Suzuki Solo

It seems the summer is passing us by and I’m not documenting it very well. Brian headed back to good-for-nothing-but-potatoes-Idaho yesterday, and so perhaps I need to dedicate some of my quiet evenings to blog catch-up.

Brian’s return home two weeks ago was indeed wonderful, but was not particularly well-timed—the girls and I were getting ready to leave for a week into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia for Suzuki violin camp. So we got one night home with Brian before we had to say good-bye. Another element of (good) craziness was added when my college friend, Chris and his family called to say they were going to be stranded for the night in DC and could they come bunk with us. We hadn’t seen Chris and Erin since our wedding and had yet to meet their three kids—we were delighted to have them! In the business of everything I didn’t capture any photos, but needless to say, Chris and Erin still look the same as they did nine years ago and their kids are darling. Next time, there will be Nertz!

So after visiting with the Holmes family, loading the van, stopping for Father’s Day Brunch at my parents (also not photographed), kissing Brian good-bye again, the girls and I took off for our violin adventure. And this deserves a significant post… because I survived it. I quickly discovered this was a bit ambitious to do myself. Bringing a toddler who does not yet honor performance etiquette-- lessons, classes and concerts were a challenge. Not to mention balancing trays in the dining hall and squeezing in nap time. One good aspect was that Ella’s friend Rekha came with her mother, Sangita and younger brother, Nevak--we were able to coordinate and help each other out throughout the week. Sangita and I agree the week was a two parent job.

So while I hope you enjoy the pics from our week, I'm posting these for me--so that when I have to make the decision of whether to do this again in 10 months, I'll pull up my blog and recall how beautiful the setting was and how much Ella gained from being there. Which was, of course, the point.

The venue was beautiful and remote. And I'll admit every once in awhile it's nice to be far enough away that a cell phone and e-mail are not accessible. It's a little unsettling at first, but then you settle in to a simpler life. So simple in fact, that kids run free everywhere and no one locks their doors.
We were one of a handful of new families this year at the camp. It seems that a core group comes back year after year and that families treat this as a summer vacation--in many cases both parents come with their children, while teenagers come on their own. Families and students remember each other and look forward to seeing each other. The camp has the makings for rich childhood summer memories with: a pond to catch frogs and tadpoles, big porches to stay up late talking, a candy store within easy walking distance, a big swimming pool, and lots of space to play sports and ride bikes.

Ella's schedule every day consisted of a private lesson, a group class and theory class. She also had a recital part-way through the week and then a group performance on the last day. I was worried we'd have too much free time, but it turned out to be more than enough. She was very tired by the end.

Preparing for her recital

Rekha came to support Ella while Sangita stayed put with the little ones.

Ella flawlessly performing "Allegro". Way to go, Ella!

Her group class

Samantha occupied herself during classes with copious amounts of goldfish and lollipops. Overall, she was a good sport, but it took a lot of effort on my part to keep her reigned in. She did participate in a toddler music class each morning, which she enjoyed.

And our surprise visitor, Thursday night! Boy, were we glad to see him.

Daily visits to the pool. Very much deserved after busy days of classes.

A bonfire complete with s'mores on the last night.

Samantha and Nevak touring the grounds together.

And the final concert on Friday--Phew!

So while I am patting myself on the back for doing the week on my own, I am bracing myself for our Western adventure in August that I will likely be doing solo. Bring it on!

There aren't enough words...

to describe the joy of having him home.

You Say Good-bye...I Say Hello

Last week we said good-bye to pre-school and hello to summer. By the end of the school year, I welcome the relaxed schedule and summer activities. (Of course, by fall, I'm ready for structure again.) Ella, however, had a difficult time saying good-bye to pre-school--I sometimes underestimate her emotional maturity. She cried all the way home from her graduation and spent two hours in her room grieving after realizing that she would never be in Ms. Susan's class with those friends again. Transition is hard for a kid, but definitely something they have to learn--life is full of transitions.

Thursday, Samantha and I attended Ella’s moving on ceremony at pre-school.

The procession

Receiving her "diploma"--the teachers stated a small fact about each of the kids as they walked across the stage. Ella apparently wants to be an artist when she grows up.

I kept Samantha in the back where she hoarded any baby doll she could find.

In Ella's classroom afterwards for brunch and gifts:

Ella's pre-school has been a great place for her. She has blossomed from a reserved, socially tentative little girl, to a vociferous, confident leader. We are excited to begin the journey with her through her academic years.

We moved on to celebratory bowling in the afternoon with most of her pre-school class. And we learned some simple math:

10 adults + 14 pre-schoolers + 5 two-year olds at the bowling alley=mass chaos.

Samantha got quite into duck pin bowling and even tried to keep score. I think the owners were happy to see us go, but we provided most of their business that afternoon, so I don’t know that they can complain.

We then finished off our fun day with dinner at Chipotle. (Are you salivating, Bri?)

Friday, the girls and I packed up the car and headed to the beach for the weekend to meet our friends for the 3rd annual Bowcut-Kirwan beach extravaganza. (Sadly, this year without Brian.) We are most grateful to my Aunt Kristin and Uncle Bruce who allow us to use their beach condo—it makes enjoying the beach with young children possible!

