Nine

Today Aleks and I are celebrating 9 years of marriage.
After almost a decade of sharing my bed with a Sternfeld-Dunn, I have come to the conclusion that sleeping by yourself is a luxury.
In fact, after moving to Wichita, we bought a king size bed.
We are getting some seriously good sleep now.

Nine years.

This would be a great place to insert excerpts of our vows.

But I can't remember what we said or where I've put them.

Somewhere, during the six moves we've made since being married, they've been misplaced.

And perhaps the 2 kids, 17 months apart, have contributed to my nonexistent long term memory.

I do remember that the past nine years have been exciting and filled with lots of laughter.

It seems that each year of our married life has been filled with monumental changes.

Graduate degrees, moves, jobs, kids.

There is no one with whom I'd rather share this life.

I may not remember my vows or what Aleks promised me, but I do know these things:

 My husband has been 

astoundingly supportive,

constantly encouraging,

quick to place me on a pedestal (especially in front of other people),

optimistically minded,

and a calming counterpoint to my frenzied tendencies.

Being married to Aleks has made me a better person.

In my opinion, it doesn't get much better than that.

I love you Aleksander.

And you know what?
If I have to share a bed with someone, I'm glad it's you.

Preschool Happenings

Maia came home today giggling and so very excited about school.

She was "Student of the Day"

And, as she kept reminding me, "the leader."

Maia also said something about pretending there was a fire and hiding behind a tree and being scared, but Mrs. Patrick didn't know she was nervous, and then Maia started laughing and said "that was so silly."

I'm finding that Maia has lots of preschool stories to tell and I end up putting pieces together, trying to see the big picture.

Last week, Maia told us that she had a "dramatic throat" at school. She was nervous because Akaine kept running away. She doesn't like the boys and that "they have to do what I say." 

I was quick to point out that being bossy isn't a good quality in a friend and instead she should politely ask friends if they would like to play with her.

We also reassured Maia that she doesn't have to play with the boys, but she does need to be polite and kind to them. 

Wednesday night as I was putting Maia to bed, she said "I'm nervous about school tomorrow." When I asked her why, she said it was because she couldn't run fast. On Thursdays she has gym and I immediately thought that maybe she was feeling insecure about having to run in class. I told her, "you don't have to run fast, you just run the best that you can." That seemed to soothe her and she rolled over, ready to sleep.

When I picked Maia up from school the next day, I made sure to check in with Mrs. Patrick. I wanted to be sure that Maia wasn't bossing the other kids around and that she was listening and being obedient.

Well, I finally got the whole story.

A little boy, in Maia's class, had just turned 3 and, as they found out, is not quite ready for preschool.

Mrs. Patrick words were "he's a runner." 

On the Tuesday of that week, she had been helping a little girl in the bathroom, when all of a sudden she heard the other kids yelling, "Akaine, Akaine, come back!" Apparently Akaine had decided to make a break for it was was running away from the classroom down the hall. 

All week Maia had been feeling worried about him, and I guess, worried that she couldn't run fast enough to stop him.

I couldn't stop laughing as Mrs. Patrick was telling me this story. Looking back, I hope she wasn't offended that I wasn't more concerned. 

Preschool teachers are amazing people.

Lately Maia has been asking us "why do you love me?" She loves to hear all the different reasons we give. It's a good reminder for me, to give these little girls daily verbal, detailed, affirmations of what makes them special. Although, I think Ruby would rather have hugs and kisses.

The Sternfeld-Dunn household continues to give preschool an A+!

Ruby turns 2!

Today my littlest little turned 2.

Sweet Ruby Ann.

She had a tough act to follow.

But, she's held her own.

Always doing things in her own time and doing them well almost immediately.

She's my introverted thinker.

Likely to spend time on her own, playing, reading books, coloring, doing puzzles.

She likes to cautiously observe new situations and takes time to warm up to new people.

