The Magical Foods

I have a very smart little boy with a very bad streak of luck. First he cuts off his finger and now we just learned he's got 10 teeth that will need dental work. Poor kid! None of my other children had anything wrong with their teeth just him.

While running errands in Phoenix, DJ noticed the street we were on was the same one we take to go to the zoo. I complemented him on his great observation skills and asked him how he got so smart. "Because," he said, "I eat my beans." In our family carrots make you see really good, green beans make your hair grow long, salad makes you run fast, chicken makes you strong and beans make you smart. Now if I could only find a food that gives you good luck we may be on to something.

Happy 4th of July!

We were excited. This year we were in the U.S.A. for the 4th that meant we were actually going to celebrate American Independence Day in America. There would be a parade and we would get to see REAL fireworks instead of popping balloons in Mexico for the fireworks sound effect. Remember last year's celebration?

The day started out with a great little parade and pancake breakfast. To check out more nostalgic and fabulous pics of the parade go here.

Here's Alexandria looking all Americanelicious ready for her big debut in the Hope Street parade.

The boys weren't really into the parade they just wanted the pancakes.

But these girls knew exactly what to do to show their American pride.

Since Mom (or Grandma) left us for the cool country it was up to my generation to plan the Independence Day afternoon festivities. That included cousins, a ton a food and a lot of water. The kids partied their little American hearts away anxiously awaiting the REAL fireworks.

Then it was time. Fireworks! As we sat there on the grass watching the beautiful cascade of fire our sweet Alexandria serenaded "God Bless America" and DJ, in true boy style, remarked that the fireworks looked like "shooting bombs" then asked if we could do it again.

I hope so DJ. In this unpredictable world we live in I hope we are always able to celebrate our freedom and the marvelous country we live in.

Memory Monday

I just realized this is my 300th post! WOW! That's not bad for almost two years of work.

On to Memory Monday.

Remember when Papi used to play in English speaking stadiums? Remember how quiet the games were especially compared to the ones in Latin countries? Remember standing up to do the seventh inning stretch and singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"? I do. Although I'm glad our kids get to see the other side I really miss the quiet English games and I really hope they'll get to see him play here again.

Felicidades Papi

I'm not slacking, I swear. Okay, so maybe I am late with the Father's Day post. But in my defense, it is Father's Day in the Dominican Republic today.

So in tribute to Papi, this post is for him. When Papi is home this is what the little people in our house like to do most. Let's play ball. AJ wants to be just like him. "Papi will you play catch with us?" is the number one most asked question when Papi's around.

Plus Mommy loves Papi because . . .well . . . look at those muscles! Don't you just want to touch them? Hey! Hands off, they're mine.

We love Papi! Thank you Papi for all that you do for us.

Happy Father's Day!

Something's Different

Notice anything different about this family?

Look close. . . .

Closer. . . .

Really? You still can't see anything different? Okay, I'll give you a hint . . . everyone in this family is one.

Look really good . . .

Now do you see it?

No?


Well then, I guess I'll just have to tell you.




They are all AMERICANS! Ha!

What's that? You can't tell a person's nationality just by looking at them? Hmmm . . .




Okay so I guess there really is no difference in the way we look.

But Papi took an oath that was overseen by this sweet Judge Strand, who cried during the naturalization ceremony. And we have this piece of paper in Papi's hand that make it official.




Congratulations Papi!

I don't think much will change but {smile} it will be nice to be able to stand in the same lines when we travel internationally. Ooh, and now I'll get to vote twice, once for Papi and once for me, right?

Plus, if there is a difference in the way Papi looks, he's definately HOT as an American! Don't you think?

Memory Monday

This is what we're missing out on. We still haven't made it down to Mexico yet this season and my boys are missing watching Papi in the games and hanging out with him in the club house. While he was here to get his citizenship they played catch during every spare minute they had with him. AJ was finally able to practice without DJ being too aggresive. DJ was understandably more worried about his finger than the ball. Hopefully we'll be able to go this year, even if it's just for a week, so we can get more cute pictures like this.

I'm proud to be an American . . .

Papi is becoming an American citizen on Friday, June 12.

We're going to have a party.

Since this is a private blog and I know who reads it I can safely say if you're reading this YOU'RE INVITED.

Come join the American celebration Friday, 7 pm at our home.

Hope we'll see you there.

Memory Monday

It's fun to see the traditions of our fathers being passed down from one generation to another.

See this guy holding the fish.
Okay so maybe you can't see his face.
Let's try this picture. There that's kind of better, the one making the mustache with my hair.
He's Clint's dad, Uncle Adrian.
He used to take us out on fishing trips.
He was so fun. We loved Uncle Adrian.







Now Clint is creating the same fun memories for my kids. This is one tradition that we hope never ends.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

"Ugggh!!!" DJ yells. He is really upset at something.

"What's wrong DJ?" I ask.

"The mirror just keeps doing whatever I doos."

Finger update: In DJ's own words, "It's weird my finger is growing but not my nail. My nail is supposed to grow, not my finger."

You Catch It You Eat It

Have you seen these?

If you're from the East you probably call them "crayfish". If you're from the West they're "crawdads". And if you live in the South you call them "crawfish". Whatever you call them we fished ourselves some out of the creek today and the kids loved it. And believe it or not they even ate them. No thanks to this momma though. They have a great Aunt and Uncle (or actually first cousin once removed and his wife but whose keeping track?) who help them with those things.

Here are the kids thinking they're going to catch some food with those sticks. It's not going to well until . . .

this girl gets an idea. And with the help of Clint who attaches chicken liver in cheese cloth to the end of her stick she finally catches her dinner.

And DJ got some too.