Tuesday, January 31, 2012

enjoy nature

It's another beautiful day in New Mexico.
A beautiful sky filled with dreams and aspirations for all
Take the time to look up today and take it in
Today is not just another day
Today is a gift for you

Sunshine delivering warmth and love through the cottonwoods

Monday, January 30, 2012

balance is everything........

Today Cookie and I attended a field trip to Popejoy Hall for the matinee "school time series"performance of the Peking Acrobats. 


This group of beautiful acrobats originating from China include gymnasts, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers. 
They entertained us with a wondrous assortment of awe-inspiring acrobatic performance and Chinese musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.
 They were simply amazing!!!
This is not the first time we've seen this amazing troupe though.
A few years ago we, as a family, were able to catch their performance then.
Cookie and I are certain that they have more stunning performances this time around.
The children that filled the theatre today were amazed and astonished as they watching on the edges of their seats. 
The Peking Chinese Acrobats are an AWESOME display of acrobatic discipline, hard work, perseverance and beauty.
Cookie and I truly enjoyed the SHOW......
Take a peek at the video below. 
--If they should ever come to your region; you should definitely considering attending--

Sunday, January 29, 2012

the great (weekend) escape

Mornings begin early at the ranch.
Rooster is crowing his beautiful morning song.
(or as Sweetheart says, Rooster is calling to be read to......click here for that story)
The smell of fresh brewed Folgers coffee fills the air.
The faint feel of humidity floats around from a morning shower
The sound of KTNN's native songs and country music drift into our dreams from the recently turned on radio in the kitchen.
Nana quietly checks on the children and gently pulls the blankets up and over them.

Not too long afterwards, we all begin to wake.
Cheii begins making a hearty breakfast of farm fresh eggs, oatmeal, and bacon.
Nana is making the dough for tortillas to compliment our breakfast.
Sweetheart, Princess Fifi and Cookie are washed up and ready to be Nana's lil' helpers.
As too, Bam, is up to be Cheii's helper.

Cookie's tiny hand patting out the tortilla dough

Today, Nana and the girls are making heart-shaped tortillas for breakfast. 

Sweetheart is shaping the tortilla dough into a heart shape

Nana, Sweetheart, Princess Fifi and Cookie have made a delicious stack of warm, heart shaped tortillas for breakfast.
It's a delightful and lovely tribute for the upcoming Valentine's Day.
After breakfast, Cheii and Bam, decide to head out to feed the cattle.
They take the ATV and a truck full of alfalfa hay. They should be back by lunchtime.
The ranch---It's our great escape......... it's what frees our soul and brings smiles to our faces.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

let's go Bengals, let's go........

It began as one of those day where we couldn't decide what to do.
 We knew we wanted to take a little drive somewhere.
Somewhere near but far (does that make sense??)
Somewhere where we could clear our minds and refresh our souls.
 Northern New Mexico?? Southern New Mexico??

 moccasin rock......

We ended up following our hearts; to see Cheii and Nana.
  It's been a while since we seen them--we miss them very much.
 Bam said it best, "Even when they don't know we're coming for a visit, they always make us feel like they've been waiting for us."

We were ready to unwind and make ourselves at home when Cheii suggested ICE CREAM.
Of course the children were thrilled to go.
Sweetheart has a funny fact she read off the back of a milk carton once:  Did you know ice cream sales increase in winter especially when it snows. 
(hmmm..... no SNOW today but it is chilly and it is winter......)

Mmmm...... ICE CREAM and Brownies--Nom Nom Nom

We went to the local Dairy Queen in Gallup for our chilly winters day treat.
As we enjoyed our ice cream, Cheii told funny jokes while Nana offered warm, loving hugs.
-------------------------
 Then, we attended the local high school JV and Varsity girls basketball game.
Nana and Cheii enjoy supporting the local basketball team.
It was a fierce competition tonight between the Gallup HS Bengals v. Grants HS Pirates.

