Kara (Upon seeing Brooklyn do the infamous wiggle): Do you need to go potty?
Brooklyn: No, I'm just dancing for joy.
***********************************************
Brooklyn (referring to her food): What's in it?
Jason lists off the ingredients, including flour.
Brooklyn: But I don't like flour!
Jason: Yes, you do.
Brooklyn: No, I don't! The thing that I like that's white is sugar. Sugar is what I like.
************************************************
Kara: If I suck it all in as hard as I can, do I still look pregnant?
Jason: I don't know. Why don't you try?
Kara: I am trying.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
La Tue-Belle-Mère
Yesterday our family took a trip to Lyon’s automobile museum. A very wealthy man by the name of Henri Malartre collected these antique cars, motorcycles, and bikes, dating all the way back to the 1890s. While I'm not quite sure what he really looked like, this sculpture certainly captures his ideal image.
Overall, it was an impressive collection in an equally impressive location—a gorgeous old chateau overlooking the Saône river valley. We had the entire place to ourselves—a luxury since it was rather difficult to keep the girls from fingering these enticing antiques. The cars were so accessibly displayed that it really did make you want to throw on your goggles, crank up the engine, and hop in the old-leather seats for a spin.
I was amazed by the immense creativity in the evolution of cars and bikes over the years. Features that we now automatically take for granted haven’t always been assumed—I saw a snow bike that featured skis instead of wheels, a gigantic tricycle with two wheels in front instead of back, a steam-powered automobile, and an extensive collection of headlamps that were just that—oil-filled lamps stuck on front of the car! My very favorite however, was the vehicle nicknamed “ La Tue-belle-mère” – the mother-in-law-killer, pictured below.
In this car, the driver actually sits behind the passenger. The passenger has a fabulous view from the open seat that is in front and down below, but absolutely no control over the vehicle. Going for a ride would certainly take a huge amount of trust--almost as much trust as piggy-backing a cute two year-old who's pretty much potty-trained, but not quite. :)
Overall, it was an impressive collection in an equally impressive location—a gorgeous old chateau overlooking the Saône river valley. We had the entire place to ourselves—a luxury since it was rather difficult to keep the girls from fingering these enticing antiques. The cars were so accessibly displayed that it really did make you want to throw on your goggles, crank up the engine, and hop in the old-leather seats for a spin.
I was amazed by the immense creativity in the evolution of cars and bikes over the years. Features that we now automatically take for granted haven’t always been assumed—I saw a snow bike that featured skis instead of wheels, a gigantic tricycle with two wheels in front instead of back, a steam-powered automobile, and an extensive collection of headlamps that were just that—oil-filled lamps stuck on front of the car! My very favorite however, was the vehicle nicknamed “ La Tue-belle-mère” – the mother-in-law-killer, pictured below.
In this car, the driver actually sits behind the passenger. The passenger has a fabulous view from the open seat that is in front and down below, but absolutely no control over the vehicle. Going for a ride would certainly take a huge amount of trust--almost as much trust as piggy-backing a cute two year-old who's pretty much potty-trained, but not quite. :)
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Lost
The last few days I've felt a little bit lost here in Lyon. Not physically lost, of course: I dare say that I know the public transportation system better than most locals. Not even linguistically lost--while my French is still very imperfect, I generally have a good idea of what's going on and can communicate what's necessary. Nevertheless, I still feel lost, in the sense of being without purpose.
Nearly a month ago I finished teaching my classes at ENS-LSH. Nevertheless, I remained plenty busy for a time, especially with all of the grading and some extra tutoring. Now that things have quieted down, it seems like I am just waiting...
Waiting for Jason to come home...
Waiting to pick up Brooklyn from school...
Waiting for my work responsibilities to be officially complete (I have to administer some exams at the end of June)...
Waiting to pack...
Waiting to move...
Waiting to get settled in Illinois...
Waiting for the baby to come...
Even though I know that we have very little time left here, I'm having a hard time living in the moment. There's this underlying sense of futility: an unconscious reluctance to enjoy things too much because it will might hurt that much more to say goodbye.
On an even deeper level, I worry about how I am drifting without work or school to hang onto. It's been hard to let go of my official role as teacher, and even harder to realize that I'm no longer technically a student. I think that part of the reason that my pregnancies with Brooklyn and Talia were so easy is because I was so busy and engaged up until the very end. With Brooklyn, I took my last final the day before she was born and started a new semester a month later. With Talia, I taught until she was born, took a day off, enjoyed Thanksgiving break, and came back less than two weeks later. While my combined life as mommy/teacher/student has been admittedly chaotic and hectic at times, I've also felt liberated by filling multiple roles instead of being confined to just one.
While my choice to give up teaching and stay home next year was relatively easy to make, this decision also terrifies me. My family is my top priority and I really want to be there for my kids, especially since they grow up so fast. Yet just like I worry that Brooklyn will be bored to tears without school next year (her class here is much more akin to kindergarten than preschool), I fear that I will miss the intellectual engagement of being a student as well.
