Eight is GR8T!
Today, 2/19/12, was Garrett’s 8th birthday. Eight! How did that happen? He seems so old, but really he’s still a little boy. But there’s nothing little about him. At this rate, he’ll be as tall as me by the time he’s 12. No matter how old or tall, he’ll always be our baby. Below are some pictures from the last couple of days of celebration. Enjoy!
Dave & I joined Garrett and his buddies for lunch on the Friday before his birthday.
Garrett, serving birthday cupcakes to his classmates at his classroom birthday party.
Birthday breakfast!
We. Lucked. Out. I plan an outdoor birthday party in February, and we get a beautiful day at the beach.
This was all we really saw of Garrett and his friends at his party. As it should be!
There was just enough of a breeze that we couldn't keep the candles lit. So all the kids "imagined" burning candles and Garrett blew them out.
Happy 8th Birthday, Garrett!
A Little Faith
As a family, we recently attended “Scout Sunday” at a church nearby our home. This church sponsors our Cub Scout Pack and dedicates a service a year to connecting the Scouts with the members. We use their space and resources on a regular basis, and for that we are very grateful. We don’t regularly attend church, and Garrett’s been curious about what a church service is like. We thought that attending this service was a good opportunity for Garrett, and for us to share our appreciation to the church for their support.
It was a lovely service. We knew lots of people in the congregation. As the service let out we got to chatting with friends. Another Scout leader approached and asked us to move into the main gathering hall, as the Governor of our great state had attended the service and had agreed to pose for pictures with the Scouts. Our Governor shook Garrett’s hand, clowned around with the boys and personally thanked the Scout leaders present (including Dave) for the time, dedication and leadership. It was all very exciting.
But this story isn’t about religion or our brush with fame. It’s about my purse, which I had left on the floor of the church, at my feet, under the pew in front of me. I realized I didn’t have it with me approximately 10 minutes after the service ended, after pictures with the Gov. When I went back to get it, it was gone.
If you’ve ever lost a purse or a wallet, you know the drill. You’re embarrassed and maybe a little panicked, but mostly trying to problem solve. There were lots of people still milling around, so a friend of mine and I started asking around, and people mobilized for us. The main church was searched, storage spaces, nooks and crannies, you name it. No purse.
I waited over 24 hours to cancel my cards, watching my accounts online to see if there was any activity, which their wasn’t. I just couldn’t believe that someone would steal my purse…at church. I waited over 48 hours to start replacing things. I waited for that call – the “oh-my-gosh-I’m-so-sorry-I-didn’t-realize-I-had-your-purse” call. It didn’t come.
But another call did. Wednesday night, my purse was found in the entry-way of the church. It was completely in tact. It don’t believe it had just been sitting there for the last three days. I searched the church pretty thoroughly twice on Sunday, and the staff did a search on Monday morning. I can only guess that someone did find it in their home or their car, tangled in jackets or other bags, and embarrassed, returned it quietly to be “found.”
No matter the circumstances, I’m grateful to have it back. Sure, canceling and replacing things was a hassle, but peace of mind overshadows those inconveniences. Naturally, in our small community, word got out pretty quickly about what happened. I know a lot of people were pretty disheartened to hear the story. I’m grateful to the person who returned my purse, and pleased to share the happy ending…to restore a little faith.
January Book Review
Wow! Mix a little vacation with some excellent books and walla – I read six books in January!!! I can’t remember the last time I read so many books. Honestly, I did do other things this month, like go to work and cook dinners and stuff. But I will admit I got less sleep, staying up later than usual to read, read, read. I will state now that I recommend each an every book below, wholeheartedly!
The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morten is a mystery spanning four generations and about 100 years. In addition to many fascinating characters, it features a secret garden that one can only reach through a garden maze. Both are marvelous physical representations of the story itself. The Forgotten Garden is a fat book, and while I almost never complain about fat books, I can assure you that each time I started to feel a little tired with this long story, there was a twist that completely sucked me back in. A great vacation read!
I started Sarah’s Key on the first flight home from our vacation in San Diego. I finished it about 12 hours later. Reading this book was a long time in coming. I started hearing about it from friends last summer, and one of my book club friends chose it months in advance of her assigned month. It’s been sitting on my shelf, calling to me. And it was worth the wait. Many books about WWII are deeply moving and disturbing, and this work of historical fiction is both. My only criticism is that I had a hard time relating to the modern day main character, and often found her personal issues petty and distracting. I suppose that’s the case when you compare many of our modern day “tragedies” to those that took place in WWII.
