NYC and sleepover

I resisted going to NYC for a while. I'm not very energetic and where do I leave the kids when we are gone??!! Well, it was Tricia who convinced me that I just had to go. That one night we were planning became two nights and last friday, we were at the Big Apple!! It took me a while to get used to the idea that the kids would be OK. But of course they were just looking forward to the sleepover. Miss A said in this proud tone,

"Am I not too young to have a sleep over?" ("Yes baby, you are actually, but mama-papa are ready to bend some rules to please themselves!!!>>>")

Miss F was staying not one but two nights at her best friend's house, she couldn't be happier. She did make sure that I put one of new school pictures of both in my valet and she made me order copies of family pictures for them to take to Tricia's.

I realize how hard I found it, look how much time I spent just writing about leaving the kids home. Now it's time to go further, because we went to NYC and that is something!!!!

We arrived to LaGuardia in the evening, took the taxi to the hotel I found in 5 minutes on Internet. Honestly I was a bit nervous about it. Because of us Eddie and MA had changed their reservation. But the New York Manhattan hotel was quite OK. The nicest thing was the location, it was on the Korean street, always full of young people, lively and full of restaurants. Since Eddie and MA were at a musical, P and I decided to go out and eat something - which I do continuously lately, it's almost scary!! We found a Korean restaurant where the BBQ is in the middle of the table. Before we ordered, Eddie and MA arrived and it was a blast. Good food, good friends, what more can I say.

From there, we walked to the Times Square. A little disappointment, it is busy and surrounded with colorful screens, but further??... Then of course we had to go to a bar. Without a local, the best way to find a decent place is to ask a local. So we asked a police guy where we could have a drink. (I just couldn't come up with the word decent, so I said "family bar" to the policeman. He probably thought I was stoned or something...) We ended up in a street where Irish bars were lined up. We entered the most cosy looking one. When we arrived back to the hotel, it was around 3am. I ended up sleeping around 4am, something to pay for later!!

The next morning, of course getting up was hell, but we managed. We made an attempt to have breakfast at a nice looking bakery just under the hotel. Unfortunately they had nothing without milk or milk products. Disappointed, we left for the Central Park. Ah, what a beautiful day and what a beautiful place. Autumn colors and the sunshine just made it. People were jogging and biking on the streets, jazz musicians were giving little concerts, families cruising around... We saw the carousel and the ice skating rink. I just had the book club back at home about the "Catcher in the Rye" and scenes of the book came to life. Then we found (again asked someone) for a place to sit and eat. We ended up at the boathouse, which Sonja was telling me about. We had a fancy brunch.

After brunch, we walked through the park a bit more, and went to the 5th Ave. We walked to the Rockefeller Building. We went to the observation deck and had a great view of New york and the surroundings. It was good for the orientation, to see how Manhattan is an island and New Jersey looks so different and greener than NYC. The Central Park is really is a jewel in the middle of the concrete forest.

Eddie and MA were planning to do some shopping. We decided to take a cab and try to see the Statue of Liberty. Well, the taxi drive was much longer than expected, and when we arrived to the dock around 3.40, the last ferry to the Statue was gone. The seashore was beautiful though, so we walked around a bit. By that time, I was dragging my feet behind me, the tiredness was unbearable. We decided to go back to the hotel after seeing the Ground Zero. It was something to see where the Twin Towers were standing and the plans for the new building. We walked through the financial buildings, saw Deloitte's nice spot at the Big Apple, and of course all the hot shots in exactly same suits, like school kids in uniforms.

At the hotel, I wasn't the only one exhausted. P and I both fell asleep. When we met with Eddie and MA at the lobby, I was still not feeling fit. However, the story the came up with did cheer me up. They had the most hilarious story. After we went to Statue of Liberty, they ran into a crowd. The police was keeping people away from a movie set just on the street. So the two somehow ended up inside the police line and all of a sudden, they were the part of the crowd (all casted and paid actors) acting in the "crowd" scene. I can't remeber which movie it is, but we'll find it out. They had to act like they were watching someone climb or jump from a building. They had to give facial reactions to the command from a speaker. It's so funny that the people around them were paid actors and were seriously acting to the commands. I wonder if someone will realize at the montage the tall guy and the little girl with the backpack. And they were just next to the "star" of the scene. Hilarious!

