2018 Update....April and May

Hello!
Continuing my effort to get back to recording our adventures of 2018, let's look at April through May!
Since Ajay had taken off for Mid-Winter break, he wasn't fortunate enough to take off for spring break as well. So for spring break,  I decided to take the girls back to Indiana to visit family there. Typically traveling with the girls sans Ajay can give me a little bit of anxiety. It takes an enormous amount of energy to keep things positive and avoid bickering.
Here's Ajay and Alia when I told them of my plans to literally fly solo with connections with both girls and only carry-on luggage:

But know what? We did it! We flew without incident, made our connections, and yes, the girls were able to manage their bags themselves for the most part. While I do pack snacks for the plane, I also give them free-range to buy Doritos and other stuff like that that we don't normally eat, on layovers. It passes the time and makes the layovers and transitions bearable. So, once we made it to our final destination, my sister's house, we settled in for the next 5 nights.

The best part for me was seeing so much of my family that I don't get to see very often. My sister and brother-in-law, Tim,  were really kind to host us. Tim took the girl to play tennis one morning at his club. Both girls had a good time, and Uncle Tim learned quickly the competitive spirits of his nieces...mainly with one another!

Amelie at play with Uncle Tim

Also at the top of the list for me was seeing my girls and niece and nephew all together. My husband Ajay is Indian, and my brother's wife is Phillipine, but the Pate genes make them recognizable as cousins!

Me, my brother, and sister with David, Allison, Amelie and Alia

So glad time allowed the trip to happen! The girls thrived getting to know their cousins better and meeting their second cousin with whom they'd only loosely written letters with over the years. 

Cousins!!!

Amelie and me at the Flight of the Butterflies at the Evansville Museum

My Mom with her grandkids at Turronis Pizza in Evansville, IN

My Aunt Linda, Mom, and the girls' cousins at dinner

OH! And one of the very best highlights for me for 2018? Getting to spend some time with this girl. My BFF from 3rd grade through high school. We went through it ALL together. Sometimes with distance, sometimes with disagreement, but I really hope, always with support. Our lives were not easy as teenagers ( I know...no one has it easy.....but I mean, we REALLY dealt with some shit!!!) I am so grateful she drove two hours both ways to see me and meet my girls!

After I returned to Laguna, it seemed like the last 6 weeks of school dragged a little. We had some soccer, with Alia being pretty much permanently in goal...this is her passion and identity...as a 10 year old. It could change; however she's been in goal since 7 and we think she's doing a great job!

Amelie enjoyed doing her drama recital with an after-school program...

Ajay enjoyed the Hot Luck festival for the 2nd? year in a row via a quick trip to Austin...

And we enjoyed an amazing Mother's Day brunch at Taco Maria....

Did I mention the girls' first concert? They saw the Taylor Swift Reputation concert at the Rose Bowl.....

....and it was amazing! The girls thoroughly enjoyed it, and surprisingly, so did Ajay and I!

Next up? June!!!

2018 Update....January through March

Happy Almost New Year!

So in the interest of this being the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, I thought I'd review our year.

We had a nice long visit with Maya this year. She was with us almost 4 months! Here we are on the Balboa Ferry at the beginning of January:

Balboa Ferry, January

In January, we met up with several members of Alia's soccer team to see the USA Women's National Team play in San Diego. A really fun memory for all of us. Alia got to see her Goalkeeper hero, Hope Solo, receive her 200th cap in a ceremony before the game.

Alia and me at SDCCU Stadium⁩, ⁨San Diego⁩, Seeing the 

Women's National Team play. January

Alia also dabbled a little bit in beach volleyball over the winter months. It was such a beautiful experience watching the sunset behind the girls on Friday afternoons. Ultimately, soccer took over and volleyball was put on hold.

Alia played beach volleyball over the winter here in Laguna

In February, we met up with family in Austin for Mid-Winter Break, and to celebrate my birthday. Amelie and Alia learned to ride bikes!!! (We live on a hill in Laguna and never got around to learning before now!) 

