Woohoo, only one more day and we have a long weekend! I always get excited at the prospect of sleeping in, yet I usually don't sleep any later than 8, for fear of wasting the day ;). And what always seems like a hugely long time, 3 whole days!, goes by in a flash. The weather prediction is good though, so I'm planning on getting some perennials for the backyard, as there are still too many huge mulch areas for the weeds to enjoy and take over.
Anyway, back to the present. This morning Saskia suddenly had misgivings about going to first grade and leaving her old school behind. We talked about it for a long time, as I was surprised, since not 2 weeks ago, she exclaimed she couldn't wait till fall, when we drove by the new school. She also knows that school quite well, since Katja and Kai have been going there and she has Daisies there every week, plus, she knows quite a few kids there already.
As we were talking, the real concern surfaced :). It turns out there are no locks on the kids' bathrooms and she's afraid someone will walk in on her. The bathroom is in the classroom in first and second grade, so I told her that the teacher would know someone is in there and no one else would come in.
Then, this afternoon, after Daisies, I took her on a tour of the first grades and introduced her to 2 of the 4 teachers. She was all interested in the classrooms and especially all the artworks that were hanging on the wall. When I saw the classrooms, it made me want to be back in first grade :). Meeting the teachers was really nice, because they're really, really friendly and clearly enjoy the kids.
After our talk, I took Saskia to school, where she arrived late and I forgot to bring her lunch. She showed me all kinds of stuff she can do in the playground, like "skin the cat", I was impressed! Too bad she doesn't want to start gymnastics again.
I quickly ran home again for the lunch, as the lady that supplies the lunch at the preschool is a little ornery, usually and I didn't feel like facing her wrath ;) (the preschoolers get lunch provided by the school, the kindergartners have to bring their own).
All this made me way late for the gym! I arrived there around 10, chatted with Ann and Jeanne and finally got on a machine at 10:30. Then I decided to take a class, for the first time in months. It was a CRT (Cardio Resistance Training) class and, wow, I hope I'll still be able to move tomorrow! The hour flew by, because we constantly switched activities: quick stepping, then lunges, then squats, then more cardio, weights, cardio, weights, etc. A great class, I'm going to take that one more often!
After my shower, I treated myself to a Life Timer: a blueberry smoothie with fat free yogurt, skim milk and protein for lunch. I had it on the way to my parents, as I had to pick my mom up to take her to the airport to go to Holland, where she'll be for 6 days this time.
The drive to the airport was really smooth! Going in the middle of the day is definitely the best time, as Dulles airport can get quite busy, especially around 4-5pm. After a quick hug, off went my mom and I went back, just in time to get Saskia and her friend to Daisies.
The hour that they were at Daisies, I spent doing the household chores: cleaning litterboxes, watering plants, making lunches for tomorrow, cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry etc. Those things have to be done too, but wow, I could easily do without them and never miss them ;).
And tonight a group of us are going out to dinner, Rick is babysitting. It's great to get together with friends, it doesn't happen often enough!
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Wow, first day back and it was immediately back in the rat race! I first had a great workout, nice personal training and then a chance to catch up with Christine. After a quick shower, I was off to the school to get things straightened out for Artsmart.
This month's artist is Robert Rauschenberg, who created collages and other artwork with photographs. So, I talked to Kai's teacher about next Thursday's class and then had lunch with Kai and then talked to Katja's teacher about postponing next Tuesday's class. The sixth grade has a field trip to Arlington Cemetery that day and I'm chaperoning, so doing an Artsmart lesson on top of that would be too much.
Since I was at school, Katja asked me to get her Civil War book from home, so she could use it that afternoon, so I went home and came back with the book (good Mama that I am ;)).
Then I ran off to get some geraniums to put in front of the house (the previous petunia's were more than dead) and to get the car washed (it looked brown instead of red!).
Just in time for an online meeting at 2pm I arrived home, quickly eating an apple for lunch.
When Katja came home, she and Leah and I went out to get a manicure, the first in Katja's life. It was fun to go with the 2 girls!