--from the floor up to the rafters--
Bengal Pride was everywhere
 Posting the championships banners near the scoreboard
and the goal is no coincidence—very intimidating to guest teams
(you think??)

Sweetheart with "Benny Bengal"
the Gallup high school mascot

Cookie with the Gallup high school
"Bonita Bengal" mascot

We always have a great time with Nana and Cheii.
It was the right choice to come here today.
A day (or two) with the grandparents always get our spirits soaring.

Friday, January 27, 2012

cat patrol

While I was waiting for Sweetheart and Cookie after school, I noticed I wasn't the only one waiting for them.
Mr. Moxie (our cat) was waiting for them along the wall in his silly turkey stance.
I can imagine Mr. Moxie was remembering the fun he has with Sweetheart and Cookie. 

He was delighted when he saw the girls approaching the house.
He jumped off the ledge and greeted them by turning circles around their legs.
He was joyful to have their attention and admiration.
What a smart cat.........

I SEE my two little friends,
Sweetheart and Cookie coming home--meow......

Thursday, January 26, 2012

African safari

We rearranged the living room.
Moved the sofa
Moved the table
Moved the funny ottoman in the corner
Moved everything out...........

Then we brought in some of our kitchen chairs and several blankets.

Wanna know why we did this??

Because we're making a tent in the living room.
(Did you ever do this as a kid when you were small)
We love to do this!! 
......especially on days we come back from the public library. 
.......when we bring home loads of books to read.

We crawled into our tents and READ.
We crawled around and visit one another. 
 We admired our creative tent formation we created.
 We compliment each other on the choice of books chosen.

We crawl all over the living room..............because this is no longer our living room.
It's our reading adventure safari tent in Africa.

Shhhh

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

turning off the heater and opening the van window........

Is it January or July???
Today is such a nice, WARM day.
Only in New Mexico can you get away with wearing a light sweater on a winter day.
Now if only.........
"Follow that truck, Mommy!!"

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

party like its 1999 ninety nine point nine

Our van began driving like it was in 2nd gear (with a top speed of 30 mph) early this morning as we drove to school.
The gas gauge was quickly dropping to the E zone.
Is it true what they say about running a car to 200,000 miles. (321,868.8 kilometers)
 Click here >>>>?????
Close the Window!!!
Too many NM dust storms have entered our van......

Will it ever run well again??
Yes!!!!
I took our van into the repair shop super early this morning and 
(tick-tock-tick-tock) 
they've just finished
Oh geez!!
Talk about cutting it close.
Now its time to pick up all my little ones from school.
OUCH!  My bank account hurts now.......

Monday, January 23, 2012

Gong Xi Fa Chai --

 What a fun day.......
at Sweetheart and Cookie's school, the kindergardeners have a parade every year in honor of the Chinese New Year. 
 They march in and out of the classrooms in the school with boxes over their heads decorated like a super long dragon chanting "Kung Hei Fat Choi".
It's super cute!!
I remember when my little ones had the opportunity to do this as well when they were in Kindergarden.
Super Sweet memories........

Sunday, January 22, 2012

day dreaming in HD

We enjoy spending a beautiful Sunday like today passing the time writing.
Writing about our lives 
Writing about our adventures
Writing about our dreams
Someday (sigh)
Someday our scripts will be made into a movie.
I'm certain.
Our hearts are with those fellow indie writers and film makers this week in Park City, Utah, who have found their outlet.

If only we were in Park City with them today........

Missing the Egyptian on Main

The energy and inspiration at the Sundance Film Festival is inspiring.
We've always enjoyed attending the 
Sundance Film Festival
Salt Lake City
Park City
and 
UTAH.
Although we won't be able to this year.......

Today we're writing......
....perhaps writing our future award winning multi-million dollar Independent film.
Someday......

