prehistoric kisses

It's SUNDAY...... perfect day to goofing around at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Where else can you have FUN all while learning seismology, geometry, history, genome system, astronomy, geology, and prehistoric evolution!!!

Isn't this the funnest picture??

It looks like the dinosaur is munching on some tree branches. (as so it appears from this angle)

Hahahaha....

 My Princess Fifi appears no taller than an ankle bone........ dinosaur ankle bone that is.

ABSOLUTELY HUMONGOUS and FEROCIOUS......... nah, NOT this guy, he's a mini plastic figure from the museum gift shop!

 Couldn't resist the opportunity to snap a shot of the beautiful SANDIA MOUNTAINS on this lovely family day.

BAM!! LOOK OUT for the BEAST BEHIND YOU!!!!!

We love going to the "DINOSAUR MUSEUM" 

"Eye" hope you enjoyed our pics...

Where even the Coelophysis gets love and attention.

Muah......

(click here and here to see what we were up to a year ago today!)

a fishy field trip

Fun time for Fifi, as today her advanced studies science class headed to the Bosque School for a field trip. 

They were working with the Bosque school, New Mexico wildlife and Rio Grande Open Spaces to finalize their wild fish monitoring program they began earlier this year. 

During the school year, Fifi's advanced studies science class, recorded the daily fish activity and behavior of several different native Rio Grande species.

The BEMP (Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program) teachers at Bosque School toured the students along the bosque near the Rio Grande River, where they re-released the native fish back into their natural habitat. 

Fifi was impressed with the Bosque school and enjoyed getting out of the classroom for the day too.

 In fact, the advanced studies science class enjoyed more than a few hours away from school today....

;-)

(click here for the last trip we made to the Bosque school)

The Gathering....

The annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is this weekend at the University of New Mexico Arena aka THE PIT.

This event is known as North America's Biggest Powwow.

The powwow runs April 26, 27, 28....beginning with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Isleta Pueblo. The crowing of Miss Indian World is on Saturday evening at the Pit. There will be plenty of traditional native competition dancing, traditional native music, traditional arts and craft market, powwow, and Native talent on Stage 49. We love this time of year, when many NATIVE AMERICANS and other INDIGENOUS TRIBES from other countries come to ABQ. 

It's so beautiful to see so many lovely faces around.....

In front of the Pit: the lines are already forming for tomorrows OPENING DAY

This is inside the Pit where the stage AND sound are coming together.

Many people lining up for general admission tickets as well for
vendors license for those who are selling at the Indian Market.

Looks like the local news station is here to do a expose....

This is the back area location of the Indian Traders Market and Stage 49

Why.......you ask.....am I already inside???

Well, we volunteer every year for the Gathering of Nations as crowd control manager. Basically an assistant to help those unfamiliar with the Pit to find exits, entrances, special entrances for dancers and performers, and special VIP seating. Sometimes we volunteer as counter for the dancers-- to make sure they get credit for dancing during special competition events as well.

The Gathering of Nations is so much fun to attend.... the splendor of the traditional regalia is amazing and beautiful. To be here live as the beating of the drums and chanting of the singers brings your core to harmony...... NO JOKE....REALLY.

The sight of the dancers dancing....The sound of the traditional rhythmic beats.....The smells of the traditional foods is beyond words.... PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST THIS IS A MUST.....you should attend NORTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST POWWOW.

Exciting news.... summer is almost here!

The school year is winding down....

I can't believe that school is almost out for

the SUMMER.... in just about a month.

Fifi has a spring in her step as she
 skips towards me with exciting school news

I think EXCITEMENT is in the air.....whatever it is...the children are excited!!

The weather is beautiful and smiles are everywhere....

fighting goose on the loose

This is what we saw on our way to the comic book store today.

Do you know what that is on the ground??

One of my kiddos said....

"Whoa, what happened here?!!"

"I think a couple of geese had a fight!

And it doesn't look like it ended well either!"

This statement made me laugh so hard I had tears running down my face.

I love it!!

This is NOT the results of a goose fight....  it's the cotton blowing around off from the cottonwood trees.

The best statement ever made...... NOW how could it be anything but two geese in a fight.

Oh....... I love being MOM to the best kiddos ever.

Now guess ...... who do you think said that.

hopping down the bunny trail

Happy Easter

These beautiful Easter lilies are for you....

(thank you for visiting our little blog)

We're up early, Nana and Cheii just called.

 They're in town!!

They're with my sister (Auntie Leprechaun) they'll join us later for Easter mass.

After church, we'll go back to our house for

roast lamb,

 organic spinach-apple salad, 

baby potatoes,

strawberry shortcake

and fresh mango-orange juice

Afterward we plan on having a super fun Easter egg hunt in our back yard.

 Fifi, Sweetheart and Cookie decorated the eggs.

While Bam found these super cute vintage Easter images for decoration.

We're looking forward to a beautiful day....

Have a Hoppy Easter Day!!!

snow where to hide....

Woke up to SNOW this morning....

Yes, this is how much snow we got.........no joke!

Doesn't look like much snow in our part of the city....

But....

 The NE Heights seemed to have got a wee more snow than us.
(lucky them)

Awww..... Spring flowers covered in snow

There was enough snow in some parts of the city to cause a power outage.
Like at Fifi's school.....

