On the Road

We've made it to Anchorage safely without any natural disasters getting in our way.
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Reflections on A Quiet Christmas

This may have been the quietest Christmas on record in our home. I've been trying all morning to figure out why. What made it such a quiet day? I've come up with a few reasons.
The quiet began on Monday afternoon, when, for her birthday, Marina got her first haircut and style. Her hair was such a mess from wearing hats, orange 'birthday' hair spray, and just being little, that when Jerami got the detail of what she wanted done he grabbed the scissors and whacked off the part that was going away anyway.

This was a romance free haircut. With the dreadlocks removed he took her to the sink and gave her a good washing and conditioning. He then took her back to the chair and started the style.

First reason the house has been quiet: No screaming over hair brushing.

Christmas eve found us in town running errands. While at the bank (we realized we were going on a trip and could probably use money on that trip) we were visited by none other than Santa himself! Vince and I stood signing travelers checks while Marina and Falcom had words with Santa.

In the car Marina explained to us that she was quite sure that this Santa was the real one. Not only was his beard genuinely on his face, but she quizzed him about some important details from his life. His correct answers assured her that indeed that was Santa and that she and Falcom had better straighten up and fly right.

Second reason the house has been quiet: Threat of coal.


From the bank we went to Irene's for a ginger bread house and Santa cookie cooking party. With all Irene has going on in her life right now, I thought she was a little nuts for having a party on Christmas eve. I especially thought this when I saw the spread of food she laid out for all of us.
However, when I realized that she very sanely made easy kid friendly food and was having them build their ginger bread houses out of gram crackers and pre-made frosting. I had to retract my doubt!

Kari brought an easy to make sugar cookie mix and when the kids were done with their houses, and done with chasing each other around, they decorated their cookies for Santa. Maya took Willie on as her new pet. She kept him at her side the entire evening. Then the kids chased each other around for another hour or so and when we got in the car all was calm.

Thank you Irene for a fun tradition. I admire that you keep continuing it come stress or anxiety! We loved being with your family on Christmas eve. I promise in advance that we will be coming to this party again next year!

Third reason the house has been quiet: appropriate use of child energy.


When we got home from Irene's, I let the kids open a box that Grandma (Aunt) Phyllis sent from Cleveland. It was a fun box filled with little treats and new movies. When they were completely exhausted, I let them watch Barbie Nutcracker in Falcom's room. Of the Barbie Movie Collection, Barbie Nutcracker is my favorite. Why you ask? Because Tim Curry plays the voice of the Rat King and every time he lets the word, "Nutcracker!" roll of his tongue I smile. What a great villain!

When the film was over I turned off the TV and both kids passed out snoring.

This was the first year that both children slept through the night Christmas Eve. I was very clear with them that they were not to come out of the bedroom until 6.30 and set the clock. We did not hear a peep from them until morning!

Fourth reason the house has been quiet: Exhaustion and the ability to read a digital clock!
These skills allowing the parents to get the sleep they need!

Santa was kind to all of us this year. In the morning, the underside of the tree was loaded with gifts for all of us. No one was left out. As always, Christmas photos are never very glamorous, all of us look like we just woke up (because we did!) but I am not ashamed to post this unflattering picture of me with the Coach handbag my soul mate got me for Christmas! I was elated!

Marina got a karate suit and "Littlest Pets" houses for her Little Pets. Falcom got Lego's. Willie got a camera. DeeJay got a welding helmet. Vince got a snazzy new knife. This was the first time that Santa did not bring any noisy toys. With the kids having grown their interests have evolved away from the "Tickle Me Elmo's" and the "Phonics word games."

Falcom spent four hours building Lego's in his room. Marina was karate all over the house. Willie and DeeJay played Wii games in the basement. Suzanne was here and spent her time sitting on the couch. Vince and Jason took naps.

Fifth reason the house has been quiet: Wonderfully engaging toys that did not have noise makers attached.

We broke out the prime rib and china for dinner. We drank sparkling cider and ate a delicious apple cake that Suzanne made. We sang along with High School Musical Karaoke and then went to bed.

Satisfied, Falcom fell asleep to the "Wicked" musical soundtrack that his friend Susan sent him from Michigan. Marina fell asleep playing with her new Little Pets puzzle book that she got in her stocking. Vince and I went to sleep thinking that we've had some very nice Christmases together!

Today we take down the tree and start packing for Malaysia.

Marina's Birthday Bash!

7 years old!

I can not believe it has been seven years since I walked on the beach with my family while enjoying slight labor pain. I can not believe that it has been seven years since Vince and I walked to the hospital in 20 below weather under the northern lights to get to the hospital. I can not believe that it has been seven years since he made me laugh by telling me he wanted to name the boy he was sure I was giving birth to "Buzz Light" Greear.

Now my girl has a gap toothed smile and an army of great friends who braved the cold and various seasonal obligations to join us for a birthday bash!

Because people in Homer do not plan for anything and few of them RSVP to events, I decided I'd better get two birthday cakes in case the entire class came to the party. This picture is of the cake when it was being readied to take to the party.

This is the cake once it got to the rink. It was a very rough car ride!

