Being fortunate enough to live within just a few miles of family (my sister Kim and her family), we often find ourselves spending major holidays together. So what do you do when the cousins are all together? Make movies, of course.
These were both filmed, directed, produced and edited by my awesomely talented niece, Jessie Lohberg.
Thanksgiving 2008: McKenzie's Turkey Day Fatness, starring McKenzie
Easter 2009: Crushcrushcrush Music Video, starring Kara Lohberg, Jessie Lohberg, McKenzie, Elise and Sydney
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Adventures in public restrooming
Some of you may not yet be aware of my love-hate relationship with the public restroom. Actually, it's more of a hate-hate relationship. :all over body shudder: Well, my dear friends, I'm about to tell you a tale so wild, so beyond the realm of good reason, so un-freaking-believable, that you will all most likely dismiss it as a dream or acid trip and call me a wacked-out delusional liar. But all I can tell you is it IS true. I lived it. If I hadn't experienced it myself, I'm certain I would not believe it either.
Just a few miles east of Boise, Idaho off the I-84 interstate you will find a beautiful oasis of public restroomery. I'm not even sure where to start. You walk into a building, a clean building with benches, gleaming benches free of grafitti, gum and other sticky substances of unknown origin. To the left and the right are doors. Many doors. Each leads to a sanctuary, your own private sanctuary where you can find the ultimate relief unhampered and untainted by fears of contact with foreign bodily fluids and invisible communicable diseases.
Floor to ceiling there is beautiful tile in natural stone hues. The floors are dry and free of any questionable debris. The toilet paper and toilet seat cover dispensers--fully stocked. Toilet flushing mechanism, sink faucet and hand dryer are all automated. The hand soap actually smells good. The hand dryer actually dries your hands. We always venture into the reststops as a group, my girls and I--safety in numbers, you know. So we were sharing this spacious handicap/family bathroom, and while Sydney was taking her turn, McKenzie was drying her hands. The hand dryer is mounted a good 7-8 feet away from the toilet on the opposite wall, yet while McKenzie was drying her hands, Sydney's hair was flying in the warm breeze, the toilet paper fluttering on its roll. And this warm breeze not only dried McKenzie's hands like that--like that!--but also circulated the most delightful aroma. It was like cinnamon bears or hot apple cider.
We hesitated to leave that place. We lingered at the door for just a moment wishing they could all be like this. A tear of joy welled up at the bottom of my eye as I tried to commit every detail to memory. Imagine it--a public restroom nicer than your own bathroom at home! I know, I know. But it's true. I swear it's true.
When we got back to the car, we told Nate and Tyler to prepare themselves for a very special experience. We waited.
Elise: I'm going to tell Tyler the toilet flushed 3 times while McKenzie was on it.
McKenzie: No you're not! It happened to me, Elise. I'm telling him!
Elise: It doesn't matter.
Nate and Tyler returned to the car.
Tyler: Those bathrooms rock!
Nate: Those were nice.
Tyler: Dad took pictures.
Me: Were yours tiled?
Nate: Yeah, they were all tiled...and cinnamony.
And then, as if order must be restored to our universe, when we tried to leave, our car wouldn't start. The battery was dead. We had to sit around for ten minutes, waiting for someone to come to the rest stop. At one point Nate said, "Man, for crying out loud, doesn't anybody need to use the bathroom?!" Finally, a lovely party of elderly travellers pulled up beside us. Nate asked for their assistance and they happily agreed. They only asked if they could please use the bathroom first. We eventually got on our way, but the minor inconvenience was well worth it. I would trade a working vehicle for a public restroom like that any day.
Other public restroom adventures.
McKenzie, getting out of the car: Do I look presentable?
Me: For the Burger King bathroom? Yeah.
Sharing a stall.
Elise, taking her turn: Shield your eyes!
Sydney, covering her eyes: Sheel yo eyes! And then peeking, Ew...a butt!
Coming back to the car.
Nate: Did you have fun?
Elise: Going to the bathroom?
More family random speak
At the dinner table.
Nate: You know, people in Chile eat chili because they’re chilly.
Elise: Chile isn’t a place.
After I finished rolling my eyes, I was sure to inform Elise that Chile is indeed a place.
First words out of Sydney's mouth Monday morning.
