I love Milk Duds. They are my favorite chocolate/candy. Unfortunately, I may have eaten my last milk dud as I think I am way too freaked out to ever again eat another one.
We spent last week in Kansas. I keep meaning to blog about our week, but with laundry and school starting back and so much else going on (like my brother and his wife having a baby), I just can't seem to find the time.
Anyway, on our way back from Kansas I indulged in my favorite road trip buy-it-from-the-gas-station-candy. And I broke my tooth. The same dreaded cavity filled tooth that gave me reasons for nightmares earlier this year when there was a slight chance that I may need a root canal. I didn't. And fortunately, right now, I still don't. I do, however, have to decide whether or not to have my tooth really filled in or to just crown it. Both of these sound terrible. The crown sounds twice as terrible, but will last twice as long.
Any thoughts? Advice?
I so hate going to the dentist.
and I really like Milk Duds............
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Washington Square
I have never seen New York the way most tourists do. I know, once, a very long time ago I went to the Empire State Building and I saw the Statue of Liberty, but usually when we visit New York, we go to the Bronx. We see the places where my dad was raised and we eat real New York Pizza for lunch and then eat great Italian somewhere in Little Italy for dinner.
This time we shook things up a bit. We asked the boys what they wanted to do. They picked Washington Square. We apparently don't like to behave like normal tourists.
So why Washington Square? Because my boys love chess. And they love the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. And in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer they learned that great chess is played in Washington Square.
It took us a long time to find Washington Square. GPS was not reliable - it was actually down-right annoying. Once we got there I expected that we would stay for an hour. We were there for over three. My boys had a ball. They did not want to leave.
CiCi was nowhere near as impressed.
But my boys learned a lot and just plain had fun. And they got a little attention from passers-by that was pretty cool as well.
(In the pictures above, check out Kenz slowly drawing a crowd)
All the rest of our plans for the day, which had included a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and a tour of Manhattan in a double-decker bus, went by the way side.
And CiCi eventually amused herself by chasing pigeons and owners of dogs. As shy as she can be with humans, she has no fear of being up close and personal with animals.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Jersey Shore
My trio had so much fun with their cousins this past week. We went to Jersey/NY for a family reunion on my dad's mother's side. My grandma was one of 12 kids. She died many years ago and only two of her siblings are still living but there are many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even a few great great grand children and this makes for a very big reunion with lots and lots of cousins.
I learned quite a bit about my family this week. I have heard bits and pieces over the years, but got a clearer understanding of my grandmother's childhood this trip. Her mother died of complications from childbirth with her 12th child and shortly after her father was killed by a trolley. This left all 12 children orphaned. Some were old enough to be on their own and those that were did the best they could to get the younger ones out of the orphanage. One sibling was sent to a nunnery for a while and even became a nun. Apparently she was the last person one would ever expect to be a nun and that vocation did not last very long. It is amazing to me that with all the separation that occurred in their early years, these siblings were able to stay in contact and that all these years later a family reunion represented all but two families.
The pictures are of our first day. We spent a few hours on the Jersey Shore with a fun group of cousins. My kiddos had a ball.
CiCi did not like the water, but loved the sand. She rolled around in it all morning and had a ball.
My boys played in the ocean and searched for sea shells. They seemed unfazed by the frigid temperature of the ocean. I couldn't even stand walking on the beach with the water only hitting my feet occasionally. IT WAS TOO COLD!!! I am apparently spoiled by the warm temperature of the Florida beaches that I have always visited in the past.
I learned quite a bit about my family this week. I have heard bits and pieces over the years, but got a clearer understanding of my grandmother's childhood this trip. Her mother died of complications from childbirth with her 12th child and shortly after her father was killed by a trolley. This left all 12 children orphaned. Some were old enough to be on their own and those that were did the best they could to get the younger ones out of the orphanage. One sibling was sent to a nunnery for a while and even became a nun. Apparently she was the last person one would ever expect to be a nun and that vocation did not last very long. It is amazing to me that with all the separation that occurred in their early years, these siblings were able to stay in contact and that all these years later a family reunion represented all but two families.
