We bought this shirt in Yellowstone. This is his absolute favorite shirt. I've caught Joseph waiting by the dryer for this shirt...funny huh?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Joseph in his favorite shirt...
We bought this shirt in Yellowstone. This is his absolute favorite shirt. I've caught Joseph waiting by the dryer for this shirt...funny huh?
What my kids like to do with our poor dog....
While getting out our Halloween decorations, we found Copper's new costume. The kids had fun dressing him up...he didn't enjoy it though...
Doesn't he look cute?
Date night....
About a month ago, Brent and I went to the movies to see "Julie and Julia". We arrived a bit early so we had some time to kill til our movie started. Our theater didn't have any previews started, so we went to the theater next to ours to watch theirs. (we didn't even know what was playing there)...
As we stood there watching the lame previews, a movie attendant in his spiffy black tie and coat interrupted our date...
"Excuse me, but have you bought tickets to see this movie?" the black coat asked.
"Uh, noo....(annoyance in my voice) Our movie doesn't start for another 20 minutes, so we just thought we'd hang out and watch the previews"....(more annoyance inflected in my voice and some eye rolling) I said....
Brent...trying to stifle laughter..
"I'm sorry. But what you are doing is "previewing" and we don't allow that here at Harkins" he said.
"You have GOT to be Kidding! Previewing? Is that a crime?" I voiced in a not so nice manner.
Do they NOT realize that I could watch the same previews on my phone or on my computer? Was that wrong what we were doing? I think not.
Brent told the young man, that we would return to our theater and watch those previews and thanked him. He was calm and very kind.....I was not happy....
When we left that theater to return to ours I felt....."shamed"....
That date night was interesting and I don't think I'll ever forget it. We still laugh over it....
Better not get caught "previewing" or it's Tent City for you!
As we stood there watching the lame previews, a movie attendant in his spiffy black tie and coat interrupted our date...
"Excuse me, but have you bought tickets to see this movie?" the black coat asked.
"Uh, noo....(annoyance in my voice) Our movie doesn't start for another 20 minutes, so we just thought we'd hang out and watch the previews"....(more annoyance inflected in my voice and some eye rolling) I said....
Brent...trying to stifle laughter..
"I'm sorry. But what you are doing is "previewing" and we don't allow that here at Harkins" he said.
"You have GOT to be Kidding! Previewing? Is that a crime?" I voiced in a not so nice manner.
Do they NOT realize that I could watch the same previews on my phone or on my computer? Was that wrong what we were doing? I think not.
Brent told the young man, that we would return to our theater and watch those previews and thanked him. He was calm and very kind.....I was not happy....
When we left that theater to return to ours I felt....."shamed"....
That date night was interesting and I don't think I'll ever forget it. We still laugh over it....
Better not get caught "previewing" or it's Tent City for you!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
No regrets....
Last week was interesting for me. I was studying for an upcoming exam on tissues and skin. It was absolutely fascinating learning about the human body. How just by observing a person's skin for the first time can give you clues as to how healthy the person is. Fascinating, huh? I couldn't wait to learn more...my mind was like a sponge. Taking Chemistry and Biology was utterly frustrating, since it didn't get into the nitty-gritty stuff that I wanted to learn... Oh...how I wanted to learn more...
Towards the end of the week, I could see/sense that my children were not getting all the attention and help they needed due to me studying. As many of you know, this is Alycia's first year in Jr. High...and we all know how stressful and hectic that can be...it's been quite an adjustment. Since she's in the gifted program, there are a lot of expectations that need to be met. She needed her mother.
Joseph has been doing well in school so far, but he's starting to get frustrated with the workload. A new schedule needed to be posted to make sure he stayed on task....oh, how I love that visual cue for him.... I've been noticing that he's talking to me more about his day and about his Legos... This has come as a surprise, as some of you know....he's our quiet little guy... I need to encourage this.... He needs his mother.
