Not a fan of goats...

...but obviously a fan of raspberry lollipops. This is a picture from our trip to the Ledford's Fainting Goats Farm. These kind of goats stiffen up and sometimes even fall over when they are nervous. Lucas was not really into them, but he gleefully chased the cat inside the house.

We visited the farm after meeting Kazak and his litter mates for the first time. Kim was our personal dog whisperer in the dog finding process and I still often think "what would Kim do" as I'm learning to raise our first dog. Thanks Kim!

Pumpkin patch

Better late than never - this is us at the pumpkin patch before Halloween.

Our Aussie

I just can't believe how our new puppy has grown in the last two months. He looks like a little cotton ball in these pics! They are actually outdated, but the best I could do right now. He is now about 32 pounds and the vet says he will be nearly full grown in a month.

When he is not being a wild maniac, Kazak is patient, smart, obedient and just makes you want to smile. Lucas ADORES him and they have a blast together now that Kazak is finally learning to not bite him. He sleeps much better than Lucas (11 hours at least) and when he wakes up, he waits like a fluffy sphinx for the hustle and bustle of the day to begin.

If any of you are wondering where we have been lately, we have been very busy socializing the pup. He has made an appearance at Pike nursery numerous times, too many parks to name, the local farmer's market, children's parties & picnics, puppy playdates and cruising around the ATL in the back of my car.

But we are more low key now that I am officially exhausted (Lucas's sick schedule has been unbelievable this fall and I've finally caught something too.) Kazak is happy with a good walk or two and several wrestling sessions with the basketball in the backyard.

Chef Lucas

IKEA came out with the cutest little kitchen! As many of you know, Lucas is passionate about his food, both real and pretend. He just loves this kitchen - maybe even as much as I do. The burners light up and the pots, pans and cooking utensils are very realistic.

He makes culinary masterpieces using his Melissa and Doug food, "washes up" afterward, and then reorganizes the kitchen. His latest thing is taking orders and serving us. The other day I asked him what was on the menu for dessert and he said bread chunks. I'm having flashbacks from my childhood!

"I think I am going to like this"

Here is a picture of Lucas on his first day of school, provided by his teacher Deedee. As you can see, he is a genius. It was such a joy to receive this after spending all day prying a very small amount of information from him:

"Deedee ring bell and I STOP."

What did you have for a snack? "Cwackers and cheese." Who made it for you? "Kaffy."

He is enamored with "Kaffy" (Kathy, the teaching assistant.) He looks off into the distance, starry-eyed whenever her name comes up.

The only child he mentioned was Jody who is not listed on the roster. Although he was saying clearly and repeatedly, JODY, I thought he was confusing the name with Josie, a girl in his class, but he insists it is a boy. It's a mystery!

After dropping him off, I was not overwhelmingly sad, although I did feel a bit emotional and expect this to continue in the coming weeks (years, rest of my life...) More so, I felt my heart nearly leaping out of my throat...an overflowing feeling of love and gratitude that Lucas can blossom unencumbered in this wonderful place, Arbor Montessori.

Practicing for school

It's only 5 days away! Lucas is the youngest child in his Montessori class (we figure it's never too early to learn to share, slice fruit and mop spills.) His teacher's name is Ms. Deedee. This mysterious woman often appears in his bedtime/potty stories. Over the summer she sent him a postcard from Argentina. He found this very interesting, bordering on bizarre. We know he's going to love it.

Summer days

Sorry to have fallen off the planet after returning from Europe. We have been busy bees! But we have had time to enjoy the summer. We've been hanging out with Lucas's buds, going to the pool and playing at parks and in the yard. That about sums it up but each day is a new adventure. And guess what - Lucas now yikes ice cream!

Here are a few pics of our first trip to the neighborhood pool:

Lucas & Carter in our front yard. All of his little friends have a lawnmower exactly like this one.



Here are the three muskateers of Sunset Acres. Zoom in on Zane in the back. Priceless!



Here we are with Zane, Melissa, Carter and Anna.



First dip in the baby pool. I think it was a hit!

Hampstead

Hampstead is now one of my favorite spots in London. The best way I can think to describe it is Virginia-Highland on steroids. We wound our way up and down the hilliest neighborhood in London until we stopped at an upscale pub (Occitane soap in the bathrooms.) After sitting and playing cars a bit we continued to walk through the neighborhood. I loved walking by all of the impressive brownstones and peeking into the ones that were lit on the inside to see bright pink roses and clean, remodeled kitchens.

At one point, Chris said he was going to leap onto the post box and I didn't even think to take him seriously until he was up there! I decided to kiss his feet as a reward. Lucas just found the whole thing to be weird.

