Summer camp - Lohikan 2015.

Judging from her pictures, Mina had a great summer!  Following a very successful 9th birthday party, she headed off to camp for a full 4 weeks!  Thank goodness for pictures, or we'd have no way of knowing what she was up to!  Snail mail delivery of letters back to BDA did not work so well.

Great counselors.

Lots of outdoor, electronic free time!

So many new friends.

Girl time!

My super swimmer.

A chance to perform!

Many mom friends asked me whether I was nervous about sending Mina away for so many weeks solo.  I've realized that the idea of sleep away camp is a bit foreign for most of the ex pats here.

I never did sleep away camp as a child, but for some kids, it was a summer ritual.  Jeff recalls most of his friends in Brooklyn leaving for the summer, and I loved hearing stories Grandma H told of her summers away in camp.  For upstate kids like me, camp was our backyard, so that was the end of it! It might be a city thing.

Obviously, you have to know your own child's maturity level to assess whether they are ready for the adjustment of being away for so long.  Mina begged us let her go for the full summer, but I wasn't ready for that.  So I compromised and gave her four weeks.  This was also her second year of going to this  camp, so i felt more comfortable knowing she was in great hands.  She's also very self directed, social, and loves group activities.  In other words, camp is a perfect fit for her!

My only concerns, and they remain so, are exposing her to kids that are much older than she is, and are also very Americanized.  

Just to explain... Living here in BDA, the kids grow up with a very different sort of cultural environment.  It's really one of my favorite parts of living here - the culture of politeness and respect and innocence that exists.  It's very old school, in a sense.. The please, and thank you, and "good morning" greetings, the way children address grown ups, etc.  I'm American, and very proud of it, thank you ... but I do worry a bit that kids grow up,way too fast back home.  Here in BDA, they get to stay kids a lot longer.  It's just a very different atmosphere.

At any rate, Mina survived, and had a fantastic time.  Her counselors were like the big sisters she never had, and she loved her bunk mates.  I missed her like crazy, and I counted down the days till I could get her back.  

At the same time though, it was also a mini lesson for me in letting go.  Isn't that the hardest job as a parent - trusting that you've taught your child how to behave and why, and letting them venture out in short doses?

Our 2014 Bermuda Year in Review

Time for our annual year in review!  It's cliché, but certainly true for us, that so much can change in one year.

January 2014

As I was preparing for Jordan's 9th birthday, I distinctly recall feeling off sorts.  I was too busy googling how to make a Minecraft birthday cake, and losing my mind copying Pinterest ideas for a  to focus on what was rapidly developing.  That is, I was pregnant.



Fast forward to Jordan's actual birthday weekend - spent in Connecticut at his first gymnastics meet.  I knew by now that I was pregnant with Theo.  Not that this would interfere with watching the meet. 

Jordan scored high enough to medal on rings as well as earn an all-around place for level 4.



We also got a chance to see the cousins!  That was one of the highlights of the trip.



Spring

Fast forward to the spring of 2014 (March-April), our news was out.  We had planned our first Disney cruise, the year before, and it was time to set sail from Port Canaveral, Fl.  Not counting Theo's birth, this cruise was one of the best parts of 2014.



I can't say enough good things about it.  No question that it is pricey, but it is definitely something to save up for.  From beginning to end, we all had an amazing time.  Disney knows how to do it right.



Florida continues to remain one of our favorite home away from homes.  When we returned from the cruise, we enjoyed the remaining days of spring break in Tampa.  The kids got their bounce on at Airheads Trampoline park.



April



Back in BDA, and it was time for the rites of Spring - the Agricultural Fair, Easter weekend, kite flying, egg hunting, etc.  Above, Jordan performs with the boys team at the Ag show doing some tumbling on the stadium grounds.



May



May is for mothers, and my little Bean made my Mother's Day a special treat with nutella rice krispy squares.



I also started hitting nesting mode in late spring and insisted on a yard sale to clear out space.

June



Celebrating Father's Day at Harbourfront restaurant.



Jordan also did extremely well at the annual school prize giving - earning special recognition for academic achievement,

July

The summer marked a milestone for both kids because they had their first experience at sleepaway camp.  For two weeks, the kids got a chance to enjoy summer without their parents.  Jordan trained at a gymnastics center and Mina went to a coed camp nearby in PA.  Both of them raved about their experiences, and Mina has asked to go longer this year. 

I was a nervous wreck, of course, and missed them beyond belief, but it was made easier by being in the US during those weeks.  I caught up with friends and family, did some shopping, then helped bring the kids back home at the end of it.





July was also about birthdays of course - Miss Mina turned 8.



August

The sweltering days of BDA summers were upon us, and I could barely make it off the couch at this point. 

Unfortunately, Jordan contracted some random virus that had him feverish for days on end.  He wound up in the hospital until we finally got it down.  The kids had been scheduled to see Grandma H and Michael during this time.  That had to be postponed.



Luckily though, there was still enough time left in the month to make it back to PA.  More adventures were had with Grandma and Michael leading the way.




