Tijuana

So we ventured into Tijuana with the kids today. It is so weird to go to Mexico so quickly without any flights. The contrast between this side of the border and the other is crazy. It is unsettling at best. The fence is so disturbing. There is literally a line drawn in the sand and the people on one side have so much and the people on the other side have so little. There is no justice in it. We are having a good time and keeping track of the kids well. Cedar is having a great time with the kids although the kids were waiting in the van tonight and Cedar was eating a mint and the kids were tickling him and he choked and threw up (For the first time ever) in the rental van. The joys of motherhood. Poor Gabriel (cedar's favorite person) got vomit all over him and then cleaned Cedar up for me. Such good kids!

Cedar's 1/2 Birthday

Cedar wants to celebrate his half birthday every year. Translated--he wants toys. We compromised this year and he got a cake instead. We decided to make it into a pyramid but it looks more like a ziggurat (ancient Assyrian Temple). Cedar picked the colors--gray cement and mauve. The fish and horse and fruit snacks were his "decorations." I have no idea if it tastes good. Nana didn't have any candles so we used 6 1/2 matches. They wouldn't all stay lit at the same time. All in all, it was great fun. Happy 1/2 birthday Cedar B!

Cedar is a famous robot...

So I had to have a long conversation with Cedar tonight about being nice. He had one of his best friends over to play and he was generally unkind to him. I decided it was time to have a talk and we were stuck in the care returning a movie so he couldn't get away from me. At some point in the conversation I asked Cedar why he thought it was okay for him to be unkind to people. He said "I'm famous." I said, "what?" Cedar replied by explaining that everyone at school knew who he was. And, unfortunately, he's right. Everyone does know him and consequently he gets away with murder...sometimes. He then preceded to tell me that he didn't like the way I was controlling him. He said, "I'm like a robot and you are my controller." He is so smart and socially savvy. And, so cute. I love the kid but he is a tough pickle. We are going to work very hard on being nice. And perhaps I will try to be less controlling.

Eric the Great

So, there really is no particular reason for this post just that I wanted put out there to the universe that I have a great husband. He's not perfect but he's perfect for me. Here are some reasons I think he is nifty:
--He always seems to know when I need to be cheered up and he cheers me up.
--He always tells me the truth. Even when he "accidentally" orders something online.
--He is a great Dad. I mean who else would let their kid paint their back with acrylic paint?
--He worries about me when I'm late.
--He tells me I'm "hot."
--He doesn't care that I don't wear makeup.
--He puts up with my late-night cop-show obsession.
--He loves Christmas and picking out gifts.
--He's my best friend!!!!!
Cheesy, I know. But, I love him:)

Christmas

My long silence from the blog world has come to an end. I'm to tired to concoct complete sentences so I think I will make a list of observations concerning the Christmas season.
-Children have little sense of time. Unless Christmas is today or tomorrow they are unhappy.
-Children ages 4-6 can only look at Christmas Trees (even nicely decorated ones being sold for charity) for so long. Like may 30 minutes. That's really all they can handle.
-There is way too much sugar involved in this season.
-Kids have an amazing ability to give and are genuinely charitable when given the opportunity.
-It's actually a good thing if you husband orders his own Christmas present. It's easier that way.
-I really have no idea what I want for Christmas. A maid, a nanny, world peace I just can't decide.
-Christmas is magical.
-Real trees are better if you can.
-There is nothing funner to me than singing my child to sleep with Christmas songs. Until he doesn't fall asleep, then it's not so fun.
-I will forget to get a gift for someone and they will get me the best gift ever. This causes me stress.
-People who know that I eat GF and Sugar-Free will have a memory-lapse and bring me candy, chocolate, cookies etc. And they mean well....
-I love Christmas I really do. I love the magic, the suspense, the meaning of the season.

The long run.....

So for the first time in a long time (think months or years) I ran 6 miles today. 2 of them were intervals (fast sprints followed by walking). I had forgotten how much I love running. Diana and I ran up the canyon and it was cold but it a beautiful crisp early winter day. Then I went running tonight with Eric. I was a bit sore but the endorphins were amazing. I felt invigorated. I started to think about how muscles only grow when you stretch them (ouch). Later tonight I read a blog of close friend going through a very trying time. I was struck by the similarities in life. Only when we stretch spiritually and emotionally do we truly grow. Just like running, it's painful. Some of the most painful times my life have led to the greatest periods of growth and the struggles I face on an on-going basis slowly add strength and faith to my life.

Amaze

Amaze: To fill with wonder. To show or cause astonishment.

Things that amaze me....
~Modern technology
~Cedar's vocabulary
~Eric's ability to plan and execute activities, lesson plans, workshops etc.
~Babies
~The number of times in a day parents (!) call their kids' cell phones while the children are in class!
~Running Water
~A child learning to read
~You can be married to someone for nearly 9 years and still learn new things about them everyday.
~Faith
~People who believe e-mail forwards.
~The human body
~Animals
~The human capacity to love
~The internet
~GPS
~Texting. Really it just frightens me. I'm incapable.
~The creativity of young minds