Wild Wild West.....

Every morning, this week, we've been had to stop by the service station to fill our tire with air.

So today we're having it looked over for the leak to be repaired.

I was not pleased to hear that there was a hole in one of the new tires I bought last month.

But it was in fact-- three holes in that tire--Too close together for repair.

Arrgghhh!!

good ol' tire— took us many places, many times

I had to purchase another tire in addition to the one I was already going to buy.

Two tires!

*Frustration*

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

But leave it to my girls to put a smile right back on my face.

"If I was a tire.......…Would you choose me?"

We were in for a long wait.

So we went into Costco to peruse the aisles and grab a snack.

(caesar salad and churro.......Mmmm)

Hai

King sized bear hugs 

Cookie dancing like a ballerina while her shadow looks like an animated version of her....

After what seemed like hours our van was ready.

Cookie was joyous to be leaving Costco with new tires on our van.

CRASH......

On the way home, while we were waiting at the  stop light, we were hit from behind. 

Apparently the other driver was texting and driving. 

As I got out to inspect any damage or injury. 

The woman, still clutching her cellphone, checked too, but then jumped quickly back into her car and sped away. 

Our van did NOT received any damage.

Her car received major front end damage.

She left before we could get any insurance or license or even license plate information.

We were left with sore necks and back and our van had NOT even a scratch.

A police report was filed on the hit and run.

Must be why New Mexico is called the WILD, WILD WEST......

swoosh....

It's FRIDAY!!

Its time for a little family5 basketball.....

Swoosh....nothing but net by BAM

Bam is very good at this game.....scores very easily, very well.

Princess Fifi enjoys playing and cheering us on

Sweetheart finds climbing the goal post like a monkey entertaining.

Cookie loves to slam dunk! (with the assistance from her brother)

Nessie sighting in ABQ!!

En route, after school, we took a detour through the residential neighborhoods.

That's when we saw this landscape display.....

What is this creature with a goat head swimming through the cacti?

Is it the lock ness monster (nessie doesn't have a goat head or back fins)

A sea dragon (lacking wings and furiousness)

or 

 ogopogo (that's it!!)

Very interesting............ definitely!

(would you agree??)

what's for dinner?

It's a beautiful, warm evening....

For tonight's dinner we shall dine alfresco.

We'll devour our fish tacos under our GIANT pecan tree in our backyard.

What more could we ask for?

We love fish tacos!! 

We make the best fish tacos around too.

Mmmmm....

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....

running from the bone chilling weather

ON YOUR MARK.... 

GET SET....

BANG!!!

We're supporting our Princess Fifi as she competes in her very first track meet.

It's a very, very, chilly day.
New Mexico weather is so strange!
Most of the time the weather is warm and beautiful. But sometimes we get these crazy cold snaps.
Despite the cold temperatures, the participants must run their events.
Brrrr.....

Look at that bit of snow on the southern end of the Sandia Mountains....
and that WIND!

The track runners look cold but a few lucky ones like our Fifi dressed in SMART layers.
Fortunately for Fifi she wore her cold weather running gear by Under Armour.
We love this company! (Look here)
Great stuff!!

Fifi in her track outfit with her black layered Under Armour.

Bam is leading Fifi off the field and out of the stadium after a very cold but very successful run!
Great Job Fifi!
Yay!!

Shhhh----our dog is a secret agent

You remember these guys right??

This is Sir Kyle (Bichon Frise) and Lady Cholula (Xoloitzcuintli) our doggies.

Today we're spending this Spring Break Sunday playing out in the backyard with these guys.

RELAXING.....

Lady Cholula enjoying her daily sunbath while Sir Kyle takes a break from playing fetch
with the kids--Notice that he's winking at me--

I'm not sure what kind of code it could be----BUT JUST IN CASE.

**wink wink**

that's the luck of me lucky charms.....

Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD.
Saint Patrick is said to have used shamrocks as a way to explain the Holy Trinity. In 1798, in order to make a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on March 17 to gather public attention to their rebellion. In Irish legends, green is worn by fairies, leprechauns and immortals.

Little known fact: In the Persingerfive household we make Leprechaun traps every year. We put them out on March 17 in hopes of trapping and catching a Leprechaun..... for his GOLD. (of course)
But we have yet to catch one....
He is a trickster and always leaves fake gold coins ---chocolate gold coins---in and around the trap.
That's how we know that crafty little fella been around......
We usually find Leprechaun footprints in our yard and one year in our house!!!


Did you know that Saint Patrick's Day is the most widely celebrated saint's day in the world.

43rd annual parade "rain or shine"

In St. Louis, they celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with a parade (or two) on Market Street near the Gateway Arch.
(click here to see our holiday in St. Louis blog)

In Chicago they celebrate Saint Patrick's day
with their 188th annual Saint Patrick's day parade
but not before they dye the river GREEN!!

In Chicago they dye the Chicago River green to kick off the celebrations!!
(click here to see our holiday in Chicago blog)

New York City has an annual 251st annual Saint Patrick's Day parade.

Even the Empire State Building gets dressed up in green for Saint Patrick's Day.
(click here to see our holiday in New York blog)

This is the very FIRST year that Niagara Falls turned green in honor of Ireland's patron Saint.

Can you even believe that Niagara Falls can look even more amazing in GREEN!
This special light display was special, for the first time, for Saint Patrick's Day.    
Beautiful!!
(click here to see our holiday in Niagara Falls blog)

Downtown ABQ--not too far from where we live

Even here in ABQ the skylight is GREEN.
We went to dinner in downtown ABQ for the traditional corned beef, cabbage dinner

 (leeks, potatoes, carrots, dinner roll and green ice cream)
Talented bagpipers and sweet irish step dancers entertained us during dinner.
(little known fact: Fifi took Irish step dancing lessons when she was younger--such a cute reminder)

Bam took this great photo of his sisters; Sweetheart, Cookie and Fifi.
(the lights in the downtown underground tunnel look AWESOME in this photo)

As cute as can be........even in GREEN

Erin Go Bragh

airplanes and rockets testing grounds

SPRING BREAK FRIDAY

What to do..... what to do.....

The children wanted to go to the "BIG" park.

Since we had errands to run on that side of town we decided to do just that.

But first.....

a trip to the dollar store yields us some foam airplanes and a package of screechy rocket balloons.

Then off to the park we went to race them.

So much laughter....

If only running tasks and errands could be this FUN (all the time)

lava-ly dinosaurs....

SPRING BREAK THURSDAY

Take a walk with us today through the Triassic period, the Jurassic period, then onto the Cretaceous period.
Perfect day to examine and study the dinosaur bones, atmospheric exhibits, fossils, and minerals.
You guessed right, if you think we're at the museum.
(a.k.a: the dinosaur museum)

Don't worry Stan won't attack you............ he's got no guts! hahahaha......

This is Stan the T-rex at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science as he greets us upon entering. 

"I think I need longer arms...."

Cookie stretches her arms out as she measures the length of this dinosaur.

--Meow--

 "What if saber toothed tigers came in a mini version that I could hold in my hand."

Volcano, lava and steam.......…Oh my!!

Cookie and Sweetheart being careful to NOT step on the lava in the volcano exhibit.
Since they were little tiny tikes they used to be afraid of walking in the lava room.

And now....
 Will they're not frightened anymore.
Let's just say they still refuse to step on the replica lava floor......
Silly girls! So funny....…
GREAT DAY!!

running around in circles......3.141592653

SPRING BREAK WEDNESDAY

Happy Pi Day

Pi, Greek letter (π), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.
Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts (like us) around the world on, March 14th.
Pi = 3.1415926535....

With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number meaning it will continue infinitely without repeating.
Amazing huh....

What better way to celebrate the day than to have chicken pot pie for lunch and apple pie for dessert!!
Mmmmm....

Hmmm.....perhaps for dinner we shall dine on pizza pie and eskimo pie!

(hahaha)

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)

What?......No bacon!

SPRING BREAK MONDAY

Okay, that's not really what's we're having for breakfast.
Just something I say to get everyone to the table sometimes.

I'm making a super yummy breakfast....
How does warm, hearty Irish oatmeal,
buttery, cinnamon toasty-toast
and
hot English tea sound??

Mmmmm....

I just couldn't bear the children eating cold cereal for breakfast again.

I've been feeling under the weather this week.....(in case you didn't know)
.... But the show must go on

Nom Nom Nom Nom

not just for babies....

Do you know what this stuff is???

It's Ella's Kitchen organic pureed pouches of fruits and veggies.

This stuff is amazing!!

This is basically what I've been surviving on since the burning inferno in my throat began.

Baby food is the only thing that will slide down my super tender throat.

It's a nice break from apple sauce, mashed potatoes and much cheaper than Odwalla juice drinks.

This stuff is good too, very flavorful and delightful.

No artificial flavors, no artificial fillers, its gluten-free and organic

and affordably priced.

They offer fun flavorful concoctions with a mix of fruits and veggies.

Cookie and Sweetheart are enjoying them too and even Bam and Fifi enjoyed a pouch or two. (or more)

I think even after my illness is gone, we will continue to buy these little guys.

(if you buy apple sauce, then you MUST try this)

Excellent!

if only

It's the weekend and it's also the unofficial-official start to Spring Break. 

Spring Break is a whole week and some to do as we please.

We could....

How about....

Maybe....

Let the dreamin' begin......

keeping it simple...

Today is 'parent-teacher' conference day at Cookie and Sweetheart's school.

I feel the need to attach the following disclaimer:

Teachers: 
Kindly excuse my lack of questions. 
I have only a teeny tiny bit of my voice back. 

Please accept my apologies for little dialog.

Simply put:

Nice day

Good girls

Excellent grades

Today I'm feeling rather numb, rough, achy, patchy and raw.

 My neck is sore and my ears are ringing.
The burning inferno in my throat has now been down graded to a blazing forest fire.

shocking topic....

