Double Dose.....

Damn it.  How does time get by so fast??  I had the best of intentions to come back and write the next blog and the next...daily.  So it would be 'chapters' like I stated.  Obviously that did not work out so well for me.  Maybe I really meant months....or maybe it's that memory loss thing working against me again. 

Actually that can't be it, because I still remember what I was going to write about.  I just didn't get to it.  The next two subjects.

Weather.
Languages.

Doesn't seem very exciting though, does it?  Weather never really does.  Unless of course, it's catastrophic.  Funny enough, at the time I was thinking about this blog (a MONTH ago) it was darn-near catastrophic in TX!!  Which was why I was going to talk about it.  Remember...only talk about weather when it's interesting enough.  Otherwise, it's just the lowest common denominator in your conversation!!  :) 

Last year, and our first fall/winter in Miami, I was really missing the 'seasons'.  We went home for Christmas and it snowed (compared to this year it was a 'dusting')!  We wore scarfs and boots and coats.  It was kind of fun! 

But, this year.  I learned to embrace the 'Florida sunshine'!!!  For one, I don't really have to change out my closet for the season.  I've never worn a coat in Florida.  Or gloves.  I've worn boots, but that was only for looks.  They weren't necessary at all to keep me warm.  At the end of January, I was driving the kids to church one Sunday morning.  It was right when all the craziness was hitting the rest of the country.  There was even a day or two when Florida was the only state without snow.  It was 70, sunny and incredible here!  On my way to church, I was bombarded with the masses out cycling, running, walking dogs, rollerblading, etc.  People were living!!!  They were active!! 

It was at that moment that I decided to embrace the weather here.  Yes, it's a tad predictable.  But, I would much rather it be predictable with sunny and warm than gloomy and rainy like Seattle!  Julie and Gabe came to visit and we were at the beach playing, somewhat, in the ocean just days before 'the Blizzard of 2011' hit Dallas!  Just days. 

I really do need to get on top of this blog.  Here are subjects I'm itching to get at:
- the language part.  Still want to talk about that one.
- The Castro's visit.
- Allison's visit.
- Luke just turned 6 months!
- We're coming to TX for Spring Break.
- Kyle just started a new job and left today for his first business trip!
- Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen......ha!!!  fooled you on that one, huh?
- Parenting and blogs

I'll be back tomorrow.....!  Adios.  Leave a note!!  Would love to hear from you. 

Random Thoughts.....

In no particular order....here's how my mind is getting side tracked today.  Random thoughts...

Education:  There has been so much talk lately about Americans and our intelligence.  Or maybe lack thereof.  Obama called for us to innovate and invent, or something like that.  The former school chancellor of Washington DC made radical changes in the education system.  I believe for the positive, but am interested in hearing perspective from current and former educators on this subject...ahem.  Mom.  It is predicted that we are falling significantly behind our Asian colleagues.  And most recently, a big debate was stirred when a Chinese mom wrote a book about the differences (and superior ways) in Chinese child rearing and how American moms are too soft. 

You get the picture. 

I take a lot of this to heart.  I believe wholeheartedly in taking responsibility for our children and what their future looks like.  I'm faced for the first time with which path you provide for your kids in terms of private vs public.  There are so many pro's and con's of each.  Too many as a matter of fact. 

And, so, it hit me this morning.  I was in the bathroom getting ready for work.  And, I had the Today show on in the background.  Once again, my 'hackle' went up when I heard Matt Lauer introduce a story on Lindsey Lohan.  This time for some question about 'grand larson'.  It all came together in that instant!  We as Americans (and yes, we all have to take responsibility) have our priorities so out of whack!  So much so, that a respected, proven journalist is having to report about some idiot that was raised poorly, thrown into the spotlight too young, never really became that 'legendary' except for her shenanigans and is now on the news daily.  Do you think Matt Lauer took a course in college about 'How to report on celebrity gossip?'  Why is this important?  Why should we care?  Let's all quit talking about her so she'll stay a substantial amount of time in rehab, get better and go about doing some good in life!  Let's spend some more time learning about Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia and how the whole world looks like it's about to implode.  Shouldn't we care more about this than Lindsey Lohan?? 

We place too much importance on celebrities.  Especially the ones that kill brain cells in our head.  Don't even get me started on Charlie Sheen.


As I get older, I realize I only have so much 'memory power' left.  I need to be filling it with things that prolong Alzheimer's and make me at least appear intelligent.  Do other countries place as much emphasis on this and we just don't see it? 

