The Wall is Down and the Roof is Up!

Well, good news on the remodel front. The wall separating our kitchen and family room is down, and better yet, the house is still standing. Whew! What a load off my shoulders. And you wouldn't believe how much bigger our house looks. It's just amazing.

Work got under way at 7:30am, and by noon, the flooring was out, the kitchen cabinets were in the garage, my much maligned refrigerator was junked and I was allowed to put my foot through a wall. I've always wanted to do that. Too bad getting rid of the refrigerator had me in such a good mood that I didn't have any aggression to left in me.

We've temporarily relocated down the hill to another house in downtown Pleasanton (Hello other home owners! I know you're reading). Tonight is our 3rd night in our new digs. The kids are adjusting well to their new surroundings and they love wathching a squirrel eat an early dinner on the fence outside the kitchen window.

All is well here. I feel like the hardest part is behind us...probably a false sense of security on day 1 of the remodel. But at least the sorting, tossing, donating and packing portion is done for a few weeks. And of course, this will be wonderful when it's done.

Getting it Right

Do you remember your first baseball game? I do. I went to an A's game when I was about 5. I remember being very worried that I'd have to be quiet at the game, but my dad assured me that wasn't the case with baseball. I also remember it was a weekend day game. I think the A's were playing the Yankees, but it could've been the Royals. The other team was blue...I definitely remember that. I even remember some of the players: Joe Rudy, Raleigh Fingers, Campy Campineros and Capt. Sal Bando.

I remember my brother and I riding to the game in the back of the car together. During the game, he was more interested in the actual play, but I remember he was pretty young, 2 or 3, and I remember him sitting on my Moms lap. I also remember that we didn't stay through the whole game. But that was ok, my Dad assured me, because there would be other games. And there were. Lots. When I was a kid, my family went to A's games at least once or twice a season.

As we grew up, my brother and sister both became huge A's fans. My sister even has seasons tickets and once dyed La Nina's hair green without us knowing. I entered a mixed marriage...with a Giants fan...and overtime, I ended up going to more Giants game than A's games just because the Dad was buying the tickets.

When my brother got sick with cancer in the early 90's, there was a player on the A's who was a great inspiration to him. Mike Gallegos. At the time, Mike Gallego was a cancer survivor, short stop and general good guy. He, Mike Gallego, even went out of his way to meet my brother while he was sick. At one game, he had my brother down on the field, he gave him signed bat (I think) and shared some words of encouragement. My brother died a few months after meeting Mike Gallego, but it was a special day. The whole thing foever tied my brother and Mike Gallego in my mind.

Tonight we took the girls to their first baseball game. It was a Giants game that the Dad bought tickets for a long time ago. The timing was horrible. We're trying to move out of the house, we're exhausted from all the work, and leaving seemed such a terrible idea. Not to mention, the game was in San Francisco, a place not known for its warm summer weather. And for God sakes, it was the Giants...aren't kids supposed to go to A's games first? That's how it was in my family. But, despite my serious reservation, not so quiet grumblings and threats of backing out, we went to the game.

We took BART into the city, then transferred to Muni, and made our way to our seats right as they were singing the National Anthem. Our seats were awesome, right behind home plate, but slightly toward the third base line. Great view of the field, it wasn't that cold by San Francisco standards, so I figured we'd make it four innings with the girls..five if we timed the popcorn right. As the Rockies went to bat for the first time, they introduced the Rockies coaches...and when they announced the third base coach, it sent a chill down my spine. It was Mike Gallego.

I was stunned. I hadn't heard that name since he left the A's to play for New York in the mid-90's. I even squinted hard to see if it was the right guy. It was. In that moment of realization, I felt my brother's presence as surely as if he were sitting next to me. Tonight was the first game we were supposed to take our kids to. The Giants were the right team. And to prove it, my brother sent his favorite player to be there for our girls. Sure, he wasn't swinging a bat, but he took the field just like the old days. Isn't that cool? I am so glad we went tonight.

Game Results: We made it 7.5 innings thanks to popcorn and ice cream. The Dad bought the girls their first Giants hats. The Giants were smoked by the Rockies, The Magster screamed "I love the Giants" while the Rockies were batting. So, I'd say we had a good time. And there will probably be more games.

A Hair Raising Adventure

It's become my personal mission to get my kid's hair to curl. The other night, while I was supposed to be packing my house, I coaxed both girls back into the bathroom. I have to admit, it doesn't take much coaxing, they love having their hair done.

I started with the Magster. I examined her hair closely. Her hair is fine and not super thick, so I gelled her hair and pulled out my new curling iron. I curled, then sprayed with hairspary, then repeated all over her head. When I was finished, I picked out her hair...no brush and sprayed again.

As soon as I finished La Nina burst into laughter, "Maggie you look like an old woman," La Nina cried out.

