Woller Wink

Last night the boys' school had a skate party at the local rink.  They have never skated before, and I hadn't gone in over 20 years. But I pressed on and rented skates for each of us. 

It was comical, really.  People around us were chuckling as they saw me trying to control squirmy Jojo and Gaby who kept falling on their popos as I tried to keep from falling on mine.  Jojo's feet had a mind of their own; it was as if he was trying to to walk instead of uncontrollably rolling. Christian made it to the wall of the rink and hung on for dear life. 

Gaby, Jojo, and I finally made it safely to the wall of the rink.  I had forgotten how to balance on my skates nor did I have much control over myself, much less two boys, and thought of Wile E. Coyote on his ACME skates.

It took me one trip around the rink to wise up and take off those rolling shoes of terror.  I was able to walk the boys around.  After about an hour, Gaby and Jojo had more control over their skates.  Gaby and Christian went by themselves around the rink while holding on to the wall, and Jojo and I went around the rink by ourselves.  No broken bones, only torn jean knees for Gaby.

It really was fun!  We were all sweating and tired after a couple hours, but we hope to go again.  I wish I'd had my camera, though. The image of Jojo's feet and legs scrambling beneath him in the tiny pair of skates is something I'll never forget.

A Mouse in the House

Yesterday, Christian came bearing a gift for me as I worked furiously on the computer.  He and his brothers and friend were outside and found a disgusting, dead mouse that his friend's cat had already found.  It may have been slightly alive, but I'm not sure. Stuart Little it was not. 

Christian: "Look what we found, Mom!" And the critter was curled up in his hand.

I realize now that the boys like to see my reaction. I still do not touch bugs or gross critters (like toads or caterpillars), but I am not as afraid of them as I used to be.  Earlier I had found a loose cricket that Christian failed to put into the froggy cage and I trapped it under a cup. I'll do things like that: save bugs under a cup for Mike or Christian to dispose of outside.  But bring a nasty thing like a mouse into the house? Well, that just about did it for me. 

I jumped out of my skin and screamed.  They thought my reaction was soooo funny and ran away laughing.  I was fuming.  I made them place the thing into a plastic bag, then I placed it into the garbage, which was then thrown outside into the can.  And then they each had to make a trip to the bathroom and scrub their hands with soap and water.  One of my worst nightmares is finding a surprise in the washer, dryer, or toilet. Or finding a mouse or raccoon in the house.  Or head lice on one of the kids. My skin is starting to crawl.

Cub Scouts Popcorn for Sale Until November!

I've been asked how to make sure that Christian receives credit for the order.  Please go to this link and then in the green area it may say "You are supporting no one. Change"  Click on Change and then type in (or copy/paste) Christian's Scout ID number:  16051753.  Click 'continue'.

Once you do this, make sure that at the top right this appears: Supporting Scout Christian C.  You are now ready to place your order for Christian's Cub Scouts den! You can click on any of the items on the red toolbar:  All Products, Signature Snacks, Microwave Popcorn, Other Treats, or Military Donation.  If you do not wish to order any of the items for yourself, you can have an order shipped to the military so the Cub Scouts den will still receive credit for your order. 

We'll receive immediate confirmation of your order, and you will then receive a 'thank you' from Christian so you'll know that the order was placed correctly.  This is the only way I know who placed an order in Christian's name; there is no other way to track orders otherwise.

Thank you!

Nana Came to Town

Nana came to celebrate Jojo's birthday.  The boys went to the Halloween store and found this year's costumes: Transformers.  Christian, who is scared of the scary masks, did not go inside so he had no choice but to dress as a Transformer this year. 

We walked to the car show down the street.  I imagined riding in this car and waving my hand like Mrs. Bucket (That's "Mrs. Bouquet" to the commoners). 

Gabriel

Jojo

Christian wanted to do "something fun", which means anything outdoors.  Mike and Brenda took them to the park and to the creek.  They were worn out afterwards.

We went to the German Festival and had our fill of frankfurters.  There was a park for the kids to jump around in blow up trampolines, go on manual train/airplane rides, and face painting!  The live music was the best -- if you've never heard a polka-ized version of 'La Bamba', you don't know what you're missing!  The costumes, the food, the craft booths were so much fun. 