Ella may remember this beach trip mostly for the ice cream truck snow cone that was responsible for her losing her first tooth. After biting into it, she mentioned that maybe her tooth was ready to come out (it had been loose for the last week and a half). I have actually given a great deal of thought to one day having to pull my children's teeth and frankly, the thought gives me the heebie jeebies. I don't know that I have ever communicated this to Brian, but I was hoping it was something he would take on. So when she showed me her bleeding tooth, I knew I had to step up to the single-mom-I-can-do-anything plate, and very calmly took a napkin, gave it a little yank and out it came. Painless for both of us, actually.

And so, Ella now sports the jack-o-lantern look. And we discovered the adjacent tooth is loose, so Brian...you have approximately 1 week to get home.

The tooth fairy miraculously found as at the beach. It just required a phone call to Boise to poll a group of government lawyers about what the going rate is.

Samantha may very well remember this trip best by her disdain for sand. She hates it on her feet, in between her toes, on her hands, on her blanket...basically anywhere in her general vicinity. She spent most of her time at the beach in my arms or marooned on a blanket or boogie board. At least I didn't have to worry about her wandering off. This picture makes me laugh.

Barrett was kind enough to perform the fatherly duty of taking Ella out in the waves. It is by far one of Ella's favorite beach activities...Barrett was so good about taking her out that she tired out and stopped asking--trust me, that's hard to do.

Samantha...in arm.

These three had such a great time together. They sat and played in the tide for hours. So much that the tops of their little legs got sunburned.

Could they be any cuter?

Hats off to summer!

Passing Time

I am not still in Idaho. In case you were wondering. Though I periodically close my eyes and click my heels together hoping to be taken back, but here I am...holding down the fort.

In short, here are some highlights from my trip:

-A three-day date with my husband. We ate at restaurants that do not have children’s menus, had UNINTERRUPTED conversations, slept in late and got to go to an art museum and actually enjoy the exhibit. Ironically, the visiting exhibit at the Boise museum was an Ansel Adams exhibit—if you’ll remember that was on the agenda at our last art museum visit with the kids, but temperaments did not hold out long enough. We also walked through a nature preserve and no one complained about how much their legs hurt. (I realized at the end of the trip that I had done a poor job of getting pictures. However, I am very much relieved that this one is in the archives.)

-I read an entire book in three days. Even when Brian had to work, I was perfectly content to take a nap or read a book.

-I watched a movie on the airplane—each way. It didn’t matter how dumb it was—the fact that I could do it was enough.

-I was pleasantly surprised by Boise. It is a lovely city. A bustling downtown, many people ride their bikes, very family friendly, and actually jus t plain friendly. People seem very happy living there.

We are deeply grateful to my parents for giving us this weekend to ourselves. A weekend away is wonderful, and when you don’t have to worry for a second about whether your kids are happy or safe, it makes it that more enjoyable.


So…June is in full swing, and still our Dad remains in Idaho. That’s a whole lot of time for a couple of girls to not have their Dad around. Ella frequently reminds me that she and Samantha miss Brian more than I do because I got to see him most recently. So we’ve Skyped, sent love notes to help minimize the void,

but still…we miss him terribly. The good news is that Brian has had the type of role he wanted in this case, and is tucking some good experience under his belt. When I was there, I was informed by his co-workers how brilliant he was in the courtroom. I certainly wasn't surprised, but it was nice to hear given that it’s not something that would ever escape Brian's lips.

The end of Brian's participation in this phase of the case seems to be dragging endlessly. We get hopeful about a date, just to have it postponed. We continue to plug way, doing our best to stay busy in hopes that the time goes faster. We have...

Gone to Ella's violin recital.

Here she is getting tuned by her teacher.

Playing her group piece

By far the squirmiest audience member.

Ella performing her solo pieces. She was the only student who played two pieces. I don't know where her performing bravado comes from--I certainly never had it.

Attended end-of-the-school-year celebrations (with more to come).

Samantha feeling pretty big at her sister's pre-school party.

Any moon bounce will do.

Kept cool in either...

The Backyard

Or Cold Stone Creamery.

Dance parties and accessorizing.

In the kitchen, of course...where else would one dance?

All accessories were hand-picked by Samantha: head band, pacifier, sweater and purse. How proud I was as a mother when I noticed how color-coordinated she was. Coincidence? I think not.

Hung out at the elementary school fair.
Samantha's arm flailing, I'm-so-excited-I-can-hardly-contain-myself look.

And jump-started Ella's Summer Reading.

Border's has a summer reading program where after reading 8 books you can get a 50% off coupon. So I told Ella that if she read 8 books this summer she could go get whatever she wanted at Borders as her reward. Saturday, we went to the library and checked out her books, which are all substantial chapter books for her. I soon learned this project would be done this week given that she had read the first four books in two days.

I think we'll have to find a couple more reading programs.

And so, we press on and continue to look forward to all being together again.

I can't even begin to tell you about all of the people who have been SO wonderful to us during this time. I have a mountain of favors to return when Brian gets home. We are so lucky to have such fabulous parents, friends and neighbors who have looked out for us. They have fed us, babysat (a lot), brought us yummy things and told us to just hang on, it will be over soon.

And boy, we can't wait until it is.