Little packages

After the birthday party is done and it's back to regular life, there's nothing like receiving a package in the mail full of belated birthday gifts! Unfortunately, now Marcelo bets to himself that he will receive a package in the mail almost every day and is quite disappointed when they turn out to an another order from Amazon.

The individually wrapped, allergy-free cookies really made his day.  He is so good about only having one as his self appointed reward for completing his online preschool each day.

Thank you Andrea!

Hiking Timpanogos Cave

We worked up the courage to hike up to Mt. Timpanogos Cave with all of the kids. Really the one I was most concerned about was Marcelo. Peter would be in the back carrier the majority of the time and I figured Sofia would do OK. Marcelo, however asked demanded that I carry him when we walked a block to Sofia's school to pick her up the other day! But he did pretty well. Everyone did with the exception of my knees and the next day, my hips.

9:22 am - Getting started (we were supposed to start at 8:30 am so that was close!)

9:31 am - First (and last) stop for attitude adjustment.  "If you don't do exactly what I tell you, you will fall right off the mountatin, OK? ... OK."

So cute.

9:42 am - There's always time to strike a pose even halfway up the mountain. (Attitude adjustment -- affirmative).

Product placement. Very important.  (There could be model/commercial scouts on the mountain).

"Marcelo, you need to go down.  Everyone is going down!"

Thank you for only making me carry you down the mountain.  We got many interesting looks.

Could you pose like this all day long?

Happy Birthday #4

This year, your birthday was nice and laid back.  I apologize that I failed to get the "golf tent" table-top game that you so adamantly requested from me and everyone at Walgreens every coupon Sunday shopping day.  Maybe it was some passive aggressiveness on my part.  But I almost had to be medicated from the effects of your "golf tent" obsession.  When I finally succumbed to buying it.  I couldnt' find the catalog picture that you had circled, starred, highlighted and written "M's" all over on representing your name.  I couldn't find it at the local stores. I did find it online but it was too late.  I tried to make up for it by getting you the item of your second obsession, a miniature pool table. (And also a ridiculously expensive inflatable ball you could crawl inside of and roll around in like a gerbil.  Uh, it was the day before.  I thought throwing money at the problem, might help).

Anyway, I have nothing but bad things to say about your last year.  Like a chihuahua puppy after it's first year, you've gone from super-cute, cuddly, easy-going, calm, and sweeter than anything to an aggressive, rude, barking maniac.  You have slammed the door in my face during nap time refusing to have a story read to you on more than one occasion.  Yes, I know, only evil moms do this. Sometimes, I still see the old Marcelo and it keeps me going, but mostly I still mourn for him.  My scientific hypothesis is that you have too much testosterone and not enough meat and height in that little body of yours.  Your motor is running a bit too hot.

Your current loves are GOLFING, wanting to be a PROFESSIONAL GOLFER, and going to a real GOLF COURSE.  I could probably end the post here.  This seems to be all that brings meaning to your life at the moment.  I get the feeling you would run over your own mother to attain these things.  You also love all outdoor sports and games in general.  You can be a bit of a TV and pbs.org freak if allowed.  Not too interested in learning to read anymore as you have quickly discovered that it may require some degree of sustained effort.

You have reverted to sleeping on the floor next to your door much as you did for almost a year until you got quite sick and your frail condition did not allow you to get out of bed after being tucked in.  But something sparked the floor-camping again and there seems to be no remedy in sight. There are times, you play with your little brother or show interest or concern for him but most of the time, you regard him as some vile insect put here to make your life miserable.  You don't want him in your room or touching any of your belongings.  If I didn't fear for his safety (or maybe yours, I'm not sure which) I would remedy this problem by making you both share a room.  Maybe later.  Your favorite playmate is Sofia although you still get in plenty of tiffs with her too.

This fall, you will be participating in a pilot state-funded, online preschool program created by Waterford called UPSTART.  You were very friendly with the staff during our appointment for parent training and your baseline evaluation.  You didn't even let me start explaining where I would be when you just ran off with the tester.  You were excited to start the program at home and so politely told me, what a wonderful surprise I had set up for you when you came down for breakfast, and saw "Rusty & Rosie" all set up on the laptop for you.  This lasted exactly three days.  The fifth day, you flat out refused to do it and I lost.  Not even Sofia, with the head of a Neanderthal, have I lost a battle like this to!

You continued your dance classes through the summer and will continue as long as you have interest.  You're not as much eager to please anymore as you are eager to do whatever you want during class though.  I think you just want to bust out with some dance music and the jazz/ballet moves are just not cutting it anymore.  Patience young Skywalker.

Despite all this, we still love you so much ... especially when you are sleeping.

Luau '11

Since our family isn't much for vacations, I'm trying to make a mind-shift and take advantage more of local events.  For Labor Day, we went to our favorite close-to-home spot, Thanksgiving Point Gardens, for the annual Luau.


We were all still a little bit under the weather from Sofia's public school inflicted colds.  Marcelo with a goopy eye but still enjoying the relaxing outing.

 

Ray and the kids went up on stage to learn some hula dancing.

I must admit, I was not too excited when we arrived and I saw the gigantic line wrapping around the outside of the garden waiting to enter.  I'm not very good going along with the establishment these days.  I no longer work for THE MAN, I don't go along with the mainstream religious views of my community, I don't even succumb fully to public school system, so standing in line made my hairs stand up on edge for sure.  Luckily, it went rather quickly and my fears of having to stand in another line for the dinner didn't materialize as we were able to get our food right away at one of the many buffets set up at the top of the outdoor amphitheater.  We sat down on our little blankets and chowed down.  Then, we watched the show under the overcast sky which provided the perfect temperature, no mosquitoes, and no rain, thank goodness!  The kids really enjoyed it and Marcelo watched the island dancers with much interest.  The show went into the night.  The last performance was the fire dancer which, of course, was quite impressive for all.

Sick day/recess

Today, during our homeschool time in the morning, Sofia decided she wanted to have recess like school, but instead of going outside to play, she wanted to rest on the couch. Awwww.  Marcelo, eagerly joined in on "recess" by grabbing all his nap time essentials plus some sick day necessities (tissue and dirty tissue basket).  Annnnnnnnnd, we're all sick this week.  Yay! I love public school.

Loving the smoothy

Ingredients: peach, mango, rice milk, coconut water, and ice.

We scored a deal with a Blendtec machine a few weeks ago and the kids are LOVING the fresh fruit smoothies.

Farming

We planted a square foot vegetable garden late in the Spring and we are now starting to get some veggies. Marcelo spotted the first ripe tomato.

It looks quite large in Marcelo's little hand but it is actually a cherry tomato!

My mom used to do this to me when taking pictures of me so I thought it only fair to do it to my children too.