The Likeness, by Tana French is the second in a series of books focused on the fictional Dublin Ireland Murder Squad. Her first, In the Woods, was a gripping read…a bit like a roller coasters ride out of control. I’m not a fan of roller coasters and generally not a fan of crime novels, but am loving this new author. The Likeness did not disappoint. Tana French writes with a fast, smart pace, and I find myself tense and edgy when I read her books. But they are SO worth reading.
While wandering the Seattle airport on the way home from vacation, I came across the book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua. It’s a nonfictional book about an American born, Chinese woman who chooses to raise her half Chinese, half Jewish children the “Chinese way.” I was intrigued. Other than some vague, stereotypical cultural concepts, I didn’t have the foggiest idea about the Chinese way. The author fully discloses that she uses the term “Chinese mother” loosely. “I recently met a supersuccessful white guy from South Dakota…and after comparing notes we decided that his working-class father had definitely been a Chinese mother.” Part cultural influences, part personal quirks, Amy Chua bluntly shares many examples of the choices she made on how to raise her two daughters. And I mean, blunty. I think I said, “Oh my God” out loud, about a hundred times while reading this book. As a “Western” mother, I found her parenting style shocking. But she got me thinking, especially about the concept of having high expectations for our children. It’s a short, jaw dropping read. This would be great in a book club setting with a bunch of parents. I’ll bet it would generate some interesting conversation.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova, is a fictional story of 50 year old Alice Howland, Harvard professor and highly respected psychologist in linguistics. She begins to experience some memory issues that she chalks up to menopause…until she can’t figure out how to get home from a jog in her neighborhood one day. After several months and a couple of doctor’s appointments, it’s confirmed that she has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This story follows Alice’s steady and dramatic decline for the next year and a half. It’s a powerful book, made even more powerful when you learn that the author has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and cared for her vibrant and active grandmother after she was diagnosed and eventually succumbed to Alzheimer’s. A very moving story, and perhaps difficult to read if you have genuine concerns about memory issues in someone you care for.
And finally, I gobbled up The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Several people had recommended it to me, and I had the hardest time finding it in town. I got it on loan from the library with a restricted loan time (2 weeks instead of a month) because it’s “such a popular item.” I tried to buy it first at our local bookstore, and the poor guy at the register sighed when I asked him where to find a copy. “We can’t keep them in stock.” Let me tell you, there’s a reason for that. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, is unforgettable. This is the first in a trilogy of books. Now I have to go in search of the second one!
And then the month of January ended! And there’s a whole stack of books and a whole new month ahead. What are you reading in this new year? Any must-reads on your bookshelf?? Share please! lori@alaskafamily.net.
What??? It’s still winter!
Taking a vacation in the heart of winter is such a blessing. But returning to the cold, dark, snow is a bit of a shock to the system. Especially when there are still several months of winter left. Note to self: vacation in late February/early March next time.
We’ve gotten about two feet (or more) of snow in the last week. This after a wicked cold snap of temperatures at 25 below zero with wind chill. I’m not complaining – we could be Valdez or Cordova – two Alaskan communities struggling with record breaking, life threatening snow fall this winter. Check out some pictures from Cordova at this link: http://www.adn.com/2012/01/09/2254598/reader-photos-cordova-snow.html#id=2258123&view=large_view
And check out some of our pictures from recent outdoor adventures, back at home.
Smiles at the Glacier
Here we are!
Getting the runs on the sledding hill ready before the friends arrive.
Our "Dicken's Pole" complete with snowy hats.
This is what Dave looked like every morning this week.
Vacation-isms
Garrett and I worked together to keep a travel journal this past vacation to San Diego. Almost every day I had him write a few sentences about what we did and what he thought. I added a note here and there, and we rounded it out with drawings, postcards and pictures. In the back, I kept a separate log of some of his funnier moments. And here they are.
Everyone we saw had some sort of comment about how Garrett looked like Dave and/or I. He heard a lot about his height. One evening during dinner, he leaned over to me and said, “Mom, I have Dad’s legs. What do I have of you?” Feeling a little sassy, I replied, “My sparkling personality.” He slowly sat back, looked at me thoughtfully and said, “Right. Of course.”
We visited friends, and Garrett got to play with an 8 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. The kids threw on their swimsuits and jumped into the hot tub to play. When they got out, they wandered into the house soaking wet, needing to dry off and change. We mothers trailed behind the kids, and as they got to the bedrooms, my friend directed her kids into one room and Garrett into another, saying to Garrett, “Why don’t you have to go into that room to change so you don’t have to see any of my kids bits and pieces.” She said it off-handedly, and I didn’t even really pay much attention until Garrett said to me, “I’ve already seen her bits and pieces,” referring to the 8 year old girl. “How’s that?” I asked, as lightly as I could. “Have you been in her room, Mom?” Garrett asked. “She’s got a TON of stuff.”