Sad.  Just really sad. 

Well....now that I'm all worked up again (can you see my passion behind this!) I'm going to save the rest for tomorrow.  I'll do this in chapters.  The others are much 'lighter'.  I promise. 

The Grunter....

This is one of the funniest videos ever!  I know it's our kid and therefore we are biased, but it might be 'You Tube' worthy! 

And....no....Luke is not going to the bathroom.  This is just what he does in his spare time!  

Breakthrough....

Finally.  Luke is catching on to the 'sleeping through the night' idea!  Luke and Olivia are very different kids.  But, Olivia did like to sleep!  She caught on to the concept early.  So, I couldn't help but think #2 might go down the same path. 

Luke though....he likes to smile, laugh and giggle at 3am.  There could be worse things.  But, mama likes her sleep! 

This week was different.  For the most part, he now goes down at 7:30pm, sleeps until 5:30am, eats and goes back to sleep until 7am or so.  I will not complain about that schedule.  For now. 

However, one night last week, he slept from 7:30pm until 7am!!!  On a week night!  That meant I went to work rested! 

We put Luke to sleep in a 'sleep sack'.  The wearable blankets due to the whole SIDS thing.  We were a bit behind on the laundry and due to reasons I will not share with you (i.e. baby stuff) he couldn't wear the two we have.  So, I went searching for one from Olivia's baby days. 

This is the only one I could find.  And, he slept 11 1/2 hours.  I'm convinced he was channeling Olivia.  Just don't show him this when he's 16.  What he doesn't know, won't hurt him. 

Lord....Help Me

I am SO.....not ready for this.  Thank goodness, I have a few years ahead of me to toughen up my skin.  Or to find the best lock made by mankind. 

I'm sitting in a restaurant innocently having lunch and minding my own business.  Next to me are 3 rather innocent looking high school girls.  Who are secretly plotting their plans to 'pass one over' on the 'ol parents and sneak out, go to a party they shouldn't be at or all of the above along those lines!!! 

Now, Mom & Dad...if you are reading this, I know you are saying, 'what the heck is this girl complaining about!  We went through the same hell when we found out she stayed out all night at a party down the street when she told us she was spending the night at her friend's house.'  Paybacks is probably the word entering your head.  And, I was a 'good' kid.  I would like to think.

I also just overheard that these girls go to a private school near us that happens to cost $30k a year.  If you pay that absurd amount of money, shouldn't your kids behave!!  These girls are plotting how to get some kind of 'key' from one of the dads.  But, pondering how suspicious it will be if she asks for it.  Making comments joking around about how it will be the worst moment for their parents if they 'get arrested' and their parents have to answer that call you dread coming from the cops.  They are talking about having 'Nick' drive them around.  Should I tell themt that 'Nick' doesn't really have their best interest in mind??  :)  The amount of drop-offs required to make this plan successful is unbelievable.  Does more work = more fun? 

What are these girls thinking?  Do they think anything good is going to come of this?? 

I know, I know....we've all been here.  We all survived and our parents only had minor heart attacks along the way.  There is a BIG difference between raising girls and boys.  My boy is only 5 mos old and I already have this one figured out.  Olivia is going to be chained up or I'll find some way to stick a surveillance camera around her neck. DeeDee - glad you signed up for that 'tween' class.  You can coach the rest of us on raising girls post-millennium!! 

My stomach is in knots already......ugh! 

What do you get.....

When you have an island 21 miles x 1 mile, with 65k people and nowhere to go??  A bunch of couped up people ready to party!! 

I'm in Bermuda this week on a trip.  For the most part, it's been typical business.  However, in the last few minutes of our meeting today, 'customer' said that they had 2 extra tickets to an ABBA concert and wanted to know if me and 'employee' wanted to go.  The concert, after all, was in our hotel.  Who knew??  It certainly wasn't advertised when we checked in yesterday. 

Apparently, it's 'BermudaFest'.  Another thing I was unaware of.  Hmmm.  I have to say there was some hesitation from our side.  So, we went to dinner and decided at the last minute to show up an hour late to the concert. 

Wow!  I am SO glad I did not miss this.  For one, you cannot, no matter how hard you try, stay relaxed, serious, mad, sad, bored, enter-your-word-here, at an ABBA concert.  They are just ALL 'happy' songs!  Second, this was a true Swedish cover band that has been together for 16 years singing ABBA songs.  I felt like I was watching them live had I been over age 15 when they were around.  Third - unbeknownst to us...again.....Mike Watson, an original ABBA member and bassist was in the band.  As a special guest.  funny. 