Saturday, January 21, 2012

cake, ice cream and bandaids

Having many children means having many friends.
Having many friends means attending many birthday parties........

This afternoon we're at a birthday party for little Miss Jessie at Roller Skate City.

♥I love this sepia image of Princess Fifi♥
As if she stepped into a time machine to the 1950's

It was exciting to get out on the rink to skate to some of our favorite tunes.
(click here to see the last time our skates were in ACTION)
We brought our own inline skates but we were given the chance to try skating on four wheels as well.
 (the orange wheeled rental skates)
"Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy" says Cookie and Sweetheart.

Can you spot Cookie and Sweetheart??
**hint: Cookie is center / Sweetheart is right

Bam loves to skate at me full speed
 and last second swerving off to the side
Oh Bam!!

 Princess Fifi has such graceful falls............they shall be known as "Fi-Falling"

We had a great time with tons of laughs on wheels.
                                                      Happy Birthday Jessie!!

Friday, January 20, 2012

it's just a hop and a skip (rope) away.....

The jump rope team had another field trip today.
They visited the students of Mission Avenue Elementary school.
The jump rope team performed some of their trickiest tricks all while promoting a healthy heart through jump roping. 

Cookie is performing a jump rope trick
called the kruger flamingo criss cross double under

The skills, endurance, and strength of the jump rope team never cease to amaze the audience.
I enjoy watching the parents too, as they watch beaming with pride for their young jumper and the team.

Hey, Hey Baby uhhhh ahhhh.....

Another job well done promoting sportsmanship, championship and friendship........
Special thanks to Coach Jarvis for sharing and caring and making our little one's feel like 
ROCK STARS!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

beautiful

A night out with my little ones.


It's not often we get out of the house on a cold winter evening.
 We drove up to the foothills and enjoyed the skyline of our little city.
We talked and we listened to each other while setting our gaze upon the city.
It's a big world and sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and sigh.......

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

we come in peace.......

It's an alien nation in New Mexico---


We see these guys on our daily commute as we pass by the local outdoor garden and pottery store.
They're so funny and interesting.....truly original.
We've yet to see them displayed in a garden or yard.
What do you think of these little 4 ft. guys?
Did you know that aliens and NM have been synonymous since 1947.........

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

empty all your pockets.......then double ✔

Apparently a coin is to blame........ (kind'a)
A coin lodged itself in the washing machine and made it's way to the motor and began to wear it out.
(clink clink clink)

Plus the safety lock on the lid would not engage so the wash cycle could not start unless it's locked.
(slosh-click-stop)


The repair guy came to fix the washer and within two hours he was finished.
Immediately after he left, I started on the loads of clothing awaiting a cleaning.
Hurray for clean clothes!!!
The laundromat was killing us at $50 a visit.

Monday, January 16, 2012

family FUN at the family FUN center

Today we were invited to a birthday party for Cookie's little friend, Miss Jordan.

cake was yummy.......

There was punch, cake, and lots of tokens to play the games in the nickel arcade at Hinkle Family Fun Center.
The kids had fun playing various bouncy ball and balloon games to earning tickets for prizes.


WOW! Cookie won over 5,000 tickets in one arcade game....

It's definitely debatable on the message we may be sending our children when they have hopes of winning the jackpot in the arcade.....
 eh??
But it's all in fun and games right???
oh geez.....
After the party was over we decided to explore the grounds.
That's when we found laser tag!!

See that red light to the left........... that's someone trying to tag me!!!
After a dozen or so rounds of laser tag, we decided to call it an 
EPIC night out.

exactly what I dream too......

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation 
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, 
but by the content of their character." 
– Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Quote


Sunday, January 15, 2012

I HEART you.....

We're decorating the house for Valentine's Day.
♡♡♡♡♡
The girls bought red beads that they found at Target's after Christmas 90% off clearance sale early in the month.
We love shopping the after holiday sales especially for decorations that we could use for multiple holidays or to decorated bedrooms, jewelry or adding to hair bows.
What fun........

