully disclose my weaknesses, I found myself reading the very Word of God to my children, then yelling at them (Reuben) in frustration that they (Reuben) could not answer my questions because they (Reuben) were not paying attention because Charlie the Younger was in his face hitting him with a vanilla-filled balloon left over from the last science lesson.  You know what I did?  I canceled school.  Right then.  Because I could see that something was not right with this situation.  Later in the day I figured out what was wrong, apologized to poor Reuben, discussed solutions with Peter, and will give it a retry.  Perhaps tomorrow.  But I also realized that I am really tired today.  Which leads me to my next point.

• I am really tired today. That anemic sort of tired that I'm not supposed to be anymore.  Boo.

•  I was going to say "enough about me," but I have more!  I am taking Perspectives.  Which probably means nothing to you.  What it means to me is that every night I am spread out on my bed with four books (two of them equal in size to a So Cal phone book), a pencil, and a highlighter as I read and read and read.  And read.  Then I have to answer questions and email them to my Grader.  Gosh, it is hard for me.  And I'm going to have to go ahead and blame it on my anemic brain.  I'm supposed to be all better.  My doctor said six months.  It's been six months.  But I still cannot read deep topics.  My brain can't focus.  I read and reread the questions and have no idea what they are asking.

• And you know what?  Two weeks ago I emailed my university to see about finishing my graduate degree.  I was three classes away from an MA in Education and was kind of feeling like finishing it.  They must have received an email from my doctor saying not to let me take any coursework because of my shaky mental status.  The university said it's been over ten years since I took my other classes and now none of those classes count.  I'd have to start all over.  Nice cover.  They knew I'd fail and they didn't want that smearing their reputation.

• I now know I would have failed because my Grader for this Perspectives course returned my first two lessons with a C and a D and the words, "Good effort."  What?!  Doesn't she know I graduated top (TOP!) of my class with ropes around my neck and awards in my pocket?  I don't get C's and D's, lady.  Except, apparently, now I do.  Why even try, you know?  My brain has become mush.  I imagine it a lumpy oatmeal with bits of browning banana and swirls of brown sugar.  But, as is my tradition, I will do my best.  I will!  And I will try to be only a little humiliated when I see my Grader in class, and only cry a little that my best is no longer an A. 

• So, enough about me.  Peter wants to go to an overnight lock-in at the church we go to on Saturday nights.  My first reaction is, "Will he be molested?"  Would you think that too?  It's a church, so it should be safe.  But, I know better than that.  But, do I keep him from all such activities until he moves out and I can no longer protect him?  Seems unlikely and unnecessary.  That is my dilemma.

• Next dilemma.  Peter is going to try out for the county swim club next week.  He's looking forward to learning the breaststroke and butterfly, and how to dive off the starting blocks, and how to do a flip turn, and how to win 22 gold medals.  And do you know what my brain thinks?  "Will he be molested in the locker room?"  And then, "What is my problem?"  Why do I keep worrying about protecting my sons?  I know.  It's because it happens.  And it makes me feel so helpless.  Any thoughts there?

• Paul and I are roadtripping to South Carolina later this week.  Ever been there?  Me neither.  Sadly, we are making a super fast trip and we won't get to enjoy the Smoky Mountains that we'll be driving through.  In the dark.  And in the rain.  We're driving eleven hours, staying there one day, and driving back eleven hours.  Why would we do that?  Because we have a meeting.  It's an important meeting that will shape our future work with our future group in our future place.  You know what I'm saying?

• My sister and her uber cute family are visiting my parents this week.  And it made me wish that Paul worked for an airline so that I could fly to California any time I wanted.  Paul?  Honey?  Let me show you a picture of this baby that I'm not spending time with tonight because Someone is in the wrong profession.

Wouldn't you work for an airline so your wife could hold this baby whenever she needed to?  You would.  I know.  Thank you.

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...