Closing out September

We had a fairly calm day thanks to the Jewish New Year. We feasted on a grand spread of Jewish foods like Keugal and Challah at Stacey's. It felt like Thanksgiving.



Mateo couldn't wait to see Clooney. While I ate breakfast he brought over my flip-flops and told me to put them on. He had to go see Stacey and Clooney! Not only did he enjoy Clooney's company he also got to climb a fence at the dog park.





Our little garden gave up its first harvest (I use that term losely). We picked our first tomatoe. We planted pepper and watermelon and we have flowers and melons, but it's unlikely we'll actually get anything to grow enough in what's left of the warm weather.

I asked Mateo if he was a baby and his clear-as-day response was, "no, I'm a biiig boy!" He certainly is.

Shanah Tovah

Tomorrow is the start of the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the High Holy Days so none of us have to go to school (gotta love the East Coast). I'm glad I don't have to get up early, but I like my job, so I'll miss not being there. I got all sorts of great news today. The 9th grade vice principal (who is also Boricua) and I are staring a Latina mentoring group and we learned that it received funding! Unsolicited no less! Now we'll get to take the girls on trips and buy bait, I mean, pizza. Today I found out I will receive an award too. I had a great day today, even if Wall Street did not.

We went to Michael's to buy supplies for Chayla's 2nd Native American Project: the Pueblo Kachina Doll. On the way there Mateo asked me, "Mami, where we going?" When I told him his response was "Holy cow, I like it Michaels!" He's never been to Michael's before. Chayla is in heaven at the craft store so she took off in one direction and Mateo in another. I finally got Mateo into a shopping cart by telling him a monster was going to get him. Little did I know that there actually were scary figures throughout the store in prepapration for Halloween. I guess now he'll listen to me when I ask him to sit in the carrito.

My good friend, Stacey, invited us to have Rosh HaShannah dinner with her tomorrow. It'll be Chayla's 1st Jewish celebration and she's prepared by reading a kid's book I got for her. Mateo is just excited to see Stacey's adorable dog, Clooney. Mateo was in a corner playing quietly, when all of the sudden he blurts out, "I can't wait go to Stacey and Clooney! I can't wait!"

Also of note is "Chayla and Will". Last year she tells me she knows that Will likes her. I asked her how she knew and she said because he looked at her. Well, I laughed, but I guess it was true. When we went to meet the teacher, he followed us home on his bike. Two weekends ago he came by with his dad in their mini-van, but we were out. I told her she could tell him to call beforehand next time he wanted to visit. After checking with me, this morning she gave our number to the neighbor who is still at the same school with Will. Chayla's got game! I'm pretty sure I never had game like that.

I tried to "potty-train" Mateo tonight (not that it can be done in one night). I knew he hadn't gone #2 yet so I took off his wet diaper and slipped on his Spider-Man underoo's. I kept checking him, and reminding him that he needed to use the potty. Afer a bit he came running to me saying "ca-ca". I ran over to him in delight thinking he had given me sufficient warning and he was going to use his potty successfully on the first try. He hadn't pooped on himself...only peed all over Spidey and his Amazing friends.

Dust Bunnies & Violins

It took a lot of trying, but I gathered the energy to clean. This isn't just any cleaning, I cleaned under our King-sized bed! Holy dustballs! Chayla and I swept, vaccumed, and then swiffered under that sucker. I think my shoes, which reside under our bed, were thankful. The cool thing was that I found Freddie's memory box amongst the shoes. I dug up a bunch of old pics from when he was a little boy. Now that Mateo's hair is long, he looks even more like his dad. It's funny to think that one day he'll be a man.

We watched the Goonies today. Mateo was into it for 5 minutes but Chayla was the one that cracked me up. When Andy (the cheerleader) accidentlly kissed Mikey (Sean Astin) she turned her head, covered her mouth, and giggled with embarassment. The funy thing is I remember having the exact reaction when I first saw it back in (dare I say) the 80's!

I took Chayla to rent her violin. It's a very exciting adventure we're embarking upon: a daily 15-minute dose of screaching "twinkle, twinkle little star". Wish me luck. At least she's adorable.



