Sass it Up

Two things Christian has learned in school:

"I'm going to kick your butt."
"Duh."
He makes me so proud.


Two words that Jojo says:
"Ca" -- car
"Baby" -- Gaby? Or for baby?
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This seems to always happen to me. I ask a hairstylist to TRIM my hair, i.e. keep the same hairstyle. I'll explain that I like it EXACTLY how it is, but it needs some shaping. "You want an 'A line bob'," she'll repeat.

I like going to the salon early in the morning on a weekday because there is usually no wait. That means I bring two or three of the children. And so, after the stylist and I agreed what she was going to do to my hair, I took off my glasses and I all I could see was a huge blur in the mirror. She did say she noticed quite a few layers in the back. "Yes," I responded. "My hair is 'stacked' and cut a little higher in the back."

When she was finished I put my glasses back on and saw a different head of hair, hair that would entail some upkeep and major fixing. A style that does not go with my face. She showed me the mirror, and as I faked my usual enthusiasm for the wrong hairstyle, I noticed that my hair was suspiciously the same length all around. "I added lots of layers; I just love this cut on you," she enthused. "It has such sass." And I froze. Anytime I hear the word pizazz or sass I have to ask myself, am I this boring? Is my appearance so plain vanilla? Is it time I start wearing glitter in my hair and purple frame eyeglasses to add some pizazz or sparkle to my dull existence?

There is only one person I trust to cut my hair whichever way she wants and that is my mother-in-law. Usually I can't make it look the same way she styled it, but the shape is still there. Before my bad haircut today, my hair was pleasing to me. I have a round face that does not go with shorter than chin-length hair. Didn't the stylist notice this? Of course not, she was too concerned with adding some flash to my existence. Hint: if a woman walks in with already shampooed hair without any product in it in order to have a quick haircut, it does not mean that her hair looks like that normally. If I do not fix my hair, it lays flat on my head because it's fine. Maybe she judged me by the way my hair looked at that moment. She probably thought, "That poor gal with that terrible, flat hair. She needs a whole new look." I shall have to file that in my brain and remember to communicate that although my hair is not fixed, it has been washed and needs a trim. And remember to wear contact lenses.

Sunday Wrestling

"I wanna see the photos," Christian exclaimed. "Christian, get back over there and wrestle Daddy!"

Today was a relaxing Sunday. Mike got up early for the second day in a row so I could sleep in due to my endless stuffiness, headachy, allergy-induced yuckiness I have. It has been so warm lately that I believe things are blooming. I can't wait till our next freeze.

Before going to Mass the boys wrestled. Boys will be boys. Let the boys be boys, I tell myself. They're with Mike, after all. He's a good daddy and was so good to let me sleep in. I wish tomorrow was not Monday.

Do Skeletons Have Butts?

Spectacular moon coming over the Sandias earlier this month. "Sandia" means watermelon, and that's the color of the mountains at sunset.

Hello! We're still here; I've been lazy about blogging this week. Today we had our friend Benjamin over to play with the boys. The boys were so excited. I looked forward to Christian and Gabriel not fighting with each other during the visit, and they didn't! Anna and her daughter Abby came by later to pick up Benjamin, and the kids ate the cupcakes they brought -- cupcakes with blue icing & sprinkles. The best!

Earlier in the week Tanya and I met to do our weekly walking. She brought baby Tristan and Tyler, and Gaby had fun playing with Tyler at the playground later. We figured we would avoid the mall so we could avoid the chocolate crepes again.

Christian's teacher told me that he has 'come out of his shell' and is a 'chatterbox'. I could have told her that! I had a feeling he was getting comfortable when he told me earlier this week, "Me and my boys like to play around when the teacher is not looking." I like how he refers to his friends as 'my boys'. He also tells me that the girls don't like the boys.

Joseph is either coming down with a cold or has allergies, but his nose began running like a faucet. He slept pretty well between 11:30-4:30 this morning, and then one more bottle and he slept until around 6:30.

