First Day of School

My little Peanut is going to kindergarten today, in a few hours. Time does fly!!!

Actually, he was supposed to start last year, but the state has been moving the cut-off date sooner and sooner every year, and they wouldn't even test him.

It still does make me mad, though. People look at me and say "but you don't want to rush him", and I hate that. I hate that because I KNOW my son is extremely intelligent and - per his teacher - reads at the level of an 8-year old. Even the pediatrician urged me to try private school to by-pass the cut-off date (which just didn't happen because they follow the same guidelines as the public schools).

My greatest concern is that he will get bored in his classroom and start to put up a fight to go to school. It happened in daycare 2 years in a row and they had to move him up earlier.

Last Friday we had an open house at his school. He was really happy there, and quite comfortable. In fact, he didn't want to leave.

In a few hours he will be entering the school building with a Cars backpack and an apple for the teacher - his idea - anxious for knowledge. A big boy!

Harry Potter

My son and I started to read Harry Potter together. We just read a few pages every night before bed time. It's nice, he takes his shower, gets ready for bed and we read.

He has a lot of interest in reading. His teacher said that at 5 1/2 years old, he has the reading level of an 8-year-old.

We picked Harry Potter as a series of books to do. Plus when he's a bit older he can ready them all by himself. But we're pretty busy as it is now, there are quite a few to go, since we barely started the first volume.

A bit of everything

Well, where do I start? I write posts in my head, daily, then I get home and don't write anything...

I've been working a lot. No news there. Times are hard, the company slashed our overtime. We're not authorized to do it, they won't pay for it. I end up doing it anyway, the work has to get done. I guess management did notice I was going above and beyond the call of duty and gave me a promotion. I was pretty happy about that!

Now hubbs and I are shopping for a new vehicle. His car payments ended in 07, mine in 08, so we did have a few extra bucks every month (which was nice considering there is a recession out there). I'm going to get an appraisal on my car tomorrow to see what we are able to afford.

T is his happy self, as usual. We traveled to WDW/Universal during memorial day week. He had a blast, rode 2 rollercoasters with his Dad (which means he cannot possibly be my son) and the splash mountain. The following week was his Pre-K graduation, the same day we met "his lovey girl who he's going to marry". He has very good taste, I must say.

BTW, he has decided the theme of his birthday parties in 2009, 2010 and 2011, which makes everything so much easier for me. 2009 and 2010 are practically ready. For 2011 I already have a few things - yes, I'm a planner!

I am still volunteering my time at the Bring Sean Home Foundation. Despite favorable court decisions, appeals after appeals have been filed. Add that to a slow judicial system... that really makes me mad. The Federal Judge wrote a brilliant, airtight 82-page sentence on this case (followed by a 2nd ruling concerning parental alienation). I feel really bad for this child, all this abuse. The family wants to cut all contact between him and his legitimate father. It makes me sick to my stomach...

I just realized I didn't write a single movie review this year. We've seen a few. There's also the TV series. LOST is more awesome than ever. I can't believe next season will be the last. Since we have a lot of time to kill before the next season, we've been watching it from inception? Who's we? Well, I attend a LOST roundtable every Friday at my friend's workplace (down the street from me). Well, now I'm also addicted to Fringe. I found the episodes from Season 1 online and I'm almost done. It's like the X Files, many conspiracies, twists and freaky stuff (and cutie Joshua Jackson). Lil Ole Nerdy me loves it.

Just wish I were in San Diego for the Comic-Con.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Today my little T turns 5!!!!

He was born on Tuesday, November 25th, 2003, 8:17 am, 9 lbs 3.2 oz (4,170kg) and 21 1/2 inches (55 cm). Yes, it was a c-section :P

I can't believe how big he has gotten. He's not my baby anymore, by the time he's 6 he'll be as tall as his Mommy!

I have a ton of photos. It was really hard to narrow it down, but here's a bit of his life in images (please click to enlarge).



First Photo!















He was even shifting gears. That's my boy!!!!

I like to... MOVE IT!

T had been doing a countdown for this movie for the past month. The first Madagascar is one of his favorite flicks. Finally on Thursday he came to me and said: Mommy, Madagascar II opens tomorrow!

So we just had to go see it on Saturday. And guess what? The penguins stole the movie, again! Plus there is the return of Ninja Old Lady! All the characters are pretty much back along with the original voices, and some new ones are added. It was nice they gave King Julian a bit more of screen time, Sacha Baron Cohen is really funny!

The story is, the penguins fix up the old plane we see in the first movie and take off towards NYC. But they run out of fuel and crash somewhere in continental Africa. This time, though, the 4 main characters find other animals like their own.

BTW, there is a great reference to a Twilight Zone classic episode in the film. If you're as much as a geek as I am, you will know it!!! There is also a reference to "Roots", and a subtle one to "West Side Story".

I admit I got a bit choked up when I heard Bernie Mac's voice for the first time. He was so young, such a tragic loss. During the credits, you will see the movie was dedicated to him.