Syd: There’s a smile on my bottom. My armpit smells pizza.
Yo-kay.
Tyler gets random at the dinner table.
Tyler: Six is my favorite color of the alphabet.
I usually don’t bother responding.
Tyler has a new game he plays with his friends—one person supplies the answers, then the other person comes up with a question.
Tyler's answers:
A) 4
B) lick them
C) I don’t know
D) all of the above
His friend’s question: What do you do when a stranger walks up to you?
Hey, at least they’re not doing drugs. I think.
More at the table.
Me: Sydney looks old to me today for some reason.
Tyler: It’s probably that oreo ’stache.
Huh, that’s funny. I thought facial chocolate usually made you look younger.
More Tyler random at the dinner table.
Tyler: I like my chili like I like my women—chunky and meaty.
Me, looking at him, he’s giggling: Where’s that from?
He’s still giggling.
Me: Did you just make that up?
Tyler, still giggling: I’m a freak.
Yeah, but he’s my freak and I love him.
Nate: You know, people in Chile eat chili because they’re chilly.
Elise: Chile isn’t a place.
After I finished rolling my eyes, I was sure to inform Elise that Chile is indeed a place.
First words out of Sydney's mouth Monday morning.
Syd: There’s a smile on my bottom. My armpit smells pizza.
Yo-kay.
Tyler gets random at the dinner table.
Tyler: Six is my favorite color of the alphabet.
I usually don’t bother responding.
Tyler has a new game he plays with his friends—one person supplies the answers, then the other person comes up with a question.
Tyler's answers:
A) 4
B) lick them
C) I don’t know
D) all of the above
His friend’s question: What do you do when a stranger walks up to you?
Hey, at least they’re not doing drugs. I think.
More at the table.
Me: Sydney looks old to me today for some reason.
Tyler: It’s probably that oreo ’stache.
Huh, that’s funny. I thought facial chocolate usually made you look younger.
More Tyler random at the dinner table.
Tyler: I like my chili like I like my women—chunky and meaty.
Me, looking at him, he’s giggling: Where’s that from?
He’s still giggling.
Me: Did you just make that up?
Tyler, still giggling: I’m a freak.
Yeah, but he’s my freak and I love him.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Reflections Awards 2009
McKenzie and Elise both entered the PTA Relections contest this year. They each submitted a drawing and a photograph.
Elise was awarded first place ribbons for both her drawing and photograph at her school, Grove Elementary.
Elise's photograph was taken at Ecola Park in Cannon Beach, OR during our vacation there last summer.
Elise was awarded first place ribbons for both her drawing and photograph at her school, Grove Elementary.
Elise's photograph was taken at Ecola Park in Cannon Beach, OR during our vacation there last summer.
Her favorite animal right now is the hippo. She can't get enough of the hippo.
McKenzie was awarded a first place ribbon for her photograph and an honorable mention for her drawing.
McKenzie also took her picture at Ecola Park. She got some big "Ooooh"s from the crowd at the school district's award ceremony.
Flamingos are all the rage with McKenzie this year.
The school then forwarded their first place winning entries to the district level. It's a shame McKenzie's drawing wasn't eligible to be forwarded on to the district contest. I know I'm biased, but it really was much better than most of the award winners.
Elise won a second place ribbon for her photograph and a participation award for her drawing.
McKenzie won a first place ribbon for her photograph.
The girls were both excited to come home pretty ribbons. We're proud of them for just making the effort.
Conversations with McKenzie
These all took place at the breakfast table this morning.
McKenzie: Sometimes when I'm talking---and this has only happened at home, well, maybe once or twice at school---but sometimes when I'm talking, a little drool slips out of my mouth. But it mostly just happens at home.
When the kids do embarrassing things at home I always ask, "You don't do that at school, do you?"
McKenzie is always getting after Elise about clearing her dishes from the table.
McKenzie: When I grow up my family's going to have a rule that if you don't clear your dish from the meal before, you have to use that same dish for the next meal.
Me: Did you just make that up?
McKenzie: No, I've been thinking about it for a few weeks.
For weeks.
Future hopes and dreams.
McKenzie: When I grow up, I want to have 9 kids---5 girls and 4 boys.
Me: Why?