As crazy and as insane this may sound....…

(here goes)

oh sweet antibiotics and pain pills day

Although, now, it will be a day until I notice the affects of the prescriptions drugs. 

I look forward to recovery from that blazing inferno in my throat, ears and neck. 

I look forward to NO more crazy slushy feeling my brain has become.

I look forward to enjoying my days. (once again)

Best of all I look forward to enjoying my children--whilst not in a fog.

But for now...... I begin my treatment.

Good day.......

all it takes is faith and patience....

Over the past few days my voice has progressively gotten lower, quieter, and smaller.
Lately, it's gone from a whisper, to a squeal, to now--nothing at all....…

My home is usually filled with cheer and laughter from my children.
But it seems to have been temporarily replaced with quieter library like-voices.

Bam, Fifi, Sweetheart, Cookie, It really isn't necessary to whisper

I understand, though, it's just compassion and sympathy they have for me.
They're so sweet............without even realizing it.
(my heart is smiling)
------------------------

I'm still waiting to hear back from my doctor.

In the meantime, I'm thinking lovely, happy thoughts in order to counteract the inferno of the throbbing fire within my neck, along my ears, behind my eyes and throughout my head.

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

Lovely thoughts of....

snowflakes

 

flowers

blueberry orchards

opera

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I've notice something.....

 I'm certain their must be a glitch in my ill, cranky brain....
....Because while I'm trying to think of those lovely, happy thoughts; random, odd inquirers keep stumping me and interrupting my lovely thoughts with questions like:

"What was my locker combination in high school?"

"What is the name of the dog in that one movie about that couple?"

"Can I still recite the states and capitals in alphabetical order?"

"What was the poem I read in my 2nd grade school play?"


oh geez... (insanity)

silent screams

Today, I took my icky, sicky throat to the doctors office.

"How bad is it doc...will I ever speak again?"

My Doctor took a throat culture for testing and now it'll be a day or so for the results to come back from the lab.

In the meantime, I'm given these recommendations for relief.

1. Take extra vitamin D to boost my immune system

 --How can I do this when I can't seem to swallow ANYTHING!!!

Swallowing what is naturally in my mouth already makes me cringe and wince like an insane woman.

2. Drink plenty of water

 --See comment #1

3. Gargle hot water with salt 

--I tried this when I got home and I think I almost fainted over the pain that shot through my throat, up into my eyeballs and straight to my brain----SALT is a KILLER!!

4. Take Acetaminophen for the pain

 --See comment #1. Plus if I manage to shove a pill down my throat, it seems to remain stuck midways--which offer zero relief and more discomfort!!

The waiting game is agonizing......and my throat is still on FIRE

!!!!!!

boo hoo......

FIRE, FIRE, Please put out the fire in my throat.....

Awk...

This is how my throat feels as I battle a sore throat.......

So very glad none of the children are ill.

But I'd rather be ill than to let them go through the suffering.

I'll try my hardest to continue on, despite feeling slightly defeated.....

Ding-Ding----Round one is over (you haven't won yet throat ick)

Round two is next and I'll be armed (I'm certain--after seeing my doc today)

Luckily blogging doesn't require an audible voice because right now I don't have one.

sweeping the sweepstakes.....

Sunday is a good day to stay home.....

Bam is back home with us.

He had great time in Santa Fe with the Speech and Debate team!

The team ended up placed very high in state competition and brought back some gorgeous trophies.

I heard state competition was challenging but of course our team is always up for a challenge.

They did EXCELLENT......so very proud.

*applause*

fluffy, puffy pillows under my head.......

The weekend is here......

 My Bam is in Santa Fe for state competition tournament.

Fifi, Sweetheart and Cookie are excited to make this a girls weekend.

--Sorry babies, not today.....

Mommy's throat is irritated and I feel feverish  

 I can't get ill.... I'm a busy mum.

Ohhh no..... I feel woozy now.

Fifi says,"Relax-Rest-and Recuperate Mommy" as she fluffs a pillow for me.

Cookie and Sweetheart assured me, "Don't worry, we're here for you...."

xoxo

So lucky to have the best children in the UNIVERSE

all the way......to Santa Fe

It was a beautiful drive.......

I took Bam to Santa Fe so he can participate in the State Speech and Debate Competition tournament.

His team left yesterday, as for Bam, there was some last minute un-rearrangable appointments that we had to take care of first.

So I promised Bam I would drive him to Santa Fe today, after we got the girls off to school.

-----------

It was an enjoyable, quick drive to Santa Fe. 

(random fact: ....minimum living wage in SF is $10.29 an hr)

When we arrived, we found the venue, Santa Fe CC, with easy.

After Bam reunited with his team, I delivered his luggage to the hotel.

 They stayed, not far from the college, at the Marriott.

I ♥ Santa Fe!  It's so very.........Santa Fe.

I was hoping to be able to walk around downtown a bit......but I was in a rush to get back to ABQ.

I have many errands awaiting my efforts.

Good luck at State competition, my love.....

understand life.....

Inspirational quote for this first day of March

profound....eh??