And...last, but certainly not least....I got to experience what Bermudians do.  Because they are couped up on an island.  Did i mention this earlier??  I swear, there were people ranging from 6-90 in the audience.  And, they were all clapping, swaying, dancing, and singing.  It was hilarious.  All of them, that is, except the grumpy, grouchy 90 yr old man sitting on the middle aisle of the 3rd row that grumpily asked the happy-audience dancers to sit down mid-show because he could no longer see the pretty ladies singing on the stage.  By the end of the show, he lost his battle.  There were dozens of people dancing in the aisle and in front of the stage.  And, his grumpiness was a lost cause. 

So, that is how I spent my evening.  At an ABBA concert.  Far away from any other civilization.  With half the population of Bermuda (ok, maybe only a very small percentage) and a lot of Dancing Queens.....

This one's for you Jules!!!!!  And if you know Jules, you know exactly what I'm talking about!!!  Love and miss you!  Could not help but think about you tonight. 

Sponges and Milestones...

Random title, huh? 

Our little 'sponge' would be Olivia.  The 'milestones'....well as you can guess, that refers to Luke these days. 

First to our sponge.  This has to be one of my favorite times in Olivia's lengthy 5 years.  She is right on the cusp of reading and it is incredible to see the progress.  I'm sure I'll be saying things like this as she progresses through math, science, etc.  Or, you somehow get used to it and take it for granted like everything else in life.  So, for now, I'm trying to really appreciate it. 

I think I mentioned this in an earlier post, but Olivia is dying and I mean dying to spell, read and everything in between.  I went in to her room last night and she had a paper with all kinds of words written on it.  Listed right down the page.  The first one there....'Glamorous'!  What??  I still have no idea where she copied that from.  But, that's what she does.  She sits down at her desk and finds things to copy.  Then, she writes.  It's so funny.  She can spell our whole family from memory. 

We also bought a deck of 'sight' words.  This week's words are 'On', 'No', 'Black', 'The' and 'And'.  She more or less has them down already.  So, after practicing them the other night, she picked out all the words she knew in her bedtime story and read them when she came to them in the book.  You can just see her little mind working.  It's so cool.  I love watching her think through the words, what letter they start with and what that must mean in terms of which one of the 5 it is on the card. 

To make it more confusing, she also has an incredible desire to learn Spanish.  Olivia has completely caught on that we live in a place where other languages are spoken.  And, she's anxious to participate.  The funny part about it is that she identifies anyone of Latin decent and tries, publicly, to talk to them.  Up until now though, the first word that comes to mind is 'Uno'!  We were at the park the other day and Olivia was on her bike.  As she rode past anyone looking Latin, she yelled out 'Uno'!  Imagine... a five yr old yelling 'One!' as they rode past you.  We got some strange looks.  She also did it in the Costco line checking out.  Awkward. 

So, I ordered some bilingual books that we're now reading at bedtime.  I'm going to take advantage of her curiosity so we can all learn Spanish.  It really is a necessity here.  My discovery of the week.....'Special Agent Oso'....you know the TV show.  Well, he's actually Special Agent Bear if you translate it.  Why does that just not sound 'catchy' to me??

On to the little guy. 

Luke survived his first trip on a plane, his first road trip (4hr drive from Dallas to SA), his first time in a pack and play and crib other than his own.  He grabbed a toy for the first time Sunday night and he sat in his Bumbo (or whatever they're called) chair for the first time. 

He also has decided not to sleep anymore.  This is the child that for 3 months has been waking up one time in the night 8 times out of 10.  He's the kid that has given me newborn sanity and made me think a 3rd child was a great idea!  Now....all hell's broken loose.  As of this past Sunday, all bets are off.  Kyle and I have now split up the night.  Whatever happens in your 'shift' you handle.  My shift is from whenever I go to sleep until 2am.  Kyle gets after that.  Last night, Luke was in and out of sleep from 11:30-1:45am.  At which time I fed him.  He then slept until 4pm.  Then, Kyle got to deal with similar patterns for the rest of the night.  Oh Lord help us!!  Praying this is a 'growth' spurt.  Isn't that what you call everything you can't figure out in a baby's world!! 

Here are some pics.  Luke in his chair...I laugh at every single picture.  He looks so funny.  I now purple is not 'manly'.  It's a hand-me-down.