Amelie! On two wheels!

On my actual birthday, surrounded by family and friends at Laundrette in Austin. 

One night we stumbled into a local favorite and stayed for the show. Ben Balmer amazed us all! His style of Alternative Folk appealed to everyone in our multi-generational group!

Alia, enjoying Ben Balmer at the
Whip Inn in Austin. AMAZING SHOW!

Alia and Ajay really enjoyed their new freedom to explore on their bikes!

Ajay and Alia exploring Austin on two wheels

Once back in Laguna, we participated with in the Patriot's Day Parade with Amelie. Over the past two years, she's taken it upon herself to donate regularly to this local charity. She has done multiple lemonade stands to raise money to help feed families in need. Her interest in helping hungry families happened one day when she overheard a conversation about some kids not having enough to eat. She has a big heart, and really pours herself into giving.

In March, we took to the road and trekked up to Mammoth Lakes so the girls could finally learn to ski. It was a fantastic little holiday. We stayed locally at the Westin, which was extremely convenient. They took care of everything from boots to lift passes. Most importantly, both girls had a fantastic time and both came away skiing happily asking about next time!

And finally, also in March, there was a great family celebration for Ajay's uncle's 60th birthday in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. It was such a lovely trip! We found a fantastic rental on HomeAway and it did not disappoint. It was so peaceful, well-designed, and the best part for us? The dog next door! With friendly neighbors willing to let the girls throw endless tennis balls for their young retriever, we were all in heaven. 

We also enjoyed various group get togethers, exploring the area, and so many yummy things to eat!

Holidays 2018

Happy Holidays!

It's December 27 and we have had a terrific holiday so far. Alia (age 10, 5th grade) and Amelie (age 9, 3rd grade) were in school at Van Damme Academy up until December 21st this year. That left me with very little time to lead up to the holidays together. It also means that they will be out the entire week after New Years, which makes me a little anxious. Christmas was so close to the beginning of the break, it seems like a really long time to be home with no soccer, dance, or other activities to occupy their energy. (Thankfully I recently read  The Danish Way of Parenting that reminds me that togetherness is a way to celebrate family time, not just endure it!) However, to be completely honest, I've already referred back to the book several times to set myself straight!

Anyway, in my mind, I much prefer when they get out of school earlier so we can spend the time baking harmoniously while listening to Christmas music in the week leading up to the holidays. Oh, wait. Even if they were out earlier, our harmoniously baking with music (and a roaring fire!) in the background would actually go something like this:

Alia: Can I have the bowl to lick?

Amelie: Alia, you always get the bowl.

Me: Guys, it doesn't matter! I always make it even! You'll both get the same risk exposure to salmonella from the cookie dough!

Alia: So....then it doesn't matter if I get the bowl? I can have the bowl?

Amelie: But I always have the spatula. I want the bowl.

Enter Maki. Our 4 year old whoodle who LOOOVES eggs. She knocks the bowl and the spatula on the floor in search of eggs, and then Alia and Amelie yell MAKI!!!! and chase her (with doughy spatula in her mouth) onto the newly reupholstered couch, rug, and ultimately into the yard...running through one of her yard-offerings by mistake, and then tracking it back inside.

Turkey 2015

I just realized I finished this and didn't tie it to my blog. Here's a look at our summer in Turkey visiting Ajay's Mom. Fantastic trip. So relaxing and beautiful!

2015 update.

Hellllllllo!
I'm back. Just checking in the record the state of things.

Currently, Alia is 7 and Amelie is 6. They both go to Van Damme Academy....Amelie Kindergarten and Alia 2nd Grade. We couldn't be happier with our choice for their education.

I'm going to quickly post this so I can see how it posts, as I haven't posted in an embarrassingly long time.

So....did I mention....we got a doggie? Here's Maki!

