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| Aden, Mona, Quinn, first day of school |
My own space apart from the babble of the internet
Sunday, September 9, 2012
School
The first week of school went well here. Unless you count the second day where Quinn threw up. Twice. So he came home early, but had no fever and seemed fine. We sent him back the next day and things were less messy. (I have no idea what that was, but I'm chalking it up to 'transition.')
The first day of school Ian biked there with the girls and I followed along a few minutes later with Quinn in the car because we had at least six bags of supplies to deliver. We get a list every year from each teacher of a dozen things that includes paper towels and pencils and copy paper. I don't remember as a kid being responsible for any supplies beyond what I was supposed to use myself, but now basic things like crayons and glue are not available in the regular school budget apparently, so all the families pitch in. That's fine by me, since my kids attend a public school and their education is essentially free to begin with, but it makes me sad that as a society education is such an underfunded priority. So many of the good things about a community radiate from having a well educated population, so I'm amazed that schools have to fight for the money needed to do what they do.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Art Chopped
I enjoy competitive cooking shows. I don't know why. There is something amusing about people yelling over risotto that makes it fun to have on in the background while I work on violins. For my 40th birthday my neighbor and I teamed up to make beef Wellington and risotto while trying to say mean things to each other in English accents and it was a blast.
At one point on a rainy afternoon this summer Quinn was having some sort of breakdown born of exhaustion and I needed to distract him so I pulled up an episode of Chopped on Hulu. Next thing I knew the girls were on the bed, too, gathered around my laptop, and I was explaining that the chefs each get a mystery box and they have to use the ingredients in it to make first an appetizer, then an entree, then when down to the final two people, a dessert. They were hooked.
Now, I have to say, I am impressed with how much more adventurous in spirit this has made my kids when it comes to eating. There is not much that they serve on Chopped that if set in front of the average kid would even get touched, but my kids get all caught up in the judges' comments and decide everything looks good. One episode involved star fruit, and they asked when they spotted some in the store if we could please please please get some. And they liked it. And we've gotten more since. Aden watches with bated breath as the contestants open their boxes and immediately starts telling me what she would do with the ingredients, however weird they might be. Mona says she wishes she could eat all of it, and Quinn echoes everything Mona says. So, Chopped is a hit.
Last week we needed an activity. I had the day off, Aden didn't want to change out of her pajamas, and Mona was bouncing off the walls, so I came up with Art Chopped. I didn't want the kids experimenting with food in any kind of rushed manner, and we have lots of art supplies, so I told them I would pick out some items from the craft area and put them under boxes and they would have to make something. It wasn't a competition, there was no time limit except done by dinner was preferred, and if they needed help they could ask. (I know Aden would rather I set something up more authentic to the show, but I wasn't willing to pit the girls against their brother who is only five.)
Mona could not have been more excited.
At one point on a rainy afternoon this summer Quinn was having some sort of breakdown born of exhaustion and I needed to distract him so I pulled up an episode of Chopped on Hulu. Next thing I knew the girls were on the bed, too, gathered around my laptop, and I was explaining that the chefs each get a mystery box and they have to use the ingredients in it to make first an appetizer, then an entree, then when down to the final two people, a dessert. They were hooked.
Now, I have to say, I am impressed with how much more adventurous in spirit this has made my kids when it comes to eating. There is not much that they serve on Chopped that if set in front of the average kid would even get touched, but my kids get all caught up in the judges' comments and decide everything looks good. One episode involved star fruit, and they asked when they spotted some in the store if we could please please please get some. And they liked it. And we've gotten more since. Aden watches with bated breath as the contestants open their boxes and immediately starts telling me what she would do with the ingredients, however weird they might be. Mona says she wishes she could eat all of it, and Quinn echoes everything Mona says. So, Chopped is a hit.
Last week we needed an activity. I had the day off, Aden didn't want to change out of her pajamas, and Mona was bouncing off the walls, so I came up with Art Chopped. I didn't want the kids experimenting with food in any kind of rushed manner, and we have lots of art supplies, so I told them I would pick out some items from the craft area and put them under boxes and they would have to make something. It wasn't a competition, there was no time limit except done by dinner was preferred, and if they needed help they could ask. (I know Aden would rather I set something up more authentic to the show, but I wasn't willing to pit the girls against their brother who is only five.)
