The smelly mist. . .

Nothing says America more then a Rodeo and your own herd of kids to accompany you there. Although we didn't stay long enough to enjoy the traditional Rodeo events, we did get a chance to peruse various side shows of pig, sheep, and donkey contests. The pigs really amazed me. Here were these oversize swine waltzing around on stiletto looking hooves.


Before we made it into the dollar day rodeo side show fun, we were bemoaning the chilliness. February has been particularly charming with 70-80 degree weather that the 50 degree temperatures felt unbearable. Armed with little more then light jackets, we braved the cold. (Now, I understand that most of you are dreaming of 50 degrees as relief from the snow, but imagine dropping 20 degrees in a day and you'll understand why we were so cold.) After getting to the first "misty" area, I was more then grateful for the chill. The mist was cause by the cold air and the warm animal by products that were more then abundant.

We munched on over priced hot dogs and enjoyed a few pig races. That's right. Little piglets raced around a track while we cheered them on. The kids each got 3 rides of various carnival amusements which seemed unfair to Mia. I have never been a carnival lovin' gal and felt like a dollar was a lot to ask for to spin around in the air. I couldn't believe that people come on normal/non-dollar day times and pay as much as $5 per 2 minute ride.

We found an area which was more to my liking, free bounce house fun. The kids seemed to enjoy it too. Free samples, free bouncing, free dough boy picture. Life was good.

Some how we missed all the other animals that you could pet like a llama and such, but found joy in the various tractors and farm equipment on display.


Unfortunately we missed the obvious fact that tractors are not toys nor should they be sat on by children. Luckily some random tall levi wearing large brimmed hat cowboy let me know. This was more upsetting to me then the kids. The most they said about having to get off was "why". I on the other hand was fear struck that some powers that be would to something nefarious since I broke some rule. (This happens anytime someone tells me I broke the rules). Oh well, the kids found some massage chairs and began loudly singing "Cowgirls, Cowboys" by the Backyardigans.




This picture captures Talia's thoughts on the day. Yee-Hah!

Biggest Loser or "Is your tummy getting Big? "

(Mia Valentine's Day dressed up as "An angel that shoots people in the heart with arrows." aka cupid as explained by a 5 year old. I was digging on DTY bow)





"Don't worry, my mom is coming to eat lunch with me today." said a hopeful Mia to her kindergarten teacher this past Friday. And so sat Mia, waiting resolutely for a mother who wouldn't show up for another 40 minutes. You see Friday was not only the day before Valentine's day, but also an early release. I don't know if you are aware of this, but it turns out that the classes all function on a truncated schedule. So the kindergartners that normally eat lunch at 10:45 (when I arrived with Tiago holding a V-day themed lunch) had eaten in their classroom at 10. I guess this information is known to most mother's since the office help was bewildered why I would show up so late with lunch. Her teacher at least had enough persuasion to get Mia to eat some goldfish snack and offered her two sugar cookies to help ease the stomach pains.

One might think that I was attempting to level the playing field since Mia self invited some friends over for a valentine's party at our house before letting me know. In all reality, it was a glitch. I am glad she forced me to do a little party for them. I kept it to the people she told and planned a simple get together. A fun breakfast with heart shaped pancakes and strawberry syrup. Mia couldn't wait for the party to start. I thought that 8 am was early enough, but I think she would have liked it to have started at 7 am.


We had to rush the party since we had an appointment in Austin (a good hour and a half away) to test drive a van. When we let the kids in on our plans, Mia turned to me and asked, "Is your tummy getting big?" I had to compose myself for a moment. The question unleashed a slew of emotions: humor, self-deprecation, affirmations etc. I wanted to make sure I heard and understood her correctly so I asked, "Why did you ask me about my big tummy when i told you we were looking to buy a van?" Mia, "Are you having a baby?" No baby. . . and it turns out, no van. I am not sure we really thought through the pros and cons of the situation. Long drive up, short test drive, short bargaining time, kids are hooked, parents not impressed, dealer not budging, long drive home. 5 hours with nothing to show but disgusting fast food half full feelings and irritated kids. I didn't realize how amazing a van is to my kids. The whole drive home was spent pointing out vans that Fernando and I should buy and then grumping about the long drive for nothing. I don't blame them. I felt the same way, but was not ready to plunk down serious cash for a vehicle I didn't love.



To help ease the pains, I made lasagna (thanks to a good friend it looks like my curse for making heinous lasagnas might be lifted) with "I love you" bread sticks. Whatever. Like Italian food could ever make my kids forget their beloved Honda Odyssey with DVD player up in Austin.