Kid Guilt . . .

We're at the very end of our summer holidays here in Argentina.  The kids head back to school this week.  We've had a wonderful break enjoying the holidays, traveling to Uruguay and Chile and spending a month with grandparents.  There has been a lot of family time. The other day when we woke up Colin was searching around the house and finally came to me and said, "Where's Dad?"  When I responded with, ". . . he went to work . . ." that perplexed him. Between Christmas, New Year and vacation time we utterly lost our Monday to Friday routines. That's great!

After spending the whole day with the kids, taking them shopping and getting everything ready for back-to-school Michael and I had a party to go to in the evening. It was the first one in a while as most families scatter during the holidays. With the babysitter at home I told the kids I was going to run out to get my hair done quickly.  Before leaving I fixed the kids a late afternoon snack. As I delivered the snacks, Meryn started to cry. When I tried to figure out what was wrong the initial prodding revealed that she was tired.  We were all tired.  Our house went through a brown-out the previous night and none of us slept very well.  But I could tell there was something else.  

After a few minutes she started to talk.  She didn't want me to go out.  She admitted that she wanted me to stay home forever.  At this point I sat down.  We needed to get to the heart of the matter.

She knows once school starts 'real life' follows.  I will start up with committee work, social events will surface for us and for them, Colin will start back with his speech therapy and orthodontist appointments, Michael will travel and after school activities will commence.  The juggling begins.

Our quiet summer bubble will burst. It will.

At one point in the conversation as she grumped about the upcoming schedule changes I jokingly said to her, " . . .  well would you rather that both of us stay here? We could give up on school and volunteer work, friends and going to parties and just hang out, you and me."

At which point she piped up, "Oh no, I like going to school, seeing my friends and going to parties. I want you to stay home."  She heard it as soon as she said it.

In the end we had a laugh. We snuggled for a while and talked about the summer.  It was a good one.  We talked about the new semester to come and things we want to accomplish.  We knocked around a few ideas we want to incorporate at home including a weekly Mom/kid cooking night. Then I went and got my hair done.

It just goes to show that  finding balance doesn't mean that we get to keep it forever.  We are a work in progress!  Fine tune and adjust . . . fine tune and adjust . . .

Love you kiddo!

PS The next day one of her 12-year molars popped out! We realized she was teething and didn't feel so well, hence the tears.  How can she be getting her 12-year molars? She's nine . . . Ay caramba!  ✿ Micheline

Summer Vacation . . .

Volcanos Everywhere We Looked!

In the last breath of summer holidays we went traveling to the far northern reaches of Chile.  We took our kids to the Atacama desert - one of the driest places on earth! After spending nearly seven years bumping around Argentina and Uruguay we were ready for a new adventure.

To get to the Atacama we flew two hours from Buenos Aires to Santiago. From Santiago we flew another two hours due north to the small city of Calama. Arriving in Calama after dark we piled into our very large red pick-up truck and drove an hour under starry skies to reach the sleepy town of San Pedro.

Oasis In The Desert

We spent the next four days bumping around this amazing corner of the world. One night we spent hours stargazing into enormous telescopes with a very informative (and Canadian!) astronomer.  Northern Chile is an amazing place to discover the world of astronomy.  The entire sky even to the naked eye twinkled like Christmas lights.  And with telescopes the views were amazing.  We were able to marvel at so many sights including watching the many moons of Jupiter orbiting around the planet. Meryn was captivated.

On other days we hiked around 12th century Indian ruins, drove to soda lakes full of flamingos, marvelled at volcanoes in every direction and gaped our way through Valle De La Luna or Moon Valley and its other-worldly landscapes. Another we day stopped for a hike and a perfect lunch of Chilean empandas in the middle of an oasis in the desert.  Local families and groups of friends picnicked in this tranquil escape. Colin jumped over streams of cool water and we strolled through orchards of avocados, limes and pomegranates.

One morning we woke up at five and drove to dizzying heights in order to reach the El Tatio Geyser at 16000 feet above sea level. It's the highest I've even been out of an airplane and I lived in Ecuador which is no stranger to altitude. Driving across the altiplano as the sun rose and ringed by volcanoes was a morning for the record books.  We ate a picnic breakfast (complete with coffee!) in the zero degree temperatures as we watched flamingos and vicuñas eating their own breakfasts in the shadow of steam pouring out of the ground.  Wow!  How amazing is that? On our way back down the mountain we stopped at natural hot springs and soaked away all the dust of the desert.  It was heavenly.

It was time to head back across the desert to Calama.  Since Michael had to dial into a conference call for work I put myself behind the wheel of our enormous ride and cruised along the beautiful landscape while the kids zoned out in the backseat.  How fun!

