HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Astronaut Andres

Spaceman here! Just look at my handsome boy this year. The medal around his neck that he is so proud of he won at school for "best costume"!

Cruzer's Costumes

Cruz couldn't decide what to be this year. He dressed up as a "boy ballerina" for preschool and a teddy bear that afternoon. Too cute!

Going For Hay

Once a year we go up to Petaca to load all the hay bales that Grandpa has baled. We had a great day this year, loading with the family and having a wonderful picnic beneath the mountains in a grassy field near the creek. The boys loved exploring and climbing on the hay. I am so lucky to have experiences like this to share with my sons!

For Gramps

My Gramps passed away Friday, September 12, 2008. I didn't know him that well. It's weird how you remember little clips of things from the past. I remember him giving me a shiny, new quarter for each "A" I made one year. He once came to visit in Arkansas and I was so amazed that he knew the difference between red and white pine trees! We would stop by and see him when we were in Texas for the summers. He sat in his plush chair, smelling of smoke and sweet liquor, telling funny stories about "Charlotte" and encouraging us to go find golf balls in the back yard. Last time I saw him we brought the boys by to meet him. We didn't stay long. I wish I had known my Gramps better but I didn't. I never felt I loved him like a grandpa, but there is one thing I will love and thank him for...my mom. If it wasn't for this man, I wouldn't have the mom I have today. For good or bad, he was a driving force in what made her and for that I will always be thankful to him. So I'll take a minute and remember my Gramps, who loved a good joke, had a great, dry sense of humor, prized education and loved my mom. Go with God Gramps.

Marcie

1st Day of Kindergarten

My Greatest Treasure

I was just finishing typing up the preschool newsletter for this month and I always end by thanking the parents for entrusting us with their greatest treasure--their child. As a teacher and a parent I know that parents send the very best they have and I look at my surly high school students sometimes and think "someone loves him just like I love my boys". I hope these thoughts have crossed Andres' teachers' minds before. He is my greatest treasure and right now I don't feel like entrusting him to anyone. Tomorrow night is open house and I will meet his teachers--Mr. Juan Carlos and Ms. Rita. There are five days left--I hope I can do this. . . .

Marcie

My Baby's Going to School

There are exactly 2 weeks of summer left. In 2 weeks my baby will start kindergarten... I'm scared. He's ready and I know he'll do fine but once I let him go---that's it, then it's t-ball, drama, guitar, soccer, flamenco classes, then homecoming and prom and... I know, it sounds ridiculous but I look at him and my heart just swells. I want everything to be perfect for him and I won't be in control of that anymore. I want the world to love him and see him as the special person I see him as. Anyway, these are my feelings and they look kinda crazy in writing but I suspect other moms have felt the same way too.
My baby, my firstborn, is spreading his new wings to the sun. He's just waiting for them to dry and strengthen so he can fly. He is so beautiful...

Love,
Marcie

Time

I realized after posting the last blog and reading it that I do not give anyone enough of my time.

• I need to spend more time in my classroom this year--I've been slacking;
• If I don't start my thesis research soon I'm going to be in trouble
• I have at least 10 projects I need to work on around the house
• I've got a week's worth of errands to run
• I haven't been to the gym in 2 years
• I need to hire a new preschool teacher (and train her) and make a new schedule
• I want to spend time doing nothing with my boys

There are 3 1/2 weeks of summer "vacation" left. Can we squeeze in another camping trip? Andres is starting kindergarten in August. Ann and I haven't been on a date in months. Even my priorities are prioritized.

What a Day!!!

It all started this morning because I overslept...