While I know that I will never suffer from a lack of things to do as the Mom of three youngsters, I worry about being emotionally filled by all of the tasks that parenting requires. Sometimes it seems like home life never progresses beyond the relentless cycle of dishes, laundry, sweeping, and mopping. While I believe that this collectivity of tasks is valuable and important for creating a home, it's easy to forget when scrubbing a toilet that's just going to get dirty again in five minutes anyway. As exhausting and challenging it is to keep things up right now, I almost start to panic when I consider adding a newborn to the mix. I'm excited for our little boy's arrival, but I sometimes worry about whether or not I will be able to keep a handle on my sanity, especially without an outlet like school or teaching where I am something besides Mommy.
I know that a great number of you who peruse this blog either have been or currently are in a similar situation. What do you do to "find yourself" as a stay-at-home Mom? How do you care for your precious little ones while simultaneously growing and developing as bright, intelligent, talented, and creative women? How do you attribute meaning to the never-ending menial tasks required by parenting? In other words, how can you be both "Mom" and "you?" I'd love to hear your advice.
Nearly a month ago I finished teaching my classes at ENS-LSH. Nevertheless, I remained plenty busy for a time, especially with all of the grading and some extra tutoring. Now that things have quieted down, it seems like I am just waiting...
Waiting for Jason to come home...
Waiting to pick up Brooklyn from school...
Waiting for my work responsibilities to be officially complete (I have to administer some exams at the end of June)...
Waiting to pack...
Waiting to move...
Waiting to get settled in Illinois...
Waiting for the baby to come...
Even though I know that we have very little time left here, I'm having a hard time living in the moment. There's this underlying sense of futility: an unconscious reluctance to enjoy things too much because it will might hurt that much more to say goodbye.
On an even deeper level, I worry about how I am drifting without work or school to hang onto. It's been hard to let go of my official role as teacher, and even harder to realize that I'm no longer technically a student. I think that part of the reason that my pregnancies with Brooklyn and Talia were so easy is because I was so busy and engaged up until the very end. With Brooklyn, I took my last final the day before she was born and started a new semester a month later. With Talia, I taught until she was born, took a day off, enjoyed Thanksgiving break, and came back less than two weeks later. While my combined life as mommy/teacher/student has been admittedly chaotic and hectic at times, I've also felt liberated by filling multiple roles instead of being confined to just one.
While my choice to give up teaching and stay home next year was relatively easy to make, this decision also terrifies me. My family is my top priority and I really want to be there for my kids, especially since they grow up so fast. Yet just like I worry that Brooklyn will be bored to tears without school next year (her class here is much more akin to kindergarten than preschool), I fear that I will miss the intellectual engagement of being a student as well.
While I know that I will never suffer from a lack of things to do as the Mom of three youngsters, I worry about being emotionally filled by all of the tasks that parenting requires. Sometimes it seems like home life never progresses beyond the relentless cycle of dishes, laundry, sweeping, and mopping. While I believe that this collectivity of tasks is valuable and important for creating a home, it's easy to forget when scrubbing a toilet that's just going to get dirty again in five minutes anyway. As exhausting and challenging it is to keep things up right now, I almost start to panic when I consider adding a newborn to the mix. I'm excited for our little boy's arrival, but I sometimes worry about whether or not I will be able to keep a handle on my sanity, especially without an outlet like school or teaching where I am something besides Mommy.
I know that a great number of you who peruse this blog either have been or currently are in a similar situation. What do you do to "find yourself" as a stay-at-home Mom? How do you care for your precious little ones while simultaneously growing and developing as bright, intelligent, talented, and creative women? How do you attribute meaning to the never-ending menial tasks required by parenting? In other words, how can you be both "Mom" and "you?" I'd love to hear your advice.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Is Gaudi too Gaudy?
Two days ago I was sitting on the couch reading when Talia came over, grabbed my finger, and said, "Come on, Mom, come on! Let's go, let's go!"
A bit confused, I asked, "But where do you want to go?"
"Barcelona."
And so, here are a few more pictures of Barcelona itself, taken during our recent Catalonian vacation. To be completely honest, the girls probably enjoyed our days at the beach more than these architectural pilgrimages to discover Gaudi. Apparently Talia loved Barcelona nonetheless, mostly because Papa Kay constantly treated her to tic tacs while she was riding on his shoulders. Even though he has been back in Nebraska for a week, every time the door rings, she hopefully asks: "Papa Kay? Tic tac time!"
***
Day 1: Dancing La Sardana and the Park Güell.
We began our Barcelona adventure with a trip to the main cathedral where the older generation gathers to dance La Sardana, a traditional dance, on Sundays at noon. While I confess being pretty disappointed by the vast number of tourists crowding the spectacle (guess I'm not the only one to browse the guidebooks), I thought that the band was fascinating, especially since it included instruments I'd never seen before.
Afterward we happened upon the Park Güell, designed by Gaudi. I'm not going to write much about Gaudi since I've promised to let Jason have reign over his area of expertise. Still, here are a few photos.
***
Day 2: La Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera
***
Day 3: And last but not least, the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral, scheduled for completion sometime in the next thirty years.