This year we broke from tradition and hosted the party at the ice rink. Ice, skates, and a family friendly locker room which can occupy 20 kids easily for an exceptional price.

The first order of business for the day was that she, Willie, and Falcom had to dye their hair orange.

Then they had to call all the grandparents to tell them it was her birthday because they would probably forget. (Joke!)

Finally it was time to pick up the pizzas and get to the party. Kate picked up this lovely cake (In Fairy Style) for the party. The boys (Willie and DeeJay) kept the locker/party room rocking with tunes.

One of the things I truly love about Marina is that she likes what she likes and does not feel obligated to pick things for herself just because they are expensive or trendy. This year we went into the toy store and everything she wrote on her birthday wish list cost $5 or less. Mostly, she wanted candy. Candy and cute tiny things. Oh, and owl pellets. She is really into dissecting owl pellets.

She is so darling!

About twenty kids showed up. They were her classmates and the siblings of her classmates. I love that we could have a party that is laid back enough that anyone can come and bring all the siblings, and everyone can have fun!

Uncle Jason was able to come to the party and the two of them sitting side by side are really a pair. There is currently a very strong Greear Family resemblance!

By the end everyone was tired and ready to get off the ice. We all came in for cake and present unwrapping. Marina was thrilled with the bags of candy and pens and little owl pellets that she got. She had a great party!

I can not believe was a pleasant experience the party at the ice rink was. Look, even DeeJay was happy...even though Vince ripped his pants at the beginning of the skate and he was forced to wear a sweatshirt around his hips for the rest of the day.

I will definitely do this again!

When we arrived back home and the kids were coming down from their sugar high the boys obliged Marina with the only thing she wanted from them for her birthday. The four men of this house sang "Lady in Red" to her. They even let me film it and put it on YouTube.

I told Marina that this is one of the greatest expressions of love she could get from the men in her life and that she had better cherish this moment. I know she does not realize that Vince's and my love runs deep but he has NEVER sang to me. And DeeJay? She is thinking, "Fal sings non-stop mom!" It's different when it's coming from your 10 year old brother. Click on the link below to watch the boys show Marina how much they love her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxhCUGxvJw

We love you Marina!

The Final Days Of Indecent Commuting

It is with a soft sadness that I document on film my last commuting day to Kachemak-Selo School. Suzanne was goofing on the beach road moving us around like she was slipping on the road. I was unimpressed. Then when she started doing it on the switch back in a foot of drifted snow, I screamed over the engine into her ear, "Don't show off on my account." It was the first time I was having a bit of worry on that steep winding road.

"I swear I'm NOT!" She screamed back. I was so relieved when we got to the top. She was relieved to find that it wasn't snow conditions or her skills causing the problem. We had a flat tire.

Tomorrow I say goodbye for now to my new friends and prepare for Marina's Birthday Bash!
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Christmas has Started Arriving

With great joy Falcom and Marina opened their first box of Christmas treasures. Straws, paint sets, kettle corn and a feather! (One of our friend Rio's beautiful feathers.) I love watching memories of my own childhood replay themselves in the lives of my children. I remember so clearly the boxes we used to get from my Grandma. Each present wrapped and among them candies and cookies. My mom would always peek it the box first to make sure everything was wrapped just right. Thank You Laurie for the box and the happy memories!
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Poll Answer

The kids made $165.50 last week and we are at it again!
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Week in Pictures

Marina lost her front tooth in time for Christmas! Are her front teeth all she wants for Christmas? No, she's more concerned about her bottom teeth that have not grown in yet.

Vince and I are both looking at her knowing that it won't be long until we see our baby with the face of a young woman. It's a melancholy feeling.(Loyal readers will be wondering who extracted this tooth...Yes, Mr. Pete Swanson yanked this one as well. It's Pete Swanson 3; Maygen 1; Marina (or any member of the Greear family); 0.This week also marked the annual Christmas Show at McNeil! The kids were just darling! Falcom's voice rang out strongly in the choir of voices. Marina looked darling in her costume. Mrs. Swanson has done a nice job with the band, the sixth grade guitar group and getting the kids in line with their songs and choreography. "Christmas Around the World" was the theme. My Jewish friend said, "Is that the Conservative Christian version on being Multi-Cultural? Kindergartner's in Japanese costume singing Silent Night in Japanese?" No, there were no protests from the Conservative Christian community about this show.
As promised here are some shots from my daily commute to Kachemak Selo. This shot was taken on the switch back heading up after a day at school. A little steep? A little high up? Where is that guard rail?

On the left is our friend Zinovia on her way home from school. Look how dandy she is driving her Wheeler side saddle.

To the right is a random shot I captured which will be indecipherable to you and so I will describe it: In front of Suzanne and I are five people on a wheeler traveling up the road. I said, "Look, the Alaskan version of being in Asia. Are we in Little Vietnam?"

It is a difficult trip but one that I am growing very fond of taking. Isn't it beautiful on the bay at 3.30 in the afternoon? Notice how low the sun sits on the horizon. Amazing.

I am gainfully employed for one more week, then Marina's birthday, then Christmas, then Singapore.