Mona could not have been more excited.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Best Summer Ever
School starts for my kids the day after Labor Day this year. They are going into fifth, third, and K5, which means for the first time all of them will be in school until 2:20 each day. Full day school for all three kids. Part of me is feeling sort of shocked and sad that all of my babies are now for sure definitely not babies anymore and haven't been for a long time. But the other part of me is all in a happy dance about how bright and fun and independent they are and that they will all be in FULL DAY SCHOOL! It's like a having a wish granted by the Time Fairy.
Anyway, I asked the kids what they wanted to do with their last weekend of summer vacation. Was there anything we hadn't done that they had hoped to do? They thought about it, and decided they had done it all.
Anyway, I asked the kids what they wanted to do with their last weekend of summer vacation. Was there anything we hadn't done that they had hoped to do? They thought about it, and decided they had done it all.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Not Interested in Dying
We got an email from my dad last night. My dad doesn't email very often. He used to write us a great deal, most often on post it notes that accompanied packets of articles he'd hand selected for us. Sometimes there was a lot crammed onto the post it notes, but usually they were brief. My favorite was one that read: "Dear Kory, This is more than I wrote to your brother, Love Dad." His emails are brief as well, seldom more than a half dozen lines at best, but always both poignant and funny.
Last night's email was particularly powerful. He reminded us that we had reached the one year anniversary of a doctor telling my mom in the hospital that my dad may not make it through the night. But he did. And he's still around a year later having settled back in at home, vacationed with us at the cottage, and seen his grandchildren all grow that much taller and more interesting. If his cancer returns there is nothing left to be done about it, and things are still complicated (particularly from my mom's end), but he's home and getting around under his own power, doing what interests him, and mostly just being my dad. When I think about the nightmarish hospital stays from last year it's hard not to marvel at the difference today.
Dad also mentioned a recent obituary in the Times that said the deceased "had no interest in dying" and he probably didn't either. I'm glad that's nowhere on my dad's to do list. Because I need my dad.
Last night's email was particularly powerful. He reminded us that we had reached the one year anniversary of a doctor telling my mom in the hospital that my dad may not make it through the night. But he did. And he's still around a year later having settled back in at home, vacationed with us at the cottage, and seen his grandchildren all grow that much taller and more interesting. If his cancer returns there is nothing left to be done about it, and things are still complicated (particularly from my mom's end), but he's home and getting around under his own power, doing what interests him, and mostly just being my dad. When I think about the nightmarish hospital stays from last year it's hard not to marvel at the difference today.
Dad also mentioned a recent obituary in the Times that said the deceased "had no interest in dying" and he probably didn't either. I'm glad that's nowhere on my dad's to do list. Because I need my dad.
Friday, August 24, 2012
The Amazing Milwaukee Race on Bikes!
Back in April I 'ran' with my friend Linda in The Amazing Milwaukee Race. This past weekend my husband and I participated in the biking version of that race, and it wore me out but we had a great time.
There were two courses; the A-course was 40 miles, and the B-course was supposed to be 20 miles but turned out to be 25. Of the 72 teams that participated only 23 finished, and of the 14 B-course teams we came in tenth. Not bad for a team called "The Slow Spokes." The whole thing was a lot more grueling than anticipated, but it was the kind of event where the enjoyment of it comes down to the company. There were several moments when I was cold and wet and sore that I realized if I were with someone else I would have been miserable, but because I was with Ian it was fun.
Here's a rundown of the whole adventure (including address locations for locals interested in the path we traveled) and some more photos:
There were two courses; the A-course was 40 miles, and the B-course was supposed to be 20 miles but turned out to be 25. Of the 72 teams that participated only 23 finished, and of the 14 B-course teams we came in tenth. Not bad for a team called "The Slow Spokes." The whole thing was a lot more grueling than anticipated, but it was the kind of event where the enjoyment of it comes down to the company. There were several moments when I was cold and wet and sore that I realized if I were with someone else I would have been miserable, but because I was with Ian it was fun.
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| Ian ready to ride! |
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| Me briefly enjoying dry clothes |
Here's a rundown of the whole adventure (including address locations for locals interested in the path we traveled) and some more photos:
Sunday, August 19, 2012
My legs are tired!!!!
Just finished The Amazing Milwaukee Race On Bikes!
Ian didn't have to do an Army thing this weekend after all, so we were able to sign up at the last minute to join the race. There were two courses; one was 40 miles, and one was 20 miles. Ian suggested we stick to the shorter course, and as usual he was right. I am worn out!