To celebrate the breakthrough of Eddie and MA, we went tout for dinner. Well, actually the dinner arrangements were done by my assistant Tricia (in the car while I was driving to IKEA) couple days ago. I wanted to keep it as a secret, but P had to tell something and before I knew Eddie knew all about it. So we took a cab (that's what you do in New York) to "Lucky Chengs", a restaurant where the waiters are travesties in sexy lingerie. The guys (or women, or bitches as they kept on calling around) did little gigs, shows and a competition. (Six ladies from the restaurant guests had to do a lap dance for a guy, again, a restaurant guest. We were supposed to select he best one.) It was an experience. I liked the food but I understand that not every one's food was as good. It was quite loud, though. It just sucked the energy out of me. Ah, this little baby must be thinking the world is a horribly loud place. Even before the end of the dinner, I was exhausted. After we were done, MA and I decided to take a cab to the hotel. Oh, it was such a good night sleep!

Sunday morning, we had just enough time to have a breakfast and P and I had to say goodbye to our friends. Of course Eddie and MA went back to the city for some more shopping, I think they filled a whole big suitcase while in NYC for almost 4 days! P was actually not ready to leave, he still wanted to see more of the city but I think I was quite ready to see our babies. I knew they had great time, but still, they belong by us.

We picked up the girls from Tricia around 4pm. They had a lot to tell. Well, the first night, Miss F was a little sad and had to take out our family pictures. The next evening, it was Miss A's turn. It's good to know they did miss us, because Miss A said she could have stayed another 3-4 days. Nice to hear! Of course the top moment was when Miss F, at Rowan's b-day party, got to choose her own American Girl doll. Seven girls and Brooke went downtown in a limo, had dinner at the American Girl place and each girl got her own doll. Brooke found it over the top herself, but it was a Grandpa treat for Rowan.

It was a dream come true for Miss F, who wanted to have such a doll for the longest time. We have been very strict about it. She was always allowed to buy one with her own savings, but she realizes that it would cost her all her savings, so she didn't want to buy one herself. Oh, so many tears I had to wipe from her face in the last months. And now she has her own doll (and her savings!!) The funny thing is, she came home with her doll and the pictures of 4 other dolls. Both girls want one doll from the pictures from Santa. What happened to being happy with the one doll she got at the b-day party?? The whole situation is a bit sad for Miss A, I really think she believes she will receive a doll for Christmas. Back from NYC to tough parenting issues. But still I'm rather here then sitting at a loud restaurant with dick shaped balloons sticking from people's head around me.

Greetings to Eddie and MA, it was fun and see you soon!

It's a girl!

It's a giiiirl, it's a giiiirl, it's a giiiirl, it's a giiiirl... (sing it please...)

Independence in Montessori

Very now and then, there is a presentation of teachers at our Montessori school about a subject important for the education of our kids. This time it was about independence. Of course Montessori education implies a lot of independence, what why is it so important.

The presentation started with the class of 3-6 year olds, called primary. With examples from the class, we saw how the kids are gently maneuvered to be self sufficient (tying shoes to choosing their own work) and how they are let free to make mistakes and learn from them. (breaking a glass to spelling phonetically.) Especially the spelling was very interested. When a kids is trying to spell a word and asks a teacher how to make the "u" sound to write America, the teacher gives the letter "u" instead of "a". This goes on until the kid is ready to learn the proper spelling of words.

In the lower elementary (6-9), we saw how the children are give a general story about a part of history and tools to dig in whatever is interesting for them. They have freedom to choose their work partners, pursue their interests and work independent from teacher and a curriculum.

In upper elementary (9-12), they are allowed to do research on subjects they are interested in. After doing research at school, they can organize a trip to a museum or a college, where ever they can get more information about the subject. They have to plan all the trip details, get permissions, contact the authorities and people in question, find a parent to drive them to the location and after the trip, send thank you notes.

