Evie's Mom

Being fully entrenched in full-time "momhood", my job has me frequenting various SAHM oasises around town. These sacred wells offer the possibility of a few uninterrupted minutes of communication with polite, reasonable human beings during a normal weekday.

 For example,  there's Freddy's Playland----offering free childcare while you shop-err-do a espresso shot at the Peet's Coffee that's attached to the store....
(Confession:  My friend and I did check our daughters into Freddy's while we had a kidless coffee date one Saturday afternoon...)

or there's  ClubSport, the gym with exceptional childcare so mama can get her workout on-(or happy hour on-)...

or, if all else fails, the play gym, a magnificent gymnasium in the basement of a church offering toys and activities for tots of all ages-added bonus: a small cafe. 

Now that Evie is at a preschool in town, I am starting to see the same half- smiling, yoga pants wearing, coffee cup clutching mamas dropping off their kids at preschool Monday morning who then make the Tualatin circuit of Fred Meyer, New Seasons, library story time, gymboree and ClubSport.

 Most of the time we greet each other with a vague smile of recognition, usually wresting and negotiating with other small humans that prohibit us from communicating on any other intelligent level.
However, lately though some moms have been breaking past the obligatory eye grin and greeting me excitedly, suddenly realizing that I am: Evie's Mom. 

I feel as if I'm becoming my daughter's social secretary.

Examples of these interactions.....

Random, half familiar mom at Costco, nearly plowing people over with her overly full cart of fruit snacks, parking next to my totally full cart of irritated children:  "Oh hey, you are Evie's mom! My daughter Karlan just loves Evie. Can we set up a playdate? I'll find your address in the preschool directory and email you. Bye." 

From another woman at the gym in her super trendy yoga pants while I'm sweating like a pig on the stair climber: "Oh hey, you're Evie's mom? My daughter Kim talks about Evie all the time and loves going to the gym because she gets to see her. Here, let me give you my phone number. Text me so we can set up a playdate. Thanks!"
 (Sidenote: Super awkward a week later when I run into her again and haven't texted her...)

Over enthusiastic email in my 'in box' on a rainy Monday morning: "Hi! Just to let you know I sent your daughter Evie an invitation to my daughter's birthday party. We are new to the school and don't really know anyone but my daughter really wants Evie to come and talks about her all the time. "

Text message. 8pm. In my sweats eating a bowl of ice cream watching a "diet competition show": "Hi! What are you guys doing tomorrow after preschool? Want to come over for a playdate? My daughter keeps talking about how she wants to see Evie."

Seriously...not trying to brag or anything, but my daughter is becoming a social butterfly.

And I am getting a reputation of "Evie's Mom."

I knew she would thrive at preschool with the other kids, and I knew that she would have lots of little friends, but I didn't know I'd have to create a separate app just to try to squeeze in playdates and birthday parties for my 4 year old.
However, the problem with these polite inquiries into the social availability of my daughter is that many of these moms don't realize I have THREE two year olds at home to add to my juggling act.

Don't get me wrong, I try and really want to give Evie all the social opportunities as humanly possible...but I am one human with four little humans attached to me.
You want us all at your house?!! hehe

My friends and I were reminiscing about the days of long ago when we'd pass our mornings toting around our single child accessory, attending "playdates." Sipping vanilla lattes, we'd vent about our parenting struggles or boast about the latest trick our darling child has preformed.

One child each...three years later: 2, 3, 3, 4 each!

Evie is getting to an age too when moms are talking about signing their kids up for sports, and gymnastics, and swimming, and music lessons, and this and that and playdate number 58....and ahhh!
What's a mother to do in a world with so many potential relationships and wonderful, enriching childhood experiences?!
 How does one sift through and figure out who/what to invest time in, (AND balance three other toddlers?!)

Anyhow, I guess what I am slowly learning is an even bigger life lesson: You've got to say NO to some really good things to say YES to the great ones. I'm not saying some friends or relationships are better or more important, but there are so many wonderful opportunities, friendships, clubs, sports, experiences...and you just can't do them all...and do them WELL.

 What I do know is I'm proud of Evie. Obviously she exhibits qualities of love, acceptance and genuine care to people and that is why a lot of people like to be around her.