On Thursday, I found myself frustrated that I had accidentally left my beloved flashcards I had spent hours writing at my doctor's office. Of course they threw them away by the time I had realized I left them there. What a frustrating day! As I was helping the kids with their homework, I found myself thinking about the exam....
That evening I had a strong impression that I needed to put schooling on hold for a bit... The selfish part of me kept telling me that I should think of myself and further my studies so that I could work and help put the kids through college. The mom in me told me that my family came first...that's how it's always been and how it will always be. I saw first hand how much the kids needed their mom's undivided attention. I prayed to my Heavenly Father for guidance and I was not surprised with the answer.....
As Brent and I were going to bed, I broke down. I told him of my decision. I felt like a failure...I had to admit that I was not Supermom...
This was the second time I've had to put my studies on hold. The first time was for my little guy Joseph...all those many years of driving him to therapies, fighting the school district to give my son services, and dealing with our health insurance to cover the therapies my son so desperately needed. Due to that decision of me staying home and focusing on the kids, Joseph improved greatly and Alycia continued to excel in her studies.
I know that my Father in Heaven answers prayers. I have seen how compassionate Alycia is towards her brother when he struggles. She's truly a blessing to have around....
The evening I broke down and bawled my eyes out, Brent comforted me and supported me in my decision to put school on hold. I am so glad I married a wonderful man!
As I sit here typing, I am reminded of what a sweet friend wrote to me on FB..."There is always time for school, but only one short time to raise young kids. Don't feel guilty.".....Thanks Tiffany. I have many friends that wrote me words of encouragement and I'm blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life....
As for schooling...I have no regrets for putting it on hold. I have enjoyed these past few days spending time with my family and giving my kids all of my attention. It's been a lot more peaceful here in the Smith home, and dinner's been made for the past few days...
So...I have no regrets!
Towards the end of the week, I could see/sense that my children were not getting all the attention and help they needed due to me studying. As many of you know, this is Alycia's first year in Jr. High...and we all know how stressful and hectic that can be...it's been quite an adjustment. Since she's in the gifted program, there are a lot of expectations that need to be met. She needed her mother.
Joseph has been doing well in school so far, but he's starting to get frustrated with the workload. A new schedule needed to be posted to make sure he stayed on task....oh, how I love that visual cue for him.... I've been noticing that he's talking to me more about his day and about his Legos... This has come as a surprise, as some of you know....he's our quiet little guy... I need to encourage this.... He needs his mother.
On Thursday, I found myself frustrated that I had accidentally left my beloved flashcards I had spent hours writing at my doctor's office. Of course they threw them away by the time I had realized I left them there. What a frustrating day! As I was helping the kids with their homework, I found myself thinking about the exam....
That evening I had a strong impression that I needed to put schooling on hold for a bit... The selfish part of me kept telling me that I should think of myself and further my studies so that I could work and help put the kids through college. The mom in me told me that my family came first...that's how it's always been and how it will always be. I saw first hand how much the kids needed their mom's undivided attention. I prayed to my Heavenly Father for guidance and I was not surprised with the answer.....
As Brent and I were going to bed, I broke down. I told him of my decision. I felt like a failure...I had to admit that I was not Supermom...
This was the second time I've had to put my studies on hold. The first time was for my little guy Joseph...all those many years of driving him to therapies, fighting the school district to give my son services, and dealing with our health insurance to cover the therapies my son so desperately needed. Due to that decision of me staying home and focusing on the kids, Joseph improved greatly and Alycia continued to excel in her studies.
I know that my Father in Heaven answers prayers. I have seen how compassionate Alycia is towards her brother when he struggles. She's truly a blessing to have around....
The evening I broke down and bawled my eyes out, Brent comforted me and supported me in my decision to put school on hold. I am so glad I married a wonderful man!
As I sit here typing, I am reminded of what a sweet friend wrote to me on FB..."There is always time for school, but only one short time to raise young kids. Don't feel guilty.".....Thanks Tiffany. I have many friends that wrote me words of encouragement and I'm blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life....
