The intention of this blog is to document the important moments of the girl’s early years. And to not mention one of their beloved foods would be criminal. This post is dedicated to the Filipino favorite, chicken adobo. As an honorary Filipina, I’ve learned that every batch of this comfort food is different. You can add ginger for a little zing. It’s one of those recipes that does not need to be written down; although I’m sure there are tons of variations of the recipe in the webosphere. It’s one that’s been handed down. Most claim that their mother (or father) makes it best. But I can say that in all truth, my in-law’s adobo reigns supreme. One day, while at their house, I grabbed a pencil and paper and took notes, hoping that I could replicate. Here’s what I observed:

Combine 2-3 pounds of chicken (dark meat), 2 cups water, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons peppercorns, 1 bayleaf, 1 head garlic and 2 tablespoons soy sauce all in one pot.
Cook on medium/high and cover.
Cook until liquid is concentrated, about 25-30 minutes.
Unveil and devour over rice.

Sunday night, after an evening with friends sipping whiskey cocktails, this was the perfect hang-over prevention. It’s even better the next day. So here you go girls, your Lolo and Lola’s Chicken Adobo. Masarap.

Random parking garage fun - holla!

I'll be the first to admit, I'm cheap. Frugal, as my mother-in-law would say. I don't want to fork over the money for the girl's school pictures. So here you have it...Fall, 2011.

The Class of 2026 and 2028

Ella (the monkey with the mismatched pumps) will be graduating with the princess on the left (Elsa) and the giraffe in the middle (Will). Vivian and the cutie pie in stripes, all the way to the right(Jackson) will follow two years later. We took a picture of the neighborhood kids so that we could blow it up poster size and be all annoying middle-age parents when we throw the kids a joint graduation party. Raise the roof Forest Avenue!

So Long Sunflowers

It's seems like just yesterday we were planting sunflower seeds. This weekend they were harvested. So long sunflowers. So long summer.

It Takes a Village

Any successes that Jerry and I may have with parenting has almost everything to do with our parents. The rest is shear dumb luck. They love our kids so much that they reclassify even their most annoying states of being; "determined", "boisterous", "passionate" and "exciting" (read: stubborn, annoying, annoyingly stubborn and diagnosably hyperactive). They revel in their messy hands and sloppy kisses. They could not adore our kids any more...and Ella and Viv know that. Kids have a way of assessing adult's hearts. I can tell by the way their eyes light up when they see their Lolo, Lola and Mimi that they know how very much they are loved. Thanks to the three of you for your unending commitment to your grandchildren and their fledgling parents. We love you infinitely. Happy Grandparent's Day!

She wore this get-up almost twenty-four hours straight. Thank you Lolo and Lola for the kind souvenir from China!

Weissbluth, Feber, Eat Your Hearts Out

I'm a firm believer in the power of healthy sleep habits. Sleep promotes brain develpoment, increases one's ability to focus and attend and leads to more pro-social behaviors. Too bad Ella is not in agreement. Photos taken during nap time from my bedroom in between scoldings... "head on the pillow Ella". Perhaps Pandas don't nap? I call the first photo "Pensive Panda".

Bad Hair and All

To celebrate 8 years of marriage, Jerry and I decided to kick it back old school. It certainly met our current criteria for anniversary plans. Romantic and budget conscious. Especially important when you are contemplating a trip to Portugal to celebrate ten years. But big plans or not it definitely qualified as a hair dryer and make-up date. These days, not much qualifies for that degree of effort. Jerry, is starting to consider it the highest complement. Make up is usually a two minute routine that covers the essentials (concealing the ever present circles under the eyes and blush...cuz I never could pull off the whole Vampire chic thing). We had a babysitter, a free and trusted one at that (thanks Mimi!). We planned on a photo session outside of Glen Crest Junior High. I imagined golden skies, great lighting and two impeccably dressed lovebirds getting a rare photo of where they first met. And that's when the rain came. My hair went to shit, my make-up started to run and my hopes were dashed. These days I feel like it's now or never. Planets must align. Child care and good hair? Might as well wait for Hailey's Comet. It's not that I'm vain...I just never look good anymore. It's not a bad self esteem thing it's just a mom thing I think. Anyway, I'm sure Jerry was running a very active inner dialogue as I started reeling to myself like a person off their Risperdol..."mascara, humidity, planetary alignment,". Without much discussion, he ushered me back into the car and out of the rain. He sped up Raider Lane to our high school and parked near the covered awning near our old lockers. The scene of many love note exchanges. We took pictures. I tried to smear away the crazies as Jerry tried to swallow his immense fear of another year of marriage. Later that evening we caught a movie at the Ogden 6 (scene of our first date). In the dark of the $4-a-ticket theater, I felt so lucky to have a husband that understands me so well. He knows how to seek out a plan B, he knows how to help shake away the disappointment, how to get a laugh and how to overwhelm my heart with gratitude. With all the noise of parenthood and the outside world, I know I don't say it enough. I wish I did. But for today, here it is. I love you so much Jer. Happy Anniversary.