And you know, Maggie did look like an old woman. In fact, I think I ran into her once in China town. Her hair was formed into the perfect helmet head of curls. Think grandma, pushing a cart on her walk to the senior center and that is what Maggie's hair looked like. My poor darling. The good news is the Magster ignored her sister, looked in a mirror and declared herself beautiful. Thank goodness for her sunny little soul. I decided the problem was related to the size of the curl and I made a note, that I needed to go down a half inch in iron diameter. I'll need to practice again to get bouncy dancer hair, not grandmother on her way shopping hair.

Next, I turned my hair products and appliances onto La NIna. Again, I examined the hair. La NIna has more hair than anyone I've ever seen. It's medium thickness. So, I went mousse, hairspray, curling iron with hairspray. The back of her hair turned out perfect and held for 2 hours, a world record. The top part that is supposed to be super curly didn't work at all. I need one of those tiny curling irons for that.

Now La Nina's hair looked darling. She stood up looked in the mirror, gave her self a few poses and declard she looked like a princess. So, I'm closer.

So, I now own 3 new curling iron, mousse, hair spray, gel, 270 bobby pins and picks. Hopefully, some thing will work and they will make it to stage with curls in their hair. I have another week to get it right, I hope my second round works well.

Picture Perfect!

Well, after a long weekend of work, we're just about ready for the remodel to start. As of tonight, we're planning to stay in our house, but it's going to be a bit like camping. We're eating on paper plates, I'm improvising meals in ill-fitting pots and pans and the girls are surviving with several of their toys packed. At least we're in our own beds for a few more nights.

Yesterday, in the middle of packing up the house, I had to break for several hours to take the girls to dance picture day. Think sports photo with tutus, hair and make up. While I can manage my own hair and make up, I quickly found myself in over my head with the girls' hair and make up. First, exactly how do you get mascara on those tiny eye lashes? Second, how do you get them to keep their eyes closed while applying shadow? And the biggest: how do you curl that hair? I mean really... I tried drying their hair, using gel and then over two hours in curlers for Maggie (over 3 for La Nina's) and their hair was straight by the time we got to the dance studio. (Mom- I swear I tried!)

After applying make up and curling hair, I had to load the girls into the car in bath robes and flip flops--the tutus and car seats don't mix--, drive 15 minutes to the dance studio, change them into their costumes in the parking lot, then walk them 50 yards into the studio without getting dirty. The Magster made it. La Nina didn't She somehow ended up with these huge black smudges on her pick ballet shoes and tights. I noticed the marks that on the way to the car after pictures, so I have no idea if they're in the picture or not. Worse, I don't know if I can get them out of the shoes or tights for the recital.

Literally, it took me four hours and more yelling at the kids than I care to remember to pull off picture day. I talked to another Mom with two daughters in picture day, she spent 6 hours on the project due to a faulty costume and lack of bobby pins. She mentioned a lot of shouting was involved at her house too. After we came home, I had a BIG glass of wine. The recital is June 10. I better start planning for hair and make up now. Another Mom at the studio with hair like my girls told me to try not washing their hair for 2 days, then curling with an iron with aqua net. I'll be hitting Target this week for supplies. If I were you, I'd buy stock in bobby pin and hair spray companies.

Oh yeah, I suppose I should mention, the girls did look too cute in those costumes with their make up. The pictures will be worth it.

We're In...

I wrote a while back that we'd applied to get La Nina into a special language program in our school district. We found out this week, she got in.

The program is really cool. It's called Dual Immersion. It's a language program where kids are immersed in a foreign language. So, La NIna kindergarten class will be taught 90% in Spanish. By 5th grade, her classes will be 50% in Spanish, 50% in English. If history dictates the future, by the time she heads into 6th grade, she will be literate in both Spanish and English. By eighth grade, she'll have the chance to take the AP Spanish test and earn college credits for her work. (About 1/2 the kids that took the AP test this year, passed.)

I've never waived in my desire to have her attend this program. I spent 2 years in a job with Global responsibilities and I did business on 5 continents. During that time, I saw first hand that Americans are just about the only people in the world that speak only one language. Most other countries introduce second language to their children by 1st grade...and many, many people speak 2 or more languages.

The thing that's been interesting to me is the comments I've gotten about our decision. I've been asked why I'd teach my Chinese child Spanish, why I'd neglect my child's english education and why I'd want her to learn a language that "servants" speak. It's been a little shocking frankly. Since I'm in a good mood tonight, I won't glare my answers like I usually do. But if you're curious, here are my answers:

1.) Why Spanish? Isn't it racist to assume Chinese kids must learm Mandarin? I mean, really. In high school, I'm pretty sure that all the kids taking Spanish, French and German are not of Spanish, French and German descent. I think the underlying question here is why not mandari?. It's simple: it's not offered. Chinese school conflicts with Church.

2.) Neglecting English: I've talked to teachers about how they're teaching writing these days, it's pretty unimpressive. There's more to writing than the five paragraph essay, and basically, that's all the schools prepare chidren to write. It's a shame. Creativity and experimentation has been removed from the writing process. La Nina will be taught to read and write (the five paragraph essay, of course) in both languages..I'm not sure what will be missing. Spelling? Ok, may be she'll be a little behind in spelling. Sorry...not worried about it.