As for schooling...I have no regrets for putting it on hold. I have enjoyed these past few days spending time with my family and giving my kids all of my attention. It's been a lot more peaceful here in the Smith home, and dinner's been made for the past few days...
So...I have no regrets!
Friday, September 11, 2009
A good day, except for one horrible thing....
As I picked up my 10 year old son from school, I asked what any mother would ask...how his day went? He has had a substitute for the past 2 days and I was bracing myself for a not so great response. To my surprise, he said...
"Mom, I had a great day except for one horrible part."
I gasp..."What happened?"...no leading questions asked, I just wanted the scoop.
"Everything went well, except I had to hear President Obama on TV today."
A little bit of background, I don't like our present Commander and Chief and if asked anything regarding his socialist policies I would freely express my opinion. If my children ask questions about our President, I advise them that he is our President and that we need to be respectful towards him even if we don't agree with his decisions. Now that you have my take on this..I will proceed...
"Mom, I don't like him and he ruined my day. While he was speaking, I made a sign and it said: Boo on Obama."
(I'm desperately trying to suppress giggles)
"Reallly? " was all I could say with a straight place.
"I didn't wave my sign around, I just had it in front of me while he was talking. The boy sitting next to me kept giving me strange looks. I really think he likes Obama. The sub saw my sign and took it from me. Mom, she made me throw it into the recyclable trashcan."
When I heard this I was so proud of my little 4th grader. At least they put his sign in the recyclable trashcan....that's at least one thing we agree with ....going green.
"Mom, I didn't do anything wrong? Did I?" my little political ally asked.
"Of course not, you are entitled to your opinion and if you need to express it then do so...that's what makes this country so great....I'm proud of you Joseph!"
When we returned home, Joseph told Brent about his day. (I was all smiles...oh, how proud I was of my little guy..) After he told him all the details, Joseph turned to me with a huge smile on his face and asked if he could receive a treat since he was such a good boy.
The answer of course was....
yes!
"Mom, I had a great day except for one horrible part."
I gasp..."What happened?"...no leading questions asked, I just wanted the scoop.
"Everything went well, except I had to hear President Obama on TV today."
A little bit of background, I don't like our present Commander and Chief and if asked anything regarding his socialist policies I would freely express my opinion. If my children ask questions about our President, I advise them that he is our President and that we need to be respectful towards him even if we don't agree with his decisions. Now that you have my take on this..I will proceed...
"Mom, I don't like him and he ruined my day. While he was speaking, I made a sign and it said: Boo on Obama."
(I'm desperately trying to suppress giggles)
"Reallly? " was all I could say with a straight place.
"I didn't wave my sign around, I just had it in front of me while he was talking. The boy sitting next to me kept giving me strange looks. I really think he likes Obama. The sub saw my sign and took it from me. Mom, she made me throw it into the recyclable trashcan."
When I heard this I was so proud of my little 4th grader. At least they put his sign in the recyclable trashcan....that's at least one thing we agree with ....going green.
"Mom, I didn't do anything wrong? Did I?" my little political ally asked.
"Of course not, you are entitled to your opinion and if you need to express it then do so...that's what makes this country so great....I'm proud of you Joseph!"
When we returned home, Joseph told Brent about his day. (I was all smiles...oh, how proud I was of my little guy..) After he told him all the details, Joseph turned to me with a huge smile on his face and asked if he could receive a treat since he was such a good boy.
The answer of course was....
yes!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Driving to piano lessons....
Well, as some of you may know...both of my kids play the piano. At times they love playing, other times...it's like asking the impossible from them. Oh how they pout and try to find any excuse to not play or practice. It's in the schedule now, so Hah!
We've had to make a few adjustments in the kid's schedule due to Joseph starting Webelos at the same time as piano and with speech services starting up. The first thing Mr. Joseph asked was ....
"Mom, do I still have to go to piano?"
"Of course, we'll just have to move things around." I said.
"But you know I can't do two things at once...I only have one body"...
"I know you can't be in multiple places at once...it will work out....don't worry about it little man."
"How long do I have to take piano?" the little man asked.
"Until you're old and gray mister" was my answer.
"That's a VERY long time! Will you still be alive?"
.....end of conversation....
It was so convenient with both kids going to lessons at the same time and not having to make multiple trips...not anymore...We now have the kids going at separate times and it can be challenging at times...
On Tuesday, Joseph and I picked Alycia up from school and headed to piano lessons. I had a Paramore song playing to which both kids started singing. Yes both kids!
"Joseph, stop singing...You're ruining the song! You don't even know the words!" my dearest Alycia said to her brother.
....more singing from little brother...many made up words being sung...
"Uh, Mommmm! Can't you have a rule in the car? No singing unless you KNOW the words!!!" my tween asked....
.....uncontrollable laughter.....(from myself)
"Sorry my dear, but I can't adhere to that specific rule...I would be in constant violation of that rule" I said. (more giggles)
"uhhh" grumbled my Alycia
As we pulled up to Mrs. Buffie's house, I saw that Alycia was happy and anxious to get out of the car.
Why?
Was our singing THAT terrible?
We've had to make a few adjustments in the kid's schedule due to Joseph starting Webelos at the same time as piano and with speech services starting up. The first thing Mr. Joseph asked was ....
"Mom, do I still have to go to piano?"
"Of course, we'll just have to move things around." I said.
"But you know I can't do two things at once...I only have one body"...
"I know you can't be in multiple places at once...it will work out....don't worry about it little man."
"How long do I have to take piano?" the little man asked.
"Until you're old and gray mister" was my answer.
"That's a VERY long time! Will you still be alive?"
.....end of conversation....
It was so convenient with both kids going to lessons at the same time and not having to make multiple trips...not anymore...We now have the kids going at separate times and it can be challenging at times...
On Tuesday, Joseph and I picked Alycia up from school and headed to piano lessons. I had a Paramore song playing to which both kids started singing. Yes both kids!
"Joseph, stop singing...You're ruining the song! You don't even know the words!" my dearest Alycia said to her brother.
....more singing from little brother...many made up words being sung...
"Uh, Mommmm! Can't you have a rule in the car? No singing unless you KNOW the words!!!" my tween asked....
.....uncontrollable laughter.....(from myself)
"Sorry my dear, but I can't adhere to that specific rule...I would be in constant violation of that rule" I said. (more giggles)
"uhhh" grumbled my Alycia
As we pulled up to Mrs. Buffie's house, I saw that Alycia was happy and anxious to get out of the car.
Why?
Was our singing THAT terrible?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Bad memories....bad eggs...
As many of you know, I am Chilean...born and raised here in Los Estados Unidos...to be politically correct...The United States. So of course that would mean that my parents are foreigners to this wonderful country of ours. Well holidays can be a bit tricky in the Puentes household. Easter was filled with going to Mass, myself wearing a fancy frilly dress (which I absolutely hated), dyeing eggs and spending a whole weekend with family.This can be tricky...The whole concept of dyeing eggs was very foreign to my Mother. She read the directions (or at least I'd like to think that) and attempted to dye them. It was a fruitless effort...you see....She bought natural brown eggs...No matter how many dye tablets she put into those cups...they stayed BROWN...Oh how I cried that morning...My 4 year old self couldn't comprehend the situation. Why can't I have eggs that look like the ones on TV. What happened to the pink and green eggs I envisioned? BROWN? (more weeping)....I had such great plans...I was going to make my eggs look like the ones in the commercials with the PAAS bunny...That was one of the most traumatizing Easter's I've ever had.
Why might you ask is Anna writing about this....I went to Sprouts the other day and opened a carton of eggs...and to my horror....they were BROWN eggs! That memory came to me...and the feelings I had as a young 4 year old came...Oh how I dislike brown eggs...
I didn't end up buying them of course...
BTW.....To this day, I have Brent take care of the dyeing of the eggs with the kids...LOL
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