Memorable day

Ben had an appointment with the ear doctor on Inauguration Day. We were listening to the ceremonies on NPR on the way to Fresno. When we walked into the office all (well most) eyes were on the little television in the corner. When the Star Spangled Banner was sung, a few people stood up and laid their hands upon their heart. There wasn't a sound in the entire office. All appointments were put on hold. At the end of President Obama's speech, the room lit up with applause.

It was such an amazing moment. I was happy to be with a room full of people whom I had never met, but felt so connected with. Even with the 2 little old guys who refused to even *look* at the television; sitting with their hands crossed across their chest with the biggest frowns on their faces. I wanted to hug those grouchy guys who undoubtedly voted the McCain/Palin ticket. Because America *is* beautiful. What an amazing country to be able to vote for a president and express your feelings (negative, positive or otherwise) openly and freely without recourse.

To have my eldest son sitting on my lap, watching along with everyone else, asking questions, making comments and clapping along filled my black little heart with such happiness I can't even explain it. I can't believe that he's going to be able to tell his children..."I remember that day that President Obama was sworn in to office. The doctor actually told me to chew a lot of gum." Hah. Weird but true.

I made an "All-American" dinner of burgers and fries, and for dessert the inaugural cupcakes the boys and I made the night before. Can you tell which cupcakes were decorated by Joaquin?

Eat that frog!

I recently read on one of the 52 blogs that I follow (but don't remember which one) a quote that Mark Twain once said " If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long."

I understand. I get it. Resist procrastination, and do the hardest/most dreaded task you have planned for the day. Whether it be at work, at home...or even personally. Then, everything else will be gravy.

I mean, really...I get it. But for now, I'm going to finish my bagel with lox, enjoy my freshly ground french-pressed coffee and eat my frog on Monday.

Besides, I'm sure Monday's frog will be much easier to swallow than today's laundry-frog.

Edited to add: I wonder if the opposite works with food. Hear me out. I mean, I've always been taught to clean my plate. And I obviously still have no problem doing that. But, because I'd get lectured on all the starving kids in Africa (what about those here in the U.S.?), if I didn't eat every single bite, I started to make a game of it. I *would* "eat the frog" first. Keeping whatever was my favorite item on the plate for last. I still do that as an adult. Which pretty much translates into eating more than I should.

What if I started with my favorite thing on the plate. Would I be satisfied earlier? Maybe I'd eat less since the remaining choices are just downhill from there. Or will it be like a drug-addict always chasing that original high...therefore eating even *more* than anticipated.

Hmmm...I'll have to think about it.

Latin Men in White Suits

I wonder if this commercial is what convinced my parents to buy this car. I grew up with this exact same car. Same make, model & even colour.

Those backseats were HUGE! I remember literally walking around in the back seat. First bugging my dad, then my mom for a snack, or a tissue or whatever.

When we'd go on vacations, my dad would transfer me me early in the still-dark morning from my bed to the car. He'd lay me down in the plushy make-shift bed that my mom had prepared for me in the back. Holly Hobby pillows and Strawberry Shortcake comforters were where it was at.

I mean really, who needs seatbelts when you're driving a big old metal-tank cushioned by a mother's love and big pink fluff bedding?

Of course, by the time my brother was born and I had to *share* the backseat it didn't seem so large anymore.

Ben

As we were pulling into the garage after school, Ben said "Mom, I have to tell you something." I was preparing myself for an "I lost my jacket" or "I got in trouble". So, I said "Yes?" And he replied, "I've been thinking a lot about the past. And I just have to tell you, that you're the best mom ever. And out of all the really good moms I know, I'd STILL pick you to be our mom. You cook really good, you wash our clothes, you're really funny and you love us. Thanks mom."

I have no idea where that came from, but I'll take it. I probably would have cried had I not been so shocked. It's funny...he always seems to have really good conversations with me in the car. He's a sweet tender-hearted boy, and I often catch him just staring at me while I'm driving, then just tell me "I love you mom". I've even gotten a few "You're pretty." or, "I like your hair mom".

You know what? Out of all the children in the world...I'd pick you to be my first son too Ben.