September

School started early this year, and Theo decided the first day would make a perfect time for his appearance as well.

Jordan's expression says it all.  He instantly fell in love with the little guy.





October

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year, and we continued to make it a fun day for us all.  Theo managed to get dressed up as well.



October was scary for other reasons - namely the back to back hurricanes we had in the form of Fay and Gonzalo.



The silver lining though was our escape off the island.  For Gonzalo, we decided to bite the bullet and get off.  Escape to PA meant a chance to see family visiting the east coast as well!



Back in BDA, Mina entertained us all with her poetry - selected for the Saltus Poetry café.



November

November was a little quiet for Theo and I.  The big kids departed for the states with their dad to celebrate a family reunion over Thanksgiving.  We stayed behind and got a chance to bond in the early morning hours.  This might have been the first year in history I did not stuff myself with turkey and pumpkin pie.



December

 December is always a busy month here, and this year was no exception.  School Christmas assemblies occupy a big chunk of time, and this year, Mina was a little mouse.  She did so well!



Jordan also had the first overseas meet of the year in Boston.  Despite exceptional scores, he faced stiff competition.  No medals at this one, but we were super proud of him for competing at Level 5 for the first time.



The remainder of the month was filled with holiday parties, music recitals, fabulous food and gift giving.

And of course, Christmas day, itself was spent basking in the brilliance of Bermuda beaches.  That's just how we roll!



It's been the most astounding of years for us.  Our little family has increased by one, but our hearts have grown ten times larger with the love we have for him.  He's fit right in and is becoming the most delicious of babies.  Today (Jan 2) he is officially four months old.  He's smiling, laughing, reaching out for things, rolling over from tummy to back.  He lights up when he sees someone he recognizes, and is finally learning to relax in the car seat.  He's a great baby, and is over the initial colicky stage that beset him early on.  Although he isn't sleeping through the night yet, he consistently gives us 5-6 hour stretches in the evening.  He loves his bathtime, walks in the Bjorn, and his Little Mr. Sunshine in the chair rocker.



We are a lucky family indeed!

Mina turns 8!

Mina turned 8 this July in a frenzied week of celebrating, culminating in a spa party with a few special friends.  We found an amazing place here on the island, called "Inner Beauty Kids Spa."  They arrange for spa birthday parties on site as well as mommy-daughter manicures and pedicures.  Totally girly!  Mina loved it.  I loved the ease of managing an intimate birthday indoors, while in my third trimester.

I tend to go overboard with birthday parties, but this year, the heat, humidity, and late pregnancy hit me hard.  I knew, from looking at Pinterest inspired ideas, it would be easy to go over the top with this theme.  But I restrained myself. 

 KISS!  (Keep it simple...), I kept whispering.



Most of the décor was already in place.



Simple activities, run by lovely staff kept the girls entertained.



The spa is small, which necessitated keeping the guest list manageable.



Glittery options were available.



The timing was pre-lunch, so edibles were light and of the finger-food variety.



I made the cupcakes using the semi-homemade method (Dunkin Hines for the cupcake, homemade frosting for the top, cake toppers I made with art store supplies, sandwiches, cherries in cupcake wrappers, fruit kabobs, cake pop balls - ugh, disaster, but kids loved anyway.)



A happy camper. 

I'm going to consciously stop using the expression, "I can't believe she's (insert age of child) because it's so cliché.  How else can I express it though?  One minute I was driving myself to the ER to deliver her (long story), and the next, she happily jet sets to sleepaway camp for two weeks by herself. She loves clothes and fashion and designing outfits.  She's a reader, just like her mom, and gravitates towards all sorts of books like Dork Diaries, to Roald Dahl, to fairy princess tales.  Sometimes, she'll take her entire collection of cuddlies, line them up, and read to them.  She still adores bunny rabbits, and her favorite one "Luvabul," which she's had since she was a few months old, is still alive and well.  She informed me Luvabul will be attending her marriage.  If she gets married.  She changes her mind about that frequently.  She plays piano, swims like a fish, and has started taking sailing lessons - such a quintessential BDA thing.

She never lacks for friends, and unlike me - she always knows what to say to people in any situation.  Her social skills leave me astounded.  I would be at a loss without her by my side.  She happily joins me in the kitchen to cook or bake, feed the dog or set the table.  And she does it with such a smile.  Every night, she cuddles next to me for lullabies, and hugs my ever expanding belly.  "It's just so cute I can't help it!"  She says with a grin.  She tries talking to the baby through my belly button and laughs at the silliness of it all.

It looks like she'll be the only daughter I'll ever have, and for that - I am  grateful.  I couldn't ask for a better one.

I'm so sad the kids are back to school....

hahahahaha!



Monday marked the return to normalcy in our household. I for one, am breathing a hearty sigh of relief. In the hopes of starting the new school year right, we tried to get ourselves organized in the preceeding weeks.

Yeah. That went well.