While visiting Dave’s mom’s house, Garrett, Dave and I all shared one room. Garrett had a blow-up bed on the floor next to our bed – next to the side that Dave slept on. For the first time ever, Garrett had a hard time adjusting to a new place. He was so anxious that he woke me up twice in the middle of the night that first night, walking around the bed in the dark bedroom to stand above me and wake me up. On the second night, he asked me to change sides of the bed so he didn’t have to walk so far if he woke up. “Wake up your Dad – he’s right there!” was my response. Garrett’s comeback: “But Dad doesn’t know everything like you do.”
And finally, Garrett thoroughly enjoyed the fact that his Grandma has cable television, and because we were on vacation, we let him watch a lot more TV than we normally do. As we drove to the airport on the day we were scheduled to fly home, June sighed and said, “Oh, the house is going to be so quiet without you all.” Garrett piped up from the backseat. “Grandma, just turn on Cartoon Network. That will help.”
Goofing around at Lake Murray, San Diego.
The Very Best of San Diego
We Klein’s recently returned from nine wonderful days in San Diego. I’m not a big fan of traveling during the holidays, but we took advantage of holiday closures from work and school and got the heck out of dodge after Christmas. We missed our pets and friends (but not the weather) while we were away from Juneau. But the vacation was long overdue and pretty darn terrific.
Garrett with his Uncle Mike, Grandma June and Dave.
The great part about traveling during the holidays is that other people are too. We were so fortunate that our visit to San Diego overlapped with some far-flung friends and family. Dave’s brother Mike came down from San Francisco, and we all stayed with my mother-in-law, June. Dave’s childhood friend, Steve, his wife Julie Ann, and their two children, Nate (10) and Jenna (8) overlapped one day with us, and we enjoyed a fantastic evening together. Dave’s aunt Jeannette and her friend Chuck were visiting from Arizona, and Dave’s cousin Teresa hosted a wonderful family reunion brunch, spanning four generations! And after 9 long years we reconnected with the Thornton family. Dave and Daryl have been friends since high school. The last time our two families got together it was just the four of us – pre-kids! We were so happy to meet their three amazing children, Miya (7), Olivia (5) and John (3). Of course, we spent lots of time visiting Great Grandma Helen. She lives with Dave’s Uncle Dean and Dean’s wife, Sue. We were blessed to have so much quality time with family and friends.
Garrett and his Great Grandma, Helen.
You all know the saying, “when in Rome….” While in San Diego, we took advantage of so many things that the city and surrounding areas offer. Garrett got to see his first IMAX film after exploring some of Balboa Park. We got a little shopping in. Along with thousands of others, we rang in the New Year in Legoland. We went to the beach twice, witnessing “big surf” days with 15-18 foot swells. We visited SeaWorld for the first time. And Dave and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary a little early, enjoying a walking wine tasting tour in La Jolla.
- Dave & Garrett in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Celebrating the new year in Legoland
Eat. Drink. Be Merry. The Public House, La Jolla
We asked Garrett what his favorite parts of the trip were and without hesitation, he said, “everything!” We teased him that he was taking the easy way out of answering, but when he turned the question on us, we couldn’t pull out favorites either. Because everything was a favorite! Overall, it was a solid, excellent family vacation.
Driving School at Legoland was a highlight for all of us.
Garrett couldn't get enough of the beach, although he agreed that Juneau beaches are better. The big find: an abalone shell in La Jolla Cove.
Garrett watches beluga whales at SeaWorld. He said he loved the "science" of SeaWorld.
I’ve decided that I like starting the new year with a vacation. I think we may have found a new Klein family tradition? Reality set in with the 6 am alarm clock this morning. Dave said he spent his first day at work peeking at our trip pictures. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Click here for more pictures of the trip.
Enjoying sun and surf at La Jolla Cove. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is filled with special memories for you as well.
Holiday Happiness
Ah, the big day has come and gone. No more countdowns. No more anticipation. We were blessed again this Christmas with entirely too many gifts, an abundance of good food and drink, and valued quality time with friends and family (by phone). All in all, it’s been a happy time at our house, and I hope you can say the same for yours. Below is a smattering of pictures from the last couple of weeks of holiday happiness.
Santa got dressed in a hurry, but that didn't deter the boys from their excitement at the Scout Holiday Pack Meeting.
Classroom Gingerbread House Making!
Our (not-so) little elf on Christmas Eve.
Santa brought Garrett a keyboard - the thing he wanted most. Here, Garrett entertains Agnes the bearded dragon on Christmas day.
Our Christmas Day walk was blustery, cold and fun!
Let Heaven & Nature Sing! Christmas Day, Juneau.
We woke on 12.26 to snow! Garrett made this awesome snowman before the rain came in.