Mateo continues to amaze me. While he was playing with his spoon he placed it on his nose. He then crossed his eyes and looked over at me. He exclaimed, "oh wow! I see two mami's." We also had a great time playing in his clean room. Chayla's old tea set and fake food really triggered his imagination. He was utterly grateful that I made him hotdogs, waffles, and special juice! Check out how fast he can climb up to Chayla's bed (I had barely snapped the pic from above).

R&R&R

Rain...it rained off and on all day. It's nice when it rains b/c you don't feel the need to be outside enjoying the warmer days. It'll soon be winter and we'll be confined to the house more often, but being so busy, it's nice to take a break. My job has kept me busy, but it's rewarding. I actually look forward to going to work. Today I drove some students to Howard University to attend a Youth Leadership Conference. My route began at 7:15am and by 12:30 I was ready for a nap!

Rest...I needed some. I've packed our weeks with so much stuff to make the time fly, I really needed a nap. Work, Chayla's Hip Hop class, Mateo's school and co-oping, his sports class. Chayla is a busy gal with a better social life than mine. She went to the movies and saw Igor with her BFF Ariel. Now she's at a birthday party across the street. My 9 year old has a 9pm curfew. I never had a curfew b/c I was never allowed anywhere! Chayla is in an accelerated classroom (Gifted Center) so she has more work to do. She's a very hard worker and dedicated to her studies, so I don't mind that she has fun on the weekends. Plus, it helps her pass the time and miss her dad a little less.

Relaxation...b/c of the rain, I decided to stay home this afternoon and enjoy Mateo. Earlier, I took him to a Tiny Tots sports class at 9:30am where he refused to trap, dribble, or throw the soccer ball. We had to run a lap to warm up and as we passed a bench, he just ran right to it and sat down. He wasn't very into it today. We then watched a movie, ate popcorn and marshmallows; made playdough and a mess; and then we made and ate chocolate chip cookies. When I told him we were going to make cookies he said, "good idea Mami!" Another good quote was when we were headed upstairs. He opened up his arms and quietly said, "I wanna hold you, Mami." He meant he wanted me to hold him :) I love those moments.

Blogging Beginner

I don't consider myself a good wirter. I've never really been inspired to write, but I figured I'd give this blogging thing a whirl since I need an outlet.

Freddie has been deployed since July. I was able to email him for the first part of the tour, but part II of the mission is more sensitive and communication is very limited. I have no way to communicate with him. I could call the Red Cross but I don't think missing him counts as an emergency.

I want this blog to serve as a record of our lives while he's gone. Here we go.

Chayla turned in her diorama project based on her research of the Pueblo people of the Southwest. Did you know the Pueblos would dig a hole, get in it, cover it with brush, lay a dead rabbit on it, and then wait for an EAGLE to take the bait. When the eagle landed, the Pueblo man would grab its legs and hold on for dear life, I suppose. She also got braces:


Mateo started Nursery school last week. He's a very serious little guy. While he loves to play with all the toys, he refuses to interact with any adult other than his teacher. His schol is a co-op so I have to assist the teacher a few times per month. Those were 2 of the most exhausting hours of my life. I think only labor and my Master's exam rank above it. And I used to teach! Here is how he left me the 1st day. Needless to say I was THAT mom who cried on the playground as he left.


My Dad is living with us while Freddie is deployed. He has been a tremendous help and I feel lucky to have him to watch my son. It's given me a lot more freedom and flexibility during a time when I feel a little overwhelmed. I haven't lived with my Dad since I was 18 so it's quite an experience. He's certainly more relaxed than when I was a kid but, since he has no hobbies or interests, he just watches the news and Keith Oberman. The election, the mess with the economy, FOX news, and the energy crisis serve as fodder for all his conspiracy theories. Don't even get him started.


As for me, my latest adventure has been personal training. By that I mean, I pay money for someone to motivate me to get to the gym and sweat. It's a big deal for me since I fell out of working-out once I got preggers and that was over 3 years ago. It's been a great distraction and stress-reliever while Freddie's gone.


Freddie is deep under water somewhere in the cold Atlantic. It's not a pleasant thought, but at least he isn't in a desert. For that, and many other things, I am grateful.