Day One:

Jeff wakes up at the crack of dawn. Oscar, sensing food must be coming, leaps up and starts tippy tapping his doggie nails across the hardwood floor of our bedroom. I curse Overstock.com for failing to get all our bedroom rugs and furniture together so I can have everything sent via container to Bermuda.

I get up a few minutes later and get "dressed." I go downstairs for water.

Jordan is already up, dressed in his uniform and is sitting at the kitchen counter discussing how soon he will be allowed to play Minecraft. His hair is sticking straight up, thus confirming he paid no attention to me during the conversations we had regarding grooming.

Mina wakes up shortly thereafter, dresses herself and as I get ready to braid her hair, she sits down for a lengthy discussion of the dream she had the night before.. "You know, mom.. the one about my dad - the vampire."

She goes downstairs and joins Jordan for breakfast. He ignores the banana crumb muffins I so lovingly baked the night before.

Both kids kill time by practicing piano and complaining about the electronics ban.

I walk Oscar, pack lunchboxes, fill water bottles, then sit down for my coffee and emails. I realize I have forgotten to pack an "art smock" for Mina.

Commence search for suitable smock as the clock keeps ticking. I scramble for rags under the kitchen sink and settle on a lovely orange Brooklyn Brewery t-shirt, circa 1995, that I never quite got around to ripping up.

Thrilled with myself for not throwing anything out!

Hoarders unite!

As I round up kids to get in car, Jordan informs me his shoes are too tight.

"But we tried the shoes on last week, and you said they fit just fine!"

"No, Mommeeee... they're too tight!"

I grind my teeth together and inform him he will have to suck it up till we have time to buy more shoes.

He frowns.

I send them outside for commemorative first day back to school picture.

He makes many nasty faces at me.

I force them to stand outside in Bermuda humidity till I get one fake happy look.

We go upstairs to car, and I take more pictures.

Suddenly it dawns on me that we are almost out of the house, and I begin smiling uncontrollably.

As we drive down the road, for the 5 minute car ride (YES!!! One Stop this year!!)I grin at every person walking, stumbling, riding down the street.

Yeah you, Mr. "shopping at Serpentine Liquors at 8 am in the morning!" High five! I'll get the next round!



Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!

That was then..

We're in the final stretch before summer break.  As usual, the schools cram in as much as possible during these last two weeks... class picnics, moving up ceremonies, a pirate party, class trips, a concert..

When I look back through the years, it seems hard to believe..

That was then:



This is now:



Jordan has been celebrating as well. Most recently, he joined the year 3 and 4 classes for a trip to Clearwater Beach, in St. David's.

But he's always loved the beach.

That was then:



This is now:



One week left till summer break!

When I grow up....

At lunch today, the Monkey and I had an interesting conversation. It was prompted by a photograph which appeared on the front page of the Dining Out section of the New York Times. I usually leave the paper on the table during the day. I glance at it during meals, and sometimes the kids point out pictures and we talk about them.

Today, Jordan pointed out a picture of three young chefs. He wanted to know who "those kids" were.

I explained that they weren't kids; they were grown ups. In fact, they were chefs. See, one even has chef knives in her hand.

Jordan: Knives are for grown-ups.

me: That's right. Knives are for grown-ups.

Jordan: When I'm a grown up, I can use a knife too.

me (starting to worry about the direction this conversation is taking): Umm.. yeah. When you're a grown up, you can use a knife. What would you cut with a knife?

Jordan: I would cut up hot dogs.

Me: (relief) There's lots of stuff grown ups can do that little kids can't. What would you like to do when you're a grown up?

Jordan (pausing for a full minute to really think this over): When I'm a grown-up, I'm going to drink soda.

(to put this into context, let me explain. Since Jordan was maybe 14 months old, he would ask us what things were. At first, he would point and ask "Ada?" As he got older, he articulated his inquiry - "what's that?" Every time he pointed to a can of Diet coke, which I always seemed to have around, I would respond, "Diet soda, it's not for babies.)

He forgets nothing. And is waiting for the day when he can open up his own can of carbonated goodness. Some kids can't wait to sneak their first beer. Mine can't wait for their diet soda, not for babies.



In other news, today was orientation for Jordan's school. He's moved up to the next "grade" at preschool. He's no longer a "tiny seed." Now, he's a "busy spider." There's some Eric Carlyle references going on here, I think.



We did our traditional pose-with-the-girl out front shot. Jordan did a nice job exploring his new classroom and meeting his new teachers. He was thrilled to see one of his old teachers, who was assisting with administrative matters today. She sat down and started chatting with him about his summer. He smiled at her and gave her a hug and a kiss. Unprompted. (Where did this child come from???) When we went to the playground for refreshments, another old teacher came over to visit. Jordan greeted her with the same enthusiasm. That made me feel good. At least he's not running in the other direction.



He was also remarkably patient as one of the aides tried to take his picture for class. Fifteen or so attempts later, he was still sitting nicely on the wooden bench while she fumbled with the camera. And I thought my camera skills needed work.

I think he's gotten a little bigger since last year.





They just keep growing. Slowly, but surely.

Kind of like my tomatoes.



Or Beanie's cheeks.