Gaby tried to impress Abby again with his, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" line. He lowers his voice as deep as he can when he says his favorite pickup line to his dear Abby. We're still watching 'Walk the Line' musical scenes, and Gaby says he wants to "be in the movie" - playing his guitar in front of all his fans, I'm sure.

Last Monday was a day off for all students for MLK day. We went to see 'Madagascar' at the dollar theatre and it was packed! The kids did real well at the movies, and so did Tanya's. I made sure to leave Joseph in the stroller, and even though he became restless, the snacks and drinks helped.

On Tuesday we went to Mass with Mom and Dad in remembrance of Abuela's 20th anniversary of her death. That day was also the inauguration of Barack Obama and much of the day was spent watching the events unfold throughout the day. I remember 20 years ago the 1st President Bush was sworn into office on the day Abuela died.

The questions Christian asks lately have been numerous -- more so then normal. "Do skeletons have butts?" "Why don't skeletons have ears (or lips) (or hair)?" "What do baby dinosaurs eat?" "Do teachers have kids?" "Do policemen have houses?" "Does drinking milk made you strong?" One day he'll realize I don't have the answers to some of his burning questions.

This week has been historical with the swearing-in of our new president. Many pray that the next four years will bring about good change in our country.

Happy Friday

It's a beautiful day! We took a walk around the block and then we stopped at the playground.

These photos were taken earlier this week.

I attempted to go twice around the block, but pushing 90+ lbs. of boys in a stroller (two older ones were squished in the back and alternated walking) was enough exercise for me.

Our morning was complete when Gaby and Christian watched the garbage collector pick up our trash. Gaby waited with anticipation, chewing his fingers and repeating his mantra: "There's the garbage truck!" The nice man gave those boys a friendly horn toot and a nice wave. He must wonder where those boys are on days we miss him outside. I wonder if he notices them through his rearview mirror watching him as he stops at each house until he turns the corner?

Gaby noticed that the real truck lifts the can the same way as his Tonka toy.

Johnny Cash and Crepes

Mooove over - I'm on my way to the crepes.

Today I met Tanya at the mall and we walked for about an hour. Then we stopped to have coffee. Then we ordered the crepes with Nutella hazelnut chocolate sauce. Resolution #1 is going real well so far.

Gaby was having Johnny Cash withdrawals, so we borrowed 'Walk the Line' from Aunt Patsy again. One of these days we'll buy the DVD. Here is Gaby rocking out for your viewing pleasure. Notice how enthralled Christian is by Gaby's performance.

I think it would be much better to stay away from the mall when I exercise. What would Johnny Cash do? He walked the line but had his cake, too. Yikes, better keep my eyes wide open all the time. Discipline, girl.

Ode to Holey Jeans

Oh, jeans torn at the knee
you lasted two, maybe three
months tops because you could not
withstand your poor knee top
sliding across carpet, gravel, and whatnot.

Patches I purchased to cover
places on dungarees torn asunder,
whose directions did not make clear
why I must place newspaper here
between the leg in order not
to bind the patch with hot
iron - like glue, impossible to pull
apart from the opposite leg once cooled.

So I look to thee, oh Toughskin pants
branded by Sears back in the days of disco
when my brothers wore many a pair
made of material of such stealth and flair--
jeans here, leisure suits there--
in every shade between blue and hair.
I'll go tomorrow and buy a pair.
So there.

Tylenol..Take Me Away!

I have a headache and it is boy-induced. Some days are really good, but lately my head feels like it is going to explode. Little boys -- three of them -- wear me out. The constant bickering, fighting, yelling (me), timeouts, spankings, cleaning up messes, trying to make the boys clean up their messes, throwing baby Jojo off a couch...yes, Jojo has his first black eye today. If I turn my back for a minute it seems that things get out of control. Even when they have my full attention.

Mike looked at me this evening and told me to go to bed. No arm twisting needed. So off to bed I go, loaded up with Tylenol, and ready for a rest.

Tomorrow is another day full of more adventures.

Sometimes nap time is my favorite time of day.