Memorable quotes from an almost 5-year old - part III

In the car, listening to the election ads on the radio:
- Mommy, what's "burrackomama"?


We were watching Tv and there was a glimpse of the movie "Where the heart is". Wal-Mart is mentioned in the conversation:
-Wal-Mart? Oh, I love the Wal-mart. They have the best prices!


Upon hearing the word Subway:
- Subway, eat fresh! (LMBO)

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta

As in http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com

Russian Day Out

My Russian friend invited me and T to go watch her daughter dance ballet. I don't have a daughter, and I loooove dance, so of course I said yes.

I didn't know at the time, but all the kids, parents and teachers at the presentation were Russian. The songs were in Russian. They spoke Russian all the time. T and I were the only two non-Russian speaking people in the room.

T would turn to me and ask "Mommy, what's that man saying that I don't understand?" LOL

We had fun watching them. But I would work more on improving the older kids' technique. I thought they needed to improve their posture, and be sharper when moving arms and legs. Plus in some of the turns, it looked as if they were "marking" as opposed to dancing. (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know! I danced for many years, I tend to be picky!)

So, here are a few of the pics from the day. Enjoy!

Warming up


Song about a man who didn't know anything


Kids dancing to The Lion Sleeps Tonight


Dancing with umbrellas


Typical Russian clothes

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta

As in http://carriestuckmann.blogspot.com

My little T is growing up so fast! He will be 5 years old in about 2 months.

I found this picture the other day in my computer. It's one of my favorites. I think he was 4-5 months old. Look how big he is (he was born 9lbs 3.2oz, approximately 4,170kg).

I love these little rolls on his arms - Michelin baby! Oh, those big cheeks! Added the funky shades... doesn't he look like a miniature of Bono from U2? :)

Love it!

All hail the portable DVD player!

So I got home, with some minor glitches. If you can call it minor...

In the morning I had to go into work for a couple of hours to tie up some loose ends - not good.

The flight from Baltimore to Atlanta was uneventful. In fact, it was a great smooth flight and I couldn´t even feel the pressure of taking off or landing.

We go to Atlanta and had a few hours to kill, so my dear friend Renata met us at the aiport and we chatted away. Then we made into the flight to Rio. Or so we thought. It was scheduled for 8:30PM.

Everyone has boarded and we´re ready to go. The plane leaves the gate. But we stop and just sit there for a while. I´m thinking there is a back-up in the taking off line - pretty normal. All of a sudden the pilot comes on and says the right engine is not working and we´re going back to the gate so the mechanics can have it checked, but they think it´s the fuel supply valve and it shouldn´t take long so we can proceed.

Pardon me, but I was thining "WTF? We´re taking this plane 5,000 miles to Rio like this?"

So, after some back and forth saying we´re-going-or-we´re-switching-planes (some people around me were kinda freaking out with the idea of going like that) they decided we should switch aircrafts. Phew!

They gave us $7 meal vouchers and had us go eat until they figured what to do. The only place open and that we could eat for $7 at that time was McDonalds LOL. So we did.

We went back to the gate around 10:30PM and the plane was scheduled to leave at 11:55PM. Just remember I had my 4 1/2 year old with me. So we sat on the floor on the gate and I popped Nemo in the portable DVD player. My salvation. Then I realized there was a young couple trying to deal with very tired 1 and 3-year-olds. So I asked the lady if her kids would like to watch the movie as well and all of a sudden we had a mini movie theatre going on with a few tots. All the parents thanked me many times LOL

After we got on the plane, it was smooth sailing (which I was surprised since there are a couple of tropical storms in the caribbean area). Virtually no turbulence whatsoever. T fell asleep before the take-off. I took a few naps here and there, between dinner and the showings of Prince Caspian and 21.

We made it to a very rainy Rio de Janeiro, all in one piece. Thankfully!

T is happy playing with Relatives and his Mommy went to bed at 6PM and slept for 14 hours LOL. All ends well :)

Memorable quotes from a 4 1/2 year old - part II

*Watching a lady put the top on a convertible*
- That's so totally awesome!!! (LOL)
*walks over to the car*
- You have a very cool car, when I grow up I want to have one like that!
(lady laughs)

*Leona Lewis singing on the radio: I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you*
- Mommy, she said she loves us, you, me and daddy. But she can't love daddy cause only you can love him, right?

*Keep, keep bleeding loooooooooove*
- Mommy, she said she's bleeding, she has to go to the hospital!!!!

Memorable quotes from a 4 1/2-year-old

- Mommy, who was on the phone?
- Someone asking for a donation.
- Ah... we really don't have a dalmatian...

- Mommy, I have bumps in my legs and it's itchy.
- Let's put some medicine on it...
- I think the mosquitoes don't like me.
- Yes, they do, they like mommy too. They think we're yummy. :)
- Ewwww!
- So, one time, when Mommy was little, I was bit by a bug on my foot. It got infected and my foot got really really big. Vovo had to take me to the hospital so the doctor could take the poison out, but it didn't hurt.
- Poison? Did you die like Snow White?

*Passing by a nearby church and staring at the bell tower*
- Mommy, that church is where Chicken Little rang the bell!