These were interesting, but the creme de la creme was the presentation from the two secondary level (12-14) teachers. At that level, the independence really finds its use. The children are self sufficient, as individuals and as together as a group. They follow a tough curriculum with the freedom to choose their own pace. Next to the studies they do, they also plan these trips (3 per year.) They literally have all the responsibility, choosing the place, getting the directions, planning cooking, finances, everything. I wouldn't be able manage such a complex process, it's so much work. The trips aren't without purpose. They build, they help, they discover... They use everything they learned from all the way from primary to that day. They are self sufficient, independent and harmonious as a group.

when we started Montessori education with Miss A at the Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 year), we would say with other parents that it would be so nice to be in that classroom. We wished we were at that age and in there. Now I prefer Secondary. The only problem is, even though I would manage Young Children's Community without problem, I am not so sure about the Secondary level. I doubt I have the life skills the kids get from all those years at the Montessori School.

Back to life

Last weekend was "back to life". Friday evening, we were invited to Melinda's house for a dinner with her and Tony's family. This time, we said "yes". I tried to rest during the day to be able to make it, and I did.

When we arrived, I loved the expression on especially Lillian and Amelia. They were genuinely excited. Tally to Miss A from the hand and they were gone for the rest of the evening. P had a nice conversation with Tony's husband and we got to know their families better.

Saturday morning, Miss F had her b-day party at the bowling place. 9 girls and 1 boy bowled for an hour. Then we had some cake in the party room. It was great, the bowling place arranged everything for us, we hardly had to do anything. P has a video of the kids literally screaming a song - all of them!

Even though it was all well arranged, I came home exhausted. But there was no time to rest. P went to play tennis with Paul for a short while - which probably looked like anything but tennis!! Then we left for Deniz's house. We saw them one whole year ago. The little Alexander was not so little anymore, more like a giant 2 year old. The girls had Alexander had a blast. They are so welcoming and nice, we ended up leaving pretty late. Of course in good old days, late would be 1 am (with the kids) or later (without the kids.) It was 10.30 when we arrived home. Still I had to pay for it the next day.

Sunday, Paul came for a crepe breakfast. So I got up, made crepes and had a major bleeding that scared the sh.. out of us. Now we know that it's all OK, but at the moment, I literally screamed when I saw what was happening. That same day, after quite some doubt, P left for Europe. This is his first trip since 3 months!!

Looks like I'm OK, the baby is OK and I manage the household - not without hiccups- without P. I even went to swim today, for 12 minutes!! 12 long minutes. Had to sleep on the couch for 1,5 hours after that, but I did swim!!

What was he thinkig!!

P wanted a manly dinner yesterday. Me and the girls had drumsticks from the over, one for each, two for me. P BBQed for himself, a huge, I mean HUGE steak. He put delightedly half an onion on it and took a glass of wine. Fine!

When it was bed time, and don't forget about my extreme smell sense thanks to the pregnancy, he decided to chat with me in bed. Chat? It's more breathing to my face - which became purple in no time. I had to jump out of the bed to not to puke. He was approx. 1 meter from my face but Gosh, I can smell a burb from 3 meters!... So P is not so happy with me because I just cannot stand him smelling to my face - he says he will get a new wife -, but I think he should be happy. I almost moved myself to the guest room last night, but I didn't do it. (and seriously a new wife? who would ever stand that smell and take him??) He just had to turn his back to me.

This is not a complain posting. I am actually doing so much better - knock on the wood -, I didn't puke for 7 days. I celebrated this by going to the pool and swimming like an 80 year old lady for 10 minutes. But well, it's an achievement. I even went to have lunch with Fauzia and didn't fall asleep at the table. We will go to the doctor tomorrow, I am very excited about it. Miss A will be with us, she is out of school then. When F heard this, she had to cry so hard!.. Luckily, she has a playdate with Dagny after school, that was enough to cheer her up.

Just before I finish, I just wanted to say how sorry i am to hear that Hester and family will move to Singapore. I think it's great for them, but it's just so sad to see another friend leave. Well, I wrote it before: who ever we become friends with tends to move away, to a far far country. So beware!