While up on the post box, Chris was spotted by a talent scout and landed a role in a mystery movie.

Meet the Ekkels, Shepperton, UK

BIBS (AKA DAD)

Bibs' claim to fame is being one of the top balalaika musicians in the world. Half Polish, half English, completely hilarious, Bibs throws out one-liners when you least expect them and when he does you will likely need to change your underpants or wipe up the Zywiec that has sprayed through your nose. He knows a little about many things and when he doesn't, he will have 8 pages of Wikipedia up at 3am to find the answers.

LORA (AKA MUM)

Lora is my cool and crazy cousin - a transplant from Canada to the burbs of London. I remember vividly her bachelorette pad in Vancouver - the lava lamp, the eclectic subjects filling her bookshelves, Lora skimpily clad in a towel, freshly washed, lighting a cigarette. Well now she lights fags, cooks magnificently and keeps an amazing garden. She is also on a serious genealogical dig, putting together the family tree.

ALYOSHA

I remember Alyosha when he was 6-months old. He was quiet, perceptive and so cuddly! Boy he fooled us. In no time he was mooning grandmothers and landing his sister in the hospital with chopsticks up her nose. But now that this is all out of his system, he is a diligent musician (bass guitarist in We Push Buttons,) party animal, and student. Here are the things I love about Alyosha: he will eat Silotka (salted herring) with me in the middle of the night, he smiles all the time and despite being a student musician (double whammy) he makes veggie stir-fries in his kitchen dorm.

MILA

Enter Mila. This sixteen year old angelic vixen can sing, sew, play piano (keep it up Mila,) and is going to school next year for Drama. She has big blue eyes and mile-long lashes that peek out from underneath a radical, nearly-platinum mullet. Watch out, these eyes can convince you of anything. She was a cat in her previous life (the eyes told me this in all seriousness,) so she can often be seen lounging on the couch purring things like "I wouldn't say no to some tea." She parrots me even more frequently than Lucas does. Apparently I sound like a valley surfer girl!

Slav and innocent by-stander girlfriend Patrycja

Slav is Mila and Alyosha's older brother and he happened to be crashing at the Ekkel house during our visit. He runs an underground train and currently starts work at around 3-4am! In Alyosha's absence, Slav taught Lucas several Arnold Schwarzeneggerisms like "Stop it!" "Who are you?!" The Ekkel boys do not go 5 minutes without an Arnold impression. I am terrible at it, but it is hilarious to listen to.

So now you know who will be starring in the next few blog entries.

Farewell England, Hello Atlanta

I'm sipping on coffee and eating toast with jam. No one else is awake so I have a few moments to myself before our adventurous day begins. At 11am we leave for the airport. At 5:50pm we will be in Atlanta!

Not sure how I will put into words our 10 days in England. Sour cherry vodka will surely get a mention. We had a wonderful time being spoiled by our family - Lora, Bibs, Mila and Alyosha. It's hard to leave. And the 9 hour plane trip ahead does not make it any easier!

But I am prepared - new cars, a double-decker bus, activity books, story books, colored pencils. And I think Lucas is ready to be home. Although he has decided that he does "not yike airplanes." Last night, I quoted some books of his that we had left behind and he went into a zone. He kept asking me to physically produce one of the books I quoted, practically able to smell it in front of him.

OK, enough procrastinating. See you all soon! xoxo

This is it!

Prague does not let go, of you or of me. This little mother has claws. There is nothing for it but to give in.
- Franz Kafka

It's been a week of lasts...

pastries on the curb,

tram rides,

evening walks,

dinners at Clear Head Vegetarianska Restaurant,

lollipops from Martin (although he gave us a whole sack for the road,)

big hoorahs in the old town flat.

In the final hours, everything has started to magnify itself, to push itself forward onto us. The patronly spires are more pronounced above the swells of mint patinaed domes. Flags of red white and blue gleam against the dynamic grays of dusk.

Even the weather pulsates with all of Prague's personalities. We walk in cold raindrops, then are warmed by a heavy sun. It spills like liquid gold from the Charles Bridge, into every crevice of the city, leaving no shadows. Then it recedes again. Cold currents slide through the summery air, swirling around us, awakening, enlivening.

Tomorrow the plane pulls us out of here. What a gift this has been!

What we can see will last only a short time. What we can not see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Karlstejn Castle

Sunday, Chris took a 30 minute train ride to see the Karlstejn Castle and its surroundings. Beautiful! Lucas was thrilled to see a picture of Daddy holding an owl. His owl impression rivals his peacock. And I much prefer a soft whooooo to a loud SquiZAAAAK!

Daddy-Lukey Time

Saturday morning was "Daddy-Lukey time," so it's been coined. Winnie tagged along, which I guess is allowed. But Mommy is always asked nicely, yet directly to leave.

