round up

This Christmas vacation wrap up post is weeks later than I expected. I blame getting back into the swing of things here, and the fact that Kyalo's refused to nap most days for this.  Today, he's napping (I don't know why - but I am so thankful!)  so I'm taking advantage of the silent house!  I promised we'd make cookies when he wakes up.

So, Christmas. It already feels like a distant memory!  It was a fairly low-key affair for us, I'd say.  No big meal, no rush to get into presents, a pretty easy pace. Kyalo's not really into gifts yet, and didn't really pay any attention to the wrapped gifts.  I think we didn't open presents til 10 or 11!  I hope it is always like that.  Unfortunately, Christmas Eve day I woke up sick.  Some weird random stomach bug hit me hard - fever, aching, cold, etc.  To walk from the couch downstairs to the couch upstairs totally exhausted me. I am SO grateful that I was home so my mom could take care of me, and Dexter was on vacation to take care of Kyalo.  If you're a mom and you're going to be out of commission, I recommend that's the way you go.

Here are a couple of random shots...

 there wasn't a lot of snow, but there was enough to make a tractor-pulled sleigh (ok, sled) ride a fun experience for Kyalo.  I think we get more use from the tractor by pulling Kyalo around than actually cutting the grass. What a great 'toy'!!

Kyalo got a little golf set from Grandma, and Grandpa wasted no time teaching him the finer points of golf.

Christmas wrapped up with gifts, a brunch, and our usual grab-bag festivities with the Hammons.  All in all, a wonderful day!

On the Friday after Christmas, we had the Olatundes over for a pizza party.  This being the second year to do this, I think we can declare it a Christmas Tradition!  It was great to be with them again. Covenant has completed his first semester of college - he has hopes and plans of being a missionary pilot and so has an interesting life ahead of him!  Can't wait to see where he ends up.  The time that we have with them is always sweet and special, and I think how far we've all come from our days together in the UAE.  I love that we have so many round-the-world connections!!

 Master Chef, Covenant

 My parents got iPhones for Christmas, so Praise was giving my dad some tips!

 Peace, 9, read to Kyalo a lot

Praise had my camera most of the night. I love this goofy picture of her and Kyalo

(she may not be too pleased I put it on my blog though.  Sorry, Praise!)

I'm already looking forward to our next Christmas Pizza Party!

And then right after the New Year, a blizzard blew in, keeping us in town an extra day and a half.  It was fun to experience the blizzard. We built a fire, had hot chocolate, worked on puzzles. The usual things. But we also got out in it, too.  It was C O L D.

Essex Marsh, covered in snow

 pretty sure I'm wearing everything I own

We didn't last long outside.  Since it was a cold, miserable day, we decided to let Kyalo try his first movie.  'The Swan Princess' was not a hit - he's either too young, or just didn't like the story. Either way, he lasted about 20 minutes before he was looking for something else.  Still, I like this picture of him and Dexter snuggled up together.

So there you have it, more or less, a wrap up of our three week vacation.  Wonder what next Christmas will look like for us??

33 months

This is another belated monthly post.  I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things here in Belleville and hope to get all caught up on Christmas posts and other things, before we really jump into things for this new year.

It has been another full and busy month for us.  We spent most of it up in MA thanks to Dexter's longer-than-expected vacation.  Kyalo loves being with Grandma and Grandpa, and can never get enough of them.  And Dexter and I are quite happy to let them take center stage.  :)

We got to the doctor today for the first time since May. Kyalo is now 35 inches and 29.4 pounds. Quick story.  The nurse who measured Kyalo had him stand in front of the measuring tape and then quickly declared him to be 36 inches.  She didn't put her hand on his head, to make sure that was accurate.  I could see, just by looking that there was no way it was right. So I did that, and determined him to be 35 inches.  His hair just adds an inch or two!  Still, he's grown over two inches since May. I have no idea if that's 'enough' but it makes me happy.  

He continues to be a sweet, loving boy, who loves to draw, paint, do stickers, etc.  Grandma got him this awesome IKEA table and chair set for Christmas and we're putting it to good use.  Got to let the genius come out some how.

Still, we have our challenges.  He is obstinate, strong-willed, defiant.  It can sometimes take an HOUR to get him undressed/dressed for the day.  He thinks it is really really funny to run away from me after an article of clothing is on.  This is going to be extra fun now that we're in the coldest winter ever and he's wearing tons of clothes.  The other night, he took two bites of dinner, said, 'I'm done,' and then dumped it on the ground.   Naturally, he went to bed without any more food.

I assume most of this is typical toddler behavior, and that he'll grow out of it. He's testing limits and boundaries, or can't communicate fully for things yet.  But boy, when I'm tired, or worn out, it can truly be the end of me.  