The pictures are of our first day. We spent a few hours on the Jersey Shore with a fun group of cousins. My kiddos had a ball.
CiCi did not like the water, but loved the sand. She rolled around in it all morning and had a ball.
My boys played in the ocean and searched for sea shells. They seemed unfazed by the frigid temperature of the ocean. I couldn't even stand walking on the beach with the water only hitting my feet occasionally. IT WAS TOO COLD!!! I am apparently spoiled by the warm temperature of the Florida beaches that I have always visited in the past.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
MIA
Sorry to go MIA on you all, but I just got back from a week in New York/New Jersey with very little connectivity and even less time to read or blog. Will post pics soon, but wanted to let you know I am back and leave you with these rules for living that I got in an e-mail today and thought I would share.
1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is
the
ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My
purpose is to________ today.'
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did
last year.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of
Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that
are
manufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon,
broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new
and
flowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues
of the
past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy
in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply
part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class
......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with
a maxed out charge card.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all
about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600
thread
count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting
for
a special occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will
this matter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay
in touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides,
remember?!
34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I
am
thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you
certainly don't
want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of
it and
enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.
LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT!
Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is
the
ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My
purpose is to________ today.'
5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did
last year.
7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of
Six.
9.) Dream more while you are awake.
10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that
are
manufactured in plants.
11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon,
broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new
and
flowing energy into your life.
14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues
of the
past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy
in the positive present moment.
15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply
part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class
......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with
a maxed out charge card.
17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all
about.
24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600
thread
count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting
for
a special occasion. Everyday is special.
25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will
this matter?'
27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay
in touch with them.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides,
remember?!
34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)
35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!
37.) Call your family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I
am
thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.
39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you
certainly don't
want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of
it and
enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH.
LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT!
Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Ballgirl
Reposting in case you missed this when I first posted and didn't know how to post a video. I am still amazed by this and must not be the only one because I saw a clip of it on TV talking about how it has become an internet sensation.
Just got this from my dad and loved it. Had to share!!!!!!!
Very cool - I figured out how to post a video...
Just got this from my dad and loved it. Had to share!!!!!!!
Very cool - I figured out how to post a video...
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fourth of July - An Anniversary for CiCi
We have had such a busy weekend, but I could not let this day pass without mentioning that last year on the Fourth of July CiCi entered the US for the first time. When adopted internationally the moment you hit US soil you become a US citizen. I think it is absolutely the coolest thing ever that CiCi became a citizen of the United States on the Fourth of July. It also makes for a great day to celebrate her Forever Family Day. And boy did we celebrate. Not formally and not as a specific party for her (at least not this year since she doesn't understand it) but we had so much fun with friends and our kids had an action-packed weekend.
Not great pictures but these were taken right after CiCi was sworn in as a citizen in a tiny room in the Houston Airport.
We spend every Fourth of July with friends of ours from my DH's law school days. One family lives in town and we are the best of friends and see a lot of each other. The other family lives on the other side of our long state and we only see them a few times each year, but always have such a great time together.
On Friday the kids swam, rode bikes, and even attempted a lemonade stand. The lemonade stand made all the adults sad. We could not believe how many people drove by without stopping. This was in a neighborhood, not on a busy street. Many cars drove by multiple times without stopping and I tell you the kids were trying so hard to get customers. They were holding signs and yelling. The girls even got out pom poms. Everyone seemed too busy. Many were talking on cell phones. Some waved but kept on driving. The only people who actually stopped were direct neighbors and a few people we called because we felt so bad for our kids. It was a holiday for goodness sake. Couldn't they slow down their busy lives on a holiday and do something to make a dozen kids happy?
Anyway...
Eventually the dads took the big kids bowling during nap time for the little ones, then we ate dinner and blew off some of our own fireworks. The biggest hit being ones that propelled parachutes into the air. We had all the kids back up far away and then when we said go they could race to catch the parachute on its way down. They had a blast with this and fortunately we had enough for each child to get their own parachute.
