Happy Birthday Eva and Micah!

Micah in his spiffy new Woody jammies, with "Bulleyes" and his fire extinguisher that actually squirts! (haven't told him yet because he'll be a menace with it)

Eva so pleased and excited that she finally got the Jessie she's been wanting for months

I didn't do a special post for Micah on his birthday because Andrew was out of town. We were going to celebrate a few days later... but a few days morphed into two weeks. He didn't seem to mind and we thought it might be nice (read: easier for us) to have them open their presents at the same time, share a piñata, etc...

This morning when Eva got up the rest of us were already up and watching some Lazy Town. We greeted her with a song but that was a little overwhelming so early in the morning and sent her running out of the room. When she re-emerged Micah gave her a big birthday hug and greetings. I think we all enjoyed it more than Eva did though :)

So now the kids are officially two and four! When I ask Micah how old he is, he says, "Big."

Eva is quite excited to now be four. Though there are some things she's waiting on until she's eight. Watching "The Wizard of Oz". Initiating relationships with her classmates. Attending English class at school (doesn't like parts of the teacher's face). Standing up during music class.

Today when we dropped Eva off at school, she cried. This school thing is good, but incredibly draining for her. By today she was feeling just about done. Good thing it's the weekend!

They had a pretty fun day at school. They worked on the traditional Day of the Dead display, did cooking class, and had music class. Eva sang one of the music class songs on and off all afternoon. For snack I sent a cake and they had a little birthday celebration for her. Sang to her in both english and spanish. Eva did a little some kinda something with a globe (I didn't quite understand her explanation) and then she served her classmates.

She really loved the cake! I am so glad. I don't have a tried and true, go-to cake recipe so I practiced this week. Made three cakes. The first one, chocolate zucchini, turned out well but she didn't really like it. The second one, carrot cake with chocolate chips, turned out ok and she didn't like it. Last chance, last night. High pressure situation. I went with a simple vanilla cake. And didn't hear the timer go off. Came out a little overcooked. But I slathered the fresh whipping cream on those hockey pucks and garnished liberally with fresh strawberries and kiwi. I figured if the cake were inedible, they could still enjoy the fruit and whipped cream. It really did look nice, if I do say so myself. When we picked her up, Eva commented how much she loved her birthday cake! Phew!

Day of the Dead altar display

Andrew took the day off today (!!!). So great. We picked Eva up after school and went to a restaurant called Peter Piper Pizza. One of those places with the games that give you tickets you can redeem for cheap plastic goodies. Kids ate a lot of pizza and played a lot. We played a lot too. Got addicted to the basketball game. It was fun but also gave me a headache.

Goat in back of truck on the way to the pizza place

Self-portrait in Peter Piper Pizza. You can see Eva and Andrew in the background

We came home and opened presents. Big success on that front! Then we had strawberries and whipped cream. We have a piñata but figured we'd had enough excitement already. So we postponed it until tomorrow morning. The kids fell asleep in a flash.

A Much Better Day!!

Eva had a much better day today. Thanks to those who prayed for her!

As we pulled into school this morning, she told me something she hadn't mentioned before. She said that yesterday they went to see the "real Mexican flag" and she started to cry and couldn't see her teacher. The lightbulb went on!! I remembered that on Monday mornings the whole school assembles in the gym for the salute to the flag. I can imagine how bewildered Eva must have felt. And that incident set the tone for her whole day. When I picked her yesterday I asked her what the best and worst things were from her day. She said the worst thing was falling on the playground. And there were no good things.

I spoke with her teachers today and they had already realized that she needs to be prepped for change and had planned to adjust their approach with her given that need. Eva was a little clingy to me at first so Micah and I stuck around while she made a flag for us. I peeked in the window and it was a delight to see her working so diligently. Once she was done she came blasting out the door to give it to us. Then with barely a goodbye she dashed back into class. Whoohoo!

Micah cried bitterly as we left. "Miss Eva. Miss Eva! No go school Eva." Poor fella.

