settling in to our surroundings

Jeff worked only a half day today so we got to do some fun stuff like register Heather for school, check our mailbox (they're like the wooster mailboxes which cracks me up!!), and go to the BX and Comissary. The comissary was of course out of baking powder, karo syrup, and canned yams so we will not be having monster cookies or candied yams for new years...we will be having expensive ham and some yellow things that looked like potatoes which will be mashed!! We also went to one of Jeff's friends houses who lives off base and met a portugese, extended family. Prior to that we visited the Azorean version of a McDonald's play place which was attached to a burger/ice cream/donut shop (what?!). The kids befriended a little boy who taught us to say happy new year in Felish anu nova (?). We then went to one of Jeff's friends houses who had his portugese landlord/friends and family over for a "party". The family spoke no English save a couple of gentlemen so there was a lot of smiling going on in the room. There was a 2 year old who the kids were playing with at the end of the night and Heather seemed to think it was hilarious that she had no idea what he wasy saying and vice versa. I tried to pick up a few phrases and came home to consult my book...we're kind of still on east coast time with the kids going to bed around 10 and getting up around 9 or so.

merry christmas and a happy new place!

We had a great Christmas day (although Jeff was not with us) opening presents and enjoying family time with Sara's family. The kids were elated to see that Santa had left them a note and eaten the buckeyes they left for him. Charlie was possibly most excited about his new underwear (I will respect his privacy and not mention what kind!!) and Heather mentioned that the Barbies were not quite what she meant when she said Barbie but was happy to see that someone else got Polly Pockets which actually was what she meant. They enjoyed trying out theie new toys before we packed them up to leave the next morning.
Friday morning mom finished loading up the car and we settled in for a 9 hour trip to the naval base we were to fly out of. The kids were GREAT! Cameron slept virtually the whole trip and cried for less than 15 minutes in total. The next morning we got up and had a leisurely morning of hotel breakfast, cartoons, and swimming in the indoor pool. We headed over to check in our stuff--which was an adventure--then to Chucky Cheese to kill the afternoon. Mom and dad had an extended stay with us at the airport as our plane got delayed but we eventually got on and took off.
Well just before we took off from our nicely situated four seats the stewerdess informed me that the car seat had to be in the middle--ie between me and Heather or Charlie. I started to panic but got us situated and the older two sitting next to eacfh other took off in experienced flyer (which they are not) form. Eventually there was a moving about of seats and I sat in 3 of the 4 seats during the trip. We landed and there was Jeff waiting to meet us. The kids were elated and made it through. Travelling went well but was made MUCH easier by help from family and Jeff's sponsor who happened to be headed back home on the same flight we were.
More about the house and area later but Jeff did a great job unpacking and after less than 24 hours I can say there's nothing I don't like about it. Of course everyone would like bigger but everything is very nice, the rooms are situated well and we should be able to create space for all of us. The island is really pretty and VERY rural! Jeff took us out driving around and we saw a rainbow--I'm taking that as a "promise" that everything is going to work out during our time here.

christmas eve

It's Christmas Eve and Santa has been to the Azores already ;-) and is through with Ohio as well. The kids had a busy day finishing up a few projects and asking continually if they could open some presents (NO). We made it to church after a mishap of not having keys to the car we were supposed to drive but enjoyed a nice service and did not burn the Church down during the candle lighting part. Letters to santa have been written including a question about how Elfi is able to get to the North Pole and back every night to report to Santa and we gave Elfi hugs and told him we'd see him next year. Now the "merry christmases" of A Christmas Story are in the air so it's time to kick back and watch some of the marathon before we go through the flourish of unwrapping tomorrow. Charlie was especially funny this evening about ways that Santa could come in the house. The excitement and innocence of a 3 year old is so priceless!

santa rides a train??

We've been busy with Christmas this last week...Heather and Charlie each got a trip to the store to pick something out for each other. Both prepped the other with just what their little heart desired, "Barbies, pet shop, my little pony--not a boy thing..." They really enjoyed picking out a little something for each other and seemed to pay attention to what the other had requested and what they really thought they would like.
Last night we went to the reception of a family friend from Athens. The kids had a BLAST dancing and really tore up the dance floor. They had some moves I've never seen before. Charlie seemed to be attempting break dance moves and Heather enjoyed being lifted and spun around.
Today we took a ride on the "santa train". We got to ride a train for about an hour or so with a bunch of other families and santa strolled through the aisles. He made it to our car just in time and the kids LOVED seeing him. I don't think we'll get the traditional sit on santa's lap picture this year but the kids have had the chance to "visit" with Santa a few times. They were so excited. When he came back down the aisle singing "You better watch out..." Heather jumped from the window into Bryan's lap for an aisle seat view of santa. It was a fun trip and nice to enjoy the time with family. The kids had a lot of things that they said they were going to tell Jeff and drew pictures of the event to take to show him when we see him again. We rounded out the night decorating the christmas tree with the kids commenting on EVERY ornament and having a good time. We miss Jeff a lot in these holiday moments and can't wait to see him in less than a week.

let it snow

After being warm yesterday we woke up to 4 inches of snow with a steady fall all morning. The kids and I got out to do some sledding and attempts at snowman building. There were also a few angels and of course snowballs. it was nice to get out as it has been rainy or wet a lot of the time. the best news is that the snow should be around in the morning then by thursday the hi is supposed to be in the 50's. that's the way i like to do it!!

