hot air in the cool skies

The balloon fiesta doesn't start until tomorrow but there are plenty of balloons in the sky today.

Beautiful balloon filled turquoise skies

There is nothing like the crisp morning air on your cheeks and the whiff of green chile roasting in the breeze while hundreds of balloons are adrift overhead. 

taco thursday???

Tonight Highland High School Leadership Council invited us to their community dinner. 

There was music, face painting, games, fun and Navajo Tacos!!!!

The all native high school leadership council members are a great group of kids. 

Thank you guys for the delicious Navajo tacos they were well worth the wait.

We appreciate your good nature and wonderful dancing talent. 

Keep up the good work.

Mmmmm Mmmm good....

baby pandas for you....

Will you just look at these super cute tiny baby pandas born today in Malaysia.

What appropriate timing for these tiny little pandas to come into this world.

On this special day, Princess Fifi is on her third and final day of cheerleader tryouts.

Cookie and Sweetheart have photos to submit to their yearbook club.
And tonight is also game night for Bam.

What a great day to be born......

taco tuesday

Everyone has plenty of homework tonight to keep us all busy.

Sweetheart must make an ofrenda for her Day of the Dead project.

Bam is collecting bug and spider specimen for his collection and labeling science project.

Princess has a book report to compose.

Cookie is working on her nightly math and spelling homework.

While I have a whole pile of laundry to do.

I think tonight sounds like a good night for tacos!!!

everyone worked up an appetite....

is it Monday already....

Waiting for Bam to get out of football practice.
While Fifi is attending day two of cheerleading try outs.

"the waiting tree"

Sweetheart, Cookie and I, are at the waiting tree, catching up on homework, reading, and blogging. 

When did weekends go by so quickly???

finish strong

On our way back from the grocery store we were being followed by a Hummer h2 towing a giant football. Bringing to mind that Bam's football season is coming to an end soon. 

Only a few more games to go.

We're already feeling nostalgic............

jump ropes, violin, and vaudeville

6th Annual International Community Day

Cookie and the jump rope team performed at the International Community Festival at the grassy park in our neighborhood.
The jump rope team kicked off the festival with the very first performance after the opening ceremony from the NM Color Guards with the flags and pledge.

Cookie in her orange sneakers 

The International Community Day has been a neighborhood tradition since 2006. Every year Bernalillo County celebrates the diversity and cultures of District 3 residents through music, food, arts and craft activities, demonstrations, and family entertainment.
Beside the talents of the jump rope performance, we were also treated to a free concerto from the New Mexico Philharmonic and local music from Severo y Grupo Fuego.

Cookie performing a one legged trick jump rope routine

Once again the jump rope team did a great job!
 Special thanks to Coach Jarvis (white shirt) and Coach Cicarrillo for their dedication to the jump rope team.
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After the show was over we perused the various booths.
There we found the Music Guild of New Mexico.
They support musical organizations, educate and build community relationships through music.

The girls brushed up on some music history; while learning some tones and notes from different musical instruments.

Sweetheart loved the seeded sounds of the maracas 

"Mommy, would you care to hear Saint Saens Intro and Rondo Capriccioso."

( --Sweet Sounds-- )
Afterwards we headed to the crafting station to make bird feeders and art projects.

A pine cone, a string, some peanut butter and birdseeds
made a fine natural bird feeder

Princess pressed some leaves and glitter between wax paper
for a stained glass effect window art.

Cookie opted for some art on her face instead......

On our walk home we stopped to watch some performers.
We've seen this troupe before at the JCC.
They're a family of vaudeville Renaissance style entertainers known as Clan Tynker. After standing there for a while, I realized they weren't part of the International Community Day. I think they were there for a birthday party. Although that didn't stop many from watching. Our apologies, 'birthday person' for stopping but also thank you for sharing Clan Tynker with us.