This last picture shows my Dad looking up at the Sagrada Familia. It's one of my favorites because it so clearly shows how he's not quite sure what to make of Gaudi's architecture... In his mind, good architecture should also serve a concrete purpose. While I generally agree, what I love most about Gaudi is that he was outlandish enough to actually design, create, and build these outlandish structures that you would never expect to find in the real world. Whether you love it our hate it, Gaudi's bound to cause a reaction!
A bit confused, I asked, "But where do you want to go?"
"Barcelona."
And so, here are a few more pictures of Barcelona itself, taken during our recent Catalonian vacation. To be completely honest, the girls probably enjoyed our days at the beach more than these architectural pilgrimages to discover Gaudi. Apparently Talia loved Barcelona nonetheless, mostly because Papa Kay constantly treated her to tic tacs while she was riding on his shoulders. Even though he has been back in Nebraska for a week, every time the door rings, she hopefully asks: "Papa Kay? Tic tac time!"
***
Day 1: Dancing La Sardana and the Park Güell.
We began our Barcelona adventure with a trip to the main cathedral where the older generation gathers to dance La Sardana, a traditional dance, on Sundays at noon. While I confess being pretty disappointed by the vast number of tourists crowding the spectacle (guess I'm not the only one to browse the guidebooks), I thought that the band was fascinating, especially since it included instruments I'd never seen before.
Afterward we happened upon the Park Güell, designed by Gaudi. I'm not going to write much about Gaudi since I've promised to let Jason have reign over his area of expertise. Still, here are a few photos.
***
Day 2: La Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera
***
Day 3: And last but not least, the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral, scheduled for completion sometime in the next thirty years.
This last picture shows my Dad looking up at the Sagrada Familia. It's one of my favorites because it so clearly shows how he's not quite sure what to make of Gaudi's architecture... In his mind, good architecture should also serve a concrete purpose. While I generally agree, what I love most about Gaudi is that he was outlandish enough to actually design, create, and build these outlandish structures that you would never expect to find in the real world. Whether you love it our hate it, Gaudi's bound to cause a reaction!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Un, Deux, Trois
Here's another video clip of Brooklyn counting in French versus English. It really cracks me up because Brooklyn was able to count well before we left a year ago. I guess it just goes to show that when it comes to languages, if you don't use it, you lose it!
Friends in France
Before leaving France, I thought it would be a good idea to get a little bit of video footage of Brooklyn speaking her new langue. This clip includes some very rough translations that don't really capture her emerging grammar. Still, it gives a general idea about how far she's come in her ability to express herself. Enjoy!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Mighty Waters
At this moment, my father (the anonymous) is flying somewhere over the Atlantic as he treks his way to the good ol' USA. Taking him to the airport this morning was a bittersweet experience. While I was glad that we will see each other again soon, I felt kind of sad to realize how quickly we will be leaving Lyon ourselves. It's hard to believe that we have only one month left!
In honor of the mighty waters that my Dad is currently crossing, here are some pictures of us playing in the water during our Barcelona vacation:
Talia and Papa Kay happily make their way to the beach near our Bungalow.
Brrrr!!! The water was freezing! Only Jason was brave enough to dive in the first day.
While it may not have been balmy enough to brave the waves, it was perfect weather for kite flying!
Our little model Talia points to her kite in the sky.
Here's Brooklyn, matching her Barbie kite with her blond hair and purple suit. Personally, I think Barbie would be much cuter with full cheeks and squinting eyes. :)
Talia preferred to hang out with Elmo.
Brooklyn gets an up-close experience with the Mediterranean sand.
Talia Lily decides to join her sister.
Lance and Jason, the excellent excavators, join the girls for a photo op.
Jason protects his daughters from a passing tractor--sure glad they were safe!
Papa Kay joins in the burial fun while Talia trods on top.
The ocean waves take the challenge of skipping rocks to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, Lance enjoys the sunshine.
Even Kara can't wipe the silly grin off her face at the beach.
These are the times to remember!
In honor of the mighty waters that my Dad is currently crossing, here are some pictures of us playing in the water during our Barcelona vacation:
Talia and Papa Kay happily make their way to the beach near our Bungalow.
Brrrr!!! The water was freezing! Only Jason was brave enough to dive in the first day.
While it may not have been balmy enough to brave the waves, it was perfect weather for kite flying!
Our little model Talia points to her kite in the sky.
Here's Brooklyn, matching her Barbie kite with her blond hair and purple suit. Personally, I think Barbie would be much cuter with full cheeks and squinting eyes. :)
Talia preferred to hang out with Elmo.
Brooklyn gets an up-close experience with the Mediterranean sand.
Talia Lily decides to join her sister.
Lance and Jason, the excellent excavators, join the girls for a photo op.
Jason protects his daughters from a passing tractor--sure glad they were safe!
Papa Kay joins in the burial fun while Talia trods on top.
The ocean waves take the challenge of skipping rocks to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, Lance enjoys the sunshine.
Even Kara can't wipe the silly grin off her face at the beach.
These are the times to remember!
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