It was a sweet morning. We watched the end of a fun movie we had rented, then we napped for 2 hours!! My first good sleep in 3 days. I just haven't been having restful sleeps, at night or otherwise. Plus Micah's internal clock hasn't adjusted for the time change so he was up at 3am.

Eva emerged from class tired but happy. When I asked if there were any good things today, she replied, "There were LOTS of good things!!"

Overwhelmed

Eva has started telling me she doesn't want to go to school anymore. We talked about it quite a bit and it seems to come down to her feeling overwhelmed and lonely. Andrew and I think back to how much our brains hurt in the first weeks and months here in Mexico and empathize huge.

She is never comfortable in new social situations, and there she is without me- her constant companion the last 4 years- not speaking the language, for a long time every day. She said that the noise and activity gets to her. I assured her that it will get better with time, and that she will learn spanish and she will make friends and become more comfortable. I also mentioned that she could ask the teacher if she can step outside when she is feeling overwhelmed. Have a few moments of quiet outside by herself. I could feel her relax at that suggestion. And then she didn't need to talk about school anymore. I am hoping this is a good solution that will help her through. Tomorrow morning when I drop her off I will speak with her teachers at more length to brainstorm other solutions. I'm sure it doesn't help that she is tired. She actually said she was so glad to go to sleep tonight! Hopefully she gets a good sleep tonight and will have a better day tomorrow. Poor kid. It is not easy. But we expect that the difficulty and effort will pay off huge once she gets over this hump. I am however concerned that if this becomes overly negative for her it could have major consequences down the road. At this point, it's not negative. It's a really great environment. But it is difficult. If you're the praying type, would you say a quick prayer for Eva?

Time Change

We've entered that weird stretch of time when Mexican time zones are one hour ahead of the U.S. and Canadian time zones. This morning we fell back! (nice surprise for me!)

Donkey and Princess

We were preparing for Eva's 4th birthday today. So this morning we went piñata shopping. This was the scene at the parking lot...two donkeys. I said hi to Dad and Colin then went inside.


Eva loves Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Ariel from Little Mermaid. However, she chose Aurora (i learned Aurora is Sleeping Beauty....who knew). She told us she liked her crown so that is why she chose her. Interesting. We were thinking of getting Micah a piñata but he was too distracted in the store to choose one. (i wonder where he gets that from).

Park Photos, Tweaked

Andrew helped me tweak the park photos to make them look better. Turns out I had the camera stopped down and that's why most of the photos were kind of dark. Luckily I took them in RAW so he could easily adjust the exposure. And so here they are again!

A Drawing by Eva

Eva has been doing a lot of colouring lately so I asked her to do a drawing to change it up. This is what she came up with. It's a butterfly, angel, caterpillar and mermaid. Isn't it great??!

School Girl

I wish I had a photo to include in this post... it would show Eva glowing with pleasure and pride.

She started going to school this week!

She is attending the school I posted about here and here and here. I just love it- every contact with staff and administration and students has been nothing but positive. They are so warm, welcoming and open. It is a Montessori school and I am very keen on the method and their philosophy. I love it that snack has to be whole foods, and no soda pop allowed. I love it that they have a recycling program where there is no municipal program. I like it that they keep their celebrations low key. I like what I see when I visit the school. I appreciate so much how accomodating they have been to us, how interested they are in knowing about Eva so they can best guide and help her. I love how they want to know me, and Andrew, and Micah. That they want to work together with us. I feel that Eva will thrive. Time will tell!

Eva is doing terrific. She is doing short days to start with and will work up to the full (5.25 hrs) day. The first two days I dropped her off at 8:30 and picked her up after snack at 11:30. The next two days I picked her up after recess at 12:00. When she visited last spring she struggled with the recess part because she doesn't have experience in playground dynamics. So I was glad that she got a couple of days to get to know her environment and classmates before heading out onto the playground. Her first recess she played a little bit then asked for me. Today she played chase with two other little girls! She told me she had a sliding incident so I guess she's still figuring out how to work with and around all the other kids on the play structure. Tomorrow she will stay through recess and I'll pick her up at 12:30 after music class.