Clan Tynker /International Community Day
What a great day and to top it off we also got our van back......... 

celestial observation

Today is the first day of autumn which translates to the first day of the Autumnal Equinox. 

That is the moment (not time) when the center of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator. 

Today sounds like a perfect day to get outside.

Tonight we plan on bundling up to attend the homecoming football game this evening.

--Happy Autumnal Equinox--

biker dog

While on our way to take Bam and Fifi to a teen youth ministries field trip to mini golf.
We saw something surprisingly sweet and funny: a man and dog on a motorcycle.

The dog even has his very own custom raised seating.

I've heard people say, "God is my co-pilot" but I think this guys says, "Dog is my co-pilot".

 My children couldn't stop laughing at the sweet sight of the hound dogs ears billowing on the ride.

They think the dog is super cool on the motorcycle!

 --New Mexicans love their pets--

keep calm and carry on

We had to make the BIG leap today. 

Our little van is in need of repair.

We're told that the repair shop will have her for at least two or three days.

We couldn't go another day with all the clicking and popping coming from underneath.

The repair shop does not do this type of work on the weekend either.

So here we are, first thing in the morning, standing at the counter of the car rental place.

With coupons in hand, I cringe at signing a contract.

But we've got to do what we've got to do.

Time to get the children to three different schools this morning.

Then Fifi has cheerleading tryouts after school.

 Sweetheart and Cookie have yearbook club too.

 Later in the evening, Bam has a football game we must attend.

 "Oh geez.........." 

play date with the pros......

Sweetheart's fun filled day!
Sweetheart is on a field trip to the Coleman Tennis Tournament at the Tanoan Country Club where today is 'kids are everywhere' day. Every year Tanoan Country Club hosts the professional women's tennis tournament. As part of the event, schools are invited to attend. Sweethearts class is one of the few who were able to attend today.
They learned some basic tennis lessons.
They got to play a tennis game.
Then they watched a tennis match between the tennis pros.

What an inspiring, fun and exciting field trip to be on. The school bus took them to Tanoan Country Club with the children wearing their most comfortable clothes and shoes while toting water bottles, backpack, sack lunch and tennis rackets. What a sight to see them out of the classroom with sunblock slathered across their little faces.

If you don’t practice you don’t deserve to win - Andre Agassi

trees and acorns on a school day

Sandia Mountain Learning

Today Fifi is on a school field trip to the Cibola National Forest in the Sandia Mountains.

What a lucky girl to be able to have class in the fresh air and open skies.

She is with her honors science class. I had to miss the opportunity to chaperone because the van is making some strange sounds.

Any how, she is on a PBL (Problem Based Learning) ecological monitoring field trip.

They are examining and studying the trees; measuring in kilometer, the height and distance of the trees on average and in comparison. Then they factor in the annual rainfalls. They also add to the equation the annual forest fires and their affect on the ecology and growth of the vegetation and wildlife habitat. 

They hiked and identified leaves of various species of trees along an open path.
They drew pictures of the area in an eagle or birds eye perspective as if they were high above the tree tops. Then they had lunch in the picnic area of the reserve.

Fifi was excited because it is a rare opportunity for field trips in middle school. It's not like it was when they were in elementary; where they go on field trips often. Although this isn't the first time Princess Fifi has gone to this ecological reserve site. She's been on a similar field trip with her Science class in the 5th grade to the same area Although she says the field trip today was much more interesting and fact filled compared to then. At any rate she gained skill, acquired knowledge and comprehension of the environment and came home with a smile and a pocket full of acorns.

"I did all this while you were watching t.v."

Today, Fifi, Sweetheart, Cookie and I are headed to Camp Oro Quay in Sandia Park, NM to pick up Bam.

He is attending a religious retreat at Camp Oro Quay this weekend. Bam is working on achieving his Confirmation sacrament.
Going on a retreat is one of the requirements needed to fulfill his obligations for Confirmation.