Running for the parachutes
CiCi in heaven with the puppy
Playing in the dirt
Kissing the baby. CiCi is very into babies right now and gets so excited whenever she sees one. It is so cute to me.
Then it was time to watch the actual town fireworks. We have a great view of them from our friends house which we discovered many years ago making their house the annual Fourth of July party house. We even brought CiCi to his house last year after only being home for a few hours. (She had a lot more fun this year :)
Not great pictures but these were taken right after CiCi was sworn in as a citizen in a tiny room in the Houston Airport.
We spend every Fourth of July with friends of ours from my DH's law school days. One family lives in town and we are the best of friends and see a lot of each other. The other family lives on the other side of our long state and we only see them a few times each year, but always have such a great time together.
On Friday the kids swam, rode bikes, and even attempted a lemonade stand. The lemonade stand made all the adults sad. We could not believe how many people drove by without stopping. This was in a neighborhood, not on a busy street. Many cars drove by multiple times without stopping and I tell you the kids were trying so hard to get customers. They were holding signs and yelling. The girls even got out pom poms. Everyone seemed too busy. Many were talking on cell phones. Some waved but kept on driving. The only people who actually stopped were direct neighbors and a few people we called because we felt so bad for our kids. It was a holiday for goodness sake. Couldn't they slow down their busy lives on a holiday and do something to make a dozen kids happy?
Anyway...
Eventually the dads took the big kids bowling during nap time for the little ones, then we ate dinner and blew off some of our own fireworks. The biggest hit being ones that propelled parachutes into the air. We had all the kids back up far away and then when we said go they could race to catch the parachute on its way down. They had a blast with this and fortunately we had enough for each child to get their own parachute.
Running for the parachutes
CiCi in heaven with the puppy
Playing in the dirt
Kissing the baby. CiCi is very into babies right now and gets so excited whenever she sees one. It is so cute to me.
Then it was time to watch the actual town fireworks. We have a great view of them from our friends house which we discovered many years ago making their house the annual Fourth of July party house. We even brought CiCi to his house last year after only being home for a few hours. (She had a lot more fun this year :)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fun Day
Last night Kenz had a tooth hanging by a thread. He really does not like having his teeth pulled, so although he knew it really needed to come out last night he decided that he wanted to wait until his friend came over today so that he could show his friend his loose tooth and then pull it while his friend was at our house. Talk about self-imposed peer pressure - especially since he made this promise in front of his big brother.
So Kenz' friend came over and they played on our new bouncy water slide for a very long time.
Then the gang decided to pick apples from our not yet ripe apple tree. Despite my warnings of how sour the apples would taste, they all picked apples and tried to feign liking them.
The dual motive to the apple picking/eating decision was to help further loosen Kenz' tooth so that he would have no choice but to pull it out. He definitely loosened it even more, but could not bring himself to let anyone pull his tooth.
Finally it was time for his friend to leave. He was determined/forced/strongly coerced to fulfill his promise. As his friend was getting into his car, Kenz pulled his own tooth. He was one happy, proud little boy.
Unless they are in the distance I have never before posted pictures of anyone other than our immediate family, but this time I think the goggles are a good enough disguise. How do you other bloggers handle this? Do you always ask permission?
We then went to my niece's birthday party and had a ball, but I forgot my camera. The party was at Ben and Jerry's. Everyone enjoyed their ice cream, but the best part seemed to take place when we moved outside. Outside there was a blue (although it seemed golden to this group) water jug with little Dixie cups beside it. You would have thought it was a keg at a fraternity party the way these kiddos gathered around the water jug. It was truly the highlight of the party and when the keg (water jug) went dry, a few tears were sadly shed. A cheap form of entertainment for your next birthday party - we may just give it a try :)
After the birthday party we went to dinner. Some ugly bug got into CiCi and she began throwing everything in sight. Then spitting/blowing bubbles. Of course the boys started to laugh and I told them to stop. Immediately all their faces got very serious and somewhat stern and they all seemed to be glaring at CiCi. Poor thing got quiet and then all of the sudden started boo-hooing. We could not calm her down. I had my DH take her to my car while I quickly ate and then we switched off. I left with CiCi and Arby and my DH went back inside to eat with Kenz and then Daddy took Kenz to the movie to celebrate his tooth (and to help Mommy so that I could clean the house for our weekend guests) Once we got home CiCi was fine. Who knows what caused her to act that way???