We may have left the desert but we weren't quite ready to head home just yet. We stopped in Santiago for a couple of days of city luxury spending two nights at the very fun and whimsical W Hotel.  It was stunning! The kids loved the room so much that they spent hours and hours playing a made up travel game wandering around our adjoining rooms.  We did manage to pry ourselves out of the hotel to walk around this incredibly modern city and to go out for some amazing seafood, a real treat coming from Buenos Aires.  Meryn ate her first lobster. She's hooked.

Our Ride!

Soda Lake And Flamingos

Moon Valley

El Tatio Geyser In The Morning

The Hot Springs . . . A Perfect Swim!

Thatch Roof Church In Tocanao

The trip didn't come without its bumps.  Meryn got a wicked nosebleed from the dry mountain air and Colin suffered a nasty bout of car sickness on the way down the mountain.  Once the barf bag became unusable we had to improvise and kept a hotel towel on his lap for the remainder of the drive.  Meryn descriptively labeled it the "barf blanket" as her poor brother wretched into it several times.  I'm sure the hotel loved us for that one . . . as I gingerly placed it on the bathroom floor for washing.

But beyond two minor speed bumps it was a fantastic week away.  For Michael and I who love to travel it was a gift.  To show our kids the people we are and for them to want to share that with us is pure magic.  Thanks kiddos!  We love you! Now . . . where shall we go next?!  ✿ Micheline

Happy New Year!

So New year arrived and we had to say goodbye to a wonderful 2011.

On Friday the 30th Jules, Sofia, Emma and I went to our normal horse riding classes for another fantastic morning, we spent two hours with these beautiful animals. Afterwards we went to the hairdressers to get ourselves all pretty and ready to welcome 2012. That night Sofia and Emma wore their favorite dresses, Jules was looking very handsome with his short haircut and I was wearing one of those dresses that I know the girls just love!

It was already dark when we left the house and 15 minutes later we found a restaurant that we had never been to before.  The girls were excited and ready to have dinner, talk and write our resolutions for New Year.  Now these resolutions are stuck on the fridge to remind us what goals we have for this year.

On New Year's Eve we went to a restaurant that we love, "Gato Blanco" . It is a twenty minute drive followed by a forty five minute boat ride from where we live. Blanca, our sweet maid, also came with us. She was going to spend New Year's Eve with our girls at home that night so we thought it would be great if she could join us and have a very special day at the Delta.

We had the best weather that day... Sooo hot, perfect for the boat trip and then to sit at the river front on a large deck to eat huge plates of food, laughter, playing with the water, and finish a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc!

The most beautiful moment was when we arrived at the restaurant and saw a very old man sitting in a small old wooden row boat, full of gorgeous flowers ... and when I say "old  man" I mean old. He had the sweetest face and a big toothless smile. Sofia came all the way home holding a bunch of Flowers that we brought from the old flower man.

That night having put the little ones in bed, our friends arrived for a glass of Champagne to start the celebration with us. We went to a private party downtown.

NYE is one of my favorite celebrations of the year. I got myself ready to have an exceptional night and to receive the New Year with the best energy!

At midnight I ate 12 grapes and with each one I make a wish, they represent the months of the year. Colombian tradition! Also I light a candle that represents all the good energy and light for us. And of course the first thing I do is to give Jules the biggest kiss and hug with a big glass of Champagne in my hand! Happy New Year!!!

Actually it is not just me that eats the grapes and lights the candles, whoever is with Jules and I ends up doing the same. Some friends find it hilarious, others think that I am crazy but at the end they always ask me if I have enough grapes for them...

I have eaten grapes like this in London in the super trendy Conran Bluebird restaurant .... In a Glamorous party in Punta del Este - Jose  Ignacio, in a Night club in Ecuador, at the Famous Faena Hotel + Universe with Micheline and Michael. It is just a tradition but traditions are there for a reason... I love them! ❀ Liana

Two Xmas Days!!

So the best way to start is with our happy celebration of Xmas day. As you know Jules is from England and I am from Colombia, great combo! So in Colombia and in this part of the world we celebrate Xmas on December 24th and  in England the 25th... So Jules and I  have two days to celebrate this wonderful occasion with Sofia and Emma and we have been doing this for many years.  So this year on my Xmas day we all woke up very early to open the stockings and to see if Santa had come with all his presents and great appetite.

The first thing was to check if he had eaten the cookies and drunk the wine (nothing like a drunk Santa!) which we always leave for him next to the chimney. He had, of course! My oldest daughter, Sofia, asked me if Santa drank wine in every house he goes to.... Luckily the majority of the people give Santa milk...

That morning we opened our presents, put Xmas songs on, ate a very large and unhealthy breakfast and also searched for the presents that "clumsy" Santa always seems to drop in different places around the garden or even on the roof.

Our very good friends invited us and other families to spend the afternoon together at their house. Before this and in our normal rush we made a very quick stop at Mich's house to wish her and her family a very Merry Xmas. We exchanged presents, big kisses and hugs!

