Last night, Fernando and I had finished the last of our plans for our whirlwind adventure to Dallas. We mapped out which vans we would see in which order and called the dealerships to let them know we were coming. Our goal was to wake up at 3:30 am and head up for the 5 hour drive north in hopes of buying our Odyssey.
Then the barking began. Not our normal neighbor dog barking through the night, but a strange sound from Talia's room. I was holding her and trying to comfort her, but to no avail. I brought her to our room to get some Tylenol when Fernando said he was taking her to the hospital. Now, Fernando is usually so laze fair about medical things. I can't begin to tell you how concerned it made me when he was suggesting an ER visit.
Although I never love an ER trip, it was almost more difficult waiting at home for the news. Almost 3 hours later, Fernando came home with our Croupy baby. Poor little thing. I am glad that we decided to wait until Saturday to make our trip. I would have felt awful sharing the virus with the friends who were so willing to help us on the buying adventure.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
I have a Friend
A long time ago, when I was still living at home, I was on one of the many grocery shopping adventures with my mom. We were planning on making some Zucchini Bread (a little slice of heaven) and had to purchase a zucchini. My mom revealed a secret that has haunted me to this day. Said she, "You can always tell who doesn't have friends because they are the ones buying zucchini at the store."
I have always had to buy my zucchinis and try to remind myself that all my "friends" are gardenless and couldn't possibly bring me some of their squashing wealth. Then, the other day, Fernando brought home a bag of friendship. It was full of garden delights including my validation. Two large and beautiful zucchinis just for me.
And I knew right away what I would do with them:
ZUCCHINI BARS W/CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Cream: 1 cup oil and 1 1/2 cup sugar
Add: 3 eggs and beat well
Sift: 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon
Add: 1 tsp vanilla and 2 cups zucchini, grated
Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 mins.
Frosting:
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
3 cups powdered sugar
milk for spreadability
Tiago and Talia were a big help. Don't worry. . .I used different bowls to make the bars.
I have always had to buy my zucchinis and try to remind myself that all my "friends" are gardenless and couldn't possibly bring me some of their squashing wealth. Then, the other day, Fernando brought home a bag of friendship. It was full of garden delights including my validation. Two large and beautiful zucchinis just for me.
And I knew right away what I would do with them:ZUCCHINI BARS W/CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Cream: 1 cup oil and 1 1/2 cup sugar
Add: 3 eggs and beat well
Sift: 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon
Add: 1 tsp vanilla and 2 cups zucchini, grated
Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 mins.
Frosting:
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
3 cups powdered sugar
milk for spreadability
Tiago and Talia were a big help. Don't worry. . .I used different bowls to make the bars.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Punishment to fit the Crime
House rules are meant to be broken especially if the rules are sprung onto a child at a given instant of the act. Yesterday, the kids were to pick up the plastic food that they threw all over the room before we could do scripture study. Each child had to pick up 15 and then we would divide them from there. Mia quickly threw in her 15 and was even smart enough to pick up the food and pull them apart (velcro food. . .so realistic) to make her 15 pass faster. Tiago on the other hand slow rolled the process and even began sucking on the food. I told him that he needed to hurry and not to eat the food. "No one wants to touch your spit" I remind him as if he cares.
The sucking keeps going and becomes this power struggle. I threaten him that he will have to pull out all the food and clean it if he does it one more time. For those who don't have children, I will reveal the result:
Funny thing is, he loved cleaning them. He thought it was great. Mia got all excited and wanted to join too.
I must confess, I sometimes feel like a bit deflated when my kids relish in the consequences. I think I have some innate feeling like consequences are negative and should never be enjoyed.
I am glad that we had a consequence that matched the choice and children who will be cleaning things on a more regular basis.
The sucking keeps going and becomes this power struggle. I threaten him that he will have to pull out all the food and clean it if he does it one more time. For those who don't have children, I will reveal the result:
Funny thing is, he loved cleaning them. He thought it was great. Mia got all excited and wanted to join too.
I must confess, I sometimes feel like a bit deflated when my kids relish in the consequences. I think I have some innate feeling like consequences are negative and should never be enjoyed. I am glad that we had a consequence that matched the choice and children who will be cleaning things on a more regular basis.
Heading North?
We have been keeping a steady eye on the used Honda Odyssey market for several months now and have noticed a trend: San Antonio has fewer available at higher prices then our sister cities to the north. Sadly, it is a good 5 hour drive one way to reach the hub of used Honda Odysseys in Dallas, TX. Can I just tell you how torturous it is to do an internet search and find a "perfect" van and then see its location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area? This is just one of the several listings I am interested in. . .check it out here.
Do I subject the kids to such a long drive to get a better vehicle at a better price especially since Fernando doesn't have a day off potentially until June? (potentially=may be a Sunday here and there and that just doesn't work for us) Do I have what it takes to test drive and buy a van without Fernando's advice?
Do I subject the kids to such a long drive to get a better vehicle at a better price especially since Fernando doesn't have a day off potentially until June? (potentially=may be a Sunday here and there and that just doesn't work for us) Do I have what it takes to test drive and buy a van without Fernando's advice?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Full of Emotions
Do you ever think back to your childhood and wonder how your parents kept loving you despite your actions? I often do, especially as I get a first hand taste of what that behavior must have been like. My mom will often tell how I would follow her around on my hands and knees (way passed the crawling phase) with my nose rubbing on the carpet and whining a pathetic whine. Every once in a while I would glance up to see if I was still behind my mom. I am sure she prayed for such blessings to rain down upon my head on those long days that motherhood brings.