Then it was time to pick Saskia up from school and we played outside for a while. The Schwanns man came and I got the kids' dinner from him: deep dish mini pizza's and a chicken pot pie for Katja.
When Rick got home, Lauren, the babysitter, arrived too and Rick and I went out for a delicious Thai dinner. And now I'm home cherishing the memories of the day ;).
This month's artist is Robert Rauschenberg, who created collages and other artwork with photographs. So, I talked to Kai's teacher about next Thursday's class and then had lunch with Kai and then talked to Katja's teacher about postponing next Tuesday's class. The sixth grade has a field trip to Arlington Cemetery that day and I'm chaperoning, so doing an Artsmart lesson on top of that would be too much.
Since I was at school, Katja asked me to get her Civil War book from home, so she could use it that afternoon, so I went home and came back with the book (good Mama that I am ;)).
Then I ran off to get some geraniums to put in front of the house (the previous petunia's were more than dead) and to get the car washed (it looked brown instead of red!).
Just in time for an online meeting at 2pm I arrived home, quickly eating an apple for lunch.
When Katja came home, she and Leah and I went out to get a manicure, the first in Katja's life. It was fun to go with the 2 girls!
Then it was time to pick Saskia up from school and we played outside for a while. The Schwanns man came and I got the kids' dinner from him: deep dish mini pizza's and a chicken pot pie for Katja.
When Rick got home, Lauren, the babysitter, arrived too and Rick and I went out for a delicious Thai dinner. And now I'm home cherishing the memories of the day ;).
Wow, first day back and it was immediately back in the rat race! I first had a great workout, nice personal training and then a chance to catch up with Christine. After a quick shower, I was off to the school to get things straightened out for Artsmart.
This month's artist is Robert Rauschenberg, who created collages and other artwork with photographs. So, I talked to Kai's teacher about next Thursday's class and then had lunch with Kai and then talked to Katja's teacher about postponing next Tuesday's class. The sixth grade has a field trip to Arlington Cemetery that day and I'm chaperoning, so doing an Artsmart lesson on top of that would be too much.
Since I was at school, Katja asked me to get her Civil War book from home, so she could use it that afternoon, so I went home and came back with the book (good Mama that I am ;)).
Then I ran off to get some geraniums to put in front of the house (the previous petunia's were more than dead) and to get the car washed (it looked brown instead of red!).
Just in time for an online meeting at 2pm I arrived home, quickly eating an apple for lunch.
When Katja came home, she and Leah and I went out to get a manicure, the first in Katja's life. It was fun to go with the 2 girls!
Then it was time to pick Saskia up from school and we played outside for a while. The Schwanns man came and I got the kids' dinner from him: deep dish mini pizza's and a chicken pot pie for Katja.
When Rick got home, Lauren, the babysitter, arrived too and Rick and I went out for a delicious Thai dinner. And now I'm home cherishing the memories of the day ;).
This month's artist is Robert Rauschenberg, who created collages and other artwork with photographs. So, I talked to Kai's teacher about next Thursday's class and then had lunch with Kai and then talked to Katja's teacher about postponing next Tuesday's class. The sixth grade has a field trip to Arlington Cemetery that day and I'm chaperoning, so doing an Artsmart lesson on top of that would be too much.
Since I was at school, Katja asked me to get her Civil War book from home, so she could use it that afternoon, so I went home and came back with the book (good Mama that I am ;)).
Then I ran off to get some geraniums to put in front of the house (the previous petunia's were more than dead) and to get the car washed (it looked brown instead of red!).
Just in time for an online meeting at 2pm I arrived home, quickly eating an apple for lunch.
When Katja came home, she and Leah and I went out to get a manicure, the first in Katja's life. It was fun to go with the 2 girls!
Then it was time to pick Saskia up from school and we played outside for a while. The Schwanns man came and I got the kids' dinner from him: deep dish mini pizza's and a chicken pot pie for Katja.