We did finish. Apparently many people didn't. We won't find out our scores until tomorrow. But when we checked in the volunteers seemed surprised that we finished the entire course and had all our clues. I'm not sure how we could have gone much faster than we did. We didn't waste time anywhere and we kept moving at a good clip on our bikes despite the rain (so much rain), but we still made it back late. The race began at noon and was supposed to be wrapped up by 5:00, and we didn't check in at the finish line until about 5:15, so whoever won deserves a lot of praise! I have no idea how people did the 40 mile course in that amount of time.
It was so much fun! Despite getting caught in two thunderstorms. Although it was one of those events where the company is everything. Just like doing the race on foot back in April was fun because I was with my friend, Linda, I was glad I did this race with my husband. We're a good team because he knows how to get everywhere, and I'm good at figuring things out. There were several moments when I was just cold and wet and sore that I realized the only reason it was fun and not torture was because I was with Ian. He makes life good anywhere.
Anyway, now I'm home and dry and literally covered with kids which is making typing hard, so I will share the details of the race later.
More soon! With a photo or two!
Ian didn't have to do an Army thing this weekend after all, so we were able to sign up at the last minute to join the race. There were two courses; one was 40 miles, and one was 20 miles. Ian suggested we stick to the shorter course, and as usual he was right. I am worn out!
We did finish. Apparently many people didn't. We won't find out our scores until tomorrow. But when we checked in the volunteers seemed surprised that we finished the entire course and had all our clues. I'm not sure how we could have gone much faster than we did. We didn't waste time anywhere and we kept moving at a good clip on our bikes despite the rain (so much rain), but we still made it back late. The race began at noon and was supposed to be wrapped up by 5:00, and we didn't check in at the finish line until about 5:15, so whoever won deserves a lot of praise! I have no idea how people did the 40 mile course in that amount of time.
It was so much fun! Despite getting caught in two thunderstorms. Although it was one of those events where the company is everything. Just like doing the race on foot back in April was fun because I was with my friend, Linda, I was glad I did this race with my husband. We're a good team because he knows how to get everywhere, and I'm good at figuring things out. There were several moments when I was just cold and wet and sore that I realized the only reason it was fun and not torture was because I was with Ian. He makes life good anywhere.
Anyway, now I'm home and dry and literally covered with kids which is making typing hard, so I will share the details of the race later.
More soon! With a photo or two!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Midwestern Moments
The Midwest is beautiful. My home state of Michigan was a wonderful place to grow up, and I'm glad when I get to go back and visit my parents in Detroit or spend time at the cottage we have there on the western side of the state. People wax poetic about the grandeur of the West and lushness of the South, the colors of the desert and the interweaving of loveliness and history that runs along the East Coast, but I seldom read about the Midwest. That's too bad, because there is much to love here.
It's like a secret. No one visits Milwaukee just to see it the way they would places like New York or San Francisco. People visit Milwaukee because they have a specific reason to go, usually because they know someone here. And when they come they are stunned by how pretty and vibrant it is. There is an abundance of talent and activity and things to do and see, and it's for the people who live here rather than for tourists. People who live elsewhere are surprised that my family seldom gets down to Chicago since it's so close, but the truth is we never run out of things to do in Milwaukee. Often there is too much to choose from any given weekend. It's an endlessly interesting place and I feel fortunate to be raising my kids in such a nice city.
In the area north of Grand Rapids where we spent our vacation this year we had time to really appreciate the beauty Michigan has to offer. There is something about the woods and the scale of things that feels knowable. I'm lucky enough to have traveled a little bit in my lifetime, and I have been thrilled by many amazing sights. There is beauty and wonder everywhere, but for me only the Midwest feels like home. I find mountains somewhat intimidating, the desert alien, and the tropics overwhelming. But when I'm in the woods in Michigan I always have the sense that with the right guidebooks or some walks with an informed friend or relative I would be able to name all the trees and the birds and the tracks on the ground.
When we visit the cottage we usually take the kids up the road to a ranch where for $5 they can be led around in circles a few times on a horse. This year Aden was finally old enough that we had the option to go out on a real trail. My sister-in-law kindly treated my daughter and me to a two hour trail ride and it was lovely. My thighs are still a little sore, but it was a wonderful experience. Aden loved it. She rode a horse named Comet who was trained as a therapy horse for people with physical disabilities, so she was a nice, calm, starter horse for Aden.
