August's 4th Birthday Party

We had a big day today... started with the Friends/Family screening of Kung Fu Panda. It was wonderful. Laughed out loud and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The afternoon was dedicated to August's Birthday Party. Very casual event in the backyard; lots of family and friends. Kids had a lot of fun. The big slide was not as big of a hit this year. Maybe we need something new next year... I know, how about... INDIA!

An Expat's View of Bangalore

Found this on YouTube...


I don't know this person, I just found his overview of Bangalore entertaining.

Baby Olive @ 4 weeks

Got to spend the day today with Erin and Baby Olive... so sweet. It's so hard to believe my kids were ever that small. But after a while of rocking her, my back remembered what it was like to bounce a baby. :-)





Erin with her kids. :-)
Thanks for today.

Introducing Anni

August created a nickname for Annika today. Now he calls her Anni (Ah-ni, rhymes with Mommy)

Fun at Central Park

It's Memorial Day (love you Mom)
The kids and I took it easy by playing, playing, playing.

Farewell Party at Dad & Kate's

Dad and Kate threw a wonderful Farewell party in our honor today. All of Kate's family was there along with friends of the family. It was a very special day. Kate always makes sure there is more than enough food, a sitter to watch over the children, a jump house/bouncy castle for the kids to work their energy out, and lots of good conversation.
Thank you so much. I wish Erik could have been here. :-)



And Dad had another captive audience for his Egypt pictures/stories...

For the Maple in Oregon...

Miss you.

Annika gets her glasses / Crazy Gum Day

We picked up Annika's glasses today. They're darling. And they have transition lenses so they double as sunglasses.

After getting the glasses, we went into a candy shop where the kids got to pick one item... they each picked Bubble Tape... NEVER AGAIN! 6 feet of sugary bubble gum. What a nightmare! Some issue with the gum came up all afternoon. I finally had to put throw my hands up and declare today "Crazy Gum Day" and what ever is left by the end of the day goes in the garbage.

Bye Carole!

One more sign that the trip to India is impending... Carole moved back to Portland today. She stayed with me and the kids for the last two days while the movers packed up her belongings. It was a very enjoyable time. She got choked up last night when she helped me put the kids to bed. She realized the next time she puts them to bed they'll be several years older. Different kids. They might even put themselves to bed...

Have a great time in Portland, Carole! I'm glad you're back with your friends.
Thanks for everything... :-)

Python swallows deer whole

From BBC News:
Python swallows deer whole
Zoo keepers at an Indian zoo were surprised to find that a python had helped itself to one of their deer.
The snake was unable to leave the scene because it was so heavy from its meal. Keepers later removed the snake and it will be released into a forest reserve.

Images of India by Erik

Can't wait for Wall-E

Took the kids to see Nim's Island today and all they cared about was Wall-E.
But don't worry DreamWorks... they're VERY excited about Kung Fu Panda too! Looking forward to the premiere!

Angel

Annika's new glasses

Annika had a couple eye appointments this morning and it was recommended that she get glasses. We had a fun trip to a children's eyeglass shop where the owner let Annika try on as many pairs as her heart desired. The problem then was narrowing the choice down to one.



We had a nice day, just Mother and Daughter... after picking the glasses and doing some window shopping, we stopped and had some bubble tea. I'd had sips before, but never one of my own. I think Annika thought it was a lot of fun and saved half of hers for Auggie. He LOVED it, kept saying "Mmmmm" as he chewed the little black tapioca balls. Wonder if they have it in India...

Helen's last day of work

Today was my last day of work... indefinitely. That's a hard concept to get my brain around.







There was a large group lunch today in honor of a Partner's promotion. During the event, the Managing Partner asked Loran to say a few words on behalf of my departure. Loran was very gracious and said in the past 15 years, I was his best assistant. Very touching. He also said he'd be happy to write a recommendation to Google Bangalore for me - Hahahaha. But it was nice to be surrounded by everyone on my last day. In the afternoon there was a farewell cake also, another very nice surprise. :-)

Petunias for Petunia aka Happy Mother's Day

Received a beautiful potted petunia plant from Erik today. :-) I can't believe he remembered with everything he has going on, it was very sweet and appreciated.

We spent Mother's Day afternoon at Dad and Kate's where I got to see and hear about Dad's trip to Egypt. Amazing. Can't believe my sister will be living there soon. The evening ended with dinner at a wonderful Thai restaurant. Very nice evening, thank you. Kate gave me a book by Jimmy Carter entitled "A Remarkable Mother", I can't wait to start it. Looks very inspiring.




I also received some beautiful gifts from my children (thanks to Grammy). I was given a heart necklace and heart earrings from Annika (and Grammy) and a shirt and purse from August (selected by Annika and financed by Grammy). THANK YOU!!!

My sister is moving to Egypt!

My sister and her family will be moving to Alexandria, Egypt at the end of June - same time as us! My father will be losing both his girls + our families at the same time. Who would have ever thought??



Dad went to Egypt this past Spring but didn't go to Alexandria. He already has an AROUND THE WORLD trip in the planning process with extended stays in Alexandria, Egypt and Bangalore, India. Good thing he likes to travel! Our door is always open!

A Taste of South India

The kids and I went to dinner with Punit this evening. He showed us around a Southern Indian menu and helped find dishes suitable for the kids.

Annika had a cheese Dosa, August had an Tomato and Pea Uttappam (which he quickly smothered in coconut chutney), I had a vegie Thali, and Punit had something with the word "mini" in the name - a descriptive word Punit seldomly uses when referring to food.

August was excited to try most things, but focused most on the crunchy items. Annika had a few bites but even white rice wasn't tempting her. Both kids had Mango Lassis but only had a few sips and were unimpressed. I think we're in trouble!
But then the waiter told us how there is a large variety of food in Bangalore so they won't have to eat this way lunch and dinner every day. The waiter also said that the dishes I ate would be prepared much spicier in Bangalore. Wow, some of it was pretty spicy.

Can't wait to have Indian food in India!