First they went to the metro station Luka, his Russian name!

Then the duo explored a new part of Prague filled with fields and views, Hlubocepy.




In true Daddy-Lukey style, the boys woke up from their afternoon naps ravenous after miles of hiking on a 100 calorie "lunch."

So when I came back from "Mommy time," I went right to work on some Caprese Salad sandwiches and crackers with Brie. They were greatly appreciated...

"Uh oh, Spaghettios..."

Lucasisms

"Ummmm...take a tram...take a yeft."
Reading the tram station map in Amsterdam around midnight after our Italian feast, desperate to help his parents find their way back to the hotel. (shown above)

"My ears are tired."
On the tram, finally on our way home.


"Those are cool socks (you) have there Daddy. Can I touch them?"

"Yummy, Indeed!"
Commenting on day-old oatmeal I was feeding him in the tub.

"I want a cookie."
Today, in a flash, this morphed into a blood-curdling, gut wrenching, "I NEED another cookEEEEEEEE!!!!" (They were organic, whole-wheat crackers.)

"I want a lollipop."
He now says this every time we see Martin. And we see him often. It's kind of embarrassing. Today was the first time one has not emerged from his bag. I plan to make him zucchini bread before we leave.

"Ummmm (intense contemplation)....Nope!"

"Actualleeeeeee..............Nope!"
This is how he politely declines anything that is requested of him.

"I not sure."
He's a bit uncertain about this one. But he likes it and offers it as a considerate alternative to "no."

Final Countdown

The timer has been set. We are leaving for the UK on June 10th and will visit our family there until June 20th. Then back to Atlanta!

Must say there is an air of apprehension around here. How will we part from the City of a Hundred Spires? (perhaps with a couple of real estate magazines tucked under arm)

Outside our tall open window, vibrant people are chatting over a barely-touched beer. One of the girls sporadically sings opera (and sings it well.) I am watery eyed after saying a last naschledenon to the housekeeper (who, BTW, could be a perfect 36-26-36 model and yoga instructor on the side.)

It's just a regular day and Lucas and I have already gone to a large and beautiful English-style garden that is rich with history, culture and peacocks. You should hear Lucas's impression. It's hilarious and spot on! Some sort of mystery fruit grows there on large vines - a cross between an avocado and a fig. Any guesses?

This morning's agenda also included apple streudel and a cappuccino at a patio table while horses trotted by pulling carriages. (Though I much prefer the traditional honey cake - wait until you try it.) Then we walked through the old town square and wound down a narrow cobbled-stoned street to a "Bric-and-Brac" store and played with the antique cars and trains offered to us by the shop owner.

Next we found ourselves in Anagram, a cozy bookshop, reading children's books. (Embarking on A Thousand Splendid Suns is not alleviating my wistful state of mind.) On our way home, we picked up sandwiches from the bakery and ate them on the curb.

All of this before nap time!

The beauty and character of Prague can not be exaggerated. Knowing its shadowed communist history I had this strange idea of a Gotham-like city with the occasional beautiful building. No, there is not a square inch in this city that is not a feast for the eyes and soul.

But I am looking forward to our Gardenia bushes blooming back home - there's nothing like sitting half naked on a warm, breezy Atlanta night and drinking in their scent.

And most of all, I'm looking forward to four very special Grandparents. Toddlers will be toddlers, even in Prague. Example: Lucas just picked up a random coffee cup and is currently chugging the murky black remnants. I need a vacation!

This and that, Amsterdam

In conclusion, there are many, many reasons to love Amsterdam...

The (relatively) fresh air,


The canals,

The flowers,


The fact that EVERYone rides a bike, (Eight-months pregnant, mini-skirt and three inch heels? No problem.)

Cool graffiti,

And Lucas's favorites, the wooden truck in front of a bookstore and the "track" that runs down the center of Museumplein.

Buh duh buh, BAH DAH, buh buh duh buh duh...

One afternoon in Amsterdam we passed by this musician. Chris commented offhandedly that it was too bad his voice was so quiet. When we saw him again at dusk, we took Lucas's cue and had a seat. The performer perked up. It was really fun to watch his foot stamp a tambourine and hear his voice, albeit soft, soulfully and skillfully carry a jazzy tune. Good vibes rippled out of him in waves. (We are, however, taking partial credit for the school of kids and numerous tourists who were watching his performance by the end of the song.)

We have been singing his cheerful tune since last weekend - it puts wings on my heart!

Nemo, the Science Centre

Good, clean fun is still available in Amsterdam.

Playing in Museumplein

There was an awesome field around the corner from our hotel where we played and picnicked during sunset. Enjoy the video of our little track star: