ROCK N FLY

My kids (mostly Eva) are a proof that as a parent you do set the example. She has asked if she could join me running for so long that I finally realized that my kids are not babies anymore and could actually keep up, if not surpass my pace. They also have a love of prizes and understand that in order to run well, someone better be dangling a good carrot. So I finally signed them up for their first 5K. It was the first annual Rock and Fly Race at the NAS; home of the Blue Angels. 

The race almost didn't happen. There was thunder and a torrential rain up to an hour before the race. (Blue skies after) and poor Mike developed a kidney stone attack the night before and sadly we went from the whole family with two strollers running to just me and the big kids.

First race face

I really enjoyed running through the base and was moved by the countless tombstones we ran past. "This is the price of your freedom," I told the kids. "Don't ever forget that." A family had driven overnight from Michigan just to race here where their grandfather was buried. And even though a lot of people were dressed in 80's garb  and mohawks, the second the pledge of allegiance began these goofy runners stopped and put their hands to their hearts, or if they were military, stood straight at attention. This also made me well up a bit. 

He's got spirit, how bout' you?

Where did my little girl go?

"Come on Golden. Let's go fast to the finish."

I really enjoyed spending the time with them and watching them interact with the other racers and cheering spectators. You could tell that they felt accomplished and I hope that they felt happy to be doing this with their mommy. I hope their father and I don't become some embarrassment for them that they don't want to be caught dead around because these moments are too few and far between in this life and quite frankly, I love hanging out with them. 

Post race pizza and bananas

Proud mama

Eva was a bit surprised that Golden could run fast (faster than her)but I don't think that will affect her much. We are already planning the next race and she wants to do a 1/2 marathon next. 

These guys were at the mile markers as comic relief. Kids loved them

Eva didn't rest after the race, she managed to get her art work chosen to be exhibited at the art show too. Just another day in the life with this gift of a child. Golden opted out of the art show for some more high minded activities like a new video game. I'm glad to see things don't change too much after one race. 

OH SNAP!

Surprise Spring Break Company

Aunt Kellie paid Mike a surprise visit this weekend making for a fun Spring Break. We had our first official dip in the pool and made it to a few movies and dinner out with the family. The weather was perfect which is more than I can say about poor old Michigan where Kellie has to head back to on Monday. The kids had a blast with her and look forward to a visit from their cousins soon. We had an impromptu birthday celebration for her as well. 

Carlos' first time in the tube by himself. Slow to grasp the enjoyment his sisters found last year

Romeo strikes again

Already tan. How is that possible?

Fearless

A Little Mardi Gras on the Beach

Please and thank you, Gigi

We didn't make it to New Orleans this year but it didn't take the Mardi Gras spirit out of this home. We decorated and had gumbo and king cake to commemorate the special occasion. I have owned these top hats for over ten years if not more and they have been to numerous Mardi Gras parades and parties with my friends. I hope they last another few seasons with these kids. 

Beau didn't like Gigi eyeing her tiara

Every princess has her prince

Nico has just fit perfectly into this family. He wakes each morning with a smile and has been the best sleeper we have ever had. The kids can't seem to get enough of him either and except for a bit more cuddling time, Carlos seems to love his brother just like the rest of us. Carlos asks to hold brother and says "Please mommy, baby. Thank you " He is so polite. I catch Golden reading or sharing a video on the couch with the babies but if I point out what a kind brother he is he pushes them away like I must have been seeing things. I guess tweens don't like to be known for their sensitivity. 

Swoon!

My biggest holding my littlest.

 It has been good having the grands here. Watching the way the kids interact with them and watching the grands spoil them rotten thinking all the while that Mike and I are not on to them. Dave is truly a baby whisperer and he and Nico have such a tight bond that I think Dave may need a baby doll to hold when he leaves. It's gonna be ugly. Eva is a great big sister and I see the future mother and wife she will become. No one will be worthy of this girl. She truly is a gift from God to all that come in contact with her. 

Three generation of men hang out 

 Golden has had a bit of growing to do these last few months. He is taller than me and has a larger shoe size than me as well. His voice is cracking and all he seems to talk about is how many scary movies he is going to see when he grows up because yes, we are a PG household. "R is for restricted to Golden," he says. But don't feel bad for him. The house reverberates with this kids laughter as he watches everything from The Three Stooges to the latest Disney movie. He wants for nothing. 

Golden has had a growth spurt

Little mama with my mamitas

I still can't get over the size differences in my kids

Nico looks like such a bruiser while Carlos is the lover

Love this guy

The crew

The Grands

The sun and surf suit these two

 How can I forget my husband. He is such a hard worker and still manages to come home and compliment me on my care of the children and calls me good looking. He has such a good heart and a wicked sense of humor. I thank him for keeping me in the lifestyle of which I have grown accustomed. That being the lifestyle of tired, always covered in some form of food product, laundry folding, dish washing, dinner cooking, and generally too happy for someone who changes over three poopie diapers a day. Love ya, Papi! And as they say in the Big Easy, 
Laissez les Bon Temps Rouller! Let the Good Times Roll

Handsome and handsomer

Field Day 2014

Another year has come and gone and here we were at another Field Day for the elementary school. The weather never fails and it is always sunny and dry for the day. These kids are lucky. It was also the first time I took the triplets without the assistance of  a triple stroller. They were the quinticential cheerleaders except when they were running up and down the stands but they did it quietly and that's all that matters when you have this many kids. Nico was perfect but that should have been the kid's middle name because he has gone to countless movies, dinners and even a Cirque De Soleil without so much as a peep. (He's gunning for favorite child position) We also had the Grands with us this time and Eva couldn't have been prouder. She showed off her family to all her stunned friends. "They are ALL your brothers and sisters?" was asked a lot. Eva continues to be a bright spot in a dull world. Always kind, thoughtful, funny and yet, a bad ass competitor. The girl has wings. What can I say. She gets it from me…..okay maybe not from me but from her very talented and athletically gifted father but I cheer better than him. In all, it was a success and I can't believe I have to do this for so many more years with so many more kids. Here's to a lifetime of good weather. 

Perpetual motion from these girls

Go Eva! 

The girl is fast!

Her class is the Metcalf's Minions 

Love the drool

We finished with some baby yoga in the front yard

Gigi has a constant smile on her face and so do I since she is potty trained now

These two are thick as thieves. I catch grandpa cracking up in a room with Nico all the time

Happy 5th Birthday Zachary

For those who haven't followed me before. My son Zachary passed away in 2009. Since then, on his birthday I write what I believe would have happened on that day. It helps with my grief and keeps me close to my son. 

     It's early morning and Mike and I can hear the pitter patter of busy feet upstairs. We smile at each other knowing that soon Zachary will be coming down the stairs with Carlos close behind. What we don't know is what he will be wearing today. 

    Carlos suddenly plops down the steps on his butt, greeting us with a big smile and wearing a towel wrapped around his neck. Right behind him, wearing nothing but a brown towel around his neck, barbie sunglasses with the lenses popped out and dinosaur underwear is Zach. "Mom, Carlos doesn't play right. Make him play right." It seems that since watching Harry Potter last week, Zach has been enthralled with all things relating to the movie and has taken to dressing like Harry which today seems to require his sisters sunglasses and towels.

     Even though I know exactly what my son means I feign ignorance. This makes Zach pause and look at me as if I am a young, deaf, foreigner. "He-doesn't-play-right." He grabs two straws tucked in his underwear and gives one to Carlos. "Okay. You are Malfoy.When I throw a spell at you duck and try and throw one back at me." Carlos takes the straw and smiles from his brother to me. Zachary is the picture of concentration at this point. He points his straw at Carlos and yells, "Stupefy!" Carlos jumps up and down and chases Zach with the straw placed squarely between his lips. When he reaches him he drops the straw and kisses him on the hand and chest before running away. "No, Carlos. You are supposed to be stupefied! Stop kissing me." 