Her teacher says she has been "working beautifully" and commented how focused she is when she is working. She said that all the other little girls want to work together with Eva. She also commented how well Eva colours.

Eva's excitement about school definitely outweighs all trepidation and difficulty. The first time I dropped her off, a teacher she didn't know offered to take her to her classroom. Eva wasn't comfortable with that and started to cry. But she overcame it quickly, and happily went with her own teacher- didn't even look back. This morning when she was getting out of the car, her proud enthusiastic grin was priceless. Like I mentioned, recess is challenging for her, but she is not letting it stop her. We did some role-playing about recess, and her teachers are aware that it is a challenge for her and that support seems to be working for her. This morning she did tell me she didn't want to go to school. She wanted to stay home and watch movies. But it didn't take much convincing to get her out the door. This is very tiring for Eva, no matter how much she loves it. I am sure she will be glad for the weekend break.

The evening of her first day was tough! She was being super stubborn and wouldn't listen when I asked her to come get ready for bed, even though we'd agreed it would be a good idea to get ready a little earlier than usual. It ended up being a huge meltdown. Then it struck me! This is a kid who likes to have control. And at school she was faced with tons of unknowns. This was her way of trying to get her balance back. As I realized that I pulled her into a hug and applied the technique I've learned in a number of great parenting books. I verbalized that going to school was a lot and hard. That she doesn't always know what to expect, or what will come next, or where to go. And she immediately relaxed and calmed. The evening went much better after that, and they have been better since (except yesterday when she napped after school and then didn't get to sleep until after 10:30!!).

On the way home in the car today, Eva told me a few things I'd like to record for posterity:

Eva: Today I played tag with two girls.
Me: How do you say 'tag' in spanish?
Eva: I think "taggo", or maybe "tagu".

I love seeing that she is really starting to pay attention to the language. For a long time, she would just kind of blank out when someone was speaking spanish. Now, she is actively listening. She has noticed that a lot of spanish words end with "o"!


Eva: You know a few things. My teachers know everything.

Hahahahaha! I thought I wouldn't get this til at least the preteen years!

Sunday Morning Playdate

Caroline and Corrina playing a money game
All of the kids except Micah, playing the money game
Corrina showing off her impressive hula hoop skills

Corrina

Emily

Micah
Michael
Eva

This morning we met Darlene and Lori and their kids at the park. We enjoyed ourselves for almost two hours, and my kids still didn't want to leave. Micah spent the better part of the first hour on the swing (and me pushing him). Toward the end I got a chance to practice my photography skills. It was an important learning experience for me. I can see after the fact how I could have made them much better. But I am encouraged by some of them that I think turned out quite well!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

This afternoon I found out that today is the last day of the International Hot Air Balloon Festival. It sounded interesting so I decided to take the kids. After Micah got up from his nap we had a bite to eat and headed over to Gomez Palacio*. A woman who lives there gave me directions and I had a map so I figured it shouldn't be a problem. Well. I was quite mistaken and got quite lost. But we made it there eventually and got onto the grounds. There were a few carnival rides and not much else for little ones. But it was all the kids needed to have a good time. They both take after me in that respect- they LOVE rides. Perhaps too much because I had to peel Micah off each one when it ended.

We rode the roller coaster. A poor man's version of the one we've ridden a few times at the Bosque. The attendant actually had to push start it. And manually stop it. I said a fervent prayer as I noticed the blocks of wood shimming up the skinny posts which support the rails. But honestly, the ride crutched along at such a pace that it was not nearly as dangerous as I'd originally feared.

We checked out the glass house. I warned the kids repeatedly to keep their hands in front of them but BAM! Micah whammo'd into the glass wall. He cried a bit then insisted on walking again. With his hands at his sides. And before I could stop him WHAMMO! again, into the same wall. But I gotta give the kid credit, he was the one who led us out of the maze, with a smile and a giggle.

