Thursday, September 06, 2007

So many changes!

I haven't been able to post lately because I've been crazy busy both at work and at home. On August 28 we got back from a ten-day trip to the Boston area and Maine. Melina did great on the plane both ways and she had a fantastic time being adored by the grandparents. One of my favorite memories of the trip is of Melina sitting in the front of granddad's boat on a lake in Maine, bouncing up and down as we sped across the lake, saying "faster! faster!" She also enjoyed getting down on her stomach at the dock to look at the big frog that lived there, and I'm sure she enjoyed all the wonderful Greek and Italian food prepared by Aunt Bette, Yaya, and Grammy Alba. We also got to see my friend Melinda (who should be posting a response to this any day now) and her brother's kids. Funny how ten days really doesn't seem very long at all once you're in the middle of it.

Almost as soon as we got home, I went away for a private retreat with my friend Tara at Breitenbush Hot Springs. It was the first time I've been away for non-work purposes, and Tara's first time away ever. We went for a good hike; spent lots of time alone (reading, doing sudoku puzzles, meditating, walking); talked a lot; ate lots of organic carbohydrates (quinoa being a favorite); slept; and soaked in the hot tubs and pools. I am happy to report that the peace of mind gained from two days at a new age resort is worth the small amount of guilt I may have felt for leaving Melina behind with her daddy and grandparents. Especially since when I got back, nobody seemed to have noticed that I was gone. Melina barely raised an eyebrow when I got home. I'm not sure if she was giving me the silent treatment, if she had forgotten that I existed, or if she was just distracted. Either way, we all survived.

And then Melina started preschool. She is going to a small private preschool near our house; there about 12 kids attending. So far, she seems to really like it; she never wants to leave when I come to pick her up. This week the kids made paper, went to the gym, made pizza, sang songs, and spent lots of time outside playing. Melina even napped - easily. And I had a few free hours to go to the grocery store and build a new chicken run. (I pick her up after she finishes her nap, around 3:30). It will be interesting to see how this new schedule changes our lives.

OK, gotta run. More soon.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Here's my belated reply! I swear I checked the blog just a day or two ago, looking for report on trip east... are the dates accurate? It was great seeing JJ&M, albeit briefly...longer next time, OK? It's great having a friend with whom you just pick right up again, even when there's been significant time & distance between you. Oh, and how many catch phrases from our two camping trips are still in regular use on both coasts!