christmas and sleeping

We've gotten into the christmas spirit at the Mickelson household with buckeye making, christmas tree chopping and a band concert complete with St. Nick conducting a fun christmas march. We ended the day with a chinese dinner (not quite so christmas-y unless you think christmas story...fa ra ra ra ra...). Cameron is also sleeping a bit more on his own which has been nice. I've put him down in a big shirt of Jeff's that I've worn to try to trick him into thinking he's being held or near me. So far it's worked about 25% of the time but I'm not giving up yet. He's much more content to lie and look at things and laugh and goo which has been fun. We talk to Jeff on the phone at least once a day (except for yesterday) and he's settling into the Azores. He moved into our house but doesn't have any stuff yet. Hopefully it will come soon especially since the kids "big" presents from Santa are in the short shipment for Jeff to put up. All I want for christmas is ALL OUR STUFF!!!

finding things to do

we're finding things to do while my dad is sick and my mom works her short term job at home. The past few days we've been on trips to wal-mart, the library, the play place at the mall (where I was painfully aware of several other moms with friends and knew that many of mine might be at McDonald's for lunch or together earlier in the week like we regularly were), and the bank. The kids have LOVED all the errands (sarcasm?!). We have done some fun projects for the holidays and tried to do some wrapping paper today but were short on some necessary supplies. It is funny as we were running all the errands, a week or so ago I gave the kids each a piece of change to put in the salvation army jar at wal mart. The guy ringing the bell gave them each a turn and as we left I explained what the money was for. Now the kids feel that it is an obligation to put money in the jar and Charlie stands an extra few seconds waiting for the bell ringer to give him the bell (i think he may think he is buying a turn!!). Coming out of our third store today I was out of change but Heather dug into her pocket and happily handed Charlie a quarter and each offered a merry christmas to the bell ringer as they clinked their change into the can. It was a pretty sweet "christmas season" feeling moment. And then moments later there was the fight for who got in the car first...Tonight the kids had some holiday cheer as they made buckeyes with my mom and we watched frosty the snowman and frosty returns.

I had a philosophic moment (which is rare for me!!) in the car on teh way home when Charlie asked me to stop going over bumps because he was coloring outside the lines. It made me reflect for a moment (b/c that's all I get before someone is in need of something else) as we are making so many changes for us and the kids on the "bumps" that change the direction/plan in my life so far and how each one may not be in my perfect design or plan hopefully in the end I'll look back on a colorful picture and those spots outside the lines will look beautiful and not so out of place as they might have seemed at the time. Charlie however asked me again a few minutes later not to go over more bumps...

long week

The last week we spent at Jeff's mom's house enjoying time with grandma and friends. I got some real mother of three time which was some quantity and lots challengeing--especially since cameron does not want to sleep anywhere but being held. The kids enjoyed an early christmas and had time to try out new toys and clothes with grandma. We also enjoyed some fun in the snow and making a gingerbread train and sugar cookies. An evening with a college friend reassured me that when we see our MS friends again it will be just like old times...the trip home was torterous as cameron cried the whole way except for about 20 minutes (that's a 4 1/2hour not counting hourly stops trip)

so much to write...so little time

alone with three kids it's hard to get time to update everyone...here goes... We had a great t'giving dinner with the whole Mickelson clan including my grandma and her husband. The kids were SPOILED with attention over the weekend and hated saying goodbye to someone every day. Yesterday we took Jeff to the airport and the kids tearfully said goodbye for three weeks. Heather has been very sad--whenever she is tired or hungry it's "I miss daddy." which she started almost immediately upon getting into the car at the airport. Charlie also mournfully states his sadness that dad is not going to be here for a few weeks...We did an art museum in Columbus (OH) that my paretns had been to and had a nice kids activity area as well as the play place at polaris before dinner and then the hotel (with my parents). My parents left this morning and the single mom and three kids drove up to Jeff's mom's to visit until Monday or Tuesday.

The kids had a few funny quotes along the way...We saw santa at the mall and they were all in awe. When Charlie saw him he said, "I can not believe it it's the real santa claus!!" It was cute in an awestruck 3 year old way. They did give him high fives (even Cameron) and returned for Heather to give him a hug. The stammered out what they wanted for Christmas (Cars "stuff" and barbies--what?!) and excitedly picked a piece of candy from the box. In the toy store heather proclaimed, "i know, i know mom, Santa can't bring me everything that I want."

This morning as we were getting ready to leave the hotel I asked heather to put the stuff in the cooler while I did some clothes packing and her cartoon came back on she said, "it's OK mom. I can help. I don't need to watch cartoons all day!" WHAT---they are currently watching toy story 2 :-)

Finally Heather was my "helper" with Cameron in the back seat while Charlie was my helper in the middle seat. After Cameron (who had slept for an hour or so) cried lightly for about 3 minutes heather announced, "this is hard work."

We heard from Jeff today. WEather in the Azores: 65 sunny, no breeze...PERFECT!! He said that I would love it. He posted a few pictures of possible houses on Facebook for those of you who are his "friend". The outside views are from our two possible "backyards". Guess which one I prefer!? (MS friends I still REALLY miss you--even with the cool backyard!)