3.) Spanish is Second class language: Ok...this is just racist. No doubt. But consider this: Spanish is a Latin based language, and most of the people I know are quickly able to pick up other latin based languages after learning Spanish. I've also heard and read that learning spanish young aids in reading development because it's more phonetic than English and kids pick it up faster. Don't know if it's true, but La Nina is very close to starting to read spontaneously, so she'll be a good proof point.

In the end, all the comments just make me more determined to challenge some of the stereotypes. I'm thrilled that she has the chance to learn a second language, and I'm really looking forward to the school year.

Still More Fun...Remodel Style

I know, I'm on a blogging roll. Here's the truth: It's the only writing I'm doing at the moment, and frankly, I'm a sick junky when it comes to writing....if I don't do it daily, I feel all fuzzy in the brain. So, lucky for you, lots of blogs to read...or may be that's unlucky.

There's part of the Maui trip that I've left out, but it's worth telling. As you know, we're about to start the most major remodel we've ever attempted. It's definitely an advanced marital move, only to be completed after dealing with tents in the rain.) And projects of this size have certain life reprecussions. For me, it's worries in the middle of the night. Many nights in Maui and every night since our return I wake up in the middle of the night, in a full on panic. I thought may be if I wrote about my demons here, may be I'll sleep better. These are not listed in the order of most stress caused.

1: The Dad, the contractor, the decorators and even the cabinet guy all hate the cabinets and are just humoring me. (The Dad wasn't happy when I woke him up to express this concern. He insists he likes the cabinets, but he was kind of grumpy...should I believe him?.)
2: The paint color in the family room is too dark. (Think about this...I'm on an island in the middle of the pacific, there's no paint on the wall, yet I lost sleep over a potential color on a wall. Sick.)
3: The wall that's coming down is load bearing and the ceiling will fall in. (Yes, we hired an architect and an engineer, both seem like they know what they're doing, but I'll breathe easier when the wall is down and the roof stays up.)
4: The knobs. Is any one remembering we still need knobs in the kitchen? I haven't picked my knobs yet.
5: I won't have a place to hang my calendar. Calendars are a big deal around here...I need a spot.
6: Hello, all of you experts, The pink Little Pony Crystal Palace won't fit in any of the cabinets, where will it go? Has anyone thought of this but me? It's keeping me up at night.

Perhaps the bottom line is that remodels and jet lag don't mix.

Maui Madness

When the going gets tough, in our house, the tough go to Hawaii. With everything going on, a trip to Maui that we planned many months ago was a welcome break. We haven't been to Hawaii since BC (before children). While the bar tab was cheaper and we only gazed at the golf courses from afar, we still had a great time. We spent most of the week in a condo in Napili, then we moved onto the lap of luxury, the Grand Wailea, for our last weekend. Here are the most memorable moments:

10.) The Magster and La Nina doing the hula at a luau.
9.) The Magster getting wiped out by a wave and laughing hysterically. (The Dad was next to her when it happened, so she was safe.)
8.) La Nina getting up at 4:30am the first morning of our vacation and asking when the pool opened.
7.) Seeing turtles swimming in Napili Bay....the girls loved them.
6.) Pulling up to the Grand Wailea with grocery bags, sand toys and sticky fingered children, I swear I heard a Hawaiian version of the Beverly Hillbillies begin playing in our honor.
5.) Eating ice cream with the girls on a bench under the Banyan tree in Lahaina.
4.) The aquarium in Maui. Fabulous.
3.) The pool at the Grand Wailea. All of us enjoyed the slides and sandy bottomed children's pool.
2.) Seeing the ocean whenever we looked West, hearing the waves...always mesmerizing.
1.) The Magster peeing beside of the pool at the Grand Wailea (cue the banjoes again) and saying, "Mommy, I don't need to go potty, I just go here." Lovely!

La Nina quote of the week:
"Mommy, I thought you said we could stay at the pool for a long time." (She made this statement after being in the water for 3.5 hours without a break.)

Magster quote of the week:
"I want to be a hula dancer when I growed up, but not a boy hula dancer...a girl hula dancer."

With all the sun and swimming, the kids ate well, slept well and were generally enthralled with a place where they could wear flip flops 24X7. La Nina summed up the week when she said, "I like this place better than Disneyland." I hope we can go back again soon.

So, why haven't I updated my blog lately?

Multiple Choice:

1.) The remodel finally got underway and I lost my lap top among the boxes and dust.

2.) The web site I've been working was close to launching, but ran into technical difficulties at the 11th hour, so I spent the past two weeks working night and day to get things back on track.

3.) The kids commandeered the mini-van, drove it to the nearest Cold Stone and ate themselves silly. It took me a week to find them.

4.) We decided it was all too much and we took the kids to Maui for a week..where they swam like fish, ran wild on the beaches and became all too comfortable with the island style of dress: flipflops, sundresses and bikinis...or "ka-pini's" as one children has coined.

Check back in a couple of days for the correct answer!