McKenzie: Because I have lots of names to use plus I just want to. There's going to be Dominic, Lexi, Christopher and Chrysanthemum (they're twins and we're going to call them both Chris because Chryssy would be like a tomboy and Christoper wouldn't like Christopher), Trevor, Lola and Kylee (they're twins too), and Sunny.
Me: You're missing a boy.
McKenzie: I have it written down in my journal. Do you want me to grab it real quick?
Me: If you want.
McKenzie, not finished with her breakfast: I'll take my toast. Coming back downstairs. It was Sam. OK, so it's Dominic and then Lexi Lily, Christopher Frank and Chrysanthemum Joy (wait, it's really Joy Chrysanthemum), Trevor Fred, Lola Violet and Kylee Rose, Sam Phil, and Sunny Lupin.
Me: Lupin?
McKenzie: It's a flower. I want all the girls' second names to be flowers.
Me: How come Dominic doesn't have a second name?
McKenzie: I thought my husband could pick that one. Remember my caterpillars' names? (McKenzie's second grade class studied caterpillars and each student got to raise a few of their own from caterpillar to butterfly.)
Me: No.
McKenzie: Well, all of my boys' second names are my caterpillars' names: Frank, Fred and Phil.
Me: Oh, OK. Go brush your teeth.
McKenzie: Oh! I left my toast upstairs!
I can't wait for her to read her journal in about ten years.
McKenzie: Sometimes when I'm talking---and this has only happened at home, well, maybe once or twice at school---but sometimes when I'm talking, a little drool slips out of my mouth. But it mostly just happens at home.
When the kids do embarrassing things at home I always ask, "You don't do that at school, do you?"
McKenzie is always getting after Elise about clearing her dishes from the table.
McKenzie: When I grow up my family's going to have a rule that if you don't clear your dish from the meal before, you have to use that same dish for the next meal.
Me: Did you just make that up?
McKenzie: No, I've been thinking about it for a few weeks.
For weeks.
Future hopes and dreams.
McKenzie: When I grow up, I want to have 9 kids---5 girls and 4 boys.
Me: Why?
McKenzie: Because I have lots of names to use plus I just want to. There's going to be Dominic, Lexi, Christopher and Chrysanthemum (they're twins and we're going to call them both Chris because Chryssy would be like a tomboy and Christoper wouldn't like Christopher), Trevor, Lola and Kylee (they're twins too), and Sunny.
Me: You're missing a boy.
McKenzie: I have it written down in my journal. Do you want me to grab it real quick?
Me: If you want.
McKenzie, not finished with her breakfast: I'll take my toast. Coming back downstairs. It was Sam. OK, so it's Dominic and then Lexi Lily, Christopher Frank and Chrysanthemum Joy (wait, it's really Joy Chrysanthemum), Trevor Fred, Lola Violet and Kylee Rose, Sam Phil, and Sunny Lupin.
Me: Lupin?
McKenzie: It's a flower. I want all the girls' second names to be flowers.
Me: How come Dominic doesn't have a second name?
McKenzie: I thought my husband could pick that one. Remember my caterpillars' names? (McKenzie's second grade class studied caterpillars and each student got to raise a few of their own from caterpillar to butterfly.)
Me: No.
McKenzie: Well, all of my boys' second names are my caterpillars' names: Frank, Fred and Phil.
Me: Oh, OK. Go brush your teeth.
McKenzie: Oh! I left my toast upstairs!
I can't wait for her to read her journal in about ten years.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Down at the park
A couple of weeks ago the kids had a day off from school, so we took them down to a local park. As usual, hilarity ensued.
Getting out of the car.
Sydney: It’s so bright, I can’t see my eyes!
Heh. Hey, wait a minute—I can’t see my eyes either!
Bored.
McKenzie: Things are always more fun when you’re little. I wish things were still fun.
Sigh. Me too.
Pre-teen insecurities.
Tyler: Does this swing make my butt look big?
It kind of did.
On the way home.
Me: So did you have fun at the park, Elise?
Elise: Yeah.
Me: What was your favorite part?
Elise: I don’t know. I think maybe the fat kid swing.*
My kids are so not PC, but they say these things guilelessly.
*While I do not encourage the use of such phrases, in Elise’s defense, it was a rather large bucket seat swing and we were at an elementary school playground, so in her mind 2+2=fat kid swing. I’m thinking perhaps it was a special swing for children with disabilities as it had a seatbelt as well.