The drive to Sandia Park was a beautiful short 40 minute drive past Cedar Crest and Paa-Ko on the Turquoise Trail almost to Golden, East of the Sandia Mountains.

 If only you could smell the fresh pine, cedar and piñon trees.............

The air is fresh and filled with the aroma of the fresh pine and sage. Our eyes and ears were treated to the sights of rabbits hopping along the roadside and birds singing their most heartfelt whistles.

We arrived to Camp Oro Quay a little late for Sunday Mass but we had the chance to enjoy our "cowboy" themed luncheon with Bam and the other families of Confirmation students.

Sweetheart's cowgirl shadow

Long Luncheon Line

For lunch we had tacos, delicious home-made salsa, cowboy beans, spanish rice, a beautiful garden salad, pink lemonade and for dessert; fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies.

Afterwards, the Confirmation students, treated us to some skit performances they put together.

Bam enjoyed his weekend camping retreat with his Confirmation friends.

Plus Bam absolutely loves the outdoors. He was enthusiastic to show me the grounds, the activities and the animals.

---------------------------------------------

As we drove back through Cedar Crest, we decided to stop by Tinker Town Museum.

Tinker Town is this little, off the road, quirky, curio and wood carving museum.

There's always dozens of hummingbirds to greet you on the porch

This place is one of our favorite destinations when we go through the Sandia Peak area.
We always look forward to visiting the place of imaginative, artistic and creative hobby works.

The contents of the museum was built by Ross Ward as part of a traveling exhibit.

The carved dioramas are intricately detailed and push button animated. I recall seeing a sign that said, "We did all this while you were watching t.v.!" 

My children enjoy pushing the button of the various themed showcase dioramas. Also featured in the museum is a vast quantity of collectible items from past traveling circus and vaudeville era items, antiques and dolls from around the world. Featuring a couple of coin operated one man band and a vintage fortune teller machines.

Esmerelda said, "I foresee great thing for you and those around you."

The museum was featured on Antiques Roadshow, Good Morning America and is listed as one of the top ten small museums in American by Fox News, Huffington Post and Trip Advisor. For just a small admission price of $3 adult and $1 children you are treated to an awesome variety of Americana, American talent, and antiques all playfully and creatively displayed.

It took Ross Ward over 40 years to carve, collect, and lovingly construct what is now Tinkertown Museum. His miniature wood-carved figures were first part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and ’70s. Today over 50,000 glass bottles form rambling walls that surround a 22-room museum. Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia make Tinkertown’s exterior as much as a museum as the wonders within.

Inside, the magic of animation takes over. The inhabitants of a raucous little western town animate to hilarious life. Under the big top, diminutive circus performers challenge tigers and defy gravity while the Fat Lady fans herself and a polar bear teeters and totters.

Throughout, eccentric collections of Americana (wedding cake couples, antique tools, bullet pencils and much, much more) fill Tinkertown’s winding hallways. Otto the one-man-band and Esmerelda, the Fortune Teller, need only a quarter to play a tune or predict your future. Through a doorway and across a ramp waits a big-sized surprise: a 35′ antique wooden sailboat that braved a 10 year voyage around the world.

Ever a work in progress, Tinkertown is ready to inspire your imagination and awaken your creative spirit. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Wishing you a great sunny Sunday with tons of creativity and imagination..............

is it fair??

Bam is headed for Camp Oro Quay for a youth retreat today.

The early morning camp bus was full of sleeping bags, overnight totes, pillows and yawning kids

We'll join Bam on Sunday at Camp Oro Quay in Sandia Park, NM.
After Sunday Mass, we're invited to a "cowboy" themed family luncheon at the camp.
 We look forward to the drive, the meal and reuniting with Bam.

---------------------------------

Meanwhile, Princess, Sweetheart and I are going to Cookie's jump rope perform at the NM State Fair today.