FUN wooden beads

Saturday, January 14, 2012

future debaters

The invitational Speech and Debate award ceremony is getting underway.
All the teams that participated did very well.
(I overheard a few....)

I feel like a proud mama to all those young teens who participated.
There is a lot of courage in the preparation that went into each round.
I'm speechless.......

Friday, January 13, 2012

suit up......

Bam is attending his first Speech and Debate competition today.
He is so excited to have found such a great team.

Sweetheart, Fifi, Cookie and I are just hanging around for support.
It brings back fond memories for me.
I loved my speech and debate team in competition and as a volunteer judge long ago.
I'm glad to be able to offer advice from my 4+ years of experience to my son.
Coming to the tournament brought back my recollection of the rules, the terminology, the techniques,  the wins and all the friends that were made over the years.
I enjoyed reminiscing of my days debating for forensic / LD / Open Debate / current events etc.
He is gaining an important skill in public speaking and debate.
I admire him so......

"Rising the roof for my brother! Woo Woo"

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Quote from dentist office: "floss only the teeth u wanna keep"


Take care your teeth and FLOSS daily
My lil' ones understand this is a lifetime habit.
So when I tell them they have a dental appointment; they're always more than happy to go.
Plus our dentist is the BEST, FRIENDLIEST dentist around.
Bam and Princess Fifi had a dental appointment today.
(Sweetheart and Cookie next month)

It's a PERFECT checkup for them!

They appreciate the goody bags the dentist gives them.
 It's filled with mini toothpaste, mini floss, a toy surprise, tokens for the bouncy ball machine and a brand new toothbrush!!
Yay! for healthy teeth.......

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

special delivery for............ the Tooth Fairy

SMILE........

While attending a meeting, Cookie's loose tooth came out.
Cookie is happy, but she is not yet ready to debut her new smile.
She is joyous and excited about a visit from the tooth fairy tonight.
Oh that tooth fairy is so kind and generous! 
Tooth Fairy loves shiny healthy baby teeth.......

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

"Ohana"

"Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." Lilo (Lilo & Stitch)


Isn't this the cutest picture of "5" kittens you've seen?
We found this online and thought it represented us well.
"Family means no 1 gets left behind"
We stand behind that.....

Monday, January 9, 2012

my oil change guys are clairvoyant

Why do I even bother???
Because I realized it has to be done. 
But it never fails.......
Whenever I take the van in for an oil change the oil change guys tell me something is on the horizon due to be repaired on my vehicle.

 I dread having to take the van into the repair shop----SOON.
Even though the repair shop does excellent work on my vehicle, it's just the anxiety of the time away from my vehicle and (of course) the BILL.


My clairvoyant oil change guys tell me I have a few days maybe a week or two to get it look at before the it will get significantly worst and possible more damage and expensive in the long run.
I thought my van drove beautifully too.
I didn't know strange events were happening under the hood in silence.
I shall get it fixed......

Sunday, January 8, 2012

house of panic.....

This evening we had a craving for French crêpes.
The only place we know where to get them is at the
International House of Pancakes or IHOP for short.
.
Introducing the new and improved: International House of Panc.
or as they kids said: International House of Panic.
We laughed until tears streamed down our face and until our sides hurt.

Tonight the camera only wanted to take sepia tone photos........
Good times and good crêpes.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

warranty expired............last month!!

This was suppose to be a stay at home, catch up on house cleaning and laundry weekend.
But shortly after starting a load of laundry, our washer stopped working.
I got the manual out, but quickly realized I could not make it work.

The washer was NOT going to start up!

I called the appliance repair guy but they didn't have an open appointment until next week.
All the while I'm envisioning our pile of dirty laundry growing to the size of an elephant!!!

