The Last First

A few years ago, Campbell Clansman and I came up with the idea of "Date Nights with Dad." I am sure other families do this, as well. For us, it seemed imporant that in a family with four sisters, each occasionally had time alone with their Papa to talk, to joke, to express what is going on in their lives. This Spring, he wanted to take each of them, individually, out to dinner before the busy-ness of summer began. One of the conditions is that the daughter must be school-aged. Last week was Perma-Baby's first-ever date night with Papa. She'd heard all about what to expect from her sisters, and she was very excited.

The way it works now is that the girl gets to choose the restaurant. Papa says that isn't going to last forever. When they get older, he is picking the restaurant. It just wouldn't do for them to one day hop in the pickup of some boy and say, "Hi, take me to....(restaurant), that's my pick for the night." The man chooses, he's told them. But for now, it's fun to see where they want to go. Firstborn (Mary Erin) usually picks Chinese, although on this last one, they went to a mall because she had a gift certificate to use (that's another blog post...I laughed til I cried when he told me about their date night!) Twinkle Toes (Annika) usually goes for manti, her favorite Turkish food. Miss Middler (Essie) several times has picked "The Puppet Place," a Turkish place that has old-timey Turkish puppets on strings. Well, Perma-Baby did not shock us in the least when she picked McDonald's.

PB had put on her prettiest Spring coat and her cutest summer sandals. And right on time, her date arrived to pick her up.

Her date did not disappoint!

Pazaar Day

Pazaar Day comes on Thursdays. Sometimes when the week has seemed long...or we just need to get out and feel connected with the world around us, we head down there.

First stop: a hot gozleme for lunch. This lady fries it on a dome griddle. We opted for potatoes inside.

The vendors display their wares by stringing them up on clotheslines. They remind me of flags.

I don't knit. Or crochet. Or any of that stuff. But I love to look at all the yarn.

We stopped at the dried goods booth. I bought some yellow raisins to make CC some granola cereal. Big Ben was offered a sample. He grabbed so much in his hands, then crammed it all in his mouth at once. This pleased the vendor so much, he insisted he take more.

Then we spotted some chicks. They're called "civciv" (pronounced jiv-jiv) because it sounds like the sound they make. No, we didn't take a sample of those.

Then we came back home, sufficiently mentally stimulated enough for a good nap!

Lucy, where are you?

How is it, that I can sit here in this quiet room, with only the noise of a washing machine and the school kids at recess down below, and somehow connect with you all over the world, readers? I love writing. I love thinking about writing. I love being in touch with people far away. I love sharing glimpses of our lives with each other. This blog meets my needs!

Awhile back, I posted a blog spotlighting my kitchen. Here it is http://campbellclanblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-kitchen.html

Just recently, "Lucy" left a comment on that post. Evidently she lived in this country once before. She also had a tablecloth like the one on my table that day. She wants to find another one. Lucy, there is a dear, old man down in the old part of town, who sells them for next-to-nothing. Everytime I walk by him, he begs me to buy one. I'd love an excuse to give him some business. But I can't find you! I click your name and nothing directs me. Please help me find you so you can find a tablecloth once again! The only problem I foresee is that if I buy one...he'll beg me to buy more!

One of Our (Bad) Habits

After all those girls head out the door, we start our morning routine. I have breakfast and my quiet time. I usually end up with BB on my lap for part of that time. I have one cup of coffee in the morning. And, he begs for it.

That's what happens when you hit the other side of 30-something, and you've done this 4 times before.

You start giving in to things you never would have before. Like coffee. For a 19 month old.

But in my defense, he only gets the last drop. He nurses that last drop for a full half hour, so proud he is of his morning coffee.

Mother's Day 2010 Part II

For Mother's Day, I received a handful of fresh flowers, plucked from a tree. I also received some homemade gifts the girls had made at school. I even wore Perma-Baby's beaded bracelet gift to church! CC says this is the moment he's been waiting for....when the kids are old enough to help him remember holidays!

After church, they took me to Hacibaba's, a beautiful Turkish restaurant not far from us.

This little guy has actually learned to pose. (Yes, that's tomato sauce all over his white argyle sweater!)

People talk about their men and how wonderful they are. But there's just no comparison with this one. I still pinch myself...did I really snag him?

Being a mom is by far the best job I've ever had. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity.

Mother's Day 2010 Part I

Here I am with the 5 little people that made me a mother.

They came into my life starting 11 years ago, and now I couldn't live without them.

Breakfast on the Patio

Our special Saturday morning breakfast spot, Dostlar Manti, has paved a new patio for outdoor eating. The owner is so proud of it and had our table outside ready for us to enjoy it last week.

After the meal, Big Ben offered to help him sweep and clean the place up.

We also had a special guest. But since I promised not to steal her post idea, head over to http://www.maryerinsmemories.blogspot.com/ and find out about the guest in this flower bed!