Nana and I also took Christian to the ER on Sunday night, but other than that, we had a good time with Nana! 

Anything involving Christian is usually a long dramatic tale.  I only add this so I'd remember:  right side pain could be the appendix, pain on the left side is probably gas.  Never take Christian to the ER when he has pain on the left side.  Never take him when Nana is in town the night before school when he's the only one who has school the next day.  Remember that his hip could hurt due to growing pains, though, just like Uncle Jimmy, somewhere around puberty.  Remember to look at all surrounding circumstances before taking him to the ER (Is Nana in town?  Is Monday the next day? Make sure Christian sleeps in his own bed the night before school when Nana is in town.)

Fall is in the air.

Happy 4th Birthday, Joseph Sebastian!

Chaca-la-ding-dong!
He turned four on Saturday
Our baby Jo-gee

He blew his candles
As I prayed my wish for him:
More candles to blow

Continue to march
To the beat of your own drum
Off the beaten path

Where nature and friends
May or may not be -- always
Finding happiness,

Contentment, and peace
Wherever you may be -- in
This world of wonders

Mrs. Toilet Lid Head

What Gabriel and Christian, the masters of mischief, do on a boring, rainy morning.

Pssst, Wanna Order Some Popcorn?

Please support Christian's Cub Scout pack and order yummy popcorn online.  Your order will be delivered directly to your address.  Lots 'o yummy flavors:  sweet & savory, cheese lover's, white chocolately pretzels, kettle corn, butter & butter light, chocolate triple delight, caramel, and butter toffee!  You may also make a military donation, too.

Update:  Go to this link to place your order.  Please make sure that at the top right this appears: Supporting Scout Christian C.  If not, please enter Christian's scout number: 16051753.  This will help Christian's den to earn some profits and also give him credit for the order.

Thank you so much.  This is our only major fundraiser this year (thank goodness)!

He Said She Said

Gabriel:  "Today is not a fun day!"

Mom:  "Of course --  It's not supposed to be fun when you're grounded!"

He Said He Said

When Gabriel became frustrated with Jojo because Jojo could not understand what Gaby was trying to show him, Gabriel said, "You don't get it, Jojo!" 

And Jojo replied, "No, I don't forget it."

Each time Gaby repeated "You don't get it," Jojo's response was the same, "No, I don't forget it."

On Parade

Handsome Christian

Today was the kick-off of Arts in the Alley festival in our suburb.  Instead of watching the parade, we were in the parade with Christian's Cub Scouts den.

Why trash? I guess I see the park theme with the bench, which is made of trees.  Recycling bins...maybe?

As we passed some of the other floats on the miles-long path to reach our spot, I took some pictures.

You look lovely, dahling!

The boys loved that rocket car.

Not sure why an office theme for this float.

The only thing missing on the Cub Scouts float:
running water

The scouts handed out candy to the crowds lining the streets.  Jojo enjoyed doing that, too.  Gaby rode on Daddy's shoulders to take in the view. 

 

 

Gabriel then took these photos while riding on Daddy's shoulders.

Later in the afternoon, Christian and I helped sell food at the Cub Scouts booth.  I warned them that I could not handle the cash register, but they let me do it anyway.  My anxiety increased when I remembered my disasterous two-month waitressing stint back in college because it is difficult for me to both a) listen while taking an order and b) remember what the person just ordered after keying it into a machine.  I was supposed to remember which kind of sauce people ordered with the chicken tenders and holler it out to the cooks on the other side of the tent at the same time as entering the order number into the machine.  Christian and the other kids handled the drink orders.  I was fired from my job as cashier after the second time the cash register went on the fritz for some reason, so I became the 'holler girl' after that. 

Although the menu was simple, one could order an adult or kids' meal, or order the same food choices a la carte...but whenever I hollered, "One two-piece with medium sauce!" someone on the other side would always want to verify whether it was a meal or not.  Whew!  Got that straightened out.  The drinks available were Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, or water.  Someone ordered a "pop" and Christian looked for that drink.  We southwesterners are used to "soft drink" or "Coke" before we specify which kind. 

Mike found the junky fried food section.  Deep fried cinnamon rolls are interesting.  I didn't try the deep fried Snickers (Mike's rating: "It's alright.") or the deep fried cookie dough (Mike's rating: "Very good.").  I had the fried cheese on a stick, which did not compare to Cheese on a Stick at our mall in Albuquerque. 