Here is a photo of the Glass House attraction. You can see I've just peeled Micah out of the roller coaster.

We rode the carousel which they always seem to enjoy. Our final stop was the bus that goes round and round/up and down. Some of you may know the ride "The Rainbow": it's like that. Eva thought it was a little slow- and it was. Really didn't even tickle the tummy. But Micah really liked going up so high. Really really liked it. When the ride ended he didn't want to get off. Howled. Closed the bar on Eva's neck. She howled. As I was extracting the two howling kids from the ride that I decided we were done.

We headed out toward the car. And got sidetracked by a man selling stuff. The kids each got noisy caterpillar toys and seem to actually still like them.

Then we were sidetracked by the hot air balloons! (Oh yeah! We were at the Hot Air Balloon Festival!) So we enjoyed watching them get inflated for a while. Then our fatigue got the best of us and we headed home.

It was a fun diversion and an adventure. Especially considering that I got even more lost on the way home. Eva was very encouraging. "Mommy, I know you'll find the way. You got us there, so I know you can get us home."

*The Laguna area, in which we live, is comprised of three connected cities: Torreon, in the state of Coahuila, and Gomez Palacio and Lerdo, both in the state of Durango. The total metropolitan population is about one million.

Tragedy and Hope

Our expat group Circle of Friends (COF) helps to support an orphanage called Casa Hogar La Buena Semilla. They have I think three houses: one for babies, one for girls and one for boys. They also have a bakery where the young people can learn a skill and make some money. Their vision is to build on (already) donated land so all the kids and caregivers can live, work and attend school on campus. I'm so impressed with the sustainability of their vision and I am proud to be a small part of the amazing work and service they are doing.

Today COF threw a party for the kids, with games, face painting, prizes and food. We also donated some desperately needed items including underwear and dish towels. The kids were great. They particularly enjoyed the sandwiches and the ice cream as well as their new trinkets. I noticed a couple of budding artists enjoying their new paint sets and colouring books.

But it was Mauricio who made the biggest impact on me. Every inch of visible skin on this five year old boy was horribly burned. His head was wrapped in gauze because the skin on his head is still in the process of healing. He sustained his injuries in a drug-related housefire. He was trying to save his mom (and he did). She is blind and his father is a drug addict who beat both of them. At one point his father was taking Mauricio with him begging- while Mauricio's scalp was peeling off. I assume the logic was that people give you more money if you have a sick kid along. His father accompanied Mauricio to the U.S. for treatment but they were ejected because his father's behaviour was so horrible. I believe that's when he came to La Buena Semilla. They are planning another three month trip to a burn treatment centre in the U.S. for him. This time with someone associated with the orphanage. His parents are not allowed to have contact with him.

That's the Tragedy part of the post title.

The Hope part is that Mauricio can still conjure up a small smile when asked. He is opening up more. He plays with the other kids a little. He's not having so much pain anymore. He's getting the medical care he needs. And perhaps more importantly he's getting the love that he needs. His situation is immeasurably better at La Buena Semilla than it was at home.

Where would this little boy be if this organization- or another like it- did not exist?

Thanksgiving Weekend 2008

Micah: "cheese!"

Double decker trampolines... wow....

Izabel and Rita

Rita and Izabel

Rita enjoying a snuggle with Izabel

The kids huddling by the "safe pole" during a game of Dragon with Jeremy

Micah doing his best dragon roar

Chase with Jeremy

Portabella Herb Stuffing

This dressing got rave reviews today. I got the recipe from my parents, who got it at http://www.foodmanitoba.ca/.

Portabella Herb Stuffing

1/3 cup butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 Portabella mushrooms, gills removed, chopped
1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
1 tsp each savory, thyme, poultry seasoning
9 cups fresh whole wheat bread cubes
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

Melt butter in a large frying pan. Cook onion, garlic, celery, and mushrooms until soft. Stir in wine, herbs and poultry seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and turn into a large bowl. Add bread cubes and parsley. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff turkey just before roasting.

