the new adventure

i really have no idea who reads this stuff, and sort of assume that most who do already know me, and have a rough idea of what is happening at the cirque de doggett. this past week was the beginning of what i have been calling 'the new adventure' 'l'adventure nouveau' if you will. i don't know how to say adventure in japanese, don't know if i ever did. said adventure is about change. ch ch ch change in a big way for our fam. for, as gus pointed out, 'dad, you got a new job the same week as obama got a new job' yes. it's true, and we are all feeling grateful for so many things this week. right now, even as they sleep, the chillins are grateful that dad is home for the weekend. one of them is dreaming about his new loft bed as dad drills holes in the living room so that they can put it together tomorrow. we're grateful for a relatively painless way of getting to and from portland where the new job is located, thank you amtrak. we're grateful for the sweet new digs in a quiet sweet neighboorhood up there, and the 3 mile bike ride to work. i'm grateful for the continued opportunity to learn together with the kids. i'm grateful that robert is willing and able to be on this new adventure. i know that i have been extremely lucky as a mama to have had him so nearby for all of the time that the kiddos were wee. i mean, just check these photos out:




he's an amazing dad! he has been with me on this adventure called parenting for more than 9 years now and he never ceases to amaze me. he is beyond calm and gentle with the kids, especially when i cannot seem to be. he is funny and silly when we all need some of that. he is way better at bedtime stories than me. he has rolled with all of the changes, like having babies at home, using cloth diapers, carrying kids in slings and sleeping with them at night, raising vegetarians, ditching the tv, learning at home, and is still rolling. i feel incredibly blessed.

Jaldi Cello!

in india, where i was headed ten years ago right now, to say let's go, you say chelo! if you want to go fast, you say jaldi chelo! i don't know how to spell any of this stuff, but, my pal ella who grew up with indians in london told me that when we were riding in a tuktuk through the streets of dehli. it all seems like a very far cry from the second pew of the first congregational church in corvallis, or, where i was privleged enough to watch this performance by the cirque's resident cello player to whom i often say, 'jaldi, cello!'



do you love the hat? when people say, 'gus, i like your hat!' he says, 'it's not my hat.' why does he say that? because it's my hat. but, he does not say, 'it's my mom's hat.' i find that funny. i wish you could see his ensemble beyond the hat. it's so classic. a plaid shirt and a plaid vest and a stripy tie topped off with his favorite corduroy blazer, which he sewed the buttons on 10 minutes prior to departure to the concert. every performer should be able to do his own costume repairs. i love it that he is not afraid to wear what he wants, and that his 'dressing up' style is so awesome.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the folks at Slow Lane. We are well into the swing of things around here. Here is a New Years Eve concert for everyone. It's a bit dark, but hopefully you get the idea.



They had a lot of fun getting dressed up for parties and for this event. The editor, imovie doesn't like the format these videos are in, so the editing that i was going to do did not happen. i hope they come through okay anyway.
I certainly hope everyone who read this had a lovely holiday season. We did. It was, in turns, chaotic and restful, with a foot of snow on the ground for a week. I am still reeling after way too many nights up way too late doing crafty projects. photos will follow, I am certain.