New Kicks

Inspired by her parents running, Ella is determined to "win" a race. We signed her up for her first in a couple of weeks. I'm sure she will think the 200 yard race at the local school is just child's play. That kid could run an Iron Man if only her training wheels would keep up with her. Just got a new pair of Sauconys. Here she is wearing them in at the high school. And yes, if you zoom in, she is looking right at the camera with a smile. Focus, child, focus!

Thank goodness for bike safety school at Concordia. Ella is now staring down frightened motorists as we cross each and every street and alley way.

Over the course of the last week, Ella has shown some intrigue over the notion of marriage. She's no doubt listening in on our recent conversations surrounding our anniversary plans this weekend. After a slew of queries, Jerry and I attempted to explain...the person you marry should be the person who makes you most happy; the person that you love the most. And with that, she quickly exclaimed that she plans to marry Vivian.
Heart officially melted.

See Post Below

How's this for messaging? Thank you JC Penny...

Once Upon A Time

I'm thinking I should have just checked out something by Tolstoy and waited to read Peggy Orenstein's book, "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" until after Labor Day. As far as summer reads go, it certainly did not qualify as fluff. Regardless, I really enjoyed her perspective and it gave me more to think about as a parent trying to raise my girls with some degree of consciousness (maybe semi-consciousness). As a mother of daughters I often wrestle with myself over the message I'm promoting in regard to being female. Here is what I do know:
I was no stranger to NOW growing up in my mother's household. So it comes as no surprise that Barbie is the devil. She recently reared her ugly head at Vivian's first birthday party. Needless to say, she was swiftly transitioned into a shoe box and then buried out in our garbage later that day. Bratz Dollz and the like are equally sinister. Princess movies should be questioned rigorously. In fact, I'd rather my kids have movie night with Freddy Krueger.
With two girls we could easily be swallowed whole by pink and purple but as much as possible we try to push a diverse palate of colors. To my delight, Ella often refers to brown as her favorite color. Ahh...not only has she momentarily turned her back on pink but she embraces her skin tone as well...an over-analyzing, psycho-drivel-loving mom's dream! Break out the politically correct skin-tone crayons now!
It's not that I'm turning my back on everything "girlie"...I'm just trying to create a more balanced gender diet while I can. The girls have tool boxes and trucks, Lincoln Logs and bugs. They also have baby dolls, tulle skirts, fancy shoes and tea sets. But beyond the "stuff", the clothes, the toys, the obvious, I'm stuck.
I realize that much of the message is what they observe versus what they play with or wear to the playground. My generation, the children of feminists, were told that we could "have it all". We watched as our mothers joined the workforce, divorced our fathers, embracing both birth control and microwave dinners. Mom, don't worry, I'm just talking in generalities ; ) We were programed to want not only the home, the kids and the husband but the profession and independence as well. But now, as I see my colleagues and I trying to manage "it all", I can't help wondering if the message needs to be tweaked. In all honesty, striving for "it all" really sucks...at least as it's currently defined. But what is the alternative? Not sure. What do I want my daughters to aspire to have? What will make their life complete or meaningful as a woman? Here is where I need help.
Cue Ani DeFranco...
My hope is that they will see a time when a woman can run for office and the public not question her ability to care for her children, her choice in pant-suits or use of lipstick. I hope that they will see a time when equity is not even a question. I hope they will see a time when they don't feel like they have to chose between family and career or feel that they've fallen short on all of the above. I hope they will see a time when feminist is not seen as an "f" word, better yet a time when the word feminist isn't even necessary. I hope they do see a time when they don't have to think this hard about what it means to be female....cuz after reading that book and writing this post I'm exhausted. I hope they see a time when they can live happily ever after.
The End.