I happened to be up in Cristian's bunk bed this evening due to his complaint of it smelling like poop (thank you very much Kavi) when I witnessed the cutest spectacle ever.

It was 8 pm. I was tuckered out, Paco was at church which equalled ghetto parenting skills. I lay down on the mattress and started telling the kids step by step what to do to ready themselves for bed. I am so glad because this paid off tonight.

Cristian got distracted at the half naked point in jammie dressing. He started moving all around on the floor below. I didn't pay much attention to him (obviously) because barking orders to the girls in the other room takes focus. He kept moving all around when I finally "watched" what he was doing.

He methodically did two jumping jacks then dropped to the floor for a push-up. He hopped back up for a jump, then down for a push-up. Over and over he did this. I thought it was so cute. I was grateful for the bed railing that covered my smiling mouth. I nonchalantly asked if he was doing his exercises. He replied in the affirmative. Did he do those in p.e. at school? Yes. He keeps up this routine at a quick pace for several more minutes.

Mason steps into the picture. He is dressed in his jammies but asks if he can take off his shirt like Cristian. Sure, why not? So now Mason starts dancing around. He does this snake like thing with his arms, it reminds me of ocean waves. His little body is hopping around like popcorn pieces. These two boys are spazzing all around their bedroom floor, panting and contorting their bodies. Mason quickly falls into Cristian's routine. Two jumps and then down on the floor for a push-up. He does this for about 7 seconds and pops up. He puffs out his stomach resembling an Ethiopian child and asks Cristian, "How is my six-pack now?"

Cristian stops his routine, gets down on his knees in front of Mace, places his forefinger on his bellybutton, and moves up his tummy with his eyes. The verdict? "It's small, but it is definitely getting there!"

Cristian worked out about another five minutes. I was impressed with his stamina and motivation.

The best part of this bird's eye view was just how serious these two were about their workout and six-pack growths. My little boys are turning into little men one day at a time. Too cute!

Pillow Talk

Cristian is in a mommie phase as of late. And I am 1) loving it and 2) milking it for all it's worth. So one of my perks is having Bug snuggle me in bed at night. I love this just about more than anything.

So last night we are snuggling in bed. Me with my solitaire and he with his DS.

I randomly asked if he knew he had a great life.

"Yes," he said without missing a beat.

"What makes it great?"

"It's great because first I have a great mom and second I have a great family."

I swear he is the stink'n sweetest kid on the block. He is Carlos inside and out!

SAY WHAT?!?

Have I mentioned that Perry has the gift of song?

She loves to sing. She sings throughout the day, with or without music. She is the best singer in the car - she is the first to get the lyrics of a song down. Her speciality is Taylor Swift.

Anywho...we were doing a coloring activity for F.H.E. when she, in her mindless coloring, breaks into song. I'm listening to her - which is rare - I tune her out often, when I hear the words and tune she is singing. I start laughing hysterically. Paco looks over at me as I tell him to listen to what she is saying. She is singing the "12 Days of Christmas" except only the final four days, and except the words are totally jacked up.

Here's her version:

"Four Calling Birds
Three Friendships
Tuelling Galling Bird
And a Fart tree in the Pantry!"

It should be noted that she sang "I love to see the temple" word for word!

She's our Supa-Star!!!

...On Testosterone

Okay, guys I finally "get" it. My latest passion is for professional ice hockey. Oh goodness do I love the violence. The game is so fast-paced, the players all have attitudes...girls, you are not allowed to date/marry a hockey player. Definitely anger-management issues. But to watch...I adore it! It's great watching the players slam each other up against the glass walls, hearing the resonating thud...ah, love it!

So Carlos took me to another game the other night. Our previous one we took all the kids so our attention was very divided. This was nice though to just be with each other. Carlos was sporadically trash talk'n the players. We cheered for each point earned. But this was a date right? I kept snuggling up to Paco, getting cozy with my violent view. At one point he told me I was crowding him. I looked around. There were tons of families or couples enjoying the sport. Lots of them were dropping fowl words here and there while enjoying their frothy beers. This was a man's domain. And I was lov'n it. Finally, a sport that Paco and I could both enjoy together. We reached a pivotal plateau in our marriage!

So I know that Paco enjoyed the game with me, but I realized it wasn't like watching the game with his brother. I tried to back off the the physical cuddling and enjoy the violence. Which I did, mind you.

It reminded me of Mark's funeral. We were given V.I.P treatment by the military the entire weekend. Mark's fellow "brothers" stuck to us all like glue, taking care of our every need. Even anticipating our needs before they arose. One morning they invited my brothers to a training facility so they could watch them "clear" a house and get a sense of what they did on a daily basis. They made the mistake of extending this invite while the sisters were present.

Shay and I totally wanted to go. There was polite hesitation and reluctant consent. We were jazzed. That evening at our hotel dad delicately brought the matter up. He was very careful with his words and his tone. He knows what a time-bomb I can be. He pointed out that this demonstration was just for the guys only. I told him that they said we could come. Further explaining...this was painful for dad. He was really trying so hard with me.

He went on to say that this was just a male-thing. It was something that the guys understood and partook of and that it wasn't a place for Shay and I. I was dejected. Shay, Noel, and I didn't end up going. I was upset. I think my grief and wanting to be a part of Mark's life clouded the situation. My 3 brothers went and came back with stars in their eyes, dazed, and drunk with admiration. Dang it!!

But at our hockey game it reminded me of Virginia. There are some things intended only for men. It's their core identity as protectors, providers. Men have a baseness, a coarseness that has to be fulfilled as part of who they are. It's like women and gossip I guess.

This epiphany certainly won't keep me away from the rink. Oh mama, do I love ice hockey, but maybe I won't snuggle my husband AS MUCH to let his testosterone do it's thing.

he's done it again

look what my dad gave me at christmas. i will admit when you mix talent with money...the results are stunning. i absolutely L-O-V-E this iron urn he potted.

dad is all about the details. he stashed in some festive berries on the side and stuffed in fabulous moss to soften the presentation.

gorgeous, enough said right? we enjoyed four of these blooms. the kids loved to watch it grow and open up. they were quite taken with the process.

tah-dah, the finished masterpiece. unfortunately, the other stem got damaged in transport from missouri, otherwise we would have had twice the eye-candy. thanks, dad you are the best-est!

for amusements sake

i dunno, but just watching people play the wii is entertainment enough for me. the kids want me to buy the tennis racket attachment for the game. are you kidding? my ceiling light would be obliterated in no time!

bug's darling friend kamari. he is such a polite, well-mannered boy. and so stink'n cute too!

look at the concentration - and those faces - i really do love having blackmail photos. thank you wii, thank you.