But she can be so brave and fearless (as long as she's in the safety of mommy's arms; "hold you mommy")

She's quite the little dancer.

She eats anything we put in front of her.

And is so polite.

"More please"

She's an endless well that needs to be filled with hugs and kisses.

She gives the best hugs.

And easily shares a belly laugh.

Oh, how she loves her sister.

She challenges Maia in so many wonderful ways.

Happy birthday to my right handed, curly haired girl.

As you continue to grow, don't get discouraged if people underestimate you, because you're petite and quiet.

I know your inner strength, and smarts, and persistence.

You've got big things ahead of you.

And while you surprise us all with the amazing accomplishments bound to come your way, please don't ever get too old for mommy hugs, my little cuddle bug.

I love you more than you know.

Training

I've started week 5 of my 10 week training schedule.

To run a half marathon.

I'm proud to say I haven't missed a workout.

The ironic thing is, I'm not sure that I'm actually going to run a half marathon when I originally planned, but hey, training is the most important part, right?

It's probably good that I'm putting off the actual race.

While I'm running the miles and doing the tempo runs and all that, it's been taking place at the gym. And from what I've heard from other people and read in magazines, is that the treadmill is a lot easier than the reality of pavement.

The thing is, it's still really hot here. Today it's supposed to get to 102 degrees and this morning the humidity was 82%.

Tuesday morning is a preschool day for Maia and it was either take Ruby for a 3 mile run in the stroller (something I vowed never to do again) or wait and do it tonight at 8:00.

I opted for an AM run.

And I was sopping wet by the time I got home.

For one thing, it was like running in a cloud, but with the sun out. I could actually feel the moisture in the air when I inhaled.

And the other thing is that the tires in the stroller were a bit flat and I couldn't find our pump, so I ended up pushing a stroller with low tire pressure.

I think when it gets cooler and if I can find the pump, I might venture out again with Ruby. She really is a pleasant running partner.

She's quite content to sit quietly, eating her cereal and pointing out the various sights.

While I'm complaining about the heat, I know a guy who's training for the Chicago marathon and he did his long run yesterday in the early evening, when it was 106. 

So, clearly he's either crazy or made of tougher stuff than I am.

It's nice to have a goal and a specified training schedule. As with everything in life, it's so much easier to follow through when there is a plan.

This week is crazy. I'm putting together a concert of new music by Kansas composers, and most of my nights this week are filled with rehearsals or doing administrative things. I'm also preparing a thank you dessert evening for the composers and performers the night before.

If I can get my runs in this week it'll be a miracle, but I'm determined.

As I look out the window right now, I can see the sky getting dark, maybe we'll have a break in the weather?

Pancakes

You probably didn't know this, but I'm famous in my house for my delicious pancakes.

I'm like a pancake Master Chef.

Here's how I do it:

I mix all the dry ingredients together.

And then I add the wet ingredients to the dry.

*Gasp*

Just mix it until it's all incorporated.

None of that mix the dry and wet separately, then add them together nonsense.

I cook them in a non-stick skillet, dry.

And here's an important detail: use med-low heat.

If anything, it's better that the skillet be too cool than too hot.

Black pancakes on the outside with gooey insides= n'est pas bien.

Wait until bubbles appear and flip!

The second side cooks for significantly less time than the first.

Et voila!

Delicious pancakes!

My girls eat these dry, no butter or syrup.

This will last us three days, if I'm lucky.

Pancakes

2 cups flour

1/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/4 cup oil or melted butter

2 cups milk

1-2 teaspoons vanilla

*I almost always use oil. I can't be bothered with melting butter and the resulting greasy dish.

*I use whatever milk I have on hand. Now that Ruby is almost 2, we just have non-fat, but my favorite is to use 1 cup of non fat and 1 cup of whole milk. I've made it with soy milk (terrible) and almond milk (better), but the mixture of the non-fat and whole just seems to be the best.