OR (and this is the option we chose)

Stuffing can be baked in a lightly greased 2.5L casserole. Stir 1/2 cup chicken broth into the mixture. Cover and bake at 325F for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 10-15 minutes.

Thanksgiving 2008

Welcome to Thanksgiving in a house with 4 adults and three youngsters aged (almost) 4, (almost) 2 and 7.5mths:

- Dads struggle to get the turkey into the oven while attempting to contain a mischevious and rambunctious young boy and keep an eye on the little girls

- One Mom catches up on some sleep

- The other Mom relishes a solo trip to the grocery store

- Football on tv

- Kids splashing in the kiddie pool

- 21 on the Little Tikes hoop

- Sweet afternoon naps

- Teething takes a toll on baby and her Mom and Dad

- Beautiful spread on the table! Four year old refuses to come eat because she doesn't like her chair assignment. Two year old is done in a matter of minutes. One Dad leaves to supervise shenanigans. That leaves three of us. Baby tired of exersaucer. Two of us left eating at the table. Baby throws up on bed. Other Dad leaves table to help. Remaining Mom supposes she should be grateful for the rare opportunity finish her plate without needing to be up and down serving and chasing and cleaning up little faces and hands but still, feels a little lonely for everyone else.

- Peaceful Pumpkin Pie Plan: enjoy with fresh whipped cream after all the kids are in bed.

Correction

Jeremy made his first pumpkin pie.

Looks and smells yummy! Can't wait to tuck in tomorrow!

Houseguests!

gorgeous baby Izabel

We are blessed to have houseguests this week! Jeremy, Rita and 7.5 month old Izabel are staying with us this week. The guys have been working this week (Jeremy works for Palliser as well) and us girls have been enjoying talking and getting to know each other better. We're excited to have some fun times together as a group now that it's the weekend. By the time the kids are all in bed we only have a few tired minutes together before it's time for us big kids to get to bed too.

Tomorrow we'll break out the kiddie pool and check out the local sights. Sunday we get to celebrate Thanksgiving together with turkey and all the trimmings. (I'm going to make my first pumpkin pie!)

Interview with Eva

Yesterday Eva used her 'spending' allowance. When we were at the grocery store she saw some Disney Princess Barbies and wanted one very badly. We agreed to go out later that day so she could use her allowance to buy what she wanted. We went to a different store and the selection wasn't quite the same, so she ended up with a Polly Pocket type princess rather than a Barbie. Which might be for the best because as I understand it, one Barbie leads to another in an endless cycle of consumerism.

Here she is telling us all about Cinderella:

Micah's Speech

Micah has now mastered Eva's name. He no longer says "Ee-ah". He can almost say his own name. For yes he often says "la". For no he often says "nope". For okay he often says "otay". So cute.

Micah: (demanding) Tic Tac!

Me: No sweetie, you just had one. You can have another one once we get to the store.

Micah: (adorably, winningly) Pleeeeeease??

Me: Once we get to the store.

Micah: (sweetly, acceptingly) Otay, Mommy.

I am always in shock when he accepts in this way. And I think is incredibly cute.


Micah: Mommy! No hurt booboo!

Me: Oh good, your booboo doesn't hurt any more!

Micah: La.

More Outside Time

The kids and I have been driving each other nuts lately. And I knew that our days didn't have nearly enough outside time and exercise. Finally I took action and made a change. We spent the better part of the morning outside today. And it was good! Eva and I still butted heads a few times, the kids still managed to hurt each other a few times, but overall it was a much more peaceful day and I am SO grateful. I have been at my wits' end the last couple of days.

We played a lot of chase and Dragon on the trampoline, we played some Red Light, Green Light, some baseball, and some soccer. And we painted on the patio door.