Since I have a two-week class for my master's program, I was up late the night before and overslept. I loaded the boys in the Expedition and was barrelling toward the preschool when I noticed flashing blue lights in the rear view mirror. Well, I pulled over and luckily did not get a ticket just a verbal warning and a lecture from the cop in front of the other officer he was training. While I was trying to look meek and apologetic, my little angels were in the back seat singing "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when they come for you..." I have no idea how that officer kept a straight face! Then off to preschool (slowly) where the conversation turned to jail with a billion 5-year-old questions about a place I only know from watching "Cops" and Oz. Neither seemed to satisfy Andres' curiosity. Dropped the boys off, then called my classmate to relay my excuse to the teacher while I drove in. When I finally got there, I realized I had forgotten Cruz's sheet and blankie for naptime. Walked in late and got a dirty look from the professor--no seats left so I had to stand in the back. At break I got a call from one of my preschool teachers about a possible abuse report on a child and had to spend the 10 minute break dealing with CYFD regulations. I was hungry and still stressed plus I had had no caffine. Back to class. Finally lunch came and of course we were rushed and the cashier had to use me to train and incompetent trainee on. (He thought 50% off $1.49 was .99!) Walked in to class late again and got the dirty look. Once class was over, I headed to the preschool to talk to the parent about their child's issues and allegations. Then gave a tour to a prospective parent. Meanwhile, Andres is begging to go and Cruz wants to have more goldfish crackers. At 5:30 we head home.
Get home and realize I forgot the milk. Call Ann so she can stop and get some. I had to read a whole book tonight (it's small but it's the principle of the matter) and have 2 reflections to post. My head teacher called to discuss further the issue today and I have barely said 6 words to Ann since she got home. And they were in anger and frustration. Now the boys are asleep and so is Ann and I probably won't talk to her in the morning since she is gone by 5:30...I'm sorry and I'm tired. I better go set my alarm for tomorrow--I don't want this day to repeat again.

Camping at Heron Lake

For the 4th of July we went camping with two other couples, Damon and Selina and their daughter Antonia; and Hinu and Nancy. The boys' cousin Alicia came too. We bought a conoe and had so much fun with 3 days on the lake. Cruz found his "spot" to gaze out at the lake (see pic) and Andres learned to swim. The boys are getting so much easier to go camping with --no diapers! Yeah! It was so nice to spend 4 days there out of cell phone range and relax and swim and hike and drink tequila and roast marshmallows. I can hardly wait to go again!

Cruz Is 4 Years Old!

Well, I am playing catch-up on the blog now. Cruz had his birthday party the last Saturday in May and here are a couple of pictures of him and his best friend Antonia. The theme he chose was birds and butterflies.

Big Weekend

Last weekend, we took a mini-vacation to Albuquerque. Ann's sisters and their children and grandchildren came with us and we went to Cliffs Amusement Park. Those kids rode rides from noon until 7pm. I was already exhausted when we went back to the hotel. But the kids oviously were not. Ann and I swam with the kids in the pool until 9 pm then we all went back to our rooms for pizza and beers. Andres and Cruz jumped on the beds and watched cartoons (cable is a miraculous thing for them). When we finally passed out around midnight, we all slept like logs.

Speaking of logs, check out the great facial expressions here after the first (of 3) time the boys went on the log ride! It was a great time, perfect weather, good company. Now we are getting ready for Cruzer's 4th birthday on the 22nd. We are having a backyard party on the 25th.

Chicks in the House = Spring

It must be spring at our house when there are sounds of peeping coming from the kitchen. We ordered 3 French Cuckoo Maran chicks. These chickens lay "chocolate" eggs and will bring our flock to 13! Who knew I would take after my mom and love chickens?




Well since this is not a chicken blog, I would like everyone to know that I am finishing up my final exam for a Statistics (the other "s" word) class. This class was hard and generally sucked but I did learn how to use practically every function Excel has!

Chile plants and tomatoes go in the ground this weekend. I jumped the gun and planted too early and some of my plants froze. Should've consulted the Farmer's Almanac. My tulips are almost spent and the jonquils are coming into bloom now. Andres and I planted a cherry tree, a purple plum tree and two more blueberry bushes. Can you tell by now that I LOVE spring?

Buddy, our cocker spaniel, is getting surgery tomorrow for kidney stones. This is his 3rd and hopefully final surgery. I'll let you know how it goes. The boys are a little worried.

