I will be... oneday

Have you ever been in a situation where you leave wishing you did more..There are sometimes not always but sometimes where I just wish I was a mover.  Not just a mover but a sayer.. Someone who moves and says things that they feel and not just because they feel like it, but because at that moment at that very second it was the best time to say it.  And so I fall with the rest of us in the category of damn.. I wish I said this.. or I wish I did this. 

And so I say with this situation... damn I should've said something.

You see I had to do some extreme shopping and it was at a time where I had to take the two little ones.  I had my list and I was prepared.  I knew what I wanted.  But it was a mission. Picture this.

The two little ones, me a small cart and a list.

The list consisted of 64 t shirts to purchase with a handful of paint to use to decorate the shirts.

And at this store, this crafty store that I do like, they don't have the biggest carts. Why the hell do they have a small cart for a craft store that you know you're going to purchase more than what fits in there... I have no clue.

But anyhow, I was there on a mission ready to buy 64 shirts.  I knew the sizes.  I went in on a mission.

I went to the front and asked where I could find the shirts, since they were on sale.  I also told them that I was planning to buy a lot and if it was OK to do that.  And they greeted me with a smile and an of course you can grin.

So i went to the back.  With my list.  Small cart. And two babies.  On a mission.

I found the shirts and Ama was very helpful.  But towards the time I was counting she got restless.  So she played next to me. I turn around and see a worker just placing things on the shelf.  Then I noticed she had a head set.  And was listening to someone on the head set.  And look my direction.  At first I thought oh good they might ask to see if I need help.. since i did have two kids and a small ass cart that didn't really carry all t shirts or babies at the same time.

But she just was working, she looked towards me and said something to the head set and turned the corner.

First it didn't phase me.  But then after I placed all 64 shirts in we went to the decorating section.  Ama found the paint and was knocking them down.  We played a pick up game.  Santiago was playing with my list. And we were still playing the game.  Then I look up and what looked like the manager was in the aisle.  I smiled kind of embarrassed that Ama had knocked down the paint.  But we were picking it up.  And I was given the look.. the suspicious look.  The look like.. "this lady looks like she might take something or if she doesn't take something then maybe she will have her kids take something and if she doesn't do that then maybe she will be careless and not take care of her kids so they might damage things.. we better keep an eye or her" look.  And I know sometimes I might be wrong but usually I'm right.  I brushed it off, since that was the least of my worries.  I needed to survive in that store long enough to go and purchase the shirts and leave.  We then were looking for other things.. and I swear at every freaking corner there was someone keeping an eye on me and the kids. We should have done a little dance or a little show for them.. A pick this shit up from the cart and put it away from the floor show. But I needed the shirts.  and I couldn't do that.

When I was done, we went to the register and well wouldn't you know it EVERYONE was there.  All of the people who kept an eye on me.  I was a little shocked and waited for them to say something like.  Ma'am can we check your purse. Oh wait.. you don't have a purse just a wallet.  Ok Ma'am can we check your diaper bag.. Oh wait you don't have a diaper bag since our cart is so damn small and doesn't fit there either. Ok Ma'am can we check your kids diapers.. or wait they're just full of pee .. but I didn't hear any thing.  Not a single damn thing.  Just a lets help "Stanly" at the register since this crazy lady has a big order to purchase look/smile. 
 

I was hoping they would have just said something. But instead they just made me feel like an ass the whole time there.  As if I was a suspicious buyer, with crazy kids ready to ruin their store.  And what did I do to let them know how I felt. NOTHING! 

Yup... I said nothing... I went to the counter.. told them Complicated Order... Complicated Order.  humor up the situation and said NOTHING else.  Not a you know you guys made me feel not so comfortable.  And next time you see a customer struggling with trying to push a full cart and take care of her two year old and one year old maybe instead of watching her every damn move.. maybe next time you could ask if she needs help.. But I didn't .  I said. NOTHING... So now I'm in training.  I will some day be a sayer.  A word I made up myself and instead of venting through the blog.. I promise to speak up and one day say something.  But for now I just vent on here.   

And the babies were troopers through it all.  Even when they were restless they did awesome. I had to resort to things I normally wouldn't do to entertain them.  They were happy, especially Ama.

They were so good we went to Target afterwards... Just to make us feel better.  And Ama loved every bit of it especially since she got her candy.  She also told me that this picture of the model was Pwwweety.  So I told her to smile like her since she was prettier than the model.  And guess what... She did.  Even with her blue face... she posed and smiled.  Made my day better. :)

Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick!

Kids.. gotta love them... Sometimes we learn so many things from them. And then at random moments we learn things that they might not have down, things that they might need extra practice in..

When we are in the car.. which is a lot of time, we play games.  This day we played a rhyming game.

SCENE: IN THE CAR ON THE WAY TO AN EVENT

EVERYONE IS IN THE CAR ALL 4 KIDS AND PARENTS.

Papos: Let rhyme.

Mama: OK.. mall, fall

Dada: Flight- right

Papos: um... umm... house, happy

Dada: Pick another one.