*Passing by our church*
- Our church is not a real church. Where's the bell?

Listening to the radio, "Sweet Dreams are made of these":
- 'Everybody is looking for something'. Ah, it's like us at the T store (Target). We're always looking for something to buy.

An old one:
*gets out of the shower, puts a blue towel over his head* and says:
- Mommy, I'm Mary! (the Virgin Mary)

Let's be honest...

Compared to this guy, David Beckham sucks!!!!

A little bit of pink in my life...

My mom brought over my 10-year old goddaughter for a 9-day visit. We were supposed to all go to WDW last year but she caught a bad stomach flu and we had to cancel her flights. This year she made it here instead and I took a week off from work to see to her.

Poor girl had a rough time in the airplane (her first time). She threw up... a few times... She has a major issue with motion sickness. My aunt (her Mom) called every time. I mean, like, 3-4 times a day. The phone bill is going to be huge...

It was practically the first time I spent quality time with her. She was about 18 months old when I moved to the US, and all other times I went home to visit we had limited time together since she was always busy with school. It was a nice change, a bit of pink in my life, since I live in boyzone with hubby and little T. She's a girly girl, very much into HSM/Hannah Montana, always dressing up to go out: perfume, earring and hairpiece. Plus she's a ballerina. She had had her first communion earlier this year and was all excited to attend mass in English.

The week was busy. We went to a baptism, followed by lunch at the parent's house. We went shopping at the outlet mall (we're girls, after all). We went to the White House, the National Zoo, the National Aquarium, Build-A-Bear workshop, water park, putt-putt, fed the ducks, saw a movie. You name it, we did it. It was a busy week. Plus on Saturday I dragged the poor girl on a metro-and-on-foot tour of DC. We were our pedometers. We walked 10 miles on that day. We were exhausted. But we were happy.

They're leaving today. Last night she laid on my lap and had a good cry. She said she didn't want to go back home. She wanted to stay here, that the trip was way too short. So I tried to cheer her up and we made some chocolate lollipops together. Oh, yeah, I had baked her a Hannah Montana guitar cake when she arrived.


LOL moments of the trip:

- I walked her to the FBI building. She was curious cause we had watched one episode of the X Files and her late daddy loved it. So, we get to the front of the building. She poses for photos and then turns to me and asks "so, where's the entrance?". I wish it were just like that!

- I drove her to the National Cathedral. So I go park the car in the garage and it says "4 bucks an hour". I was not pleased, I admit, but we went in. So we get to the Cathedral and it's closed. I look at the timetable and it said "closes at 4pm". Ok, so 4 bucks were wasted... but we take a few photos and then I go back to the parking garage to pay for my ticket. The machine says "6 bucks". I was so upset. So I march my way to the security dude, then I glance at the table of prices and ALL the way down it says "saturdays: 6 bucks". So, I go back and pay for the fare, thinking 'the church is stealing me money' (think Mr. Krabs)... I put in a 20-dollar bill and the machine gives me change in 14 one-dollar coins. I deserve it...

- we had signed up for a White House tour. Big bureocracy, I had to go through my congressman months in advance, submit SSN for a background check, the whole nine yards. Read through security procedures, you could basically bring your ID and an umbrella. Hubby thought it was the best thing in the world. So we get there, they hand us a couple of maps, tell us it's a self guided tour and that's that. We saw, like, 3 rooms, and had to leave. We were just staring at each other going "huh, they call this a tour?". Oh yeah, we passed by a china cabinet. My goddaughter points to a bowl, turns to me and says "look, grandma has one just like that!". I tried not to laugh to loud cause it's the WH, you know? Well, there was a family having a guided tour right before us, so I kinda tagged along at one point. So I start translating the stuff back to the girl, how the red room has fabric on the walls, and she goes like "oooooooooh, can I touch it?". "Yeah, if you want us to go to jail...".


Saving the best for last:


- we went to see Wall-E (which deserves a separate post by itself). There were 4 of us (me, kiddos & my Mom), so we purchased 2 combos (large coke + large popcorn) to share. Of course the food cost and arm and a leg, so since they refill the large sodas I figured I might as well take the refills home. So, we get to the car and I tell my Mom they should carry those in the back seat. My Mom says that's what the cup holder is for. True, but we're talking about 2 large sodas (32 oz? I'm still in the metric system, ok?). The cup holder in my car has 2 "mobile hands that grab the drink" . You know what's coming, right? So I'm driving, no potholes, no speed bumps, no problem at all, nothing. Then all of a sudden of the sodas collapses! Right in the middle of the car, it makes a little pool underneath where the hand breaks are. The rest flows into a river through the carpet, all the way to the back. I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to crash the car. Oh, yeah, did I mention it was also pouring? And I was driving a stick! One had on the wheel, another one on the soda. Thankfully I was able to pass the soda to my Mom when I stopped at the red light and the it made home safely.

It was fun! While it lasted...

You know you're a parent when...

...you go to McDonald's and order the Happy Meal so your kid can have the toy.