Chess Master

Belen played her first chess game today. After watching Mommy and Chase play, Belen demanded a turn! I won't describe that unsavory scene. While we we were doing some chores, she decided to set up the chess board--almost perfectly! Only two pieces were misplaced.

Number Four

The much anticipated birthday celebration for Belen's fourth birthday happened today! Every other day for the past year she has been asking, "How many days until my birthday?" This year with Gabriel's help our song was a bit more on key! I hope. The cake was a masterpiece of Dora created by Mommy! ha. It was more like a painting by Salvador Dali.

Chase Scores

He made the first basket during the final game for the Pilots. His team made it to the second round tournament through the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. This is the third year Chase's classmates have played together and the team is coming together quite well. They only won a single game last year ;_( . All the games this year we're pretty close in score and the boys were excited to be winning. We all went to his final game and Belen sat on the sidelines to cheer the boys on!

Do Ra Me Fa So La Ti Do!

Today Gabriel received news that he had been accepted to the NW Boys' Choir! During his first audition he sang God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, a song he learned during our family Christmas performance. He received a call back and was one of 7 boys selected from 35 auditioning.

This means serious business! Four hours of practice per week, performing with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, etc. He'll be learning sight reading, solfege, harmonizing and everything under the sun!

We look forward to posting performances and photos!

Calling All Spanish Speakers...

At my request (and Anil's promise to me for bearing a little girl), I request when you visit that you speak Spanish to Belen. She has shown great interest in learning the language. I will try, too!

Abrazos!

Groping the Dalai Lama! ?

This was the highlight of my year! Who knew ? The country girl from Oregon, who would meet Anil and become the worldly woman she is today (ha, ha). Anil has lived a life most of us only dream of, and thanks to his talent made this opportunity for us......This is a more descriptive account of our day.

We arrived at the Hyatt in Seattle before the final day of the SOC event ( I have never seen Anil so elated as the final day, which he organized). We had no idea what to expect, but we walked over after greeting Roshi Joan at the Sheraton . Somehow Anil was not on the list, but because of his prominence we got the "go ahead". Luckily we didn't have to slip someone a Benjamin :-)

When we arrived in the meeting room it was filled with a hundred or more volunteers--another three or four meeting rooms were filled as well. The photo-op was for the most most "distinctive" of the group. There were hundreds of volunteers, if not thousands, who worked during the event.

We scouted our group and waited for instructions. We prepped, combed, talked, gathered, ungathered, and merged into the what we thought we be the perfect photo.....and then we waited, and we waited, and waited. ( We edited out the others in our group for our blog)

Finally, the Secret Service arrived and explained how things would go....

Very quick. Gather closely. Smile. And no groping the Dalai Lama! Gotcha!

The doors opened several minutes later. We watched and listened to the photos and the oh's and ah's of the other groups. Next was our group....

Anil and I are were in front so the HH stepped between us. HH moved his hand towards me, and I naturally grabbed it. And a second later, as the photographers were snapping photos, was MORTIFED that I was GROPING the Dalai Lama! There are several photos of me looking wide eyed and horrified, that I had done such a thing,.....but is was all very natural and the Dalai Lama did not seem offended. I hope!

Anil, Stephenie and the Dalai Lama

A look back at the Seeds of Compassion event. Anil and Stephenie get a quick photo op to meet and greet the Dalai Lama. Despite very specific instructions to the contrary by Secret Service agents, Stephenie cannot resist groping His Holiness...

Navidad en las nieves de Seattle

que feliz nos sentimos todos juntos, como podeis ver. Y fuera estaba nevando desde las siete de la manana. Me gustaria que todos estuvieramos juntos, pero esto va a llegar tan pronto que es casi como estar aqui. Este ano la coleccion esta completa, y yo no puedo pedir mas. Aunque Belen tenga un cosido en la frente. Feliz Navidad y 2009

The Child of Frankenstein

Belen had her first set of stitches! Five in total. While climbing on a bar stool she tipped over and the stool came crashing down with her and landed on her forehead. I've never seen that much blood spurting out of a wound. I became nauseous looking at it. Luckily Mariluz was here and stopped the bleeding with some witches ointment (that was an inside joke). Since we were having a paella party last night Uncle Rajeev and Uncle Simon escorted us to the ER. Anil, Uncle Ajit, Grandma and Grandpa entertained our guests for the three hours we were away.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Puget Sound is covered in a blanket of snow. The worst I've seen since moving here. Our house measured 8 inches! Luckily we didn't lose power--which is what happened in '93. We are preparing for the second blast this weekend. Rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and high winds. We have lots of candles and fire wood.

The kids enjoyed three extra days off from school, sledding down the hill and building snowman and snow forts.

Gingerbread Village

What a task! At 40, I've never made a gingerbread house. Instead of making one for myself I decided everyone would make a gingerbread house. With our busy schedules it took almost two weeks to prepare and bake FIVE gingerbread house. We had a lot of fun and have decided each year do to a theme. Chase wanted to make Native American houses (long house, tipi, etc.) because he has been studying Native American culture this year in school. Now that I've figured out the basics I think we can move on to more elaborate architecture!

We visited the gingerbread at the Sheraton to view our competition.

Belen Sings the Raccoon Blues

Click the link to see Belen and her daddy performing this summer at "Singh Theatre"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOBSt1O2TEU

Birthday Boy

Chase turns 10 this month!!! As part of the celebration we took the boys to a rock climbing club for a small party and sleepover.

He Defends His Title!

http://Kieran wins his second pizza eating contest at Lake Stevens' Aquafest. Click on the link to see his victory.

Fall Leaves

We Have Eggs

Finally! Our chickens are worth their weight.....

Ok, so they've become more like pets--which I was afraid of (no chicken for dinner tonight). This weekend after returning from shopping one actually ran up to the car wanting some attention. I was confused because I don't know how to pet a chicken so I started rubbing it on the neck, like a cat. Wait! It's not a cat, I thought. How do you pet a chicken?

Stephenie

US Citizen

After 35 years, 10 months and 11 days...Anil has finally become a US citizen--on election day! Ok so he can't vote today, but now I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing he can't be deported and leave me alone to manage all these kids!

Stephenie

Like Father, Like Daughter

During our viewing of the latest political commentary, CNN was giving a breakdown of each candidates' lead by state. On the TV screen were the states, pictures and the lead percentages of that state.

Belen ran to the screen in excitement and pointed to each photo, "Look Mommy. One Rock Obama, two Rock Obamas, three Rock Obamas, four Rock Obamas, FIVE Rock Obamas, and one John McCain!"

"Yes, you're right!"

As the segment continued they showed a video of Barack saying 'We have to fight.'

Belen responded, in shock, "Rock Obama says we have to fight! We don't fight, do we Mommy."

I explained as best I could to a three year old and she continued with her opinions of each candidate. I wish I could have recorded it because it would have been the perfect ad for the Obama campaign. She was very articulate in her opinion and ended with, "We like Rock Obama, not John McCain! Rock Obama's NO John McCain, right Mommy!

Next she'll be cursing Fox News right along with her daddy!

Halloween Party

Today I took Belen to a party at.......SOFIA'S! She was so excited to dress up and play with her friend. I was afraid she wouldn't let me leave her alone, but after a few mintues she told me, "You have to leave now Mommy." My baby's growing up!