Papos: um...

Mama: OK lets say a rhyme for car.. car - far - tar... Make a word up... Bed - ved..

Find a rhyming word for Car..

Papos: CAR... Couch..

Mama : No Papos it has to rhyme, you are giving the same beginning sound.. CAR and Couch have the /K/ sound. So give me a word that says ... -AR.

Papos: (thinking, he knows this... I see his eyes get big and a smile on his face) .. I got this.. Car.. PIRATE!

Mama, Dada: um. WHAT?

Papos: Well a Pirate says ARRRRR...

Dada: Guess we know you won't be rapping soon.

And my Santiago was loving the water.  This is his first time playing with the water hose.  He has a love-hate relationship with it.  First he was intrigued with it, then he hated getting drenched, then he loved it. I guess our summer will be filled with hose and water play.

Blue- Paper Mama

 

The talk! TMI WARNING

Just a heads up... This might make some uncomfortable. Not me, I don't know why I need to blast it all on the blog. But then again this is my virtual scrapbook so my children will read it when they get older and have great fond memories:) And that's why I'm letting you know just in case it makes you uncomfortable.

So I did it .. I had the talk with my girl. I had to. You see the kids watched a video on their body changing and getting into conversations about things made me realize that if I don't talk now then someone will talk to her about it.. I told her what I could. I had to laugh at some points but looking at her sweet innocent face made me realize that I was doing the right thing.

First I started with asking her questions... First basic ones.. What are the body parts that a girl and boy have? Then questions like.. Why do you think women have their periods? TO How do you think women get pregnant?

The What questions were simple. She knew the basics. They Why and Hows were still confusing to her.

SO I just explained to her... The facts... A woman's egg and a man's sperm meet and produce a baby.

She looked confused.... Not really sure what to think...

Lala- So where does the sperm come from.

Me: The sperm comes from a penis.

Lala - oh. so how does it get to the egg.

Me: (a little nervous) um well the penis enters the vagina and releases the sperm so that it can meet up with the egg and make a baby.

Lala - oh. (time passes by) ..

Me: What are you thinking?

Lala - OH! I get it... Is that why Daddy had his surgery?

Me: What? What do you mean?

Lala- Well did Daddy have the surgery because you had to chop the penis off to put the sperm in the egg. So he had the surgery to connect it back together...?

Me: (trying my hardest not to laugh.. really trying... but she could see my smile.. almost laughing... ) um... No... That would be too painful. His surgery was for something else. You don't need to chop the penis off to get the sperm.

Lala - oh.. ok..

Me: Any other questions?

Lala - Nope. Not yet.

What I learned from my girl is that she is still a little girl. She has not received any wrong information. I don't regret telling her and I know that the conversation will never be over. But I know that if I keep the conversation open with her then I hope I've done the right thing. I hope that her innocent mind stays that way for a long time.. but she has 1 more year before middle school. And that is scary. Taking one step at a time!

Oh and no Lorena Bobbitt wifey here :)

A quick view..ok not really quick

Its been over a week since I've blogged.  And truthfully I haven't been busier than I usually am, and I never run out of craziness to write about.  So really what the heck have I been doing?  Maybe it's just around that time of year to slow down.  Testing is going on, end of school year stuff... and more activities on the calendar.  But blogging relaxes me and lets me just vent... when I need to.   Since I've been away for a week.. today will be a catch up day. 

First, last week the babies had gone to their first concert.  No the Black Eyed Peas don't count, Santiago was in my belly.  They rocked out on this one.  Dancing.. Moving their fingers back and forth, Clapping and singing along. Even the parents and grandparents were rocking it out.  I don't know who was having more fun.  Thank goodness no diaper or bra was thrown on the stage.  But they  loved it... A singer name Jose Luis Orozco came to sing at the kids school.  The babies know him because my mom  puts his CD or DVD on and sing along with them.  Yes, it does freak out Santiago and yes I was afraid he was going to have a meltdown. But actually it soothed him to sleep.  The twins really loved him and were throwing their fists up too!

Eventually the kids got on stage and rocked it out.. Clapping and dancing with everyone.

And in the month of May its performance time.   The Girls did a wonderful job.. But Ms. Sofia... was a natural at it.   Really she is awesome and very proud of what she does and so are we!. 

And this weekend... We were so happy to be able to go to my Sister-in-laws graduation at USC!!!  We were all so very proud of her and her awesome accomplishments.

  I was a little worried.. you know taking all the kids and all to the graduation... But they seemed to do what they do... even if it is a graduation.

And no one seemed to mind them rolling around in the hill, playing soccer and tag.  The ceremony went on.. And so did the kids.

Javi was so excited to be able to take the kids and see all the sports awards at USC.  And then they "bumped" into the football meeting room.  Javi and his brothers mouths dropped.  The boys could not leave.  I could just see their eyes get big and smiles get wide and just sit there and take it all in.  And then with all of the family and I mean ALL THE FAMILY... the football head coach walks in... And you swear he was a celebrity because the boys couldn't stop smiling.  And Javi being Javi had a talk with him. 