 She's also a whole lot of fun too.. ;) but she gets that from her daddy.

Holiday Celebrations 2015!

Its been a while since I’ve written. I usually try to get in at least one blog entry a month!…! However, I haven’t written since before Thanksgiving. I guess the whole holiday season swallowed me up this year. 

I finally took down the Christmas decorations. I love all the Christmas lights and sparkly objects. However, the day after everything is over, they must come down. There is just a stale feeling in the house the next day, a claustrophobic feeling…an anxious feeling of being surrounded by  so many things. I have such a sense of urgency to get everything packed up. 

Let's just get back to reality!...

Besides, two days after Christmas we have Evie's birthday. 

                                                                           Let the celebrations continue!

Thanksgiving was spent with John’s brother Rob, his wife Melissa and their two girls, Cady and Geneva and John's mom and dad.  Once again, John wowed us all with his smoked turkey and a fantastic feast!

Geneva and Evie and Thanksgiving feasting

Fun Uncle Rob

The boys still weren't too excited about Thanksgiving food this year....

Food comas...

Evie's Thanksgiving party at school

Then, the first week in December my grandma flew in for a weeks visit. She helped decorate the house for Christmas, including the tree. We had a great visit with her. We also had a visit with Santa. The only person who was excited about the jolly old man was Caleb. Evie warmed up a bit, but it wasn't worth paying for the $40.00 picture. 

GG and her clan

Getting ready to visit Santa!

On Santa's trail...

On the "nice" list...

Right after her departure, our lives were just packed with activity. We had Christmas desserts, two friend’s birthday dinners, fundraising events, church events, ballet performances, cookie exchanges, gift exchanges...

Evie and Brittney at her ballet show


and of course our annual Christmas cocktail party in our basement. 

This was our 9th year putting this on. Its always a good time seeing all of our friends. This year we had a lot of new people, which was really exciting and fun. I’ve gotten to know a lot of women from our neighborhood the past few months. We’ve started getting together once a month to socialize and play bunco. 

On Dec. 20, my parents flew in to spend Christmas here in Oregon for the first time ever. 

Grandpa's here!

Evie built a gingerbread house with Grandma and Grandpa

I haven’t spent Christmas with them in two years, so it was so very special. AND, my brother Brad flew in a few days later to hang out with everyone too. It has been a year and a half since I’ve seen him and it was really good to catch up. 

Christmas Eve we all went to a candlelight service at church, which was really wonderful.  Christmas day just unveiled itself All* Day *Long. We had  both Grandparents amongst the joyful chaos. It started out early with stockings, 

and gifts,

 and then more gifts, including a jeep

These jeeps don't build themselves...

 and a wagon 

and finally a basement full of tunnels and tents to explore and climb in. 

I don't know if anything can beat this Christmas.

My brother gave each of the kids authentic instruments which included a hand drum, shaker, percussion sticks and a tambourine.

 We spent  part of the evening dancing and playing along with John as he sang with his guitar. We ended the evening by having a quiet Christmas dinner by the Christmas tree, with just the adults. It was perfect. 

The next day we went to the Portland Aquirium….tried to detox a bit…..before tumbling into Dec. 27 which is Evie’s 4th birthday.

 It was a 4:00 dinner at Red Robin kind of celebration!

 It was the very first time we attempted to take all the kids out to a restaruant. All things considered, it was a success!  Levi was a champ and sat and ate like a small adult. Caleb and James just wanted to wander around and really didn't care about the whole dining experience too much. Overall, I woulnd’t have done this with any less adults, and it’s really not worth doing it again anytime soon. 

a new bike from Grandma and Grandpa

Finally, after the wrapping paper and cake were settled and the kids in bed, John and I giddily took off for our two night escape downtown while my parents held down the fort with Amanda. Hehe..yes, I was giddy. 

John and I ushered in the New Year with Moscow Mules and Dateline, barely making it to midnight. We started off 2016 with another Christmas celebration with John's side of the family

 and an unexpected snowfall! There was just enough snow and ice to cancel church, school and Evie's birthday party. However, there was also enough to build a very small snowman.

 John also took Evie sledding down an inclined cal-de-sac near our house. 

                                                                               Onward to 2016!