When Rick got home, Lauren, the babysitter, arrived too and Rick and I went out for a delicious Thai dinner. And now I'm home cherishing the memories of the day ;).
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Huge yawn! But before retiring, I figured I'd better write a bit. I did make it home intact, yay!
This morning I got up,did some push-ups and sit-ups and then took a shower. After some computering, coffee and cereal, I gave Stefan a last bottle and then we packed and drove to the airport. Wah! Much as I was longing for my own family, it was hard to say goodbye too! Would that we all lived closer together!
At the airport, I took a data port and went online and chatted to Rick a little. Then it was time to go on board. I do like the shuttles. Nice magazines (I read National Geographic's Travel mag.), nice snack (roast beef sandwich, chips, water and cookie) and flight.
We arrived exactly on time and Rick was awaiting me outside the security area, hand in hand we walked back to the car (after getting my luggage). It was so good to see him again! What a great guy, taking care of the kids and everything for 6 days!
We picked Saskia up from school and Katja and Kai were just coming home when I got back. I got major hugs from all of them. They all had missed me badly in their own ways and it felt good to be so important in their lives.
Even Brynna was very happy to see me ;). It's like I never left!
We ordered some pizza and just cuddled and chatted tonight, I read some stories and heard some stories. Great to be home!
This morning I got up,did some push-ups and sit-ups and then took a shower. After some computering, coffee and cereal, I gave Stefan a last bottle and then we packed and drove to the airport. Wah! Much as I was longing for my own family, it was hard to say goodbye too! Would that we all lived closer together!
At the airport, I took a data port and went online and chatted to Rick a little. Then it was time to go on board. I do like the shuttles. Nice magazines (I read National Geographic's Travel mag.), nice snack (roast beef sandwich, chips, water and cookie) and flight.
We arrived exactly on time and Rick was awaiting me outside the security area, hand in hand we walked back to the car (after getting my luggage). It was so good to see him again! What a great guy, taking care of the kids and everything for 6 days!
We picked Saskia up from school and Katja and Kai were just coming home when I got back. I got major hugs from all of them. They all had missed me badly in their own ways and it felt good to be so important in their lives.
Even Brynna was very happy to see me ;). It's like I never left!
We ordered some pizza and just cuddled and chatted tonight, I read some stories and heard some stories. Great to be home!
Monday, May 20, 2002
Gorgeous weather today! I was awakened at 7am by the radio of the construction workers next door, which played "Born to be wild" very, very loudly! After a lazy morning with coffee and the computer (I'll miss those totally unconstructed days here! I remember them, but with all the school, gym and extra-curricular activities, it feels like I'm always living by the clock! I'm looking forward to the summer for that reason, so we don't have as rigid of a schedule.
Anyway, after lunch, we went to Newburyport to visit with Ayesha's Dutch friend Wia and her little boy. They have a wonderful Cape Cod house, painted in gorgeous colors and a great yard. We had fun chatting and stayed longer than we expected.
Around 4pm we went to shop for gifts for Katja and Kai for me to take back home. We went to Eureka Toys in Newburyport and I got Kai a book and materials to create a couple of electronics and Katja a Klutz book with instructions and materials to make slap bracelets. I already had the ubiquitous Barbie for Saskia, who has had a rough 6 days, crying every night missing me :(.
After shopping, we decided to take a walk on the beach at Plum Island. I would love to be closer to the beach, walking there is just so relaxing! When we retire, I want to get a beach house.
For dinner, we stopped at a sandwich and pizza place in Georgetown, where Stefan had his meal and we ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and chicken tenders.
At 7:30, Ayesha had a new mom coffee at a local community center, so we quickly went home to walk the dog and then got out to that coffee. I took care of Stefan, while Ayesha chatted with the women there. Stefan was mesmerized by the very colorful murals at the center, so it was easy to take care of him. I'll miss him tomorrow (well, Ayesha and David too, of course, but Stefan will change and grow so quickly now, this really little baby stage lasts for such a short time!).