December Book Review
I’m starting the December book review early, since I just started a big, fat book (The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton) that I know I won’t get done by the end of the month. So here’s what I accomplished in December.
Maise Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear. Set post WWI, reflecting back on wartime, Maise Dobbs is a smart and independent woman at a time where smart and independent women were looked down upon. Yet she makes her own way as a successful and respected private detective. This is the first of in a series of books with Maise as the central character, and I must say I’m looking forward to picking up the next one. I give this a solid three (or maybe a 3.5) out of five.
The second book I read in December was The Next Queen of Heaven, A Novel, by Gregory Maguire.
This book cracked me up. Literally. I was riding the bus and laughing out loud. Maguire is known for his “revisionist retelling of children’s stories” (Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, etc.,), but this work is set in contemporary times. Featuring a Catholic church and the “Radical Radiant” Pentecostal church sharing a parking lot, congregation members and a whole lot more, this novel takes place between Halloween and Christmas, filled with wacky, small town characters and all the ups and downs the holidays bring. A perfect read this time of year, and I found myself wishing I had been raised Catholic, so I could “get” some more of the humor. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
And finally, I read Winner of the National Book Award, by Jincy Willett. Yes, it’s really a book called Winner of the National Book Award. It’s a story about twin sisters: one, the town tramp; the other, the town spinster. They know each other better than they know themselves. The town tramp marries a psychotic man whom she eventually kills, and subsequently cooperates in writing a book about her marriage and the murder. The twin sister (the spinster), reads the book one afternoon and shares with the reader the “real” story behind the book. This was one of the most unique “perspective” books I’ve ever read. It’s billed as a novel about “fame, honor and really bad weather.” But honestly, it’s about sex. I give it a solid 3 out of 5.
Another year of reading stretches ahead. I can’t wait! What’s on your list for 2012? Happy Holidays! Stay in touch: lori@alaskafamily.net
Garrett-isms
Garrett has been full of little quips and quirks lately. They’ve tickled my funny bone enough to jot them down in his journal, and I thought I would share them here.
One night at dinner, Garrett was telling us how is friend “M” told him that he couldn’t add 2 + 3. We know “M” well enough to know he can add to 5, and Dave said as much. Garrett laughed and said, “yep, I knew he was just tugging at my arm.”
After a couple of weeks of rain at the beginning of the month, we were all getting a little grouchy with each other. On a Saturday morning I declared that, regardless of the weather, we would take a walk on the beach together that afternoon. Lucky for us, the sun dropped down below the clouds! Our spirits lifted as we walked, hand-in-hand, along the beach, searching for treasures. We got about half way down the beach and Garrett said he was ready to go back to the truck. “Just a little farther,” I urged, pointing to spot up ahead. “We can turn around at that tree.” We got to the tree and Garrett wanted to keep going. “Wait a minute,” I said. “Just a second ago you were whining that you were tired and ready to go back to the truck.” With a sigh he said, “Mom, you should know by now that I change my mind every 3-4 minutes.”
Dave and Garrett were running errands in the car. A story came on NPR that caught Dave’s attention – a book review of a new book about military and government officials who had first hand encounters with UFOs. At some point in the story, it caught Garrett’s attention too, but he didn’t quite catch the context. “Dad,” Garrett piped up from the back seat (evidently with some concern in his voice), “are aliens attacking the earth?”
Like many of you, we’ve been busy this month with lots of holiday festivities. I didn’t realize just how busy we were until Garrett said to me, “Mom, are you free to do something with me tonight?”
And finally, the other night we attended a play at our local theater. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was getting rave reviews and we were excited to go. The play started at 7:30 pm and wrapped up around 10 pm. As we drove home, Garrett started to doze in the back seat. We got to the house and he started to fake cry when we told him he had to get out of the car, get himself into the house, teeth brushed and into bed. “I can’t do it! I’m too tired,” was his response. “C’mon! You can do this,” I encouraged. “I’m tired too, and I’m so much older than you are.” Trudging ahead of me into the house, Garrett turned and said over his shoulder, “Yes, but you’re so much tougher than me.”
Keep in touch. Email me at lori@alaskafamily.net.
To the beach!
I’ve noted more than once how much we love the beach. A couple of years ago I had a conversation with Garrett that sticks with me still. He was whining and griping about going to the beach, but I made him come anyway. And on the way home he said, “anytime I tell you I don’t want to go to the beach, just ignore me and make me go anyway. I love the beach.” So today, after school, when he asked me if I wanted to go to the beach, I hesitated only long enough to change my shoes. Below are some pictures of our blustery beach walk.
Today's forecast: blustery, with a view of Admiralty Island.
High tide. What little beach was available was prime real estate for the seagulls.
Shoulders hunched against the cold wind, he was still ready to beachcomb. That's my boy!