*If I have vanilla in the house I'll use it, but they're still pretty good without it.

*After I make a batch, I let them cool, then pile them into a ziplock bag and stick them in the freezer. When the girls want some, I microwave them for about 30 sec. per pancake.

Preschool!

Today Maia went to her first day of preschool!

We started off the day with pancakes for Maia

  and applesauce for Ruby.

After a stop at the potty and a tooth brushing, it was time for a goodbye hug.

Backpack on.

"Tada!"

Off they went.

Ruby wasn't sure about the whole thing.

And as the car drove off, Ruby started calling "Maia!"

It took several minutes of whimpers and asking for Maia until Ruby realized that her sister being gone could be fun.

She got to sit in Maia's chair for 2nd breakfast!

Ruby and I had a fabulous morning.

For one thing, it was so quiet.

And I heard Ruby count to 14.

She did skip 7, but I had no idea she could even do that!

Maia can be so demanding that Ruby often gets overlooked.

I know now that there is quite a bit going on in that little curly head.

My one on one time with Ruby is going to be so wonderful.

We went to the library and did a few errands.

Boy, one kid is exponentially easier than 2!

Today I had my first taste of what having school age kids is like.

Wow, just those 3 hours with only 1 kid is so nice.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a totally heartless mother.

We did miss Maia this morning.

But come on, we've been hit pretty hard with the baby stick in the past 3 years.

I was so glad that Aleks took Maia to school this morning.

I just know I would have been a mess dropping her off.

In fact, when I went to pick her up and saw this sign, I could feel the tears start to fill my eyes.

Maia was so happy to see me, even though she had a fantastic time.

Her teacher Mrs. Patrick is fabulous and Maia already adores her.

This little girl gave Maia a hug when we left.

Mrs. Patrick said "Already making friends!"

Maia told me she was a little nervous when Daddy dropped her off, but that she wasn't nervous anymore.

And Maia had been very worried about the boys.

But, it turns out that the boys were all very nice!

If the rest of the year is like our first day, I'm going to give preschool two thumbs up!

New Piano

We arrived back in Kansas from our 3 week vacation on a Saturday.

The next morning, my late grandmother's piano was delivered to our house.

The movers had picked up the piano while we were in CA.

When the kids and I went to visit a few days later, it was surprising to me how little of an emotional reaction I had.

Aunt Annie says I have no soul.

Understandably, my mom and her siblings had quite an emotional reaction to the piano being gone.

Grandma's piano had been in the same spot in their house my entire life.

I remember countless "recitals" for my aunts and uncles and cousins on that piano.

When I lived there my freshman year of college, I certainly did not take full advantage of my priveleged accommodations.

And I had, and still have mixed emotions about accepting such a gift.

My Grandfather is in the process of reducing his estate as he is making plans to move in the next year or so.

It was hard for me to "take" the piano while he is still in his house.

To me, the piano = Grandma.

Even though Grandpa so graciously gave it to us, and assured me that he's happy the piano has a home, it feels a little like we're taking one more piece of grandma away.

While the empty spot in Grandpa's house was a surprising non-event for me, it's a different story with Grandma's piano in our house.

I finally feel like we have a home.

When Maia first sat on that black bench with the lid raised, I suddenly understood the possibilities for my girls' musical educations.

I realized how my mom and her mom must have felt listening to me play "Black Bears 123" as a five year old.

And while I've always felt connected to my musical heritage, I now have a physical reminder in my house.

There is a lot of history in this piano.

So many happy, fearful, joyous, hilarious, frustrating, and creative memories were created on that bench.

I wish this picture had audio capabilities.

Not only were they "tickling the ivories", but also singing at the top of their lungs.

A happy cacophony.

I hope this west coast piano will be content in our midwest home.

Thank you Grandpa for this gift, not just of the piano, but of the musical heritage you've passed down.

I know Grandma would love hearing her great granddaughters play on her piano.