The Last of Winter Break

The boys and I went to the $3 movie theater on Friday originally intent to watch that Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie. I was sooo not looking forward to seeing *that*, but I promised them. Thankfully, I must've been on the good Karma list or something because God showed mercy upon my wary soul. :)

We got to the theatre at 2:00 thinking that's when that dog movie was going to start, but it didn't start until 2:50. Then, just as I was thinking of how to waste 50 minutes, Ben says "Mom! I wanna see Madagascar 2 instead!" And what do you know? It was showing at 2:10. It was mediocre at best, but at least I didn't have to waste my iPhone batteries listening to my iTunes playlist wishing I were somewhere else.

We then met Steve at work and went to the Thai House for dinner. Has to be in my top 3 restauraunts in Fresno. The boys love the Phad Thai noodles and we all came home happy and full.

In other news, the sun made an appearance! Happy is (s)he who is rejuvenated by the rays of a flaming ball of gas. Seriously. My mood, patience and overall happiness has been multiplied today.

It also could be attributed to having an awesome Saturday. Hanging out with 5 of the funniest girls on the planet, shopping, eating & buying makeup! Oh, how I love being a girl. Then, a fun-filled evening of dining, peach vodka (yum) and live music with Steve and 2 of the best couples EVER.

Then to top off the weekend, an entire Sunday of lazing around, going to our besties (I hate, and love that word all at once) house and just being with the kids and friends. I think the point of it all was to watch the Steelers pounce the Chargers but I really didn't pay much attention to that part of the afternoon.

Tomorrow marks the end of winter break and the beginning of the rest of the school year. The boys are looking forward to it. Me? Not so much. I'm going to miss lounging in our PJ's together and impromptu snuggles on the couch. I'm going to miss the crafts and baking and games and hugs whenever we want them.

Though, I have to admit I am looking forward to having a clean house again. I'm looking forward to being able to do what *I* want to again. And I will not miss the "that's mine...MOOOOOOOOOM".

Well, ok...I guess I'm looking forward to school starting. Just a little.

Taxes, FBI agents & Ninjas

I haven't seen the sun in 4 days and it's starting to have its effect on the boys and me. The boys have attempted to play outside twice today, but come back in after 10 minutes with frozen, red faces. They attempt to play-wrestle to get out all that energy, but then it just escalates to beating the crap out of each other. Crying ensues, apologies are spoken followed by laughing. Lather, rinse, repeat. Boys are crazy crazy creatures. It's like this whole secret life I never even knew about.

So we took a trip to the dreaded Dollar Tree, because sometimes a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do right? I told the boys they could each pick one thing they wanted and I wouldn't even balk. Last time I did this, a few months back, Joaquin came back with 5 packs of gum and Ben came home with a big bag of hot Cheetos. Today, they each came back with plastic toys. Sorry mother-earth. But, they're recyclable after they break in about 2 days right?

Anyway, Joaquin chose a "Ninja Pack", and Ben chose an "FBI Kit". They were very deliberate about their choices, discussing how they could play with them together and thinking through the scenarios they would act out once we got home. I just hope the photo to the right isn't foreshadowing of things to come. ;)

Also, it was an impromptu money lesson. Explaining that "Everything is $1" means that everything is really $1.08. Not an easy task...but after giving a few examples of what the tax money does, then Ben said..."OOOH! That's what taxes mean. Taxes are a good thing then right?" Yes, Ben...at the risk of being called a commie ....taxes *are* a good thing.

So, off we went with $1.10 in each boys' hands. Joaquin still doesn't get it...as he thinks the change he gets back is "extra more money!". At least he's saving his "extra more money" to "buy more stuff to get even MORE extra more money". :)

Right Hand Red, Left Foot Green

Santa brought the game of Twister this year! That Santa dude, is one cool cat. The boys hadn't even heard of the game until December 25th at 7:10 a.m of 2008. Yes, I know the exact time because all I kept thinking was, "why is there no coffee in my hands yet?"

Anyway, we brought it out and away we spun. Much fun, laughing and a lot of falling was being had. I also learned that my eldest son, sweet and smart as he is, *still* doesn't know his left from his right.

This photo was taken at about 4:00 p.m. Notice anything "strange" about it? Yeah, i don't find it strange that the boys (and the photographer) are still in their jammies either. It *is* vacation after all right?