To Blog or Not To Blog, That Is The Question

What has happened to me?

Since, like, May.

And before that it had been since March. What happened to that blogger who loved to write every day? To be honest, I'm not exactly sure.

Of course I'm always busy. Of course the kids take up a lot of my time. Of course I'm so lazy that I can't sit at my desktop for a few minutes a day to write something down and since Blogger doesn't work with my iPad, well, you know.

But I miss you, blog. I miss the writing and the daily ruminations. I miss the looking for something to write about, everyday. So, here I go again. And this time I have very few excuses. My kids are both going to be in school all day this year. I think within that time I can find a few minutes to get something down to remind me that life is good and sweet and sometimes hard, but mostly not. And I have a new motivation because my wonderful friend Mirjam is moving off to Europe, and sometimes Facebook just doesn't cut it, you know. She's a wonderful blogger, not the kind that makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little bit when you read about their perfect life, but one that just makes you happy because she reminds you that life is beautiful. A true, rare gift.

So, here I go again, and hopefully this time it will stick.

Doing The Dutch Thing

We're Back!

We don't have kids with us, and while it was hard to leave them (seriously, what happens to us when we become parents?) I can't help but thing how great it will be to sample some more Dutch cuisine that does not come in a hamburger bun.

Steve and I arrived this morning, which felt like the middle of the night, and checked into our apartment and then I laid down for just a minute and woke up 2 1/2 hours later.

Amsterdammit!

I think I might just barely be able to kick this jet lag thing.

Oh, and then there's this blog lag thing.

I think some photos of some beautiful Dutch architecture will do the trick! Tune in tomorrow (or is that today? Oh, forget it), for more...

Self Portrait

I was just syncing my iPhone and found this self portrait Max took (without my knowledge). Reminds me a bit of Francis Bacon.

Perhaps we have an artist on our hands?

Dilemma

Max showing our two drawings of our muse, the porcupine.

I was really looking forward to today because Jack had an after school playdate, which meant I had THE WHOLE DAY TO MYSELF!

Yes!

So I took the kids to school, did a little grocery shopping, went to yoga, and was just bringing in the garbage cans from the curb when my cell phone rang and I saw it was Max's elementary school calling. Well, my first reaction was "oh great, someone's throwing up," so I answered immediately. Instead it was Max telling me that he had a field trip today and needed more parents to come and wanted to know if I would.

Crap.

I mean, what do you do? I had no excuse other than my own personal interests to keep me home. I even told Max that I would try, but I wasn't sure. My body was weak (it really wanted that nap I had been planning), but the will was strong (Max never asks for anything, ever), so I sucked up my selfishness and went.

We walked to the natural history museum so the kids could sketch the animals. Max and I got to sit together on a bench and sketch a porcupine together, which, really, how often do you get to do that with your children? But really, that wasn't the best part. The best part was when I first got to his classroom and he turned around to see his slacker mother had shown up after all, and his face totally lit up like his favorite rock star had just walked in the room.

After a response like that, I only have one thing to say: Naps are over-rated.

I Think This Takes The Obsession To A Whole New Level

Steve asked me what I wanted for Valentine's Day, and since I'm trying to lose some weight, my #1 choice, a ton of chocolate (although I did get some chocolate, and ate it all within 24 hours), was out of the question. Flowers? They die too soon, in my opinion. And perfume is usually out because I often don't wear it and have a hard time finding scents that I like. But, while perusing Ebay recently, I saw my dear, dear, Orla Kiely has a new purfume out that is only available in the U.K. I told Steve that was what I really, really wanted, and Steve produced the goods. I was a little bit hesitant to buy since I was going scent unsmelled on this one, but it was exactly what you would think Orla Kiely's fragrance would be, light, clean, slightly floral, and a little earthy. Nothing like a handbag. Even the packaging is perfect.

I love, love, love it.

Now, that's a great Valentine's gift. Score a big one for Steve.

Space Snowman

Jack was asked to collect some things a while back to make a snowman during art at school. He collected all kinds of stuff from our art drawer, and then went off to school to create. A couple of weeks later I was walking down the hall and saw his snowman, complete with a caption that explained what kind of snowman it is. Of course, since Jack is only in Kindergarten, the words were mostly spelled wrong but if you employ all your phonetic skills, you can figure them out.

Jack's, which was a Space Snowman (the one in the picture above holding the American Flag), said: Im holdin a Amerikan Fag.

P.C.? No. Funny? Yes.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Last year for Valentine's Day we wandered around art museums and shops in The Marais in Paris. This year we decorated cookies with friends, had a special breakfast, and enjoyed being together.

One of our special Valentine's Day plates we used for breakfast.

Holiday cookie decorating. What I live for.

On the menu: Eggs Benedict, Mango, and Banana. Oh yeah, and chocolate.

A big, red Lego robot. What every five year old boys wants for Valentine's Day.

And even though this year was much less exotic, I have to say, I loved both days just as much because I got to spend them both with these three guys I love more than anyone in the world!

Happy Valentine's Day!