The Howl & Moon: presents

Monday, July 20, 2015

Hopper is 4!!!!

Sunday was Hopper's 4th birthday so we threw him a party in the afternoon. I always wanted a summer birthday as a kid, swimming, playing tag, general outdoor merriment, but I'm realizing now that it will always be Hopper's curse that most of his friends will be on vacation for his birthday. However, with that in mind, it was spectacular to see so many people jammed in our house, eating, drinking, having a great time. And the kids were loving it. Especially Hopper. He loved playing with all the kids, getting presents, tucking in to the most fancy chocolate cake a 4 year has ever had, and most of all, feeling a little special.

It's quite unbelievable that I suddenly have this boy in my life. No more toddler, certainly nothing babyish left. His face and body are all leaned out, he runs like the wind, likes to play rough and tumble, and says things like "Mama, all the people on Earth (quizzical look), how did all the people get onto our planet? Did they come on a rocketship?"

And yet, I know there is a part of him that mourns getting older, it's that little forlorn flash in his eyes, and he lets me tickle him like a baby, and smooch him all over, and coo and rub and sniff his head. And then I know, that I will never really have to say good bye to my baby, he will always want a little bit of that from me, whether it's now at the cafe or in 10 years in the deepest privacy of our home, he will always want me to be mama. And I love that.

So I tell him, I know you're a big boy now but you will always be my Tiny Pie, and he snuggles a little closer.

Happy birthday, to the love of my life, the flutter in my chest, my sweet boy Hopper.

*Thanks everyone for all the lovely presents. He loved everything. But also especially for coming and helping to make his day special so he felt celebrated and loved. It means everything to me that he was so happy and excited and, at the end of the day, full of contentment. Thank you from the entirety of my bosom.

last night being 3

Good Morning Birthday Boy!

Nankai Express train

like daddy like son

family shenanigans

the Spidey suit on the left was a dud, refuses to wear it, BUT the bike was an amazing find, pimped out by daddy, now if only he were a bit taller!

putting together the goody bags

the arts table/the party has begun!!!

Hopper & Ophelia hiding from the bum monster

Gabrielle checking out the new animals book with the boys

Gorgeous ladies Gabrielle, Jill & Samira and S's kids Raya and Ramzy

That's right, everyone can have a go!

Samira, i need to see your photos!

so many lovely people came with presents and good cheer

Uncle Glen and cousin Jill (on right)

gift opening is serious business (with Zack and Jill)

the fanciest 4 year old's birthday cake ever, what a delicious experience

back away from Nik's ginormous knife

and the room fell silent

Happy Birthday Dear Hopper!!

yummy concentration, that dude INHALED it!

oh hi Axel

our bed is always an epicenter of explosive energy

the final result

What started as a very rainy day, turned lovely and sunny so after cake (during the sugar buzzzzz) we headed to the park. And no sand pit this time for Mr 4 Year Old, the kids played soccer and ran around in the grass field.

sometimes in opposite directions. sometimes not at all.

and then there's the inevitable shake down, the wrestling to the ground, and theft of a ball. the horror! and the tears.

and Yama brought some presents to help lighten the mood (and some great wine, thanks!)

not certain he wants a repeat of the Axel theft maneuver

COUSINS!!! (broodje Hopper = Hopper sandwich)

some of the park posse

Ophelia came in a Lightening McQueen costume, which of course endeared herself to H in immeasurable ways, then chased him wearing his armor. I think he's in love!

followed by a lovely dinner at Senpachi, Japanese family style restaurant, with Yama and Manus

my beautiful boys

ice cream and smooch

He is my perfect boy


Just look at that happy face. My best moments. To see that face. Happy Birthday Hopper! I love you to the moon!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Christmas

Christmas is always a particularly hard time to be away from the US, where it's a big affair with many gatherings with family and friends. And oh the gluttony! Where the trees are big and the ground usually twinkling white, it's a big deal and I really LOVE it. My favorite memories are being at Aunt Barb and Uncle Jim's house, with the whole family gathered, eating to complaining point, playing cards, telling jokes and talking smack with various friends and family stopping in for hugs and a bit of Aunt Sue's homemade pumpkin pie. Perhaps I've become hopelessly romantic about it, especially as those days are Christmas past, but it's just not the same here in Holland. I love the shopping and the carols. (Thanks Nik for putting up with me listening to Christmas radio for 4 weeks!) I love the snow and the cheery glow and the plans to run around and try to see everyone. Though the Dutch have, in general, adapted a bit more festive cheer over the years, I find it anti-climactic. The lack of total commercial smack-down is somewhat refreshing but the emotional build up just isn't there. However, now that I have a family of my own, the exciting part is creating new traditions and making it whatever we want.

It was definitely more magical this year, there's nothing like a child to instill a sense of wonder back into your life. Hopper is finally at an age when he can understand that it's a special day with all sorts of little rituals that mean something even to his tiny toddler brain.

It started with decorating the tree. Every year we make our own ornaments, this year we wrapped foam balls with left over kimono fabric that Susken used in Kamiyama to make her 'stones'. (I also made our stockings, thanks Susken!) Of course Hopper was throwing the supplies around but did take some delight in hanging them from the tree, if not to be toyed with and hung over and over. He then spent weeks singing Jingle Bells which is his favorite carol, the best bit being 'one-horse open sleigh'. He would often incite me with 'Mama sing it!' while out riding the bike. Perhaps there have been more than a few people who didn't see that I had a toddler on the back of the bike, just a carolin' along, singing to myself.

He continuously talked about Santa and of course distinguishing the difference between Sinter Klas (the Dutch dude who comes from Spain in Nov and delivers toys to kids' shoes on Dec5, who by the way, looks a lot like Santa) and Santa Claus/Father Christmas. He would ask, "Is Santa coming?" and we would say yes. And he would ask "Is Santa bringing presents?" and we would say yes. And he'd say "I want presents in here right now...ok?" (the toy shop on the corner, which is a daily internal struggle for him to see all the toys and not get something, a lesson in restraint for sure) and we would say "Santa will bring you presents in x days". And on it went, our very own live countdown advent calendar. And of course we'd have to talk about the reindeer and how they poopoos.

The only good part about being away from family is the arrival of boxes from afar!!! Our tree looked glorious with unknown goodies cluttered under the tree. There's always something so magical about the light and the glittering of the myriad colors of wrapping paper. As a kid, I would sometimes wake up earlier than anyone else and nestle myself amongst the presents and bask in the glow. To this day, I still delight in the completeness of a tree hugged by many a thoughtful gift. It's almost better than opening them. So a thousand thanks to loved ones who sent things. To see Hopper's little awe-struck face was priceless. He was even a good present expeditor, asking who it was for, handing it over, and actually letting us open our own gifts. What a guy!

Here's to hoping you all had a lovely Christmas!!!