Love Marcie

At The Pool

Last night Ann took the boys to the pool while I worked on some statistics homework with a fellow teacher. This was quite brave (not doing stats--taking 2 boys to the pool!). While I tried to explain how this outing could wind up a disaster, Ann was insistent. So, on went the new trunks, the towels were packed and with a kiss and a wave they were off. . . . .
I WAS WRONG. The boys had a GREAT time and did not try to drown each other (or Ann) after all! Andres even swam with the boogie board across the pool by himself, while Cruz the daredevil jumped in several times. That's all they talked about last night and today. I am so proud of all three of them. Ann has guts or is atoning for something since she is planning another pool trip on Thursday for Andres and Cruz AND their cousins Mario and Matthew. . . . .

Here's a pic of the boys washing up after their pool outing:

They're Not Babies Anymore

Cruz age 3 1/2

Andres age 5

I can't believe how much they look like kids instead of toddlers!

Andres Soup

Andres has always been a great connoisseur of foods. Here is a quick, fresh soup I made with all his favorite things. He LOVED it! It took 30 minutes start to bowl.

Andres Soup

1 pkg tortellini (he likes the dried kind)
3 cans chicken or veggie broth
4+ cups FRESH spinach
1 jar roasted red bell peppers (chopped)
1/2 red onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
Parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini. Drain. Add everything to pot. Simmer 5 minutes. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Enjoy.

Love Marcie

A New Toy for Ann

What a weekend. We were busy and productive. Saturday we got out the grill and campfire grill ring. We had to fix the campfire ring, so after 3 trips to Lowe's, we finally had all the parts we needed to fix it. On Ann's 3rd trip to Lowe's she came back with a power washer. Now normally I don't get too excited about a new tool, and the thought of spending $250.00 on a tool to wash cars had me feeling slightly perturbed. However, in the next 2 hours Ann proceeded to strip peeling paint, clean the grill inside and out (no noxious oven spray needed), and yes, wash the cars, including her mom's. Not a bad 2 hours work. Sunday that power washer was humming all day. What sold me on it was when Ann began "peeling" vigas (log ceiling beams) with it. With 50+ vigas to peel, previously by hand, this machine was worth its weight in Ibuprofen! Ann's sister Geri picked up the boys for a play date at her house and Ann and I managed to clean out the chicken coop, plant lettuce, beets, onions and potatoes, drink a few beers, wash the pop-up trainer--including the upholstery and Ann even washed the flagstone patio! Overall an enjoyable weekend in which we got a lot accomplished. Good since I will not be doing much when Ann is out of town next weekend.

Love Marcie

PS Ann says it is a Briggs and Straton 3000 psi pressure washer not just a power washer!

Let Them Be Friends

YYesterday and today the boys were friends. I had to take Cruz to the doctor for an asthma follow-up and Andres wanted to go too b/c he has been having nightmares. So, at 9am I loaded them in the SUV and Cruz grabbed this fleece Thomas blanket. Andres, upon seeing the blanket, wanted one too. I steeled myself for the inevitable fight when to my surprise, Andres simply moved his booster seat right next to Cruz and said "Let's share Cruz". Wow!
I kept glancing in the rear view mirror on the way and seeing them cuddled up together just made my week. 15 minutes into the trip they began a conversation just between the two of them about what they wanted to be when they grew up. Andres, of course, said he wanted to be a superhero. "You can be my sidekick, Cruz" he said. "Nope" Cruz replied. "I want to be a flag worker." This perplexed me, but before I could ask a mom-like clarifying question Andres stated "A flag worker is a great idea Cruzer. All the flags will be fixed and beautiful."
To which Cruz answered, "Yup. And red, white, and blue and rainbows."
I wanted to pull over and hug them both. Instead I just smiled and crossed my fingers that more moments like this will be coming.

Why blogger?

I want to start this blog in order to record the daily life of our family, especially our boys Andres and Cruz. Andres is 5 now and Cruzer is 3 (almost 4). Although my time is limited and over scheduled, I think this is important and will hopefully be fun! After reading my cousin Amber's blog "cookinandsippin" I was inspired. Hope you enjoy it!

Love,
Marcie