Getting out of the car.
Sydney: It’s so bright, I can’t see my eyes!
Heh. Hey, wait a minute—I can’t see my eyes either!
Bored.
McKenzie: Things are always more fun when you’re little. I wish things were still fun.
Sigh. Me too.
Pre-teen insecurities.
Tyler: Does this swing make my butt look big?
It kind of did.
On the way home.
Me: So did you have fun at the park, Elise?
Elise: Yeah.
Me: What was your favorite part?
Elise: I don’t know. I think maybe the fat kid swing.*
My kids are so not PC, but they say these things guilelessly.
*While I do not encourage the use of such phrases, in Elise’s defense, it was a rather large bucket seat swing and we were at an elementary school playground, so in her mind 2+2=fat kid swing. I’m thinking perhaps it was a special swing for children with disabilities as it had a seatbelt as well.
McKenzie is nine
McKenzie turned 9 on October 2, 2008. Nine isn't really a big milestone birthday, but for McKenzie, finally catching up to her two best friends (who are both 7 months older than her and a grade ahead) was worth celebrating (in addition to that whole birthday thing).
We just had a family party on her birthday. Luckily, Nate made it back from his business trip in time for the family party. Two years before he was in Italy for McKenzie's birthday, and she's never let him forget it. She still brings it up at random times, saying "Remember that time you missed my birthday, Dad?" When his boss asked him to go to Charleston the week of Kenzie's birthday, Nate told him he would only go if he could be back in time to celebrate with the family. Good thinking, Dad.
Kenzie opening presents:
With all her loot:
Happy Birthday, dear McKenzie:
We just had a family party on her birthday. Luckily, Nate made it back from his business trip in time for the family party. Two years before he was in Italy for McKenzie's birthday, and she's never let him forget it. She still brings it up at random times, saying "Remember that time you missed my birthday, Dad?" When his boss asked him to go to Charleston the week of Kenzie's birthday, Nate told him he would only go if he could be back in time to celebrate with the family. Good thinking, Dad.
Kenzie opening presents:
With all her loot:
Happy Birthday, dear McKenzie:
The whole gang together:
Notice the sling on her arm? About two weeks before, she had fallen off a balance beam during an open gym session at the local gymnastics center. After ten days, when the arm still didn't seem to be acting quite right, I took her to the doctor. The doctor moved her arm every which way during the examination with almost no complaint from Kenzie. She decided to do an x-ray just in case, and the x-ray revealed it was a broken shoulder. Mother of the year--right here. I think it was almost more traumatic for me than for her. The doctor assured me that with how little McKenzie had complained there was no way I could have known, and McKenzie, like always, was quick to forgive. Still.
A few after her birthday, Kenzie took a couple of friends out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Tres Hermanos, and to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua (I know what you're thinking, but it was actually pretty funny). Everyone had a great time.
The birthday girl in her birthday sombrero with BFFs Lauren and Lily:
And this is what I wrote on the day McKenzie turned nine:
My not so little bundle of joy
McKenzie is nine today. And with every birthday of every child of every year, I find myself wondering where the time has gone. The seems like just yesterdays are always on the tip of my tongue, yet when I think about all that has happened, all that we’ve been through, and how much she has grown, I realize that of course this much time has passed.
At 6 pounds 14 ounces, she was my smallest little bundle of joy. Over the past almost decade, she has become my not so little bundle of joy and also my bundle of contradictions. She is my silliest and most serious. My toughest and most fragile. My first to forgive and last to forget. My most popular and most lonely. My most affectionate and most distant. My happiest and most melancholy.
She sometimes laments being the outsider among her sisters—the only brown-eyed brunette in a family of blue-eyed blonde women. I tell her I love that she is different because she brings me the best of both worlds. She sometimes wishes she wasn’t the oldest sister with all of the extra responsibilities and expectations. I tell her that being my first daughter will always make her extra special. She sometimes complains that I am quicker to praise her younger, more emotionally needy sister. I tell her that nothing and no one brings me greater joy than her. And it’s true. I hope deep down (or not so very deep down) she believes it or that at least someday she will.
McKenzie is a blessing to our family. She is helpful, kind, full of gratitude and a crack-up just like her brother. She is sensitive, but forgiving and makes us smile everyday.
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