Posh Nomad

Hello, loyal readers! Ok, so I haven't exactly been keeping up my little bog here...well, that's an understatement considering my last post was over a year ago.

Regardless, it's with great excitement I introduce my latest endeavor, Posh Nomad! So, this summer I decided to spend my time in Turkey looking around for the "it" product to bring back with me. But rather than settle on one product, I decided on lots of products. And with that said, I invite you to click the Posh Nomad  link above and visit my Facebook page! My website will be coming in the future, but for now, give me a "Like" and check out my photos and video of my products.

Alia & Amelie's room re-do...

I'm finally finishing this old blog!  I found this in the draft section of my home screen unfinished!

What's new in the Lalvani household? Well, let me tell you....construction!!!!!

That's right, readers, Andrea has taken on a new project...doors, floors, stucco, beams, paint. For those readers of mine that have been with me since my early blog, you'll know I'm no stranger to big home improvements. I love them. I am good at project management. I love love love renovation.

Last year at this time? It was the Laguna apartment, which I just realized I forgot to blog about. Project details to follow. In 2007 it was our home addition with pool, spa, and landscape. And before that in 2005, it was my whole house flip of my Florida house. As I sit here writing, I realize that I may have an unrecognized passion or talent, depending on how you feel about the outcome.

Here's the room before....you remember....

...and yes, back then, there were two cribs, side by side 
with a circle rug and a Ligne Roset futon for Mommy 

...and here are the two sets of french doors to the
 balcony, the changing table, and the rocker.

So the scope of this project? I said before, it's exterior doors leading to the girls' balcony which are so rotted that they leaked enough water to destroy the floors. And while we're at it, how about new floors?  And painting. Can lights. Base boards.

Before: This is as I was clearing the room. For awhile, I loved the painted
white wood floors. But over time the two sets of french doors began
 to leak and the floors by the window buckled.

If you look closely at the first photo, you'll also see an error in function. While everyone loves LOVES french doors, what happens if they are placed too closely to one another? What happens when you try to open both sets at once to get that breezy airy feeling that people love about french doors? They bang together. In this case, we could only open one door at a time, and when we did we'd literally have to move furniture around to open it full as the balcony is only maybe 4 feet deep. So rather than going with the same time of doors, I decided it was worth the extra work to eliminate the center support column, hang a header beam, and go with a single 10 foot slider unit where the opening is in the center and the side panels are stationary.

And here's the after....

Now the doors open in the center. Airflow is much better

Also notice the wall color changed too. The bright citrus green that I absolutely loved looked terrible with the new Mikado  porcelain floor...the dark color of the floor was way too much contrast with the bright green.

And where two cribs used to be, there's now a new bunk bed. Initially the downstairs contained the kitchen, but since Amelie was ready for a big girl bed and also because the room isn't huge, I realized I could just put another mattress inside the bottom.

For whatever reason, when I merged two of my photo libraries, many of my blog photos disappeared, so the above mentioned image can't be found.

Quote of the day from Alia, age 5

Alia: Mommy, what's the very worst thing that can happen to you in life?
Me: Well, I suppose being really sick....so sick that I couldn't take care of you.
Alia: Well, I think it would be catching on fire.
Me: Well, yes....I, ummm, think....you....ummmm, may be right....

Preschool Yoga at Montessori

So today was the end-of-the-year final yoga class at Montessori, and Alia's teacher allowed parents to come observe. Let me tell you....I'm not sure if you have almost 5 minutes to watch this video, but if you do, it's quite impressive.

Alia started doing yoga when she was 3, when Mrs. Newquist joined Montessori of Laguna Beach. Since then, I've been so impressed with Alia's progress. Watching this final class today was truly impressive...the teacher didn't say one word throughout the "show". The children, most of them 4 years old, followed (without prompting) a pretty complex set of movements followed by a short meditation.

Alia Flips! Well, kind of.....