Nausea

I wish I didn't make a posting like this. I was actually planning to write couple things that I still have to put here, like the trip to Yellowstone or my mom's visit. But the nausea and the dizziness is just taking my days over. I cannot function at all. Poor P, he has to do everything. He's like a single dad. And he tries so hard, I feel bad for being the weak one. Normally I am the one who "takes care", and I like that role. I cannot cook, it makes me puke. I cannot even think about going to the supermarket. The idea of all the food around makes my stomach upset. The only thing I do is to sleep. Today, I brought the kids to school - yes I managed that! - then I slept from 9.30 until 11.00. Then I picked up Miss A. After her lunch, I somehow managed to position myself on the couch around 12.30pm and when I checked the time, it was 3.00pm. I didn't really sleep, I could still hear the little one walking and talking. I even remember giving answers to her questions, but oh boy, I was in another world!

I'm almost in my 12th week. That means almost the end of the 1st trimester. I hope this time, unlike the other pregnancies, I will really feel good in my 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I am looking forward to it! Cross your fingers!

Sting at Ravinia

I had to get up at 4.30am to get those lawn tickets. Sting was sold out before the tickets were available for non-members. We wanted to have pavilion tickets, sit and listen... No hurry to get a nice picnic spot - not meant for us. But it's Sting at Ravinia, we were lucky that we could go!!



At 4.45pm, Chris came over and picked me up. I had the blankets and the portable chairs. We went to Ellie's. She had this heavy picnic basket and some great cheese and other nibble food. Chris brought us to the door of Ravinia. Well, not without a hassle. The police held all the roads and Chris rolled down the window and said everyone that I am pregnant to get us as close as possible - not a lie, but quite embarrassing!!. The doors were open at 5.00 and Ellie and I entered Ravinia at 5.20 to find out that it was as packed as possible, already! It was so busy that we had to squeeze by a garbage can and steal some space (6 inches) from a poor guy who would wait another hour for his party to arrive.



Then Ellie started putting up our picnic. Real plates, real glasses, a vase with flowers, candles, etc. I tried to lift her picnic basket later, it was as heavy as a dead horse!! Wonder why... I have to give it to her, though. We had the best looking picnic around!



Just before 7.00, P, Chris and Steve arrived. 7.30 sharp, Sting started to sing. We sat there and had good food and talked to good friends for the first half. Then P and Steve left t take a look at the stage. After them, left Ellie. After she came back, the three of us left for the stage while "Every Breath You Take" was playing. We got to the edge of the lawn and peek through heads to catch a glans of Sting. Ellie was dancing and trying to keep this one gut away from her. In the mean time, Chris was making her way to the fences that separate the lawn and the pavilion seats. Ellie didn't follow. All of a sudden Chris and I were standing in front of the gate. Chris said to the girl who was checking the tickets something about me being pregnant(!!??) and tried to get us in. The girl said something back which I didn't hear. Nevertheless, I knew she wasn't letting us in.Couple minutes later, the girls turned away for a second and I felt Chris pull me forward. The girl did a last attempt to stop me, but I didn't even look at her (if I did, I would have gone back) and we were in the pavilion. Half way through, there was a guy from security checking tickets. We said we were sitting behind somewhere and that we left he tickets with our party. Chris literally held the guy's head and said "Everyone is taller than me, please let us through." He smiled, but didn't move away. We listened to couple of songs there, half way to the stage. Sting was already so close, I was happy where we were. But then the unexpected happened and the security guy said his colleague to take over and left. The other guy didn't understand what he was supposed to do and followed the first one to ask him what the matter was. Before they could secure the path, we moved forward. We were now in front of the stage, just couple people before us, left to Sting. We could see the orchestra, the sweat on the faces of the musicians and all the expressions. The guitarist was playing right in front of us.



This was still not enough. Slow by slow, Chris made our way to Sting and at the encores we were literally standing in front of him. There was nothing but the security between us. It was truly amazing. And Sting came back for 5-6 times. He sang all those beautiful songs while we were watching him from 1,5 meter distance!! Too bad the end had to come and he and the CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) left. Later we heard that P and Steve got tickets and were sitting in the pavilion, somewhere close to the fences. They didn't want to believe we were so close to Sting and of course we didn't have any camera - or phone with a camera - with us. But well, the memory is clear and fresh in our minds and we will always remember how we made our way to the stage, Chris and I. Chris, you are the crazies and really awesome!!