Adventures in Mommyhood

I forgot to post back to school pictures!  School has been in session for 2 weeks now, and I think we're finally getting used to it.  My parents visited this week, and I think Claire realized that fun was being had while she was away, and freaked out on me every night and every morning this week.  She told me she didn't like school, it was too long, she missed Holland, she missed me, and she didn't want to go to "Spanish School" (they attend a Spanish Immersion program).  This afternoon, I asked her how school was and she said nonchalantly "I love school."  Oh really??  REALLY??? Whatever.  I'm glad that that's where she ended up.  :) Look!  They like each other! Claire wearing the outfit she picked out with her grandma and grandpa.  She even let me brush and braid her hair for the first day. New lunch box Mr. Joe Cool 2nd Grader My baby girl all lined up and ready for her Kindergarten Adventure!!

One of the major perks about the big kids being in school is that I don't have to make "kid food" any more for lunch.  Not that I ever had to, I don't believe in that, but I would choose to make Fisher and Claire things that they really liked: chicken nuggets, taquitos, ravioli, etc.  I'm quite tired of those things by now, and Holland is a really adventurous eater.  I have dreams of the next 3 years of lunches consisting of many ingredients mixed together with sweet, tangy and spicy sauces to boot. Last Thursday, I made Pad Thai.  It was the best thing I've had in a looong time.   This  is the recipe that I used as a model.  Here is what I actually made: 12oz cooked Soba buckwheat noodles 2tsp crushed Aleppo Pepper (or other crushed pepper) 3 Tbsp sesame oil 1/4 c. chopped cilantro 1/4 c. chopped red pepper 1/4 c finely chopped carrots 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/4 c chopped peanuts 3T honey 3T lite soy sauce Eggs (1 per serving) Boil

I remember looking at Claire as a newborn- only a few days old.  I remember thinking, "who are you?"  She was my little baby- so intimately knitted in me and now known in my arms.  But, I had a feeling that, unlike her brother, getting to know her would be like getting to know a stranger.  I would have to be purposeful in developing our relationship.  She has never been an open book, and her ways are not my ways.  Little by little, over the last 6 years, that is what I've done- gotten to know my daughter on purpose. She is sensitive, she is stubborn.  She hates loud noises and loves quiet, grown-up moments with me alone- folding laundry and drinking "coffee."  She has rhythm, she is strong.  She loves to teach, not to be taught.  I have seen her put aside her strong will to make her baby sister happy and tell her big brother that he's her "best buddy."  She loves nothing more to go... anywhere... with her Daddy.  She is sassy to me and

 My sister came to visit!  Everyone is happy when she's around. First things came first.  She and the girls got right down to business and made guacamole. Holland ate most of it, I think! They both get really happy when they eat guacamole. We took her to the Outdoor Campus She dressed Claire up And admired Fisher's fashion sense. Bedtime story time was extended And her company was enjoyed by all.   Come back soon, Aunt Sigrid- we miss you already!