In our friends house we had a blast, the kids were in the pool swimming, playing and doing what kids do... On the other side of the garden our Canadian friend was cooking the most amazing BBQ in true Argentine style.  We all sat down at a large table and enjoyed every single piece of meat, wine and desert that was around...

When midnight arrived, despite how tired the kids were, they all went and jumped back into the pool. For my girls this was amazing to be in the pool so late "wow"... So I jumped in with them to witness the fireworks exploding in the sky.. it was magic!

The 25th of December, Jules Xmas day! The day started more or less the same way as the day before:  stockings, presents, large breakfast... But no doubt it is my favorite day. It is just the four of us and we are so ready to have a good time! We had rented a huge bouncy castle for the weekend  (this was a very nice surprise for the girls). We spent the day playing games in the garden, jumping on the castle and singing songs using Sofia's new amplifier and microphone that we bought her to go with Santa's present of a new electric guitar!

After a fantastic and simple dinner Emma and Sofia decided to sleep in the bouncy castle and Jules and I stayed up singing songs until the early hours of morning... I know our neighbors must have loved us!  ❀ Liana

The Lazy Days Of Summer

It's summer in South America.  Our kids are on a six-week holiday from school.  These are lazy, lazy days.  It's so hot.

During these weeks we are letting some of the every day routines slide.  Over Christmas we did a lot of cooking, and even more eating. I ate way too much cake, pie and gingerbread. It was delicious . . .  Now in the New Year none of us can be bothered much with food. It's too humid.  We've gone the other way.  Apple slices and a piece cheese are dinner.  Tonight it was particularly hot and we made homemade blueberry smoothies and popcorn! It was a perfect meal.  As we munched we commented that once school starts in another week we need to get back to regular meals.  For the moment bean night has been thrown out the window.  It's okay.  We were ready for a break.

The same goes for beauty routines. I haven't done horribly. I've kept up with home facials, moisturizing and going to the gym.  It's not easy to go and do an aerobics tape or out for a run (okay I've been walking more than running . . . ) when everyone else is hanging in pj's and watching movies, but I know I feel better and more energized for it.  Once I get past the mental decision and pull myself away, it makes me happy.  On the flip side, I haven't done anything with my hair, worn make-up or plucked my eyebrows in a while.  I really need to check on that!  The brows seem to go from acceptable to old man over night. It's not my best look.

I'm going  to enjoy my lazy days of summer but once school starts I forsee a proper facial, a great blow-out and a fun date night in a cocktail dress and heels.

Happy days!  ✿ Micheline

Tango Night

My mother and father-in-law were visiting recently and we took them to see a tango show at the Faena Hotel.  Over the years we've seen several shows in different places but in our opinion the Faena is the best.  After trial and error, it's our go-to place with visitors.

First, the music is amazing.  Michael, who I'll be honest is not a huge tango lover, spends much of the evening watching the musicians who are pitch perfect and dressed to the nines in white tuxedos.  The lead accordion is penetrating.  He makes the show.  He's the king pin of the whole event.

And then there is the dancing.  The dancers are as stunning as they are talented. And they are given the most beautiful costumes to highlight legs that go on for miles.  The costume changes go on and on and on and just keep getting better as the night unfolds.

The show is sexy. There's no doubt. The dancers and the musicians work together and know when to take things slow, when to linger, when to gaze longingly and when to let the moment run. One of the male dancers literally plays his partner as though she's a instrument.  The way he moves his hand along her back during the dance takes your breathe away.  It's like watching a private moment between them. Dresses are slit way too high, tango shoes have heels that go on for miles and hair is sleek, shiny and gorgeous. The men fit the bill of tall, dark and handsome.

 What still amazes after nearly seven years here is that the show is so, so sexy, yet there is not a note or hint of anything remotely tawdry. It's just beautiful and passionate and soulful and inspiring. It makes you want to get up and kick your leg over your head! That's a very fine line to walk.

When I took a break from the show to gaze around the room I noted that there were people from every age.  There were young couples, honeymooners, people of middle age, retired and even quite elderly couples.  There were also small children.  One family wheeled a toddler in a stroller who abruptly fell asleep and let her parents enjoy date night.  Another little girl about the age of Meryn was all dressed up and out for the evening with her parents.  She sat at the next table and I loved watching her sit between her parents, eyes flickering at the spectacle.  During the last twenty minutes she quietly fell asleep.  Her father cradled her head with one arm and her mother supported her feet in their patent leather shoes.  With his spare arm he held his wife. She put her head on his shoulder. That's beautiful.