Can you spot Cookie?? (hint: front-center-right)

The jump rope team performed under the big top pavilion at the center of the fair grounds. The performance started just as the rain began to pour down; resulting in an extremely large amount of spectators.

Cookie on far right with the orange sneakers

The show was well received by all those who enjoyed seeing the talents of the young local NM jump rope team. Taking pictures of fast moving Cookie and the other jump ropers is proven futile.
I can't seem to get many decent shots without extreme blurriness.
Plus trying to edit in vlog format is just too frustrating right now.
To see Cookie's jump roping show live is amazing; something photos just can't translate.
-------------------------------------
After the show ended the girls and I decided to just enjoy the rest of what the fair had to offer.
We enjoyed the various local art exhibits again. Sweetheart was eager to show the girls some of the art she saw when she was on her class field trip.
Then we went to the floral, horticulture exhibit. The girls enjoy looking at the plants, flowers and award winning arrangements.

NM State Fair Fora and Fauna 

The slide shows photos were all shot by Sweetheart, Princess and Cookie as fair favorites.

We headed to the NM School Arts and Craft Building to see if their schools had submitted any art.

Fair School Arts and Crafts Exhibit 

After all the walking (jumping) in and out of exhibit halls and art galleries we decided to head to 'Indian Village' for a super delicious, satisfying lunch of Navajo Taco and ice cold lemonade.

"Mmmmm........Mommy, this is so good."

"Auntie Honey--Auntie Leprechaun--Auntie Shalo,
this bite is for you."

"So tasty, it's almost as good as Nana's..........."

NM State Fair Indian Village 2011

There is nothing like listening to traditional Native American music outdoors with a belly full of traditional food that makes your soul feel whole again............Aaahhhh
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Afterward we went to the dairy barn agriculture and ranching area for some time with the livestock.
The children always enjoy seeing all the hard work and pride many 4-H students their age put into raising their animals all year long just for the fair.

Expo NM Livestock 

Plus they enjoyed the live demonstration of the dairy cows and goats getting milked.
Also the live demo of the sheep getting sheered with the wool being spun into balls of yarn while some women knit it into sweaters and scarves.
The "from the farm to your table" hands on activity is always a favorite. The ranchers, farmers and demonstrators politely and patiently answered all the questions my girls had.
We also enjoyed the sounds and smells from the Hispano villa, the lights of the midway and the roars of the lionesses from the live lion show. But we ran out of memory storage space on the camera.
What a great Mother--Daughters Day!! 

educational fun

Field trip day to the New Mexico State Fair for Sweetheart's class.

The children, the teacher and eight parent chaperones, walked down to the city bus stop to board public transit to the fairgrounds. It was an educational trip through the fine arts photo gallery, Hispanic art center, and the Native American arts gallery.
There was an wide array of beautiful, award winning art, jewelry, sculptures, pottery and furniture throughout the galleries--we were not permitted to take photos in any of the art buildings.

So then, we headed to the New Mexico agriculture, food, and forestry exhibits.

Splashy local rainbow trout and catfish

Ewww..........baby rattlesnake

Award winning HOT, HOT chile

"Non of your beeswax" said the kids.

Midday, the class took a break for lunch in the courtyard.

Sweetheart decided to take the time to rewrite her observations sheet with more details between bites of yogurt and rice.

 "I just remembered something else I must include on my observation sheet"

After a satisfying lunch we watched the performance of the young chinese acrobats.

The stack of chairs was very wobbly in the light NM breeze

Chinese diabolo aka chinese yo-yo performance

I guess there is more than one way to light a candelabra

The fire twirler is fast with his dagger ablaze

 After the show we headed to the junior livestock barn.

Up close with the chicken

Awwww.... this donkey is named Eeyore 

Goats are cute but really smelly

"Sooie........ pig pig!"

Rams have dignity to not be overwhelm with children

It was a perfectly beautiful day for a field trip to the
New Mexico State Fair.

The ABQ police said, "Come back soon"