QUICK TAKES FRIDAY

[I note this almost looks like a cooking blog.  Practically all the photos are food!]

1.  I went to the eye doctor and to my amazement was told that my eyes have gotten BETTER and I don't need contacts any longer.....at least my eyes are now 20/20 for both near and far.  However, the contacts corrected them to better than that, so I am not sure..... I'm trying it bare-eyed, to see what I think.

2.  I finally negotiated with Lansing Public Schools for Anastasia to do home-based education - we meet a tutor at the library twice a week for an hour and a half or so.  She is whizzing along with math, and giving this lady a run for her money.  I love to see Anastasia at school; she is so sincere, serious, and just - genuine....  Her masks come down and she is sweet, shy, calm.  It is as though one is seeing the "real" Anastasia, with all of the burdens and stressors that come from family and social relationships completely absent.  Or is it that she feels capable and smart?  I don't know; but I love it.

3.  We celebrated "Zhen Day" at the end of March. Zhen asked for only "useful" gifts - a hat and glasses.  That hat is actually getting a lot of wear - but by Maxim, not Zhen.  I expect he will take the glasses on his trip to Florida.  His class is going to Disney World in May.  He's playing CIA here.

4.  Today Craig and I are leaving for the Parenting in Space conference.  I am so looking forward to this, despite a great deal of trepidation about leaving the kids home alone.  Fortunately, Sergei and Maxim are really responsible....but only Maxim is good to Anastasia.  The social scene is all just a bit tricky....but I don't really have any other option but to let them fend for themselves.  They have good neighbors to call on if something goes amiss.

5.  One of the "bigges" recently was the Mom's and Preschoolers Easter Activity morning last Friday.  It went great.  I had all the kids make the Resurrection Buns; that was a huge hit. Then, last night was Confirmation.  For the first time ever, someone asked me to be their sponsor; I was so honored! 

 6.  Ten cupcakes to celebrate Anastasia's younger brother's tenth birthday.  She has always been obsessed by this sibling.  He was born at home and she helped bring him into the world.  Little Denis - a little blond baby -  disappeared into the hands of social workers not many days after he was born.  But it was not before Anastsia had bonded with him, and the loss she felt is something she's been trying to grapple with for all the years I've known her.   We heard he had been adopted by an Irish family (hence the theme of our decoration), but I have not been able to locate them.  Just knowing he was well, and having a photo would mean so much to her.

6. Maxim is my chief kitchen helper.  I LOVE having his assistance with dinner.  And a time or two he has made dinner pretty-much by himself.   This was hash (delicious!) which he made from the left-over corned beef.

7. My Iraqi friend invited a bunch of ladies to her house last Friday night for dinner.  It was just an amazing meal!  And I think an evening party for all ladies is just a great idea.

I have to share that one of the most special aspects of the meal was the beverage served beforehand - an Iraqi "martini".  It was served in martini glasses, and had vodka, but othewise was not much like a martini - The beverage was served in a glass bowl, and was really this gorgeous bowl of berries - raspberries and blackberries surrounded by a light vodka-based liquid.  You got a glass of the berries and liquid and a little spoon.  Delicious and just lovely!