And then, just when I think I'm at the end of it, ready to put him on the curb, he'll do something so remarkably sweet that I decide to hang on to him another day.  Yesterday, he said to me -- without any prompting, asking, prodding, or expectation from me -- 'Mommy, I love you so much. So, so much.' Today he gave me a tight, long hug for no apparent reason.  He's really stacking up points!!

He had a great time in Essex.  Grandpa let him do all kinds of fun things in the kitchen, things that I just don't have the patience for yet.  There was shredding cheese, and (carefully) cutting things.  Helping make an omlete, etc.  Do you see his happiness here?

I have friends who have their toddlers helping in the kitchen, so I guess I need to jump on board.  He can do more than stir flour.  It is just a matter of me enduring how s l o w the process becomes.

We gave it a try when we came back, and he made his first scrambled eggs.

joy

Another thing Kyalo is loving these days is puzzles. Sirisha gave all the kids a box with 5 big puzzles at our little holiday gathering last month.  They have gotten endless use already.  The only problem is that Kyalo generally needs one of us to be there with him to 'help' him.  This was another thing Dexter and I were happy to pass off to Grandpa while we were on vacation.

working hard.  

Hercules kept Grandpa home Friday morning - thanks Hercules!

Hard to believe that we're a mere three months away from Kyalo being three.  I think this year I will try to do a little something (party?) for him since we'll be moving so soon after his birthday (most likely).  Plus, he spent his entire bath last night singing, "Happy Birthday, Dear Kyalo," so I think he's primed and ready to go for a party!

December happenings

Uh, where did December GO?  How can today be the last day of the month, let alone the year?  Somehow, this month has zoomed right by and I have had minimal time for blogging.  This is funny since we've been on vacation.  I guess I've just been too busy living to blog!

It is a bitter, bitterly cold day, Kyalo's down for a nap (thankfully), I've just finished some hot chocolate, so what better thing to do than blog?

We started December off with a bang with a little Christmas/We-Made-it-to-the-End-of-the-Year! party with our friends from Dexter's program.  We gathered for a little potluck and catching up.  Hard to believe we hadn't all been together since our beach trip in July!  We kept it simple and low key, focusing more on the time together than anything else.  Seungah prepared a little craft for the kids to do (making Christmas cards) and Sirisha cooked up some fresh dosa, an Indian dish that Dexter and I both love.  It was a good day!

This was extra special to us because making the dough is a multi-step process which includes allowing it to ferment (overnight?) for a bit. Since it is best eaten fresh, she brought all the supplies with her to make it there.  It is basically a crepe with a variety of fillings, eaten with a chutney or other sauce on the side. It is SPICY.  She said she made it without spice, but it was still almost too hot for me to handle. Dexter and I used to get these after church in Kenya, so it was an extra special treat for us.  Hoping we do it again soon!!

It was no surprise that Kyalo loved the craft time. I'd say it is time for me to invest in a glue stick for the boy!  :)

if not a glue stick, a Galaxy Note would be acceptable, too! 

Sophia

Maithry Haasini, Rua, Sophia

Maithry & Sirisha

We were celebrating Maithry's 2nd birthday on Dec 1, which is why there are party hats.

As usual, we had a great time, and I left there grateful that these are some of the students surrounding Dexter -- and me -- these two years.  It is pretty incredible, I think, when you realize that we all have a two year olds!

School got out earlier this year, and we've been luxuriating in MA with my family since the 16th.  On the 17th Dexter took the second of three licensing exams (nothing like starting vacation off with a bang!) in order to get it out of the way so he can focus on the big one in March.  We also had a great opportunity to go away FOR THE FIRST TIME to Maine, of all places, to meet with a dentist there.  We had a wonderful visit with the dentist and his family, and enjoyed seeing a new part of Maine. I thought I'd miss Kyalo terribly, and talk about him constantly.  But I knew he was in good hands with my parents and was able to relax and enjoy the time away!  I'm ready for the next one! :)  

When we first got to MA there was a good bit of snow on the ground from an early winter storm.  Kyalo had a good time playing in the snow, and building his first snowman with Papa.

After all this hard work, it was time for cocoa!

This is really only scratching the surface here, but I feel it is time to wrap things up for now.  I'll be back one of these days with a small recap on Christmas and other happenings. I'm off to make my favorite cinnamon rolls to take to friends' tomorrow morning for a New Years' Day breakfast.

Happy New Year, everyone!!

32 months

I think it is safe to say that these monthly photos are winding down. Kyalo will not sit still or cooperate for them for any period of time any more.  He would just rather be running circles around me, I guess.

here he is, resting on top of our radiator

(note the condition of our blinds - a little advice: don't get vinyl shades if you have a toddler)

running away from me.  he kinda looks mad, huh?

this picture captures him when he's feeling shy or sheepish.  He likes to study his fingers (?)

Most of his pictures involved him waving and saying 'Cheeeeeeese' - I'm not even sure where he got that from!  Observe:

Kyalo's newest favorite activity is washing dishes, which I think he would do for hours.  This is somewhat helpful, so long as I don't mind the fact that he's soaked, and has usually dumped water on his hair at some point as well.

I can usually leave him here mostly unattended while I do other things.  Not a bad way for either of us to spend our day.  But maybe I should just stick him in the bath tub to do it?

Between the Music Together and Story Hour at the library two days a week, we have spent a lot of time at our public library since we moved here last year.  The front dest receptionist, Mia, has become a friend to us.  Kyalo will often dash out of story hour to go hang out with her.  It was high time I get a picture of them.

true love

Although, there's a slight chance that the love has a little something to with Mia's iPhone and Pet Rescue. . .

thanks for sharing, Mia

(or better, thanks for putting up with Kyalo all the time!)

We were up in MA for Thanksgiving (of course) and took a coooold walk at Appleton Farm on Friday.  We were showing a friend of ours, from Kenya, around the area.   It was a slow walk because Kyalo didn't get past the first stick he found.

 cute, cold, stick gatherer

it is his happy place

Dan, Dexter, Kyalo

Dan & his wife Naomi are BOTH in a neurosurgery residency program (about to relocate to South Africa).  Can we say smart (and possibly crazy?)  It was so good to see him again after more than a year. This is a definite plus to having our friends in Kenya be doctors - they get to come to the US for conferences and trainings!

Other things from this month:

- he has taken to building tents and forts with the couch cushions, which usually I'll find them all over the house.  OR he needs to 'take a nap' with the pillows and blankets.

- He LOVES the Michael Jackson Pandora radio station.  He really gets down to it.  Kid has soul.

- Seems to have ditched the nap in the last few weeks.  We put the mattress on the floor, which really means there's no chance of it happening. He will just 'play' - pull all his clothes off his shelves, dump toys and books all around the room, etc.  At least it keeps him quiet.  I still need my own break time!

- Still not fully potty trained.  I'll hope it will happen by three.

Cute sayings:

- "no. mine do it" 

- "I'm so sirsty" (I'm so thirsty - this is usually as he's heading off to bed and is used as a delay tactic. but it is a cute one!)

- "Where'd X (shirt, juice, book, etc) come from?"

- "D.C" (CD) and 'Where'd mine D.C. go?"

- "egg coke" (egg nog - his new favorite drink)

- Ask him what time it is - "2 O'Cock" or possible, seven sirty

This post is entirely too long, but to wrap it up, I leave you with a couple outtakes from my attempt to get some photos.  He's not always so angelic looking!!

Really, what is going on in these pictures???

Urban Mentors

Right after college, I did a year-long stint with Mission Year in Oakland, CA.  That 'one year' turned into 5 wonderful, challenging, memorable years.  The only reason I would have considered leaving is because I got a job offer in Kenya.  One of the best things to come out of my five years there, is a friendship with Jaime, a fellow Mission Year member.

Jaime is STILL in Oakland, (13 years later) and has started a non-profit called Urban Mentors Network which reaches out to children and families in East Oakland. Each week there are groups for children to come together for a meal, fun, and a little 'lesson' or activity.  Jaime tries hard to involve parents or other caregivers, believing that by building the family, you build a stronger community.

Each year, since her Mission Year team did it 13 years ago, Jaime hosts a Christmas Party for kids and families in the East Oakland community.  Last year, 300 people came!  She works all year to gather gifts and supplies, getting the youth involved in planning and organizing the party.  At the end of November she had over $2,000 worth of supplies in storage for this year's party on December 14.

And last week, it was all stolen from her storage unit.

Read about it here, or better, watch the news clip!

With two weeks til the party, this is a HUGE blow.  Getting the supplies and toys and gifts needed to make this a success in such a short time.  Here's where I hope you might be able to help.

You could go to the Urban Mentor's Amazon Wish List  and pick something from that list and have it shipped to her.

You could go to to Target, Subway, Panera Bread, or Starbucks, or some other place and pick up a gift card (of any amount) and mail it to her.

Or you can send a direct donation through the Urban Mentors page (link above) via Pay Pal.

I know at this time of year there are 100s of worthy places to send your money.  But I promise you, a little will go a LONG way to helping bring joy, and fun, and perhaps a gift to the children of East Oakland.

Should you choose to send something her way, the address is:

Urban Mentors Network
1975 Seminary Avenue
Oakland CA 94621

Thank you!!