That night was an incredible night of family celebrations and accomplishments.  Something you cant just teach your children.. but show them  the importance of it all... Family.

HMD! Another year in the Making!

Today was an awesome day!  Who couldn't love it. I sure did!  Its the simple things that make me happy. 

Time with Family, food and roses!  And after a year in waiting patiently (in Javi's part) I finally printed out some pictures and we put them up! 

It was a year in the making... but what a great Mama's day gift.. (oh yeah.. we don't mind the crookedness either.. it kind of goes with the structured chaos in our lives :)

 

And they got me the best gifts... Roses from the hubby, flowers from my sista, chocolate and Lala made me a ceramic mug and a poem.   Oh does that girl crack me up!  I love it!  Because honestly she is so right!

The twins say in their non-smiling serious cuteness look.. HAPPY MAMAS DAY!

 

Tis the Season!

As soon as 90s hit... The kids couldn't resist.  Actually it was 94 in the car drive home from school... and outside it was around 87... So really high 80's starts our season, season of swimming.  I love this season.  They swim, get out, dry out, play, swim again, get out, dry out, get a snack and then back in the pool.  This goes on every day during the season.  Plus they're asleep by 8ish from all the swimming they do.  This summer our goal is to get Ama to swim.  This week was her time in the water with a jack and floaties.  By the end of the day.. She was swimming on her own.  And on her own means.. with floaties and jacket but with out an adult holding her.  She loved it so much she didn't want to get out.  She swam for almost 2 hours.  And we found out it worked for her too.  She got in took a shower, ate and she was out by 7:30.  YES!  Santiago was upset the whole time.  He didn't like the yearly ritual of Javi throwing the kids in the pool. Poor baby... all he sees and hears are his older sibling (except Ama) Screaming, laughing and running away from Javi then eventually thrown in the pool.  It freaked him out.  So the whole time we sat away from them just watching, crying and hugging.  But our Season has begun...

Oh... you like Ama's Jacket... yeah she didn't like it either.. I wonder why???

Monday.. Wednesday word!

Sometimes people ask me... oh girl how do you do it... Four kids, a job.. activities.. really how do you do it... And the only one word I could say is... FAMILY! Really if it wasn't for my family and friends who are like my family... then I wouldn't be able to do it. My parents, sister brothers cousins friends...seriously... things wouldn't be complete.

First I have to say what the hell was I thinking about when I had 2 kids 2 days apart. Yes they are about 10 years apart and yes it wasn't a plan.. but seriously... man.. I think I'm going to have to convince them to have birthdays together... NEXT YEAR... BIRTHDAY BASH FOR 2 and 12.. oh yeah sounds good  I better start convincing Lala. 

And without my mama and dad.. we would well not have had a wonderful delicious birthday like we did today and Monday..  Take a look.. Look at the fun they had.. look at the mess we made.. look at my moms skills. . She made the flag banners for Santi and Lala.. skills and talent!

If you can believe it these are two different days... We just like to party.. and celebrate.

Love my dramatic girls... They were acting surprised...

And lets see if you can notice the difference between these two

Meet the New G's!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANTIAGO & LOURDES!

That's how we do it! WORD!

Years in the making...

Today we took advantage of the light wind.  The Easter bunny delivered a late basket.. but it was full of goodies and today we used the bubbles.. I mean who doesn't like bubbles.  And yes I notice in the picture below that my son does not know how to blow a pipe... and I'm proud of him ! :)

 

And here is very weird fact about myself... yes weird.   I have never ever I don't think baked cupcakes by myself.  Yes its hard to admit it... Considering that I am a mother to 4 kids and you would think somehow I would know how to.. Well I didn't.  My Mom brought over the stuff.. And I baked..um about 50 or less cupcakes for Lala's birthday tomorrow..  But I did learn a lesson 10 years in the making... Its a little story of why my poor Lala was afraid of the whole birthday ritual.

Ignore the burnt tortilla on the side... realized I can't do two things at a time!

You see when Lala turned 1.. we had a little party for her.. Just us.  Javi, Me, Lala, My sister, My BIL and Yoya.  So I figured.. Hey I could bake a cake... ugh little did I know that there are some rules to baking... and decorating. You see at the time I was watching the Rosie O'Donnell show and was picking up some tips.. Which worked.. but they failed to mention one thing!  I started to put the frosting on the cake before it cooled down.  And well.. look below.

It created a scary looking cake below.. And what you don't see in our picture below is that after this picture we started to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Lala.  And she freaked out.  Yes she cried at her cake because it was a scary looking thing.  And at every birthday party she was at ... when it came down to singing happy birthday.. my little girl would freak out.  And yes when she was 2... a year later.. she was still scared.  We had to put in her Preschool form.. "she is not afraid of much.. only birthday cakes and singing birthday songs".  My bad... But on a good note.. Tomorrow is her Birthday. She isn't afraid of cakes anymore.  And I made my first batch of cupcakes!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY GIRL!