About 10:30 AM her school called me to let me know school had been cancelled due to
power outage!

Some parents were none too happy to have their day interrupted to pick up their kid.

I, myself, was more than HAPPY to have Fifi back.
(Power outage or not)

I never really noticed before but the school doesn't have very many windows.
The school was VERY dark and BLACK
almost eerie~~~

Despite the ciao...
 The students were very happily excited to have this unexpected day off.

Downtown very early in the morn....

Then by 2 PM the snow was a memory.
The Sun was shining as if snow had never fallen.

A trail of melted snow lines the sidewalks

I wish I would've made a snowman..... or even a snowball.

the vernal equinox has arrived....

Spring has sprung in the Northern hemisphere.

Treat Mother Earth well

It was not given to you by your parents

it was loaned to you by your children

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors

we borrow it from our children....

up, up, and away....

SPRING BREAK TUESDAY

See our kites dancing with the clouds.....

The Sun is shining brightly and warm
 The wind is strong and breezy up high

It's a PERFECT day for flying kite!

flying up
flying high
flying strong
spinning everywhere
'round and 'round
 (original poem by Sweetheart)

Drafty Duke City

It's a bright, sunny, lovely, cloudless....COLD and CHILLY day in the Duke city.

I'm certain the chill in the air is coming off the Sandia Mountains.
As I make my way through the city; enroute to meet up with Bam.
Where do you think we lunched?
hint: $5......$5 footlong........

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......

On Halloween night the great pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch......

It was a perfectly beautiful day for a Halloween costume parade.

All the children marched in and out of the classrooms throughout the school. 
They made their way to the playground and then on to the grassy field. 
Sweetheart and Cookie were so proud of their costumes. 
Plus they were super happy because its
Halloween!

Take a peek at the annual costume parade at Cookie and Sweetheart's school.

2011 Halloween Costume Parade

It's a boo-tiful day for tricks, treats and fun........

Have a spooktacular day............

         HAPPY HALLOWEEN         

the mini chase crew

Look who got up bright and early.........

The air is chilly on this Sunday, last day of the International Balloon Fiesta.

We're

dressed in layers

 Sun block on our faces.

hand warmers in our pockets

breakfast burritos in our bellies
with our eyes to the sky

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 

ABQ International Balloon Fiesta

This is Hamlet the flying pig
 one of our favorite special shaped hot air balloons

Upon Hamlets' descent, Hamlet's chase crew gave us the privilege to deflate Hammy.

Hamlet's chase crew scrambling to tighten the under lying tarp

Hamlet needs help.........

Fifi is more than happy to help roll out the air from Hammy

Sweetheart is having a ball 

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' keep 'em kids rollin'....... 

Hamlet's chase crew along side my little balloon rollers.
Sweetheart, Fifi, Miss Katia--Sweethearts BFF, Cookie and Miss Deja--Fifis BFF

Thank you pilots and chase crew for giving my girls great memories.
It truly was an honor.

See you next year Hamlet!!

Doesn't this photo look like a balloonist trading card??

The girls eyes to the sky as they startle when the balloon's burners blast

The girls and the balloon's pilot
Miss Deja--Fifis BFF, Fifi, Cookie, Sweetheart, Miss Katia (Sweethearts BFF)

Hi Grandma-Great and Uncle Phil wish you were here.....

Trying to deflate the balloon, while keeping it off the cement
 is not an easy job UNLESS you have many little helping hands.

Sweetheart's tiny hands help well

Fifi and Cookie
hold the balloon off the ground

Fifi and Miss Deja stuff the balloon in the bag to the pilot's delight.
Cookie packs the balloon in by sitting on the bag.

That's the enormous hot air balloon all bundled up for next time

The "mini" crew and I had a great time chasing the big toys in the sky. 

We had fun this year and we look forward to next years International Balloon Fiesta.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures......

getting an eye full

This morning we saw this amazing oblong shaped hot air balloon and a couple of regular shaped balloons near the Sandia Mountains.

As you can see, the Sandia Mountains have a cold front enveloping it from the East. 

What a beautiful shot, it looks like an ocean wave roaring over the mountain towards the city.

 Bam got this shot and dozens of other, as the sky was filled with hot air balloons from every angle.

Tomorrow is day nine and last day of the International Balloon Fiesta.

Click the highlighted link above to be directed to their site to see time lapse recording of today and all the previous days of the Fiesta.

While there, you might be able to see the cold front off the Sandia in full motion as well.

Enjoy. It's eye-tastic.....

toys in the sky......

With my eyes big and my heart filled with happiness and wonder--I gaze at my toy box in the sky.
--This passage is from an original poem written by Princess Fifi--

This morning, as I took the children to school, we saw hundreds of hot air balloons enroute skyward.
We can look forward to this every morning, all week long. (weather permitting)

From the back seat I hear the children talking about the balloons. The conversation was as if they were talking about seeing old friends. As the kids point to the sky, "Look whose back." "I thought they couldn't make it in from Brazil this year." "I'm glad to see them again." "I hope they have a safe launch and good weather."

What a magical day......

Plus Princess Fifi is excited to report that she's made the cheerleading team
!!!!!!!!!!