Happy Fourth to you all. I read an article today posted by a fellow Guate mom about Guatemalan women playing soccer. It was such a good reminder to me of the things I have to be thankful for just because I was lucky enough to be born in this country. I play in a women's soccer league and we play against an Hispanic soccer team. This article really hit me as I wondered whether or not any of the girls I play against have similar backgrounds.
I often find myself wondering the burden that others carry. If you can't physically see it, how do you know? How can you help? It is such a good reminder to me to always be pleasant to others. You just never know what is going on inside and sometimes a person's exterior can be very deceiving.
And just so you know - I can not put my DC down for two seconds without little miss snatching it up and partaking.
So are you guys proud of me? I figured out how to post links, and how to upload videos all in the same week. And have you noticed how much I've blogged lately???
So Kenz' friend came over and they played on our new bouncy water slide for a very long time.
Then the gang decided to pick apples from our not yet ripe apple tree. Despite my warnings of how sour the apples would taste, they all picked apples and tried to feign liking them.
The dual motive to the apple picking/eating decision was to help further loosen Kenz' tooth so that he would have no choice but to pull it out. He definitely loosened it even more, but could not bring himself to let anyone pull his tooth.
Finally it was time for his friend to leave. He was determined/forced/strongly coerced to fulfill his promise. As his friend was getting into his car, Kenz pulled his own tooth. He was one happy, proud little boy.
Unless they are in the distance I have never before posted pictures of anyone other than our immediate family, but this time I think the goggles are a good enough disguise. How do you other bloggers handle this? Do you always ask permission?
We then went to my niece's birthday party and had a ball, but I forgot my camera. The party was at Ben and Jerry's. Everyone enjoyed their ice cream, but the best part seemed to take place when we moved outside. Outside there was a blue (although it seemed golden to this group) water jug with little Dixie cups beside it. You would have thought it was a keg at a fraternity party the way these kiddos gathered around the water jug. It was truly the highlight of the party and when the keg (water jug) went dry, a few tears were sadly shed. A cheap form of entertainment for your next birthday party - we may just give it a try :)
After the birthday party we went to dinner. Some ugly bug got into CiCi and she began throwing everything in sight. Then spitting/blowing bubbles. Of course the boys started to laugh and I told them to stop. Immediately all their faces got very serious and somewhat stern and they all seemed to be glaring at CiCi. Poor thing got quiet and then all of the sudden started boo-hooing. We could not calm her down. I had my DH take her to my car while I quickly ate and then we switched off. I left with CiCi and Arby and my DH went back inside to eat with Kenz and then Daddy took Kenz to the movie to celebrate his tooth (and to help Mommy so that I could clean the house for our weekend guests) Once we got home CiCi was fine. Who knows what caused her to act that way???
Happy Fourth to you all. I read an article today posted by a fellow Guate mom about Guatemalan women playing soccer. It was such a good reminder to me of the things I have to be thankful for just because I was lucky enough to be born in this country. I play in a women's soccer league and we play against an Hispanic soccer team. This article really hit me as I wondered whether or not any of the girls I play against have similar backgrounds.
I often find myself wondering the burden that others carry. If you can't physically see it, how do you know? How can you help? It is such a good reminder to me to always be pleasant to others. You just never know what is going on inside and sometimes a person's exterior can be very deceiving.
And just so you know - I can not put my DC down for two seconds without little miss snatching it up and partaking.
So are you guys proud of me? I figured out how to post links, and how to upload videos all in the same week. And have you noticed how much I've blogged lately???
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