Psychotherapy Anyone

Amanda and I are getting older and grumpier. I've been in Japan for a week so Amanda is tired and I'm jet lagged. Last night we sat down for dinner and really got after each other. The kids provided some perspective.

Maya said,
"Now first mamma speaks"
"Ok, now you dadda"
"Now mamma, do you understand dadda's viewpoint?"
"Dadda, do you understand Mamma's viewpoint?"

"Now you both need to stop talking and eat dinner"

The kids were right. We needed to take turns, understand each other's viewpoint and shut up and eat. Julian has also done very similar therapy with us in the past under similar circumstances.

Oh, yeah did I forget to mention that our psychotherapists are 3 and 5 years old?

We'll get them some toys this weekend. They're beautiful kids and God knows we need the therapy.

Buddha's Mother

Hotels in Japan have the book of Buddha. I started reading the first pages, here's what it said.

______________________

"The Shakya clansmen dwelt along the Rohini River which flows among the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Their king, Shuddhodana Guatama, established his capital at Kapilavastu and there had a great castle build and ruled wisely, winning the acclaim of his people.

The Queen's name was Maya.

For twenty years they had no children. But one night Queen Maya had a strange dream, in which she saw a white elephant entering into her womb through the right side of her chest, and she became pregnant. According to their custom the Queen returned to her parents' home for the birth, and on her way, in the beautiful spring sunshine, she took a rest in the Lumbini Garden.

All about her were Ashoka blossoms. In delight she reached her right arm out to pluck a branch and as she did so a prince was born. All expressed their heart-felt delight with the glory of the Queen and her princely child; Heaven and Eart rejoiced. This memorable day was the eighth of April.

The joy of the King was extreme and he named the child, Siddhartha, which means "Every wish fulfilled"."

______________________

As you may know, Siddhartha would become the Buddha. Therefore, Maya was his mother.

- This is my love note for my daughter Maya, whom I'm thinking of while I'm far away on a trip to Japan - your father.

Pictures, pictures, pictures

I just uploaded 400+ pictures from our west coast - east coast trip. See the Picassa pictures above!
Here's the trip in a jiffy: Mid August, we spent 2 weeks in California, first Chico with Anna and Eric (Bette driving), then went to the Roberts Cabin at Mi-Wuk village to spend time with the whole Presley clan. Then we spent a couple of days with Bob and Wendy in Livermore, a night with Aunt Gina in Colma and then flew out of San Francisco for Boston.

Flew into Boston and took a bus to Portland Maine. Spent a week with the Petkov clan, including Dora, Ana, Chad, Ilia and Chad's Weber Grill. We grilled ribs, fresh mackerel we had caught (see fisherman Julian), chicken, lobster and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Snuck away with Amanda for the day to visit Mark, Wendy and their kids at Spofford Lake. Awesome trip in so many ways that I could go on for days. But I won't. I'll let you look at the pictures.

Don't forget the new ones of the first days of school (below) in case you missed them.

Izzy and Maya

Our Little School Girl's First Day.

Here is our little Maya growing up so fast. First day of school yesterday. She couldn't wait and had a great time with her friend Izzy, and teacher Ms. Wilson. More pictures next.

Year One, First Grade

Julian is back at school! Yipee, our first grader has started. Here's a picture of the first day at school with his BFF Jiwon. The two are inseparable. I was a bit worried because there are a whole lot less toys in first grade than there was in reception, but it helped that Julian had friends to walk into the new classroom together with.

Maya is still a dainty princess, but this afternoon she decided to fix a hole in her drawing board with a hammer. Imagine a lovely pink princess dress with a crown hammering at a blackboard. Love it! She's waiting for reception to start for her.

Yes, we just got back from a stellar West Coast, East Coast vacation so expect to see our catch of pictures and videos here shortly! Uncle Chad says: "may the grilling Force be with you this school year".