Being on a horse was interesting. The last time I was on a horse was over 20 years ago and I got thrown off and passed out. Before that all of my experience was at day camps or birthday parties, and whatever horse I was on usually took advantage of my lack of confidence and ignored me to eat flowers or leaves. I always feel awkward trying to order a horse around since it seems only a matter of time before the animal realizes the power imbalance and decides it doesn't want me on its back. Watching people who know what to do with horses always impresses me. One of the guides on our trail ride was only eleven! She had perfect control of her horse, and her horse adored her.
In any case, seeing the woods from horseback was wonderful. I had no interest in moving any faster than a walk, but the trail guides would split up the group periodically and let me go off ahead with one of them, and then the rest would catch up at a trot. The look of delight on Aden's face as her horse picked up speed is one I hope to never forget.
The woods in that area are mostly quaking aspens and spindly looking oaks that never seem to get beyond a certain size. Then interspersed here and there are patches of neatly planted pine forests with the trees all in rows and I'm reminded that the area was not always wild. The landscape of the community where the cottage was built was artificially constructed in I believe the 1960s and 70s, and the look of it has weathered and changed in a good way from when I was a kid. Nature has had time to fill in the spaces with ferns and sumac and Queen Anne's lace. I love how it's grown.
One of the best people to take a nature walk with is my brother, Barrett. Nothing like being with an entomologist to make everything in a ten foot radius seem like a wild adventure kingdom. When you remember to include incredibly tiny animals in your searches you see animals everywhere, and Barrett's enthusiasm for the insect world is inspiring (no matter how squeamish about bugs you may think yourself to be initially). My kids cannot wait until we get to go to the cottage and have him along. (They asked his identical twin what every insect was as they came across it on our walks, but Arno just kept tossing up his hands and saying, "Ask them yourself! I don't know!" As a neuroscientist he could have helped identify brains if there had been any on the trail, but thankfully there were none.)
It's also fun to walk with my mom, because as both a lover of nature and an artist she notices things the rest of us would overlook. She's spent most of her life in Michigan and incorporates many local elements into her work, and has never thought the Midwest lacked for interesting subject matter.
There are many places in the world I hope to see before I die. I've never been to South America or Africa or Australia. I'd like to take my kids to see India and Europe. If I get to visit even half the landmarks on the flashcards my kids like to flip through when I'm teaching them about the world I would be happy. But I'm also happy to call the Midwest my home base. I'm glad it's the place I get to return to, wherever I choose to go.
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| Calder in the Art Museum, evening event |
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| Deer outside my window at the cottage |
When we visit the cottage we usually take the kids up the road to a ranch where for $5 they can be led around in circles a few times on a horse. This year Aden was finally old enough that we had the option to go out on a real trail. My sister-in-law kindly treated my daughter and me to a two hour trail ride and it was lovely. My thighs are still a little sore, but it was a wonderful experience. Aden loved it. She rode a horse named Comet who was trained as a therapy horse for people with physical disabilities, so she was a nice, calm, starter horse for Aden.
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| Aden on Comet |
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| View of Aden on the trail from my horse |
In any case, seeing the woods from horseback was wonderful. I had no interest in moving any faster than a walk, but the trail guides would split up the group periodically and let me go off ahead with one of them, and then the rest would catch up at a trot. The look of delight on Aden's face as her horse picked up speed is one I hope to never forget.
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| Leaves illuminated from behind by sunshine is one of the most beautiful things I know of. |
One of the best people to take a nature walk with is my brother, Barrett. Nothing like being with an entomologist to make everything in a ten foot radius seem like a wild adventure kingdom. When you remember to include incredibly tiny animals in your searches you see animals everywhere, and Barrett's enthusiasm for the insect world is inspiring (no matter how squeamish about bugs you may think yourself to be initially). My kids cannot wait until we get to go to the cottage and have him along. (They asked his identical twin what every insect was as they came across it on our walks, but Arno just kept tossing up his hands and saying, "Ask them yourself! I don't know!" As a neuroscientist he could have helped identify brains if there had been any on the trail, but thankfully there were none.)
It's also fun to walk with my mom, because as both a lover of nature and an artist she notices things the rest of us would overlook. She's spent most of her life in Michigan and incorporates many local elements into her work, and has never thought the Midwest lacked for interesting subject matter.
There are many places in the world I hope to see before I die. I've never been to South America or Africa or Australia. I'd like to take my kids to see India and Europe. If I get to visit even half the landmarks on the flashcards my kids like to flip through when I'm teaching them about the world I would be happy. But I'm also happy to call the Midwest my home base. I'm glad it's the place I get to return to, wherever I choose to go.
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