Tomorrow it'll be off to the airport relatively early. I'm pretty nervous about it, but trying to put it all in perspective.
Anyway, after lunch, we went to Newburyport to visit with Ayesha's Dutch friend Wia and her little boy. They have a wonderful Cape Cod house, painted in gorgeous colors and a great yard. We had fun chatting and stayed longer than we expected.
Around 4pm we went to shop for gifts for Katja and Kai for me to take back home. We went to Eureka Toys in Newburyport and I got Kai a book and materials to create a couple of electronics and Katja a Klutz book with instructions and materials to make slap bracelets. I already had the ubiquitous Barbie for Saskia, who has had a rough 6 days, crying every night missing me :(.
After shopping, we decided to take a walk on the beach at Plum Island. I would love to be closer to the beach, walking there is just so relaxing! When we retire, I want to get a beach house.
For dinner, we stopped at a sandwich and pizza place in Georgetown, where Stefan had his meal and we ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and chicken tenders.
At 7:30, Ayesha had a new mom coffee at a local community center, so we quickly went home to walk the dog and then got out to that coffee. I took care of Stefan, while Ayesha chatted with the women there. Stefan was mesmerized by the very colorful murals at the center, so it was easy to take care of him. I'll miss him tomorrow (well, Ayesha and David too, of course, but Stefan will change and grow so quickly now, this really little baby stage lasts for such a short time!).
Tomorrow it'll be off to the airport relatively early. I'm pretty nervous about it, but trying to put it all in perspective.
Sunday, May 19, 2002
Sunday in Massachusetts. It struck me today how different life is with a baby, time just has a way to get away from you. We got up around 9 am, after a great night's sleep. Had coffee, a box of cereal and chatted. Before we knew it, it was 12!!!
The weather had greatly improved after yesterday's snow, bright blue skies and around 60 degrees. So, after our obligatory exercise, we decided to go for a walk on the beach. There is nothing like the beach for me (or for Ayesha), it's so eternal. The waves, the sky, the life in the ocean (last time I was here, we saw seals all over the place, this time what I thought was a seal turned out to be a seabird). We were concerned this morning, because of the "increased chatter" by Al Qaeda that was reported in the news. I'm not exactly excited about having to fly on Tuesday, but I'm trying to tell myself I can't outrun my fate. And my mantra "Who of you by worrying added a day to his life".
Ok, on to more cheerful topics. After the beach walk, we took baby Stefan and big boy Devon out to a seafood restaurant "Joe Fish". I had a great lobster! New England is definitely the place to eat those! We had a very nice dinner and now we're back updating blogs.
I'm definitely getting my baby fill again, here, I forgot just how adorable 2 months old babies are!! Oh, and yesterday, I bought him some black and white and brightly colored things to look at and he is now talking to the brightly colored ones, he loves them! He's a very smart kid! (ok, proud aunt talking here :))
The weather had greatly improved after yesterday's snow, bright blue skies and around 60 degrees. So, after our obligatory exercise, we decided to go for a walk on the beach. There is nothing like the beach for me (or for Ayesha), it's so eternal. The waves, the sky, the life in the ocean (last time I was here, we saw seals all over the place, this time what I thought was a seal turned out to be a seabird). We were concerned this morning, because of the "increased chatter" by Al Qaeda that was reported in the news. I'm not exactly excited about having to fly on Tuesday, but I'm trying to tell myself I can't outrun my fate. And my mantra "Who of you by worrying added a day to his life".
Ok, on to more cheerful topics. After the beach walk, we took baby Stefan and big boy Devon out to a seafood restaurant "Joe Fish". I had a great lobster! New England is definitely the place to eat those! We had a very nice dinner and now we're back updating blogs.
I'm definitely getting my baby fill again, here, I forgot just how adorable 2 months old babies are!! Oh, and yesterday, I bought him some black and white and brightly colored things to look at and he is now talking to the brightly colored ones, he loves them! He's a very smart kid! (ok, proud aunt talking here :))