Thank-you Argentina. ✿ Micheline

Pirates and Piojos

Over the Christmas holidays we decided to go to the ballet as a family.  Michael's parents are visiting us and the Teatro Colon has finally opened from its several year long restoration. We were all dying to see it.  I looked on-line and found that a production of a ballet called El Corsario was running between Christmas and New Year's. With the flick of my magic wand we were in.

On a Wednesday night we all got dressed up in our finest and took a ride into the city. With very few restaurants in the neighbourhood around the Colon we ended up sitting with most theatre goers at the very crowded Petit Colon café down the street.  People sipped on coffee and sparkling wine and nibbled ham and cheese sandwiches and salads as they waited for curtain call. Michael who had returned to work after the holidays met us in the crowded room and as a family we slowly made our way to the theatre.

The Teatro Colon is one of the world's great opera theatres.  It's a national treasure that I've heard time and time again has perfect acoustics.  Everybody who is anybody in Argentina has performed at the Colon. But after nearly a hundred years of service they closed their doors in 2006 and completed a multi year restoration. It was time to go and check it out.

As a group of six we were easily able to book our own palco.  A palco is a box. There is something about sitting in a box that just feels intimate, decadent. The kids looked around with wonder at the stage, the multitude of red velvet and the heavily curtained boxes that ring the theatre.  The Colon doesn't fail to impress. I sat and gaping with awe at the beauty around me and loved that our kids were able to do the same.

Inside the Teatro Colon! Gorgeous!

Now I knew that Meryn was excited for the show.  What nine year old girl doesn't want to go to the ballet dressed in her finest clothes?  But I was a little bit nervous about Colin.  A six year old boy and a three act ballet . . . well I made sure to sit next to him and instructed him to tap me quietly if he needed anything.

He did amazingly well.  I had no idea what the ballet was about and was pleasantly surprised that it was   a story about pirates!  We lucked out.  Yes there was dancing and music.  But there were also stunning sets and plenty of sword fighting. He was captivated. Whew!

Now to switch gears, earlier that week Meryn came down with a case of piojos.  Piojos are lice and they are rampant in Argentina. I have never seen anything like it. We do our best to keep them out of our house but occasionally they discover the deliciousness of Meryn's thick, curly blond locks.  We have the treatment down to a science and were able to get rid of them as quickly as they came. I didn't give them another thought.

Part way through the show Colin curled up on my lap, snuggling and clapping for the dancers on the stage.  I was so proud of him. And then out of no where he started to scratch his head, a lot.  He scratched endlessly for most of the second act.  With very short hair piojos have never been interested in him.  And yet as my own hair cascaded over his neck, all I could think was crap. My head immediately started to itch. Crap.

Here I am at the Teatro Colon - one of the world's premiere opera houses watching a world class ballet and sitting in a private box in my favourite three inch heels and all I can think about is that my head is itching.  Does he have lice? Do I? 

The Show . . . 

Eventually I let it go.  The show would go on as they say, piojos or not.  There was nothing I could do until we got home anyway. With the end of the third act and amidst a standing ovation we piled the kids into a pre-arranged taxi and whisked them into the night and into their beds.  I whipped myself out of my cocktail dress and heels, put on pj's and immediately reached for the lice comb.  Nothing.  Whew. . .

When I checked Colin the next morning . . . nothing. I have no idea why he was scratching.

Up and down. Tragedy and comedy. Agony and ecstasy. Each makes the other more poignant. ✿ Micheline

The Holidays

Christmas Desserts!

Ahhh the holidays!  We've had a great time this year.  With visiting grandparents we have certainly enjoyed ourselves. There has been presents and tree trimming and lots of visiting.  And there has also been food and drink.  For the last couple of weeks I have been drinking extra bubbly and less water, eating more sweets and less vegetables. Michael's birthday is on Christmas day which means that we always have extra goodies around. We made a gingerbread house, blueberry pie and a yule log this year!  I'll admit that I've enjoyed it.  We've gone out for lunch and for ice cream too many times.  To feast, to indulge has been heavenly.

I've kept my commitment to myself and kept going to the gym over the holidays, but I also know that the party has to end. To be honest I've had enough. I'm starting to feel sluggish and kind of icky. When I see one of the local pan dulces or sweet breads they are starting to look doughy instead of delicious.  And if I eat one more ice cream cone I think I'm going to melt.

After allowing myself to indulge for the last couple of weeks I find myself thinking about things like fresh peaches, creamy chickpeas, heaps of crisp lettuce, peppermint tea and cool water.  There's no doubt that taking care of myself throughout the year allowed me to enjoy the holiday with gusto.  And now enjoying the holiday season has made me look forward to taking care of myself again.  It's a good thing.  We need both in life.

As we start 2012 I am off to bed with a soothing cup of tea and a big glass of water.  And after toasting with friends and family for the last couple of weeks, it's time to toast myself.  Cheers to the New Year! ✿ Micheline

Our homemade gingerbread house.