Such prayers came true and I have three very emotionally charged children. I will say that the whole principle of opposition in all things holds true in our case. My kids, thank heavens, have such high spirits and a happy demeanor most of the time. But, when things go south, it reaches as low as the highs do. Luckily, the tantrums are short lived and we easily move on as shown here:
I can't quite remember what caused the sorrow. It probably had something to do with food or not being held when she wanted. Full tears and wails were soothed by the change of scene. Who doesn't like rocks? They taste good too. At least that is my presumption for the amount of rocks she keeps putting in her mouth.
Such prayers came true and I have three very emotionally charged children. I will say that the whole principle of opposition in all things holds true in our case. My kids, thank heavens, have such high spirits and a happy demeanor most of the time. But, when things go south, it reaches as low as the highs do. Luckily, the tantrums are short lived and we easily move on as shown here:
I can't quite remember what caused the sorrow. It probably had something to do with food or not being held when she wanted. Full tears and wails were soothed by the change of scene. Who doesn't like rocks? They taste good too. At least that is my presumption for the amount of rocks she keeps putting in her mouth.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day
Talia started the day off with a hunger cry about 5:30 am. This was great since I was hoping to get her down for a pre church nap which meant breakfast and church dressing needed to happen early. I found 3 bowls sitting on the counter next to some cereal and listened to the sweet sound of a running dish washer. Fernando had already left for work about an hour earlier and so I guessed this was mother's day breakfast surprise that would still be safe to eat when I woke up. Really, the clean kitchen was really great.
The kids finally rolled out of bed just as I laid Talia down for operation pre-church nap. They smelled of chlorine and sun screen which brought back all the good memories of Sea World adventures the day before. Food, showers, and out the door looking appropriate all had to happen in less then 2 hours. Oh, I felt like I was at the top of my game. This is what motherhood is all about. I just needed one melt down, and something spilled on me, and some funny comments and I would feel at one with the Mother's Day aura.
We made it almost on time and sped only part of the way to church. Then non speeding parts happened to be the stop signs that I rolled through, but who's keeping track. Tiago munched half of Talia's snack on the way in, and Mia was complaining about having to share a water bottle with Tiago. All the while, I was shoving the lumpy diaper bag full of some essential distractions and urging a near run for the doors.
I luckily found some pieces of gum in the beyond disgusting diaper bag which worked for good bribes for sacrament reverence. I only had to leave about three times during the whole meeting which was pretty good. I also happened to be apart of the program since the Primary always sings on such events. I threw Talia to a sweet couple behind us and prayed that she wouldn't scream. Prayer heard and answered. Mia and Tiago wound their way up through the masses to find a squished spot on the stand.
Masses would accurately describe the scene. Mass chaos that is. Our ward has 120 active primary children to out rank our 105 active adults. And, even though there were mother's who were singing the "mother" part of Mother Tell Me a Story, there was no way to herd all those children discretely. I decided to play prelude until we were all ready. 10 rounds through the song, and a few false starts, we finally began. I am glad it was a short song and that the thought was what counted. Enough said.
The rest of the meeting was a blur, but no craziness occurred. Mia escorted Tiago to class and he actually stayed. Well, he was on the same row. . .just 10 feet away. Talia, who usually screams through church because of want of naps, was relatively quiet and would even spend some of the time locked in her car seat. At the end of church, we headed home feeling slightly super for the feat we just accomplished.
Then we all took a Mother's Day nap! Who cares what else happened, that was great. So, here is to a day that made me feel like I could do anything and still survive with a smile and some good stories. Fernando felt awful that his work prevented him from serving me, but I got a fantastic massage to make up for that (not that he needed to, but I didn't complain.)
The kids finally rolled out of bed just as I laid Talia down for operation pre-church nap. They smelled of chlorine and sun screen which brought back all the good memories of Sea World adventures the day before. Food, showers, and out the door looking appropriate all had to happen in less then 2 hours. Oh, I felt like I was at the top of my game. This is what motherhood is all about. I just needed one melt down, and something spilled on me, and some funny comments and I would feel at one with the Mother's Day aura.
We made it almost on time and sped only part of the way to church. Then non speeding parts happened to be the stop signs that I rolled through, but who's keeping track. Tiago munched half of Talia's snack on the way in, and Mia was complaining about having to share a water bottle with Tiago. All the while, I was shoving the lumpy diaper bag full of some essential distractions and urging a near run for the doors.
I luckily found some pieces of gum in the beyond disgusting diaper bag which worked for good bribes for sacrament reverence. I only had to leave about three times during the whole meeting which was pretty good. I also happened to be apart of the program since the Primary always sings on such events. I threw Talia to a sweet couple behind us and prayed that she wouldn't scream. Prayer heard and answered. Mia and Tiago wound their way up through the masses to find a squished spot on the stand.
Masses would accurately describe the scene. Mass chaos that is. Our ward has 120 active primary children to out rank our 105 active adults. And, even though there were mother's who were singing the "mother" part of Mother Tell Me a Story, there was no way to herd all those children discretely. I decided to play prelude until we were all ready. 10 rounds through the song, and a few false starts, we finally began. I am glad it was a short song and that the thought was what counted. Enough said.
The rest of the meeting was a blur, but no craziness occurred. Mia escorted Tiago to class and he actually stayed. Well, he was on the same row. . .just 10 feet away. Talia, who usually screams through church because of want of naps, was relatively quiet and would even spend some of the time locked in her car seat. At the end of church, we headed home feeling slightly super for the feat we just accomplished.
Then we all took a Mother's Day nap! Who cares what else happened, that was great. So, here is to a day that made me feel like I could do anything and still survive with a smile and some good stories. Fernando felt awful that his work prevented him from serving me, but I got a fantastic massage to make up for that (not that he needed to, but I didn't complain.)
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