    Mike can see Zach is about to reach his breaking point and picks up Carlos' straw. "Maybe I could do a better job at this game, son, since I am from the House of Slitherin." Zach's mouth opens in shock. "You are!" Mike nods knowingly. "Yes, so prepare to be beaten." Zach runs to the corner of the room and points his "wand" at his father and yells. "Stupefy" Mike writhes in agony and is suddenly frozen but manages through gritted teeth to yell out. "Tarantellegra!" Zach, who has taken cover behind a chair stands up slowly. "What's that spell?" he asks his father. 
"It's a spell that makes you dance." I say. "And he got you fair and square." Zach smiles and runs to me and begins to dance around his petrified father. He then picks up his wand and points it at me.  "Tarantellegra!" Suddenly, I start dancing wildly around his father with him. Both of us giggling. Soon, the poor excuse for a Malfoy, Gigi, Beau, Eva and even Golden are jerking, giggling and dancing around dad. 

     "If you release daddy we will give you your present." I say. Zach releases him eager to move on with the present portion of the morning and Mike makes a good show of becoming un-petrified. When we are all huddled around Zach, Mike hands him the very tiny box which Zach eyes curiously. Slowly he opens it only to find a small card inside with a magnetic strip. "What is it?" he asks. 
Golden can't keep the secret any longer. "It's a ticket to Harry Potter World in Orlando!" Now Zach looks like he has been stupefied. He barely moves for half a minute before breaking out in a loud roar. "Oh Wow! Really? When? Really?" Mike puts him on his lap. How does today sound, son? Or would you rather we wait? 
Zach jumps down and runs to the door. "Let's go! I'm going to get a wand first. No. First I'm going to the candy store. No. The rides first…" 

     We can't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. It was just the reaction we were hoping for. He is such a good boy that I would give him the moon if he asked for it. But today a car ride is all he needs to keep him smiling for a good several months and that is all a parent could ask for. "First, shouldn't you put on some pants, baby." I say picking him up in my arms and wondering how much longer before I can't do this anymore. He grabs both sides of my face and kisses me from one side to the other. "I love you so much mommy! This is the best birthday ever." I pull him in close and take in his sweet smell. I can never get enough of this boy. "I love you beyond words my sweet boy!" I reply finding it hard not to hold back tears thinking how complete my life is with him in it.

Happy Birthday Zachary, Love Mami

Part II: Happy New Year. A Year in Review

In high school, a couple of my closest friends made up a club and called ourselves Desperado Beta Kappa. It was an inside joke in that we were creating a "secret" social club because we couldn't have been less socially active at the time. But, as all ironic things go, our secret club soon became the topic of all conversation and we had girls begging us to join. I think that this social change was best described to me in my ten year high school reunion by one of my friends who really was one of the cool kids. "You were pretty cool for a nerd." I still laugh at this because the truth is I put myself out every day to be nice to everyone and thus, was friends with everyone and melted into every click until I finally created my own. 

To my high school buddies who see this picture, you already know what I did today. For the rest of you I will explain. As long as I could remember a few of us girls would head out for a great New Years Eve but we would always make a stop at the bay and drop in our lists. In these lists we would list the things we wished for in the New Year. Some of them were resolutions but most of the things on my list were simply my aspirations. Even if they were impossible to imagine,I would write down the secrets of my heart. What I realized is that by physically launching my thoughts out into the universe I could see the possible in the impossibility. Even if it was in my subconscious. We called it "brujerias" or witchcraft but it was just silly girls with a tradition. 

This year I've decided to relaunch my brujeria but I realize that now my list is more about getting rid of things than wishing for more things. Sure I still have some wild ideas in there but now that I'm older I realize it just takes planning on my part more than wishing. And the list is empty of regrets but full of fond memories I hope to repeat soon. Lastly, my list longs for me to see my friends soon. I hope to have this be the first wish that comes true. 

What's on your list for the coming year? I hope they all come true.



Here are just a few of my cherished memories this holiday season.

1st smile

great grandma Tillie

Uncle Jerry

1st day back from hospital

grandma made new skirts

Uncle John visited

Natalie made stocking with Sylvia and Mike made stocking stuffer