Life List

I am going to make a life list, things I want to do before I die. I want it to have 100 things on it. Here's the start:

*take a sewing course *learn to play violin *go sky-diving *go to the Maldives *become a "popular" (i.e., successful) published writer *learn German fluently *learn Arabic *learn to water start and windsurf well *go wakeboarding *live in a Spanish-speaking country *get a Master's degree *read War and Peace *go scuba-diving *compete in the Marinera Competition in Peru *learn to surf *swim with dolphins *get a convertible car *take a pottery course *use a pottery wheel *learn to flip my hair when dancing salsa *become an awesome salsa dancer *teach my kids to love themselves *teach my kids to love everyone else

To be continued...

mommy friends

One of my new year's resolutions (I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but this year I decided I would actually improve things in my life!) is to cultivate valuable friendships. Screw the fair-weather, idiosyncratic, moody people at TASIS. Pick a few kind souls and invest in them. Form kind, warm, generous relationships with people that are kind, consistent, real, true.

I also would like for them to be other mothers with small children. I crave like-minded, like-situational, like-interested mothers.

This weekend, I have two playdates! Tomorrow, with my Pugliese neighbor who has a 21-month-old daughter (and who is even more desperate for company than I am). Sunday, with a former colleague (Puerto Rican, yeah!) whose husband likes sailing (potential couple friend!).

Yeah for determining my first resolution!

Now I only need to lose 10 kg.

"Maaammmmaaaa"

Sebastian and Lucas are so happy to have me back, and I am so happy to be back. They've grown so much in just 9 days away. Sebastian speaks more clearly, and has better inflection. He also seems to be more at peace, independant, enjoying reflecting and being in his own little world. Lucas's hair grew, and he runs with more confidence. He also plays more, and the most incredible of all, is that their bond has strengthened. They fight less, and enjoy each other's company more. Sebastian doesn't go ape-shit when Lucas grabs his toy. But Lucas grabs Sebastian's toys less! And Lucas gives cheese to Sebastian at mealtime, even though he LOVES his grana. They act more like two little friends, than like rival siblings. It is just amazing!

Baby no. 3

After 7 days away from my beautiful little darlings, I was looking at pictures of them on my laptop, teary-eyed and called Tiziano to say that we absolutely HAD TO create another little gem (of course, in a few years yet). After returning from my work week away, I spent 3 hours alone with them, the desire for a third dissipated.

baby skiing

I can't wait to see little Lucas and Sebastian on skis!! The kids I see here at Crans Montana taking lessons are *SO* adorable! I can just imagine little Sebastian being terrified and throwing a shit-fit when he actually has to get on them. I wonder how Lucas will be. But I am so happy that I get to offer them this opportunity, to learn to ski young, and have their bodies memorize the movements. The world will be their oyster.

missing my kids

It took me 5 days before I actually started missing my kids. I have been away for 5 days now, and only today do I actually miss them? Does that make me a bad mom? Today, a young 23-yr-old reassured me that no, it is not good to be too crazy for my kids. And she is probably right. But I still feel guilty when I think that I am just about everything to them, and they are not everything to me.

A day away

I went to Lucerne today with Karine. The excuse was to take her somewhere, but really, I love the excuse to get away without the kids. When I get home from these jaunts, I am so much more attentive and patient with my kids, and I feel a surge of love for them.

I can't wait until they get a little older so I can take them there and visit the transportation museum, among other things!