So we loaded up the van and went to the local laundromat with our bags of laundry.
I was dreading the task of EXTREME laundry washing.
But my children were so excited to be going to the laundromat.
It was an adventure for them. 
The day went from staying home and cleaning their rooms to a day of quarters, large clothing baskets on wheels and folding loads of warm clothing. 
As if they've never folded warm clothes fresh from the dryer before---------

They made a day at the laundromat a fun adventure among the aisles of washers and dryers.
My children really know how to turn about the mood of any day!  **smiling**

Cookie and Sweetheart said together: "Turn that frown upside down, Mommy!" 

It wasn't so bad after all...............

Friday, January 6, 2012

thinking

I received some important news in the mail today.
It got me thinking.....
We all have important decisions to make in life.
What is most important is the decisions we make for our future.
The decisions we make now can significantly affect the decisions of those who
are too young to make those decisions for themselves for events which are yet to happen.
Every move has a consequence.
Every move must be carefully thought out.
Every decision is absolutely significant.
I choose to consider all aspects I am capable of.
A visit to the public library is in order........
All of life is a journey which paths we take,
 what we look back on,
 and what we look forward to is up to us.
We determine our destination,
what kind of road we will take to get there,
and how happy we are when we get there."

Thursday, January 5, 2012

dinner with friends

--For our dedicated volunteer work--


Uncle Ahsker is coming over to be with Cookie, Fifi, and Sweetheart while we're out.
(dare I say babysit?)
The girls have a few Disney movies and board games planned for the evening.
They're looking forward to an evening of fun and games with a good challenge and challenger.
Bam and I have been invited to the
  Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Banquet
tonight.
We are honored to attend this generous recognition from the city.
We look forward to a lovely dinner with some of Albuquerque's finest!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

rise and shine

Getting out of winter break mode is usually hard and sometimes expected.
Not at our house--
Everyone was up and eager to begin the school day.

Cookie making a 5:30 am wake up call to Fifi

The children are smiling, happy and excited to get back to school.
The girls prepared breakfast while Bam poured the orange juice.

Now if only every morning was this easy.......

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

what to do???

Today is the last day of winter vacation, tomorrow school resumes.


It's a beautiful sunny day with perfect 68º temperatures.
Great time to break out the sidewalk chalk and get creative.
There is nothing like staying home and nurturing our creative souls.

Monday, January 2, 2012

feeling small

This is how we start our NEW YEAR.......
"Hi Persingerfive.....bloob bloob"
......with a visit to some of the most beautiful finned lovely at the Albuquerque Aquarium.

"My favorite is that one. No. That one. No. That one.
Actually, all of them are my favorite" explains Cookie to Bam.

Bam and Cookie admiring the saltwater fish in the 285,000 gallon aquarium.

a different dimension 
The jelly fish exhibit is absolutely entrancing.

Princess Fifi singing a tune from Disney's Little Mermaid: "Under the Sea"

Push the tab below to sing along with her......
Disney - Little Mermaid - Under the Sea

Sweetheart rubs the aquarium glass while the puffer fish grazes against over and over.
"I thinks this puffer fish was a dog in his past life!" says Sweetheart.
We enjoy the ABQ Aquarium.......
Come again P5

The fun was only beginning, as we headed to the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens next door.
Where we were greeted by a 14 foot dragon at the entrance to the Children's Fantasy Garden.

Don't look behind you just run to the castle Princess Fifi!!!!

It was a cool overcast day but nevertheless a perfect time to enjoy the botanic gardens.
Perhaps it was the lunch we ate earlier but we all shrunk to the size of two blueberries for two whole hours!!
These are our adventures........

Bam and Fifi attempted to water the garden

Sweetheart no bigger than an onion...... aawwww

Cookie taking a break atop a radish

We had tons of fun and laughter in the botanic gardens 
We played freeze tag and hide and seek among the enormous bugs, garden tools, and giant veggies.
Luckily, the effects of being the height of two blueberries wore off.
And it couldn't have come any sooner..........

Eeek!!

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