Lean on Me

This was sent to the boys, especially for Christian, from Nana and Papa -- and timely, too!  Poor Christian has been anxious about school and says that he misses being at home.  He said his stomach feels "funny", too.  I remind him that even when he feels alone, his guardian angel is always close by. 

Grandma G.G.

Grandma -- Grandma G.G. (great-grandma) to the kids -- turned 92 this past June.  I miss taking the kids to visit her and Aunt Patsy.  Grandma loves children and laughs constantly at what they say.  She should've been a teacher and, in fact, wanted to be one, but life took her on a different path. 

During our first year living in Albuquerque, I'd bring Grandma to our house once a week and we'd have lunch when Aunt Patsy came to pick her up.  I wish we could've shared more of those moments, but life became hectic once I began taking classes and then Mike's job loss.  I was too stressed to make more time for my dear Grandma.  And even though we saw each other regularly, I wish we could've spent more time alone together like that first year.

Grandma and Aunt Patsy's dogs, Lucy and Ethel, finally warmed up to the boys.  They protect Grandma and check on her if she's been away too long in the loo. 

Grandma used to send me cards and 'pin money'.  I remember when I moved to Phoenix after college I'd receive thoughtful surprises in the mail.  At that time I would hardly find her at home when I called -- she was either busy conducting a T'ai Chi Chih class for the "old people" at a rehab facility, running someone to the doctor, or numerous other activities. 

A few years ago we interviewed Grandma, and out of that recorded interview my brother Sergio and sis-in-law Kyla transcribed it into a book that we each have and into a video which was shown at her 90th birthday bash.  Dad later used much of the material and combined it with a geneological history of our family that was researched by Grandma's brother, Uncle Frank.

Each time we talk she says, "We miss you so much!"  And we miss her, too. 

An Errand

Today Gabriel is home from school and we needed to return a movie we had rented, but instead of driving he wanted to ride bikes to the store.  So we set out on our long ride.  What a gorgeous semi-overcast day.  Jojo, who neither has a good bike for longer rides nor the stamina, had to ride in the bicycle seat.  As you can see, he was not so thrilled.

We stopped at a little playground along the way. 

I was relieved because we were almost to the traffic light where the store is located.  Gabriel did a fine job following me and stopping at intersections and cross streets.  As we were preparing to walk our bicycles across a busy street two cars cut us off, so Gaby learned why we need to walk - not ride- across busy intersections. 

Then we hoofed it home, but I needed to stop to figure out the gears on the bike.  Finally, I removed the cute little basket on the front to fix the problem, but lost my balance and down went the bike and Jojo in a slow free fall as I tried to hold the now detached basket and bicycle with him in it.  Jojo learned why he needs to wear his seatbelt at all times, and I learned that the kickstand is not very reliable when anyone is sitting in the attached child seat.

Gaby said, "Watch, Mommy!" He tried to 'pop a wheelie', and his next trick was to ride with one hand. He really likes his bicycle.  Both he and Christian want skateboards, but I'm not as worried about Christian riding because he's more cautious. 

Then we got home an hour later and we had a nice lunch.  The route we took must be around three or four miles, and I was impressed that Gaby kept up.

After lunch, Jojo went outside for awhile to ride his bicycle.  He informed me that he told some barking dogs to "shut it down".  He must've heard that phrase from his friend, the dogs' owner.  For some reason "keep it down", which I say about 20 times a day around here, hasn't resonated with him.

Far Away

Last week we spoke with Grampa and Yaya via videophone before they left for Spain.

Christian told me, "No fair that they're going to Spain!  Can't we go?"

The boys still remember their visit two years ago.  Believe me, Spain is the first major trip we'll save for once I am working!  I miss my second home and family there.  My cousin Maria is pregnant with twins and is due anytime now (she's at 34-35 weeks gestation).  She looks great!

Cousin Alberto sent us this photo from last night.  Pictured is Rosa (Alberto's wife), Javi (Maria's husband), Maria, Alberto, Mom, Dad, Tio Alberto (my mom's brother) and Tia MaAngeles at a terraza in Madrid where I'm sure they had the best tapas.  The only one missing was Diego, Rosa and Alberto's 18 month old son.