A quick family update

Elliot is in the final phase of his high school. He received two conditional acceptances to his choice schools in the Netherlands. He should hear in a month if he’s been accepted. They are limited on the numbers accepted, so even though his predicted grades are excellent (43) there’s a chance he could not get in. That has him a bit tense.  Meredith has just returned from a school service trip to Mumbai, India. It was life altering for her. She’s taking a very active interest in her finances and is hustling for babysitting jobs. Meredith decided to dye (temporarily) her hair blue. Both kids need their passport renewed, and that means Elliot now gets an adult, 10 year passport. He also had to register for the civil service back home now that he’s 18.  Larry continues to be recognized at Akamai.  And I am very busy with volunteer work, part time work at the school, and all that goes into our own strategic planning and operational requirements. Our hosting season and travel season quickly approaches, and I am very excited (and a little nervous) at what the next six months have in store for us.

The Paris of books, art, and color

Meredith and I were fortunate enough to take a lightning-quick trip to Paris for a couple of days. It was hot, and it was crowded, and it was — and still is — one of the most amazing cities I’ve had the pleasure to visit. We loved the Latin Quarter and we loved wandering the streets and the museums. We were each moved to tears at the chance to walk among some of the world’s most cherished works of art. 

Belgium with my baby girl

Last weekend, Meredith and I took off for a long mother/daughter weekend to a new country: Belgium.  Land of waffles, fries, mussels, beer, and chocolate.  We had a wonderful time traveling together, exploring Brussels and Bruges. The weather was clear and very, very warm. We enjoyed museums, parks, canals, and of course, the food.  Meredith is becoming quite adept at navigating around Europe, be it in airports, train stations, or subways and trams. She’s developing a keen sense of direction and observation. She’s a great travel partner, and I hope we get more opportunities for adventure.

February Break, Alps and Florida

For the February break, we opted for a divide and conquer approach. Larry needed to work for most of the week, and both Elliot and Larry wanted to learn to ski.  Merrie had no desire to try the slopes, and both she and I wanted some sun and warmth.  It had also been too long since I had seen (in person) my mom and dad. So the boys headed to the Alps and Merrie and I headed to Florida.

These two have become thick as thieves

One of the benefits of this relocation has been how close Elliot and Meredith have become as they both have become older. They both have a nice group of friends from school, but over the past year they have become better friends with each other.

Last night, the kids continued the dinner conversation even after everyone was done eating. They kept talking while they did the dishes. They continued talking well after that, too. Their discussion was about the constitution (tho it definitely wandered in many political and ideological directions).  And while it was mostly Elliot in the role of teacher, Meredith was far from a passive learner. She was engaged. She questioned and she challenged. She brought up good points and she stopped him from verbally steamrolling her (something he’s always working to improve with everyone).

I was off doing my own thing, but occasionally I picked up snippets as I passed through. It all made me smile. But the part that sent me over the moon was when I heard the very familiar strains of School House Rock’s “Preamble” floating through the house. I was a proud mama at that moment. (and it’s still stuck in my head). When I went downstairs later in the evening to wish them goodnight, I found them on their beanbag chairs happily watching a movie together.

I know that sometimes she is just humoring him. More often than not his passions are not in her wheelhouse. I know that sometimes he is over protective, and sometimes they just drive each other crazy. But they also really look out for each other. They take care of each other. It looks like they are on a path to be really great friends with each other for the rest of their lives.  I don’t know that I could ask for more.

They lose their sh*t; I lose my mind

For the past 3-6 months, my kids are constantly misplacing or losing things. Important things. Expensive things. I’m not talking umbrellas or paperbacks (tho, those have been lost too). I’m talking keys, phones, wallets, train tickets, money, IDs, jackets, earbuds, hats, thermoses, computer chargers, razors, phone chargers. You name it, they are losing it. Like little costly breadcrumbs, trails of Underhill possessions are scattered everywhere. Berlin, Starnberg, Switzerland, on the trains, at the school.

Happy New Year

You know I love my son, and I love all my friends’ kids to bits, but today Meredith gets the award for the Coolest Kid in World. She is celebrating the Buddhist New Year. She made gifts and cards for all of us, she decorated her room, and had a special prayer to read after pouring water on the heads of our Buddha statues.  I took this opportunity to give her a book that can help with her adjusting to life in Munich.  Happy New Year, everyone.

Signs of the times

Meredith is continuing to grow into an interesting young pre-teen. She daily says or does things that tickle us and make us very grateful to have her in our life.  She continues to make her room her sanctuary and retreat, and her style permeates the whole place.  Her latest iconoclastic move is to communicate via hand-crafted signs on her door. I needed to capture them before this phase passes.

Our First Rule

Turn to either of my kids quickly, and out of the blue ask them “What’s the first rule?”  They will likely tell you, with eyes widening slightly for emphasis, and maybe surreptitiously looking around for a source of danger:  Don’t Panic. 

The little scientist

“Mom, can I have a sample of your saliva?” she asks while wearing a white lab coat, latex gloves and wielding a Q-tip. Truly, this is not something I ever thought I’d hear my child ask.

Meredith has been suffering from a miserable cold for the past week. Today we let her stay home. By 8:00am she was asking if she could watch Netflix. My answer was No. Home sick means resting and not just binge watching TV. (Can’t make staying home too appealing, right?)

At 11:00 our air shipment arrived, bringing some of our household goods including the fragile items like our iMac and our mandolins. Meredith’s microscope set also arrived. She’s been happily playing for hours, looking at dyed potato shavings, tooth plaque, pollen, and yes, even my saliva.